March 4, 2009

     To:  Official Family

 From:  Leslie Williams, National Philanthropy Chairman

     Re:  Discontinuation of Sound Beginnings and Hear Now Program

After careful review of Delta Zeta’s national philanthropy program by the National Philanthropy Committee and the National Council, it has been determined that the Sound Beginnings and The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s Hear Now program will no longer be a part of Delta Zeta’s national philanthropy program effective June 30, 2009.  This decision was determined based on the feedback received from collegiate and alumnae chapters and the recent lack of participation in both programs.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation is still a national partner within Delta Zeta’s national philanthropy of Speech and Hearing.  Chapters are encouraged to support this organization through fundraising for their hearing missions as well as our Build A Bear project, which is collecting bears with hearing aids from Build A Bear to be given to children who are receiving hearing aids at an upcoming hearing mission. 

The National Philanthropy Committee would like to thank all alumnae and collegiate chapters who have supported both of these programs throughout the years.  We would also like to thank Chris Kern, past National Philanthropy Chairman and Past National Council member, for all of her work on both of these programs. 

Those chapters that have found success in placing Sound Beginnings materials, can contact National Headquarters to receive our remaining materials, free of charge, while supplies last.  Chapters should also continue to report their participation in these programs on the collegiate Spring Philanthropy Report (due April 10) and the annual Alumnae Philanthropy Report (due April 15).

If you have any questions regarding this change, please feel free to contact me at lbe33@hotmail.com.