The Foundation

The Foundation Room

Here’s what to expect from one of Convention’s time-honored traditions

There are so many exciting happenings at the Convention, one being the fan-favorite Foundation Room. Every biennium, the Foundation Room becomes a hub for longtime volunteers, first-time attendees and members at all stages to connect, reconnect and show their support to the sisterhood that brought them together in the first place. Here’s a look at what to expect from the Foundation Room at Convention 2024 in Chicago, Illinois!

Hearts

Celebrate someone special with a Heart — yours! For $5, $10 or $25, gift a Heart to a special sister or loved one, supporting our organization. Honorees receive acknowledgment emails and can proudly wear Hearts at Convention. Neither you nor your recipient need to attend Convention to participate in this cherished tradition!

Pink Heart: $5

Silver Herat: $10

Gold Heart: $25

Opportunity Drawing

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, members and Gamma Phi Beta friends, the opportunity drawing is a trove of treasures, including electronics, Sorority merchandise, gift certificates and more. Every Convention registrant gets a free ticket; additional tickets are $5 each. Funds raised will help provide scholarships, grants and educational opportunities for our members.

Silent Auction (New!)

Get ready to bid and win big! Gamma Phi Beta members and friends can bid on exclusive items like jewelry, gift certificates and vacations. While Convention participants can view items in the Foundation Room, bidders do not need to attend Convention to participate. The auction runs from June 24-29, and all items will be shipped to winners.

Other Happenings

Experience a variety of other engaging activities in the Foundation Room. From interactive fun to collecting your Foundation ribbons to mingling with cherished volunteers, it's where excitement, inspiration and connections come alive.

Learn more at GammaPhiBeta.org/ConventionFoundationRoom.

The Crescent chatted with Foundation Chair Barbie Chadwick (Vanderbilt) to learn more about the Foundation Room, its vibe and the reasons why this aspect of the Convention is crucial for the overall success of the Sorority.

What about this year’s Foundation Room are you most excited about?

I’m excited about the silent auction we’re adding — silent auctions are so fun! And we’re going to have some great items up for bids. In addition, I always love to see everyone as they visit the Foundation Room — it’s a great way to meet new sisters and tell the story of the Foundation.

What’s the energy like in the Foundation Room?

I t’s like a party in the Foundation Room, where friends, old and new, gather to connect or reconnect. I love spending time in the room meeting everyone, especially the collegians. I don’t have much opportunity to engage with collegians [in my role], so I really find it fun to show them around the space.

Can you tell our readers why Hearts are so important?

They serve two purposes, both equally important. The first is that they tell the recipient that you think they are a special sister. Secondly, they provide needed funds to support our sisterhood to enhance the member experience with scholarships, fellowships, leadership grants and Loyalty Grants for members facing emergency financial needs. Without this support, we wouldn’t be able to reach as many sisters as we do!

Any advice for first-time Conventioneers?

Challenge yourself to talk to someone you don’t know. Don’t limit yourself to interacting with your chapter sisters if you're attending with them. As an 'old-timer,' I cherish catching up with old friends, but the most rewarding part is meeting new sisters and learning about their Gamma Phi Beta journey. Also, the leaders of Gamma Phi Beta are just sisters like everyone else. Try to talk with them. You may learn something new about Gamma Phi! Overall, the sisterhood felt at Convention is unparalleled. And this year is going to be even better as we celebrate our 150th.

Foundation Room Hours

Wednesday, June 22: Noon-6 p.m.

Thursday, June 23: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Friday, June 24: 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 25: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

All times are in Central Time Zone