Going to GA?
 

I took this from the Watermelon Bash thread, but thought it should have it's own.

I'm going for one along with 3 others of our chapter.

4 UG's and 1 High Pi from Western Carolina will be making the trip.

First appearance as a re-chartered zeta!!! lol

Why is GA so expensive?
 

I just want to know why GA has to be expensive? I mean for my chapter its almost cheaper to just take the $1000 fine and not go, since we need to take 3 people to actually benefit from going (Delegate, High Pi, and one other to do all the programs).

IHQ will reimburse the delegate for travel expense up to $300... I think that with the place we are staying at its well worth the expense. Arizona Biltmore looks amazing.

Unfortunately attending GA can be pricey - the resort hotels cost more than the college dorms used for Leadership Seminar

I'll be there as well, but unfortunately the only one from my chapter. Too pricey to get anyone else out there! :(

Alert to all attending GA08: it sounds like we're going to be going more formal this year. According to a note I just received from IHQ, all involved w/the legislative segment of General Assembly are required to wear shirt/tie, preferably w/your badge.

I guess polo shirts/khakis won't fly this year...better bring a couple of ties & dress shirts, boys.

In ZAX,
BF

Coats and ties @ GA
 

Let me chase this one down for everyone. I've not heard this yet.

Received @ 1:57PM Friday from IHQ...

"GENERAL ASSEMBLY ATTIRE

For all participants that will be present for the actual General Assembly sessions, you are expected to wear at least a shirt and tie. Brother badges should also be worn. Participants who do not dress appropriately will not be admitted into the sessions."

Sounds to me like the "uniform" in Orlando (shorts or khakis w/a polo) aren't appropriate this time around, even though it'll be 110 degrees in the shade.

FWIW, I'm going to Indy on Sunday evening (the Assn. of Fraternity Advisors is holding a "drive-in conference" on Monday morning) & will be dining w/a staffer. I'll let you know what I find out...

Coats 7 Ties? Not in MY committee room
 

I have one of the committees. I will declare it a jacket and tie optional zone. And then I will lead by example!

I thought I'd emulate Tom "Yogi" Lawrence & wear a Hawaiian shirt, but I don't know if I have a tie to match it...

I'm definately not wearing a tie if the temp is over 100!

Althought I am looking forward to getting away from this New England humidity for a couple of days. See ya all in a while.

I hope the committee I sit in on is jacket optional... The hottest it gets in the mountains of NC is 89 most of the time...

Jacket optional
 

It will be if is MY committee

I like it to be about 72 degrees myself or clothing optional
 

I suspect that the building will be air conditioned....

Everyone had worried cause my brothers keep sending me articles on how hot it gets in AZ. . .

Answer re coats and ties
 

From Indy this morning:

"As far as the dress code for the General Assembly and committees, we are asking that all participants wear a dress shirt and tie, at the very least. That way, participants are dressed appropriately for those business meetings. "


NB: Note 'least'. Looks like a blue sport jacket sort of day

All attending GA08: We need to figure out when/where to take a GC group shot. My bride won't be attending this one, so I'll find someone to do the honors. I think the best bet is to do it prior to one of the dinners (either Thursday or Saturday). Of course, sitting in the stands @ a D-Backs game would be cool, too. Any ideas?

In ZAX,
BF

Funny, I wore Shorts and Polo Shirts for daily meetings!!!

I wanted to be comfortable, period!

Meetings can be a drag so be comfortable!

There are times that dress must be placed forward!

Banquent is a must so bring a Coat and Tie, wear your Badge!:D

Oh, Pheonix is dry heat but it will be very dang hot!

You will not get out of the Hotel much so stay where it is cool!;)

Wish I could be there with all of you and give MY Best to Cliff Lowery, One of the Newest Order of Merit Members!

He is a Stupendious Brother!

The Biltmore is one of the best hotel resorts in scottsdale. Saw it on one of those wedding shows my wife watches. You all should be fine. My chapter is sending 3 delegates, its a six hour drive from El Paso, so they will use the reimbursement money for the delegate to pay for the gas for all of them.

the Biltmore is, in a word, amazing. 5 stars all around, shaq lives there if that gives you any frame of reference. the whole thing is Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and the service is outstanding.

Sigma will be bringing 8 undergrads including one SAC member and at least two alums including EVPE Spasyk and the IRT assistant coach.

Travel safe, see y'all in a few days.

General participants for the programming and meals will be asked to dress business casual. Shorts and a polo are acceptable. Delegates must wear badge attire (shirt, tie and badge) for actual General Assembly sessions. Chapters receiving awards have been notified and should wear badge attire during the meal function in which they will be honored. Saturday night's dinner is a formal banquet and dress for that is suit, tie and badge (or tuxedo). Keep in mind that you are representing your chapter and Lambda Chi Alpha at all times.

Stupid question, perhaps, but I wanted to clear it up for us n00bs: if we're not in committee or a delegate doing our delegatory duties, we just abide by the less formal, no tie rule? Though we all obviously wear formally for Rx, awards, and Saturday's dinner, I wanted to be sure. Never went to one of these before...

ZAX,
Adam

So....

My leopard thong and bow-tie ensemble would be out of the question?

Not necessarily - it depends on your goal! Thank goodness for Youtube.

I just wanna be free man!

Your best bet is at the PG&G Banquet since many will be wearing tuxes. Add a little body paint (or shoe polish) you could fly under the radar.

Otherwise, it's appropriate pool attire for an Arizona summer. Might want to try shorts on the tennis court though, the clay is unforgiving.

So, would that mean the quasi-anonymity he enjoys so much will be gone? Just look for parted crowds during Saturday's dinner and that's your man!

I'll be shakin' it on stage baby!

Maybe I could sell some advertising?

Ok, ok, I won't wear my leopard thong. But I will wear my purple, green and gold thong with the specially placed cross and crescent.

With the Pearls of Great Price

Wow, I sure hijacked this thread!

First we were talking about GA, now we're talking about my "pearls" of great price and me prancing around in a thong in front of thousands of Lambda Chi's.

God, I rule.

I just wonder over all how much this is going to cost?

It looks nice to be in nice digs but is it worth it?

I would like to see us in less upscale places and use the money spent for many other thing:
ELC visits, expansion, to just name two.

part of the reason we're at the Biltmore is that they're trying to specialize in hosting fraternity/sorority conferences. you might wonder (as i did) why a 5-star resort would try to cater to such a crowd, being that each group holds meetings only occasionally.
what i discovered is that hotel business in the desert is very slow during the summer, so hotels and resorts are very quick to drop prices for large groups - especially if they might return for more summer visits. since we signed a contract with the Biltmore to host the next 3 Assemblies, they're being quite reasonable with the rates - at least that is the word being passed down from IHQ staff/GHZ.

So, as I read this, with the exception of 2009, the next: 2010, 2012, and 2014 will be in Phenoix?

No, just '08, '10 & '12. What I've heard is that next summer we'll be in Indy for the Stead Leadership Seminar/100th Anniversary celebration, w/another gathering in Nov. '09 in the Boston area.

"I just wonder over all how much this is going to cost?

It looks nice to be in nice digs but is it worth it?

I would like to see us in less upscale places and use the money spent for many other thing:
ELC visits, expansion, to just name two."

I wonder how much it costs as well. How much is HQ kicking in compared to dues, fees, etc., to attend?

Again, I think this information should be readily available to all brothers. Can anyone get a figure for us?

We tried holding General Assembly at a Super 8 Motel once, but it was a little tight getting 600 brothers into one guest room, and the 7-11 over by the exit ramp ran out of ham & cheese sandwiches. :)

Sorry, couldn't resist. :D

I'm not saying it is a bad idea, or not worth the money or not the right place to have it.

All I'm saying is that the cost should be available to us brothers.

well, you may soon know the specifics. as mentioned in the packet given to delegates (and the rest of us with franchise), one piece of legislation on the table this year will require HQ to publish the budget and previous year's expenses.

i'm not sure on exact figures, just that we're supposedly getting some sort of good deal. hopefully the transparency will put some of these fears to rest in the future.

Well if you want succesful alums to shell out some cash and to show up to these events, you have to have it at locations like this. It all part of the razzle dazzle, plus its a nice vaca for the wife.