National Event Updates
CONVENTION 2010: Birmingham, Alabama
Submitted by Shelly Marie Redmond, National Vice-President
Warm sun, skirts, and sunglasses! Yes, spring and summer are fast approaching and with this summer being our 2010 National Convention, Alpha Sigma Tau is ready to set sail to the Sheraton-Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama!
Detailed convention registration information, including information for room reservation at the Sheraton-Birmingham, will be available at our national website in late February, early March.
Please estimate the cost of convention registration to be between $400-$500 per person. Room rates for convention are set at $145 a night (approximately $650 for the course of the convention). While several meals will be provided with the cost of registration, some lunches will be out-of-pocket expense. The Sheraton can provide lunch for these days for $7 (without tax) per individual.
With the focus of our convention building on our 2009 Officer Academy of ‘Good to Great,’ we are prepared to take ‘it to the next level’ and “Sail Into Excellence”.
Convention will open on Wednesday, June 23 showcasing the beauty of our beloved ritual. Closing convention will be our beautiful Yellow Rose Banquet on Saturday, June 26.
With so much more to say, we ask that you stay tuned to our website, Facebook, and twitter to join us as we ‘Sail to Excellence!’
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Convention Philanthropy: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama
Submitted by Sara Brown, National Philanthropy Coordinator
Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority is proud to announce that this year’s convention philanthropy will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama offers a “home-away-from-home” for families who travel to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and have a child staying in the hospital for care. Over 75% of the children in Alabama and their families must travel to receive appropriate pediatric care. The average stay at the Ronald McDonald House is 13 days (almost 2 weeks away from home!) and approximately 16% of stays are over 3 weeks!
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama provides a place to stay for these families along with meals, resources, and supplies for the duration of their stay. Please visit http://www.rmhca.org for more information about the Ronald McDonald Charities of Alabama.
This convention Alpha Sigma Tau will provide the Ronald McDonald House welcome baskets to ease the stress of being away from home for so long. During convention, sisters will work interactively in small groups to create these baskets with the donations brought by the Sisterhood. The goal this year is to donate 75 completed baskets to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama!
We realize that some members will be flying and have some luggage constraints and monetary limitations for checked baggage. This year, we have identified items to bring depending on your mode of transportation! Here is a list for those who are driving and flying:
Flying: travel toiletries, soaps, bath loofas, new teddy bears, puzzle books (to do in the waiting room at hospital), small picture frames, non-perishable food items like hard candy, ribbon, pre-made welcome and get-well cards from sisters, tissue paper in green and gold, construction paper, stickers, and other small items that can fit in luggage.
Driving: baskets (ask each member from your group to donate at least 1 basket), larger items like full size shampoo and soaps, candles, craft items made by members, candy and other food items, journals, pens, coloring books and crayons for child in the hospital, ribbon, markers, construction paper, cellophane paper, and other appropriate crafts and items for the families
Please keep all of these things in mind and talk to other members who are attending convention
and what items are of interest to donate. Also, talk to other sisters who are not attending convention but would like to donate items to this year’s convention philanthropy. We encourage you to get together as a group either with alumnae or collegiate chapter to make get well and welcome cards and small crafts as a group to donate to this year’s convention philanthropy. Also, if you are driving and would like to put together a complete basket from your alumnae association or collegiate chapter, please feel free to do so! If you have any questions please contact the National Philanthropy Coordinator, Sara Brown, at sbrown@alphasigmatau.org!
