What's the REAL reason we aren't going to Nationals?
 

I've been thinking about this. Other organizations' conferences are waaaaaaaay more expensive than ours. One of my friends went to her sorority's conference and the registration fee alone was $400 but she sucked it up and made it happen, along with thousands of her sorors.

So I don't think the money is the real reason we aren't going. What does everyone else think?

No...Money is the real reason for me...I can't afford it when I'm paying tution and rent. UMD, College Park is one of the most expensive non-ivy league schools...I think the money is a big issue w/many of the brothers who are still in school actually!

Money is an issue with most of my chapter brothers. I think I will go but only by asking for registration or something as a Christmas gift and also having a high credit card bill for a month or so.

Also, to be truthful I know that some of the African American brothers in Alpha Phi Omega would prefer to have the conference in places such as DC, Maryland, Charlotte, LA, or anywhere else that has a lot to do, is diverse, and popular.

AMEN...I was a little upset when I found out in was in Co. especially when I look at some of the places Nationals has been in the past years!

No need to roll your eyes BetaRose. I know that the brokest of all people find a way to do things when they REALLY want to do it.

I think that location is a VERY good point. I probably would go if it were in a more convenient location AND brothers that I knew were going to even though money is an issue for me too.

#1 Reason: MONEY

#2 Reason: LOCATION

Even if I was able to come up with the money I feel Denver will be a hugh disappointment after being in New Orleans last time around. I think more people would be willing to go if it were in Anahiem, CA, which was the runner up.

1. Money. I've been out of work since the end of June so it's not like I have any to spare.

2. Time. That said, I start a new job on Monday! :D I really don't want to be asking for time off this early into my new job. I am not pushing my luck.

3. Location. Colorado is a little far for me to go at this point. Had it been in the Midwest I might have been able to make more of an effort.

4. Other things going on. I have a Jaycee state convention in November, and a whole bunch of region and state Jaycee and AAUW things going on in November and December.

And there you have it.

Just because she disagrees with you doesn't mean she doesn't understand.


I am not going because:

1) The location makes transportation more expensive.

2) I have a lot of other obligations that take precedence over my fraternities these days.

3) I am really only trying to hang out with certain bros anyway.....why travel all the way to Colorado to see folks I really don't want to? lol....sad, but y'all know that's the real me talking. I have my road dogs who I really need to get up with again.

Now on the real, I am feeling Kentucky in 2006....I haven't been there in a minute, and I'd like to go back. I don't know what other city is putting in a bid, though.

We could even go to Tennessee or Alabama!

Those AA can speak for themselves. :eek: I think Denver is nearly perfect, it is cute and centrally located.

I'm a kappa psi brother and I went to New Orleans for the National Conference back in 2002. Also 6 others from NCAT went. We are not the riches people in the world either. So we had to save all year. Also fundrasiers and Donations help too. Three of us drove there and others took a flight. Nationals is every two years and all members need to do is create a realistic bugdet and save the money for your trip. I think i spent less than 800 dollars (includes: hotel, Car, gas, food, gifts).

Plus going in a group can split the cost down also. Try pushing others to go also.

Location can some time be a big challenge. But you all have to remember we have chapters all over the US. Every region in APO would like to have Nationals near them. Not to long ago APO had nationals in DC. I remember there was a big deal with next year location at New orleans conference. Chapter repersentatives was fighting between Cali and Denver. Denver won because its centered in the US for both east and west coast members. But Cali had the best presentation and more sites to see.

So just plan ahead like now for 2006 conference. even though i'm station in Iraq and can't make it to Denver. I plan to go next time.

Thanks to everyone who offered an honest, intelligent, and MATURE look into the reasons that they are not going.

I'm with you Sensuret, if my "clique" was going and it was in Timbuktu (sp.?) I'd do my darndest to go. BTW we have to hang out.

BetaRose: Drop it. I don't agree with you. I'm not going to agree with you and that's OK. I feel that if you REALLY want to do something, you'd make it happen. If you disagree, that's cool. Try something new: agree to disagree. It's OK. That's the beauty of Alpha Phi Omega, there are always going to be differing viewpoints because of the diverse nature of our fraternity.

Another question (only to those who can answer intelligently): If Nationals was going to be in _________ (favorite city of your choice) and Brothers________, _________, __________, and __________ (favorite brothers of your choice) were going to go, would try to go?

Good question. That's the exact reason why I'm going. Denver is close enough that we can take a bus and majority of my chapter is going. If it was on either coast and only a few brothers were attending, I wouldn't go...

I think that it is more so because of the timing and money! For me, money factors in because I have to fly home to Detroit for Christmas and buy gifts so if i were going to nationals, i would not have money for hotels or spending! And timing for me, because it is right around the holidays where as most sorority and fraternity conferences (NPHC) are during the summer!

News @ 9
9-ZP-03 ALPHA
24 Survivors of APOcalypse

Well i dont know what im doing yet have ot see how my money is, i have sectionals and nationals for sigma coming up , one in bahamas and the other in LA so money is tight but i will try to make it

Couple of comments...
 

I've been to '88,'90,'92,'94, '&'00.

Rotation of convention is East, South, West & North and Back again. And it can't be held again in the same city when it comes back around. (Both rules since Con-con in 1967) This forces at least 16 years between conferences in the same city.(barring changing boundaries) but exactly a 16 year gap has occured a count of times including Denvery in 72, 88 & 04. Denver is just that much closer for those who are driving...

Also, there are those brothers (myself included for at least two conventions) who *never* leave the hotel. For example for '94 in Dallas which was held at a Hotel at Dallas Fort Worth Airport, I came in by plane spend 4 days & nights in thehotel (except for going out to the parking lot for thebloodmobile) and then flew out...

With the next being in the North, and region IX unlikely to put forth a bid (No other city in IX other than MSP is really able), Regions V, VI & VIII are the ones likely to put forth a bid for next time. As far as I know only Louisville has *really* gotten going. If Louisville wins it would be the first city to get a convention in 28 years with no major league team in it. (last was 1978 in Memphis)

And I'm not going, too many family commitments..

Randy

Wasn't there talk of a group putting together a bid to have nationals in Indy or am I imagining that?

Indy, Grand Rapids, Louisville
 

Yes, there was talk of that at one point - but the hotel and other sites that were proposed were rented/reserved by another organization (I think Campus Crusade for Christ, but I could be wrong) and there were no other suitable facilities to continue the bid.

Grand Rapids, MI submitted info to be considered, but did not meet all criteria, and so will not be put forth to the Time and Place Reference Committee for consideration.

Louisville will be put forth for consideration.

This is true. Most sorority and fraternity conferences are during the summer.

The real reason we aren't going is b/c we don't want to. This is addressing the question that was presented and as many people can jump down my throat as they want to, but this is my opinion.

A lot of brothers might not be going b/c of money and/or location (so i am not refering to you) but if I really wanted to go I could care less where it was located nor how much it cost. There is not penalty in not going and how does it benefit us by going? I am aware that legislation (spelling) is passed there and i care about that but not all brothers do. There has to be something that will spark the interest of all brothers. I would love to go to Denver b/c I've never been. I can't miss work and I dont have the money to travel right now *honestly* but I miss work for a rack of other events and I have money to go out and do everything else I do...It's all about priorities and Nationals were not mine this year.

We should do more to make this event something everyone would look forward to attending as well as giving some type of incentive for attending or penalty for not. I do plan on attending in 06 if I am able.

THANK YOU!!!
 

THANK YOU!!! That was my whole point but some people refused to be honest about it.

no prob man!!! ;) if u can't be honest with ur brothers...with whom can you be honest???