Convention review
The 57th International Convention The 57th International Convention, held at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel from August 11-14, 2010, was attended by more than 310 student members, as well as more than 185 alumni and guests from across North America. For the first time ever, members unable to attend were connected to the four days of programming, legislation, brotherhood and festivities through the Fraternity’s live webcasts and social media interaction throughout the Convention.
Wednesday, August 11th
Convention Kick-off and Awards Presentation
New Orleans
Delta Chi
Patrick Alderdice, Ball State ’92, and Paul Picciani, Connecticut ’89, returned as the Convention Kick-off’s emcees. Over 100 viewers joined the Convention guests in viewing the entertaining show through the Fraternity’s first live broadcast online. After introducing the Executive Committee, who entered dressed in Saints jerseys, Alderdice and Picciani announced over 250 programming awards (see pages 8-9 for a complete list of all award recipients). Their dialog was accompanied by the slapstick antics of the Swingaroux band, a local Dixie band. Midway through announcing awards, Picciani received a call and invited some very special guests to join him on stage. The doors in the back of the room flew open, and Ben Wise ’08 and Mark York ’12, South Dakota State Chapter brothers, appeared carrying a canoe. These two men led a canoeing expedition from Brookings, SD to New Orleans, LA with the purpose of raising awareness and funds for the V Foundation. Upon arriving in New Orleans, York recalled, “We exchanged emotionally charged handshakes, and Ben and I then carried the canoe on our shoulders to the [Marriott]...Two thousand three hundred miles in 48 days – that’s what it took to move one canoe from the Delta Chi house in Brookings, SD to New Orleans, LA.” At the conclusion of the Convention Kick-Off, Alderdice and Picciani announced the recipients of the Fraternity’s Award of Excellence. The members of these chapters joined the “AA” for a private reception with a beautiful view of the French Quarter and downtown New Orleans for a preview of what would be a Convention to remember.
Thursday, August 12th
General Sessions Elections, Delta Chi Law & Ritual Changes A procession of the Board of Regents, past “AA”s, “BB”s, and members of the Order of the White Carnation began the first general session on Thursday morning. Gil Werntz, Georgia Southern ’85, called the session to order as “FF”. The Convention Chorus sang the Bond Song, and then Tom Horowitz, “AA”, led the delegates in the recitation of the Preamble. Executive Director Ray Galbreth, Missouri ’69, recognized attendees based on the number of Conventions attended. Jimmie J. “Doc” Underwood, Kansas ’51, was 4 Delta Chi | Quarterly | Fall 2010
recognized for attending his 24th Convention, with many others hoping to follow in his footsteps. Delegates gave a standing ovation to Underwood and others for their dedication to Delta Chi. General Session I reviewed the following items regarding Delta Chi Law: a number of technical changes to Delta Chi Law regarding Vice Regents, Regional Leadership Conferences, alumnus status, student status, the term of the “BB”, filling vacancies on the Board of Regents, changing the names of chapters and the waiver of dues for faculty or alumni initiates. The Convention also approved a change in Delta Chi Law that deletes the dues exemption for men initiated during that same school year. This change was adopted in lieu of a dues increase. Following the adoption of the legislative items above, nominations were received for Executive Committee positions. R.C. Damle, Texas ’01, was nominated for “AA”. Charles Cheatham, Louisiana Tech ’88; Aaron Otto, Kansas State ’98; and Bill Tallman, Embry-Riddle ’95; were nominated for “CC”. Miles Washburn, Massachusetts ’87, was nominated for “DD”. The Convention delegates then heard the presentation of two of the four men to be inducted into the Order of the White Carnation. The delegates unanimously approved all four men. Welcomed into the Order of the White Carnation at that time were Paul Bohlman, Ohio State ’70, and Don LaPlante, Southern California Faculty. General Session I closed with all attendees posing for the Convention photo before heading off for lunch. After lunch, the delegates entered their respective Regional Caucuses for a “question and answer” session regarding the elections of the “AA”, “CC”, and “DD”. General Session II saw R.C. Damle unanimously elected as Delta Chi’s 51st “AA”. Bill Tallman was elected to serve as “CC”, and Miles Washburn was elected as “DD”. Tom Horowitz will now assume the role of Retiring “AA”. The Convention then adjourned for a break and dinner. After dinner, the delegates witnessed the Ritual exemplification, a model rehearsal of the Fraternity’s Ritual, and called to order the third General Session of the day. During the Ritualistic Session, there were some small changes made in the Ritual Manual to enhance the understanding of and protect the integrity of the Ritual. Greg Hauser, Michigan State ’75, presented the
