Gearing up for National Convention

 🎵 I'm going back to Indiana......Indiana, here I come!🎵

Call all SORORS to the floor: As I am gearing up to attend the 56th National Convention, I am thrilled to amid 20k sorors. I am ready to connect with sorors from my undergrad chapter, kick it with my current chapter sorors, and meet and connect with Sorors from around the globe. If this is your FIRST national convention, take it ALL IN! I remember my 1st National Convention. I was blessed that it was in my hometown, so I didn't have to travel (Chicago). Although I was fresh off the sands, I was elected president of my undergrad chapter, which also meant that I was the delegate for our chapter. Although I was there to handle business on behalf of my chapter, I kicked it hard too. Although the convention was held in my hometown, my chapter paid for me and my ship (the alternate delegate) to stay downtown at one of the hotels. Attending my 1st National Convention was one of my best Delta Experiences. I left with many new friends. I was ready to lead my chapter the following fall semester.

For those planning to attend your 1st Convention, Conclave, Boule, etc...TAKE IT ALL IN!!!! You will initially feel a bit overwhelmed, but you will get used to it and blend in after a while. Attend as many business sessions as possible, have fun, take photos and videos, and connect with as many of your sorors/fraternity members as possible. In terms of shopping at the vendors...my advice? Don't buy ANYTHING until you have shopped around. You need to find out how often that cute shirt, bracelet, or jacket was a bit cheaper at a different booth. 

After 20 years, I hardly EVER shop at the vendors. Now, I go there to capture photos and videos. If I do shop there, usually I go on the last day. Why??? Most vendors do not want to ship their merchandise back home; they put everything on sale/clearance. The only exception I make to this rule is while I am there to capture photos, I come across a one-of-a-kind item that I LOVE! 

I leave for Indiana the following Monday, and the worst part for me? PACKING!!! Oh, do I HATE packing....so I will be a little better this year by packing little by little each day so I won't forget anything. 

I look forward to being on Photography duty to capture as many photos as possible as the Farwest regional photographer. So if you are an avid blog reader and come across me taking photos, please stop by to say hi! I LOVE meeting new sorors who are readers of my blog. 

To those of you that will be traveling to attend your Convention, Conclave, Boule, etc....SAFE TRAVELS!

Welcome To the Divine Nine New Members

 Hello Everyone!!!!

It's been a LONG time since I have posted, as I have been living life, which includes being busy as all get out. It's been a mighty busy season for all those applying for membership into the organization of their dreams. For this who made it, CONGRATS!!!!!! I am thrilled that you cross the sands into ____land.

Now that you are members, please note that the HARD work starts now. Chapter meetings, committee meetings, events, community service projects, and showing up in the community are what it's all about. Most people feel the most challenging part of membership is receiving an invitation to membership. That is only partially true. Although membership in these prestigious organizations has privileges, we need members willing to work hard for the organization. 

Now that you are proud members take it ALL in now.....because as soon as the fall semester starts, BAY-BEE!!!!! You will finally see how hard it is to be a member of these orgs. 

It's that time once, again!

 Just stopping by to wish everyone all the best as Rush Season is upon us. Stay true to yourself, stand out, and network, network, NETWORK!

I will be back to make a full post this weekend. 

Ciao,

"V"

Happy New Year, 2022!

It's been a while since I have last blogged, please forgive me. With life, school, concerts, recitals, photography, it's been a crazy, bumpy, yet lovable ride. 

I will blog some more but in the meantime, I have a favor to ask. My chapter is doing a fundraiser from double good popcorn. (I am sure you have heard of it). It would be so kind to purchase a couple of bags, I would be EVER so grateful. We are currently in a contest, and the chapter that raises the most money, will receive $1500 to use for scholarship for local students. You will have until January 13th (which is our Founders Day btw) 7pm EST to purchase popcorn.

The link is below, and if you do decide to purchase, please put vplove in the comments, so I can get credit! 

Double Good Popcorn for Phoenix Metro Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Thanks so much and I will be back in a few days to give you all updates of what's been going on with me. V. Love

Congratulations to all New Initiates!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all are doing well, staying safe, and, more importantly, STAYING HOME! These last few months have been interesting. Several organizations had to either put a halt or cancel membership intake all together for safety reasons, and others were able to finish up depending on where they were in the process.  I am a member and an advisor of Sigma Alpha Iota (Music Fraternity) and an Alumni of Alpha Phi Omega (Service) where organizations at our University had to put a halt to membership intake.  If you were able to finish up your process CONGRATULATIONS and welcome to GreekLand! If your process was canceled, remember that this is not a denial, just a delay. Things are looking different for EVERYONE! Chapter meetings are now held virtually, and chapter events have been canceled.  Colleges and Universities had to send their students home, I am now teaching from home, my husband is working from home. I must admit I have had cabin fever. Each time I think about wanting to leave my house, I have to remind myself that this is temporary, and the sooner we ALL can stay at home, the sooner we can get back to normal.

We are living in uncharted territory. This has NEVER happened before. Although I was looking forward to attending my regional conference this summer, especially since my chapter is the host chapter, its as canceled. ALL of our events are canceled. Although I feel SO bad about this, I feel even worse about the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. This is their centennial year, and I was looking forward to seeing all of my Zeta cousins (and I have a LOT OF THEM) celebrating their centennial in DC at Howard. As I have been watching the news, it seems like that may not happen for them. If they are forced to cancel, I PRAY they will be able to reschedule it for another time when it's safe. I remember how much of a glorious time I had at my centennial, and I am hoping they will be able to experience it as well.

If you crossed this semester (or fall semester), comment below, and introduced yourself, I have always enjoyed meeting new Sorors, new sistergreeks, and new fraternity members across the globe.

Congrats again, and remember, now the REAL work begins!

Ciao for now,

V

I can't keep Calm it's My DeltaVersary!

Twenty years ago, in the wee hours in the morning, I, along with eight other women, pledged our desires and became proud members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. What started as a cold and raining night, ended up being a GLORIOUS day for all of us. During our 10th year Delta-Versary we all went to Vegas. We had a BALL! We made plans to go to Turk's and Caicos this year to celebrate our 20th. Unfortunately, COVID19 had other plans for us. We were all devastated! I had my gifts ready for them, was looking forward to getting my hair braided. I purchased several swimsuits and was prepared to kick it with my ships.  Instead of kicking it on the beach, we had to celebrate over the internet, what a BUMMER!


To soften the blow, I FINALLY opened up my Delta Doll that I pre-ordered around national convention last year. It was BEAUTIFUL! I had to pull out my camera to take a few pictures of it. Although NOTHING will replace our 20th trip, this doll made me feel better.

Happy 20th Shippies! I can't wait to celebrate with you when it's safe. #DST #CrimsonCream #1913 #DeltaSigmaTheta #EpsilonXi #EXi #FinancialAndActive #TwentyYears #Fortitude #Sisterhood #Scholarship #Service #SIUE #MightyMidwestMade #DS9mm #DaAssassin #Spring2000

Isn't she lovely???

Customized with my Line Info

Oo-oop!

Hey Everyone........

It's been a while since the last time I posted so I wanted to check in with you. Yup folks,  it's THAT time of year where people are applying to various orgs of their choice. Hopefully you have prepared for this journey and you started preparing WAY before attending rush. If you haven't read my previous posts, let me point out some key points in terms of important elements:

1. Informational/Rush - Get there EARLY to grab a seat. Some Rushes have more than 500 prospective members.

2. Treat this like a professional job so dress to impress.

3. I hope you saved up because joining these organizations can be quite expensive.

4. Listen and take notes during your rush. You want to make sure you don't miss anything.

5. Ask questions! The only way you will be able to get your questions answered, is to ask away.

6. Make sure you get the letters of recommendations ahead of time. Double check what is written and verify that it is correct. Verify the service hours are correct.

7. As SOON as you realize you want to be a member of XYZ organization, start networking with members from that org. Not member, MEMBERS (I am stressing the "s" for a reason). I have mentioned before that when I joined my beloved org I reached out a few members of my organization   to get a letter of recommendations.  I knew them ALL personally, so I felt confident that they could speak to my character. I knew six members PERSONALLY. They knew my record, my intent of wanting to join their organization, and my service record. I had the CHOICE of choosing WHO I wanted to write my letter of recommendation.

8. Enjoy the process. Will you be nervous? Absolutely! However, this is a time you will never forget. I remember when I was preparing for my process, I relied on Soror BeeJae Jackson and her DeltaNet website to get me through it. She gave the BEST advise for prospective members.

9. Double and Triple check your work before turning in your application. We are all human and make mistakes, however this is NOT the time you want to make mistakes. The stakes are high, and I am sure they will be scrutinizing all applications. You want to make sure your application is on point!

10. Follow directions! This is VERY important. Not only should you take notes at your information/rush as I mentioned above, you also want to follow directions to a "t'.


Wishing you all the best as you embark on this journey of Greek-life!