Has anyone visited Nationals?
 

Hey ya'll-
I was in a little town in Arkansas for a wedding this weekend, and we were about 1 1/2 hours away from Memphis, and I really wanted to go visit Nationals, but there was no time. Has anyone else visited? I was so bummed that I couldn't go...

XO_Princess,
I've been to headquarters and it is amazing. It is SO beautiful. There is a little museum with all these old pins and old Chi O stuff...like silver and china. The history of each chapter is also kept in the museum area. There are great meeting spaces plus cute bedrooms upstairs for important visitors (like the National Officers or the NCs when they are there training). Of course everything is done in very tasteful shades of cardinal and straw!!
Overall, it is just a really cool place and it made me very proud to be a Chi O!
Every Chi O who gets a chance should visit.

My friend Bonnie went this past summer and said it is so elegant and everyone makes you feel completely welcome and they really go out of their way to entertain you and are just the perfect hostess!

Since my brother just recently moved down to Alabama I've thought about going for a visit on my way down/back! Anyone know if you can simply go visit or do you have to let them know in advance?

Headquarters in Memphis
 

Hey Hootie! The HQ is open from 8:00 - 5:00 central time each weekday. It is closed the week between Christmas and New Year's. You don't have to call ahead unless you're bringing a group. One of the staff members will be happy to give you a tour of the building. You'll get to see the museum area (lots of great stuff there -- the original badge, constitution, chapter history volumes for each chapter, Mary Love Collins' grandfather clock, etc.) the offices, the board room, the meeting/training room and upstairs is Chi O Creations and bedrooms to house volunteers for training sessions. It's a gorgeous place. Oh, and the Myth Garden outside -- each chapter has an engraved brick on the Centennial Walk and many have donated bricks in honor or memory of someone.

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No doubt huh!!! It sounds like fun!

I WOULD LOVE TO GO!
Hootie- we should meet at HQ!!!

I went with my roomie from the house when we were Seniors. Our boyfriends were on Spring Break together in Cancun so we decided to head to Memphis. We had no idea how to get there, except to head South, and a little West! We got a speeding ticket on the way down! We got into the area late at night, so we stayed at a hotel. The next morning we called HQ and got directions. It was so much fun! And really beautiful! And all the women were so nice. We were also shown the spot where the roll is kept. Our guide tried to look us up (mind you, we'd been active for almost 2 full semesters) and we weren't there. No one from our pledge class was! Turns out, our GM had never sent in the forms when we were initiated! Good thing we made the trip.

We also went across the street and got the tour of the PIKE headquarters (our boyfriends who were in Cancun were PIKEs). That was really nice, too.

And we hit Graceland, too!

Oh, and you need to have some Memphis BBQ too! (ummm...that would be PORK barbeque.)

Unfortunately, we didn't get the BBQ. :( I've had it, though! YUM!

ive been to headquarters and its so beautiful!! i went with 2 of my sisters on a cross country road trip. we drove from new mexico to new york (we go to school in new mexico and i live in new york and had to get my car out there from school so i thought it would be fun to take a road trip with a couple sisters and go to headquarters!!). it was way fun but make sure you leave enough time to see everything. the earlier the better. its worth it to make a whole day trip so you can really see everything. make sure you stop at chi o creations too--its like going into the catalogue but better--you get the stuff right away instead of having to wait for stuff to get shipped! id totally recommend going though!! the people are all nice and are happy to meet some more sisters and give tours!! hope you can get out there!! lico, heather

The actives in the chapter went to Nationals this summer... and our new member class is contemplating a trip, too. Personally, I think I would rather go my first time as an active because I don't want to have to be restricted from the cool stuff! hehehe I know, selfish.

When I look at the pictures for the sisters' trip... I get so envious! argh!

Honestly, all of it's cool and EVERYONE can see it! We have husbands, other NPC groups, firends, neighbors...everyone! I hate to burst your bubble, but there is not a separate tour for initiated members.