Where I Belong!

From Bloomington, IN (IU) to New York City (for an internship) to Denver, this summer has been amazing! From the minute I arrived at the airport, I knew I was right back where I belonged- with all of my DG friends (new and old)! As a fashion lover, my obvious first stop was at the DG Marketplace where I found everything I wanted with anchors on it (a perfect compliment to the nautical stripes which are so in for fall!) I couldn't help but to buy DG croakies for all of my guy friends and brother who obviously love to wear anything DG! After taking necessary pictures of my sisters and I with the giant anchor and DG letters we headed out to explore Denver! What a FABULOUS City! Whether we were eating lunch or shopping, anytime we spotted an anchor we always flashed a beautiful smile and exchanged a friendly hello! Denver is about to find out just how FABULOUS Delta Gamma is!

Elizabeth Billman
President, Theta Chapter

Convention food is tasty??

Do you really think that food for 800+ can be decent? Well, we are experiencing a nice surprise here in Denver! Most attendees asked have been pleased with the food offered so far.

The lunch today was for Council/Cabinet/Foundation/Staff/BOA. We had a nice salad with shrimp, roasted red pepper, potatoes of different varieties, olives, eggs and green beans. To quote Lori O'Neal, Alpha Omega-Arkansas "I wasn't sure those were potatoes, but when I put it in my mouth, the texture confirmed". Dessert was a pear stuffed with a creamy sauce served with whipped cream, berries a small slice of pound cake.

Dinner was a 3 course meal. We started with a mixed green salad, then continued to a grilled chicken with a mushroom sauce served with mashed potatoes & green beans. Dessert followed with a cheesecake dome served on a cookie and topped with whipped cream a strawberry flavored chocolate shavings.Phoenix Alumnae Chapter

Stay tuned for tomorrow's menu items!

Teena Tabor
Beta Pi-Willamette
Phoenix Alumnae Chapter
Denver is my 5th Convention

Out of the Box

A tiny gift today was a huge hit for me. Across the table sat Kathy Slane, Delta Upsilon-IUPU, Ft. Wayne, Regional Housing Specialist for Region 4. It looked like she was handing out candy, but no ... it was even better! Kathy describes herself as a scrapbook-wanna-be, but I think she is selling herself short. She handed me a little box she made. It was made of one piece of paper - anchor paper, of course - and she made it with a die-cut machine. Are you kidding me? I have a new favorite toy to buy! I turned it upside down, took it apart, flattened it, and put it back together. Upon opening, inside was a little treat of a flower hope pony tail holder that all of us at the table immediately put on our name badge holder. The fun things you learn and get at Convention, surrounded by women who are all so passionate about Delta Gamma!

Staige Davis Hodges, Beta Theta-Duke
Portland Suburban alumnae chapter
Denver is my 9th Convention

Let the Whirlwind BEGIN!!! Where am I?!

Remember that first time you walked into the Delta Gamma house, and you just knew your life would change for GOOD??? Now times that by 2000 and you'll understand what it's like to be here and see a DG everywhere you look! The stories they told you during recruitment are true. You really can connect with a total stranger through our sisterhood!!! I look around and wonder if Anna, Eva, and Mary knew what they had done for us so many years ago?

So day one is off and running with Council and Cabinet trainings. I received a call at 7:15 this morning, the caller apologized immensely for waking me up (though still feeling Texas time was really no big deal... that was late for my usual morning regimen)! It was FedEx/Kinkos calling to ask questions about the order Beth Searcy had placed. He was confused why there was so many duplicates! I told him to follow the instructions to the tee and that I would be there later to pick up her documents. Beth had sent over the General Session scripts among other things so that her Council would be in the know throughout the meetings.

I got ready and found the Concierge to point me in the right direction, two blocks down and one block over. As I walked I appreciated the break from the Texas heat being in the climate capital of the nation! I arrived only to find out that there are several Kinkos locations withing a mile from our hotel... too bad my order was at another one! Luckily enough it was only three more blocks in the opposite direction! I trekked on over to pick up the boxes! You should have seen me carrying these back to the hotel! Many passers-by just smiled... lemme tell ya... I got my workout today! I was happy to deliver them to Beth with plenty of time to spare!

Next I hit up the fabulous Anchor Market Place. I might not be able to eat until my next paycheck... though that will only ensure my shirts and merchandise will stay clean ;)! Hats off to the chapters with cute shirt designs and to the vendors that bring the extras to Convention to share with all of us! You wouldn't believe all that's here! EO brought vendors that have shirts, sweats, shorts GALORE, as well as any accessory, frames, and jewelry you can think of! J. Brandt is here for all of our official jewelry needs too! You can find it all at the online Anchor Market place on the DG website!

After the shopping excursion I ran some errands for Megan Lloyd with EO and Executive Director Mary Sterling Barlow that involved some bartering with the copy center man! All in a days work!! ;)

It's certainly been fun so far! Stay tuned as we take you along on this journey!

Megan Petter
Gamma Nu-North Texas
Dallas North Cities Alumnae Chapter/ Denton Area Association
Denver is my second convention!!

DG Gopher... I mean "Go for!"

Good Afternoon Delta Gammas,

I am so honored to be joining the DG Technology Team in its first blogging effort! This is my second Convention; I attended Palm Desert in 2008 as a volunteer and swore I would never miss one again if I could help it. I really HOPE we will be able to give you a glimpse into what an amazing experience Convention is! So enjoy the blog this year and start a piggy bank now to join us in two years!

This year I have the special privilege of helping out in certain areas with Council, Panhellenic, and Convention Staff. This all came about because I am in the Graduate Program for Higher Education Administration seeking a focused degree in Student Affairs at the University of North Texas. I currently work in the Office of Greek Life at UNT, and when telling this to Fraternity President, Beth Searcy, we began discussing options of an intership to see Greek Life on a national level! I'll be working with NPC delegate Barb Probst on the Panhellenic Luncheon, with Stacie Hauserman and EO staff assisting with errands and conference needs, and the rest of the time helping Beth where I can!

My HOPE is to be able to share my experience with you as I serve in this capacity! It ought to be quite a whirlwind!

Megan Petter
Gamma Nu-North Texas
Dallas North Cities Alumnae/Denton Area Alumnae Association
Denver is my 2nd Convention!!!

Rocky Mountain Delta Gamma

I wondered if there was some hidden meaning in the Alaska Airlines crossword puzzle clue ..."seventh Greek letter." As I flew into Denver late this afternoon, the majestic Rocky Mountains appeared as we descended, still capped with snow. I was so excited, I could hardly sit still. Another "sign" appeared above the escalator down to the train that goes to baggage claim..."Hope. Pass it on." Was it just me, or would all Delta Gammas see that sign and smile? Certainly someone knows that Delta Gammas are about to converge on the Mile High City!

As soon as I walked off my plane, my eyes eagerly scanned the moving crowd for anchors - necklaces, shirts, bags - I was hopeful to spot other members and exchange a smile, quick greeting, or even a hug from someone I knew. My anchor bag was certainly visible, for goodness sake - as well as my bright pink Delta Gamma bag tag!

Make sure to listen while on the train to baggage claim! A western jingle prelude plays when the doors are closing. As the train comes to its next stop, more cowboy music announces that the train has arrived. I was here! I exited the train and took the escalator up, seeing smiling DG volunteer Linda Chain, Eta-Akron, with her friendly Convention sign. She was just one of many eager volunteers assisting with directions and DG airport shuttle info.

Seeing old, dear friends is a biennial highlight and I am thrilled to be here!

ITB,
Staige Davis Hodges, Beta Theta-Duke

Portland Suburban alumnae chapter
Denver is my 9th Convention

When you are Convention, be sure to check out attendees' name cards and ribbons. I'm sitting in the lobby blogging with Barbara Cameron, Delta Rho - Virginia Tech, and asked to share a picture of her nametag.

* Light blue ribbons are for Loyalty Award recipients

* Dark blue ribbons are for Cable Award recipients

* Barbara also has several pins: cable and loyalty awards, PAC, alumnae excellence, Foundation giving

So if you see a sister with ribbons and pins, be sure to ask to hear her stories. I know I enjoyed hearing from Barbara.

Laura O'Brien
Epsilon Mu-William and Mary
Denver is my 4th Convention

Before you head upstairs, don't foget to check out the regional poster boards. Leave messages to meet up with a sister, a thank you note, or look for a note from your region team. Every delegate attending has a note on their associated board.

Hannah

You can check-in for the Convention downstairs. The Foundation Garden of Giving is located across from the registration area. Ernie Holiday, Foundation Accountant, took a break from the Foundation Garden of Giving to pose with Beth Welmaker, Epsilon Chi and Region 1 Director. Check out their anchor shorts!

Laura O'Brien
Epsilon Mu-William and Mary
Denver is my 4th Convention

Cabinet and delegates have started to arrive. Be on the lookout for anchors at the airport, you are bound to spot a sister!

When you come up the escalator look for the Delta Gamma signs. We were greeted today by lovely volunteers from Beta Delta-Colorado, Nu-Idaho, and Kappa-Nebraska.

After collecting your luggage, enjoy your bus ride to the hotel. You never know who you'll get the chance to sit next to. Perhaps you will run into a long time friend from your chapter of initiation, meet someone new who becomes a lifelong friend, or have the chance to sit next to a great resource like I did. I lucked out sitting next to Linda Link, Gamma Kappa, Foundation BOT. In our short 30 minute bus ride, she shared fun Foundation programming ideas for me to take back to the collegiate chapter I advise. Take a look at some of the fun things we can do for our philanthropy:

1) organize a beeping Easter egg hunt,

2) host children to trick or treat at the sorority house,

3) pair up with a visually impaired athlete to run the Boston Marathon.

Thanks, Linda!

So much fun and Convention hasn't even officially started!

Laura O'Brien
Epsilon Mu-William and Mary
Denver is my 4th Convention

Anticipation!

The song "Anticipation" keeps running through my head. I am filled with excitement and anxiousness as I count down the days to my departure on Thursday. I am excited to be going to my fifth Convention. I am excited to see all my friends who I only get to see every two years. I am excited at the prospect of making new friends. All that said though I am anxious too. In order to treat myself to a few days away I need to be sure I have dotted all my 'i's" and crossed all my "t's". My business doesn't stop while I am away so I need to make sure all my files are up to date and that my partner is prepared to handle anything in my absence. I need to get all the laundry done (not just so my kids aren't running naked in the streets but so that I am not without just the right piece for my favorite outfit - not sure which of those two is more important). I need to run to the grocery store (so the naked children aren't starving in my absence). I need to make a master schedule for my husband so he knows where to go when while I am not around to help - with three kids we usually rely on zone defense to get it done but he will be running solo with two of the kids simultaneously in soccer tournaments at opposite ends of town so the least I can do is give him a master plan. All that and I haven't started packing yet! Oh how I love the anticipation - even for my 3 am wake up call on Thursday to get up in time for my flight. I'll be ready - will you? See you in Denver!!

Sheila Ryan Carney
EN- James Madison University
Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter
Denver is my 5th Convention

I think I need Anchors Anonymous!

Hi, my name is Teena & I am an addict. I discovered this when packing for Convention. How many anchor items does it take to make one an addict? Is there such a thing as too many anchors? What do you think the TSA will say when they see all these anchors coming through the x-ray?

Anyway, this morning, I start digging through my closet to decide what to wear to Denver this week. I had no idea that I had accumulated all of this! This doesn't count the anchor shirt I was wearing (thanks Connie & Jan), Hannah dolls, anchor tervis tumblers, anchor change purse, note cards, plates, etc. Anyone care to guess how many anchor items are in this pile? The first person to guess the correct number will receive an anchor gift (earrings count as 1 & a set of pjs count as 1)!

Teena Tabor
Beta Pi-Willamette
Phoenix Alumnae Chapter
Denver is my 5th Convention


We have a winner!!! Here's what all is in this pile of addiction:
8 necklaces
5 pins
1 pr earrings
5 Convention charms
1 DG badge
2 rings
4 bracelets
2 boxes
1 belly ring
1 make up bag
1 jewelry case
1 pr shoe bags
2 flip flops
2 pr PJs
1 pr pants
11 shirts
1 jacket

For a grand total of 49 items. Allison Paugh will receive a little anchor something. I will bring it to Denver Allison! Great job everyone.

Packing for Convention!

Whether Denver is your first Convention or your 14th, it is always helpful to have a packing list. Perhaps you are a last-minute type and need a shopping list for this last weekend prior to the big event!

Here are a few thoughts to help keep you on course:

• Nautical wear and gear! Which nautical gear to bring? Which to leave home? Deck and boat shoes are probably best left at home on the dock, but anything with anchors, sailboats, a nautical sailor theme... these are all fair game. You will see everything from anchor print shoes, sweaters, fun tees, and even skirts and printed pants. Be on the lookout for anchor jewelry of all types and vintages and purses and belts, too.
• Your first day may be in what you wear on the plane. Comfort and casual (jeans are really not seen at Convention) are typically safe bets the first day, and the opening dinner promises to have a bit of a Western flare. Got a fun cowgirl hat? Pin an anchor to it, and you are all set! Create a nautical fabric bandana for your hat!
• Daytime sessions/lunches: casual professional is a safe bet here. You are representing your chapter and your region. A cute suit jacket is always safe - collegians and alumnae alike. Avoid booty shorts, frayed or too-tight attire and make sure that your hemlines are not revealing, especially if you bend over (if Grandma would need smelling salts, that is a good cue as to what not to wear!). Think professional, but comfortable. You don't need a suit, but something that is polished is always safe.
• Brrrrr! The hotel rooms tend to be absolutely freezing. A sweater or wrap is easily stowed in your Convention tote. A cute jacket solves the problem, but layering is always a good idea.
• Bag/Purse: You will receive a Convention tote bag at registration. Often times, a purse becomes a burden, or you end up putting it in your tote. You may decide you do not need to bring a purse. A small bag for the evening banquets is a good addition to your suitcase, however.
• Casual clothes for hotel after-hours: your college sweatshirt, loungewear, nautical jammies... you will see it all.
• On the town/in the hotel: Don't forget you are still representing the Fraternity even if you don't have your letters on. Word spreads fast that there is a sorority in town. :-)
• Banquets: The Foundation banquet attire tends not to be as fancy as the final banquet. A nice dress is perfect. Save the glamour and glitz for the final banquet, where you will see elegant pant suits, cocktail dresses and even long gowns. Remember: a wrap will help keep you warm. It will be very cold in the banquet room!
• Don't forget your badge! And a big smile!

ITB,

Hannah

Ahoy! Delta Gamma Sisters!

We are so pleased to launch the official blog of Delta Gamma Fraternity. There could not be a better occasion with which to start our blogging than Delta Gamma's 64th Biennial Convention! In just one week, Delta Gammas from all across North America will gather in Denver for official Fraternity business, lots of laughter, recognition and sisterhood.

You will receive up-to-the moment happenings, announcements, photos, polls and assorted "fun stuff." We will be blogging live from the hotel registration table, General Sessions, banquets and after-hours to share the latest in news, nautical fashion, award winners and more.

Come aboard! Follow Delta Gamma through Convention and beyond!

ITB,

Hannah