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----'''University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada'''  '''Founded January 8, 1994'''  '''Charter members: 27'''  

'''Fraternity Officers:'''  '''Fraternity Loyalty Award:'''  '''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''  ==The Early Years== In 1957, innovation and entrepreneurship brought University of Waterloo into being, as a group of business leaders imagined a new university built to tackle some of the world’s most daunting challenges.It was the age of the Cold War and the space race, when a single computer filled a room. Discoveries in science, medicine and engineering were coming fast and furious. Industry leaders in Kitchener-Waterloo knew moving forward meant more than just training people in the technology of the day. Together with J. Gerald Hagey, Waterloo’s founding president, and Rev. Cornelius Siegfried, who brought St. Jerome’s University into federation with Waterloo, Ira G. Needles helped lay the foundation for a new kind of purpose-driven education. Waterloo was built to teach people to think in new ways, constructed on a foundation of science, engineering and math. University of Waterloo, commonly referred as Waterloo or UW, is a public research university whose main campus is located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is in Uptown Waterloo, adjacent to Waterloo Park. The university offers a wide variety of academic programs, administered by six faculties and ten faculty-based schools. The university also operates four satellite campuses and four affiliated university colleges. Waterloo is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada. The University of Waterloo was created as a non-denominational board established by Waterloo College (the present-day Wilfrid Laurier University) to obtain government grants to run expanded science programs under the name Waterloo College Associated Faculties. The university was established in response to community demand for improved education facilities, particularly in technical and scientific fields of study. The first 74 students began classes in 1957. In 1959, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed an act which formally split the board from Waterloo College and reestablished it as the University of Waterloo.Renowned for the success of its cooperative education programs, Waterloo now has the largest engineering school in Canada. The university enrolled approximately 240,000 students in 1994.  ==Highlights of 1980s:== In 1986, there was one fraternity at Waterloo. This fraternity was Delta Omega Chi which became Theta Psi chapter of Sigma Chi in March of 1987. At that time there were no other Greek societies. A woman student who had been associated with Delta Omega Chi realized the advantages of this type of society and decided to begin one for women. She put an ad in the campus newspaper asking if there were other women on campus who would be interested in starting a sorority. She received several responses. On November 2, 1986, the first meeting of Waterloo’s first sorority was held. This meeting was attended by Delta Omega Chi’s Thomas White who acted as an adviser during the early stages of Kappa Gamma Phi’s development. In the fall of 1988, due to his assistance in founding Kappa Gamma Phi, Mr. White became the sorority’s first honorary member. When the local chapter started, the members had hopes of someday becoming a part of an international fraternity. Kappa Gamma Phi was the first sorority at the University of Waterloo. Its flower, appropriately, was the white iris, and its motto, Unum Ex Diversitas (Unity Through Diversity). Chapter goals included the growth and development of each member, friendship and service to others. The commitment of the membership to the organization resulted in the establishment of a flourishing alumnae association. ==Highlights of 1990s==  In 1993, Kappa Gamma Phi decided to petition some international sororities for membership. The members assembled packets with information about Waterloo, the UW campus and Kappa Gamma Phi. Kappa Kappa Gamma and Delta Delta Delta both responded and came to the campus to make presentations. The chapter members thought the values of KKG were similar to those of KGP and voted to become a Kappa colony. Kappa Kappa Gamma colonized its first Canadian colony in 60 years at the University of Waterloo on August 18, 1993, when the 24 members of the local sorority, Kappa Gamma Phi were pledged. Installation of the new chapter was scheduled for January 8, 1994. Kappas from the Waterloo and Toronto areas gathered at the campus to welcome Zeta Omega. Fireside was held in Hagey Hall, and the installation held at the Walper Terrace Hotel. Margo White, Toronto, served as the Coordinator of Chapter Development for the Fraternity’s 124th active chapter. Sandi Snyder, McGill, was Zeta Omega’s first Chapter Consultant and worked closely with the group for the 1993-1994 school year. ''The Key'', Winter 1993, page 47 The spring 1994 issue of The Key, page 31, welcomed “The 27 charter members and eight alumna initiates of Zeta Omega Chapter, Waterloo University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, January 8, 1994. Big sister chapters were Beta Psi, Toronto, and Delta Delta, McGill.” Kappa Kappa Gamma was the first National Panhellenic Conference member to establish a chapter on this campus. The 1994 calendar year was very exciting for Zeta Omega beginning with its installation and ending with a retro ‘80s sleepover. It hosted Kappa Decadence for the other four Greek groups in the city. The members displayed their culinary expertise by cooking multiple flavors of cheesecake. The members also hosted an all-Greek food night and dating game. It held its second-annual swing-a-thon to raise money for a local charity. The swing lasted 24 hours and motion sickness was minimal. Zeta Omega held its first Founders Day ceremony which was an afternoon drop-in event. The chapter had 14 active members, six pledges, one special active and one associate member in 1994. It was the only all-female Greek group on campus along with one all-male group, Sigma Chi. Laurier University, down the street from Waterloo, had three Greek organizations. Zeta Omega comprised .0008 percent of the university population this year, but the chapter played an active role in the respective student unions.  Greek-letter organizations were not officially recognized at Waterloo, but the chapter and Sigma Chi worked to change this. However, the university did allow the chapter to use university facilities. The chapter continued to adjust and readjust to the Kappa ways. Transition was difficult, and it had its share of problems but managed successfully to make changes. Group discussions were held where all members were encouraged to discuss openly their thoughts an any chapter subject. Resolutions were always discussed before the meetings closed.  Morale was another challenge. The chapter established a sisterhood key which was given to a deserving member. The chapter members could vote for the member to receive sisterhood recognition by placing deserving members’ names in a sisterhood box. Names were drawn from this box, and the member given a prize. In 1994, Zeta Omega began to start its own traditions: the swing-a-thon, Kappa Decadence and the all-Greek food nights made the chapter well known within its small Greek community. The chapter held its second annual Sapphire Ball following this term’s initiation ceremony. The chapter reported that the Fraternity and Sorority Awareness Club was up and running. There had been several meetings. What is this organization? Since sororities and fraternities were not recognized on the Waterloo campus because their membership was only open to those who had been initiated, the two Greek organizations formed this club. The club is open to anyone who wishes to come. It is through this organization that each group books the rooms and booths on campus to use for events. Without FSAC, rush would have had to rely on word-of-mouth and all chapter meetings would have been held at the houses of members because there was not a Kappa facility at the time. One of the highlights of 1997 was the chapter’s Recruitment turn-out. Zeta Omega was extremely successful in the fall of 1997, and it pledged 10 new members. This brought the chapter size to approximately 21 members with three special actives. Kappa Decadence was also a success and was an event that the members remember with great pride. Kappa Kappa Gamma developed a positive image on the waterloo campus and in the community with its philanthropy events that were targeted in broad areas rather than focusing on one specific charity.On October 19, 1997, the chapter celebrated Founders Day. The celebration included Ritual, talking about the Founders and what they did for Kappa during its founding months and as alumnae. Treats were served, and the members looked through scrapbooks. The chapter changed its time of election to the first term. November 1997 was a busy month for the chapter. It held initiation, elections and installation of officers during the monthZeta Omega’s challenge was to generate campus awareness of the chapter. After that challenge was addressed, it aimed to promote a positive image of Kappa both on campus and in the community. The members worked to meet these challenges by being involved as a group in activities on the campus and in the communitiy. They promoted Kappa through philanthropic events such as involvement in wheelchair hockey and Habitat for Humanity.Chapter events included Kappa Decadence and Greek mixers where other fraternities in the Waterloo region and surrounding area were invited to a social event. Both events were very successful.Zeta Omega had an excellent winter 1998 Recruitment and pledged five women. This was the first class to participate in the Fraternity’s new member program. This year’s Kappa Decadence Cheesecake social/philanthropy was a great success with a large turnout from the local Greek groups as well as those from nearby cities. The Kappa Ball held in March was well attended by alumnae and activies and everyone had a great time. Because we had enough members to have a separate Public Relations Chairman, for the first time in a few years the chapter newsletter was produced and distributed.During fall term 1998, eight chapter members took a trip to visit the McGill chapter in Montreal, Quebec. Everyone arrived in time to take part in some of its Recruitment, had a chance to visit with the members and also pick up the Traveling Consultant who was going to visit Zeta Omega the following week.The University of Waterloo campus stayed mostly the same although the Engineering 1 building was renamed the Douglas Wright Engineering Building. This confused some of the students when their schedules assigned them to the DWE in the fall. A proposal to build a new Computer Science/Engineering building in one of the parking lots on campus was approved.The chapter pledged several new members during the fall Recruitments in 1997 and 1998. Previously it had approximately eight members who doubled and tripled up on chapter positions in order to get everything accomplished. After Recruitment, the chapter was bigger than ever but very young and not trained. A successful leadership training event was held and with help from Province Director of Chapters Sandi Snyder, McGill, and some dedicated alumnae the transition was much easier.The first Kappa Twist-a-Thon was held fall term in the Student Life Centre. More than $260 was raised during a 12-hour period to help support the Children’s Wish Foundation. During winter term, the members helped in soup kitches and some of them were involved with the local Habitat for Humanity activites The chapter goal for 1998 was to have 80 percent attendance at all mandatory meetings and events as posted on the master calendar.Chapter members participated in dramatic productions on and off the campus. One Zeta Omega had excellent marks and graduated in chemical engineering. Five other members were on their respective faculties dean’s lists. During the winter of 1999, Zeta Omega helped host the Alpha Province Meeting with the local alumnae association. That fall, six new members were initiated. The chapter started a new scholarship reward program with the kore groups.In 1999, Waterloo had approximately 22,000 total students, with 16,000 undergraduate full-time students. New president David Johnston was hired.Zeta Omega had nine active members, three special status members and four associate members; two freshmen, five sophomores, eight juniors and one senior. Recruitment in 1999 was disappointing, and the chapter made plans to condense its Recruitment activities. The new officers weren’t sure of their jobs, but key advisers helped train them.In fall 1999, many of the actives graduated leaving a small, young chapter. Also at that time, the advisers changed, and it was difficult to keep in touch with the alumnae association. Following a very helpful visit by the Traveling Consultant, the chapter began working on better organization.Chapter activities included Kappa Decadence which was held in February. This cheesecake social helped raise money for the foodbank. Another very successful Twist-a-Thon raised money for the Children’s Wish Foundation, held in March. The academic year ended with the Kappa Ball, a formal for actives and alumnae.The chapter goal for 1999 was to complete and hand-in reports in a more timely manner.Highlights of 2000-2010: (Information from chapter history reports, scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.)In November 2005, the chapter combined its archives display with the heritage workshop and also showed the items from the Museum in a Box from Fraternity Headquarters.During winter term, four new members were initiated, and the members attended the Alpha Province Meeting in Toronto. It was nice that it was held so close so numerous members could attend. The Province Meeting was a success, and Zeta Omega took more girls to participate than the chapter that hosted it. The Province Director of Chapters visited the chapter after Province Meeting. Summer 2005 marked the first of the chapter’s annual alumnae picnics. Athough the chapter had trouble maintaining contact with its alumnae, there was a surprisingly good turnout, and the alumnae asked to have the picnic again. This summer also marked the second active-only summer. The chapter did not recruit or initiate during this term because so few members were on campus.Fall term 2005 was a huge success. A Kappa trainer visited prior to Recruitment and helped get the chapter organized and excited. A Leadership Consultant visited for Recruitment, and she helped a lot as well. Zeta Omega pledged nine girls. The philanthropic activities this term were the chapter’s greatest area of pride as they raised tremendous amounts of money for numerous charitable organizations and there was great participation from the campus.The chapter attended the Greek Leadership Conference organized by one of its members. The keynote speaker was a woman who was a professional speaker and the mother of one of the chapter members. The conference was hosted by the Fraternity and Sorority Awareness Club, the group that united all the Greek organizations on campus.During this year, the chapter increased its membership and created strong ties with the other Greek organizations on campus.In 2005, there were approximately 20,000 students enrolled at Waterloo. The overview of the university on its Website stated that “The University of Waterloo played a key role in the City of Waterloo being named by the Intelligent Communities Forum (ICF) as one of the Top Seven Intelligent Communities of 2006 in the world.” The University of Waterloo was the only Canadian stop on philanthropist Bill Gates’ tour of six North American universities which took place in October. UW was named the number-one college in Maclean’s magazine which was an honor the university earned for many consecutive years.One of the unique aspects of UW was the large number of students who participated in the Co-op Program. This program is designed for students to spend approximately every other term in a paid job gaining experience to prepare them for their after-university careers. This experience provided these students with good refereces and a solid base on which to stand upon finishing their degrees.In addition to Kappa, UW was home to Sigma Chi, Zeta Psi and Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternities and a local sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma, which is not affiliated with the U.S. organization by the same name. Even though each of these groups has very different goals, they all shared a common interest of increasing the unity between the Greek organizations on campus.Although the UW didn’t recognize each Greek organization, it did recognize them as one school club, the Fraternity and Sorority Awareness Club (FSAC). The FSAC community held meetings which were attended by a delegate from each Greek organization and were open for anyone within the university community to attend. The organization planned fundraisers, discussed issues that might impact the Greek community and found ways to build a strong bond between the different organizations. In 2005, Zeta Omega consisted of 30 members. The chapter worked to strengthen its sisterhood and promote itself on campus. Because the university didn’t recognize each Greek organization, Zeta Omega struggled with advertising and promotion.The major challenge for the chapter was keeing in touch with its alumnae. After graduating, many of the members found jobs in Toronto, a 90-minute drive from campus which made it very difficult for them to attend events. To maintain close ties with its alumnae, the chapter established an alumnae appreciation event each term which encouraged them to stay in touch with the chapter and each other.The chapter made sure there was a fun activity following initiation so that the newly initiated members would immediately get to know all the members in the chapter.Stronger officer training was held so the new officers were throughly trained and prepared for the next year. The storage of chapter and ritual items was a challenge. At this time, chapter and alumnae members housed the initiation materials and archives.At the 2009, Alpha/Rho Province Meeting, Zeta Omega was presented with the Alpha Province Award of Merit for outstanding leadership for the 2008 calendar year. Winter term 2009 was very productive for Zeta Omega. This term, a new philanthropic endeavor began. The members learned to knit and knit squares to create blankets to donate to Blankets for Canada. At the annual Decadence dessert event, the chapter raised $536.77. At the Sapphire Ball, a Zeta Omega was chosen to be Sigma Chi Sweetheart. At the same event, the chapter named its first Key Man and several other chapter awards: Sisterhood, Chapter Goal, Philanthropy, Academic Excellence, New Member and President’s Award. Four new members were initiated. During the summer season, the chapter held several events to reunite sisters who had been on study term or summer break. Another alumnae picnic was held to celebrate the gorgeous weather and honor the members who graduated. Members participated in the Annual Relay for Life and raised $2,075 for the Canadian Cancer Society. The first camping trip to Sauble Beach was held during the Civic Day long weekend. In September 2009, one of Zeta Omega’s members attended the Fraternity’s Leadership Academy. This term, seven new members were initiated by the chapter.The chapter’s annual Halloween philanthropy event was a Meal Exchange Trick-or-Eat program with other Greek groups on campus that collected a lot of non-perishable foods. This year’s Decadence event raised $547.06 to donate to the Kappa Foundation’s Rose McGill Fund and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Again this year, Waterloo ranked as one of Canada’s top universities in Maclean’s magazine. It placed first in the highest quality, most innovative, leaders of tomorrow and best overall university categories. The university contiued to be known for the co-operative program that is offered. It attracted students from 141 different countries. The program was the largest post-secondary co-op education program in the world. Waterloo’s motto is concordia cum veritate which means “in harmony with truth.”In 2009, UW was home to three sororities, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Omicron Pi and Sigma Lambda Gamma, a local sorority, and one fraternity, Sigma Chi. Since these groups were not recognized as individual organizations on campus, they all worked together under the name of the Fraternities and Sororities Awareness Club to promote awareness and recognition on campus. Three Zeta Omega members were columnists for the weekly campus newspaper, the Imprint.During fall term, there were 25 active members of the chapter who worked to build their sisterhood bonds and create awareness about the chapter on campus. The weekly chapter meetings were held at a member’s home on Albert Street. The biggest challenge in 2009 was the implementation of the National Panhellenic Council’s college panhellenic at Waterloo. When another international fraternitiy, Alpha Omicron Pi, established a chapter on the campus it was important to work together to plan Recruitment. With work by the Panhellenic delegates, the advisers and chapter presidents, the first Panhellenic Recruitment went smoothly. Everyone was aware that there would still be some adjustments to the new style of Recruitment which would benefit all Greek organizations.The 2010 year began with pledging three new members. The chapter held its first Decadence of the year which raised money to fight prostate cancer. It also held Kappa Krush with many other Greek groups in attendance.In March of 2010, the members held the annual Mother/Daughter Tea and played board games their moms. The Sapphire Ball was also held this month. Throughout the summer, the members took part in several other activities. One was a Relay for Life held at a local high school to raise money for cancer research. Two new members were pledged during the summer, and a Sigma Chi/Kappa social was held where they roasted marshmallows and caught up. At the end of the summer, the annual alumnae picnic was held. This picnic brought together the actives, new members and chapter alumnae. Four chapter members went to the Fraternity Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. They brought back several ideas for the chapter to use.In October 2010, nine new members were pledged. The Recruitment activities included a sisterhood event where everyone made squares for a quilt, a philanthropy event where everyone created book bags for school children and a coffee date at Williams.At the end of October, the members held a Halloween party. The women dressed as hippies. The night included delicious snacks. Guests from the other Greek organizations at Waterloo and Laurier attended the party. The annual Dad/Daughter Day took place in November. Everyone got to watch the Waterloo Warriors vs. McMaster hockey game. This continued to be a busy month. Decadence was held raising more than $500 for AIDS charities in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. To close the semester, the members held a Touch of Klass at Caesars and many Sigma Chis attended. Finally as exams grew closer, the members held elections and a sisterhood send-off which included making bottlecap necklaces.The university prides itself in constantly finishing near the top of Maclean’s annual universities ranking issue. Waterloo is also very well known for the co-op education program.One of Zeta Omega’s greatest challenges during 2010 was not being able to hold events on campus. The chapter needed to be recognized by the university as part of the Fraternities and Sororities Awareness Club. Fortunately by the end of the year, the chapter had success in booking rooms for its formal meetings and was fortunate to have informal meetings at a member’s home on Albert Street.Highlights of 2011-2019: (Information from chapter history reports, scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.)Zeta Omega had a roaring year in 2011. January included many successful Recruitment events including a sisterhood when the women constructed squares for a chapter quilt. Nine wonderful new members joined the chapter.March was an especially busy month for the chapter and started with the chapter’s annual Mother/Daughter Day with tea and treats. The women played games, and the sisters introduced their mothers to the meaning of Kappa sisterhood at Waterloo. Next the chapter hosted Decadence on campus in the Student Life Centre and raised more than $600 for the Sexual Assault Centre of Quine and District. The same weekend a new member retreat was held that further strengthened a strong bond between the eight new members. With this great kick-off to Inspiration Week, the members held an intense quiet night where tears and laughter were shared. Fireside and Initiation that weekend were the best-attended by actives and alumnae in several terms. Finally the members topped off their term with an immensely successful Sapphire Ball that was also a fabulous send-off for the chapter’s several seniors.The chapter returned in the fall with a new membership chairman and more women came out for Recruitment than who had taken part in it before. The chapter activities included everything from kite-flying to bracelet-making for the actives and potential new members. Eleven women pledged Kappa and eight were initiated.The annual Father/Daughter Day was hosted at the campus arena where the members and their fathers watched a varsity hockey game. The term’s main philanthropy event was Holiday of Hearts. Many gifts were donated, raising more than $450 for the Because I am A Girl Campaign which was provided by Plan Canada on behalf of Zeta Omega. Sisterhood also brought a lot of crafts and sewing for the term with new letters and owl pillows for all members.The visit from the Fraternity Leadership Consultant complemented the chapter’s inspiration period in the fall of 2011, and she helped the chapter host a successful Quiet Night. The chapter held an amazing Fireside and Initiation in an off-campus location where the beautiful voices of the chapter members sang loudly and often. Nearing the end of November, getting closer to exams and the holiday season, the social chairman hosted Touch of Klass with delicious appetizers and the well dressed company of other campus Greeks. The Zeta Omegas were invited to attend Wilfred Laurier University’s Greek Gala. Several members proudly attended as delegates.In 2011, the University of Waterloo continuously endured the largest campus construction and building boom since it was established in 1957. The university fully embraced a new marketing campaign. It also began to search for many new administrators in 2011 as many of the senior administrative staff and faculty position contracts would end in the beginning of 2012. It was hoped that the exodus of these older campus administrators in 2011 and 2012 would bring a more positive attitude to the administration regarding Greek life at Waterloo.The chapter had many members graduate in April which left a very young chapter to return to campus in the fall of 2011.In 2011, Zeta Omega struggled slightly to complement the Recruitment process of the other Panhellenic sorority at Waterloo. The chapter consistenly worked to overcome this challenge as it prepared for a more in-depth coordination in the 2012 Recruitment.  ==Highlights of 2012==

We held 4 philanthropy events during Fall 2012 term. Decadence, once again, was well attended. To prepare, many sisters baked together as the excitement grew for the much anticipated event. In October, the sisters of the Zeta Omega chapter, along with police officers and members of the community, volunteered to pick up litter following a roudy rowdy Homecoming weekend. It was great to see sisters making a positive difference in the community, especially when it was on the local news later that day! Around Halloween, very few girls participated in Trick or Eat, collecting canned goods for local food banks. Our final philanthropy event of the Fall 2012 term, Food not Bombs Soup Kitchen, was also poorly attended. Although the term got off to a great start, things got a little rocky towards the end. One of our goals for the 2013 year is to improve attendance at Philanthropy events!