Convention 2022

For the first time in four years, Alpha Gams gathered in-person in Louisville, Kentucky for the 51st International Convention.

After the difficult announcement to reschedule the previous Convention, members in attendance shared a long-awaited sigh of relief to be in the company of sisterhood, without social distancing, once again. Members raced to explore the rich history and southern flavors downtown Louisville had to offer, including Louisville Slugger Museum, local distilleries, Fourth Street LIVE! and the American Sign Museum.

Opening Session and Keynote

International President Lee Woodham Langub welcomed nearly 700 members during the Opening Session. In addition to the transaction of Fraternity business, Alumnae Initiates Daryl Appleton, Erin Schraufnagel, Kristiana Vasil and Jennifer Weaver were introduced with excitement. We celebrated our newest chapter, Beta Phi– Valparaiso University, with the presentation of their chapter flag to the assembly. With a women supporting women spirit, keynote speaker Tina VanSteenbergen reinvigorated Convention attendees with the laughter and authenticity sisters had been missing since transitioning to a post COVID-19 world.

Academy for Chapter Advisors

Advisors gathered to grow their skills in the areas of communication, boundary setting and leading from the passenger seat at the Academy for Chapter Advisors prior to Convention. They also celebrated the Fraternity’s streamlined approach to reporting and Collegiate Good Standing. This was the first in-person gathering for advisors since 2018 and was lauded as “an amazing opportunity to connect” by attendees. The Academy was generously funded by the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation.

Service Event

The Fraternity partnered with the local chapter of Blessings in a Backpack to provide Convention attendees with the opportunity to fight hunger in the community where we were placed—Louisville. Since 2008, Blessings in a Backpack has provided 23.5 million hunger-free weekends for more than 838,000 children nationwide. Together, attendees added 3,000 more hunger-free weekends to that count. This opportunity was generously funded by the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation.

Foundation Jewel and Corinthian Event at Churchill Downs

Our sisters were off to the races Thursday night to honor the Foundation’s Jewel and Corinthian Society donors and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Jewel Society. Attendees toured Churchill Downs, learned the history of the Kentucky Derby, and competed in mock races, complete with a Derby bugler. Members can get more information about joining the Jewel and Corinthian Society by visiting alphagammadeltafoundation.org.

Initiation, Memorial Services and Honors of Epsilon Pi Brunch

Sisters gathered Friday morning for the Initiation of four women into the Fraternity, the Memorial Service to honor sisters who entered Chapter Grand during the biennium, and the Honors of Epsilon Pi Brunch and Service. During the Honors of Epsilon Pi Brunch, 241 members received an Honor of Epsilon Pi in the Arc Series and 10 members received an Honor in the Crescent Series. The Honors of Epsilon Pi were established to recognize the remarkable efforts and contributions of alumnae volunteers who give faithful and outstanding service to the Fraternity.

Because International Convention was virtual in 2020, Convention attendees who were awarded an Honor in 2020 were invited to participate in the Honors of Epsilon Pi Service held immediately after the banquet. Members unable to attend Convention are recognized at their local chapters and alumnae groups through the Lighting of the Tapers Ceremony. View the full list of Honors Recipients.

Foundation Jewel Society Entity Reception

The Foundation honored members of the collegiate and alumnae chapter/club Jewel Society with a reception before the red carpet event Friday night. Sisters celebrated their community impact and enjoyed light hors d’oeuvres, mocktail mint JEWEL-eps and photos with sisters holding their “I’m an Alpha Gam fan.”

Awards Ceremony

Nearly 200 awards were presented to collegiate chapters and alumnae groups that walked the red carpet at the Awards Dinner on Friday night, including the recognition of four accomplished women who received the Distinguished Citizen Award. The Distinguished Citizen Award is presented each biennium to alumnae who are outstanding in their professions or in civic, organizational, cultural or charitable work—all in ways that demonstrate the Alpha Gamma Delta Purpose.

Saturday Morning Session

The State of the Fraternity serves as the biennium report and highlighted global news and events from 2020-22. Because no resolutions were submitted, there was no business to discuss or vote on.

International Vice President Andrea Pendleton took the stage to share updates about the Fraternity’s strategic plan. The key elements of the strategic plan framework started with the Fraternity’s vision, mission, brand and public facing values, which set the tone for the strategic priorities through the year 2026. With a dedicated focus set on collegiate members, alumnae and advisors, the goals of the strategic plan aim to: invest in collegiate members to increase retention and a sense of belonging, build points of connection and programming for alumnae groups, and ensure that chapter advisors have necessary tools to oversee chapter operations and develop young leaders.

The outcomes of these goals will be measured by the Sisterhood Survey, General Alumnae and VST Annual Survey and Annual Leadership Growth Survey. The results from the previous year of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion audit with Culture Shift will also heavily guide how the Fraternity makes decisions and measures a sense of belonging. These goals will be measured through the execution of a new Organizational Heath Survey. The strategic plan will guide the day-to-day work of Alpha Gam–its members, volunteers and IHQ staff.

Robert Wilson, Partner and Founder of DEI Strategy & Education, from Culture Shift reported on findings and recommendations of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion data reported by collegiate members. Of the 8,786 responses received by Culture Shift, 119 chapters and 123 schools were represented, which included 35 states and five Canadian provinces. On the topics of Inclusion & Belonging and Navigating Differences, the survey showed most members that identified as BIPOC or LGBTQ+ reported lower-rated experiences compared to the white and straight/heterosexual experience. The key recommendations for our organization to focus on from this DEI Assessment are to put more inclusive practices in place when it comes to membership experience and impact, and organization change management. Some of these practices included: reflecting on key metrics such as campus diversity and leadership representation, taking a second look with a new equity lens to include DEI language in new and existing policies and programs, understanding the experience of marginalized members, and staying in community through reflective listening and assessments that create a healthy environment for continuous conversation and accountability.

Inspire and Impact Luncheon

Sponsored by the Foundation, the Inspire and Impact Luncheon celebrated members’ incredible work as they contributed to the world’s work and supported the Foundation. Alpha Gam was the first women’s fraternity to establish a philanthropic focus. Today, her philanthropic spirit continues to grow. The Foundation honored chapters and clubs through biennial awards, celebrated collegians for completing 108,648 community service hours and thanked donors for contributing to over $1.65 million in scholarships and grants.

Saturday Closing Session

Before the official closing of Convention business, the highly anticipated announcement of the 52nd International Convection location was revealed to be taking place in Atlanta Georgia, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, June 26-29, 2024. Newly elected International Council members were installed shortly after. International President Lee Woodham Langub continues to serve in her role as International President, along with International Vice Presidents, Andrea Pendleton and Catherine Matthews. The Fraternity welcomed newly installed International Vice Presidents Kalina Haynes, Jennifer Mores, Dani Picciotti, and Klazina van den Berg.

Feast of Roses

Fraternity tradition carried into Saturday evening where we honored our newest Convention Initiates during the Feast of Roses. Led by Toastmistress Michele Hartlove, Zeta Delta– Towson University, chapter roll was called as each chapter stood and lit their candles until the light filled the ballroom, flickering and bouncing light off of members’ Badges and shimmering formal attire. After the last candle was lit, all sisters extinguished their candles in unison, and proceeded with songs and chants of Our Living Circle, a sisterhood celebration with dancing to follow.

Appreciation Roses

A time-honored Convention tradition is the giving of Appreciation Roses between sisters, symbolizing gratitude and sisterhood. For each Appreciation Rose applique and card given to a sister, a rose sticker is placed on the Foundation’s Rose Garden, which grows throughout the week. By the end of Convention, sisters gave 4,267 roses, and $27,747 was raised, benefiting the Foundation’s Annual Fund and its education, leadership and philanthropic programs. Thanks to Pat Tulley Riddiford, Beta Iota–Eastern Illinois University for sponsoring a rose for each sister at Convention.