As Tri Delta chapters across North America prepare for the collegiate slating process, it’s essential to approach this pivotal time with clarity, purpose and unity. Whether you’re a first-year member navigating your first slate or a seasoned officer preparing to transition leadership, this process is about more than just filling positions—it’s about building a strong, cohesive chapter.
Sarina Barot-Martinez, San Francisco, a senior studying advertising and public relations and currently serving as the collegiate chapter president, shares advice for new members, tips for those who have been through it before and insights from my experience as a senior officer. From understanding each role to fostering meaningful connections with sisters, this guide will help your chapter make thoughtful, informed decisions and ensure a smooth leadership transition. Let’s set the stage for a successful future together!
Understanding the Slating Process
At its core, slating is about identifying leaders who embody our values of truth, self-sacrifice and friendship. Each position holds unique responsibilities, and every sister plays a role in ensuring the right people are chosen to guide the chapter. A successful slate isn’t just about qualifications—it’s about fostering a cohesive team that will work together toward shared goals of keeping the chapter alive and running!
Tips for the Veterans
For those who have been through the slating process before, your experience is invaluable:
- Reflect and Share: Think about what worked well and where there’s room for improvement. Sharing these insights helps shape a stronger slate. Have some things ever gone really well? Or maybe not so? Don’t be afraid to share that with the chapter to help guide them in the right direction.
- Support New Members: Encourage first-timers to participate fully and remind them that their voices matter. Empowering others strengthens the chapter as a whole. Keep in mind that these new members are the future of the chapter!
- Focus on Collaboration: Approach the process with a spirit of teamwork. Constructive feedback and open communication create a more inclusive environment. After all, it shouldn’t feel like one person has more of a say than others; you should all be working as a team to figure out who is best fit for each role.
Advice for First-Time Selection Committee Members
The slating process can feel overwhelming, but it’s a chance to grow and connect. Here are a few tips to help you navigate:
- Get to Know Your Sisters: Attend events, take the time to build genuine connections and, most importantly, be observant! Understanding your sisters’ strengths will help you make informed decisions.
- Learn About Each Role: Familiarize yourself with the responsibilities of every position. Knowing what’s expected will give you a clearer picture of who might excel in each role. This information is readily available to you in the Resource Library, so make sure to check that out and read through the NACE Collegiate Officer Position Descriptions before going into interviews and deliberation.
- Ask for Guidance: Don’t hesitate to reach out to older members or current officers for advice. Their experience can offer valuable perspectives. We have served our time and are very aware of how slating goes, and we want nothing but to set our chapters up for success, so don’t be afraid to ask!
Insight From a Collegiate Chapter President
Having served as a senior officer, I’ve learned that leadership transitions are more than just logistical—they’re emotional. Preparing for this shift requires:
- Early Onboarding: Start training your successor early to ensure their confidence in their new role. Once the slate is set, have your incoming officers shadow the outgoing officers to maximize the amount of time you have to train them.
- Open Communication: To maintain consistency, keep lines of communication open with both current and incoming leaders. Just because a new slate has been chosen doesn’t mean the outgoing leaders get to step back. This is arguably the most pivotal time to be active and hands-on!
- Legacy Mindset: Consider the impact you want to leave. What values and initiatives do you hope to see carried forward? Currently serving as collegiate chapter president, I think of what I will leave my chapter with—and I refuse to leave them with nothing but greatness—and hope that other collegians think the same way.
Final Thoughts
Slating is more than a procedural task—it’s a transformational journey that shapes the future of our chapter. We can ensure that our sisterhood remains strong and vibrant by approaching it with intention, respect, trust and a willingness to learn. Remember, every voice matters, every role is significant and, together, we can create a legacy of leadership that inspires generations to come. Just remember to be intentional and really think about who will best lead your chapter to greatness in the way that you want to see the chapter grow. To all my fellow collegians, either those who receive the honor of serving on the selection committee or who are seeking a leadership role, good luck and happy holidays!
If you have further questions, please contact your collegiate chapter coordinators or specialists or email chapterops@trideltaeo.org for additional support.
About Sarina:
Sarina Barot-Martinez, San Francisco, is a senior studying advertising and public relations and currently serving as the collegiate chapter president of our Epsilon Rho Chapter. Sarina has held multiple offices in her chapter including director of administration, director of member selection and vice president of chapter programming and development. Originally from Long Island, New York, Sarina moved to Orange County, Calif., and now lives in San Francisco to complete her degree. Her current goal is to go work for an MLB/NFL team as a project manager.