Convention 2008

[gamma_girl52]

Hi All,

Well obviously I'm not a member of APO but I did a search and didn't find anything...

My boyfriend (who is an APO) is planning to attend your Nationals in Boston and I am tagging along. I know it's kind of far off, but I am wondering what parts of the Convention are open and which are closed (other than the obvious, like General Session when voting is going on). What's your Convention like, what normally happens? I heard that there are a lot of socials/parties to go to.

I saw there were two banquets, am I allowed to attend those? What's the attire? I went to the National Site and didn't see a whole lot, which I can understand because well...it's April. But if any of you guys can answer I'd really appreciate it. I don't want to assume your Convention is anything like Gamma Sig's, but still I'm very excited about attending what I can, and meeting ya'll as well!

[arvid1978]

Originally Posted by gamma_girl52

Hi All,

Well obviously I'm not a member of APO but I did a search and didn't find anything...

My boyfriend (who is an APO) is planning to attend your Nationals in Boston and I am tagging along. I know it's kind of far off, but I am wondering what parts of the Convention are open and which are closed (other than the obvious, like General Session when voting is going on). What's your Convention like, what normally happens? I heard that there are a lot of socials/parties to go to.

I saw there were two banquets, am I allowed to attend those? What's the attire? I went to the National Site and didn't see a whole lot, which I can understand because well...it's April. But if any of you guys can answer I'd really appreciate it. I don't want to assume your Convention is anything like Gamma Sig's, but still I'm very excited about attending what I can, and meeting ya'll as well!

The General Legislative Session is open to all for observations (there is typically a row of seats outside of the roped-off area for people who want to watch), except when we are discussing ritual matters, then it is closed to those who have not been initiated. The only ones allowed to speak at all during legislation are those who are voting delegates and those the delegates have authorized to speak. Other than that, I believe every thing else is open to all paid convention attendees (workshops, etc.) unless specifically noted otherwise (again, ritual stuff). If I recall, there will be activities for non-brothers to attend as more and more families are coming to conventions. They tried something like this in Louisville, and it was successful.

Banquet Attire: Fellowship banquet depends on the convention. In 2006, it was baseball themed, and attendees were encouraged to come dressed as such. Others have been business casual. Awards banquet is formal, and you'll see quite a range from business suits and skirts all the way up to prom dresses and tuxedos. Again, anybody who is registered for these banquets can attend (note that they're a separate cost from the convention fee), but it would behoove you to get your ticket early as if this will be like years past, seating will be limited.

Hope you can make it! This will be my 5th convention (haven't missed one since my first in Philly 2000), and I've always had a great time.

[naraht]

I agree with pretty much everything that was said. A couple of additional things that you may not be able to attend (trying to be thorough rather than depressing)

Normally the proposed ritual changes (and other things that clear the peanut gallery) come out of one conference committee and as such are likely to be one block of time and are broadly announced ahead of time.

Workshops. Out of 20 or more workshops, there are likely to be three or less that would be restricted to only brothers (or only members, however given that this occurs between semesters, unlikely to be many pledges there, given that most are likely to initiate in late fall). You are more likely to have problems due to *really* wanting to attend two workshops that occur at the same time than having nothing to go to due to everything scheduled at a given time being limited to brothers.

Initiation/chartering at Convention. At some of the recent conventions, I think some chapters have decided to have their brotherhood initiations at the Convention to give it extra specialness and I know of at least one chartering at a convention (Northern Arizona). Given the fact that there is a PG in New England right now, it is a possibility (probably remote though).

Leadership Seminars. The Leadership Seminars that are part of the LEADS program may have the requirement that brothers sign up ahead of time to take them. (I presume these are being done at Nationals) However you would probably simply be in the same boat as a brother who hadn't signed up...


You certainly wouldn't be the first Gamma Sigma Sigma sister to attend an APO convention , your immediate past National President has been to at least one (though she is also an APO chapter advisor) as well as many others.

I'm personally glad that you want to attend, National conventions are a blast.

[gamma_girl52]

Thanks guys!

My BF and I discussed plans for Boston yesterday. We're both pretty excited as this is his first one (he was initiated in '06) and this is my first time visiting Boston (one of the reasons I'm going is just because it's a new city that I haven't visited yet).

Your Convention sounds very similar to ours so I was expecting not to be able to attend a majority of it, so I'm going to busy myself by exploring Boston, doing some shopping, and just chilling out overall so it'll still be a nice trip for me.

I know that usually our current President attends too. I know that Lynne Mowers will probably be there (she's one of our Past Presidents and advises the chapter at SU). I'm also going to check to see if there are any of my sisters close by in Boston too to hang out with maybe.

Maybe a GC Meet and Greet is in order! It would be awesome to meet all of you that I've chatted (and argued with! Randy! ) over the years on here.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by gamma_girl52

Thanks guys!

My BF and I discussed plans for Boston yesterday. We're both pretty excited as this is his first one (he was initiated in '06) and this is my first time visiting Boston (one of the reasons I'm going is just because it's a new city that I haven't visited yet).

Your Convention sounds very similar to ours so I was expecting not to be able to attend a majority of it, so I'm going to busy myself by exploring Boston, doing some shopping, and just chilling out overall so it'll still be a nice trip for me.

I know that usually our current President attends too. I know that Lynne Mowers will probably be there (she's one of our Past Presidents and advises the chapter at SU). I'm also going to check to see if there are any of my sisters close by in Boston too to hang out with maybe.

Maybe a GC Meet and Greet is in order! It would be awesome to meet all of you that I've chatted (and argued with! Randy! ) over the years on here.

My apologies if my effort to be complete I indicated that what you wouldn't be able to attend the majority, my guess is that the amount that you will be able to attend will be on the high side of 95% and I guarantee it will be over 90%. I'm not sure that I'm going to convention right now, mostly for personal reasons that have nothing to do with APO, Boston or the phase of the moon.

Randy

[emb021]

To add to what others have said.

As noted, there is probably VERY little you CAN'T attend. Because we know there will be non-Brothers (possible pledges, sweathearts, sponses, etc), these are usually clearly stated.

Banquet Attire. Arvid covered it. The theme clothing used last convention was a change. We'll see if they continue this. You can never go wrong with being just 'dressy'.

Workshops. They do have workshops aimed at alumns, and there will be some that will appeal to non-Brothers. APO LEADS course are open to all, there is no restriction to being 'APO only'. For practical reasons there are signups.

There are other things to do at convention. Service projects. Other fellowship events. Stuff aimed at alumns (their non-Brother sponses/girl/boyfriends would be welcome). They are actually trying to program more stuff for alumni this time, so we'll see how that goes.

To be honest, there will probably be a small official contingent of GSS members in attendence, so you won't be alone. Also, I would say feel free to wear your GSS pin and such. Some Brothers may not know what it means, but others will, and will make you feel welcome.

[PADFSUGirl2K2]

Hey Ranita,

That would be awesome to see you there!

[gamma_girl52]

Originally Posted by PADFSUGirl2K2

Hey Ranita,

That would be awesome to see you there!

I'm trying my best girl! We'll definitely have to connect if I do!
I'm looking forward to meeting a few of my APO buddies.

[PADFSUGirl2K2]

Yes ma'am!! BTW, I'm in Atlanta til Thursday