Youth Affiliate Groups
History
The first clubs were formed in the 1950’s for all youth involved with the sorority, as Zetalites, Archonettes, or Amicettes. However, participation in club activities quickly increased to the point that the club was divided into two age groups. The high school girls kept the name of the Archonette club, which accepts members who are in high school grades of nine through twelve (9-12). The younger girls became the Amicette Club (ages 9-13), and in the 1990s the Pearlette Club (ages 4-8) was organized. These clubs were sponsored by various chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Programs were developed, guidelines established and they became viable links of the Sorority.
Mission – The mission of the Youth Clubs of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is to provide a carefully designed program of activities that will enhance youth club members through mind, body, and spirit as they work within their various communities to help others.
SRZ Youth Affiliates History
The Sigma Rho Zeta Youth Affiliate Groups were officially formed in November of 2016. Prior to forming the official groups, the chapter maintained a mentoring program called Project PoiZe that was created in 2013. In the youth affiliates first year of existence, the program inducted 12 girls into the Amicette group and 2 girls into the Archonette group. The program meets monthly on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Monthly session topics vary between mind, body, and spirit and are complimented with community service projects. Each group selects officers at the beginning of the year and each month a business meeting is conducted to introduce the girls to the moving parts of a meeting and help the girls build leadership skills.
For questions about the youth groups, email srzyouth@gmail.com.
Pearlettes
The Pearlettes are comprised of girls between the ages 4-8. This youth affiliate was adopted as the third official youth organization of the sorority in 1994. The purpose of the Pearlette Program is to assist in the community, academic, and personal development of young girls. The Pearlette programs and projects should be in line with the National Programmatic emphasis.
The Pearlette Program provides activities that present opportunities to:
- Share ideas
- To feel good about themselves
- Learn the importance of responsibility
- Learn communication skills
At the end of a term as a Pearlette, it is hoped that their involvement will continue within Zeta’s youth program by becoming a member of the Amicette Club.
Amicettes
The Amicettes are comprised of girls between the ages 9-13. This youth affiliate was adopted as the second official youth organization of the sorority in 1970. The purpose of the Amicette Program is to assist in the community, academic, and personal development of young ladies. The Amicette programs and projects should be in line with the National Programmatic emphasis.
The Amicette Program provides activities that present opportunities to:
- Encourage each member to believe in herself
- Develop new ideas and interests
- Develop an awareness of the need to share responsibilities and to understand one another in order to achieve a common goal
- Enhance goal setting, leadership, communication skills, and interest in science, technology, engineering, and math
Our main objectives are to:
- Widen their horizons
- Develop their Leadership Skills
- Strengthen their social and cultural awareness through programs and community service
- Make a constructive impact on their personal development
At the end of a term as an Amicette, it is hoped that their involvement will continue within Zeta’s youth program by becoming a member of the Archonette Club.
Archonettes
The Archonette Club is designed for young ladies ages 14-18. These clubs were composed of young ladies who were matriculating in junior and senior high school. The Archonette Club is also designed to help youth grow culturally, socially, and educationally.
The Archonette Program provides activities that present opportunities to:
- Encourage the individual to accept responsibility
- Develop new interests in the areas of social justice, science, technology, engineering and math
- Work toward creating happiness for others
- Develop an awareness of the need to share responsibilities and to understand one another in order to achieve a common goal
- Develop their leadership skills
- Make responsible decisions, develop social confidence, and relate to peers, parents, and adults in general
Potential members of the Archonettes of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. can be described as follows:
- Young ladies who are willing to strive for the highest ideals of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
- Young ladies who are able to demonstrate the potential for good leadership and are willing to work as part of a group
SRZ Youth Spotlight
