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LEADERSHIP CONSULTANTS
from Themis—Spring 2022
By Hannah Rowe, Operations Manager
Leadership Consultants work with collegiate chapters throughout the academic year, providing guidance on chapter operations, leadership development and officer education. When extension opportunities arise, ZTA will occasionally hire LCs midyear. Extension at Binghamton University allowed ZTA to hire four women to help support that effort. These four members bring skills and leadership qualities that expand on those of the already strong 2021-2022 LC team, allowing ZTA to maintain balance between supporting existing chapters and extension projects. The ZTA Foundation funds a portion of the Leadership Consultant Program. (from left to right)
GINA CECCARELLI
Lambda Omicron Chapter, Boise State University Hometown: Huntington Beach, California Degree: Sociology and Ethnic Studies
Why did you want to be an LC?
When I went to college and participated in Recruitment, I realized that I loved leading and mentoring people. When I joined my chapter, one of the seniors became an LC, and it opened a whole new idea for me of what leadership looked like and what being in a sorority meant. She really paved the way for me to believe I could lead.
What are your plans for after you serve as a Leadership Consultant?
I hope to attend graduate school for education policy and organizational leadership.
RACHEL LAMIRANDE
Iota Psi Chapter, Rochester Institute of Technology
Hometown: Spencerport, New York Degree: Management Information Systems
What is a fun fact that people might not know about you?
I love to line dance.
Who is your role model?
I admire my mom’s creativity and work ethic. She is one of the most caring people I know and will always go out of her way to help others.
What do you hope to contribute to the chapters you visit this year?
I hope to inspire the chapters I work with this year. I want to encourage the women I meet to always believe in and have confidence in themselves and to reassure them that they’re doing a great job.
BAILEY MATTOX
Lambda Sigma Chapter, The University of Texas at Tyler Hometown: Red Oak, Texas Degree: Kinesiology
What are you most excited about for the upcoming year?
I am so excited to meet the members at different chapters and help them make a difference.
When did you first feel a sense of belonging in ZTA?
When I first joined as a founding member of my chapter, I got to meet so many Zetas, and everyone made me feel so welcome.
ALLISON GHEROVICI
Gamma Alpha Chapter, University of Miami Hometown: Havertown, Pennsylvania Degree: Political Science and Latin American Studies
What is a fun fact that people might not know about you?
I learned English and Spanish at the same time, and they are both my native languages.
What are you most excited about for the upcoming year?
I am most excited for all the new experiences and adventures coming my way. Taking this step out of my comfort zone will help me grow as a person and a professional.
ZTA EXPANDS OFFICER TRAINING, ADAPTS OLA
By Hannah Keith, Director of Education & Engagement
The beginning of Zeta Tau Alpha’s mission reads, “To make a difference in the lives of our members by developing the potential of each individual through innovative programming, which emphasizes leadership development, service to others, academic achievement and continued personal growth for women.” Officer training is a huge part of fulfilling that mission, and this year, ZTA both expanded officer training beyond Officer Leadership Academy and introduced the updated Guide to Recruitment and Retention for Vice Presidents III/Membership Chairs and Membership Advisors at OLA. Through in-person and virtual experiences, over 2,700 officers received training on a national level.
ZETA BASICS
For the first time ever, Vice Presidents I/Coordinators of Committees for Mighty Chapters, Directors of Philanthropy, Service & Fundraising, Historian-Reporters, House Managers, Inclusion Chairs, Judicial Chairs, Panhellenic Delegates, Recording Secretaries, Ritual Chairs, Risk Reduction and Education Chairs, and Treasurers learned more about their roles via Zoom. Volunteers and staff collaborated to create an abbreviated Zeta Basics curriculum for each officer role, similar to Officer Tracks at OLA. On Dec. 12, 2021, collegians were able to connect with their fellow officers from across the country and learn from experienced National Officers.
SHARING NEW GUIDE UPDATES
After nearly six months of extensive updates, the new Guide to Recruitment and Retention, formerly Ready, Set, Recruit! ZTA’s Guide to Planning, Polishing, Promoting and Pledging, made its debut at OLA. Director of New Chapters Alison Colangelo and Area I Membership Coordinator Michelle Gordon Mullineaux, both members of ZTA’s Recruitment Committee, were heavily involved in the updates to that guide as well as the creation of the first online Guide for the Membership Advisor. “It was so much fun working with fellow ZTA sisters and IO staff to make our ideas come to life and create such interactive tools for chapters across the country to utilize,” Alison said. “Michelle and I worked closely on revamping everything to do with CROWN, and I am really proud of our emphasis on retention within the guide and how to build a sense of belonging within a chapter.” “I really enjoy problem solving, so it was fun to identify areas in Ready, Set, Recruit! that we needed to adjust and work with a great team to develop solutions,” Michelle said. Michelle and Alison also trained VP IIIs and Membership Advisors on the new guides during OLA. “It was really fun to introduce the new parts of the Guide for the Membership Advisor; so many of their questions and concerns were addressed in the update, and they were so pumped about the changes,” Michelle said. “The best part about this process was bringing the guide to life and sharing it,” Alison said. “It was interesting
to get feedback on how VP IIIs interpreted the updates and what parts of the guide inspired them to make changes in their chapters for the better.” From the facilitator, advisor and officer perspectives, it was a great training cycle spent learning more about the VP IIIs’ and Membership Advisors’ roles in both recruitment and retention as well as how to implement the new guides.
OLA(DAPTABILITY)
As in previous years, Officer Leadership Academy occurred over three weekends, and during the registration period, ZTA gave officers and advisors the option to attend OLA virtually. Area I and Mighty Chapter officers were able to meet in person for the first OLA weekend on Nov. 1920, 2021, in Chantilly, Virginia. Due to complications in the travel industry and in the interest of keeping members safe, National Council opted to host OLA on a virtual platform for officers from Area II, Mega and Area III chapters. Area II and Mega Chapter officers engaged in training on the weekend of Jan. 8, and training for Area III chapter officers took place during the same day as the scheduled virtual OLA, on Jan. 23.
THE CURRICULUM
The first General Sessions focused on personal leadership skills, chapter and personal goals, and delivering a membership experience focused on ZTA’s Nine Key Values. Other General Sessions gave attendees time to build competence in diversity, equity and inclusion through ZTA’s Seeking Understanding that We Might Gain True Wisdom Key Value and time to navigate strategies for addressing risky behavior. The closing General Sessions centered on sisterhood and belonging and how to practice self-care as a leader. Officers were split into trainings based on chapter size to foster conversations that met specific chapter needs. Officers who experienced OLA virtually watched recordings of the General Sessions after the initial weekend of role-specific training.
This year, the Membership Advisor and collegians holding the following officer roles attended OLA: President, VP I, VP II, VP III, VP IV (for Mega Chapters), Treasurer, Risk Reduction and Education Chair and select House Managers. These are the goals of Officer Leadership Academy:
PROVIDE PERSONALIZED LEADERSHIP TRAINING.
• Develop a deeper understanding of personal leadership styles. • Learn how to identify and write SMART goals to apply to leadership positions. • Collaborate to find solutions in realistic risk-related situations and behaviors. • Focus on how to build belonging within the chapter.
OFFER PRACTICAL, OFFICER-SPECIFIC TRAINING.
• Enhance personal communication skills. • Develop management skills. • Refine problem-solving skills.
ILLUSTRATE THE “BIG PICTURE” OF ZTA.
• Engage in sisterhood to intensify friendships and belonging. • Review the structure of the Fraternity. • Connect with Zeta Tau
Alpha leadership.
WHAT ATTENDEES ARE SAYING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE
ZTA reached out to OLA attendees to learn more about their individual experiences.
“I loved getting to know my fellow new members on EC. Spending the weekend together brought us closer, which has gone on to help us communicate more efficiently. We were able to learn each other's leadership styles, strengths and needs for the upcoming year.” — Cate Wenzler, President, Eta Xi Chapter (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) “We have a stressful role at times, but OLA helped to reconfirm why I wanted this position.” — Anna Turning, VP II/New Member Coordinator, Delta Gamma Chapter (High Point University)
“Adapting the way we function as a chapter during COVID-19 allowed us to develop better ways to function as an in-person chapter.” — Alexis Burt, VP III/Membership Chair, Eta Pi Chapter (Wright State University) “My biggest takeaway from OLA was knowing that I have the biggest support group behind me and knowing that they will help me through all the obstacles I will face throughout my Executive Committee position in Zeta Tau Alpha.” — Noell Ogden, Treasurer, Iota Omicron Chapter (Lander University) “‘Once a Zeta, always a Zeta’ is honestly something I will never forget. I will carry the knowledge I learned there into other aspects of my life as well.” — Cassie Cooper, Risk Reduction and Education Chair, Iota Psi Chapter (Rochester Institute of Technology) “My biggest takeaway from OLA was the importance of having genuine conversations and creating a space for deeper relationships.” — Anna Lee Hoffman, VP I/Coordinator of Committees, Theta Zeta Chapter (Wofford College)
What role does belonging play as you lead within your officer position?
“Overall, a sense of belonging directly adds to whether or not members feel valued and important, and I believe that they should always feel this way.” — Grace Schneider, President, Gamma Iota Chapter (University of Florida) “It gives me the opportunity to set the example for new members, which helps guide them in their first steps in becoming Zeta ladies! I love to help the new members feel at home and as if they have been friends with all sisters in the chapter forever. I love making them feel special.” — Leah Safi, VP II, Alpha Chapter (Longwood University) “In order for members to join and stay with an organization, it is vital that they feel they belong. It's my job to facilitate attitudes and behaviors within the chapter that allow new members to create genuine connections to our members and organization as a whole.” — Sarah Walker, VP III, Zeta Beta Chapter (Thiel College)
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