I Smiled the Whole Way




Specialist meetings opened
the weekend of DG smiles.

I smiled the whole way through the airport on the way here. I smiled on the plane, and even talked with people when I normally might nap. Delta Gamma Convention has that effect on me, and many others I know. It’s a huge reunion, one filled with anchors, faces of old friends, faces of team members, and of new ideas and concepts.


Pit crews are at work. There is a lot of energy in the air, with Thursday being a day for last minute set up, and for special meetings. The staff is checking people in, handing out huge tote bags. They’ve been setting up and taking down the opening meetings without a hitch. Delta Gamma volunteers split up for pep talks and to learn about goals for the future (e-learning, anyone?).


Anchor Market place is already in full speed, selling out of items left and right. They’re only open until 11 p.m. tonight (Thursday), so their speedway is swarmed with Delta Gammas.


The opening banquet included an introduction from a local TV news anchor, a live acapella performance from Butler Universities singing group "Out of the Dawg House," and I have to mention the plate of mini desserts at dinner!


Spirits are high at the raceway. Sometimes I think Delta Gamma Conventions could break a record for most hugs given in one day. Today was no exception. It's neat to see old friends reunite, but even more special to see friends meet for the first time, forming what could be a long lasting friendship. Delta Gammas are instant friends here, no matter which "pit crew" or region they're from. And speaking of regions, how amazing it is to see the unique styles and personalities of each region, collaborating in workshops and presentations.


Tomorrow is set to be another day of smiles on the raceway.


Paige Browning, Pi-Montana
Council Appointed Coordinator, Eta Iota- Universty of Nevada, Reno

Packing my Anchors



An illuminated logo welcomes DGs at the
front door of the JW Marriott in Indy.

 Delta Gammas are in Indy! We will be blogging from our biennial convention each day and sharing our thoughts and experiences. Today's entry is from BOA member Pam Fellows Jamieson, Alpha Delta-Oregon. Be sure to check back every day. "Wow!  Convention time is HERE!  I can’t believe this will be my 11th Convention.  As I get older, it seems I keep saying things like "time really flies" - but it does!  I’ve learned that we need to pay attention to things along the way and DG Convention is one of those times when you need to stop and take it all in. I’m smiling as I write this because I can’t wait for:  

• Squeals of delight as old friends meet again  
• Anchors – E V E R Y W H E R E!!!  (And with stores like J Crew and others in the nautical moment – it should be quite an anchor-palooza this year.)  
• The look of amazement on the collegiate president’s faces when they walk into the convention body meeting room for the first time and realize they are part of this huge sisterhood and they have a voice!  
• The late nights hanging out with friends that I don’t get to see very often, and  
• Laughing – oh my goodness - we laugh - and have so much fun at Convention and I cannot wait!    

My bag(s) are almost packed!    One last check of the shoes – I mean you can’t have enough shoes - and a stop at the drycleaners and I’ll be ready. So see you all tomorrow – with ANCHORS on!    

ITB,   Pam Fellows Jamieson Alpha Delta ‘77"

Where Were They?

Sorry about the delay in getting back to you; it's been more than a week! (We wanted to keep you guessing but really, life just got in the way a little.) We did have some good guesses about our previous post's location but the correct answer came from alumna Angela Howard, Alpha Epsilon-Washington University. The 1924 Delta Gamma Convention was held in Estes Park, Colorado at the Stanley Hotel. The register contained more than 600 names, one of Delta Gamma’s largest conventions at the time, as a capacity crowd was on hand to celebrate the Fraternity’s Golden Jubilee.


The spectacular Golden Jubilee photograph of 1924 convention-goers is set against the background of an out-cropping of rocks, high in the Rocky Mountains.

Highlights of Convention actions:

• A Birthday Fund, organized by Jesse Roberson Kingery, Rho-Syracuse, sky-rocketed beyond expectations to raise a total of $57,000 which was presented to the Fraternity. The total living membership in Delta Gamma was 8,000, thus the amount raised represented more than $7.00 per member. A reserve fund was established for investment in chapter house loans with the interest earned being used for scholarship loans. 
• Three fellowships of $500.00 each were created and would honor each of the three founders, to be awarded to three graduate Delta Gammas whose graduate work would bring scholastic distinction to themselves and Delta Gamma.
• The Delta Gamma Home in Marchienne, Belgium, would receive $1,000, with the interest from this fund to be set aside as an emergency fund for special assistance for any member in need.
• Financing conventions was a growing problem so the convention body adopted a plan by which a per capita tax of $1.00 per member and $10.00 per year from alumnae chapters would be collected.
• A National Convention Chairman would be appointed to serve four years.
• The ANCHORA's official pronunciation should be with the accent on the first syllable. (Take note; that is still the pronunciation today - anchor-uh.)
• 1924 Convention marked the beginning of a campaign for a centralized office. Nancy Brown Woollett, Phi-Colorado, Fraternity President 1922-1928, constantly promoted the establishment of a central office with a “permanent executive secretary.” (The post convention Council meeting in 1924 did authorize the permanent executive secretary to serve for the next two years. There is, however, no record that this came to pass until 1942.)
• Delta Gamma’s first Distinguished Service Medal was given at this convention to Jessie Roberson Kingery, Rho-Syracuse, for her  work on the Birthday Fund.  The medallion was a special medal, not to be duplicated by sculptor, Julio Kilyeni. 
• Blanche Garten, Psi-Lewis School, presented the Fraternity with a gavel and box made from wood taken from Lewis School. The gavel would be used to open convention gatherings and the box was to be used for it to rest in between conventions.
• A finance committee was formed and since Mrs. Woollett’s term of office was ending, she was asked to be responsible for organizing this.

Check back during Convention week, next week, as we will post regularly from Indianapolis. We will look forward to guest posts throughout the week. Subscribe to this blog so that you can receive an email each time there is a new post. Thanks for reading!

Convention Rewind Keeps You Guessing

As DGs throughout North America prepare for Delta Gamma's 65th Biennial Convention (in Indianapolis later this month), let's rewind and reflect on some of our past conventions.



The official tote in Atlanta.

Last week we asked, "Where were the DGs when they were celebrating '125 years of excellence?' " They were Anchored in Atlanta from June 17-21, 1998, for Delta Gamma's 58th Biennial Convention. Cabinet member Lynn Hoffland Johsz, Gamma Chi-Cal State, Long Beach, correctly identified the mystery locale. (Look for a small prize in the mail, Lynn; let that be a hint to others.)

More than 1,000 Delta Gammas attended the 1998 gathering, making it the largest convention to date. Held at Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the opening ceremonies honored former Fraternity Presidents. Important awards were bestowed including the Order of Golden Anchor which was given to H.K. (Helen Catherine) Davis Stuart, Kappa- Nebraska. The Delta Gamma Foundation gave two faculty awards and Patricia Peterson Danielson, Theta-Indiana, was honored at a Foundation reception for her extraordinary philanthropic fundraising efforts.  

This week, we think we'll stump you. Look at the picture below. Where were these ladies convening in their cars? And what year was it?


Where were these Delta Gammas?

Check back here next week and we will tell you where this convention was located. Email us your feedback at blog@deltagamma.org or leave a comment here.