(This is me, our International President Linda, Erin Risk, and Pam Getman)
Conventions for my sorority are held every 2 years. This year’s convention was held in Denver, CO which also happens to be home to our headquarters. I decided that this would be a good convention to attend because I could also get in a tour of our International Headquarters. Because of vacation time and hotel costs, I chose to attend convention from Friday-Sunday (it starts on Wednesday night but you can choose what days you attend if you’re going as an alum). Luckily I was in great company because quite a few women from the alumnae chapter attended this year as well. I was able to share a room with 3 other sisters to help cut down on costs.
Our flight was bright and early out to Denver but not too bad since we had a straight flight. The cab ride was a little strange thanks to our cab driver and his R. Kelley soundtrack circa 2000 but we made it to our hotel in one piece. I’d never been to Denver and it was as beautiful as I could have imagined. We stayed at the Denver Sheraton, which is where Convention was also held. It was so cool to stay on the 16th street mall. That is a great strip! The weather was gorgeous so we had a lot of fun walking around downtown. We even made it to the Capitol building.
A lot takes place at Convention – business sessions, approving bylaws, and presentations. I felt like those were geared more towards the collegians and Presidents of alumnae chapters so I didn’t make it to any of them. I did attend all of the meals, Confirmed Conventioneers Dinner, and the Pink Carnation Banquet though. I also made time to volunteer in the Foundation Room, where there was a silent auction and sisters could donate to our Foundation (to fund scholarships, collegiate programs, etc.). That was a very worthwhile experience because I truly believe that Gamma Phi Beta has the power to positively impact many women’s lives and we couldn’t do it without the generous giving from our sisters.
It was a great trip and I loved being a part of ritual with 700+ sisters. It was amazing to see that the love and spirit of Gamma Phi just keeps going and growing! I’m so proud of my sorority and attending Convention further affirmed that love and pride. I was thinking that I wouldn’t attend the next Convention because it can be kind of pricey, but they announced that the 2014 Convention would be in my hometown of Seattle so I will definitely need to make it to that one. I’m hoping to make a weeklong vacation of it so that I can spend time with my friends still there.
(After the Pink Carnation banquet)
No comments:
Post a Comment