“The conversation might start with a sister saying, ‘You know, Sally, sisterhood is something we really pride ourselves on as a chapter. We are committed to our friendships with one another. Can you tell me about some of your close friends from high school?’” By asking about her friends, you get a better sense of who she is and what she would value about sisterhood without the conversation being too intense. Values-based behavior is another important part of hosting a values-based recruitment. Look at the activities in your recruitment events, the way members are dressed, and your decorations and ask what message is portrayed about ZTA. Does it reflect our values? If not, alter things so the chapter still looks polished and inviting, but genuinely reflects the purpose and meaning of ZTA sisterhood. As each initiated member knows, ZTA programs and activities focus on members living the Fraternity’s mission. It is important to let all potential new members know about these values-based expectations, like time commitment and participation, up front and determine if they are willing to uphold them. Ultimately, some of the problems chapters face boil down to chapters not recruiting the women who accept ZTA values in the first place. Start with the end in mind, and ask yourself where you want to see your chapter in one year and in four years. “Our chapters need to be well-balanced with members who are strong in all areas important to ZTA,” Mrs. Mathews said. “Having a well-rounded chapter begins with recruiting
ZTA Legacy Policy ZTA’s legacy policy exists to give those women with a familial tie to Zeta Tau Alpha extra time to get to know our ZTA chapters. While they are not guaranteed a bid, this extra time allows both chapters and legacies to make sure their values are aligned and an invitation to membership is mutually beneficial for everyone. • Every known legacy must be invited back to one invitational event (during Formal Recruitment) before being released. • Every direct legacy (the daughter, granddaughter or sister of a Zeta) with a negative recommendation must be invited to one invitational event. • Every indirect legacy (the relative with close family ties, such as the niece of a Zeta) must be invited to one invitational event as long as there is no negative recommendation filed for her. • Direct legacies will be placed on the first Bid List or on the top of the second Bid List if they were not numerically placed on the first. If on the second Bid List, they shall be placed at lower end of the Quota range. For example, if the Quota range is 20 to 25 and a legacy naturally falls to 28, she should be placed at 21. women who care about contributing their individual values to enhance the overall organization’s values.” “We are not just selecting our Little Sisters or best friends,” Hannah Schneider, Delta Psi Chapter’s (Samford University) former Vice President III/Recruitment Chairman and a 2013-2014 Traveling Leadership Consultant reiterated. “If in recruitment we are not looking for the best leaders, scholars, athletes, servants and helpers, I believe we are doing our Founders a disservice.” In the end, the success of ZTA really is about how well we “Seek the Noblest.”
Summer 2013 · 27