Bloomington Normal Zetas

Eta Phi 2009 Recruitment

2009-06-14T15:08:00.000-07:00

Please join us as we assist the Eta Phi collegiate chapter with their 2009 recruitment, August 27-30. Help is needed for administrative assistance - counting points, etc. -- between parties. Alumnae are also invited to stand with our collegiate sisters during the preference party rituals. Do you hear "the call of Zeta?"

Please notify Michelle Gruener or Maggie McCormick to find out specific schedules and to let us know when you will be there.

2009 Yoplait Pink Lid Collection

2008-09-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

The Yoplait pink lid collection campaign is coming this fall! During the fall of every year, ZTA chapters collect lids in collection boxes provided by Yoplait. Boxes and other advertising materials not only display Yoplait’s logo, but ZTA’s as well! The best news is that when lids are turned in through our International Office, Yoplait donates 10 cents per lid to Susan G Komen AND 5 cents per lid to ZTA Foundation!

Last year, our alumnae chapter collected 500 lids. We can do even more this year! Logical locations for collection boxes are break areas or faculty lounges at work, health clubs, or other locations where people may be eating Yoplait yogurt. If you have an area where a box can be placed, please notify Maggie McCormick at ray.mccormick@comcast.net or at 318-614-1759 (cell.)

ALUMNAE RECRUITMENT PARTY

2008-09-29T12:38:00.001-07:00

*** ALUMNAE RECRUITMENT PARTY ***
Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Medici Restaurant, 120 W North Street, Normal


Join us for the food and fun and to meet ZTA alumnae you may not have met before! You will have a chance to pay your dues for the 2009-2010 membership year.  Gina has to submit them by the end of October, so this is a good time to get them in.  Come to Medici and invite a fellow alumna to attend with you!  Please RSVP to Maggie McCormick at ray.mccormick@comcast.net or at 318-614-1759 (cell.)

Symbols

2008-09-29T12:19:00.001-07:00

The insignia of the Fraternity are symbols of great meaning. They are a heritage from the past, significant because of what Zeta Tau Alphas believe. Many insignia have secret meanings that are revealed during the Initiation service. In order that the insignia of the Fraternity may be protected from imitation and to insure that only those who have the right to wear it may have access to it, the Fraternity selects authorized jewelers to handle orders for all official Fraternity jewelry.

(Listed alphabetically)

	Badge – The badge of the Fraternity is a small, black, enameled shield super-imposed upon a gold shield, bearing a five pointed crown with the letters ZTA arranged around it, and below it the word “Themis” in Greek.
	Banner – The banner of the Fraternity is rectangular and made of turquoise and gray satin. It bears the letter “A,” the word “Themis” in Greek, and a burning torch. The meaning of the banner is secret, but it may be hung in a place that is visible to anyone entering a chapter house, lodge, suite or chapter room.
	Chain of Chapters – A gold link inscribed “Alpha” begins Zeta Tau Alpha’s chain of chapters. Each time a new collegiate chapter is Installed, a silver link, etched with the chapter’s Greek name, is added to the chain.
	Colors – The colors of Zeta Tau Alpha are turquoise blue and steel gray. The significance of these colors is explained in the Initiation Service.
	Coat of Arms (Crest) – Only initiated members may use this in any manner, which is dignified and in good taste. The ritualistic meaning of the Coat of Arms is secret and is revealed to each member at the time of her Initiation.
	Corporate Logo – Zeta Tau Alpha’s current corporate logo (for general purposes referred to as “the ZTA window”) was designed in the early 1990s. It represents the rising sun with five rays that are symbolic of the warmth and the brightness that the Fraternity brings to her sisters. These five rays also represent the five points of the ZTA Crown (see below).
	Crown – The five-pointed Crown is an official symbol of the Fraternity. The significance of the five points is revealed to each member upon her Initiation. Many examples of crown artwork can be found within ZTA, and all are acceptable as long as the crown contains exactly five points.
	Flag, Fraternity – The official flag of the Fraternity was adopted at the 1950 Convention and is in the Fraternity colors with a Coat of Arms surrounded by the words “ZETA TAU ALPHA.”
	Flag, Chapter – In honor of ZTA’s Centennial (1998), a flag was produced to honor each Chapter. The flags are gray and turquoise with the Chapter name in Greek letters. A flag will be made for each successive chapter upon its Installation. The flags are housed at International Office.
	Flower – The flower of the Fraternity, chosen by Founder Ruby Leigh Orgain, is the white violet. Its symbolic meaning is explained in the Initiation Service.
	Honor Ring – adopted at the 1915 Convention, it is silver with the coat-of-arms superimposed upon a turquoise stone, flanked on either side by an open Bible and the crown. The national Fraternity upon approval of National Council shall award the Honor Ring. Presentation of the Honor Ring is based upon the provisions previously outlined.
	Mother’s Pin – A turquoise and silver crown with a white violet embossed upon it, this pin may be presented to mothers of initiated members and to Zeta house directors.
	Official Seal – The official seal of the Fraternity is circular with fluted edges bearing the name of the Fraternity and the date and place of founding. It is used on official documents of the national Fraternity. Replicas of the official seal may be used for decorative purposes.
	Patron Goddess – The Founders chose Themis to represent the Fraternity. Themis is, in Greek mythology, one of the Titans, daughter of Gaea (Earth) and Uranus (Heaven), and the mother of the three Fates and the Seasons. The goddess of divine justice and law, Themis was the constant companion of the god Zeus and sat beside him on Olympus. In ancient art she is represented holding aloft a pair of scales on which she weighs the claims of opposing parties.
	Pledge Pin – This pin is a silver carpenter’s square enameled in turquoise, to be worn by all duly pledged new members of the Fraternity.
	The Purple of the Fraternity – The purple of the Fraternity is the purple regalia, adorned with the torch and Coat of Arms, worn by the National President as a symbol of her office. It is worn at all official Zeta Tau Alpha functions such as Convention Business Meetings and Chapter Installations.
	Recognition Pins – A recognition pin consisting of three Greek letters in gold, “ZTA,” may be worn by new and initiated members. The recognition pin of a small gold, five pointed crown may be worn by initiated members only.
	Strawberry – In the late 1800s, an admirer of one of ZTA’s Founders, Mary Campbell Jones (Batte), sent her a gift of strawberries. The scrumptious present prompted the group of nine friends to host their first purely social gathering and to become officially recognized as a campus organization.
	White Violet Pin (50 year pin) – Only those who have been members of the Fraternity for 50 or more years and thus are recipients of the Order of the Shield may wear this pin, in the shape of the white violet. It may be worn as a recognition pin or as a guard to the badge.
	White Violet Charm (75 year charm) – Those members who have been a member or 75 years receive this charm, which is in the shape of the white violet with 75 superimposed upon it.

International Office

2008-09-29T12:18:00.002-07:00

Zeta Tau Alpha’s first Central Office was established by Grand Chapter in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pa, home of Chi Chapter member Alpha Burkart Wettach. For ten years, the Grand Chapter (now National Council) housed the Fraternity’s operations in the city where the President resided. This included Richmond, Va., in 1926 and Beaumont, Texas, in 1928. In 1930, when ZTA’s membership totaled 20,000, Convention delegates voted to secure a fixed location for the Central Office. Evanston, Ill., was selected as the host city. In 1968, the name “International Office” (IO) was selected to represent the growth of the Fraternity.

At the Diamond Anniversary Convention in 1974, delegates voted unanimously to move the International Office to its first Fraternity-owned building in Indianapolis, Ind. The Circle City was selected because of its central geographic location, lower construction costs and the absence of property tax for not-for-profit corporations. ZTA broke ground in 1977 and eventually took residence at 3330 Founders Road. In less than 15 years, ZTA’s day-to-day operations outgrew its 9,000-square-foot building. Taking advantage of a favorable building market, the ZTA Fraternity Housing Corporation sold the 3330 Founders Road residence to Theta Chi Fraternity and built a new 20,000-square-foot International Office less than ¼ of a mile away at 3450 Founders Road in 1993. The International Office staff is comprised of more than 25 personnel supervised by a team of Directors. For more information about International Office, please download our brochure.

Famous Zeta's

2008-09-29T12:18:00.001-07:00

Erin Andrews

An alumna of Gamma Iota Chapter, University of Florida, 2000
Sideline reporter for ESPN on Major League Baseball, NCAA football, basketball and baseball
Member of the Gator basketball dance team from 1997- 2000

Susan Ford Bales

Daughter of former President Gerald R. Ford
Special Initiate of Alpha Upsilon Chapter, Oklahoma State University, 1993
A dedicated breast-cancer advocate, she has served as spokesperson for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month for more than a decade
Co-chairman for the Capitol Council for Early Detection, a group of 11 wives and daughters of Presidents and Vice Presidents

Brigadier General Margaret A. Brewer, U.S.M.C.

An alumna of Alpha Gamma Chapter, University of Michigan
First Woman General of the United States Marine Corps

Phyllis George Brown

An alumna of the University of North Texas and Texas Christian University, initiated into Gamma Phi Chapter
Selected Miss America, 1971
Debuted as Network Television’s first female sportscaster in 1976
Earned an Emmy award for work with the NFL on CBS
Hosted “NFL Today” for eight seasons
Married Kentucky Fried Chicken Co-Founder John Y. Brown, Jr. in 1979; he served as governor of Kentucky from 1979-83
Authored Kentucky Crafts

Betty Buckley

An alumna of Gamma Psi Chapter, Texas Christian University
Won a Tony Award in 1983 for the portrayal of Grizabella inCats, the musical
Portrayed the role of “Abby” on the TV series Eight Is Enough
Headed the London Company of Sunset Boulevard for a year, before starring on Broadway in the New York production at the Minskoff Theatre
Starred in the Bruce Beresford film Tender Mercies

Faith Skowronski Daniels

An alumna of Theta Chapter, Bethany College
Reported news for 48 Hours and Sunday Morning
Served as News Anchor for The Today Show and CBS Early Morning News
Hosted the television show A Closer Look

Geralyn Lucas

Special Initiate of Theta Xi Chapter at Rutgers University during Convention 2006
Author of “Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy” which become a Lifetime Television movie in 2006
Director of Public Affairs for Lifetime Television
Member of Lifetime's Stop Breast Cancer for Life initiative

Deborah Platt Majoras

An alumna of Delta Omega Chapter, Westminster College
Named by President George W. Bush as Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, Aug. 2004
Partner in the antitrust section of Jones Day law firm, Washington, D.C.
Appointed deputy assistant attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, April 2001; Named principal deputy, Nov. 2002.
Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia in 1989
Selected ZTA's 2006 Outstanding Alumna

Nicole Paggi

An alumna of Theta Psi Chapter, Texas State University San Marcos
Will appear in "Campus Confidential" (2005) TV Series
Starred as Sydney Shanowski on "Hope & Faith" (2003) TV Series
Played Marie Blanchard in Frozen Impact (2003) Movie
In 2002, played Britney in "Providence" TV Series
Debuted on TV Series "Pasadena" in 2001 as Jennie Bradbury

Lynda Johnson Robb

An alumna of Kappa Chapter, The University of Texas at Austin
Daughter of former President Lyndon B. Johnson
Married to Virginia Senator Charles Robb
Serves as Vice President of the L.B.J. Company, on the Board of Directors of the radio station KLBJ and director of the LBJ Foundation
She serves as Chairman of the Board for Reading Is Fundamental
Selected ZTA’s 1998 Outstanding Alumna

Shonda Brewer Shilling

An alumna of Iota Delta Chapter, Towson University in Maryland
Founder of SHADE, The Curt and Shonda Schilling Melanoma Foundation of America
Selected ZTA’s 2004 Outstanding Alumna
Selected Towson University’s Outstanding Alumna 2007

Dr. Ellen Taaffe Zwilich

An alumna of Florida State University, Beta Gamma Chapter
The first female recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in music, won in 1983 for her Symphony No. 1
Holds the first appointment to the Carnegie Hall Composer’s Chair, collaborating with the staff on all of the Hall’s activities
With the blessing of cartoonist Charles Schulz, an avid fan who mentioned her twice in his comic strips, composed “Peanuts Gallery,” a lively six-part character study for piano and orchestra
First woman to receive a doctorate in music composition from the Julliard School of Music

About ZTA

2008-09-29T12:17:00.002-07:00

Zeta Tau Alpha was founded Oct. 15, 1898, by nine women at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Farmville, Va. Only 14-15 years of age, these young women desired permanence to their friendships and hoped to perpetuate their sisterhood long after college. Though dedicated to the formation of a Greek-letter group, the band of nine delayed selecting a formal name. A temporary name of “???” was taken when, as legend has it, a member of another group met with the Founders. Raising her eyebrows and forming her fingers in the shape of a question mark, she asked “Who are you?” In unison, the group answered “Yes, Who? Who? Who?” Thus, the group came to be known as “???” while they sought an appropriate Greek name and symbols. During this time, the group received valuable assistance from two of the members’ brothers -- Maud Jones Horner’s brother, Plummer Jones, and Frances Yancey Smith’s brother Giles Mebane Smith. Both were students at the college of William and Mary, members of men’s Greek-letter organizations and knowledgeable of Greek lore. After a year of careful contemplation, the group chose the formal name, the patron goddess and the badge.

Today, Zeta Tau Alpha consists of three entities: Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity (for general purposes referred to as Zeta Tau Alpha or ZTA), Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation, Inc. (for general purposes referred to as the Foundation or ZTAF) and Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity Housing Corporation (for general purposes referred to as the National Housing Corporation or NHC). The names Zeta Tau Alpha, ZTA and National Fraternity are often used when referring to the three organizations as a whole.

The Founders of Zeta Tau Alpha:

Maud Jones Horner, Died Aug. 20, 1920
Della Lewis Hundley, Died July 12, 1951
Alice Bland Coleman, Died June 11, 1956
Mary Jones Batte, Died Dec. 3, 1957
Alice Grey Welsh, Died June 21, 1960
Ethel Coleman Van Name, Died Jan. 24, 1964
Helen M. Crafford, Died Sept. 17, 1964
Frances Yancey Smith, Died April 23, 1977
Ruby Leigh Orgain, Died Oct. 22, 1984

The nine Founders and first three pledges pose for their first official photograph, the Mystifying Picture in 1899. Originally believed to be a photograph of some long forgotten ritual of the Fraternity, it was later discovered that this picture was instead intended to “Mystify the Normal” through its publication in The Normal Light (the school annual), and did not represent any ritual. Rather, it was created completely in good humor. The explanation of the famous “Mystifying Picture” as given by Odelle Warren Bonham, the first pledge:

Alice Coleman, whose brown eyes and irresistible manner are so often mentioned, was the Flirt. She is holding a handkerchief between her hands in an old time flirting signal. Della Lewis, the Judge, gazes at her in stern rebuke, while Maud Jones, the Angel, is lovingly pointing to higher aims. Fannie Smith, the Preacher, holds the Bible in her hand. Never would she have done it lightly, for even in those days she lived the life that could only come from an intimate acquaintance with the Book. Helen Crafford, the Teacher, was setting a “copy” on the slate.Ethel Coleman and Ruby Leigh were Lawyers. Alice Welsh, the Poet, was holding a quill pen and madly writing verse. Cammie Jones, the Light, held a burning candle. Grace Elcan was our Child of Nature; her hair was hanging and she was covered with wild flowers. Grace was one of the most perfectly natural people I ever knew – sweet to the core. I (Odelle Warren Bonham) was Grandma. I wore a black silk dress with a soft old lace shawl and brooch. My hair was parted in the middle and drawn down over my ears in a day when girls showed their ears. Ellen (Armstrong) was at my knee, wearing a high-waisted dress and playing with a toy monkey. She was the baby.

The Purpose of Zeta Tau Alpha:

The purpose of Zeta Tau Alpha is to intensify friendship, promote happiness among its members, to perform such deeds, and to mould such opinions as will conduce to the building up of a purer and nobler womanhood in the world.

Open Motto: “Seek the Noblest”

The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha:

To realize that within our grasp, in Zeta Tau Alpha, lies the opportunity to learn those things which will ever enrich and ennoble our lives; to be true to ourselves, to those within and without our circle; to think in terms of all mankind and our service in the world; to be steadfast, strong, and clean of heart and mind, remembering that since the thought is father to the deed, only that which we would have manifested in our experience should be entertained in thought; to find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit; to prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving, thereby earning the right to be served; to seek understanding that we might gain true wisdom; to look for the good in everyone; to see beauty, with its enriching influence; to be humble in success, and without bitterness in defeat; to have the welfare and harmony of the Fraternity at heart, striving ever to make our lives a symphony of high ideals, devotion to the Right, the Good, and the True, without a discordant note; remembering always that the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was Love, “the greatest of all things.” -- Shirley Kreasan Strout

Think Pink

2008-09-29T12:17:00.001-07:00

In February 2004, the ZTA Foundation was pleased to announce thatTHINK-PINK!^®became a registered trademark of ZTA with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This is now the umbrella for all of our breast cancer education and awareness projects.

Typically during the month of October, chapters distribute THINK-PINK!^® ribbons, BSE calendar stickers and Shower cards. However, many chapters promoteTHINK-PINK!^®throughout the year. In September 2006, THE Foundations Seminar, sponsored by the Interfraternity Conference, awarded the ZTA Foundation first place honors in the category of “Best Use of Foundation Funds for an Educational Project” for the THINK-PINK!^®campaign.

Since 1992 Zetas have distributed 9.8 million shower cards with instructions of the proper method for breast self-examination (BSE). This has spread the message of early detection in campuses across the country as well as into communities both here and abroad.

In 2000, ZTA members began to distribute theBSE Calendar Reminder Stickers as an added tool for promoting regular breast self-examination. Since then, more than 7 million BSE calendar reminder stickers have been distributed.
THINK-PINK!® ribbons were added to the breast cancer education and awareness promotions in 1997. Since that time, 5 million have been distributed. The ribbons are attached to information cards conveying the message of early detection as the key to survival and a greater quality of life. People wear the ribbons to show awareness of and support for those surviving breast cancer and to remember those who lost the fight against this disease.
In addition to the breast cancer awareness campaigns mentioned above, the Foundation has developed display items, banners, education brochures and volunteer T-shirts. These are available through International Office.

Yoplait

2008-09-29T12:16:00.003-07:00

Save Lids to Save Lives^®

Every lid mattered

Every ZTA helped

This past fall, members of Zeta Tau Alpha teamed with with Yoplait^® to Save Lids to Save Lives.

ZTA chapters and members collected 212, 522 pink Yoplait lids--a 136 percent increase over last year.

For each pink lid collected, Yoplait will donate 10 cents to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure AND an additional 5 cents to the ZTA Foundation.

In addition to lid collection by all our collegiate and alumnae chapters, 20 schools competed in a Yoplait Women's Basketball Challenge, trying to out-collect rival schools. (See below.)

Check out the final results of the challenge and final listing of the top collecting collegiate and alumnae chapters.

Thanks to everyone who helped us Save Lids to Save Lives.

Breast Cancer Links

2008-09-29T12:16:00.001-07:00

www.komen.org

Susan G. Komen For the Cure^® Web site. Zeta Tau Alpha is a National Series Sponsor of the Survivor Recognition Program at all 112 Race for the Cure^®Events nationwide.

www.lifetimetv.com

Lifetime has partnered with several organizations, including ZTA, to promote breast cancer education, awareness and research. See the partners list here.

www.cancer.org

The American Cancer Society Web site. Provides cancer quizzes, myths and facts, how to perform a breast self-exam

www.canceranswers.org

This is the Breast Cancer Answers Project Web site. Answers questions, provides links, has personal stories.

www.y-me.org

The Web site of the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization. Provides information and peer support in both English and Spanish.

www.chemocare.com

Chemo Care is your source for chemotherapy, chemo side effects and chemotherapy drug information.

www.youngsurvival.org

The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer.

ZTA Self Challenge

2008-09-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

Click here to sign up today!

Click here to join our official Zeta Tau Alpha SELF Challenge Facebook group!

Click here to view the official rules.

Think Pink

2008-09-29T12:13:00.002-07:00

Breast Cancer Links

2008-09-29T12:13:00.001-07:00

www.komen.org

Susan G. Komen For the Cure^® Web site. Zeta Tau Alpha is a National Series Sponsor of the Survivor Recognition Program at all 112 Race for the Cure^®Events nationwide.

www.lifetimetv.com

Lifetime has partnered with several organizations, including ZTA, to promote breast cancer education, awareness and research. See the partners list here.

www.cancer.org

The American Cancer Society Web site. Provides cancer quizzes, myths and facts, how to perform a breast self-exam

www.canceranswers.org

This is the Breast Cancer Answers Project Web site. Answers questions, provides links, has personal stories.

www.y-me.org

The Web site of the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization. Provides information and peer support in both English and Spanish.

www.chemocare.com

Chemo Care is your source for chemotherapy, chemo side effects and chemotherapy drug information.

www.youngsurvival.org

The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer.

Area Alumnae Chapters

2008-09-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

DISTRICT 14A
Calumet Area, IN Chapter
Columbus, IN Chapter
Evansville, IN Chapter
Franklin, IN Chapter
Ft. Wayne, IN Chapter
Indianapolis, IN Association
Kokomo, IN Chapter
Lafayette, IN Chapter

DISTRICT 15A
Bloomington-Normal, IL Chapter
Champaign-Urbana, IL Chapter
Chicago Area, IL Federation
Chicago Northwest Suburban, IL Chapter
Chicago West Suburban, IL Chapter
City of Chicago, IL Chapter
Greater Joliet, IL Chapter
Greater McHenry County of Illinois Chapter
Greater Springfield Area, IL Chapter
North Shore, IL Chapter
St. Louis Metro-East, IL Chapter
Rockford, IL Club

State Collegiate Chapters

2008-09-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

Northwestern University

Recruitment

Fall events leading up to formal recuitment include Philanthropy Round, usually held in early November, and the sets begin at the onset of winter quarter. The rounds for formal recruitment are Set I, Set II, Set III and Preference Night.

Registration for formal recruitment begins in late October. For more information about formal recruitment and to register, please visit nupanhellenic.com

To write a reference letter for a potential new member at Northwestern University, please go here for details and instructions. Please direct any questions regarding recruitment to President Elizabeth Gerold at e-gerold[at]u.northwestern.edu.

Illinois State University

Information

Zeta Tau Alpha

411 N. School Street

Normal IL. 61761

ADVISORS:

President Advisor: Stevie Joslin

Providence President: Katie Fulton

General Advisor: Michelle Gruener

Housing Advisor: Gina Fritz