Live Learn Lead

Collegiate Chapter News

Inspiring Innovation at Delta Demos

A highlight of each year’s Collegiate Leadership Conference (CLC) is Delta Demos, and this year wasn’t any different! Seventeen chapters shared their creative programming ideas in this science-fair style setup, and attendees had the chance to take home ideas to make the Tri Delta experience all it can be for our members!

Six chapters were awarded Innovation Grants, made possible by a generous grant to Tri Delta’s Foundation from OmegaFi, to enhance, expand and scale these efforts:

A deeper, more meaningful experience is a goal of our Delta Upsilon Chapter at Ohio Wesleyan University. Through their annual Empathy, Listening and Personal Growth workshop, these Tri Deltas learn how to actively listen, creating closer bonds and offering valuable skills for getting to know potential new members.

Epsilon Chi Chapter at Tulane University may be just a few years old, but that didn’t keep them from bringing award-winning ideas for recruitment and retention. By creating a focused initiative under the membership team, these Tri Deltas have become significantly more engaged and excited to welcome and lead the newest members.

Year-round recruitment is more and more common now in our chapters. And our Theta Beta Chapter at University of Colorado has found a way to make it a benefit for their newest members! Their first-year recruitment committee program pulls from the previous semester’s new member class for the planning and leading of recruitment events. The chapter has seen improved retention rates, the cultivation of rising leaders and the opportunity for members to voice their opinions in a positive way.

College may be for only four years, but Tri Delta is for a lifetime! Chi Chapter at University of Mississippi understands the importance of supporting, educating and preparing each other for life after college. Career readiness is built into their annual calendar, and their offerings to chapter members include resume workshops, complimentary business headshots, local business networking sessions, mock interviews and more.

The Identity Wheel is a tool provided to our new members during the Pearl to Pine: First Year Experience. Theta Eta Chapter at University of Wyoming takes the exercise a few steps further. Their in-depth identity wheel sessions work to highlight diversity in the chapter, allow members to explore parts of themselves they don’t always notice or pay attention to, and encourage deeper connections among members.

LEADDD Always: Recruitment Inclusion Resource

CREATING AN INCLUSIVE SPACE FOR ALL We are proud to build on the TIPS Ask open ended questions like: What is your favorite…? work of our Alpha Mu ChapterWhere...? Get as much information as possible on name tags to make seeking and at William & Mary to create aappreciating difference easier. Assuming pronouns Provide the opportunity to share pronouns on powerful resource aimed at name tags. Assuming abilities Consider accommodations for PNMs such as helping our members foster accessibility, a chair to rest or options for less crowded or noisy environments. an inclusive recruitment space Gravitating toward a PNM for all. This two-page PDF ofyou know or who has a similar background or interests Reading into a PNM based fers our collegians actionable on non-verbal cues (e.g., eye contact, posture, etc.) and making a snap judgment tips and information, fostering Making judgments of a PNM after little interaction with them meaningful chapter discussions before recruitment and guiding interactions with potential new members during recruitment events. Chapter member and Collegiate Advisory Panel (CAP) member Mikayla Fulcher shared, “This tool is going to be so fantastic not only for our chapter but for every chapter of Tri Delta because it’s truly going to allow us to create a more welcoming environment that’s inclusive to all.” Some of the smallest changes can make a big impact, and we are thankful for the thoughtful leadership of Alpha Mu Chapter.

INSTEAD OF THIS... TRY THIS...

Do you have a boyfriend? Are you in a relationship? Nice dress. Where did you get it?

FROM BIAS TO BELONGING TYPES OF BIAS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHAT TO DO INSTEAD

Seek out difference! Make a list of 2-3 things you have in common AND 2-3 things that are different for each PNM you meet. Think of what those differences will add to the membership experience. If you made a negative association with a PNM, break it down. Did your brain make the negative association for something that is different culturally or based on stereotypes?

Allow time to check in with your irst

impression and give the benefit of the doubt. Were you responding to a PNM who is temporarily nervous?

What do your mom and dad do? What is something you are passionate about?

Tell me about the important people in your life. Where are you really from? / What are you?

Where do you go over the summer? Tell me about your hometown. Where did you grow up?

What’s your favorite memory from last summer?

AFFINITY NON-VERBAL CUES & CONFIRMATION BIAS FIRST IMPRESSIONS

This summer, PR and communications from Alpha Pi Chapter got a new look! Vice President of Community Relations (VPCR) Jordana Katz worked with her fellow officers to create a brandnew, modern way to showcase and share her chapter with followers, family and alumnae alike. Issue 1 of the UMD Tri Delta Newsletter served to highlight members’ adventures over summer break, celebrate Deltas at work and build excitement for returning to campus in the fall. Job well done!

Keep Up With Your Collegiate Chapter

Don’t see your school in our Collegiate Chapter News? Visit CONNECTDDD.org today to join your Chapter Circle!

It’s the place for Tri Deltas of all ages to keep up with the latest from your collegiate chapter and (re)connect and network with current collegians and alumnae sisters from your alma mater. And even if your chapter isn’t currently active on campus, there’s a Chapter Circle for you.

Where can I find my Chapter Circle? Visit tridelta.org to get started: • Log in to My Tri Delta. If you haven't logged in to the new My Tri Delta portal yet, you will need to claim your account and create a new login. • Click CONNECTDDD.org Networking. • Select Networks in the menu on the left.

Then search for your chapter’s Greek name and start sharing, exploring and connecting. It’s an online Deltas only—just for your collegiate chapter!

Take a quick look at what’s in at our chapters in 2022 and some of the ways Tri Delta is working to improve the collegiate experience:

Lower-cost Badge Option

New members can choose a gold-plated badge, making the cost of membership in the first academic term more affordable.

Installment Plans

New members are now able to request installment plans to pay dues and fees. In addition, we’ve removed the requirement for all new member fees to be paid prior to Initiation.

Return to Our Ritual

As our members return to campus, we’re encouraging a return to centering everything we do on the values and virtues we share in Tri Delta.

Empathy & Accountability

Recent studies from the University of Michigan have shown that empathy scores in college students have decreased 40% in the last decade. We train our officers on the importance of balancing empathy and accountability, and we have developed a new Behind Happy Faces module on sympathy, empathy and compassion for all our members.

Meaningful Chapter Meetings

Collegiate officers are encouraged to create purposeful (and even fun!) chapter meetings—and to communicate with chapter members what to expect each week.

Free, Confidential Support

Thanks to generous donors to Tri Delta’s Foundation, the SOAR Student Assistance Program provides members access to mental health professionals, schoollife specialists, and legal and financial experts to help reduce stress, build resilience and better manage responsibilities at school, at home and in life.