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This past year for Zeta Iota chapter has been successful, filled with many great accomplishments and triumphs. Our chapter continues to hold a strong presence on campus by being involved in multiple Greek events in an effort to support other chapters and their philanthropies. These events include Kappa Delta’s Corn Hole Tournament, Alpha Phi’s Fiesta Bowl, Pi Beta Phi’s Wiffle Ball Tournament, Sigma Chi’s Derby Days, Delta Gamma’s “Capture the Anchor” Tournament, and Delta Delta Delta’s Kickball Tournament. Zeta Iota also took part in campus wide events like Villanova’s St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service, Villanova’s own Special Olympics Weekend in the fall, and Villanova’s “NOVADance” for childhood cancer where Zeta Iota surpassed our fundraising expectations and made a difference in these children’s lives. With each of these events attended by our Zeta Iota sisters, our relationships with other chapters have strengthened as well as with each other. Zeta Iota supported our local philanthropy, Susan G. Komen for Breast Cancer Awareness, by hosting Breast Cancer Awareness Week in October 2014, which included passing out lollipops with breast cancer facts, ribbons, baked goods and stickers to promote awareness. We received many donations and hosted a 3 on 3 Basket Ball Tournament appropriately called “Hoops for Hope” on campus where members of other chapters and organizations played and donated to the cause. Our sisters also worked to support Reading is Fundamental by sponsoring a Book Drive, the Monmouth Duo, with Pi Beta Phi. Zeta Iota has encouraged the planning of a sisterhood event every month to promote bonding with sisters and to grow closer as a chapter. Prior to Breast Cancer Awareness Week in the fall, members of Zeta Iota gathered together at a sister’s house where we decorated cupcakes, tied ribbons, and bonded over the excitement of the upcoming week. In the spring of 2014, our outgoing Pledge Class Mom held a retreat for the new members. During this retreat, the new members grew closer together as sisters and learned more about what it means to be a member of this sorority. In the fall of 2014, the members of Zeta Iota attended a sisterhood event at Linvilla Orchards where we picked apples and went on hayrides, enjoying each other’s time together. With an LC visit in the fall of 2014 we carefully looked over the feedback later after her departure. It was stated that Zeta Iota’s strengths were Philanthropy, seeking advice and embracing change, and our Kappa pride. We were commended for our newly implemented and successful tutoring program where we traveled into Philadelphia every Friday during the Spring of 2014. Here, we helped the children prepare for their upcoming state exams and built relationships while doing so. Our areas of focus, or challenges, were Ritual and Sisterhood. In light of this, we have been embracing Ritual at every Chapter and thinking of new ways to engage and educate our members on the founding principles, ceremonies, and traditions that outline what it means to be a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. We continue giving special tokens at Chapter to members who have exemplified true Kappa sisterhood through the members favorite “Polished Kappa,” an award in which a member receives a nail polish for exemplifying a true Kappa. We continue to implement rewards like this for the girls' efforts, to emphasize the importance of sisterhood, and to let our members know that their actions do not go unnoticed. We are continuing to strengthen Academic Excellence as well. With Kappa National's higher GPA expectations, each member of Zeta Iota is striving to improve her overall GPA with different study habits and tips supplied by our Vice President of Academic Excellence. Smart Cookie awards for the member with the highest GPA continues to be a popular incentive for our members to do well and keep attendence in class up. Along with that, our VPAE sends weekly emails to our members giving insight to recruiting events on campus for future job positions or internships. 2014 has been a successful year for Zeta Iota. We have accomplished and have improved heavily in terms of sisterhood and philanthropy goals. We strive to achieve more goals throughout 2015 like continuing to stress the importance of ritual and sisterhood as well as keeping our Kappa pride at the highest level so we can all continue being involved, dedicated members of Zeta Iota.
The overall nature of our chapter is one of sisterhood and support for one another. We constantly encourage one another to exceed our own expectations to do better and have become increasingly close over the years because of this. Our chapter today is stronger than it has ever been and that is because of each of our member’s focus, determination, and dedication to Zeta Iota and Kappa Kappa Gamma as a whole. Each of us truly embodies what it means to be a sister of Kappa Kappa Gamma and we will continue to uphold our values and image as a chapter for years to come.
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|Image= [[File:Zeta_Iota.jpg|200px]]
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1982|11|13}}
|College= [httphttps://www1.villanova.edu/ Villanova University]
|Location= Villanova, PA
|Homepage= [httphttps://chaptersvillanova.kappakappagammakappa.org/zetaiota/ Zeta Iota Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Zeta_Iota Media related to Zeta Iota Chapter]}}
'''1,401 579 initiates (as of June 20142018)'''
==Highlights of 2014==
With renovations finally completed to Villanova’s campus, the atmosphere around the “quad” where most of our sophomore sisters reside has evolved into an area for all of campus to flock to for fundraising events and enjoying each other's company. On warmer days music will play and you cannot miss seeing a handful of Zeta Iota members working or socializing around the new renovations.
The overall nature of our chapter is one of sisterhood and support for one another. We constantly encourage one another to exceed our own expectations to do better and have become increasingly close over the years because of this. Our chapter today is stronger than it has ever been and that is because of each of our member’s focus, determination, and dedication to Zeta Iota and Kappa Kappa Gamma as a whole. Each of us truly embodies what it means to be a sister of Kappa Kappa Gamma and we will continue to uphold our values and image as a chapter for years to come.
Zeta Iota gathers for chapter meetings in a classroom located on Villanova's campus. The room stays consistent for every chapter gathering and is large enough to hold each of our members and any adivsors attending that week.
Villanova University does not provide sorority housing. Members of Zeta Iota are spread out living in dorms on campus or throughout the surrounding area. We are very diverse, living with fellow sisters or friends in other sororities or activities on campus.
==Highlights of 2015==
Zeta Iota had a great 2015-year! As always, Zeta Iota worked collectively with the rest of the panhellenic community at Villanova to support each other’s chapter philanthropies and to keep an positive light shining on each chapter overall. We were involved with different sororities to raise awareness for their philanthropic events like Delta Delta Delta’s events for St. Jude, Alpha Phi’s for heart health, Delta Gamma’s service for sight, and countless other events for each organization.
As a service to our school and the surrounding neighborhoods, Zeta Iota sisters helped clean up a nearby park as a part of Villanova’s Day of Service. From this day, we gained much more than just knowing how many people we made happy. We as sisters came together to help problem solve and work our way through problem solving when things were not going as planned. One of the most exciting weekends on Villanova’s campus is Special Olympics in October where Zeta Iota had our own table for Spin Art. Here, sisters helped athletes and families make beautiful pictures and danced with those who were waiting in line. After, sisters cheered at the multiple events taking place throughout campus. These activities were not just panhellenic wide, but campus wide as well. Zeta Iota was able to bond with those not apart of Greek Life and strengthen bonds with those who are involved.
Zeta Iota continued to support the philanthropies that are closest to our hearts: Reading is Fundamental and Breast Cancer Awareness. This year Zeta Iota started something new where once a week sisters go to a local charter school in Philadelphia and read to the younger children there. Through this, we formed a deeper bond with the children there than just us volunteering or collecting books. Since we were able to experience first hand how badly these kids need books, Zeta Iota started a book drive that, when finished, books will be donated to those who need them. This October, Zeta Iota supported our local philanthropy Susan G. Komen during Break Cancer Awareness week. This week, Zeta Iota sisters set up tables across campus filled with baked goods and items that inform others of the dangers of Breast Cancer. The Villanova community donated $1000 to our cause and all proceeds went directly to Susan G. Komen for Breast Cancer research. Spring of 2015, we hosted our popular “Hoops for Hope” 3 on 3 basketball tournament where members of other chapters and organizations played and donated to the cause.
The year of 2015 has been a big highlight for sisterhood for the Zeta Iota chapter. Sisters went to a local orchard in the fall where we picked apples, pumpkins, and were able to indulge in delicious treats. This past November, Zeta Iota gathered together for our annual retreat at a sister’s house close by. Here we split into small groups and got to know each other on a deeper level than normal; we were able to open up to one another in an emotional and fun way. Continued emphasis on sisterhood seems to be Zeta Iota’s biggest success. We have built on last year’s suggestions and have created a bond that is bigger than ever. Chapter Council members continue to give special tokens at Chapter meetings to those who have exemplified being a star sister through the favorite “Smart Cookie” for the member who obtained a high grade in her class that week.
Describe the recent changes on your campus and describe the overall nature of your chapter.
Villanova’s Panhellenic community continues to change with new ways for all chapter members to be involved on campus. We continue to promote a positive outlook when it comes to those considering being apart of such an organization. Zeta Iota certainly agrees with this attitude and exemplifies it with everything we do. We as sisters continuously work on embodying what a true Kappa is and, because of that, our chapter continues to shine.
Chapter Philanthropy:
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?
Zeta Iota raises money for our local philanthropy Reading is Fundamental as well as our national philanthropy of Susan G. Komen.
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
With many underprivileged school systems in Philadelphia, we choose to support Reading is Fundamental because our sisters go and experience first hand why these kids need books to grow. Over the years, we hope that our bond continues to get stronger with the children so we can continue to donate to their needs.
==Highlights of 2016==
Overall this year, the Zeta Iota chapter has been very involved on campus. In March 2016 the chapter participated in Women's Empowerment Week by hosting a work out class with another sorority and participating in a feminine hygiene drive. On March 31st we had one of our biggest fundraisors, Hoops for Hope which is a three on three basketball tournament. In the week leading up to this event, we had bakesales in three different locations on campus where students could sign up for the tournament as well as give donations. In April, we paired up with NROTC to host a 5K on campus to benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation as well as many members attended Nova Dance, a 12 hour hour dance marathon that supports the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
One challenged that we had faced in the past was participation in greek life events on campus. In past years, we had always been in last place for Greek Week in April. However this year, more members really got involved and we were able to improve in our ranking at Greek Week. October 17th-20th was our Breast Cancer Awareness Week which we had bakesales throughout the week raising money for our philanthropy. As a chapter, we also participated in Villanova's Day of Service in September. We were successful again with our goal of more participation as seen by almost all members participating in this event. One special event that we had in the fall was our Ladies Brunch which was an event where every member got to invite a special woman in their life to the brunch. It was a really great way for our mothers, aunts, grandmothers and sisters to learn more about we do as a chapter and to see the impact that we do through our philanthropic involvement.
We also support other sororities and fraternities on campus attending their fundraisors and philantropic events throughout the year. We also did monthly chapter dinners at a dinning hall on campus which was a great way for all members to bond with each other and take a break from our busy schedules and spend more time with each other.
This Spring the Villanova basketball team won the National Championship which brought a huge change to the campus and overall student spirit. This was a very special time that brought the campus as a whole together. It also brought many of our sisters closer as many traveled to New York City, Louisville and Houston together and they were really able to bond through this victory. On campus, it united all of greek life and really embodied the Villanova Greek Life slogan "No matter the letter we are all greek together."
==Highlights of 2017==
One of Zeta Iota's chapter goals for this year was to establish a strong pledge class of 2017 as part of our
continuous goal of building a stronger tradition of sisterhood and creating a more involved
chapte. To accomplish this, we dedicated a lot of energy and organization to Recruitment,
Continuous Open Bidding, and the New Member process. We made all new members feel
welcome by hosting study sessions and other activities where they could get to know each other
and the old members. We also elected Pledge Class Captains to continue the bonding within a
pledge class. All of the 2017 new members are active chapter members as of the writing of this
report.
Describe the recent changes on your campus and describe the overall nature of your chapter.
Campus is talking a lot about sexual misconduct, especially in light of national allegations
against high-profile figures like Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer, and more. At Princeton, several
graduate students have spoken out about harassment in their departments. According to the
third annual "We Speak" survey, which was distributed to all students in the spring of 2017 to
learn more about their knowledge and experiences of sexual misconduct at Princeton and their
awareness of the University’s policies, procedures, and resources, 1 in 5 undergraduate students
experienced sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence or
stalking during the 2016-2017 academic year.
In other news, University President Chris Eisgruber announced that a seventh residential college
would be built in the next 10 years as part of his initiative to expand Princeton's opportunities to
more students, especially students from underrepresented backgrounds. A bigger student body
would most likely increase the amount of women going through recruitment and diversify our
membership.
Zeta Phi has seen a surge in sisterhood in the past year. With our 42 new members, we surpassed
our expectations and welcomed an amazing and enthusiastic group of new sisters. Our members
characterize our chapter as chill, supportive, artsy, funny, kind, involved, accommodating,
respectful and considerate.
Our members believe that our chapter cares a lot about supporting each other in achieving our
goals, focusing on developing our academic, professional, and extracurricular interests. They
appreciate how their Kappa sisters are always willing to take time to support each another at
performances and competitions of all kinds. Members also believe that our chapter really values
philanthropy, from Kappa-related events/fundraisers to volunteering on our own time. Samone
Blair '18, Sonia Hashim '18, and Kristy Yeung '18 are Community Service Representatives for
their eating clubs on campus.
CR-08 Page 2 of 3 17.11.A
Our members see the purpose of our chapter as fostering a safe and welcoming space for women
of all backgrounds on campus, and standing for positivity and inclusivity under the banner of
sorority tradition. They view our chapter as an unconditional support system that encourages and
supports sisters in their diverse pursuits on and off campus, and alleviates some of the hardships
that can arise at a demanding environment like Princeton's.
Zeta Phi sisters have achieved considerable recognition for their skills and accomplishments. Kat
Giordano '18 is the President of the Princeton University Wildcats, Samone Blair '18 is the Music
Director and Claire Jones '18 is the Performance Chair. Meredith Hooper '20 is the Secretary of
Glee Club and Rosamond van Wingerden '20 is the Alumni Liason. Samone Blair '18 is the
President of the Princeton University Chapel Choir. Shriya Sekhsaria '18 won first place at Ivy
League Championships for archery. Maia Chamberlain '20 finished third place in NCAAs for
fencing. Kat Giordano '18 won the Princeton Silver Choice Award at Princeton Research Day
2017. Ashlyn Lackey '18 and Shriya Sekhsaria '18 entered their third year as TigerChallenge
Fellows. Claire Jones '18 is the Editor in Chief of the Princeton Historical Review.
Chapter Philanthropy:
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in
your community?
In Spring of 2017, we did a Reading is Fudamental (RIF) event with the Princeton YMCA and we
also volunteered with them afterwards.
In Fall of 2017, we donated money to HomeWorks, an organization working to provide Trenton
girls with housing and academic enrichment.
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
We chose to support the Princeton YMCA because they were a local organization who worked
with children. We chose to donate to HomeWorks because they are focused on young women
and the organization is founded and run by a Princeton student. This semester we also
volunteered with the Princeton Disability Awareness organization because a fellow Kappa,
Mayya Velitskaya '18, is president of the group.
'''Chapter Philanthropy'''
Our local philanthropy is BreastCancer.Org and we hold several events throughout the year to raise money. In the Spring we have a week in March where we have bake sales everyday in different locations on campus where we have baked goods that can be purchased by a donation. Students can also sign up for Hoops for Hope which was on the Thursday night of that week. This was a very successful event for our chapter this year and we raised about $6,000 from the week. Then in the fall we had Breast Cancer Awareness week where we had the same bake sales and we were able to raise $4,000. Our chapter also supports Reading is Fundamental by sending a group of members to the Chester Charter School of the Arts in Philadelphia every Friday were we read and support the children. We hosted a Ladies Brunch in Novemeber where we raised $6,200 for Reading is Fundamental. We also asked every member and their guest to bring their favorite children's book which we also donated.
Our chapter chose to support BreastCancer.org because it is an organization that is very near to many of our chapter member's hearts. Almost everyone in the chapter knows at least person in their life that had or has breast cancer. We selected this organization because it is based out of Ardmore, Pa which has allowed us to connect with them and even have speakers from the organziation come talk to the chapter. Our philanthropy chair has put in a lot of time and effort this year for our chapter to be more involved with Reading is Fundamental. In the past years, our chapter was not as involved with RIF, however now each Friday, a group of members attends the Chester Charter School of the Arts to read to the children. We chose to support this organization because it is the National philathropy of Kappa Kappa Gamma as well as because it is a very interactive organization where the members really see the difference their work is making in the children's lives.
==Highlights of 2020s:==