All About Convention 2003

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Dear Sisters and ADPi Visitors,

I am back from Convention! What an incredible week!

TUE AND WED: PRECONVENTION

I departed midday Tuesday to arrive in Houston for Alumnae Training. My roomie was already there-- a fellow Zeta Omega alum who is another of the alum directors. While I was checking in my UCLA collegians strolled into the lobby--- I was so happy to see them! I had felt like a panicky parent sending my children to summer camp-- "Did you pack a white dress?" and "Don't forget sunscreen!" LOL

Alum training went on for Tue and Wed. A lot of great things were announced-- such as the ground breaking for the new Executive Office HQ and the Capital Campaign to folllow (you will receive a mailing on this) as well as the progress made since the rollout of the Alpha Delta Pi Strategic Plan in 2001, where our monies go and come from and the successes of the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation (now celebrating 20 years!) Also, on Wed, there was a luncheon to welcome the alumnae volunteers, directors, advisers and alum assoc/house corps while the collegians settled in. Not to mention a myriad of meetings with my various teams! It was so nice to put faces to the names/voices I have been emailing/conference calling with for months!

I got to meet the collegians from District 6-- I was wearing many hats--- UCLA adviser, substitute PD, ACRD and District Team Member! I did not get outside of the hotel to see the sun until Friday (and that was very brief!)

Wed night was opening banquet-- a semi-formal with a "Howdy Y'all" theme-- the Houston Alumnae presented everyone with lion charm bracelets-- very cute! At every meal, we sang the blessing-- I now know I am singing to the the right tune!

The keynote speaker was great-- he had fun icebreakers for us and afterward, we played interactive games and did a gift exchange. One of the interactive games had ME paired up with none other than Chris Stecher Dickey, our outgoing Grand President!

One thing I learned about convention-- tons of little gifts to and from everyone! The Foundation even had a fundraiser going "A Violet for My Sister." Everytime you donated $10 you could make the contribution in another sister's name-- and that sister would receive a small card and a violet patch that you could affix to your ID lanyard (I felt so popular! I got 5!) We also gave out stickers to put on the lanyards--- the alum directors had bee stickers to get the "Buzz" going about our alumnae dinner... more on that later!

THURSDAY

Thursday was the official opening of the convention, with our chapter processional. Every Alpha Delta Pi in attendance dressed from head to toe in white-- white dresses, white shoes. The chapter delegates and international officers were give blue ribands to pin on their dresses, upon which were inscribed "We Live for Each Other" "ADPi" and a drawing of the Adelphean Clasped Hands that you see on our badge. The collegians and alumnae were seated, and then Grand Council marched in, followed by us IO's by District and then finally the chapter presidents marched in bearing the chapter flags-- Alpha through Eta Omega! Closed chapters were represented, as well-- and great news-- at next convention, Omega Alpha, chapter designation for the AI program, will have a flag! The ceremony was lovely and then we rececessed for our convention photo. Charles, the photog, has been photographing ADPi conventions for 22 years! He even wore white slacks and a white shirt at our processional! The Formal Opening was followed by a memorial service to honor our sisters who have since passed away since 01 convention. It was very touching. We had a Diamond 4-Point Luncheon to celebrate the chapters, assocation and house corps acheivements-- there were so many outstanding groups recognized! Then, it was onto business meetings and workshops the rest of the day. Thursday night was the alumnae dinner-- themed "Catch the Alumnae Buzz." Our key speaker was a Houston area Alumna who is a local TV Personality known as the Buzz Lady. We made the bee theme very well known-- and the speaker was great, sharing with us how ADPi is a Lifetime Experience. Several outstanding alum were recognized for their contributions-- it was so wonderful! We got rave reviews on our black and gold "bee" decor! After dinner, we had a special room set up for some Texas Line Dancing! You should have seen our Grand Council breaking it down on the dance floor!

FRIDAY

Another business meeting and more workshops for non-voting delegates. There was a free afternoon (well, free for most of the convention-- I was trying to meet with people!) -- I did get to walk the mall we were attached to (ADPi's were doing the Houston economy good-- we shopped till we dropped at the Galleria!) ... I would also like to point out I spent more money at ADPi Giftmart this week than in my 4 years as a collegian! That evening was the traditional "Old Timers Dinner"-- set up with a buffet BBQ. Everyone wore country-western attire to honor the state of TX. Our keynote speaker was an alum who is a motivational speaker-- she got to roast and toast the "Old Timers" and we sang a Convention Song that goes on and on to see who has attended the most conventions. There was a sister there who has been to 26, bless her heart! Isn't that incredible?

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Saturday, we observed a model initation and ritual review. Four AI candidates were initiated by Grand Council. It was amazing!!!! There were some more workshops that afternoon, and a wonderful luncheon to celebrate Panhellenic and Philanthropy. The chapter presidents marched into the room, each bearing a different NPC flag. The sorority's name, university/year of founding and national philanthropy were announced as each flag bearer came in. We honored some award winners and RMH, the Foundation, etc. That night, the alum directors gave Jewel Degree. I was so tired by that point, but so proud to be able to give the degree to our sisters! After Jewel Degree, we hurried for the final event of convention-- the Diamond Awards Banquet. Our chapters, house corps and alum assoc's were honored for their many acheivements, we sang songs and celebrated all that is ADPi. As we sang the last song of the night, "Pass it On," I couldn't help but shed a few tears.

Sunday was an optional devotional service and additional optional workshops. I said goodbye to all, packed up my things and boarded the plane for LA, a little weary from lack of sleep yet buzzing with a million new ideas and memories.
I rekindled my friendships with so many this week, and built new friendships with even more. We shared ideas, we shared successes, we shared failures, joys, hopes and dreams. Until we meet at VLS in St. Louis next summer..... and Convention in Phoenix in 2005.... I am so proud to be a member of the First and Finest ... Forever!

Loyally,
Abbey