|Image= [[File:Zeta_Tau.jpg|200px]]
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1989|05|01}}
|College= [httphttps://www.wlu.edu/ Washington and Lee University]
|Location= Lexington, VA
|Homepage= [httphttps://chapterswlu.kappakappagammakappa.org/zetatau/ Zeta Tau Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Zeta_Tau Media related to Zeta Tau Chapter]}}
'''938 991 initiates (as of June 20162018)'''
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The Zeta Tau Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma, on Washington and Lee University campus, had an action-filled 2015 2016 year. Our members are active leaders and participants in all aspects of campus, both extra-curricular and service-oriented. They are Johnson Scholars, varsity athletes, team captains, and Appalachian Adventure trip leaders. Members of our chapter actively participate and lead in many organizations on campus such as Fancy Dress Steering Committee, Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, and Generals’ Activity Board, University Ambassadors, LEAD, Williams’ Investment Society, and Real Estate Society. They participate in University Singers, Washington and Lee Dance Company, Jubilee Acapella group, Reformed University Fellowship, YoungLife, LIFE, and the University Big Program. Members have rejuvenated the Students’ Arts League on campus. Members serve as Panhellenic delegates and Peer Counselors. In March, we initiated twenty-nine new members into the chapter. This was an exciting moment for the chapter after all the hard work put into informal and formal rush. At the start of this academic year, we welcomed in a new house director. Out House Chair has done an incredible job getting her settled and acquainted to the Washington and Lee community, the members, and the advisors. We’re glad to have Mrs. Mary on board! Third Annual Concert For Kelsey, raising money for the Kelsey Durkin foundation. Kelsey Durkin was a member of our chapter who passed away in a fatal car accident. The chapter has dedicated a great deal of time and energy raising awareness on campus about the harms of drunk driving, a cause very near to their hearts. This coming spring we will host the Fourth-annual Concert for Kelsey, continuing to remember her legacy. This summer, three members attended the Kappa National Convention. They learned a lot about Kappa and have helped the Zeta Tau chapter implement many new ideas. They especially enjoyed the opportunity to take a photo with Beth Black! Following that convention, a member of the new pledge class attended the Kappa Leadership Council. She enjoyed getting to meet Kappas from all over the nation, sharing ideas, and exchanging Kappa memories. This fall we hosted a philanthropy event called "Tye Dye and Blue Sky" where students were invited to come make Tye Dye shirts and eat cookies from a favorite local restaurant. This was a successful event and we raised $1,558. As a chapter council, and an entire chapter, we are constantly working on improving our image on campus through social media, attendance at events (especially other sororities' events), and generally playing a more positive role throughout the campus.
Many improvements in organization and the general atmosphere of the chapter have been implemented in the past year. Our House Chair has made a huge effort to establish and clarify the rules for the house—a project that the entirety of the sorority has benefited from. The House Chair also planned a “Staff Appreciation Day” in which the cooking staff, cleaning staff, and House Director were given the day off of work and a well-deserved appreciation gift of cards and flowers. The Recording Secretary promoted and encouraged better attendance at chapter and all Kappa related events. Consequently, there was a huge improvement in attendance. She has also adjusted very well to the new system on KeyReports and encourages all of the chapter to review her minutes that she posts! This helps to keep all of our members on the same page when it comes to meeting details.
Kelsey Durkin Foundation
-Concert for Kelsey, Zeta Tau Chapter's biggest event of the year, is helf each spring. The chapter's third annual “Concert for Kelsey” was held last year. Kelsey was a member of the Zeta Tau chapter who died in a drunk driving accident in 2013. The concert honors and celebrates Kelsey Durkin’s life and promotes the prevention of drunk driving.
-Donations help fund the event which spreads drunk driving awareness. They are also donated to the Kelsey Durkin Foundation, established in Kesley’s honor. Through selling tickets, t-shirts, and receiving general donations, we raised $3,849. 44. We donated 90% to the Kelsey Durkin Foundation, and 10% to the Kappa Foundation.
Relay
Relay for Life
-Each year, Zeta Tau members participate in the Relay for Life walk on Canann green.
-Additionally, members participate in the banner challenge and cupcake challenge.
-This year we raised $1,558.20, which we donated to Reading is Fundamental
-We are also working on creating an event with a local Reading is Fundamental participant organization, such as the local elementary school, to create an annual event with community engagement and reading.
We meet in "The Chapter Room," which is in the bottom floor of the Kappa House.
We meet in "==Highlights of 2017== The Chapter RoomZeta Tau chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has spent 2017 focusing on academics and working hard to get off of our focus letter. Our chapter accomplished an average 3.519 GPA," which is we are extremely proud of. Our Concert for Kelsey philanthropy event in May was a success. We had the largest turn out and raised the bottom floor most money out of any year of the Kappa Houseevent. This event is to honor the life of Kelsey Durkin, a Zeta Tau member who was killed by a drunk driver.
Oral History:Clara McCollammccollamc19@mailOur chapter promotes sober drivers and has a zero-tolerance policy for drunk driving.wluWe are hoping to reach an agreement with Kappa nationals to promote sober drivers for all weekend nights. We have to work out insurance logistics with nationals though. Our philanthropy event Tie Dye and Blue Sky raised lots of money this year and allowed us to meet many new potential members of Kappa. Over the past year, we as a chapter were devoted to bettering ourselves, our school, and our chapter. We hope to be off our focus letter come May.edu
==Highlights 2016of 2018==
Events – 5 chapter members went to Kappa Leadership Convention in Atlanta in February (pictured): Evy Verbinnen (VPS), Adele Petagna (president), Kathryn Williams (education), Lexie Gottsegen (VPO), and Ally Chebuhar (recruitment chair).
The [[File:Zeta Tau Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma, on Washington and Lee University campus, had an action-filled 2015 year. Our members are active leaders and participants in all aspects of campus, both extra-curricular and service-oriented. They are Johnson Scholars, varsity athletes, team captains, and Appalachian Adventure trip leaders. Members of our chapter actively participate and lead in many organizations on campus such as Fancy Dress Steering Committee, Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, and Generals’ Activity Board, University Ambassadors, LEAD, Williams’ Investment Society, and Real Estate Society. They participate in University Singers, Washington and Lee Dance Company, Jubilee Acapella group, Reformed University Fellowship, YoungLife, LIFE, and the University Big Program. Members have rejuvenated the Students’ Arts League on campus. Members serve as Panhellenic delegates and Peer Counselors. In March, we initiated twenty-nine new members into the chapter. This was an exciting moment for the chapter after all the hard work put into informal and formal rush. At the start of this academic year, we welcomed in a new house director. Out House Chair has done an incredible job getting her settled and acquainted to the Washington and Lee community, the members, and the advisors. We’re glad to have Mrs. Mary on board! Third Annual Concert For Kelsey, raising money for the Kelsey Durkin foundation. Kelsey Durkin was a member of our chapter who passed away in a fatal car accident. The chapter has dedicated a great deal of time and energy raising awareness on campus about the harms of drunk driving, a cause very near to their hearts. This coming spring we will host the Fourth-annual Concert for Kelsey, continuing to remember her legacy. This summer, three members attended the Kappa National Convention. They learned a lot about Kappa and have helped the jpg|thumb|Zeta Tau chapter implement many new ideas. They especially enjoyed the opportunity to take a photo with Beth Black! Following that convention, a member of the new pledge class attended the Kappa Leadership Council. She enjoyed getting to meet Kappas from all over the nation, sharing ideas, and exchanging Kappa memories. This fall we hosted a philanthropy event called "Tye Dye and Blue Sky" where students were invited to come make Tye Dye shirts and eat cookies from a favorite local restaurant. This was a successful event and we raised $1,558. As a chapter council, and an entire chapter, we are constantly working on improving our image on campus through social media, attendance at events (especially other sororities' events), and generally playing a more positive role throughout the campusmembers. ]]
Many improvements in organization and the general atmosphere of the chapter have been implemented in the past year. Our House Chair has made a huge effort Scholarships -- 2 junior Kappas received grants to establish and clarify the rules for the house—a project that the entirety of the sorority has benefited from. The House Chair also planned a “Staff Appreciation Day” in which the cooking staff, cleaning staff, and House Director were given the day off of work and a well-deserved appreciation gift of cards and flowers. The Recording Secretary promoted and encouraged better attendance at chapter and all Kappa related events. Consequently, there was a huge improvement do research in attendance. She has also adjusted very well to the new system on KeyReports and encourages all of the chapter to review her minutes that she posts! This helps to keep all of our members on the same page when it comes to meeting detailsSouth America this Spring/Summer.
We have further developed relationships with other sororities on our campus. In fact, this year, our Panhellenic delegate coordinated with Pi Phi to coordinate our chapter’s first ever Monmouth event! The event was a huge success. Because both philanthropies have to do with childhood literacy, we decorated bookmarks Awards -- One junior won an award at W&L's leadership baquet for children her work as we enjoyed some hot apple cider editor and local doughnutschief in a new diversity magazine called Diverge. We also contributed to and participated in “Meet the Greek” events such as bonfire smoores, dinners at houses, and ice cream socials!
Traditions -- Concert for Kelsey is always a nice tradition. We made huge improvements academically—we shot right up to the second highest GPA on campus, with an average of 3.535. Our Academic Excellence chair supported us also are holding a senior dinner in raising this GPA by passing around an “A” basket during chapter—a name is drawn out of the basket and awarded with candy. She also had pizzas delivered spring to wish the library during exam crunch timesenior's goodluck after graduation!We usually try to do it outside since we have such pretty nature to enjoy in Lexington.
Our events and risk chairs have worked very hard to orchestrate safe and fun formals for us! We Philanthropy Involvement -- In March we had a winter formal at the Robert E. Lee, a Spring formal at the Lime Kiln theater, "women's service day" and we had a fall formal at the Coupes Bar bunch of different members participate in Charlottesvilledifferent service projects led by W&L Greek women. We’ve had sisterhood dinners—pizza at Salerno’s! Our chapter has had adapted well and accepted the new standards we have set for formals and Kappa events. The sisters They worked with a bunch of Zeta Tau most definitely make their positive mark on the Washington and Lee local organizations such as Campus. We are leaders, scholarsKitchen, Project Horizon and athletesHabitat for Humanity. It will be exciting to see where these women go next!
The Nature Reading is Fundemental is the national philanthropy organization of Kappa so we want to support the Zeta Tau Chapter has changed drastically this past yearoverall chapter's support in educating local children and promoting literacy. Our Probation Status has called us We also chose to donate to re-evaluate the Kelsey Durkin foundation because our Chapter's traditions and day chapter has a special connection to day organizationthis woman. Our President, Vice President Kelsey was a W&L Kappa who tragically died in a drunk driving accident on campus in December of Organization2013. Every year we host a concert in the spring and have local bands play, Vice President of Standardshave food, and Chapter Council as sell teachers to raise money for Kelsey's foundation and celebrate her life. The W&L business office just sent me a whole have set a very positive tone as we strive to make these beneficial changesreport on how much money the Kelsey Durkin foundation has raised. Our LC visitors Thousands of dollars have helped been donated to point us to specific ways we can continue to improve, whether large or smallthe foundation just in this past year. We still have improvements to be made; however, also hold an event every year called Love for Liza where we sell Chic Fil A sandwhiches (they are getting there! It is our goal very popular at W&L since we don't have a Chic Fil A in town) and donote the proceeds to continue our positive progression, the Love for Liza Foundation at John Hopkinds that helps to continue to make the overall nature of fight synovial sarcoma. We hold this event because Liza was a Kappa at W&L a healthier place where each Zeta Tau sister can be her best self! while back who passed from this tragic disease.
Students Against Rockbridge Area Hunger Chapter goals -- We have been working on better communication (SARAH)-Participate specifically in Lip Sync (organized by chapter council but throughout the Fraternity Pi Phiwhole chapter as well)-Members of the new pledge class are organized into random . We also want to continue to do more sisterhood events! While we feel very connected and close, sometimes people can get too caught up in their friend groups; each group makes up . We recently worked with a dance performs it on lip sync night.new local fitness studio to hold spin classes!
Project Horizon
-Through "Kappa Kollection," members donate used clothes and toiletries.
-All of the Donations go to Project Horizon, a women’s shelter in town for domestic abuse victims.
Reach out and Read (community engagement)-Members meet with children at Rockbridge Health PLLC to read to them every Tuesday and Wednesday from 4-5 through a partnership with Dr. Schirmer-Members donate books two times each year to Rockbridge Health PLLC-We participate in this philanthropy because it perfectly aligns with out national philanthropy: Reading is Fundamental. Through promoting childhood literacy, we can connect with Kappas nationwide! Highlights of 2019
John Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Research Center- In "Love for Liza," The current members sell Chickfila heart shaped biscuits in commons every February in honor of our former Zeta Tau memberchapter are smart, Liza Hayniecaring, who passed from a synovial sarcoma last yearoutgoing, and funny women. Participating The women of Kappa are highly regarded throughout campus and are involved in this philanthropy is campus life in many ways, including membership in the Williams Investment Society, the Outing Club, the choir, D3 athletics, and more. Five of our way of remembering Liza members are Peer Counselors, which are students chosen for their leadership and supporting Liza's family communication skills to guide and those advise freshmen who are currently battling synovial sarcomastruggling with aspects of college life. -The money we raise goes to Ultimately, our chapter is made up of many different kinds of people. There are the “Love for Liza Fundartistically gifted,” which goes towards the John Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Research Center. Last year was our first time holding athletes, the eventoutdoorsy types, and we raised $1the book-worms. Ultimately,083.11our chapter is a group of girls who support and love each other despite our many differences.
Kelsey Durkin Foundation-Concert for KelseyWe started the year off with welcoming new freshmen women into our chapter. We had a very successful Fireside Ceremony and initiation.. Four mothers of our initiates, Kappa alumnae, Zeta Tau Chapter's biggest event even surprised their daughters during the initiation ceremony. The rest of the year, is helf each springcontinued to be a success. Our new members felt at home right away. We had a sisterhood event in the Spring where we all went to a local fitness studio and took a workout class together. The chapter's third Also in Spring was our annual “Concert Concert for Kelsey” was held last year. Kelsey was , honoring a former member of the Zeta Tau chapter who died was killed in a drunk driving accident in 2013a few years ago. The concert honors and celebrates Kelsey Durkin’s life We sold t-shirts and promotes tickets for the prevention of drunk driving. -Donations help fund the event which spreads drunk driving awareness. They are also donated concert to raise money for the Kelsey Durkin Foundation, established in Kesley’s honor. Through selling tickets, t-shirts, and receiving general donations, we raised ended up raising around $3,849. 44. We donated 90% to the Kelsey Durkin Foundation1, and 10% to the Kappa Foundation119.
Relay We held a pizza party as our first Sisterhood event of the fall. Members from all four grades came to the Kappa house to catch up over pizza. Our annual fund raiser "Love for LifeLiza" was held. We sold Chick-Each yearfil-A on campus, which was a huge success and raised about $!,133 for Love for Liza, which supports synovial sarcoma, Zeta Tau members participate in the Relay for Life walk on Canann greentype of cancer a former member of our chapter died from. - Additionally, members participate in the banner challenge we held our annual Tie-dye and cupcake challengeBlue Sky event, which raises money for Reading is Fundamental. We sold t-We participate in this philanthropy in an effort to support other meaningful philanthropies that are happening on sahirts and tickets for the Washington event, and Lee people from all around campuscame to tie-dye shirts and snack on baked good from BlueSky Bakery. In the end, we raised $1,410.
Komen Give Day -We concluded 2019 with the lighting of the Christmas Tree in honor of Kelsey Durkin. Every October year we set up light a swipe machine huge Christmas tree in front of the President's house, and encourage students to swipe home donations for Breast Cancer research in an effort member of the community all come to show their support Breast Cancer survivors . It truly is a special moment and help one that really bonds our chapter as we remember the mission to end Breast Cancer. -We received over 800 donations last year, totaling approximately $23,000life of Kelsey.
Reading is Fundamental-At "Tie Dye and Blue SkyPhilanthropy: Love for Liza," Kelsey Durkin Foundation. Both hold a special place in the heart of our biggest event chapter. Liza and Kelsey were both former members of the fall, we tie-dye tshirts our chapter until their untimely deaths. Support and enjoy local Blue Sky pastries. -This year we raised $1,558.20, which we donated to Reading fundraising for these organizations is Fundamental
-We are also working on creating an event with a local Reading is Fundamental participant organization, such as the local elementary school, way for us to create an annual event with community engagement remember and readinghonor the lives of two wonderful members of our sorority.
Founders Day: We meet in "The Chapter Room," which did not celebrate Founders Day. I did forward the email I received from the National Sorority regarding Founders Day is in the bottom floor of case anyone wanted to watch the Kappa Houselive stream on Facebook.
Oral History=='''Highlights of 2020s''':Clara McCollammccollamc19@mail.wlu.edu==
==Highlights This past year, the Kappas at Washington and Lee have done a lot of 2020s:==great work amidst the pandemic. In January, we rushed 23 women into our sorority. Bid day welcomed our new sisters to the sorority. Following bid day, we had initiation, which I was in charge of. With the help our past president,Emily Moran, we had a successful initiation and fireside ceremony. We welcomed in four alumni to help host the initiation. As chapter marshal, it was my duty this past year to teach chapter ritual and tradition. After initiation, I hosted a ritual review with the new pledge class, so they could better understand the history of the ceremonies they just experienced. We went over the handshake, the password, and the different ritual songs. I also shared ritual nuggets with the pledge class. Thankfully, we were able to have initiation before we were sent home early in March. Because initiation happened before we were sent home, my job wasn't effected as much as the other jobs in the sorority. During the pandemic, things slowed down a bit, but people were still involved in chapter and philanthropy. This past semester, our sorority focused a lot on spending meaningful time together in a safe and covid-friendly way. Our event chairman hosted a wonderful outdoor dinner with catered food. In addition, we did a drive-in movie event at one of the local theaters in Lexington. Because of the pandemic, all of our chapter meetings were held virtually each week. Chapter has been great way for all of us to get together virtually, once a week to discuss expectations and schedules. One learning experience we all had this year was the seminar on sexual assault held by a Kappa volunteer. This was a great way for the women to have open conversations about sexual assault on our campus. This year, our chapter has also made diversity and inclusion a major goal of ours. We had open conversations about changes that would need to be made to rush, so our sorority would be more inclusive to people of all races. We have a new diversity committee led by a woman in our sorority, and we plan on creating a new diversity position on chapter council next semester. Our sorority also has created a new resource this year for women struggling with mental health. During the pandemic, it is more important now to address mental health issues on campus. Alice Gooding hosts a weekly meeting for anyone to join if they want to discuss how they feel, or if they are worried for friends. Our standards committee has also worked on making their committee more open to positivity. The Kappas at Washington and Leedon't want to view standards as a place to go when you are punished, but as a place that is welcoming and there to help. Overall, it has been a great year despite the challenges of making things virtual.
From chapter’s History Report''Philanthropy: Scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within ''' The chapter, overall nature of supports Reading is Fundamental (RIF). In addition the chapterhelps combat drunk driving through Concert for Kelsey. We chose RIF because of its mission. This organization's mission is to encourage and motivate young children to read. Through this organization, chapter goals, challenges Kappas can help make reading a fun and how they were overcome, etcbeneficial part of everyday life for children who don't have exposure to books at home or at school. Concert for Kelsey supports the Kelsey Durkin Memorial Fund. Kelsey was a member of the sorority who died tragically in a drunk driving accident. We host a concert every spring term in order to raise awareness.:
"Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" - Our chapter made diversity, equity, and inclusion a major goal this year. Led by one of our junior Kappas, Nico Sacci, we have created an open environment to discuss diversity and inclusion. As we rushed girls this past semester, Nico encouraged the whole chapter to extend friendships to people of all races. We plan on adding a new position to our chapter council that will be the head diversity and inclusion (DEI Officer). This position should go into effect next semester. In addition, the whole chapter participated in a diversity and equity seminar hosted by Washington and Lee. This training seminar helped make people aware of the current problems and gave ways to increase our inclusion.
"Sesquicentennial Celebration" - In order to celebrate Kappa's 150th anniversary, our chapter decided to make posts on the social media. Many women in the chapter posted on Instagram, and our PR chairman made lots of posts on the Washington and Lee Kappa Instagram as well. Because we couldn''Housing:''' t do any in person celebration because of there pandemic, our chapter thought the best way to celebrate would be through social media. We spread the word about 150 years and emphasized the importance of history. In addition, we spent time in chapter going over the history of KKG at Washington and Lee and the history of Kappa as a national foundation.
==Highlights of 2021==
'''Philanthropy:'''
apter Summary
In the past year our chapter has done some great things even with the restrictions of the pandemic placed upon us. Academically speaking our chapter has done a tremendous job bringing up our chapter wide GPA and rank. This fall semester we were ranked 5 of 6 of all the sororities in average GPA. This past winter semester, we placed 2 of 6 with an average GPA of 3.659. We currently have 6 open Merit-Based scholarships. Operationally speaking, we have held some awesome fundraiser events that our DEI heads planned and are currently working to plan our yearly tradition philanthropy fundraiser event for the promise committee at our school which works to prevent drinking and driving on campus. Aside from this, we hope to hold a fun run philanthropy event in the fall. We had a solid rush year and received 4-5 quota additions taking in 30 new members. Following a solid recruitment, we held our ritual and initiation for all new members to be inducted into the chapter. We have an exciting senior kickball event coming up that is being held through our panhellenic council. This event is a fundraiser to donate to a Gofundme for a member on our campus who recently became paralyzed due to a serious accident. One of our chapter wide goals this year is to increase our DEI efforts and work to get some new and fun philanthropy and sisterhood events in!
'''Chapter Convention Awards:'''
Chapter Philanthropy
Our chapter supports the Children’s Literacy Foundation through fundraising events we hold on campus. Additionally, we work with the Rockbridge County and elementary schools to raise money for supplies and school supplies for children. We are planning to do a few events in the fall with organizations in the area that support DEI efforts as well.
With the recent shift to focus on mental health and well-being advocacy, our chapter has been working to brainstorm some new ideas for events to fundraise for and support some of these organizations. We are hoping to hold events in the fall to support Active Minds, NEDA, Jed Foundation, and Mental Health America. Some current plans we have is to hold a fun run, a “food fuel” event during our finals week, a yoga event and more! [[File:Zeta Tau1.jpg|thumb|sisters in yoga]]
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'''Note to Chapter Registrar:'''Diversity, Equity, and InclusionPlease refer While it was difficult to your operate as a chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes during the pandemic, we have really been working to get back to our normal operations and have been specifically focusing on DEI efforts and back issues of ''The Key'' philanthropy events. We plan to fill hold many philanthropy events in any gaps the fall since our philanthropy chair is currently abroad. As far as DEI, our chapter makes strong efforts to increase engagement in the above historical highlightsdiversity engagement and inclusion. If your Our DEI heads lead meetings every week following chapter archives are not completeto talk about a specific weekly topic which helps raise awareness around such topic. We also have done a collaboration with an organization campus to promote racial equity and inclusion. We held a fundraiser to raise money for children’s school supplies that promote all skin colors (crayons, please research your university libraryband aids, campus newspaper and yearbook archives etc) as well as posters for newsworthy information about your chapterthe classrooms. Please double check your work for accuracyWe are looking to do some other collabs this spring as well as in the fall. Contact Additionally, we have held chapter Advisory or House Board wide DEI events in the past year where some outside members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistancecame to speak to our chapter on various topics.
Your efforts will ensure Operating in a complete and accurate history PandemicOperating during the pandemic was a challenge for our chapter. For a long period of your time, we were having to do everything virtually (chapter , rush workshop, rush, initiation, sisterhood events). It was most difficult to hold rush virtually due to the technical difficulties we encountered. The inorganic feeling of getting to know someone through a screen made it a challenge for future generations both our members and the PNM’s. While we tried to enjoy!make it as natural as possible, we felt the experience would have been much better for the PNM’s if it were in person. Chapter and other operations were tough to hold virtually as sometimes it was hard to have effective and solid conversation. However, I think our chapter did a great job trying to make some virtual sisterhood events fun so that we could relax and still get to be together as a chapter.[[File:Zeta Tau2.jpg|thumb|sisterhood]]