In 1982, I attended my first national sorority convention. It was quite a privilege to represent The University of Tulsa chapter as president. I traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona, with another chapter officer, chapter advisors and the house corporation president. We met other delegates, enjoyed elegant meals, heard inspirational speeches, witnessed ritual performed with the model initiation and participated firsthand in the election of our national leaders. This experience made a lasting impression on me. It gave me a greater sense of the depth and breadth of our national organization, and it planted seeds for my future involvement.
Because of my convention experience, I applied, during my senior year, to travel for my organization as a national consultant. I will never forget the phone call I received from the national president with that job offer. Traveling as a national consultant was a golden opportunity that allowed me to share my skills with other women and empower them to lead their local chapters. My travels confirmed my calling to continue my involvement with my sorority as an alumna.
National leaders who I admired saw something in me to be developed. The sorority setting provided me with opportunities to learn and grow. One thing led to another – I traveled to chapters, led workshops at national meetings and served as a chapter advisor before being invited to join the NPC delegation. Later I would have the honor of being slated and elected by the Chi Omega convention assembly to the governing council, just as I had witnessed at my first convention.
Chi Omega instilled my love for fraternity and set me on this course. NPC recognized the passion in my heart and took me another mile down the road. Through my involvement with these two organizations, I have been changed for good.
This summer, these 18 NPC member organizations will host conventions:
June 18-21
|
Sigma Kappa
|
Henderson,
Nevada
|
June 25-29
|
Alpha Phi
|
Rancho
Mirage, California
|
June 25-29
|
Chi Omega
|
Orlando,
Florida
|
June 25-29
|
Delta Gamma
|
Phoenix
|
June 25-29
|
Kappa Kappa
Gamma
|
Houston
|
June 25-29
|
Zeta Tau
Alpha
|
Los Angeles
|
June 26-29
|
Alpha Sigma Tau
|
Atlanta
|
June 26-29
|
Kappa Alpha
Theta
|
Orlando,
Florida
|
June 26-29
|
Sigma Delta
Tau
|
Washington
|
July 2-5
|
Delta Delta
Delta
|
Indianapolis
|
July 2-5
|
Phi Mu
|
Boca Raton,
Florida
|
July 8-13
|
Theta Phi
Alpha
|
New Orleans
|
July 9-12
|
Alpha Gamma
Delta
|
Indianapolis
|
July 9-12
|
Alpha Sigma
Alpha
|
San Antonio
|
July 9-13
|
Delta Zeta
|
Tucson,
Arizona
|
July 9-13
|
Gamma Phi
Beta
|
Bellevue,
Washington
|
July 11-14
|
Alpha Chi
Omega
|
Palm Desert,
California
|
July 24-27
|
Delta Phi
Epsilon
|
Lake Buena
Vista, Florida
|
There are dozens of stories like mine. What is your first convention story? How did it impact your life?
On behalf of the NPC Executive Committee, I send warm wishes for a successful summer season of conventions. May our organizations continue to flourish abundantly with old and new friendships. May you learn new things to help you advance your sorority experience.