Convention Ups and Downs
The 2004 Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. Convention was another historical event for our great Brotherhood. For me it was filled with many ups and downs. First was that the GVSU Colony was not given chapter status, but will be granted it this fall once they start their new membership education process. Which is good because they were "conditionally" approved. A down was that I was not elected to the Board of Directors, I knew it was a gamble when I started. I am an opinionated Brother and sometimes my views are unpopular. At least I know that I say what I think, and unlike the rest of the "political" Brothers I don't hold back a comment because some people might disagree with it. I do my thing and don't look back.

The big up was.... GVSU won the Outstanding Colony for 2002-2004! I am so proud of them, I nominated them and I kept my fingers crossed. Those guy made me so proud I can barely describe in words. They are following another proud tradition... my chapter when we recolonized we went on to win Outstanding Colony for 1998-2000. I am expecting big things from GVSU this fall, and of course from the Epsilon Chapter as well.

Lets see the pics:

In return for me doing 5 workshops at convention my Headquarters hooked me up with a free room with a great balcony!

First night with Max and Hermen from the GVSU Colony.

The Brothers hung around my room a lot, seen here: WMU, Miami(OH), CMU, GVSU and Wichita State.

One of the WMU Neos, I am expecting big things from this Brother... big things.

During Convention I was in the middle of my negotiations with Albion College. I wanted to be sure I made the right decisions and wanted to weigh a lot of things out. I made the right decision during the middle of convention. I start there on September 7th and I could not be more excited. I am confident I will be able to accomplish big things there.

The last night of convention, once all the business is over, we had our banquet and dance. This is where the awards are given out and ends with a little gig. Check it out:

Mary Peterson, our Executive Director started the night off. We would not be the organization we are today if it was not for her.

MOA! The Michigan/Ohio Alliance of Brothers, now known as the East District of SLB was well represented.

Everyone gets dressed up and ready to celebrate a successful year, good meeting, and be presented with the new boards.

GVSU with Ammar the International President getting their award.

We have a special award for Brothers. Salon de Hermanidad inducted its 8th member, Brother Dough. I hope to have as successful a career as he is having in SLB.

The dance was crazy, hot and tons of fun. I was glad I got to chill with so many Brothers.

I am right now sitting in the lobby of the hotel. Getting some work done while I await my flight back home. I will spend tomorrow in Michigan packing up a lot of my things and then back to Oregon for a day before flying out to San Francisco. These will be my last couple trips before I settled into my new job.

Convention was amazing, I love sitting here and not being able to type because I have too many Brothers and Gammas coming over to say bye. I love my fraternity, for what it has done for me, what it does for our community, and what it will continue to do in the future to shape the views and culture of college students all over the country. We are doing Big Things, and I am proud to be a part of it.