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While kindness and niceness often overlap, there are indeed situations where acts of kindness may not necessarily align with traditional notions of being "nice." Here are some ways to show kindness that might challenge the boundaries of niceness:

Setting Boundaries: Kindness sometimes means setting boundaries to prioritize your well-being and mental health. It may involve saying "no" to excessive demands or responsibilities that overwhelm you, even if it disappoints others. By taking care of yourself, you can show up more authentically and be of greater help when it truly matters.

Honest Feedback: Kindness can involve providing constructive criticism or honest feedback to help someone grow and improve. While it may not always be pleasant to deliver or receive, offering genuine guidance and support can be an act of kindness that helps individuals develop their skills and achieve their goals.

Challenging Injustice: Kindness extends beyond being polite; it involves standing up against injustice, discrimination, or harmful behaviours. Sometimes, being kind means having difficult conversations, advocating for marginalized voices, and promoting equality. It may require stepping out of one's comfort zone to address uncomfortable truths and work towards positive change.

Tough Love: Kindness is not always about providing immediate comfort. At times, it means showing tough love and holding someone accountable for their actions. This approach involves setting firm boundaries and encouraging personal responsibility to foster growth and resilience.

Active Listening: Kindness goes beyond merely hearing others; it involves active listening with empathy and without judgment. Sometimes, being truly present for someone means creating a safe space for them to express their emotions, even if it means facing uncomfortable truths or difficult conversations.

Self-Reflection and Growth: Kindness begins within ourselves. Engaging in self-reflection, acknowledging our own flaws and biases, and committing to personal growth are acts of kindness that enable us to show up better for others and contribute positively to society.

Remember, kindness is a multifaceted concept that may require stepping out of the comfort zone of being "nice." It prioritizes authentic care, empathy, and the long-term well-being of individuals and communities. By embracing these acts of kindness, we can make a more profound and lasting impact on the world around us and strengthen our bonds together.

Engaging in a comprehensive program on leadership, social justice, and philanthropy can equip individuals with a range of essential skills needed to create positive change and improve the lives of marginalized communities. This article explores the key skills that participants can acquire through such a program, highlighting their importance and potential impact. WE are looking at these ideas as we develop our leadership program for members to progress through. Some of the key outcomes we would like sisters who undertake this challenge are outlined below.

Empathy and Cultural Competence:
Understanding the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities requires empathy and cultural competence. Participants learn to listen actively, develop an empathetic mindset, and engage in cross-cultural communication. These skills enable leaders to bridge gaps, foster inclusivity, and ensure that the voices of marginalized communities are heard and respected.

Ethical Leadership and Responsible Philanthropy:
Ethical leadership principles and responsible philanthropy practices are integral to making a meaningful and sustainable impact. Participants delve into case studies and engage in discussions that explore the ethical considerations and responsibilities of leaders and philanthropists. They learn to navigate potential pitfalls, uphold integrity, and make strategic decisions that prioritize the well-being of marginalized communities.

Collaborative and Inclusive Approaches:
Leadership for social justice requires collaboration and inclusive approaches. Participants develop skills in fostering collaboration, building partnerships, and leveraging diverse perspectives. They gain an appreciation for the power of collective action, learn to create inclusive spaces, and engage in cross-sector collaborations to maximize their impact.

Grassroots Mobilization and Community Organizing:
Grassroots movements have historically played a significant role in effecting social change. Participants acquire skills in grassroots mobilization, community organizing, and advocacy. They learn to build relationships, empower community members, mobilize resources, and create platforms for marginalized voices to be heard. These skills enable leaders to initiate and sustain grassroots movements that address systemic injustices.

Strategic Thinking and Decision-Making:
Leaders in social justice and philanthropy need strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills. Participants engage in exercises and simulations that hone their ability to analyse complex situations, think critically, and develop innovative solutions. They learn to navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions that advance the interests of marginalized communities.

Communication and Storytelling:
Effective communication and storytelling are powerful tools for driving social change. Participants develop skills in crafting compelling narratives, delivering persuasive messages, and engaging diverse audiences. They learn to communicate the stories and experiences of marginalized communities in a way that inspires empathy, raises awareness, and mobilizes support for their causes.

Action Planning and Implementation:
Turning ideas into tangible outcomes requires effective action planning and implementation. Participants learn to set goals, develop action plans, and implement projects that address the specific needs of marginalized communities. They gain skills in project management, resource mobilization, and measurement and evaluation to ensure that their efforts create sustainable and impactful change.

Reflection and Continuous Learning:
Leaders committed to social justice and philanthropy must engage in ongoing reflection and continuous learning. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their experiences, challenge their assumptions, and adapt their approaches based on feedback and new insights. They develop a growth mindset, seek out learning opportunities, and commit to a lifelong journey of improving their leadership skills and knowledge.

A comprehensive program on leadership, social justice, and philanthropy equips participants with a diverse set of skills necessary for empowering marginalized communities and driving positive change. From empathy and cultural competence to strategic thinking and decision-making, these skills enable leaders to navigate complex challenges, engage in inclusive practices, and create sustainable impact. By cultivating these key skills, individuals become catalysts for social justice, driving meaningful change and improving the lives of marginalized communities around the world.

​In our pursuit of personal growth and harmonious relationships, we often come across the words "nice" and "kind." At first glance, these terms may seem interchangeable, but upon closer examination, we discover a significant distinction between them. In this article, we will explore the profound difference between being nice and being kind, and how embracing kindness can transform our lives and the lives of those around us.

Niceness: A Surface-Level Interaction

Niceness is often associated with polite behaviour, superficial pleasantries, and a desire to avoid conflict at all costs. It involves being agreeable, compliant, and seeking approval from others. While niceness can create a pleasant atmosphere momentarily, it is a surface-level interaction that may lack authenticity and fail to address the deeper needs of individuals.

Niceness can sometimes stem from fear—fear of rejection, judgment, or not meeting societal expectations. It can result in people-pleasing tendencies, where individuals compromise their own values and well-being to gain approval or avoid confrontation. While there is value in being polite and respectful, relying solely on niceness may prevent us from fostering genuine connections and making a meaningful impact.

Kindness: A Compassionate Force for Change

Kindness, on the other hand, emerges from a place of genuine care and empathy for others. It goes beyond superficial niceties and reaches into the depths of human connection. Kindness is an intentional act that seeks to alleviate suffering, bring joy, and support others in their journey.

Unlike niceness, kindness is not conditional. It is not driven by the desire for recognition or reward but by a heartfelt desire to make a positive difference. Kindness requires active listening, understanding, and a willingness to step into someone else's shoes, even when it may be challenging.

Benefits of Choosing Kindness

 Kindness fosters deeper, more meaningful connections with others. By genuinely caring and demonstrating empathy, we create an environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued. These authentic connections form the basis of strong relationships and a sense of community.

Acts of kindness, both given and received, have a profound impact on our emotional well-being. Kindness releases endorphins, oxytocin, and serotonin—neurotransmitters associated with happiness, love, and overall well-being. It boosts our self-esteem, reduces stress, and enhances our overall mental health.

 Kindness is contagious. When we extend kindness to others, it inspires them to pay it forward, creating a ripple effect of positivity. Small acts of kindness can have far-reaching consequences, transforming communities and making the world a better place.

 Choosing kindness cultivates compassion, empathy, and gratitude within ourselves. It encourages us to step outside our comfort zones and consider the needs of others. By continually practicing kindness, we expand our own capacity for love, understanding, and personal growth.


While being nice has its merits in certain situations, it is essential to recognize the inherent power of kindness. Kindness requires us to transcend superficial interactions and embrace genuine care and empathy for others. By choosing kindness, we create deeper connections, promote emotional well-being, initiate a ripple effect of positivity, and experience personal growth.

Let us embrace the transformative potential of kindness and cultivate a world where compassion, understanding, and genuine acts of goodness are not only valued but celebrated. Together, we can make a difference, one act of kindness at a time.

Sororities are self-sustaining friendship organisations composed of women. Most commonly formed with students in colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. However, the sorority ideal is available to everyone, including those who have not attended higher education or who are from diverse backgrounds.
 
A sorority is an organisation whose purpose is to foster friendship and community, among other things
 
Membership in a sorority is a privilege, and all members are expected to exemplify the finest personal qualities and embody the qualities supported by the organisation.
 
Members promote cultural interests, provide service to others, cultivate friendships and continually strive to improve themselves.
 
Many of the basic tenets of sororities and fraternities are essentially the same, yet each is distinct to each specific organisation.
 
Each group fulfils its own purpose and serves the needs of its individual members by developing effective programs in scholarship, culture & diversity and community service and self-improvement.
 
Delta Kappa Nu seeks to provide life-long friendship, support and kindness to all its sister and to the world at large.

Recognition and feedback are everywhere. Many corporates and organisations are moving towards immediate and real recognition in a timely fashion.

Yet in the values, not-for-profit or community sector, many of us struggle with how to recognise the impact of the people that make up our organisations. Whether you call them volunteers, members, or supporters - recognition of the people working ‘at the coal face’ to create change and do good should focus on how to foster a sense of connection, to make their action feel valued and show them how their effort contributes to something important. Doing this on a limited budget and within the constraints of time and energy of other volunteers often poses a problem.

Feedback  can foster these connections and create further impetus and passion for the organisation by valuing the action of a person rather than their tenure. Organisations should make a conscious effort to recognise people and contributions as they arise, rather than waiting for a specific period, like National Volunteers Week or an annual ceremony.

Most current recognition systems lack the immediacy and personalisation that can really build momentum for doing good in networks and communities. We need to value our people so we can value ourselves.
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The people of the organisation are the heart of the organisation and if we do not value them intimately, then we risk loosing everything that the organisation represents.

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfil it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

- Mother Teresa

I sincerely wish you will have the experience of thinking up a new idea, planning it, organizing it, and following it to completion and having it be magnificently successful.  I also hope you'll go through the same process and have something "bomb out."

I wish you could know how it feels "to run" with all your heart and lose - horribly.

I wish that you could achieve some great good for mankind, but have nobody know about it except you.

I wish you could find something so worthwhile that you deem it worthy of investing your life.

I hope you become frustrated and challenged enough to begin to push back the very barriers of your own personal limitations.

I hope you make a stupid, unethical mistake and get caught red-handed and are big enough to say those magic words "I was wrong."

I hope you give so much of yourself that some days you wonder if it is worth it all.

I wish for you a magnificent obsession that will give you a reason for living and purpose and direction in life.

I wish for you the worst kind of criticism for everything you do, because that makes you fight to achieve beyond what you normally would.

I wish for you the experience of leadership. 

You’re interested in joining our sorority? We’d love to have you. You’re the type of person we look for: committed, enthusiastic, a leader. We think you’ll do great things here, and we hope that we’ll open some doors for you. You will make lifelong friendships, and hopefully, you’ll be the type of person whose positive impact will be felt here for many years.

This is the start of something really cool.

We know you have your reasons for joining, and we also know that the reasons you’ll stay will be entirely different. Trust us on that one. People tend to join for the image, the props, and the social stuff. They stay around for the friendships and because they find a place where they can impact the lives of others. It’s a family. We know this. Soon, you will, too.
Soon, these letters will be yours. But, there’s one lesson that we need to impress upon you before you sign your name on the dotted line, pay that first fee, and get that first t-shirt. It’s the single most important thing we’re going to ask of you, so you need to listen and understand it, now, before you say “yes.”
It’s the one most important thing that any fraternity or sorority can impress upon its new members. It’s the one lesson that every group must impress upon its newest members. Truly, our survival as an organization in this community, and nationwide, depends on you understanding this one simple lesson and taking it to heart.
It’s more important than our history, our traditions, our structure, or our rules. Because, if you don’t understand this most fundamental lesson, then none of the other stuff will matter. If you don’t get this one “golden rule of fraternity,” then your son or daughter won’t have this kind of organization to join someday, and all of this will just be a fuzzy memory.
Here it is. Ready?

From the moment you say yes to this organization, you are always wearing your letters.

I’m going to repeat it.

From the moment you say yes to this organization, you are always wearing your letters.

We’re not talking about t-shirts, or sweatshirts, or hats made in the colors of the group. We’re not talking about a tattoo on your ankle, some party favor, or a badge you wear on your dress shirt.
What we mean is that when you say yes to lifetime membership in this group, everything you say, do and represent from that moment forward is a direct reflection on this group, your sisters, and the thousands of members who have come before you. Everything you put out to the world is a direct reflection of this sorority. Every decision, every achievement, every mistake you make happens to all of us from this point forward.
When you go to the grocery store, you represent us. If you fall asleep in class or earn a weak grade, you represent us. When you drive down the road and slow down so a pedestrian can cross the street, you represent us.
When you turn 21 and hit the town, you represent us. When you become a leader of another organization, you represent us. When you insult someone or talk badly about another group, you represent us. When you break up with someone and make decisions about how you behave during that difficult time, you represent us. When you go on Spring Break, you represent us.
When you go home and sit at your mother’s dining room table, you represent us. When you get a job and go to work for a company or organization, you represent us. When you commit your life to that special person, someday, you represent us.

You are always wearing your letters.

From this day forward, always. Every day, in every situation. They never come off.
As surely as if you tattooed these letters on your forehead. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing a jersey with our name on it, or a business suit at an interview. You have to assume that every person you meet will form a permanent opinion about fraternities – good or bad – based on how you interact with them. Every good thing you do builds us up. Every dumb thing you do tears us down.
We live in a time when the actions of one man or one woman can kill a group like ours. One person who acts in a way that is inconsistent with our shared values can end a years of tradition and pride. One choice you make on a Friday night can take away everything that generations of men have worked to build.
All the stuff you see that belongs to us can be boxed up or thrown out, because of the choices you make.
If this seems a little intense, that’s good. Because it’s serious. If it sounds like too much responsibility, or if you don’t think you can behave in a way that reflects well on us at all times, then walk away now. Do us the favor. We won’t think less of you. In fact, we’ll thank you. This sort of commitment isn’t for everybody.
But, don’t say yes unless you understand.
We’re not asking you to give up anything. We aren’t asking you to become something you aren’t. We’re asking you to become something more. We’re inviting you to become part of a group of men who make a promise to take care of each other, every day. We’re asking you to become the very best version of you that you can be.
We’re asking you to take a leap of maturity and to go to that place where you’re the same, honorable, dignified person on Saturday night as you are on Tuesday morning.
It’s a big deal, and not everyone can do it. Forget everything you’ve heard up to this point. Forget how much you might desire this, or how much we might want to bring you into the group. Just clear your mind and ask yourself one question.
Are you ready to never take them off?

Because when you say yes, you’re not just putting letters on a sweatshirt. You’re putting them in your heart. You’re forever stamping your identity with them. Everything you are, from this point on, becomes who we are.
You will make mistakes, and sisters will remind you of your commitment. There will be times where you will see other sisters forgetting their promise, and you’ll need to remind them. That’s part of this whole “sorority” thing. We work together to make ourselves better women who stand for something. We carry each other. We matter to one another.
If we’re doing sorority right, then we’ll make you a better woman. If you’re doing everything right, then you will make us a better organization. So, please think about it. Take it seriously. Because if you say yes, these letters belong to you as surely as they belonged to our founders. If you say yes, these letters become your responsibility forever.

That’s the promise.

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