Convention MemorieZ
- ztatlc.alisoncolangelo
- Jun 25, 2018
- 4 min read
ZTA Convention 2018 officially starts tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited! Convention is a time when all ZTA National Officers, collegiate members, alumnae and International Office staff come together to gain leadership skills, discuss the future of
our great Fraternity, and most importantly celebrate sisterhood.
Convention 2014: Lights, Camera, Action! |
Los Angeles, California
My first flight ever took me across the country to my first National ZTA event. Convention 2014 in Los Angeles, California and I can honestly say that that week changed my whole outlook on Zeta Tau Alpha forever more.
Meeting my first National President! Keeley McDonald Riddle
I became so incredibly inspired by the alumnae women that I met that week. I finally understood why they say "Zeta is Forever" and I knew from that week on that Zeta was something I always wanted to be a part of my life!
Chain of Chapters | Link 143, Zeta Upsilon
I attended Convention as my chapter's Alternate Delegate. Each ZTA chapter sends an Official Delegate, normally the chapter President and then a rising leader as the Alternate Delegate. I had been so excited to be chosen to attend and had no idea what I was getting myself into!
Each ZTA chapter is represented in our Chain of Chapters. Our President at the time, Mara and I are pictured above with link #143, which is inscribed with our chapter name: Zeta Upsilon and 1970, the year we were installed at Edinboro University.
ZTA Convention is a week rich with history and traditions. One of my duties as Alternate Delegate that year was to participate in the chapter flag processional at the opening business meeting.
One of my favorite parts of Convention was getting to meet new sisters from different chapters. Every one is assigned a random roommate for the week; mine was Lauren, from Delta Mu Chapter at the University of Tennessee at Martin.
We both were serving as Director of Sisterhood and it was so much fun getting to know her throughout the week!
We also spent a lot of time with our Province sisters. Collegiate chapters around the country are split into provinces (3-5 chapters make up a province and are overseen by a Province President).
My chapter was a part of II Gamma Province; which included Clarion University (Delta Iota), Theil College (Zeta Beta) and Westminister University (Delta Omega).
I met one of my favorite fellow collegiate sisters; Emily Paskowski from Delta Iota chapter! We were both Alternate Delegates at Convention 2014 and also ended up serving as President at the same time that next year, finally meeting up again at National Leadership Conference in 2015.
📍Santa Monica Pier
At the end of the week, attendees had the opportunity to do some exploring during our free afternoon. We had the option of a Hollywood tour, Santa Monica Pier or hanging at the pool. Mara and I decided to check out the pier!
Oh, and of course being featured on ZTA's Instagram for the first time couldn't have been a better ending to the week!
Convention 2016: Inspire Greatness |
Phoenix, Arizona
📍Phoenix, Arizona
I had such an incredible experience at ZTA Convention 2014 and it's the reason I was inspired to get so involved in my own chapter. In 2016, I got the chance to attend my second Convention, this time, as my chapter's Official Delegate in Phoenix, Arizona!
Zeta Upsilon Official Delegate Seat
My chapter sister, Taylor Allison, joined me in Phoenix as Zeta Upsilon's Alternate Delegate. Taylor definitely shares my passion and love for Zeta and so we got along fabulously at Convention, enjoying every single second!
National President, Carolyn Hof Carpenter
There is always SO much going on during Convention. To kick things off we start with the traditional flag processional and opening business meeting, where we get to hear the "State of the Fraternity" address from our National President.
This very well may be my favorite part of Convention. Sitting with 900 passionate Zeta Tau Alphas listening to the inspiring words of our fearless leaders always leaves me prideful and hopeful for the next biennium.
During our first official business meeting during Convention I had the incredible honor of being one of two collegiate speakers. The other speaker just happened to be my (now) LC sister, Chelsie Teutsch!
Our first full day of Convention also had a bit of a fan-girl moment as I finally got to meet one of my Zeta idols! Patti Cords Levitte, ZTA's Archivist, while visiting the Historical Exhibit (one of many times).
Province II Gamma
Again, during this Convention, I had the great pleasure of meeting even more ZTA sisters! I got to know some new faces as different delegates from my Province had the opportunity to attend Convention.
Our amazing Province Presidents who did so much for us throughout the year! Thank you is not enough!
Zeta Put a Ring On It
We were so very proud of our Province President, Erin Schuetz on recieving her Honor Ring! The highest individual honor an Alumnae of Zeta Tau Alpha can earn by her continued volunteering and contributions made to the Fraternity after she graduates.
Silver Banquet
The last night of Convention is a very special one, the Silver banquet is the dinner where chapter's receive special awards and recognition for notable achievements made throughout the biennium.
And the Award Goes to....
In 2014, Zeta Upsilon hadn't received any accolades and a goal we had made was to always keep improving as a chapter. By the end of the week in 2016 we were walking away with 4 awards! It was such an amazing week to be a Zeta Upsilon and one I will never forget.
2017-2018 LCs at National Leadership Conference
This year, ZTA Convention is being held in Orlando, Florida and my role has gone from Alternate, to Official Delegate and now Leadership Consultant.
I'm extremely excited to see the behind the scenes of this huge international event and to see all the women I've met on the road this year! Here's to Convention #3, may it be the best one yet!
To check out my guest blog post: Three ways to join the conversation at convention go to
If you're interested in learning about being a ZTA Consultant and you're attending ZTA Convention, I encourage you to check out Coffee with the Consultants event!
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