Vls
 

I know it's kind of early, but information is already starting to come out.


Who is planning on going to VLS this summer?



I'm actually planning on it. I'm going to go a couple days prior or stay a couple days longer so that I can go to Macon and visit the new EO.

Brianna thats great that you want to go however I'm not sure its open to everyone like Convention is. VLS/IMPACT is really for alumnae and collegiate leadership training. So unless you can get there as a representative of a chapter or an alumnae association it wouldnt be worth the travel costs.

I'm still toying with whether or not to go. It'd be selfish of me to have gone to Convention last year, VLS this year, and Convention in 07 like I'm planning (since it is in my homestate). So at this point its deciding which I'd rather go to - Georgia or Massachusetts. It also depends on whether or not a friend of mine relocates to Atlanta. If she does I will definitely forgo convention next year and attend VLS. We'll see...


ETA: Something they discussed at DLC this past weekend was that for Convention 07 they will be doing a silent auction for the ADPi Foundation and are asking all alumnae associations and chapters to donate something for the auction and bring it to VLS so they can start an inventory. Some of the stuff they have already collected were I believe items off ebay so I thought I would put that out there if you all have anything you have saved from Ebay and donate to the sorority for the auction.

Just so sisters are clear. VLS and IMPACT are almost like two seperate things. (If that makes sense).

This is what the website says about VLS...



"Volunteer Leadership Seminar is designed to provide training to Alpha Delta Pi alumnae volunteers . . . advisors, alumnae association representatives and international officers.

Programming includes sessions developed to strengthen the team concept within Alpha Delta Pi. Additional sessions include “job specific” training.

Time for sharing successes and challenges among volunteers with the same responsibilities are included along with District Team Meetings, Province Meetings and other opportunities for learning and growing."






IMPACT is for collegians (specifically sophomores and juniors who are rising as leaders in the chapter)





And Convention wasn't really "open" as we think it was. Being a non-voting delegate, what I was able to do was very, very limited in comparision to what the voting delegates got to do. (Which is another issue on how I don't think it was planned very well b/c there were probably about 100 non-voting delegates).

Right that was my point about VLS its really for sisters who are as it mentions "advisors, alumnae association representatives and international officers."

So while I commend you for wanting to go I'm not sure what value you would get out of it. You're right convention didnt have a lot of non-voting delegate activities but the main point of all these yearly events is for representatives of the collegiates, IOs, and alumnae associations to meet and discuss policies. So that really limits the free time during the days they set aside for these events. That's probably something you might want to take up with EO and Beth the planning coordinator. So if Convention had too little programming for non-voting delegates, I can guarantee VLS will have 0. I say just plan a trip to visit EO and that way you can go whenever the tickets are cheaper. Believe me I'm not trying to sway you into not going I just honestly dont even think you could go even if you wanted unless you were one of the sisters they mention. I say just plan a trip to visit EO and that way you can go whenever the tickets are cheaper and save your money!

Co-sign HB. Brianna, this could be a good opportunity to ramp up your involvement with your AA to become a voting delegate and benefit from the officer training at the next VLS!

Convention is concerned with training officers and voting on sorority policy (respectively). There are some social elements at each, like the banquets, but it the purpose of the Convention is to review the Bylaws, make amendments, etc. VLS is all training.

(I spent most of Convention a few years back in meetings from early in the morning to very late at night-- thank goodness for the banquets or I never would have gotten to eat! The only time I spent outside of the hotel was arriving and departing to the airport!!!)

Two conventions ago, they opened up the voting pool just a little bit more. There's been much debate over giving all attendees a vote due to over/under-representation of groups by geographics and type of membership. Some sororities allow all members a vote (Alpha Phi does voting by proxy), but I don't think we're there yet. The good news is that any member in good standing has a right to recommend a resolution and can speak to support that resolution at Convention.

ETA: Wanted to clarify that there is no voting at VLS-- it is solely a training meeting.

There is no voting at VLS so there is no such thing as a non-voting attendee there. It is all geared toward training (leadership and job specific). This year there will be a huge emphasis on recruitment training.

I'll be there! I'm going as Chapter Advisor to Gamma Phi (East Tenn State) and our Recruitment Advisor is going too. It's driving distance for us - about 6 hours - so we can afford to send two and avoid plane ticket expenses. I attended Leadership Conference at Callaway in 1994 as a collegian and had a blast. That was back when they had Leadership Conferences in non-Convention years. Now they are done by Districts so that more collegians can attend.

Thank you!!!


Plus, recruitment training HUGE. I haven't had any recruitment training since I was an Alpha and an NI (since I didn't affliate) and with me wanting to move to Tucson and Delta Gamma recolonizing in a couple of years, training like that would be SOOOOOO beneficial to me. It's not going to hurt me, its going to help me.

Yes, I'm sure there will be things that I won't be able to do because they don't apply to me, being that I'm not an IO.

HB and adpiucf, I think you meant well in your posts, but I did take a little offense to them. For me it's like your trying to say "oh your not an advisor, a collegian or an alum association president so don't waste your money and don't go".


I spoke to someone in EO about VLS last year and she basically told me that since I was active in my alum association (and want to become more active and eventually (not now, no time, plus holding out for DG) would like to be an advisor VLS would be a great experience for me. (Now, I'm completely paraphrasing what I was told because the conversation occured over a year ago).


And please don't think I'm mad, because I'm not :D. The comments just slightly (so little) offended me. But otherwise, I do see where you are coming from. I really do. One of you is coming from an advisor position and one is coming from an former IO position. I totally get it!!!!! :D

I will be at VLS....and we will be sending an up in coming leader from Gamma Theta to IMPACT. I really didn't have a choice to go or not being the NEW chapter advisor (I was told I was going)...but that is ok...no complaints here! I will go this year and then another advisor can go in 2 years. I cannot wait for Convention!

Wait....


Andrea, when did you become Chapter Advisor?:confused:

I looked it up and I announced here on 10/18/2005 on ADPi- Random. It is a lot of work- but I love it!

Okay, I'm a dork :rolleyes: (brianna is rolling eyes at herself)

but you still love me right? LOL

Of course! :D

I just got off the phone with EO about VLS. The chapter had already been billed for it but we havent received any information!! Just as an FYI, chapter presidents and advisors should be receiving something in the mail about in sometime in the next 2 weeks.

She mentioned all the recruitment training which is why they are stressing that each chapter bring an advisor with them. She also mentioned that they havent allocated too much additional space this year so any chapters who is planning on sending more than the 2 delegates (president and an advisor) should understand that while you can fill out registration forms for the additional members, it will not guarantee you a spot.

ETA: This includes AAs as well not just chapters sorry!

I can't believe they have charged you guys but you don't know anything about it! Makes a lot of sense.


As for the rest. It doens't hurt anyone to fill out the paperwork and see if you "get a spot". If you do great if you don't, oh well next time.

So Presidents are now required to attend? It's still an emerging leader that attends IMPACT though, right? I guess I could wait for the paperwork, but we'll need to adjust our budget if we have to send an emerging leader, the President, and at least one advisor....

Presidents are not required to attend. They will just be receiving information about it.

HB, thanks for the info - I need to talk with our advisory board and figure out if we've decided who's going as our advisor delegate :) (I just got the International Bill today, so I'm glad to know info is coming! :D)

They still need to send a collegiate representative though I'm assuming.


I'm still trying to figure out who will go from our advisory board. With all the recruitment training they are doing it would make sense to send our recruitment advisor or myself since we are the 2 that are heavily involved during that time but our recruitment advisor has 2 little boys and not sure she'd be able to take off work and from the boys...

I spoke to someone in EO today, information should be mailed out early next week and the website should have information up early next week.

Yup already posted that :)

blonde moment! Sorry!

Advisors who are attending:

Did you guys see we get assigned a room with another advisor! Nothing against the other advisors but that's so daunting!! Sorry if thats mean but I'm very particular when I travel so I couldnt stay in a room with someone who uses it up all the space and throws their clothes around everywhere...I wonder if we can put in requests lol.

So I think I decided that I am going to VLS and abstaining from Convention 07. I realized that I will be in Boston for my sister's high school graduation early June so going to convention would mean asking for vacation twice in one month and going to the same place twice in one month!

Not to sound too "preachy" or whatever, but I love getting random roommates at ADPi events. That's when I've made some dear friends from across the country. Otherwise, I just stay with sisters in my province or chapter. It's a great way to get ideas from other people and it really is neat to see that ADPi's are ADPi's, no matter where you're from. I've felt comfortable with all my roomies in the past and still keep in touch with many of them.

That being said, yes, it can take you out of your comfort zone for a bit! And if you have any strong preferences you can note them on your registration form.

I can't wait for VLS! :)

If you feel uncomfortable, you should let them know and insist on having some options. This is why they pay meeting planners.

FWIW, I'm one of those people who HATES to stay with another person. I tell people that I've done my time in "roommate hell", and vastly prefer to have some place to have down time alone. Yet, everyone I know who has been to a VLS or Convention has talked for years about what a wonderful sister they met from some other place. I'd probably at least try the roomie there. Oh, I understand that most roomies exchange gifts from their hometown, too.

I know for Convention, you can request a specific roommate or you can opt for a single room - and PAY for it yourself. I am one of those who really clicked with my Convention and VLS roommates, keeping in touch thru the years - and requesting we be roommates and the next Convention/VLS! I found them to be very sisterly and considerate of the shared space - more so than a chapter sister probably would be (esp when in college).

In my experience, attendees spend SO much time in workshops/meetings, the time spent in the room is largely SLEEP time. And, because we're not in college, there's no coming in drunk at 3AM with some random boy and waking the roomie. ;)

I've been pretty lucky with the roommate assignments. Once she didn't show and another she switched to be with a friend. So those times I had a private room at no extra charge! At convention last year I was paired up with someone from a similar chapter who I had talked to in the past, so it was very nice to get to know her better. I think they try and match roommates up who are close in age and other factors to eliminate any potential clashing.

We budgeted for two advisors to attend since Callaway is driving distance, so we'll just request to be together. Sally at EO always does such a fabulous job of coordinating all those details!!

Another note - when you register, be sure and note any dietary restrictions or even preferences. While I am not allergic to seafood, I ABHOR it. In Phoenix I didn't list that and subsequently went hungry for the meals that had only seafood available (though the bartender did rustle up some peanut butter and jelly for me once). Specifically mention any foods you don't eat (pork, etc.) or dairy restrictions.

Mini-hijack-

OMG soooooo many sisters complained about that! I remember one meal Jennie and I decided to skip on (I don't remember which one though) served like crab ravoli or something. Jennie and I said we both would have gone hungry. LOL.

end mini-hijack

At Convention in Houston, I indicated "Vegetarian" meals because, at the time, I was not eating a lot of red meat and thought I would receive fish or other protein-based dishes. I received some meals that were identical to those being served to the rest - except the meat was missing and they'd double up on the starch and veggie! If you truly have dietary requirements, I recommend clearly stating them on the registration form - if you don't eat pork or beef, say that instead of veggetarian! ;)

Too true - luckily I had added that I eat chicken to my registration form for Phoenix, otherwise I probably would've been in that boat!

I'm a pretty picky eater in general, but I really couldn't complain about what I was served for the meals I did attend! :)

To clarify I dont mind the roommate situation that much but last year at Convention when I roomed with the president it was a great opportunity to bond and get to know each other better (and on a different level than just president - advisor relationship). So on that note I was really looking forward to the same experience.

Who knows I might not even go lol.

Just as an FYI and to clarify who should be attending VLS: I spoke to my DTD last night...I needed some help deciding on which underclassman to send to IMPACT and also debating who would benefit the most from the recruitment training: our RVP or FRC. Anyway, she told me that VLS is just for advisors of chapters, IMPACT is for underclass leaders, and the recruitment workshops are just for collegians.

Just seemed to be worth repeating (for those of us not eligible to attend!).

Personally, I think whoever wants to attend should talk to either their DTD, their alum association president or EO (like I spoke directly to Beth who is in charge of VLS). I don't think it is for any of us to start telling sisters "I'm sorry because you're not an advisor you can't go".

Sisters are supposed to support one another, not try to break others down.

This is straight from the Alpha Delta Pi website regarding VLS...no alumnae volunteer is excluded. There is special programming being held on Sunday for Alumnae Association Volunteers...I am excited about this, but not sure if I will attend because you have to book your flight home after 7pm in order to attend the entire thing...what stinks is Sunday is Father's Day!! So I might be doing double duty that weekend- Chapter Advisor and Alumnae Association. Hope to finally meet some of you at VLS!


Who Should Attend

The order in which chapters must select participants for the summer meetings is as follows:
1) Advisor
2) IMPACT Alpha Delta Pi collegiate representative
3) “ADPi Express” Recruitment Forum collegiate representative


Advisory Board Representatives
One advisory board representative from each chapter must attend the Volunteer Leadership Seminar. All chapters will be billed in Spring 2006 to send one advisor. Collegiate chapters are encouraged to designate an advisor as the first delegate.

Collegiate Representatives

IMPACT Alpha Delta Pi

Current freshman and/or sophomore collegiate leaders seeking to develop their leadership skills should attend.
One participant per chapter must attend. Limited space is available for additional attendees.

“ADPi Express” Recruitment Forum

Members of the Recruitment Team, particularly the Recruitment Vice President or the Formal Recruitment Chair, or chapter members interested in holding one of these positions should attend.

Chapters are encouraged to send multiple collegiate members and advisors to get on board the “ADPi Express.”

International Officers
International officers are required to attend the 2006 Volunteer Leadership Seminar.

Alumnae Associations
Representatives from each alumnae association are encouraged to attend the 2006 Volunteer Leadership Seminar. Special programming is planned for the afternoon of Sunday, June 18 that you will not want to miss.

House Corporations
Representatives from each house corporation are encouraged to attend the 2006 Volunteer Leadership Seminar.

I'm closing this thread. If you need to know if you're eligible, ask the correct people. If you want to just hang out with the others, fine. But if you're going to discuss this in this Forum, there needs to be a less combative tone.