AST Convention - petition to change the location
 

Alpha Sigma Tau's 2020 Convention is set to be held in Atlanta, Georgia. In light of recent anti-abortion legislation being passed, a petition started circulating on social media yesterday to move Convention to another location, stating in part: "As an organization that proclaims to empower women, having our National Convention in a state that has passed this bill would be hypocritical and cowardly... How can we, in good conscience, promote a state which is set on the dismantling of women's rights?"

I don't really want to get into a debate about abortion here, nor do I want to think about the logistical nightmare it would be to move an event such as this to a new location a year prior. What I want to start is more of a general discussion and hear everyone's opinions regarding the following:

1) Has your organization dealt with something like this before?
2) What do you believe is the solution here?
3) What repercussions do you foresee for an organization if Convention is moved due to political leanings and social issues? Not moved?
4) What do you believe the messaging from the organization should say if moved/not moved?
5) Anything else to add?

I think if AST presents it like that, pro-life women will be offended and a whole new can of worms will be opened.

Closest that my fraternity (Alpha Phi Omega) has had to deal with was in 1992 our convention decided that the 1994 biennial convention would be placed in San Antonio. We've done conventions between Xmas and New Years for about the last 50 years. Not long after the decision, the announcement was made that the Alamo Bowl would be started on December 31, 1993. The Hotel that we were having negotiations with backed out, and no other location in San Antonio could be found. We ended up at the Dallas Ft. Worth Airport Hyatt.

Not sure this helps, but it is the closest that my organization has gotten.

I hear Alyssa Milano's place is available.

:D:D:D

Could not agree more. Hell, if my CHAPTER was having a reunion and something like this was a factor, it would be a pallet of cans of worms opened.

Not to mention, think about all the legwork and preparation the alumnae chapter in Atlanta has done - to just flush that because of something they had zero to do with enacting would be immensely hurtful to those sisters.

I mean, what’s going to be next? We can’t have a convention in a city where pot is legal? We can’t have a convention in a city where the Ten Commandments are on a plaque at City Hall? You are never going to make everyone happy in a national group. If they want to make a statement, there are far better ways to do it.

Delta Gamma faced an issue years ago about having a convention somewhere in the southwest - Arizona? New Mexico? - that had not recognized MLK Day as a holiday. Frankly, I don't recall all the rationale or the details of the kerfuffle, but I'm pretty sure the convention did not move.

If nothing else, congratulations to the women of AST for initiating the conversation. Do your delegates/officers have the option not to attend?

That would be Arizona.

Non political organizations (those that have members of all views) shouldn't make convention location decisions based on political issues. Find the best spot and enjoy the convention.

Well exactly. Look, I don't think this is going to change anything or that the location is going to move. I'll just throw it out there and say that some of the people I know who signed it and are largely outraged on social media are alumnae who aren't heavily involved in the organization - if they are at all - and that annoys me, to say the least. But there are others who do attend Convention and who are volunteers or advisors, and I can respect that they have a strong opinion on the matter.

I think the reason this particular issue gained traction and turned into a petition is because it directly affects women, we're a women's organization, it can be a very polarizing issue, and it's currently front and center on every national news station. I also think there's an inclination to suggest a move because more recently, other companies and organizations - with A LOT more money than an NPC sorority - have boycotted certain states over political issues. We don't have the means to simply say, "I'm taking my ball and going home."

Regardless, we're a diverse sisterhood with members who have different opinions and viewpoints, and I don't think it would make sense to move it.

I'm curious to see if the national organization addresses it or hopes it just "goes away" on its own.

My question to those that are creating the petition is, “at what cost?” If this is being held at the Atl Convention center, the contracts were probably signed several years ago and the cost to break the contract could be well over six figures. Then there are the logistics of finding a new location and paying premium rates. That’s a lot of dues...

I suppose anyone could not attend Convention if they so choose? I don't really know what the rules are, to be honest. Of course, if there was some kind of large protest and refusal to attend by numerous delegates and officers, that might be a first and create a unique situation not dealt with previously. The aftermath of that would be anyone's guess.

But I don't know how much traction this will ultimately gain, and truthfully, I don't think it will come to that.

I have an example regarding my employer. I work as a Fire Captain for the State of California. The California state politicians disagree with a number of other U.S. states which they feel have discriminatory (anti-LGBT) policies. They don't believe that our state employees should be giving any business to those states which won't allow adoptions to LGBT people, have single-gender bathrooms, etc. Thus, the CA state politicians have banned state-funded travel to eight states: Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, South Dakota, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. This means that state employees are not allowed to travel to 8 of the other 49 states on state business.

Were you invited to be a guest speaker at the national water pollution conference in Texas? Sorry, can't go.

Want to discuss best practices in reducing childhood obesity with a highly successful program in North Carolina? Nope. No go.

The opioid addiction problem in the U.S. has reached critical levels. People are now using, overdosing and dying from the synthetic opiate drug fentanyl. Fentanyl is potent and extremely dangerous in even the tiniest of amounts. Police and fire department first responders have been hospitalized by accidental exposure to fentanyl while responding to 911 calls for overdoses. Being able to safely contain this highly toxic substance is vital to keeping our first responders safe.

We were told by our [State] agency that the federal government was offering an all expenses paid training course which specializes in the collection of hazardous materials evidence. Airfare, lodging, meals, and course fees are completely covered by the federal government. This course would be vital to help provide our responders with the technical know-how for how to safely address these high-risk responses to drug houses, etc. The course is held at the FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness.....

............in Alabama.


Look, I'm not going to get into whether I agree or disagree with another state's particular policies. The problem is that the COBRA Training Facility in Anniston, AL is the *only* facility in the United States where students train using *real* chemical agents. It's the only location where this course is taught.

We were required to route a request for an exemption up our local chain of command and have it sent to headquarters. Then our agency director had to sign-off on it at the State capital. Then it went to the GOVERNOR for approval. In they end, they decided to let some people go, but not all. Only one person per region was "allowed" to go. My coworker was selected and I stayed home. They wanted to "stick it to Alabama"; but, the training was a completely free course sponsored by the federal government. Therefore, Alabama wouldn't have gotten any of our money anyway. All we did was shoot ourselves in the foot by turning down a critical training opportunity in order to virtue signal.

Ok....so now I turn to AST. I get it. Some of the women want to send a message that they are not ok with that state's decision. As other posters here have already pointed out:

- some sisters might *agree* with the state measure and, thus, the petitioners wouldn't speak for everyone

- if finances have already been committed, you would be hurting the organization

- we could always find something to protest about in any state we go to. (Please see California's list of 8 banned states for other places for AST to avoid for conventions. Unless, of course, AST is ok with anti-LGBT policies.)

And then there's this -- forgive me, but I doubt that "Georgia" is going to cry over losing the AST Convention. I get it, I get it....."if we all join in and refuse to support, then it will eventually hurt Georgia in the pocketbook." Ok; but, again, give me any state in the union and I am sure I can find a reason for you to not go there.

All of these. I am so SICK of everything being politicized.

I'm sure those states are happy that Californian govt workers won't visit. :)

Alpha Phi Alpha moved its convention from Phoenix to Las Vegas in protest of Arizona immigration laws in 2010: https://woldcnews.com/123041/alpha-p...ut-of-arizona/

It's unfortunate that you look down on me because of where I live - possibly on account of some politicians that I don't agree with and didn't vote for. Sadly, you're lumping all Californians, and state employees, into one category. Some us are still American Patriots, we're suffering, and are disappointed that "other states" are writing all of us off as "liberal nutcakes". There but by the grace of God go you and your state.

My state isn't any better. But I suggest you get a sense of humor.

What a perfectly crappy thing to say. Didn't your mother teach you any manners at all? :mad: Adding a smilie emoticon doesn't negate the lack of manners.

They also missed the lesson on taking responsibility for your actions as well.

Oh please. Lighten up Francis. If don't find the humor, that's fine. But move on with your lives.

I still believe in civil discourse. Who's with me?

How far in advance of your convention was this decision made?

As a male, I hope you do not mind my posting!

I admire the thought though, but the reality is AST is to late to boycott. Contract's signed, money spent in advance.

But, let your Sororities disdain be heard with letters. Remember, you are big enough to hold some power to sway people not only in Alabama but The Greek World!:cool:

I back your thoughts as I am Pro Choice! This is simply for the fact that it is "NOT THE GOVERNMENTS CHOICE" what a women does with her body!:mad:

I despise this Political Clap Trap that Govt. Clowns are trying to enact.:mad:

So, how do you hurt these States and Governments is through money!!:) Let your voice be heard!!:cool:

Just remember the people you will hurt the most are the everyday Joes and Joannes who work the convention center, hotels, restaurants, etc. They'll miss a paycheck long before any politician notices.

This is the problem I have with this sort of thing (outside of changing it at such notice would make for a logistical nightmare). Politicians making the laws don't even notice things like this. Atlanta will always be a huge draw for conferences and such. They hosted the Olympics, for God's sakes!

I apologize, but I honestly cannot remember. I do believe money was lost, but at the time, we had it.

I just Googled it up -- the Alpha Phi Alpha Convention was scheduled for July 21-25, 2010. It appears the organization announced the decision to change locations around the first week of May 2010. So, about 10 weeks in advance.

The article I found stated that Alpha Phi Alpha had been anticipating $300,000 in penalties from the breaking of the various contracts with vendors. The article further stated, "That doesn't include over 3,000 Alphas who will have to change their flight and hotel reservations as soon as possible."

Article: https://www.theroot.com/taking-a-cos...ona-1790879430

That kind money means a lot to any organization.:confused::eek:

Cannot leave money on the table and sully the reputation of group! :o

So, full fill Contract and place thoughts on social media like G C for example and any others!:)

Protecting our Latino Brothers from state-sanctioned racial profiling was more important to us.

In Alpha's case there was a direct correlation between the Arizona immigration law and your organization's mission. The odds that any Alpha supported that legislation were slim to none. And slim just left town (and Arizona, I guess).

Mission (and Abortion)
 

Is there any Panhell sorority whose membership is likely to be more toward one position on Abortion than another Panhell sorority? The only one that springs to mind as a *possibility* is Theta Phi Alpha, which is historically Catholic and was the last of the Panhell groups to become open to all women regardless of religion.

Beyond *that*, maybe Beta Upsilon Chi which is a Christian Fraternity and a member of the NIC. (or the other Christian Fraternities and Sororities)...

I can't think of any GLO likely to be significantly more Pro-choice than the population of their campuses in general.

Theta Phi Alpha’s identifier as a “Catholic sorority” is long gone for the most part. All it means is that many of their older chapters are at Catholic institutions.

Agreed with the first. The change was in 1968. I should have added the term "slim" to "possiblity". However the second sentence is actually odder. The Sorority was originally set up for Catholic women at non-Catholic schools (founding 1912), with the Sorority only allowing itself later to spread to Catholic schools (1939) and the majority of the chapters opened between 1940 and 1965 being at Catholic schools.

However, now having looked through the Theta Phi Alpha website, I see that Theta Phi Alpha has a policy of being open to transgender women, while not a guarantee, the likelihood of any sort of consistent organizational position against abortion seems even less likely.

(my apologies to any Theta Phi Alpha sisters for whom my guess caused a problem)

No offense taken to the bold! Financially, this would hurt AST more than it would hurt Georgia.

As I mentioned, there are companies and organizations with a lot more money than us that are pulling out of the state and refusing to do business there. For example, this story just hit the news yesterday: https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/a...ry?id=63188842

AST is not Amazon, nor do we have Amazon money, and we certainly wouldn't make the national news if we moved our Convention. However, I think stories like this are where some people get the idea and motivation to also try and make a large statement.

I'm sure people have their own reasons for signing the petition, but I wonder if it's more so "Let's hurt them where it counts" or "We're a women's organization and should not force sisters to travel to a state where they may feel their rights are being trampled". Perhaps it's a little of both. But as has been stated, not everyone is going to be happy either way.

Interestingly, I'm a very involved alumna and a national volunteer, and Convention didn't even cross my mind when I heard about all of this legislation being passed.

I didn't intend for that comment to be a specific commentary or slight to AST - I'm glad you received it in the way I intended. It's just that these huge entities have so many convention customers that one is a drop in the bucket. This would be especially difficult for a smaller organization.

Now, in the other example that we just saw, Alpha Phi Alpha was able to financially and logistically absorb the costs of moving their event. I doubt that the State of Arizona was too upset by that; but, the men of Alpha Phi Alpha were able to live their values and their conscience.



This move by Amazon is a bunch of fluff and hot air. So, they're not going to film their online TV show in Georgia? Big deal. They admit that they were only just scouting for locations and Georgia hadn't even been selected yet. There are a million and one other places to film their internet TV show. The show is new, with no episodes, and no one has even heard of it. Yawn. Now, if Amazon wanted to take a real stand, they could say that they will no longer ship any of their Amazon products to the State of Georgia.

Oh wait.....that would cost them a lot of money.


And this is where I get stuck on issues. We should stick to the core values of the organization to the best of our ability and advocate from that position. However, some topics are obviously rooted in an organization's values and some are not as clear.

This is ultimately what it comes down to. If this new legislation was in direction opposition to what AST as a whole believed in, advocated for, or was based upon, I might be behind moving convention.

I can't even think of a reasonable example right now, but let's pretend Georgia wanted to end women's right to vote. I could certainly get behind not holding major events in the state. But an issue like abortion, which clearly presents arguments on both sides of the aisle, for which our sisters could push for legislation one way or the other, doesn't present a situation where this would make sense.

Related: https://www.watchtheyard.com/deltas/...ama-statement/

What I find most interesting:

It sounds like this has long stood as an issue the sorority supports. I'm curious to know what the initial fallout - if any - was 40 years ago.

At the same time, this is simply a statement and call to action for members. There is no major change being made (e.g. moving Convention) that will hurt Delta Sigma Theta financially. However, perhaps they'd be willing to make such a change if they found themselves in such a position.

It looks like Disney may pull the rug out from under Georgia for their strict ban.


https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/b...-abortion.html