A Guide for Convention Attendees

A Guide for Convention Attendees

Table of Contents National Convention...3 The Convention Hotel...4 Transportation...5-6 Convention Schedule...7 Convention Highlights...8-14 Attire... 15 About this Booklet This booklet was created to help you prepare for Convention 2014 by including helpful travel tips and event details to ensure a memorable experience in New Orleans. Additional information, including the Schedule of Events, FAQs, and other important Convention information is available by visiting www.thetaphialpha.org and clicking the Convention 2014 link. For additional questions, please call National Office (440) 899-9282 or email thetaphino@thetaphialpha.org. From our collegiate days to Diamond Circle, Theta Phi Alpha takes us on a journey of discovery. Now this summer Theta Phi Alpha takes you to New Orleans, Louisiana to celebrate sisterhood at our 50 th National Convention with accommodations at the Hilton Riverside Hotel. Convention is five days of summer fun, education, strengthened friendships, and sisterly bonding. We can t wait to meet you there! 2

National Convention We are pleased to announce that Theta Phi Alpha's 2014 National Convention will be held July 8-12, 2014, at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in Downtown New Orleans, Louisiana. Please note that all Theta Phi Alpha sisters are invited and encouraged to attend National Convention. The National Convention is the supreme governing body of Theta Phi Alpha. Business sessions are held during Convention to review and to act upon matters brought to the Convention body by the Grand Council, as well as by any chapter, association, or individual member. The voting members of the Convention body include each eligible chapter and alumnae association, the Past National Presidents, and the members of the Grand Council. The business agenda will include voting on proposed changes to the National Constitution and Bylaws and the election of certain national officers. In addition to business sessions, National Convention includes a variety of traditional events including Songfest, the Siena Medal Presentation, the Founders' Breakfast at which scholarships are presented to deserving sisters, Celebrating Sisterhood Dinner, Ever Loyal, Ever Lasting Dinner, and the Fraternity Night Banquet. This convention we will also include an authentic New Orleans style party, a hypnotist, and Murder Mystery Theatre. National Convention is also a time for all Theta Phi Alphas, young and old, collegian and alumnae, to gather to share information, learn from each other, and celebrate our friendship and sisterhood. 3

The Convention Hotel Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel 2 Poydras Street New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130 Phone: 504-561-0500 Fax: 504-568-1721 http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/louisiana/hilton-new-orleans-riverside-msynhhh/index.html All collegiate delegates must stay at the Convention hotel. 4

Transportation Arrival and Departure New Orleans, LA is on Central Time Zone Chapter/Colony delegates and alternate delegates must arrive by 1:00 p.m.at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside on Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Pre-Convention activities officially start on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at 2:00 PM, with the Session for New Convention Attendees. Convention officially starts on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 5:00 PM with the Welcome Session, followed by our guest speaker, Sam Davidson. Convention will end at 8:00 AM on Sunday, July 13, 2014. Theta Phi Alpha Contact Information If you need any assistance while traveling, you can contact a Theta Phi Alpha representative at 440-454-1561. Arriving By Plane For all sisters arriving by plane at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) on Tuesday, July 8, please proceed to the baggage claim area to meet our Theta Phi Alpha airport greeters. Shuttle transportation from the airport to the hotel has been arranged for sisters arriving before 1:00 PM (CST), Tuesday, July 8. For sisters arriving by plane whose flight times are not during the pre-arranged shuttle service, transportation from the airport to the hotel is your responsibility. Below is a link to a shuttle service: http://www.airportshuttleneworleans.com/ ($20 one way $38 round trip) or cab service is available for approx. $33 each way for taxis with parties of 3 or more. Please make your own arrangements for ground transportation. 5

Some taxis accept credit cards, but many do not. You may want to bring cash for this expense. Remember that sharing a taxi with other sisters will be less expensive. On Sunday, July 13, airport transportation will be available for all Theta Phi Alpha sisters. Arriving By Car From West: Follow Interstate-10 to Downtown/East/Slidell, exiting at Poydras Street. Off-ramp becomes Poydras Street. Follow Poydras south until it ends at the hotel's front circle drive entrance. From East: Follow Interstate-10 Downtown/West, exiting at Canal St./Superdome. Follow signage to Superdome/Poydras Street, turning left onto Poydras. Follow Poydras south until it ends at the hotel's front circle drive entrance. New Orleans Airport (MSY), Louis Armstrong International Airport Directions Take Interstate-10 Downtown/East/Slidell, exiting at Poydras Street. Turn right onto Poydras, following Poydras south until it ends at our hotel's front circle drive entrance. Distance from hotel: 13 miles Drive time: 25 minutes Hotel Parking On-site parking is available at $20.00 per day. 6

Convention Schedule TUESDAY, JULY 8 EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP DINNER EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP MURDER MYSTERY THEATER WEDNESDAY, JULY 9 BREAKFAST EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS LUNCH EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS WELCOME SESSION GUEST SPEAKER DINNER SONG FEST CHALLENGE / MEET AND GREET THURSDAY, JULY 10 BREAKFAST RITUAL REHEARSAL LUNCH BUSINESS SESSION CELEBRATING SISTERHOOD DINNER RUSTY Z-HYPNOTIST FRIDAY, JULY 11 SATURDAY, JULY 12 BREAKFAST FOUNDERS BREAKFAST RITUAL FOR DECEASED MEMBERS BUSINESS SESSION BUSINESS SESSION COMPASS CLUB OR LUNCH ON YOUR OWN SIENA MEDAL LUNCHEON BUSINESS SESSION BREAKOUT SESSIONS MASS ALUMNAE RECEPTION FRATERNITY NIGHT BANQUET EVER LOYAL, EVER LASTING DINNER PENGUIN SHOPPE MOONLIGHT MADNESS SALE NEW ORLEANS STYLE PARTY 7

Convention Highlights Guest Speakers Tuesday, July 8, 2:00p.m. 6:00 p.m. Captain Reid Noble- Tulane Police Department Estacia Brandenburg- MJ Insurance Live Confident Martial Arts interactive demonstration Safety first! That is our motto in New Orleans for this convention. These speakers will help give us insight on being safe while also being the best sister you can be. We will round this out with an interactive self defense demonstration presented by world champion Martial Artists. Murder Mystery Theatre Tuesday, July 8, 8:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. Enjoy a thrilling time at the Masquerade while trying to figure out, Who done it? This interactive adventure will surely be a scream! Sam Davidson-Campuspeak Wednesday, July 10, 3:00 6:00 p.m. Sam will give us some invaluable life lessons on leadership that he learned from his second grade girlfriend! 8

Song Fest-Challenge/ Meet and Greet Hospitality Wednesday, July 9, 9:00 p.m. 11:30 p.m. Come prepared to defend your chapter s best song/chant! This is a great event to connect with sisters familiar and new. We will enjoy our traditional song fest challenge and discover all the talent our sisters have. Celebrating Sisterhood Dinner Thursday, July 10, 7:00 9:30 p.m. At the Celebrating Sisterhood Dinner, we take time to celebrate our chapters and their achievements. Highlights include the Chapter Standards of Achievement and Certificates and numerous Chapter Awards! Rusty Z-Hypnotist Thursday, July 10, 9:30-11:00 p.m. Prepare to be amazed or hypnotized, whichever may come first. Rusty Z. will wow the crowd with his uncanny hypnotic and hilarious act. Siena Medal Luncheon Friday, July 11, 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Named for the patroness of the fraternity, St. Catherine of Siena, the award was first presented at the Silver Jubilee Convention in 1937. The life of St. Catherine of Siena is an example of triumph in a time of obstacles and adversity for women. The Siena Medal is presented to a woman who sets an example of encouragement for perseverance and high goals. The 2014 Siena Medalist is Rachel Simmons. The Siena Medal is a round gold medallion bearing the coat-of-arms of Theta Phi Alpha and inscribed in Greek with the Theta Phi Alpha motto Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring." 9

Alumnae Reception by inv itation onl y Friday, July 11, 6:30 7:30 p.m. All alumnae are welcome to visit and share old memories with fellow alumnae at this reception hosted by the Grand Council. Ever Loyal, Ever Lasting Dinner Friday, July 11, 7:30 9:30 p.m. At the Ever Loyal, Ever Lasting Dinner, we take time to celebrate our alumnae and their achievements by recognizing the service of national officers and volunteers. Theta Phi Alpha will conduct the Sapphire Circle Ceremony to honor our 50-year initiates and the Diamond Circle Ceremony to honor our 75-year initiates. This is an amazing event where the concept of lifetime commitment is visible to all. New Orleans Style Celebration Friday, July 11, 10:00-12:00 p.m. Come join us for an authentic New Orleans Party. We are going to Let the Good Times Roll, or as they say in New Orleans Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! You will enjoy sights and sounds of this great city as well as a delectable dabble into the cuisine that makes this city so famous. If you have never experienced Mardi Gras in New Orleans, no worries, we will bring it to you! Practice saying, Throw me something sister because you never know when the next parade will be coming through. 10

Founders Breakfast Saturday, July 12, 8:30 10:30 a.m. The Theta Phi Alpha Foundation sponsors and hosts the Founders Breakfast, at which scholarships are presented and the charitable and philanthropic endeavors of our chapters and associations are celebrated. Father Dominic Duggins from Glenmary Home Missioners joins us to talk about how important Theta Phi Alpha is to Camp Friendship. Compass Club Luncheon - by inv itation onl y Saturday, July 12, 1:00 4:00 p.m. Sisters who have attended five or more Theta Phi Alpha National Convention join together to celebrate their commitment to our sisterhood! Mass Saturday, July 12, 5:15-6:15 p.m. Father Dominic Duggins of Glenmary Home Missioners will celebrate a Catholic Mass. Fraternity Night Banquet Saturday, July 12, 7:15 p.m. At Fraternity Night Banquet, we take time to celebrate Theta Phi Alpha s achievements and look to the future. Highlights include the Convention Countdown, Chapter Roll Call, the installation of our new Grand Council, and the Guard of Honor Ceremony. 11

Moonlight Madness Sale Saturday, July 12, 11:00 p.m. After a successful debut at Theta Phi Alpha s 2011 Leadership Conference, the Penguin Shoppe is excited to have our National Convention Moonlight Madness sale. This sale features never-before-seen Theta Phi Alpha items at marked-down prices. Moonlight Madness is a perfect opportunity to stock up on quantities of gifts for new members or other chapter functions. Theta Phi Alpha Archives Display Make sure to visit the most comprehensive exhibit of Theta Phi Alpha history. Featured treasures include the badges of two of our Founders, scrapbooks of Founder Eva Stroh Bauer Everson, and the original Constitution, hand-written by Founder Amelia McSweeney The Penguin Shoppe Open daily for your shopping convenience during your stay in New Orleans! The Penguin Shoppe will sell Theta Phi Alpha merchandise at various times throughout the Convention. The Penguin Shoppe stocks everything from trendy v-necks to classic stitch letters, embroidered items to spirit Jerseys. There are several new items for you to check out during your stay, so don t forget to stop by! It s not too early to prepare for your Recruitment, Bid Day, and Big Sister/Little Sister events! See the displays in the Penguin Shoppe and ask for assistance in working within your chapter s budget. Quantity discounts are available. Theta Phi Alpha Marketplace Visit the Theta Phi Alpha Marketplace! Chapters, colonies, alumnae associations, and/or individuals will be selling Theta Phi Alpha merchandise to Convention attendees. In addition, other vendors will have merchandise on display and available for sale. This is located in the Court Assembly area of the Hilton Riverside. 12

Convention Choir Learn some new Theta Phi Alpha songs or sing along to tunes you already know as a member of the official Convention Choir. These groups of Theta Phi Alpha friends, old and new, always have a great time! Available Online Now! Convention Philanthropy Collection Every year at Convention or Leadership Conference we come together to support a local organization near the location of the event. This year we have chosen Bridge House. The grandparents of Kim Gaiennie, Alpha Beta, founded this organization whose mission is to provide gender specific treatment to men and women who have become dependent on alcohol or drugs so that they may lead sober and productive lives. Long-term residential services are offered in an atmosphere that promotes dignity, honor and respect. These services are offered regardless of one s ability to pay. To learn more about Bridgehouse: http://www.bridgehouse.org/about-us/history/ In the past we have asked our sisters to bring donations with them. This year since many of you are flying and may not have room in your luggage you may make a financial contribution and choose the items you would like to have purchased on your behalf from the list below. To support our Convention Philanthropy please check items below that you wish to have purchased and delivered to Bridgehouse. As you can see, we have a busy Convention. This will be an occasion where you can really learn from your sisters, share information with each other, and establish friendships that will take your Theta Phi Alpha experience far beyond what you may have encountered at the chapter level. We encourage you to get involved and make the most of it. 13

Silent Auction Theta Phi Alpha Foundation Silent Auction will take place throughout the first days of Convention, concluding during the our evening activities on Saturday, July 12, 2014! Look for a variety of gift items and place your bid to benefit the Theta Phi Alpha Foundation! Cash, checks or credit cards are accepted for payment. T-Shirt Raffle The traditional T-shirt raffle will be held throughout the Convention. This is an opportunity to share Theta Phi Alpha T-shirts, letter shirts, jerseys, hats, and other paraphernalia, donated by chapters and sisters. Items donated to be raffled can be brought to the Convention Registration Table. Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the Convention for $1 each (6 for $5). All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Theta Phi Alpha Foundation. White Rose Garden Let a sister know how much she means to you by honoring her as part of the Convention White Rose Garden. The Theta Phi Alpha Foundation offers white rose appliqués that sisters can proudly display on their convention name badges. A great way to honor chapter sisters, friends, helpful alumnae, and national officers! White roses will be sold throughout the Convention for $5 each (6 for $25). Roll Call Part of the Founders Day Ceremony involves the Theta Phi Alpha Foundation Roll Call - this special roll call recognizes each sister by the year that she was initiated. Sisters are asked at this time to make a donation to the Theta Phi Alpha Foundation. At National Convention, we ask that you generously support the efforts of the Foundation and donate during the Fraternity Night Roll Call. During Fraternity Night, each chapter of Theta Phi Alpha is called up to present her gifts to the Foundation. We ask that each sister donate a minimum of one dollar for each year since her initiation into Theta Phi Alpha. Please note that checks written directly to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. All money collected through the fund raising efforts of the Theta Phi Alpha Foundation during Convention are used to support the Foundation s mission of funding scholarships and grants, philanthropy, and educational programming with a focus on developing women s leadership skills. Proceeds from these efforts will provide scholarships to Theta Phi Alpha sisters, fund educational speakers and programs, and help us fulfill our commitment to Glenmary s Camp Friendship. 14

Attire What Should I Wear During Convention? Attire for Convention business sessions, workshops, meals, and presentations require business attire. Business attire is suitable attire that is appropriate in a professional office setting. Dresses, nice skirts, or slacks are appropriate for most Convention activities. New Orleans in July is HOT! Average daily highs rank in the mid-90s and only dip into the low 80s in the evening. High humidity can make the heat index soar. It is important to remember to stay well hydrated if going outside; however, you ll be spending a lot of time in air conditioned hotel meeting rooms, so be sure to bring a light jacket or sweater. Tuesday, July 8 th Show your pride by arriving in your Theta Phi letters! Session for New Convention Attendees and Pre-Convention Workshops, Dinner and evening entertainment: Casual attire. Theta Phi letters. Wednesday, July 9 th Pre-Convention workshops: Business attire Welcome Session, Guest Speaker, Dinner, Song Fest-Challenge: Casual Attire (Jeans, shorts, Theta Phi letters) Thursday, July 10 th Business Session and other Convention Activities: Badge Attire Friday, July 11 th Business Session and other Daytime Convention Activities: Badge Attire Ever Loyal, Ever Lasting Dinner: Casual attire. Wear your letters. Come dressed for the New Orleans Style Party New Orleans Style Celebration: Casual Attire (Jeans, shorts, Theta Phi letters). Saturday, July 12 th Business Session and other Convention Activities: Badge Attire Fraternity Night Banquet: Semi-Formal to Formal Attire 15