No version of Tri Delta exists without volunteers. Behind every thriving chapter, every safe and welcoming home and every scholarship awarded, there is a volunteer who said “yes.”
Some mentor collegians. Some serve to ensure our homes are places of safety and belonging. Some step into international leadership roles. Others handle the unglamorous, behind-the-scenes work that simply has to get done. Big jobs, small jobs and everything in between. Together, they make Tri Delta run.
Volunteer Appreciation Week gives us the chance to pause and say what we may not always say enough—we see you! We celebrate your commitment, your dedication and the Delta Love you pour into our sisterhood. In the following stories, you’ll meet just a few of the countless women who give their time and talent so generously, demonstrating the “why” behind their positions. Their paths and roles may look different, but their heart for Tri Delta is the same.
Roxanne Rasmussen Gambill, Arizona State
Alumna advisor for Zeta Alpha Chapter/University of Connecticut
Roxanne describes herself as a “bit of a Jill of all trades,” and that same energy shows up in the way she volunteers. With more than 25 years of service to Tri Delta chapters across the country, Roxanne stepped into her current role last June. She now serves as alumna advisor for Tri Delta’s newest chapter, Zeta Alpha at the University of Connecticut, where she guides women as they build something new and meaningful together. In her words, watching the chapter grow has been “nothing short of extraordinary.” One of her favorite memories was standing in the room during Installation, looking out at 182 women as their collegiate chapter president was formally sworn-in, realizing she was witnessing the start of a legacy those members would carry forward for years to come. Roxanne says volunteering has also taught her to step back, listen and let members find their own voices. Her volunteering advice to others is simple: Make space for it. Even an hour of volunteering can create connection and fulfillment. For Roxanne, that’s the heart of it all. When you volunteer, you are not only supporting others. You’re also reminded that you are part of something bigger than yourself.
“Volunteering helped me stay grounded and connected, no matter where I am geographically or my stage in life.”
Charlotte Downs, Arkansas
House corporation coordinator for chapters in the Southeast
After retiring from a 25-year career in pharmaceuticals and biologic cell therapies, this University of Arkansas alumna found that “retirement” simply meant more time to pour into the things she loves. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Charlotte now serves as house corporation coordinator for our chapters in the Southeast after previously spending three and a half years as vice president of the Delta Iota House Corporation. Volunteering has always felt natural to her, beginning with joining her local alumnae group after graduation and helping revitalize the Central Arkansas Alumnae Chapter.
“The joy of volunteering comes from the relationships—meeting women across generations, supporting collegiate leaders and helping young members prepare for life beyond college.”
Charlotte says one of her favorite parts of volunteering is seeing just how impressive today’s collegiate women are and watching them grow into confident leaders. Her advice for anyone thinking about volunteering? Start local. Join your alumnae chapter. Get involved where you can use your gifts in whatever way fits your life. Serving on a committee can open the door to meaningful connections and the fulfillment that comes from being part of something bigger than yourself.
Lynn Forester Barbeau, DePauw
Alumnae chapter coordinator and National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Volunteer
With a background in art education, Lynn currently substitute teaches while finding time to give back to Tri Delta for more than five decades—and it’s easy to see why! It’s in her blood. With a long family line of Tri Deltas—spanning her grandmother, mother, aunts, cousin and even her own daughter, from Northwestern to Wisconsin—Lynn grew up immersed in the sisterhood. Circle Degree was even conducted in her mom’s bedroom! Since the 1970s, Lynn has volunteered in nearly every role imaginable, bringing her energy, experience, and heart to every chapter role she undertakes.
Today, she serves as an alumnae chapter coordinator and NPC Volunteer, helping chapters troubleshoot, mentoring members and even walking other alumnae through technology challenges. Lynn balances her work life with a busy family, including three grown kids and five grandkids, all nearby in Minneapolis. Through years of service, her fondest memories are the lifelong friendships she’s built and the deep sense of belonging she’s experienced in our sisterhood. Lynn says Tri Delta has given her so much, and volunteering is her way of giving back.
“You get more out of it than you give—so just do it. Every time I volunteer, I reconnect with friends, meet amazing women and discover how much we have in common. I’ve lived in five different states, and having this network of alumnae chapters has been incredible—whether it’s finding a doctor, a dentist or just someone to rely on. Plus, I learn a new skill every time I say yes!”
Across careers, chapters and decades of service, our volunteers share a common thread—the joy of connection, the pride in seeing others grow and the fulfillment that comes from giving your time to something bigger than yourself. Volunteering is about more than the work. It’s about the relationships, the shared experiences and the lasting impact left on others.
This Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to every Tri Delta volunteer. Your time, energy and heart are what make our sisterhood thrive.
Tri Delta is strong because members continue to raise their hands.
And for those who haven’t yet taken the leap, consider this your invitation. Join a local alumnae chapter, lend your talents to a collegiate chapter or find a role that fits your schedule. The connections you can make, the lives you can touch and the fulfillment you can feel are waiting for you.
If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, this is your sign. Whether you have a few hours a month or are ready to take on a larger leadership role, there is a place for you. Our sisterhood always needs women willing to invest in the next generation.
Volunteering doesn’t require perfection. It simply requires a love for Tri Delta and a willingness to show up. If Tri Delta has shaped your life in any way, consider being that steady presence for someone else. Say yes and help Tri Delta continue to thrive!
Start your volunteer journey HERE
