National Council Announces State Alumnae Chairmen

Delta Zeta’s National Council has previously announced the creation of a new pilot volunteer position, the State Alumnae Chairman for the following participating states/country: Canada, Michigan, Ohio, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.  After a successful application and interview process, the National Council is pleased to announce that the following alumnae members have been selected to serve as State Alumnae Chairmen:

Canada

• Heather Dichter, Alpha Eta ’98 (University of Michigan) serves as the Delta Zeta Delegate and Secretary for the Toronto Area Alumnae Panhellenic and the Panhellenic Recruitment Advisor for the University of Toronto Panhellenic Association.  Most recently, she was the Philanthropy Chairman for the Toronto Area Alumnae Panhellenic.  Previously, she served Delta Zeta as a member of the Technology Development/Web site Committee; is a co-founder of the Alpha Eta Chapter Association; and helped to re-establish the Chapel Hill (NC) Alumnae Chapter, where she also served as Philanthropy Chairman.  Professionally, Heather is a university lecturer at the University of Toronto with a doctorate degree and is a published author.  She is a member of the International Society for the History of Physical Education and Sport.  Heather brings a wealth of knowledge about sorority life at the collegiate and alumnae level from the Panhellenic perspective.  Through her work with both the alumnae and collegiate Panhellenics in Toronto, Heather’s connections with other Panhellenic leaders across the province and country will be extremely beneficial to the growth of Delta Zeta’s presence in Canada.

Michigan

• Lindsey Bonner, Zeta Nu ’02 (Ferris State University) is currently the Great Lakes Area Development Sub-Chairman for the state of Michigan.  She is also the founder and President of the Zeta Nu Chapter Association and has been a member of the Grand Rapids Alumnae Chapter since 2008.  Professionally, she is a Laboratory Systems Administrator for Spectrum Health in West Michigan, where she has worked in several capacities since 2006.  She volunteers as a Michigan Freedom Academy camp counselor, advising high school juniors and seniors while they attend the leadership camp and engage in teambuilding exercises.  With Lindsey’s experience in the Grand Rapids Alumnae Chapter and the Zeta Nu Chapter Association and her excellent communication and problem-solving skills, she will connect easily with members from various demographics and encourage them to remain active in Delta Zeta.

Ohio

• Allison Lehman, Alpha Rho ’03 (Ohio Wesleyan University) is the President of the Delaware Area Alumnae Chapter and Vice President of Programs for the Columbus Alumnae Chapter.  In addition, she has served as the Social and Public Relation Advisor for the Alpha Rho Chapter at Ohio Wesleyan, as the Panhellenic Delegate for the Columbus Alumnae Chapter and as Region V Day Coordinator.  Allison is a Quality Control/Claims Analyst for Chase Home Finance, and her resume includes curatorial work for two museums as well as event coordination.  Allison’s extensive experience in the alumnae sector gives her insight in cultivating and engaging alumnae members to become involved in alumnae leadership roles or in other capacities.  She also has a keen knowledge of alumnae Panhellenic relations and what makes Panhellenic associations successful.

Alabama

• Margaret Purcell, Alpha Gamma ’82 (University of Alabama) is the Ritual and Financial Advisor to the Alpha Gamma Chapter at the University of Alabama.  She also served as the Alpha Gamma Chapter Association Coordinator for three years.  Her national service to Delta Zeta includes serving as National Academics Chairman and as a member of the National Initiation Team.  On the alumnae side, she has been the Tuscaloosa Alumnae Chapter President, Treasurer and Newsletter Editor.  Margaret, who holds a Ph.D., is the Manager of Financial Affairs Grants at the University of Alabama, where she has worked since 1990, and her experience includes teaching at the college level.  In 2009, she received the university’s Capstone Hero Award. She is on the Tuscaloosa County Children's Policy Council and has served on the boards or been a member of organizations such as the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, the West Alabama Regional Planning Commission, Alabama Child Care Management Association, the County Needs Assessment Committee and Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, among others.  Margaret values her alumna experience and wants to promote the same opportunities for other alumnae that she has found in Delta Zeta.

Florida

• Patricia Tognella Musolino, Iota Lambda ’74 (University of South Florida), serves as Vice President of Membership for the Tampa Alumnae Chapter.  Pat holds a degree in education and is a full-time mother and grandmother.  She has extensive volunteer experience in various organizations, especially in the area of fundraising.  She was President of the Temple Terrace Women’s Club, which was recognized as the Best Club in the State; started The Friends of the Temple Terrace Recreation Department (which raised funds for community parks) and The Temple Terrace Community Arts Festival; chaired black tie events for a local hospital (where she also implemented an “Adopt-a-Room” program) and was a volunteer at her children’s school.  Pat received the Citizen of the Year Award in her community.  Her organizational skills and ability to connect with many kinds of people will allow her to encourage alumnae to be active and embrace leadership roles.  She is also adept at understanding what different generations of women want as alumnae.

Georgia

• No Applicants for the Pilot

Each of these women brings a unique combination of Delta Zeta experience and professional experience to this pilot role.  During the interview process, we were impressed with the enthusiasm and ideas these women had regarding the opportunities to cultivate our alumnae program and overall networking.  Some of those ideas center around the need for Delta Zeta to do more with transitioning our collegians to alumnae members; working with alumnae chapters to increase flexibility in their activities to attract a wider range of ages and how to increase connections through social media sites and other means. 

The State Alumnae Chairmen began their new roles in March.  Training has begun and will continue throughout the pilot to prepare them for their new duties. 

The pilot program will be under close supervision and review by the subcommittee (comprised of members of the National Council and the Governance and Structure Subcommittee).  The subcommittee will submit their evaluation, with recommendations, to the National Council.  A report on the pilot will be made to the delegates of the 2010 National Convention.

We want to thank all of you for your support of this pilot.  This is an exciting time for the Sorority as all of us work diligently to meet the changing needs of our membership and our volunteers.  

If you have any questions, please contact the National Council at DZLeadership@dzshq.com.  We look forward to implementing this new pilot program.