DECEMBER 27-30, 2014

HYATT REGENCY O’HARE; CHICAGO, IL

REGION IV NATIONAL CONVENTION ADDENDUM

The 43rd Biennial AFWNational Convention

National Convention Overview

What is the National Convention?

The Biennial APO National Gathering

Three Major Functions: Conduct the business of

the Fraternity.

Educate our student and alumni members.

Celebrate who we are and what we do!

A complete four-day immersive experience of all things Alpha Phi Omega

Convention Registration

Registration is open on the national website!

Basic cost Student/Advisor: $99

Alumni Life Member: $109

Alumni Non-Life Member: $129

Banquets Brotherhood: $38 / Recognition: $43

Value Package (includes both banquets) Student/Advisor: $170

Alumni Life Member: $180

Alumni Non-Life Member: $200

2014 National Convention Site

Hyatt Regency O’Hare

Room rate is $89/night per room

Wi-Fi for up to four devices per room is included

On-site Parking is $10/day with in-and-out privileges

On CTA Blue Line for direct connection to downtown Chicago

Hotel facility and staff culture are best in line with what makes our Convention successful

Traveling to Chicago

Planes – 2 Airports

Chicago O’Hare (3 miles from hotel)

Chicago Midway (23 miles from hotel)

Trains – Chicago Union Station

Amtrak’s main cross-country hub is Chicago

Over 40 trains in and out of the city every day

Two blocks from CTA Blue Line Station

Automobiles

Hyatt Regency O’Hare is at the junction of I-294, I-190, and I-90

Day-by-Day Breakdown of National Convention

December 27th

Check-in begins – make sure your Chapter is in Good Standing before you arrive!

Workshops and Service Projects begin

Fraternity Store & History Exhibits open

Voting Delegate Orientation is held

1st Regional Meeting occurs Opening Session late in the

day Reference Committees

begin meeting

December 28th

Reference Committees re-convene until done

Workshops & Service Projects Continue

Alumni Luncheon

Fraternity Store & History Exhibits

2nd Regional Meeting

Brotherhood Banquet

Major Fellowship Activity

December 29th

Legislative Session begins!

Workshops & Service Projects continue

Fraternity Store & History Exhibits

3rd Regional Meeting

Candidates Forum

Major Fellowship Event

December 30th

Legislative Session continues

Board Elections and 2016 Convention Host Selection

Workshops & Service Projects Continue

Regional Director Elections

Fraternity Store & History Exhibits

Recognition Banquet

Major Fellowship Event

Region IV Delegate Guide

Purpose of this Guide

Document is Region IV specific, and is to be used as a supplement to the Voting Delegate Handbook

Voting Delegate Handbook has all information Voting Delegates needs to know with regards to responsibility as a Voting Delegate, as well as a primer on parliamentary procedure

Document covers the following: Activities prior to Nationals

Best Practices

Tips and Suggestions

Region Expectations

How to get the best experiences out of Nationals

Prior to the National Convention

Fundraise and submit a request for funding to your school http://www.apo.org/leadershipdevelopment/nationalconvention/resources Under “Convention Resources”

Elect your Voting Delegates and choose at least one, if not two alternates.

Have your Chapter review the legislation prior to the convention. Your Voting Delegates need to know how the CHAPTER would vote, not just how they would vote

Prior to the National Convention

Make sure your Chapter is in Good Standing, i.e. all items that are due on November 15th are done, including that you have the requisite number of Advisors and that your chapter does not owe the National Office any money

Review guidelines for Regional and National awards. Some you have to submit prior to Nationals, some are due the first day. Be prepared!

There will be a Regional Awards Committee and usually one to two people from each Section are on the committee. Let your Section Chair know if you are interested in serving on this committee

Best Practices

Network, Network, Network. Don’t just hang out with your own Chapter/Section/Region

Enjoy the city! Come early (day before

27th), leave late (NYE or later)

Get to know the layout of the hotel before Nationals begins

Do your research. Read the conference guide cover to cover

Go to workshops and Service Projects you wouldn’t normally do-break out of your box

Volunteer to serve as a SAA/Floor Services during the legislative session or do other convention related service outside of the normal Service Projects

Attend fellowship events Plan a schedule, then stick

to it

Best Practices-Health, Food and Drink

Nationals consists of early mornings and long days. Make sure you rest and take care of your body!

Get some rest before Nationals, and try to get rest when you can during Nationals.

Take your vitamins

Stay hydrated

Go outside a little each day and get a breath of fresh air

Food Chapters—provide snacks

for your Voting Delegates for legislative session.

Make sure you eat! Stake out the nearby restaurants early so that you can run out quickly and get food. Don’t just survive on Starbucks!

Find a nearby grocery or convenient store and stock up on granola bars, apples, candy bars, sodas

Special Events/Highlights

COE & PPOE Winners Reception on 12/28

Alumni Reception 12/28 Encourage your newly

initiated Brothers (NIBs) to meet their Pledge Class Namesake , Kay Krenek on 12/29

VIP Meet & Greet on 12/29

Candidates Forum 12/29. Encourage all your delegates, not just your Voting Delegates to attend

Attend APO LEADS workshops. Explore is usually only offered at Nationals and Regionals, take advantage of it

Nationals Choir-everyone is invited to join. Practice is held throughout Nationals

How to Survive Nationals: Veteran Tips

Voting Delegates and those serving on Reference Committees must arrive no later than noon on December 27th. Plan accordingly, and allow time for travel/weather delays

Get everywhere early. The elevators are packed before banquets, fellowship events and legislative sessions

Know the phone numbers of all your delegates attending as well as your Section Chair. If you leave the hotel, go in groups

Make sure to bring any and all medicines that you may need that week

Bring a portable humidifier for your hotel room

How to Survive Nationals: Veteran Tips

Bring things to do during downtime (i.e. Sudoku, crossword puzzles, books) to help you relax.

Attend both banquets. You don’t want to miss anything! If your Chapter is getting a COE or PPOE, make sure to attend the first banquet as well as the second

Send someone down early from your chapter to save a table at banquet. Everyone else has the same idea!

Consider having someone sitting in the peanut gallery (the area behind the Voting Delegates) at specific times so that your VDs can send you notes/requests

Hang out in the lobby and meet new Brothers

Region Expectations of Delegates

Attend all four Regional meetings and be on time. Each one has a specific purpose

Attend Candidates Forum, asking questions as appropriate

Think of and ask questions to your leadership (Sectional/Regional)—we represent you!

Represent your Chapter and the Region with pride

Communicate with your Section Chair/volunteer staff

HAVE FUN!

Getting the Best out of Nationals

Don’t spend all your time on your phone or tablet. Nationals only comes around every two years-make the most of it!

Meet people outside of your Section, and even outside of your Region

Attend all events (fellowships, banquets, etc.) Explore the host city where time allows Visit the fraternity store and buy things (shirts, banners, key

chains, etc.) Visit the Fraternity History exhibit and explore almost 90

years of Fraternity history Attend workshops that you can take lessons learned back to

your chapter Take notes on key legislative changes to take back and explain

to your Chapter

Key Topics to Leave Nationals Understanding

State of the Fraternity—what’s been accomplished recently

State of the Region—what’s been accomplished recently

Changes made to the Fraternity through legislation

Thoughts on the direction the Region will be going

Key goals and objectives for the Fraternity and the region

New National and Regional Leaders

Key Documents

2014 National Convention Delegate Handbook

Previous Delegate Handbooks

Convention Resources Page: http://www.apo.org/leadershipdevelopment/nationalconvention/resources

Thank you for all you do for Alpha Phi Omega!