Crown Chapter

All Zetas eagerly look forward to the presentation of awards during Zeta Day, Convention and National Leadership Conference. Chapters and individuals are recognized for their achievements. National Council may decide at Convention to give additional awards to deserving recipients. COLLEGIATE AWARDS: ANNUAL Crown Chapter Award (Collegiate) – These awards, represented by a certificate and plaque, are given for attainment of minimum standards of chapter excellence. The National Vice Presidents Collegiate recommend eligible chapters to National Council, which selects the winners. 2004 winners

Financial Excellence and Financial Improvement Awards – These awards are certificates given on the basis of yearly evaluation in these areas: timely reporting, operating within a balanced budget, fulfillment of financial obligations, prompt collection of members’ and new members’ bills, adherence and support of ZTA financial policies, cooperation with auditors and, where applicable, the Chapter Financial Management Committee. 2004 winners
Financial Excellence, Delta Nu Chapter	Financial Excellence, Iota Chapter	Financial Excellence, Beta Theta Chapter

Helping Hands Awards – These awards are certificates given to recognize those chapters and individuals that have assisted the Fraternity or another chapter in some significant manner during the year. 2004 winners

Quota/Total Awards – These awards are certificates presented to chapters who pledged Quota during the Formal Recruitment period and maintained maximum chapter Total each semester or quarter during the school year. 2004 winners

Quota/Total Award, Beta Nu Chapter

COLLEGIATE AWARDS: CONVENTION

These awards are only presented at Convention and represent achievements during the biennium. They include (listed alphabetically):

Activities Awards – Silver trays first presented at the 1952 Convention, these rotating awards are given to three chapters on three different-sized campuses for outstanding leadership in activities for the biennium. 2004 winners: Large Campus - Alpha Theta, Purdue University; Medium Campus - Omicron, Brenau University; Small Campus - Kappa Eta, Rockhurst University

Anne Winnes Redmond Service Award – This rotating award, a silver tray, was named at the 1998 Convention and honors Anne Winnes Redmond for her many years of service to ZTA, including serving as National Service Chairman for more than fifty years. It recognizes a chapter’s philanthropic efforts. Consideration of volunteer hours to service and fund-raising for a variety of campus and community efforts is the criteria for the award. 2004 winner: Beta Delta, Miami University

Attendance Awards – These awards are presented to the collegiate and alumnae chapters representing the greatest mileage traveled to Convention. Figures are based on the number of members present for full-time attendance multiplied by the number of miles from the location of the chapters to the site of Convention. 2004 winner: Kappa Tau, Florida Gulf Coast University

Becky Hainsworth Kirwan Chapter Improvement Award – This rotating award is represented by a silver tray. It was established and first presented in 1992 to honor the outstanding service to the Fraternity by former National President Becky Hainsworth Kirwan. This award recognizes a chapter that has shown the courage and commitment to improve and achieve success. Attainment of the Crown Chapter Award is not required for consideration for this award. 2004 winner: Eta Tau, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Golden Anniversary Scholastic Achievement Award, Kappa Eta Chapter

Golden Anniversary Scholastic Achievement Award – First presented at the 1948 Convention, this rotating award is a silver tray. It is awarded for excellence in scholastic achievement and is presented to the chapter with the highest scholastic average for the biennium. 2004 winner: Kappa Eta, Rockhurst University

Helen Margaret Harrison Award – This rotating award is the highest award presented to a collegiate chapter, and is represented by a beautiful silver tray. It was presented for the first time at the 1954 International Convention. Helen Margaret Harrison, former National President, gave this award to the Fraternity. It is given in recognition of a chapter’s success in having consistently attained a high level of superiority in every phase of chapter effort, including activities, scholastic achievement, membership recruitment and financial management. Specific requirements that must be met by any chapter receiving this award are:

Fill to Quota during the Formal Recruitment period and reach maximum chapter size. Achieve and maintain a Commendable rating in chapter scholastic achievement. Maintain a record of good financial management. Receive honors and recognition while participating in major activities. Attain Crown Chapter. 2004 winner: Gamma Pi, University of Georgia

Helen Margaret Harrison Award, Gamma Pi Chapter

Louise Kettler Helper Memorial Award – Established by the family of a beloved former National President to perpetuate and honor her memory, this award is given to one alumna and one collegiate member whose services and achievements are notable contributions to the progress of the Fraternity and the fraternity world. It was first presented at the 1946 Convention. National Council chooses the recipients. (See also Alumnae Awards: Convention.) 2004 winner: Christienne Robertson

Margaret Dunkle Hardy Most Improved Scholastic Achievement Award – This award, given to the chapter with the most improved scholastic average during the biennium, was established in 1982 to honor Nora Nell Hardy Jackson upon her retirement as National President. It is named for Nora Nell’s mother, who served over 20 years as the National Scholastic Achievement Chairman. This rotating award is represented by a silver tray. 2004 winner: Eta Gamma, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Martha C. Edens New Chapter Award – This rotating award recognizes the outstanding new chapter. It was established in 1979 by Beta Omicron Chapter at the University of South Carolina in recognition of its 50th Anniversary and in honor of former National President Martha C. Edens. A silver tray is awarded to an installed chapter that is no more than four years old and which has:

1. Pledged Quota and reached chapter Total at least once in the four-year period.
2. Maintained a positive campus image.
3. Maintained good scholarship.
4. Maintained good chapter programming.
5. Maintained financial stability.

2004 winner: Kappa Xi, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

Membership Selection Awards – Four silver trays are awarded to the outstanding chapter in each of these four divisions: a) small campus with no chapter house; b) small campus with chapter house; c) large campus with no chapter house; d) large campus with chapter house. These rotating awards are based on the following membership selection procedures and results for both years of the biennium:

1. The setting of goals by the chapter for their membership needs.
2. The reaching of Quota and Total during the school year.
3. The achievement of a high percentage of new member Initiation.
4. The maintaining of our standards of membership selection, including careful evaluation and consideration of all Membership Information Sheets.
5. The maintaining of good alumnae relations in all matters pertaining to membership recruitment and expressing appreciation for all help given to the chapter.

2004 winners: Large Campus/No House - Gamma Tau, Texas Tech University; Large Campus/With House - Alpha Xi, Indiana University; Small Campus/No House - Gamma Beta, Washington College; Small Campus/With House - Theta, Bethany College

Merit Award, Iota Pi Chapter

Merit Award – This award is the third highest award presented to a collegiate chapter. It is a rotating award and is represented by a silver tray. It was presented for the first time at the 1948 Golden Anniversary Convention. It is given to a chapter in recognition of outstanding and sustained achievement and leadership (within the chapter and on the campus) maintained over a period of years. The purpose of the Merit Award is to develop chapter teamwork. This award reflects an attempt to instill a sense of responsibility on the part of individual members and to promote the desire of officers to maintain outstanding progress. The Merit Award is given to the chapter that has maintained and sustained excellent officer and campus leadership,

scholastic achievement, chapter attitude and cooperation. Runner-up Merit Award silver trays are awarded to chapters ranking second and third. 2004 winner: Iota Pi, University of Dayton; 1st runner up: Kappa, The University of Texas at Austin; 2nd runner up: Eta Rho, University of North Alabama

National Council Special Recognition Awards – These awards were first presented at the 1966 Convention. Silver awards are presented to individuals or chapters that National Council wishes to recognize for outstanding contributions to the Fraternity. These awards are made on a rotating basis and are given only if there are qualified recipients. Areas of excellence for which the awards are given may be different at each Convention. 2004 winners: Zeta, The University of Tennessee at Knoxville; Delta Beta, Florida Southern College; Delta Lambda, Georgia State University; Zeta Sigma, University of Texas at Arlington; Theta Zeta, Wofford College; Theta Xi, Rutgers University;
Kappa Beta, Presbyterian College

Nelly Galloway Shearer Achievement Award – This rotating award is the second highest honor presented to a collegiate chapter. It was named at the 1988 Convention for this former National President upon her retirement as Secretary-Treasurer. In 1939, Dorothy Hillix, then National President, gave the Fraternity a beautiful silver bowl to be used as the Grand Chapter Award. In 1941, the name was changed to the Achievement Award. The original award now is on permanent display in the Fraternity archives in celebration of its 50th Anniversary. This award is given to the chapter that has, in the judgment of National Council, made the greatest progress or continued to maintain its high degree of excellence during the two-year period between International Conventions. The percentage basis of the award is: 40% scholastic achievement; 30% activities; and 30% good Fraternity programming. Runner-up Achievement Awards, which are silver trays, are awarded on the same criteria as the silver bowl to chapters ranking second and third. 2004 winner: Delta Psi, Stamford University; 1st runner up: Theta Tau, University of North Carolina; 2nd runner up: Gamma Kappa, James Madison University

Nelly Galloway Shearer Achievement Award, Delta Psi Chapter

New Member Programming Award – Represented by a silver tray, this rotating award is given to the chapter whose program not only meets the requirements, but also exhibits the spirit of involvement. Following are the criteria used in the selection:

1. New member program submitted to the Province President.
2. Program developed as outlined in LINKS (Guide for New Member Education).
3. Adaptability of program to chapter needs.
4. Recognition of areas that need strengthening.
5. High percentage of new members initiated.
6. Program flexible to allow for variations within the new member class.
7. New member/initiated member involvement.
8. Positive Initiation Link program.
9. Completion of Post-Initiate Education Program.
10. New member class scholastic achievement.

2004 winner: Delta Chi, William Jewell College

Scholastic Achievement Plaques – These plaques are awarded to those chapters that have attained Highly Commendable status for at least two consecutive semesters or three consecutive quarters during the biennium, based on reports received since the preceding Convention. Those qualifying chapters that already have plaques are honored at Convention with brass date-plates to place on their plaques. 2004 winners
Scholastic Achievement, Iota Xi Chapter	Scholastic Achievement, Kappa Chapter	Scholastic Achievement, Eta Phi Chapter

Sherry Server Tilley Leadership Award – A silver tray represents this rotating award. It was first presented at the 1998 Convention to honor Sherry Server Tilley, former National President, for her sustained service to the Fraternity. It is presented to a chapter that has developed or shown sustained excellence in leadership training. The chapter must have offered challenging and ongoing motivational training for its membership and have recognized outstanding leadership performance. As a result, the leadership will have had a positive influence in the well-being and success of the chapter. Any chapter having experienced a marked improvement as a result of leadership development is eligible without being a recipient of the Crown Chapter Award. 2004 winner: Zeta Xi, Georgia Southern University

Standards and Enrichment Award – This silver tray is awarded on a rotating basis to a chapter exemplifying those ideals and often intangible qualities that are the spirit of Zeta Tau Alpha. Fraternity standards are defined as those modes of conduct that each new member, initiated member and alumna alike, should develop and practice in her everyday living. The Standards and Enrichment Award is based on standards of character, personal conduct, social competence and cultural attainment, developed through programs that benefit the chapter and its members. The chapter receiving the award is judged on the following percentage basis: 30% standards of character and personal conduct; 20% percent cultural development; 20% social competence; and 30% planned programs. Runner-up Standards and Enrichment Award silver trays are presented to chapters that rank second and third. 2004 winner: Delta Omega, Westminster College; 1st runner up: Theta Sigma, Winthrop University; 2nd runner up: Eta Pi, Wright State University

Vallera Clough Ross Panhellenic Award – This rotating award is a silver tray and honors former NPC Delegate Vallera Clough Ross. It is given to the chapter that excels in Panhellenic leadership and involvement on its campus. 2004 winner: Zeta Psi, Jacksonville State University