We often turn to the Nine Key Values to guide us through difficult situations, and this one is no different. Founder Ruby Leigh Orgain said, "Life is a voyage in which we choose neither vessel nor weather, but much can be done in the management of the sails and the guidance of the helm.” No one expected the semester to turn out this way, but it is your responsibility as a leader to create new ways to guide your chapter on this new voyage.
The nine practices below align with the Nine Key Values and will help you continue to Be Zetas True as you chart unfamiliar waters.
Be positive (Lifelong Learning)
As you look for learning opportunities through this experience, remain positive and continuously pursue new possibilities for navigating this unfamiliar virtual leadership experience. You never know how the solutions you create now might help you later!
Be adaptable (Leadership)
You have to think critically to make sure sisterhood continues while you and your sisters are away from school. Looking for a starting point? Ask your Program Council to look over the events and programs they already had planned to see if they can be adapted to an online format.
Be accountable (Responsibility)
It may be hard to start new projects or change plans that were already in progress, but it is important to persevere and follow through on your obligations as a leader. Hold each other accountable in your weekly Program Council and Executive Committee meetings using these updated virtual EC meeting and all-PC meeting agendas.
Be open (Being Rather than Seeming)
Be open with all your members about how you’re feeling and check in to see how they’re doing. The new normal is uncertain for everyone, so do your part in being genuine and authentic with others. There is no such thing as overcommunicating right now. Give regular updates and share what you know with others.
Be helpful (Service & Philanthropy)
Give freely of your time to help out your fellow officers and chapter members. If you find your position is having a hard time transferring your ideas into the virtual world, ask other officers if they are feeling overwhelmed and see if you can help. You could also hold “office hours” for members to reach out to you.
Be collaborative (Seeking Understanding that We Might Gain True Wisdom)
Seek out opportunities to brainstorm new ideas with others! Take advantage of the chance to talk with sisters you don’t know very well and those you normally don’t get to see due to conflicting work and class schedules to get a fresh perspective. We are all working through this together, so don’t be afraid to reach out for input from your sisters; that may help lift a sister’s spirits and spark some new ideas.
Be honest (Humility)
Adapting to this new reality may be harder for some than it is others. Be honest with others about your struggles and successes and encourage your officers to do the same. Sharing mistakes as you learn to juggle tasks in this “new normal” affords everyone (including you!) a little extra grace.
Be resilient (Loyalty & Commitment)
Now more than ever, it is important to show devotion to your chapter and ZTA. Just because you left your campus does not mean that sisterhood stops. Go above and beyond to find ways to celebrate your sisterhood from home.
Be a sister (Love)
Take the last line of The Creed to heart by continuing to show love and support to your sisters in this challenging time. Sometimes the most important part of your role as a leader is simply to be a shoulder to lean on or a listening ear.
Supporting each other is the most important step to sustaining your sisterhood. When you find yourself wondering what to do next, just remember to be:
Positive
Adaptable
Accountable
Open
Helpful
Collaborative
Honest
Resilient
A sister
If you lead with these nine qualities and keep your sisters’ best interests at heart, you’ll be managing the sails with ease in no time. Then, you can start planning all the things you can’t wait to do when you get back together!
