Convention

[GPhiBLtColonel]

Just curious to know how it was different than what you anticipated?

[demoiselle1982]

I am from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and our entire executive council and I will be going to convention in Chicago! Hope to see some of you there!!

[GPhiLlama]

TAKE PICTURES! TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!

Cause the forecast for GPhiLlama's summer looks like Kentucky right now.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

If you haven't noticed, ALL Convention Info is on the IH website.

[GPhiBLtColonel]

Well, it appears the bulleting and the full time and part time registration forms are finally on the site but I cannot seem to locate the General information page that contains the hotel info...I must be doing something wrong...help!

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

http://www.gammaphibeta.org/members/...on_members.asp

It may tell you that you need to log in, it seeemed to think I already was when I went into it.

[GPhiBLtColonel]

This is where I was (logged in)http://www.gammaphibeta.org/pdf/conv...ationForm2.pdf
but there is only the registration form, no general info about hotel etc.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

I clicked on the link I provided in my message above and all of the information is there, including hotel info.

There are a number of different screens with information.

If you go into the Convention form that pops up when you go to the website, all the way at the bottom of the page are a few more pages. But if you just go into the link I provided, it's one of the pages.

[GammaPhiBabe]

Just curious to know how it was different than what you anticipated?

The following is going to sound like one big whine. So I should preface it by saying that I did enjoy convention. It was a great experience for me to meet sisters from all over, and it gave me a greater understanding about how the sorority works on an international level. But you asked me how it was different from what I anticipated, so.... here goes!

I went in to convention being told that it would be a lot of fun. So that's what I expected... meeting sisters, seeing DC, learning about the sorority, having fun with other Gamma Phi's. First of all, there was NO free time. None. Because I was working full time and attending grad school at the time of that convention, those 4 days in Washington were the only "vacation" I had that entire year. I understand that there is a lot to cram in to a short period of time, but I would have liked to at least have a few hours to see the city. Or to sleep! Instead, I went back home feeling burned out and exhausted. I needed a vacation from my vacation! There were two days when I didn't even have a chance to leave the hotel.
The food the hotel provided was awful (I'm talking rolls that were as hard as bricks!), and I ended up having to miss a meeting time one day just to go find something edible (which ended up being McDonald's...and the fact that I'm calling McDonald's food "edible" is really saying something!). On the upside, I lost about 8 pounds while I was there because I never ate or slept! I think the convention could have been better planned so that there was more free time. Parts of it seemed to be unorganized and that was very frustrating because I kept thinking, "I could be sleeping or eating instead of sitting here waiting on ____."
I didn't a whole lot out of the advisor training, because it was almost totally focused on the "alcohol-free initiative" which is something my school does not participate in. And our school was made an example of in a media workshop (the person leading the workshop obviously did not know that there was a member of our chapter present).

In short, I learned a lot, but I wish I had had some time to see the city and to relax, even if only for a little while. I have already filled out a survey for the advisor training for this upcoming convention. I really do hope that I get to attend the convention this year. Now that I have a better idea of what to expect, maybe I won't be so shocked. And since I will have most of the month of July off, I probably won't be as burned out this year as I was then. I have told my collegiates to try to attend, but not to expect a lot of "fun" while they are there. It's really a lot of work.

[kk_bama]

I'm pretty pissed that I probably won't be able to go. I mean, I'm AVP of my chapter, and I'd really like to participate. I was thinking about going part-time just on Friday-Sunday. Would that be worth it?

It's just too expensive for my family right now to go full-time-- it looks like airfare would be about $200 with the US Airways discount, room would be about $100 split between all the girls, and the convention fee is about $500. My family just can't afford all that right now.

Grr. And GammaPhiBabe, er, my chapter advisor, you just made me feel better about possibly not going.

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by kk_gphib_01
I'm pretty pissed that I probably won't be able to go. I mean, I'm AVP of my chapter, and I'd really like to participate. I was thinking about going part-time just on Friday-Sunday. Would that be worth it?

It's just too expensive for my family right now to go full-time-- it looks like airfare would be about $200 with the US Airways discount, room would be about $100 split between all the girls, and the convention fee is about $500. My family just can't afford all that right now.

Grr. And GammaPhiBabe, er, my chapter advisor, you just made me feel better about possibly not going.

Hey crazy girl, I'm only going part-time as well - talk to me on IM later and we'll discuss a cheaper rooming arrangement I might have available for you.

[Cluey]

bumpity bump, bump, bump...

Any more thoughts on Convention?

I believe I will be attending, though I still need to register. I'm going to be doing that soon

We should all meet up at Convention! I know it'll be busy, but any ideas?

[kk_bama]

Yeah, I am thinking of doing part-time for Friday and Saturday. And since Kath has so graciously offered me a place to stay, I may take her up on it to save another $100 or so.

But going pretty much depends on my dad getting his new job, which, hopefully, we'll find out before April 26.

[gphiangel624]

Originally posted by gphiangel624
I'd really love to go this year because I went to DC in 2002 for Convention and had the time of my life! But two of my high school friends are getting married the 28th and 29th, so I don't know if I can make it!

Well, almost got to go... for a sad reason, but still almost got the chance. One of the friends is now out of the engagement and won't be getting married that weekend; the other, I don't think I'd enjoy her wedding (sad to say, but true) so I'm not going to attend. And my best friend is turning 21 that weekend, so we're planning a Vegas trip...

But I hope everyone has fun! We'll have btw. 4-7 of my chapter members there, so keep an eye out!

[GPhiBLtColonel]

Annie -- You go girl! I am glad to see you getting more involved!