ZTA Youngstown Alumnae Chapter
A True
Success Story
In 1987, two young 22-year olds named Carla Carano and Lori Peters
decided it didn't seem right for sorority life to end after college.
They knew about ZTA alumnae through ZTA convention and Zeta Days, but during
college really never thought about alumnae. Carla and Lori were too
busy becoming the best campus sorority through membership recruitment and
fun programming.
.
As June approached, several Zeta Gamma members, who were all fairly
close friends, graduated at the same time. They realized that advising
collegians would be great but there was something missing; something needed
to happen. And it did happen...
.
Lori Peters made a phone call to District President, Nancy Bauman.
Lori explained that she wanted to start an alumnae group. After nine
months of meetings and fulfilling almost all chapter requirements, it was
time to take a vote. The small group of ten unanimously agreed to dissolve
the old Youngstown Alumnae charter, whose group folded in 1980, and become
the new Youngstown Alumnae Chapter. The ten members of the new Youngstown
Alumnae Chapter were initiated Zeta Day 1988 in Akron, OH.
.
To all involved, the first five years were amazing. The chapter
won the District President Award their first year as a chapter and continued
to win it several times thereafter. At their first ZTA convention, the
Youngstown Alumnae Chapter became Crown Chapter. Then the chapter almost
tripled their growth! At the amazement of everyone who knew about the
Youngstown Alumnae Chapter, this group of 24 members received a national
silver award at the 1992 convention and first runner-up for best Public Relations
in the country! How was this possible? How could a chapter of
this size win this type of award? It was done through deep friendship,
outstanding programming, and a desire to fulfill a goal together.
.
As the chapter continued, it had to face certain challenges.
A small group running an award winning alumnae chapter, advising, and trying
to establish their lives could easily risk burn-out. After approximately
eight years, the group knew it had to make a change in mind-set. If
they kept doing things the old way, they would surely become ordinary.
This was not acceptable to the group. After some adjustments in personnel,
programming changes, and a renewed outlook, amazement strikes again...
.
The chapter won the District President Award five times within
twelve years and had two runner-up District President Awards. This
was no simple task, as Ohio alumnae chapters were known as some of the best
chapters throughout the nation. At each Zeta Day, the Youngstown Alumnae
Chapter continued to receive Crown Chapter and again won the first-runner
up Public Relations Award at the 1998 Centennial Convention. It was
unbelievable for a small sized chapter.
.
At the turn of the millennium, the Youngstown Alumnae Chapter hosted
Zeta Day in Youngstown, OH and received the National Public Relations Award
at the 2000 International Convention. At the 2002 International Convention,
for the second consecutive time, the chapter received the National Public
Relations Awards. In 2004, the Youngstown Alumnae Chapter reached its
long time goal of being selected for the Betty McGehee Schuessler Award.
.
How do they do it? Deep friendship. Wanting to be together,
win together, and celebrate together. Being there for each other during
bad times and being there during times of joy.
Consider joining the Youngstown Alumnae Chapter. You'll find
some guarantees. The programming is innovative, flexible, and ever
changing to meet member needs. You give when and where you can.
The group only asks two things of their members: pay you inexpensive (less
than $50) yearly dues and follow through on the events and tasks you commit
to. You'll want to because you won't find the energy seen around the
Youngstown Alumnae anywhere else. The networking, useful, and life
applicable programs, sisterhood and FUN.
.
Your life will take many dramatic turns; maybe marriage, maybe
children, maybe a career. You will also fall upon more challenging
times as everyone deals with illness, death of loved ones, etc. There
will be times when you can give more to an alumnae chapter than other times.
But whatever you do, don't ever let your support network go! You'll
need it... and we need you! Don't be afraid to get involved.
I can proudly say that our efforts have helped breast cancer victims, young
collegiate women and each other. Additionally, the Youngstown Alumnae
Chapter has great social programs and learning experiences. We look
forward to your contribution to our chapter as a person and a fellow member.
We'll see YOU soon!