Convention 2024 was one for the books! 130 members from across the country united for a weekend of leadership workshops, two service projects helping the local community, and friendship culminating in an epic music bingo dance party. It was amazing to see members come together in Greenville, South Carolina starting the weekend off as strangers, but leaving truly as friends and sisters.
All Convention 2024 attendees gathered together for a group picture.
Those who have participated Convention of years passed were delighted to experience recent Convention updates and additions for 2024:
- 3 days of Convention vs. 4 days, reducing lodging expenses
- Business sessions lasted 3 hours vs. 8+ hours in years past, thanks to the effective use of a legislative consent agenda
- Vendor expo with nonprofit representatives and local businesses
- Alumni dinner hosted by the Omega Phi Alpha Foundation
- Free professional headshots offered for all attendees
- Hosting Convention in an area with a dense alumni population, resulting in 40 alumni in attendance
Most members kicked off the weekend on Thursday, exploring Downtown Greenville with friends, new and old, discovering local shops, restaurants, a free outdoor concert, and the Mice on Main scavenger hunt. Some chapters took advantage of the Consulting Cafe where they were able to meet with members of the Chapter Health Team and discuss any chapter issues or work on planning for the next year. After a fun time at Sisterhood Game Night playing Kahoot, the hospitality suites were a boisterous scene Thursday evening with the Active suite playing games and the Alumni suite, sponsored by the OPhiA Foundation, pitching in to help by blowing up balloons for the Foundation’s Friday Alumni dinner.
Vendor Expo
The mezzanine at the Hyatt Regency was buzzing early Friday morning, as nonprofit organizations and local vendors set up for our first-ever vendor expo. Members had the opportunity to speak to representatives from RAINN, Gift of Life, Rotary International, and the Omega Phi Alpha Foundation as well as the opportunity to have headshots done by a local photographer. They were also able to shop items from local vendors like The Savannah Bee company, the Gold King olive oil vendor, and Kendra Scott who donated a portion of proceeds to the Omega Phi Alpha Foundation. In addition, many members stocked up on merchandise from the Omega Phi Alpha official merchandise table to take back to their chapters or gift to sisters across the country.
Just a few of our vendors in attendance.
Business meeting
Our first item on the schedule Friday morning was our Business meeting, presided over by National President, Brittany Thornton (Alpha Kappa). Managing Director, Alyssa Bernhardt (Alpha Zeta), presented the State of the Sorority, reviewing staffing and employment status changes, a chapter health summary, national membership trends, service hour recap, updates to dues waiver procedures, and other important information in the life of our sorority. During our service recap, Traci Ackerman from Gift of Life presented Nu Chapter with Gift of Life’s Chapter of the Year Award. More information on the State of the Sorority can be found in the 2024 Golden Chevron.
Alexa Tavasci (Alpha Alpha), VP of Finance, reviewed the current budget providing insights into the costs associated with sustaining Omega Phi Alpha, as well as presented the proposed budget for the coming year.
Members participate in Convention Business Meetings, hearing about the State of the Sorority and casting votes on behalf of their chapters and alumni.
National President, Brittany Thornton, then presided over discussions around this years’ consent agenda which was approved by the delegation. The consent agenda included:
- Clarifying that an LOA semester should be granted to members on academic probation or not meeting chapter requirements.
- Removing a clause referencing National Policies since they are no longer in the Constitution and will be reviewed by the National Standards Board.
- Clarifying and updating new member requirements to be consistent with current chapter operations and national expectations.
Later in the day, Business continued with the Legislative agenda discussion. Members passionately expressed thoughts and opinions regarding each proposal, all while remaining respectful and following Roberd’s Rules of Order. Review the Discussion Agenda proposals here. Below is a brief summary of each proposal and the outcome based on delegate vote at Convention 2024:
- Constitutional proposal to remove Article III, Section 13, requiring all members be referred to as “sisters.” FAILED
- Constitutional proposal allowing disassociated members to petition NSB to regain membership. PASSED
- Bylaws amendment proposal to replace all mention of sister/sisters with member/members. Was not considered due to failure to pass Constitutional proposal 1.
- Bylaws proposal requiring each active to serve on at least one committee per semester. PASSED
The 2024-2025 operating budget was also approved by the delegation, which enacted an increase in national active and new member dues.
Breakout Workshops
Convention attendees had the opportunity to participate in leadership workshops on Friday and Saturday, some of which were created and led by OPhiA alumni.
- From Addiction to Recovery: Education, Prevention, and Intervention
- Why do we have to review OPhiA policies every semester? Blame the lawyers!
- Leading with Emotional Intelligence
- Personal Finance
- Using OPhiA to Foster Professional Development
A highlight of the weekend was the V-A-R (Validate-Appreciate-Refer) certification training hosted by Active Minds funded by the Omega Phi Alpha Foundation. Members were very vulnerable as they shared their own experiences with mental health. It was emotional at times, but necessary conversations were had and it was wonderful to see members be there for one another.
Service
Saturday morning we kicked things off with service! Convention attendees were able to participate in two service projects directly impacting the Greenville community. We made over 400 snack bags for McCall Hospice House and over 300 period packs for the Period Project. It was wonderful to see everyone jump right into the projects, be hands on and super involved as actives and alumni served together side by side.
We even had some time to review songs and chants and for members to learn new ones that they may not have known about before!
Members participate in the group service projects for Period Project and McCall Hospice House.
Consulting Cafe
Over the course of the weekend, active chapters had the opportunity to meet with a member of the Chapter Health team or the Board of Directors for consultations to get advice, discuss concerns, ask questions, and feel prepared to start the academic year off on the right foot. Jenna Zielinski (Omega), Programs Director, also took time to review events, due dates, and other important information for the Fall 2024 semester.
Celebrating the Year
The best way to close Convention out is with our Alumni Society Inductions and Awards Gala! We had members get inducted into Diamond (40+ years of membership), Sapphire (25+ years of membership), and Topaz (10+ years of membership). It was a beautiful ceremony as inductees shared their Omega Phi Alpha journeys.
Just a few photos from our Alumni Society Induction ceremony.
After the ceremony, we moved into dinner and awards. It was wonderful being able to honor our members’ accomplishments and achievements in person! Some highlights include, Alpha Omicron winning both the National Membership Award and the National Service Award.
Alpha Omicron accepts their National Membership Award from Managing Director Alyssa Bernhardt.
Carrie Johnson (Epsilon) honored with the Ann DeMatteo Alumni Service Award, and Mara Sigismund (Alpha Zeta) and Taylor Outler (Chi) receiving the Emerging Leader Award.
(Left) Mara Sigismund and Taylor Outler accept their Emerging Leader Awards; (Right) Carrie Johnson accepts the Ann DeMatteo Alumni Service Award.
During this time, was the moment everyone was waiting for, the announcement of the 2024-2025 President’s Project. Brittany shared their personal reasoning for choosing this year’s project, Embracing All Identities: Promoting Gender Inclusivity and Acceptance. Brittany received a standing ovation for this and everyone is excited to see the projects that will be done this year. After the formalities were over, we moved onto celebrating! Members enjoyed dancing to our fabulous DJ, playing music bingo, taking pictures in the photo booth and 360 Photo Booth, and spending time with one another. It was a great way to culminate a jam packed weekend.
Members celebrate with dancing and fun after awards and presentations.
Overall, attendees took advantage of free time in downtown Greenville. Everyone enjoyed the variety of activities and things to do during down time. Some favorites were shopping, exploring new restaurants, the free live music everywhere, finding the mice on Main Street, the book store, and the Falls.
We look forward to seeing you at Convention 2026! Stay tuned for the location and dates.