Note to Alumni

A Special Note for Alumni:

Brothers,

Hello one and all! My name is Adam Rone, and I am the Alumni Committee Chair for the National Convention Planning Committee. I am excited to tell you more about the many opportunities that you will find in Louisville during the National Convention in December. I am uniquely qualified for this task, since I am a native of the state of Kentucky and a resident of the wonderful city of Louisville. I believe that the city of Louisville and the state of Kentucky have many great things to offer you during Convention. I will tell you about some things that you may experience while in Louisville, especially for our alumni who will be attending the convention.

First, let me tell you a little about myself. I grew up in Morgantown, Kentucky, which is located in Butler County. It is a rural area of less than 11,000 people (Kentucky is mostly a rural state, but Louisville is the exception to this rule). I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, and I pledged to the Theta Theta chapter there in the Fall of 1999. After graduating in 2002 from Centre, I continued to work and live in Kentucky. Later, I moved to Louisville and enrolled at the University of Louisville (U of L) in Fall of 2004 to continue my studies. While at U of L, I decided to become an active again at the Delta Theta chapter, until I graduated in May of 2006 and became an alumnus for the second time.

I know from my own experience that it can be easy to let our alumni slip by and be forgotten, and that is why I believe it is important for our fraternity to be concerned with the fate of our alumni and to continue to care for them and encourage them to remain involved. Alumni can be a valuable resource, and we have made alumni a high priority at this convention. Some activities we have for alumni include:

• “family-friendly” day trips – read John Burkey’s blog entry for more details
• a Family Fun Room at the Galt House
• alumni-specific workshops and seminars (and some that would be especially relevant to alumni) – see Ginny Wright’s blog entry for more details
• an alumni luncheon and donor reception

Some alumni may be hesitant to come to convention because they have children, but fear not! A great asset of this convention will be the inclusion of a Family Fun Room. This will be located in the Breathitt Room at the Galt House, which is near many important events and activities. Feel free to bring your family, and help us get started early on educating and encouraging the next generation of leaders (and Brothers). There will be story hour, movies, games, and lots of other fun activities for families and kids to enjoy. However, let me caution now that this is NOT a childcare service. Parents are responsible for watching their children AT ALL TIMES. While we will have volunteers there (and we encourage you to come and sign up to help out) to assist and provide fun activities for families, we are there in a support manner only, and do not have the personnel or responsibility for watching all children. On the bright side, the Family Fun Room is entirely free and there will be many fun activities, so feel free to come and enjoy some activities with your child while at Convention.

If you are an alum, we would also like to highly encourage you to attend the Alumni Donor Reception. This is an opportunity when you can meet actives and alumni from around the country. Also, this is your last opportunity to donate money and make those ever-important tax deductions before the end of the fiscal year, so be sure to donate! Your donations ensure that the Fraternity will remain financially healthy for years to come, and you help keep dues low for the actives so that we can continue to grow in the future.

Previously in this blog, John Burkey has spoken about the many exciting things to do while you are in Louisville, and Ginny Wright has spoken about the outstanding seminars and workshops that you can attend while at National Convention. I just want to emphasize again that many of these same activities are excellent choices for alumni. In conclusion, I want to once again encourage you to come and enjoy the many exciting opportunities that you can find here in my city. I look forward to seeing you all this December in Louisville, and you can find me at the alumni registration table, alumni reception, the Family Fun Room, and wherever there are alumni events being held. We want to make sure that you receive a warm welcome, no matter how cold it may be outside. Let us show you the Southern hospitality that our state is known for. See you in December!

In LFS,

Adam Rone
Alumni Committee Chair
Alpha Phi Omega
National Convention 2006

Nationals Publicity and Contest Announcement

Brothers,

I would just like to take this opportunity to remind you of all various ways that you can show your support for, and find out about the upcoming National Convention. As I'm sure all of you are aware the convention website is a great source of information for the brothers in your area, with information on the Galt House, convention registration, and the many events going on during the convention. During the next few weeks much more specific information will be appearing on the website with regard to the daily happenings of convention. As of now many of the social events of convention and the APO LEADS schedule are available on the website, and shortly information the promotional video that all of the chapters throughout the country received will be available on the website as well.

In addition to the website there are many other places where one can find information about the latest updates to the website, weekly blog postings by convention committee members, and much more. These places include the official convention blog available at http://aponationals2006.blogspot.com/, a convention LiveJournal group at, http://community.livejournal.com/apo_nats06/, and a Yahoo Group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apo2006_info/

Besides, these places for information about the convention there are many other exciting places to show your support for National Convention including a convention FaceBook profile, Louie Deville, A MySpace page available at http://www.myspace.com/aponationals2006, with a blog at http://blog.myspace.com/aponationals2006 and an AIM Bot, aponationals2006.

Also, we are still looking for photos for the convention slideshow, any brothers interested in submitting them should send them to sgoldman@alumni.purdue.edu.

Lastly, we would like to make you aware of a contest that we are running. We have divided the nation into several groups, Region 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, and 9, 10, and 11. The section in each of the groups with the highest percentage of actives attending convention will receive a prize at the awards banquet. So keep up the registering and encouraging of all the brothers you know.

Remember the deadline for registering at the standard convention rate is November 15^th, please encourage all the brothers in your area to register for convention by this date, so that they can receive this rate. Please send this message anyone you know who may be interested at all in attending Nationals and see you at convention!

In Leadership, Friendship, and Service,

Shawn Goldman
Administrative Chair
Alpha Phi Omega
National Convention 2006
Unbridled Service in Louisville

Workshops

Hi Brothers!

I’m Ginny Wright and I am serving on the National Convention Planning Committee as the Seminars Sub-Committee Chair. I am also a recent graduate from Case Western Reserve University where I was a brother at the Theta Upsilon Chapter. I am currently a graduate student at Kent State University and am involved with the Epsilon Psi Chapter there.

My job for Nationals is to organize, schedule and plan entertaining and educational workshops for you all to go to while at Convention. I may be a bit biased but I think this Convention will have an amazing spread of workshops to interest those who want to learn skills to take back to their respective chapters, those who want to gain personal life skills, and those who simply want to kick back and have fun with their brothers. We have some really unique stuff that hasn’t been seen before at Convention so be prepared for a good time. Now, I’ll give you some highlights of what you can expect from the workshops offered!

I’m really excited about a lot of the workshops we are offering but one of my favorites has to be “I married a Brother, now what?” which is aimed at the spouses of APO brothers so that they can come to know and love the fraternity as much as we all do. I don’t know what it is about that one but I think its mostly the catchy title that I enjoy. We will be offering plenty of other workshops that would be enjoyable for spouses of brothers as well as Alumni including several on ways to get involved with the Fraternity.

Now onto those geared toward the people who want to have good clean fun at workshops! We will again be offering the ever popular Massage workshop. In Denver, this was by far the most popular workshop. We will also be offering a series of different dance workshops so that people with minimal dance skills can pick up some moves before the APO Wedding and Reception where they can then showcase them with all their brothers! We’re definitely having a Swing Dance workshop and will have several other Dance workshops to choose from. Do you like craft projects? Well, then we have one for you too. A brother will be teaching people about different APO craft projects and you can share your unique APO craft ideas with other brothers. Trying to plan for your future? Need help writing a resume or figuring out how to interview for a job or school? We have workshops planned to help you out!

Looking for local flavor while in Louisville but don’t want to leave the Galt House? We’ve got you covered there too. We’re bringing the Derby to you in two forms. First, a workshop covering the interesting history of the Kentucky Derby. Definitely for you if you, like me, don’t know the first thing about horse racing. Also, we’re having a workshop where you can make your very own Derby Hat. You know those big fancy hats you see people wearing when pictured at the Derby? Now you can make your own. And then you can even wear it to the Derby themed Awards Banquet!

We also, of course, have a TON of more APO related workshops. We’re covering a huge range of topics from basically every arena of the Fraternity. Need help fundraising? We’ve got a workshop on that. Want to learn how to plan a service project? Go to Service Chutes and Ladders! Need to learn how to better market your chapter? Check out Marketing APO. I could go on and on and on about the various workshops at Convention but at some point you would stop reading. Just make sure to check out your convention program carefully. There will be tons of workshop gems hidden inside waiting for you to check them out.

If you have any questions about Workshops, feel free to ask me. And I hope to see you December 27^th at Convention. There will be Workshops that afternoon so make sure to look for those!

In LFS,

Ginny Wright
Seminars Sub-Committee Chair
APO National Convention Planning Committee
Louisville 2006!

Saving Money at Convention

Dear Brothers,

Louisville National Convention is just around the corner so it’s not to early to register! By registering before November 15, 2006, actives can get the $65 convention rate. After November 15, 2006, the rate goes up $20 to $85 for actives. Also do not forget to register for the excellent banquets. After registering for the national convention, make sure that YOU and your friends call and request a room at the magnificent Gault House. The hotel rate is only $69 a night plus tax.

Now, how are most of YOU going to get to Louisville, Kentucky? More than half of Alpha Phi Omega’s chapters are with in a half days drive from Louisville. This means that majority of our attendees will be driving to the Louisville. By driving and carpooling with other members to the national convention, will help YOU save money on travel expenses. If YOU are planning on flying to Louisville, there are a few low fare airlines that fly into Louisville International Airport. Being able to drive or fly on a low fare airline with help YOU save money when traveling to the national convention.

While not doing national convention activities, there are vast amounts of inexpensive entertainment and dinning opportunities in the downtown Louisville area. With Fourth Street Live just a walk down the street from the hotel, YOU and your friends can grab a bite to eat at the food court or one of the many sit down restaurants at Fourth Street Live. If its not eating that fills your craving, then YOU can even do a little bowling or shopping at Fourth Street Live. By having Fourth Street Live so close to the hotel, its saves YOU money on gas and parking.

If Fourth Street Live does not fill your craving, then Downtown Louisville provides other dinning and entertainment opportunities near the hotel. Other dinning opportunities that are in walking distance from the hotel are Old Spaghetti Factory, Joe’s Crab Shack, Champions Sports Bar and Grill, and so much more. Other entertainment opportunities include Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville Science Center, Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum, and so much more. By having all of these entertainment and dinning opportunities so close to the hotel help YOU save money and time when you are at the national convention.

Finally, here are few ideas for fun and easy fundraisers that will YOU and your chapter cover the costs of attending the Louisville National Convention. First, if your chapter is blessed in being in a warm state then YOU could do a carwash. Carwashes are always fun and easy to run. If you chapter is not blessed with warm temperature year round then you could look to do something indoors. One of the college student’s favorite things in the world is a good and inexpensive meal. YOU and your chapter could provide a good quality meal like spaghetti or pancake dinner for a small fee. Some of the most successful campus fundraisers are dealing with food and eating. Well I hope some of these fundraiser ideas will give YOU a jump start on raising money for the Louisville National Convention.

Only three months from now we all will be at the greatest national convention ever!!! I hope to see you all in Louisville in December and good luck preparing for this great event. SEE YOU AT THE CONVENTION!!!

Sincerely,

Tyler Arin Lauber

Finance Chair for the 2006 Louisville National Convention

APO LEADS and Events Calendar Update

Brothers,

The schedule for LEADS at National Convention is now posted on the convention website. I highly encourage each and every one to take the opportunity to attend LEADS events at Nationals. Additionally, there have been a number of updates to the Events calendar. These additions include a Bowling event on December 29th at Lucky Strike Bowl, as well as a schedule for the Family Activities Room. Remember the last day to register for the convention at the current rate is November 15th, so please take the time to register as soon as possible to take advantage of this rate.

In Leadership, Friendship, and Service,

Shawn Goldman
Administrative Chair
Alpha Phi Omega
National Convention 2006
Unbridled Service in Louisville

Daytrips and Volunteering at Convention

Hi Brothers

Welcome back to school and I hope this finds you all having an exciting and productive fall. Let me start of by introducing myself; my name is John Burkey and I am a recent graduate from Mount Union College in Alliance, OH and Brother from Xi Upsilon Chapter. I am also serving on the Convention Committee as the Operations Committee Chair. While a Brother attending Sectionals in the spring of 2004 I got involved with the Louisville Bid Committee who wanted to go to Denver in 2004 and win the bid to host and plan the 2006 National Convention. I don’t need to go into more details because everyone knows we won the Bid and that this December Thousands of Brothers will attend what has the potential to be one of the largest and greatest conventions in Fraternity History.

I have to tell you all that personally, and while you may think that I am biased because I am on the Convention Committee, that every time I go to Louisville I find another thing great about the city. I could not imagine a more perfect city to host our National Convention then Louisville. This city has so much to offer and so many local attractions, that if you don’t go to Convention for any other reason then to check out the local attractions and establishments you will not be disappointed. One of my Sub Committees is Day Trips, and they have been working very hard to locate and plan trips to local highlights in and around Louisville. Everyone knows the infamous Kentucky Derby Trumpet Call; it is one of the most recognizable sounds in the world. Louisville is home to the world Famous Kentucky Derby and how can you come to Louisville without seeing Churchill Downs? Take a tour of the Grand Stands, walk on the track and take a tour of the infamous Infield where the largest party in sports takes place every year. Watch on an IMAX Screen a newly released movie on the Derby and get the sensation that you are a Jockey riding a horse in the Kentucky Derby. This IMAX movie truly gives you sensation that you are there and does help bring to life the Greatest 2 Minutes in Sports! For those of you familiar with the Louisville Bid theme, The Greatest 2 Minutes in Sports Meets the Greatest 4 Days of Service!

Ok so you’re still reading this and thinking ok the Kentucky Derby is just another Horse race, so what? Well I would bet that you enjoy going to Baseball games with your friends on a nice sunny afternoon, and cheering on your favorite team. When you come to convention it will be December and the World Series will have a winner, except baseball season never stops in Louisville. If you’re wondering how this is possible, think about that key piece of equipment used in every single baseball game, the wooden bats. Those wooden bats your favorite player used to hit the winning home run in the bottom of the 9^th to clinch the win for your team are made in downtown Louisville. That’s right, so if you’re now thinking to yourself, Louisville Slugger….Louisville Kentucky you have figured out why Baseball season is never over in Louisville. Another Day Trip that is being planned is of The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory that makes the most popular brand of bats in the world. While at the museum check out how bats go from a piece of solid wood to the key piece of equipment in a baseball game. Get your picture taken with the Worlds’ Largest Baseball Bat and then pick out a bat for yourself and get it personalized and engraved as a souvenir of your trip. Just remember to check it into your suitcase or mail it home if you fly to Convention. The TSA will no longer let you take them on the plane as a carry on.

Now that we have covered two of the largest sports in Louisville let’s change pace a bit and tell you about our other two trips that we have planned for your enjoyment. Remember back to 6^th grade history class and we read about Steam Paddleboats and how they traveled up and down the Nations Rivers? Well come join us for a river tour of the City of Louisville on the Spirit of Jefferson. For those of you who didn’t already know Louisville sit on the Ohio River and across the river is Indiana. Louisville was built around and on the banks of the Ohio River, so what better way to see the city skyline then by taking a Paddle Boat River Ride? Ok so maybe you want to learn about more about what else makes Kentucky famous. Well Kentucky is known for its rich history in Bourbon making. Kentucky Bourbon has been ranked some of the best Bourbon in the world. That is why we are planning a trip for everyone to take a tour of one of the oldest Distilleries in the state. It is a short 40 min drive from the city, so sign up now if you’re interested, spots are limited. The tour will take you on a guided walk through the original Distillery that they used over a hundred years ago to make Bourbon, and then take a tour through the one they use today. While many of the techniques are still the same they used hundred years ago, the equipment is newer. The tour then takes you to the museum that shows you the rich history and background of the Kentucky Bourbon industry and how that good old Kentucky Heritage has helped make its Bourbon some of the best in the World.

We would have loved to offer more trips to more places but because of limited amount of time we just couldn’t do that. However, it is greatly unlikely that you would come to National Convention and not participate in any Convention Activities. I can tell you that the socials and nightly activities that are being planned are not your typical convention activities. For those of you who have been to other conventions like Denver and New Orleans, you may have some preconceived ideas of what you may see. I can tell you that what we are working on planning is not your normal stuff, and some of it can never be duplicated at another convention in the future. This will truly be a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in activities that are unique to only this Convention.

Now what would a convention be without Service, after all we are a Service based Fraternity. So we have for you Service 24 Hours a day. After all what would you expect for APO’s National Convention? As a Fraternity we set the standard on campuses around the country for service and in many cases lead in doing more service then most other student organizations. So yes you should not expect us to do anything less then for us to offer Service for our Brothers to participate in 24 Hours a Day for 4 Days! Think about the hours you could earn and take back with you to your Chapter. Is there someone in your Chapter that always seems to get the Centennial Award (100 Hour Award) well get a head start on your spring hours by helping us out. Regardless if you are a morning person or a night owl we can use your help. Our two biggest needs for volunteers are to help with Security Patrols and Floor Service Runners. On Security Patrols you and a partner walk the halls of the hotel and help make sure that our fellow Brothers are staying quiet at night out of respect for the other hotel guests that we will be sharing the hotel with. Our second Opportunity comes in the form of service to our fellow Brothers that are working the Reference Committees & Legislation Floor. As you may know they have to spend countless hours on the Legislation Floor and may not get lunch breaks when its lunch time. Many Chapters help take care of their Delegates by bringing them food, drinks, snacks, toys and other items to keep them entertained, but we need volunteers to help deliver the items to the Delegates on the Legislative Floor. Come help us help our brothers by delivering messages, counting votes, posting messages back to Chapters and many other tasks.

I am sure that something I have talked about sounds like it could and would be something enjoyable to do. Remember you don’t have to do any of this by yourself. Bring your friends from your Chapter, take a well deserved break from everyday class and campus environment and join us for what will be the greatest National Convention in Fraternity History. I look forward to meeting you all this December.

In LFS

John Burkey
Operations Committee Chair
2006 APO National Convention Committee