CHAPTER PLANNING TOOLKIT
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Greetings from the Great Lakes Regional Director
Greetings from the Conference Chair
Greetings from the Collegiate Representative
Greetings to my brothers of the “Greater” Great Lakes Region.
On behalf of our 36th International President, Bro. Hon. Chris V Rey JD, and the Great Lakes Regional Board, it is my honor and distinct pleasure to welcome you to our 98th Regional Conference in the great State of Indiana and the City of Indianapolis, “The Racing Capitol of the World”.
This year’s theme is “Racing Towards Greatness”. As we conduct business for our Region, I encourage you to set high standards, stay focused on our vision- “One Sigma”, and remember that the journey to greatness is just as important as reaching the destination. Additionally, we hope that you find time to explore, take in the sights, and enjoy this remarkable city.
Special thanks to the host chapters, Xi Sigma, Lambda Beta, and Alpha Epsilon Alpha, Regional Vice Director Brother Willie C.H. Garrett- Conference Committee Chair, Brother Chuck Scott, State Director Brother Karl Williams, and the entire Conference Committee for their hard work and tireless efforts to ensure this experience will be second to none and executed flawlessly.
Our region’s position and membership are stronger than ever, and it’s because of your engagement, leadership, and dedication to Sigma. To serve thee e’re in joy and pain, in sorrow or in strife, we’ll still proclaim, in loud refrain, “Phi Beta is the life!”
Finally, it has been an honor serving as your Regional Director. Since September, my platform has not wavered on excellence, service, and accountability in order to promote brotherhood enhancement, membership growth, and program implementation. The Great Lakes has fearlessly forged forward with these expectations. Because of you, we are accomplishing great things and I thank you for your cooperation, support, and diligence.
Brothers, let's continue the work of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.. As your 32nd Regional Director, I commit the Great Lakes Region to march on in efforts of Transcending a Legacy of Greatness Again, thank you for your continued support and hard work. Have a fantastic experience during this 98th Great Lakes Regional Conference.
Yours in service,
I am Ashton Franklin, a Spring ‘23 initiate and current chapter President of Alpha Epsilon Alpha (Indianapolis Citywide). Being a part of something so large, newly into the brotherhood, has been a great honor and opportunity to continue fostering my personal and professional growth.
During this time, I have learned more about what Sigma means and how I can best support my brothers and the beloved community I am choosing to build over time.
To my collegiate brothers, I assure you that the greatest minds throughout the Great Lakes have planned this regional conference. I challenge every one of my brothers to attend and participate fully Accepting the responsibility and loving the challenge makes our foundation solid
Creating the Collegiate Leadership Committee provides you guys with an enjoyable and extremely meaningful experience We have a plethora of workshops and other activities to equip you all with something you can bring back into your chapter, university, city, and society. Taking the initiative to empower your chapter and other brothers around you is an excellent step in the right direction However, consistency in the willingness to learn and fostering a culture of total empathy and compassion will unlock the individual.
Our generation has needs, desires, and goals that sometimes can be difficult to maintain while fulfilling our daily responsibilities So, once again, I encourage you to read over this toolkit, register yourself and others, and join me in a new era with brothers looking to make a difference and shape what we want the Great Lakes Region to be.
Best wishes, GOMAB.
Conference Delegation/Attendees
Brothers may only register for the 2024 Regional Conference online via ticketleap.
Registration will close on Thursday, April 5, 2024, at 11:59 PM. There will be no onsite Registration.
Brothers will be sent a hotel link within 48 hours after Registration. Only financial brothers in an active chapter or as a member-at-large may register and attend the conference.
An active chapter has satisfied all national tax and liability assessments. The Regional Conference staff will verify member and chapter status before registration approval as a quality control measure.
All delegates must register in person only.
Conference Attire
Golf Outing - Golf attire
Community Service - Sigma gear
Opening Ceremony- Sigma blazer, black slacks, black dress shoes, and royal blue tie; or dark suit
Friday - Business Casual attire (collar shirt, no jeans, no sneakers)
Saturday Omega and Rededication Ceremony- black suit, white shirt, royal blue tie
Saturday following the Omega and Rededication Ceremony - Sigma Polo (Regional, State, or Chapter) and dark pants
Blue Elegance Awards and Snickers Gala - Dress to Impress
Conference Registration Fees
Brothers must pay registration by credit or debit card only. All registrations will be assessed a processing fee.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
All delegates must attend in person.
Registration deadline is April 5, 2024.
There is no onsite registration.
HOST HOTEL:
Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
350 West Maryland Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
From the largest single-day sporting event in the world, the Indy 500, to the largest children’s museum in the world, Indy has some of the biggest attractions in the world. Downtown is home to White River State Park with a cluster of museums, attractions, and green space that is only a step from hotels. The scenic Central Canal runs through the park and connects with the renowned Indianapolis Cultural Trail which spans ten miles and can carry you to the city's neighborhoods including Mass Ave, Fountain Square, and Indiana Avenue. Indy has more monuments and memorials than any U.S. city outside of Washington DC. From arts and live music to sports and shopping, you'll discover that Indy has more to offer than you ever imagined.
Click the links below for more information:
Modern Families
History Buffs
Urban Adventures
Nature Lovers
Night Owls
Cultural Connoisseurs
Wednesday,April24
GolfOuting-EagleCreekGolfCourse
11AM~ GolfRegistration
1PM~ AllGolfersT-Time
CommunityServiceandFellowship
11AM~MeetintheHostHotelLobby
12PM~BrotherhoodLunch(onown)
130PM~LocationTBD
Thursday,April25
3PM~CommitteeMeeting
3PM~ConferenceRegistration
7PM~ OpeningCeremony
10PM~ RegionalDirector'sReception
Friday,April26
7AM~ Registration
8AM~ DistributionofVotingDevicesandMockElections
9AM~ PlenaryI:
SponsorshipPresentation,ConferenceRules,andReports
11AM~CareerFairandVendorExhibitOpens
12PM~ AwardsLuncheon:NationalProgramandAwardsPresentation
2PM~ PlenaryII
SponsorshipPresentation,InternationalGreetings,StateoftheRegion, . andCandidateForum
4PM~ StateCaucus
430PM~ Elections
5PM~ Dinner(onown)
7PM~ BluNiteHang-Out
Saturday,April27
7AM~ OmegaCeremonyandRededication-DarkSuit
8AM~ Break(AllowsbrotherstochangetoPoloShirtsanddarkpants)
8AM~ AwardsBreakfast
9AM~ CollegiateandAlumniBreakoutSessionI
10AM~ CollegiateandAlumniBreakoutSessionII
11AM~ CollegiateandAlumniBreakoutSessionIII
12PM~ Lunch:OnYourOwn CollegiateForum:CollegiatesOnly
PastRegionalDirectorsMeeting
1PM~ CollegiateandAlumniBreakoutSessionIV
1PM~ PastRegionalDirectors’Meeting
2PM~ MeetandGreet/Networking
3PM~ GeneralSessionandRoundtableDiscussion
5PM~ Adjournment
7PM~ BluEleganceAwardsandSneakersGala
10PM~ FarewellNiteOut
Sunday,April28
9AM~ RegionalBoardMeetingandBreakfast:MandatoryforallIncomingOfficers
*Agendaissubjecttochange
The awards committee will spend countless hours evaluating nominees who continue to produce programs that ensure the Great Lakes Region is among the prominent leaders in Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc Awards will be presented at the Awards Luncheon & Gala.
We will present the Chapter of the Year Award to an outstanding Collegiate and Alumni Chapter that exhibited exceptional and quality execution in scholarship and academic achievement, program implementation and reporting, membership growth and retention, chapter operations, and risk management
We will present the International Programs Award to chapters that excelled as trailblazers and leaders in Bigger and Better Business, Education, and Social Action.
We will present the Program Innovation Award to the chapters that planned the most innovative programming in Bigger and Better Business, Education, Social Action, and Sigma Beta Club
The Sapphire Award recognizes one of our unsung Collegiate and Alumni heroes in each state of the Great Lakes Region for their exceptional leadership, accomplishments, and service to humanity.
The Membership Growth Incentive Award will recognize chapters with increased membership growth as of December 31, 2023.
The Most Registered Chapter Award will recognize a collegiate and alumni Chapter with the most significant number of members registered for the 2024 Great Lakes Regional Conference.
The Youngest Brother Award will recognize the youngest member of the Great Lakes Region
The Oldest Brother Award will recognize the brother with the most years of service in the Fraternity
The Largest Chapter Award will recognize a collegiate and alumni chapter with the largest membership as of December 31, 2023.
Chapters will be evaluated and compete for awards per chapter size
Level I
Chapters with an active membership of 40+
Level II
Chapters with an active membership of 16 - 39
Level III
Chapters with an active membership of 5 - 15
These forms are designed to provide the respective committees with the information needed for the Regional Conference.
The Great Lakes Regional forms are:
Constitution Change Request- deadline March 25, 2024
Souvenir Journal Advertisement- deadline March 22, 2024
Chapter Delegate Certification- deadline March 8, 2024
Candidate Notification- deadline January 25, 2024
Citation For Omega Chapter- deadline April 1, 2024
Graduating Senior Notification- deadline April 1, 2024
Conference Registration- deadline April 5, 2024
Talent Expression- deadline February 29, 2024
Council of Clergy Sign-up - deadline February 29, 2024
Vendor Form - deadline March 22, 2024
Time and Place - deadline March 1, 2024
*Each form can be accessed by clicking on the name