Changes
→Highlights of 2014
Also, the Vice President of Standards wears a pin with a chain containing the letters HZ and the President of Standards dangle.
During the New Member period, there is a special pin given to one New Member, who showed admirable portrayal of what it means to be a true Kappa Kappa Gamma. It is passed on by the member who received it the previous year. The back of the pin is initialed R.K with the date 11/1/01.
==Highlights of 2015==
The Eta Zeta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma continues to uphold standards and values of the fraternity through community service, sisterhood, and campus involvement. Our 2015 President is Sara Martinko. This past year we had four chapter delegates go to the Province meeting in Spring of 2015.
When Vice President of Standards entered Kappa as Vice President of Standards in 2015, Eta Zeta had been struggling with morale and chapter unity. However, with a new leadership team willing and determined to change this, there was soon a quick turn around. As VPS, she wanted to continue Eta Zeta traditions of boosting morale, such as the blue bra of support as well as the sisterhood journal. It was a goal of hers to make this more consistent, by holding the women accountable when it was their turn. VPS also wanted to add additional and routine morality boosters. VPA initiated Kappa Keeper of the Key to recognize a woman each week who had done something outstanding. A few examples of women who were recognized were a sister who’s internship was working at a jury’s office, a sister who was accepted into a study aboard program for the spring semester, and a sister who completed a half marathon. Another sister would have to nominate a fellow sister to be the Kappa Keeper, thus calling more girls to become involved in the process, and recognize the beautiful and the good in one another. She also made hoots and salutes a part of her report. She felt that this got the girls exited and started chapter on a positive note. In the prior year, attendance had been an issue, however this year, it seemed as girls genuinely wanted to attend events with their sisters. In the spring of last year, she planned a Love and Loyalty Valentine’s sisterhood event, where we had an open discussion on loving your sister, loving another, and loving yourself. Each girl wrote down a personal quote for each of the categories and VPS complied all of them to make a reference book for the Kappa study lounge. Last year we explored Cleveland, visiting a marketplace. This was a fun sisterhood event, leaving campus and exploring the community around us. We ended the year with a sisterhood cookout outside of our dorm. A beautiful day made it perfect to enjoy burgers, corn hole, and each other. This was a great way to not only relax before exams, but also to see how sisterhood had really come together the past semester. This fall semester for sisterhood, one of her primary focuses was to strengthen academics, while promoting sisterhood. She did this by working in conjunction with the Vice President of Academic Excellence. We created the idea of “study buddies,” promoting sisters studying together and taking a picture to be posted in the study lounge. We had a study party in our study lounge, with a variety of favorite cereals to enjoy as brain food. Another issue she wanted to bring forth was the idea of sexual violence. One of our sisters who graduated in the spring had been a victim of sexual assault. She used this experience to become an advocate to bring awareness on this important issue. For a programming night, we skyped in this sister from Florida. She told us her story, engaged the chapter, and asked important questions for reflection. After she gave her account and shared information, we had the director of the Sexual Violence and Prevention Center initiate a discussion on the statistics, warning and prevention signs of sexual violence. This event is probably what she was most proud of as Standards. It was amazing to see one of our fellow Kappa sisters stand up for her beliefs and have willingness to inform our sisters. As VPS, she found that Eta Zeta is a collection of passionate, dedicated women who want to grow individually as well as with each other. Although it may have spearheaded events and traditions to promote sisterhood, she felt that it is the uniqueness and dedication of women to this fraternity in which sisterhood truly has blossomed.
Over the past year in her time as Vice President of Organization, she found that the detail and organization of our chapter council took in creating our Strategic Goals has allowed each officer to succeed in creative ways for the ultimate well being of Eta Zeta. This year, VPO took a new approach on our committee usage and merged all officers into groups. These five groups include: Risk/Events, Ritual/New Member/ Corresponding Secretary, Membership/Public Relations/Registrar, Education/ VPO/ Academics, and Philanthropy/House/Panhel. The standards and finance committees were equally dispersed throughout each of these 5 subgroups to serve as a voice and outlet to their subcommittee and still maintained a meeting in their appointed committee. Eta Zeta has found this more efficient to have other officers at their expense when one needs support. Lastly, Eta Zeta had two successful Leadership Consultant visits that gave our chapter council great advice to improve in different aspects of their positions that has lead to a more cohesive chapter council.
Starting off this semester, Kappa went from having the highest GPA in Fall 2014, 3.29, to being ranked fourth out of five sororities in Spring 2015, 3.22. Since we were tied with the all-girl GPA at JCU, we were at risk for academic probation. To combat this, the Vice President of Academic Excellence began a system with study buddies. This entailed Kappas to study with a sister in one of their classes, write down their common goals, and turn them into her. As a whole, this system helped stress the importance of academics. In addition, VPAE had everyone calculate their GPA goals. After receiving a majority of them, she calculated an overall GPA goal of 3.49 for this semester. Before scheduling for the spring semester, she continued the academic buddy system by pairing new members with older active members of the same major in order to give them advice prior to scheduling. Many new members were very happy with this system as it guided them through the stressful scheduling process. To encourage girls to study, she hung a clothespin line in the study lounge and gave Starbucks gift cards to those who took pictures studying with one another to hang on the clothespin line. In addition, VPAE enforced quiet hours in the study lounge from 8-10pm Monday - Thursday. Many sisters were pleased with this because they could now avoid the hike to the library and study in the comfort of the study lounge. Regarding Period of Concern, only 1 girl was placed on it for a couple weeks. When the conditions change based on her situation, once more organized, she trusted this girl could improve her work ethic to be successful academically. Overall, many new ideas were created this semester to stress the importance of academics. She believes these programs will aid in the academic achievements of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Last Spring, Parents Brunch was on March 21st in LSC conference Room. The Corresponding Secretary put on the event and it had a great turn out. A lot of parents were present and we also celebrated eighteen Kappas who were graduating. Each graduate received a poster board with their picture on it. During the brunch, parents and other sisters could write little messages on them for the seniors. This Fall, all twenty-two new members have ordered their pins.
As a way to better educate members on Personal Finance, the Treasurer chair created a new financial program entitled Kappa Cash. At each chapter the Treasurer teaches a mini lesson on personal finance such as how to budget, credit cards, bank accounts and interest rates, etc. Then at the following chapter she asks a question regarding the previous lesson. If the member gives the correct answer the kappa gets to choose if she wants to spend her money, place her money in her checking account, or place her money in her savings account. If she spends her money, she plays a game with a chance of winning a gift card, but there is also a chance she will not win anything. This exemplifies the risks of spending money to the chapter, because once money is spent it is gone. If she puts her name in her checking or savings account her name will go into a drawing for rewards at midterms and finals. The checking account shows members that money placed in this account is more short-term than a long-term savings account. Members seem to enjoy and are learning from this program.
It is not hard to keep the sisters of Eta Zeta attentive and enthusiastic because there is an interest in learning about Kappa history. Each week the Registrar asks a Kappa trivia question on the Facebook wall and gives out prizes. Also, she provides a history fact during her report at chapter.
Our Marshal of Eta Zeta chapter traveled to Carnegie Mellon University in the Spring '15 to initiate two of our members from informal recruitment. Over the summer our Marshal resigned, so at the beginning of the fall semester we elected a new one. In the Fall '15, she conducted a thorough ritual review with these two members. After gaining twenty-two New Members through recruitment this fall, the Marshal held the Pledge-In ceremony on September 27, one week after Bid Day. Leading up to Inspiration week, she prepared Eta Zeta for Initiation by holding twice-weekly Initiation reviews, requiring each member to attend at least one per week. On November 6, the Marshal traveled to Lambda chapter at University of Akron to initiate one of the New Members who would not be in attendance at Eta Zeta's Initiation the following week. On Tuesday, November 10, the Marshal planned Blue and Blue for the sisters of Eta Zeta as a way to strengthen the bond between our sisters as we prepared for Initiation on Saturday. At Blue and Blue, letters were written from bigs, grand-bigs, etc. to their family members who were being initiated. These letters were to be read by the New Members the night before Initiation. In addition, the initiates were to write letters to their future littles, explaining how their time as a New Member was going, and the excitement that ensued building up to Initiation. There was also an ice cream sundae bar for the chapter. In addition, the Flowerside ceremony took place the same night as Blue and Blue, where the New Members received flowers from their bigs that represented them in some way. Littles of graduating seniors also spoke on behalf of their bigs at this time. A thorough Initiation review followed the ceremony. On November 13, Fireside ceremony took place, followed by set-up for Initiation. Eta Zeta hosted Initiation for a New Member from Lambda chapter who also needed to be initiated. This year's Initiation set-up was challenging because a different room was being used. However, the chapter worked together, and the seniors took charge, in order to make the space work as necessary. On Saturday, November 14, 22 New Members were initiated. The Marshal met with the newly initiated members of Eta Zeta in order to debrief from Initiation.
At the end of Spring 2015 we said goodbye to eighteen Kappas. This year our chapter has a graduation class of eleven. The Education chair recently organized Founder’s Day at The Cleveland Aquarium. We were in attendance along with various alumni from the Cleveland area. The chapter has also been actively participating in education events and programing nights. The chapter just participated in an educational programming night where members learned about sexual assault, sexual harassment, and the after effects. A counselor from the campus guidance counselor office spoke as well as a previous alum from the chapter who shared her personal experiences. Overall this past year has been very successful and we are looking forward to event more educational events in the future.
One of the biggest goals Eta Zeta’s Housing Chairman wanted was to create a relaxed and inviting environment in the common areas. By updating and rearranging furniture on the floor she created an open atmosphere that encouraged actives and new members to bond in the common areas. The common spaces were decorated for the holiday to give the floor an extra lift. We also received new carpet in all of the common spaces, giving the facility a fresher look. A major undertaking this year was to clean and organize the storage room and implementing a new check out system for the storage room keys.
Our 2015 Membership Chairman said Recruitment was wonderful. Kappa Kappa Gamma was able to welcome nineteen new members during formal and three more during informal recruitment a week later. In the Spring Kappa Kappa Gamma participated in a workshop to practice conversation skills and the Membership Chairman also educated our new members on the recruitment process. In the Fall she created events to get girls excited for the long weekend ahead. We had one meeting practicing skills and another talking about logistics. She planned a group day bonding event were groups picked out the questions they would ask potential new members. Kappa Kappa Gamma and Kappa Delta came together and had a mixer to practice bumping and conversation. After the weekend of Recruitment she asked members to complete a survey for the next Membership chair to use.
The New Member Chairman educated twenty-two new members about the Eta Zeta Chapter at John Carroll University. She hosted events such as weekly meetings before chapter, Owl Pal, Kappa Kousin, Speed Dating, movie nights on the floor, Big/Little Reveal, New Member Retreat and Inspiration week. On October 24th New Members participated in a Sexual Harassment and Alcohol Education course that is required for all Greek Life to complete. The girls bonded with one another and got to know the actives well throughout this 8-week New Member Period.
To continue improving Panhellenic involvement, Kappa passed the bylaw that stated members must attend one Panhellenic event per semester. These events include weekly Panhellenic meetings as well as other philanthropic events put on by the other sororities on campus. Kappa's involvement has greatly improved since this implementing of this bylaw through presence at the weekly meetings as well as Greek Life events on campus. This year Kappa had two members serve on the Panhellenic executive board as Vice President of Programming and Vice President of Membership. Two other Kappa members were also chosen to be Pi Chis during Fall Recruitment.
After taking on the position of Public Relations Chairman in 2013, she really worked hard to create and develop our different social media platforms. Her goal for this past term was to have a positive presence on social media and make all of our social media accounts even better than they were before. Also, she wanted to get more of the chapter involved with the GIN system, which was one of her biggest challenges. It was very hard for us to transition over to the GIN system but with the help of our VPO we were able to start using the features on the website. She worked to create our new website through the GIN system. This past year, PR really worked to develop our Tumblr account. She want our Tumblr to not only be a fun site of pictures of our chapter, but also to use as a resource for other positions that need to use these pictures, such as recruitment scrapbooks. She also tried to post more often on our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Page. Another thing that she has done is make a lot of videos for our chapter. This past year PR made a Senior Send-off Video, Recruitment Video, and Bid Day Video. The annual newsletter, the Hootie Hoo was sent out in May and the Chapter Honors Report was also sent to headquarters in May. Lastly, she worked to create our new website through the GIN system.
To improve sisterhood, Kappa Kappa Gamma held many social events. The Events chairman set up many events held throughout the year. Kappas did a board game mixer with Sigma Phi Epsilon, following a bingo mixer with Lambda Chi Alpha. Pre Greek Week activities, members mixed with 3 other fraternities and sororities. The Wildest Dream semi-formal was held in the Spring of 2015. Sapphire Ball was in early April. In the fall, Kappa had a fun campfire mixer with Lambda Chi Alpha, a volleyball game with Sigma Phi Epsilon, and a football tailgate with Beta Theta Pi. Kappa held a 90's themed “Kappa Kappa Gamma is All That” date dance late November.
During Risk Management’s term she wanted our chapter to become more informed and involved with personal health/wellness. In order to achieve this she hosted three health and wellness events: two in the spring and one in the fall. In the spring Risk took our sisters to a Barre class (a mixture of strength activities and Pilates) and to Skyzone (indoor trampoline park). She thought it would be a fun way to get active and relieve stress. This semester we have a cycling event at Groove Ryde scheduled for December 12th as a way to relieve stress before finals. One challenge that Kappa Kappa Gamma experienced during her term was that our buddy system was not being used properly. We have a buddy system at our dances to insure that all people attending (Kappas and non-Kappas) get home safely, if they are asked to leave the dance. People were not sending in their buddy's names so we were unable to send home the right people at the dances. In order to fix this we have now made it a priority to make sure our members send in their buddies prior to our dances. The Events Chairman and Risk Management Chairman give presentations prior to dances about alcohol and expected behavior at our events. Another new thing that happened during her term was she made a health and wellness incentive program called the Kappa Klimb. Our sorority lives on the 4th floor of our dorm and to encourage health and wellness Risk decided to make an incentive program for our sisters to want to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Every time a Kappa walks up the stairs she can put a tally next to her name, and the person with the most tallies at the end of two weeks wins a $5 gift card. It's promoting health and a little friendly competition between our sisters.
The recent changes on our campus include a new Greek Life advisor. This transition has been difficult as she is making many changes. Despite this we are working to improve our Panhellenic relations on campus and our presence on Panhellenic Council.
The overall nature of our chapter is very diverse and positive. It is possible to find at least one of our members in almost every activity on campus, so the overall group is eclectic in our passions. Our chapter is eager to help when help is required, and works to make all of our members feel included. Although our overall nature is positive, we do run into some problems. Recently we have been experiencing problems with participation in various chapter activities, attendance at chapter meetings, and behavior at date dances. Our fall date dance this year had multiple issues in regards to girls drinking alcohol and our standards committee is working to rectify this. We are planning a programming night as well to address the issues. In recent years, whenever issues have arose, they can quickly be fixed by reiterating the ideals of Kappa to our members and working together towards living these out. This is what we plan to do with our current issues as well.
Chapter Philanthropy:
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?
To improve sisterhood, Kappa held many philanthropy and social events. Philanthropic involvement is frequently seen in our Kappa activities. Last semester we had several service events including card making for a nursing home, Dani's Day which is a day of service with children who have downs syndrome, the Jesuit Day of Service, and many girls do weekly service. We held a philanthropy event called Sweet Tea Tuesday where we raised money for Kappa Kidney Camp and the Kappa Foundation. Our annual Kappasta event was held on October, 25th, 2015. At the end of raffling and the Spaghetti dinner we raised $2.055 for Reading is Fundamental as well as receiving over 55 books to donate. We have volunteered on freshman move in, did a service event with the Chi-Omega chapter as well as helped with Through they Eyes of A Child where we had fun coloring and taking pictures with Santa with children from inner city schools of Cleveland.
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
As an organization we typically donate to three organization including, Kappa Kidney Camp, Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Foundation. Due to the fact that we are a chapter in Ohio we have Kappa Kidney Camp as a regional organization. This is a week long camp for kids with kidney issues to participate in safe activities and make new friends. We get the opportunity to send girls to the camp in the middle of the week to meet the kids!
Each year we participate in two events held by the University for the Cleveland Community. It is important to the girls in the chapter to give back to the community and volunteer with children. On top of weekly service in the community and the events held on campus we have many girls that attend immersion trips outside of the country. This gives them an opportunity to make and impact on a global level.
Service is very important to our chapter as a whole and girls often say that some of their best sisterhood memories are from the times when we are helping others.
==Highlights of 2020s:==