2011 National Convention Recap
August 4-7, 2011
Sheraton and Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA
The United State of Brotherhood
Quick Links
Grand Chapter Business
Amendments Results
- Amendment #1: passed by consent
- Amendment #2: failed by roll call vote
- Amendment #3: withdrawn
- Amendment #4: failed by placard vote
- Amendment #5: passed by placard vote
- Amendment #6: withdrawn
- Amendment #7: passed by placard vote
- Amendment #8: passed by placard vote
- Amendment #9: passed by consent
- Amendment #10: passed by consent
- Amendment #11: passed by consent
- Amendment #12: passed by placard vote
- Amendment #13: withdrawn
- Amendment #14: withdrawn
- Amendment #15: passed by consent
View full text of proposed amendments
Professional Networks: Vice President of Alumni Development Sarah Cantwell presented a new way for alumni to connect with each other and improve their career contacts through the Phi Sigma Pi National Alumni Association: Professional Networks. Now Brothers can search for alumni within a certain field, company, or job title; post or view job openings; and engage themselves in discussion with other alumni in their current or desired industry.
Flash Mob and Chapter Fest
Grand Chapter attendees were treated to some lunchtime entertainment in the form of flash mobs. Select Staff members ABP corps members, and other folks spontaneously broke out into "The Wobble" at each of the three lunch locations. Click below for video:
Later that evening, National Convention attendees did some Brother bonding at Chapter Fest. Even Council got a little funky. See video below:
State of the Fraternity Address
Teach For America:
- Adam Rupp from TFA addressed National Convention attendees. See video
- Vice President of Philanthropy Development Katie Peachey announced that the 2012 Alternative Break Project will celebrate the project's fifth anniversary by expanding to TWO locations:
- See video of Katie's announcement.
- Watch the brilliant ABP promo video which features testimonials from the 2011 ABP Corps and the announcement of the 2012 project's locations.
- Apply to be a part of the 2012 ABP Corps.
Recruitment Materials:
Regional Realignment: As a result of major expansion on the West Coast over the past two years, a new region has been created, bringing our count up to 19. the following five California chapters have been moved out of the Southwest Region and into the new Pacific Coast Region:
- Delta Omega Chapter - University of California, Berkeley
- Zeta Alpha Chapter - University of California, San Diego
- Zeta Epsilon Chapter - University of California, Santa Barbara
- Zeta Eta Chapter - University of California, Riverside
- Zeta Lambda Chapter - University of California, Los Angeles
Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Membership Meeting
The Phi Sigma Pi Foundation elected the following members to the Board if Directors for three-year terms:
- Joshua Lazar, Gamma Chi Chapter '01, CFAC
- Rebecca Leach-Seymour, Beta Iota Chapter '05, CAAA
- Stella Maher, Delta Chi Chapter '04, NYMAAC
The Board elected the following officers for the 2011-2012 term from among its members:
- President Colleen Donathan, Beta Omicron Chapter '00
- Vice President of Finance Dr. David Batts, Tau Chapter '95
- Secretary Shane Miller, Alpha Mu Chapter '07
Director at Large Ted Daniels (Alpha Rho Chapter '98) continues his term through August 2012.
The Foundation thanks the following outgoing Board members for their years of service and dedication:
- Carlye Buchanan, Alpha Phi Chapter '97, AAAA
- Travis Smith, Alpha Mu Chapter '08
- Alex Spirer, Beta Epsilon Chapter '99, NYMAAC
Leadership in Action
Two new national modules debuted at National Convention:
- Communication Skills For Emerging Leaders
- Juggling Multiple Priorities
You can sign up for Leadership in Action on the website at phisigmapi.org/LiA. Want to bring LiA to your chapter or Regional Conference? Contact lia@phisigmapi.org.
Great Ideas Expo
Idea Labs
Awards Banquet
The Keynote Speech was given by Nathan Fitzpatrick, Manager of Recruitment for Seattle Public Schools and Teach For America alumnus and former staff member. In his speech, he calls Phi Sigma Pi "the beating heart of leadership in America." Watch the keynote speech
The following Brothers were recognized for achieving 75 points in the Leadership in Action program thereby becoming LiA Certified. Among other things, these Brothers have earned the right to include the letters "LIA" after their names (seen below, "ABP" indicates Alternative Break Project Corps Members). See video
- Brandi Ducote, Gamma Theta Chapter, LIA
- Debby Harnishfeger Beta Zeta Chapter, AAAA, LIA, ABP
- Jessica Iarocci, Epsilon Nu Chapter, LIA, ABP
- Holly Jackson, Zeta Gamma Chapter, LIA
- Sam Johnson II, Epsilon Eta Chapter, LIA
- Lauren Lippert, Upsilon Chapter, LIA, ABP
- Jessica O’Neal, Gamma Theta Chapter, LIA, ABP
- Lauren Puls, Delta Kappa Chapter, LIA
- Jordan Rice, Epsilon Nu Chapter, LIA
- Alex Terwelp, Gamma Sigma Chapter, LIA
- Marjolyn Varano, Delta Kappa Chapter, LIA, ABP
- Elizabeth Williams, Beta Kappa Chapter, LIA
Purple & Gold Awards
- Most Spirited Chapter Award - Beta Omega Chapter See Video
- Outstanding Initiate Program Award - Beta Nu Chapter See Video
- Outstanding Fundraiser Award - Gamma Epsilon Chapter See Video
- Outstanding PR and Community Relations Award - Alpha Epsilon Chapter See Video
- Most Traveled Chapter Award - Alpha Lambda Chapter See Video
- Outstanding Website Award - Gamma Epsilon Chapter See Video
- Brother John Finnegan Award for Most Conventions Attended - Ayana Wood and Odelle Heimiller, Alpha Delta Chapter See Video
- Outstanding Risk Management Award - Upsilon Chapter See Video
- Outstanding Regional Conference Award - Midsouth Region, hosted by Epsilon Nu Chapter See Video
- Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award - David Serafini, Beta Phi Chapter See Video
Chapter Charters
Video: Part 1, Part 2
- Beta Lambda Chapter - American University
- Zeta Zeta Chapter - Southern Methodist University
- Zeta Eta Chapter - University of California Riverside
- Zeta Iota Chapter - Saint Joseph’s University
- Zeta Theta Chapter - University of Illinois Chicago
- Zeta Kappa Chapter - University of Minnesota
- Zeta Lambda Chapter - University of California Los Angeles
- Central Florida Alumni Chapter
National Awards
- Steven A. DiGuiseppe Administrative Award - Beta Omega Chapter See Video
- Clarence O. Williams Most Improved New Chapter Award - Epsilon Nu Chapter See Video
- Sanders P. McComsey Most Improved Old Chapter Award - Beta Psi Chapter See Video
- C.H. McClure Single Service Award - Gamma Theta Chapter See Video
- Claude A. Phillips Fellowship Award - Epsilon Alpha Chapter See Video
- Dr. Eldo L. Hendricks Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Programming - Beta Chapter See Video
Top in Region Awards See Video
- Bluegrass Region - Beta Psi Chapter
- Buckeye Region - Epsilon Rho Chapter
- Capital Region - Gamma Pi Chapter
- Central Pennsylvania Region - Sigma Chapter
- Dominion Region - Gamma Psi Chapter
- East Region - Delta Chi Chapter
- Great Lakes Region - Beta Alpha Chapter
- Great Plains Region - Beta Chapter
- Lonestar Region - Epsilon Mu Chapter
- Mid Atlantic Region - Tau Chapter
- Mid South Region - Epsilon Theta Chapter
- Northeast Region - Beta Nu Chapter
- Philadelphia Metropolitan Region - Gamma Xi Chapter
- South Region - Gamma Tau Chapter
- Southeast Region - Epsilon Delta Chapter
- Southwest Region - Delta Rho Chapter
- Upper Midwest Region - Epsilon Zeta Chapter
- Western Pennsylvania Region - Kappa Chapter
Scholarships
Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award - Beta Chapter See Video
Fundraising Success
- After Nathan FitzPatrick's keynote speech and a rousing call to action from Vice President of Alumni Development Sarah Cantwell, Brothers stood and pledged donations to the "Making Our Own Rules" fund for Teach For America initiatives. That night, with Alpha Rho alumni Josh and Britt Marder's annual matching promise of up to $5,000, we raised $15,000 for our TFA-related activities, surpassing our goal!
- Past National President and Foundation Board Member Jeff Johnson (Sigma Chapter '87) made heartwarming appeals at our NAA/Graduating Senior Reception and Foundation Leadership Recognition Luncheon, raising $5,000 for the Richard Cecil Todd & Clauda Pennock Todd Tripod Scholarship Fund in its 20th anniversary year, achieving that goal as well!
Announcements
If you made an announcement at the National Convention closing session and it does not appear below, contact Andrew Berman.
- Capital Alumni Chapter: Alumni Trip to Atlantic City: November 11-13. More details here.
- Alpha Epsilon Chapter: The Chapter will be holding its Casey Feldman Benefit Concert this year, in honor of Casey Feldman, who was struck by a distracted driver in New Jersey. Details are yet to come, but contact the Chapter for additional information.
- Debby Harnishfeger (Beta Zeta Chapter/AAAA): We're setting up a Phi Sigma Pi wiki page to buy and sell Phi Sigma Pi merchandise! You'll be able to find it at wiki.phisigmapi.org shortly.
- National Council: Feel free to invite National Council to your Inter-Chapter Relations and Regional Conferences. As long as we have advance notice, we'd love to come and support. Here's a list of where our National Council members are located:
Jonah Goodman (National President) - Washington, D.C.
Chris Constantino (Senior Vice President) - Philadelphia
Chris McCoy (National Secretary) - Cincinnati
Matt Nicoletta (Vice President of Finance) - Baltimore
Kyle Williams (Vice President of Chapter Development) - Atlanta area
Natalie Swierzbin (Vice President of Membership Development) - South Florida
Sarah Cantwell (Vice President of Alumni Development) - New York City area
Katie Peachey (Vice President of Philanthropy Development) - Middle Tennessee
- National Council: If you're wondering how to win the awards that were awarded at the Awards Ceremony, the best thing to do is to turn in all forms, dues, and fees on time. Delinquent submissions disqualify Chapters from winning awards.
Past National Conventions
National Convention is the premier Phi Sigma Pi event. Held once a year, this event is typically scheduled for a long weekend in late summer and is hosted in a vibrant, notable US city. National Convention contains Grand Chapter business, seminars, social events, awards and more all together under one umbrella. Brothers from each Collegiate Chapter and alumni worldwide attend and make this event the highlight of year.
Phi Sigma Pi believes that the annual National Convention is essential to the education, enthusiasm, communication, and continuity of our Brotherhood. It is a time-honored event which brings students, alumni, faculty, and honored guests together to enjoy a weekend of activity, fellowship, and personal growth. Brothers who attend National Convention participate in various educational seminars, fellowship events, and service projects with time set aside to tour the local sites of interest. The highlight of convention is Phi Sigma Pi's semi-formal awards banquet where Brothers and chapters are honored for their accomplishments.
The first annual summer Grand Chapter Conference was held in July of 1993 in Millersville, Pennsylvania. This conference provided an opportunity for interested chapter members to become involved in Fraternity business and attend educational sessions as well as meet and discuss issues with other chapters, the National Council and National Staff. The Grand Chapter Conference portion is dedicated to discussing Fraternity business, including amendments to our national constitution and the election of the National Council every two years. As such, it is very important for each chapter to encourage its members to attend in addition to sending the required delegate, who votes on behalf of the chapter during the meeting. Phi Sigma Pi believes that the annual National Convention and the included Grand Chapter Conference are unique opportunities for fellowship and growth which should be experienced by all Brothers at least once during their undergraduate years.
If you have attended National Convention in the past then you know how much fun it is and how great it is to experience the Brotherhood at a national level. If you have never attended a National Convention then you are truly missing out on one of the richest and most inspiring benefits of our Fraternity. All Brothers, like yourself, are invited to attend. It's a great way to learn more about the Fraternity, meet Brothers from across the nation and take a break from work or school.