Have you ever gone to Convention (Boule, Conclave)?

[Dewgirl]

Delta Omicron had ours last summer at U-GA in Athens. It was wonderful to see so many girls come together who are tied by the same ritual and philosophys as myself. I also learned alot more about how Nationals works, which has come in *very* handy this year as Prez of my chapter. The best part was the connections I made with other DOs from around the world!

[SilverTurtle]

Originally posted by CutiePie2000:
What was it like?
How many times have you attended?
What was your favorite experience?
What city did it take place in, when you went?

Phi Beta holds their Convetion every 2 years. Last year it happened to be located in my current place of residence (lucky me!!). So, it was my 1st year (only the 2cnd Convention I could have attended as a member). Before I went I thought I understood Phi Beta and its national implications pretty well. Boy, was I wrong! I learned so much about my GLO in that short week! Not to mention all of the great members from literally all over the States who attended and I developed friendships with. Now I tell everyone GO TO CONVENTION. It was such an elightening, positive experience. (And what a way to spend a vacation... with 100-2000 of your brothers and/or sisters!!)



------------------
SilverTurtle@greekchat.com

Phi Beta Fraternity
Phi chapter

[ErikaXO]

I was fortunate enough to go to XO Convention in Phoenix in '98 as an advisor. My entire trip was paid for by the chapter, which was lovely. I was almost 6 months pregnant at the time, and I had been convinced I was having a boy. Being there at convention surrounded by all these generations of women (my are those Southern gals big on the legacy thing!LOL!!!)Anyway, as I sat there in a meeting, I looked around me and I felt my baby kicking, and suddenly I felt this overwhelming sense that I too was there at convention with MY daughter. It was like a door opened for me and I could see into the future, and that future included a XO daughter. Convention was awesome. I'd go again in a heartbeat if I were still an advisor.
By the way, my little legacy Paige was born in November of '98....my intuition was right!!!

[KSigkid]

I've been to two district conferences (called conclaves) and one area leadership conference (covered schools from Maine to Deleware). Both were cool, seeing guys from different chapters, the leadership conference was a lot of fun, because there were guys from areas outside of the northeast (I got to school in boston). Definitely fun, and got some really good ideas out of all of the conference workshops I went to.

[DGMarie]

I am curious, I was reading through the materials for the next DG convention this summer and see that the chapter presidents and alumnae presidents go to convention at the expense of the Fraternity. Meaning, although each chapter/alum chapter pays the convention fee ($200) and the registration fee ($175), the remainder, including hotel, lunch, dinner and AIRFARE is paid for by the Fraternity. The officer pays incidentals. All other is paid for completely, and not her personal expense.

I'm wondering if other GLOS have a similar policy or are you on your own to foot the bill? I think this is rather smart of DG because it assures proper representation at these events where policy and constitution changes are voted upon.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally posted by DGMarie
I am curious, I was reading through the materials for the next DG convention this summer and see that the chapter presidents and alumnae presidents go to convention at the expense of the Fraternity. Meaning, although each chapter/alum chapter pays the convention fee ($200) and the registration fee ($175), the remainder, including hotel, lunch, dinner and AIRFARE is paid for by the Fraternity. The officer pays incidentals. All other is paid for completely, and not her personal expense.

I'm wondering if other GLOS have a similar policy or are you on your own to foot the bill? I think this is rather smart of DG because it assures proper representation at these events where policy and constitution changes are voted upon.

I WISH we did that, but you have to have the resources to be able to do it.

Gamma Phi pays a small amount for some collegians but alumnae chapters are on their own. This will be my 3rd convention (provided I get the time off) and I got about $200 from my alumnae chapter for the last two conventions to go as the delegate (I was Pres). This year, I will be completely on my own (but not a delegate) for cost.

I believe IH reimburses some International Officers.

[ATOtnBetaTau]

What was it like?

It was extremely busy. NHQ had something planned for us for most every minute. Since I was president that year, I was my chapter's voting delegate, and I had to go to more meetings and such than my chaptermates did.

How many times have you attended?

This was my first Congress. Although, I'm planning to go to the one in Atlanta this summer (as an alumnus).

What was your favorite experience?

It would probably be 500+ brothers yelling our cheer during the Indians game we went to.

What city did it take place in, when you went?

Cleveland, OH.

Jason

[DGMarie]

Originally posted by SmartBlondeGPhB
I WISH we did that, but you have to have the resources to be able to do it.

I am surprised any GLO has those kinds of resources. There are over 100 alumnae chapters and 143 collegiate chapters. I figured with airfare and hotel, roughly $150,000 just to send people to convention and house them, let alone the costs of convention itself. WOW!

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

The may rely on fundraising efforts from the local alumnae chapter(s) for some or most of it.

[TigerLilly]

They probably also get massive discounts on hotels and airfare, since with flying/housing two people per chapter times many chapters...equals a lot of buying in bulk. I think AXiD pays something towards convention, or possibly waives the convention fee for the president, but I've never been to AXiD's convention so I don't know.
I've been to Phi Sigma Pi's National Convention, which was insanely fun! We have National Convention in the fall/winter, and then Grand Chapter in the summer which is for getting together to update our constitution and bylaws, so we have 2 times a year for fun convention times!
PSP doesn't pay anything towards travel, so there are usually lots of groups of people convoy-ing in cars, driving all day or 2 days to get there and back. Brothers from one chapter will meet up with brothers from another chapter on the way there, and the road trip is half the fun!

[Glitter650]

Phi Sig pays for the Pres. and Advisor, and sometimes one other officer (depends on what topics will be discussed which officer) to go to convention... This is because each chapter MUST send a delegate or you get in trouble with National and your chapter gets a fine.

[Kevin]

I went a couple years back to our 60th Grand Chapter in Toronto Canada.

Someone mentioned that their org pays for many of the costs.. Sigma Nu does take care of all but your hotel bill (even pays a travel cost).

We stayed in the Royal York Fairmont in downtown Toronto. It's right accross from the train/subway station, so we basically had the whole city to ourselves. They did have stuff planned for almost every minute, but the option was there to see the city. Some of the group events included: Going to see 2nd City, dinner at the top of the CN Tower. It was a hell of a time.

Yeah, there is nothing like sharing a city like Toronto with 1000 or so of your bros. I'll be attending our next Grand Chapter in St. Louis as an alumnus.

[Tom Earp]

While I was not able to attend the toral weekend, I did attend the Banquet and met Brothers from U. No. Co who remembered me (They get Re-Colnonized 1-24-04).

I also had the chance to renew friendships with some of the Brothers from William-Jewell.

But because of the cost restraints LXA is trying another appoach of which I am still trying to understand.

There was one that was this last summer in a wooded area that was a ruffing it setting! Sounded like fun, but I like my own damn bed and the finer things at my maturity!

[Intense1920]

Because of finances I haven't been able to attend a Boule yet, but this summer it's on in LA.

[Tom Earp]

Sorry,

but to add, when LXA has meetings, the International does pay for at least one delegate from each Chapter to attend including all costs!