The Real Convention News

[Oldest_Pledge]

Without divulging secrets that should be made public, what really went on at the convention that is not published by the GF?

[ZZ-kai-]

There were 19 ritual changes, all of which really didn't change up what we do or what we stand for. Many grammatical changes and re-ordering of things. If you're interested, just check in with your local District Chief.

And no, we're not a sorority now either.

[Oldest_Pledge]

Originally Posted by ZZ-kai-

And no, we're not a sorority now either.

Did I miss something? Was this ever an issue?

Thank you for rest of your response. I was hoping the Convention did not vote on some big issue that the secrecy article alluded to.

[EE-BO]

I think that secrecy article was just testing the waters.

Personally I don't really want to post info on specific votes or discussions, but anyone who has been worried about major MPI changes or the secrecy matter has nothing to worry about.

The really great news from Convention is that our new Administrative Secretary Jud Horras is showing himself to have a remarkably practical and chapter-supporting approach. Becker did too, and I think Jud is picking up from there and moving things even further.

For example- that ridiculous annual budget template is gone. Financial forecasting is one of my strongest professional skills, and I thought that a very cumbersome and hard-to-use format. Now, ELCs review budgets prepared by the chapters and evaluate them. Much better way to go since not all of us have houses and our budgets and how they are allocated vary greatly by school.

This is just one of many minor items Jud is addressing- but I think that is where GF has been really lacking of late.

Looking back over decades of our own internal records I have found that there was a time when GF actually sent out memos to chapters and housing corporations to notify of potential new tax and other legislation that could impact chapter operations and tax status. Plus other guidance as well- things that help a bunch of actives and volunteer alumni navigate the more complex aspects of our existence.

These steps Jud has taken seem to indicate more thought along those lines after years of GF pretty much existing in the big picture at the expense of the day-to-day.

The big picture matters too, and should be GF's primary concern, but I am VERY glad to see signs that a bit more of the day-to-day guidance is coming back into the mix.

Guys from my chapter report meeting with Jud and being very, very impressed. Sounds like he has the potential to be a great long term leader for Beta.

[Oldest_Pledge]

I fully understand the desire to NOT discuss some votes and civil debates that took place at teh convention.

That being said, I know there is always stuff that is not published in the "minutes" that EVERY Beta that was unable to attend should still know.

Thank you for the update. I hope I can get to next year's. Let's see..no sick parent, no job, wife is not in Iraq, Boy Scout staff position may interfer, but I hope to get there.

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by Oldest_Pledge

I fully understand the desire to NOT discuss some votes and civil debates that took place at teh convention.

That being said, I know there is always stuff that is not published in the "minutes" that EVERY Beta that was unable to attend should still know.

Thank you for the update. I hope I can get to next year's. Let's see..no sick parent, no job, wife is not in Iraq, Boy Scout staff position may interfer, but I hope to get there.

Hi Oldest Pledge,

Sorry if I implied I didn't want any discussion on specifics- that was not my intent. It is just that everything I was told directly about (I did not attend convention- but got daily calls from our guys there) was something I did not want to post except for the good word on Jud's directions in his new positions.

Have you ever been to convention before? I have not. In undergrad we were not really involved with General Fraternity back in my day ("nationals" was the term we used), and this has been my first year being involved as an alumnus.

But I hope to find time to go too. When our guys came back they were really pumped up. So it is clearly an important experience.

[Oldest_Pledge]

EE-BO:

No, I have never been to a convention. I made many tries but the requirements of an adult life with 3 kids, two grandchildren and being a military family moving every so often has put a damper on my plans. If you do a search on Oldest Pledge, you will find a thread that explains my handle and experience and why I on the general rolls.

In _kai_, Ed

[ECUJacob]

Other than the Ritual changes, the other major Convention news will always revolve round chapter status changes and the election of new AO officers.

Three chapters were granted their charter. I only heard of one chapter that was closed (Yale). Brother Wright completed his sixth year as General Secretary, so he was replaced.