Alpha Omicron Chapter at the University of Iowa
9 KEY VALUES
In Zeta Tau Alpha, we strive to uphold our nine key values listed below. Our values are listed in the creed of Zeta Tau Alpha, which we read every week to remind us of our purpose.
BEING RATHER THAN SEEMING
As a sisterhood, we strive to establish a community of genuine, diverse, and bold women who are not afraid to live with authenticity. We value individuality and celebrate the unique qualities each member brings to the chapter.
HUMILITY
Humility calls us to be humble in our thoughts and actions, always seeking to serve others before ourselves.
LEADERSHIP
Leaders unify, inspire, and cultivate the means for positive change. As a chapter, we strive to initiate such change and continually seek progress both in and beyond our organization.
LIFELONG LEARNING
We value the pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and skills through the means of lifelong experience and sincere curiosity. We aim to be well educated, competent, and resilient individuals who can overcome any task.
LOVE
We strive to cultivate a community of kindness through genuine appreciation and friendship. Even beyond our chapter, we hope to extend compassion and sincere care to all people.
LOYALTY & COMMITMENT
Devotion to the mission and members of Zeta Tau Alpha is a lifelong responsibility. No matter where we are, we’re called to uphold The Creed’s values and, “have the welfare and harmony of the fraternity at heart.”
RESPONSIBILITY
By holding each other accountable for our words and actions, we’re able to establish a community of trust. Responsibility, although upheld by each member, is also the mission of the chapter as a whole.
SEEKING UNDERSTANDING THAT WE MIGHT GAIN TRUE WISDOM
We strive to have a deeper understanding of the world around us so we may be better equipped to utilize our knowledge in a purposeful and impactful way.
SERVICE & PHILANTHROPY
Since Zeta Tau Alpha’s national philanthropy is breast cancer education and awareness, we seek to passionately serve our community and those affected by cancer. Through various platforms, events, and volunteers, our chapter engages in a spectrum of philanthropic matters year-round.
THE CREED OF ZTA
Shirley Kreason Strout
To realize that within our grasp, in Zeta Tau Alpha, lies the opportunity to learn those things which will ever enrich and ennoble our lives; to be true to ourselves, to those within and without our circle; to think in terms of all mankind and our service in the world; to be steadfast, strong, and clean of heart and mind, remembering that since the thought is father to the deed, only that which we would have manifested in our experience should be entertained in thought; to find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit; to prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving, thereby earning the right to be served; to seek understanding that we might gain true wisdom; to look for the good in everyone; to see beauty, with its enriching influence; to be humble in success, and without bitterness in defeat; to have the welfare and harmony of the Fraternity at heart, striving ever to make our lives a symphony of high ideals, devotion to the right, the good, and the true, without a discordant note; remembering always that the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was