Convocation 2008 - RobbieNelson report

[RobbieNelson]

It's that time of year... I mean it's that time of the 2-year period. For some of us it just something we do, regardless. For others they'll see the Grand Chapter in action for the first time. We all pack a suit, some Sigma Pi letters and head to what ever corner of the world that so many brothers are flocking to. We will make decisions that will direct our international organization, meet new brother, elect a new Grand Council and have a great time. The 49th Biennial Convocation is upon us.

I fly out of Charleston, WV(CRW) tomorrow at 6:00AM. I arrive at LAX at 9:52AM. I should be among Brothers by 11AM. I'll try to update with pictures as the week goes on.

...stay tuned...

[RobbieNelson]

Well, I'm here.

Being a big car geek, the first think I did was walk the Long Beach street circuit (http://www.racetrackdb.com/index.php?page=rtdetails&track_id=341). You can still see the rubber that they laid down a few months ago at the Champ Car race. It's kinda weird seeing red and white race curbing on the street corners, but it's hella cool.

I have yet to see any of the WVU Tech or USI guys.

I spoke to Executive Director Mark Briscoe in the elevator. He said he'd been here since Monday. He was telling me about the quake. Grand Sage Larry Rivera lives in Chino Hill, where the epicenter was. I have yet to here how he make out.

Attached is a view from my room. More pics to come as cool stuff starts happening. It's kinda dull right now.

<update>
JakeTheSnake just called from LAX. He should be here within an hour.

[RobbieNelson]

Went to the Opening Reception. The UCLB greek advisor and Grand Sage Larry Rovira gave speeches. Both speeches wer inspirational. The food was good, the beer was expensive. We promptly went on a beer run (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyCPhIjmk-s).

We are taking it easy right now. Chilling in Little Joe's room, casually drinking cold beverages. Those of us that have to vote will have to be ready for business at 8:00AM.

Speaking of voting.... There is a major revision to Bylaw 4 (discipline of brothers) up for a vote. Hopefully we'll be given some cliff notes tomorrow or reason for the change.

I found out that all the WVU Tech and USI guys are underage. Otherwise we'd be going to the Yardhouse (http://www.yardhouse.com/location.asp?id=1). They have a wonderful selection of draft beers (http://www.yardhouse.com/files/beer_menu_1.pdf).

...stay tuned...

[Toucan]

:biggrin:...stay tuned...

Very good stuff. Keep is informed with the play-by-play of the Sigma Pi Fraternity Convocation 2008!

[RobbieNelson]

This is my 4th convocation. I get inspired by it every time. Seeing the Grand Chapter open with 150+ Brothers saying the creed and verifying membership with the password/grip. It can be very moving.

I was going to take some pictures this morning, but I had several problems with the camera. I think I have the problems resolved, so look for pics later today.

I had to pay $300 this morning of SWVAA dues to Nationals in order to vote. We're all squared away now. The SWVAA EC has already informed me that reimbursement won't be an issue.

There were 6 guys in the "Little Joe" room last night. I slept alone in mine. My roommate had dropped some stuff off in our room, so I knew he was here. He lives very close to the hotel, so he just went home last night. I'm going to try to find out if he plans to do the same tonight so we can put some of the guys from "Little Joe's" room in my room.

The revision to Bylaw 4 is basically a format revision. Not much "meat" has changed. We vote on it tomorrow. No discussion have taken place yet.

The morning session was mainly opening the Grand Chapter, reports and speeches.

...stay tuned...

[David]

Who is all there from Gamma Xi and Theta Psi?

[Josh Bobb]

Me, Ben, Jake the snake, Jason, from theta psi, robbie, I can not see the Theta Psi forums, can you change something for me so i can. thanks!

[RobbieNelson]

Who is all there from Gamma Xi and Theta Psi?

Gamma Xi:
Me
Little Joe, Buddy, Charles (take your pick)
Zach (not "the Miller)

Theta Psi:
Josh Bobb
Ben "I can't manage money" Pennington
J-good
JakeTheSnake

Attached are a few pics from the business sessions...

[RobbieNelson]

Below:

1. Headed to Game Works
2. Long Beach Gran Prix curbing (probably only cool for us car guys)
3. Indy Car racing. The cars actually move. Pretty cool. We all played several times.
4. Another Indy Car shot.
5. A cool air hockey game. It had an automatic puck recovery system and would put as many as 3 pucks in play at once. J-good(not pictured) kicked my butt.

[RobbieNelson]

Below:

1. Brothers and gunplay
2. Thug life
3. The driving games here rocked!
4. Two-wheeled action
5. Brothers showing there DDR skills, or lack there of

[RobbieNelson]

Nominating Committee recommendations:
Past Grand Sage - Larry Rovira (current Grand Sage)
Grand Sage - George Hakim (current Grand 2nd Counselor)
Grand 1st Counselor - Jeremy Boylan
Grand 2nd Counselor - Ed Leveque (current Grand 4th Counselor)
Grand 3rd Counselor - Jim Wisherd
Grand 4th Counselor - Andy Morris (current Grand Herald)
Grand Herald - Eric Jolliff (current Parliamentarian)

Nominated from the Floor:
Grand 2nd Counselor - Chris Brown (current Grand 3rd Counselor)
Grand 4th Counselor - John Michelich (current Grand 1st Counselor)

[RobbieNelson]

Below:

1. Jake rides the luge
2. Jason Beck, Jeremy Boylan, Ed Levesque(Grand 4th Counselor)
3. Sparky
4. Brothers shoot some hoops
5. The billiard area

[RobbieNelson]

Below:

1. Hitting the jackpot
2. Ticket bling
3. Yep, they turned in the tickets for an actual electric guitar.
4. Some kind of Long Beach guide on a Segway

[RobbieNelson]

Pics from last night first...

Below:
1. A cool lighthouse close to the hotel
2. Looking back towards the shore from the lighthouse
3. Neatly lite bridge
4. Jason Goodwin in front of the Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd

I drove J-good, Little Joe, JakeTheSnake and Zach to Hollywood Blvd last night. It's kinda one of those things you need to see once... then you don't need to ever see again. I had my David Allen Coe Homecoming shirt and a pair of jean shorts on. I felt out of place with all the women in "glamorous" outfits, but I felt that I was being true to myself. It that ain't country...

[RobbieNelson]

New Grand Officers(listed in order of elections):

Past Grand Sage - Larry Rovira (ran unopposed... duh)
Grand Sage - George Hakim (ran unopposed)
Grand 2nd Counselor - Chris Brown (ran against Ed Leveque)
Grand 3rd Counselor - Ed Leveque (ran against Jim Wisherd)
Grand 4th Counselor - John Michlich (ran against Andrew Morris)
Grand 1st Counselor - Andrew Morris (ran against Jeremy Boylan; Jason Beck declined his nomination)
Grand Herald - Chris Donnoly (ran against Jim Wisherd, Jeremy Boylan; Eric Jolliff declined his nomination)

These elections took a long time. Two of them were within eight votes with a total vote count of 218.


Pledge fees and initiation fees were increased by a total of $75 as follows:
Pledge fee $100 increased to $150
Initiation fee $325 increased to $350

Quite a bit of debate about the fee increase and the budget, but in the end both were accepted as presented.

There was a motion on the floor to provide copies of the convocation binder to the all of the chapters three weeks before the date of convocation. The fact that the fiscal year ends on June 30th was brought up as the main reason why this isn't really possible even as an electronic document. I really like the idea of getting the material ahead of time. Not sure what it would take to move the fiscal year back one month; maybe that's the answer.

[Josh Bobb]

Good job Robbie with photos and getting all the important info on here!!!.

[David]

Good job Robbie with photos and getting all the important info on here!!!. PS I got to hold robbie's hand.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

What about sparky's. Also I hope you did not wear your 'future trophy husband' shirt.

[jgoodwin]

bobb....im glad you didnt wear that shirt....you made me proud this weekend representing our chapter

[RobbieNelson]

Guys, please keep in mind that you are posting in the public section. I care less about what you post in the private sections, but this is accessible to anyone. Keep the international orginization's best interests in mind.

[RobbieNelson]

How could I forget... A history book of Sigma Pi is in the works. This isn't a simple rewrite of stuff already written down. A few brothers are doing some serious investigating to get everything they can. The research has been ongoing since the last convocation in 2006. It should be completed by 2010. As I understand it, they've uncovered some VERY interesting facts. Such as a possible 5th founding father and a society that predates Tau Phi Delta. Recorded interviews were taken from the likes of Jim Hills and "Pythagoras". The book will be a must have for Sigma Pi geeks.

[Nate]

Have any contact info handy for those working on it? I wonder if they'd like any help with it.

[jgoodwin]

Hills has some part in it