I am looking forward to this weekends Section 87-88-89 conference in SUNY Binghamton. On the eve of what I know will be an awesome conference, I need to say something about the state of sectionals. I have attended perhaps 45+ conferences in upstate NY in 26.5 years, including an unbroken stretch for the first 17 years. I have seen and had fun at large ones, small ones, joint ones and split ones. Joint and split you say? What were those? Well, there was an experiment from 1996 to 1998 where the fall conferences were in individual sections and the spring ones were jointly held and alternating between 88 and 89. (There was no 87 yet). The experiment failed for a few reasons: the average chapter was 40 members and only two chapters were at or near 100 members. Members befriended members from all over the state and went to conferences regardless of it being their own or the other sections conference (Fall 97 had 50 at Clarkson and 200+ at Syracuse!). Not too many chapters had the manpower resources and desire to host a conference more than once every few years, which didnt sustain the hosting model of a section hosting three out of four semesters. So we rejoined in 99 for all conferences. Fast forward to 2014. We now have trisectionals, where each section takes its turn and hosts once every three semesters. The average chapter has grown substantially with several now over 100 members, and two in 88 alone over 150 members continuously. Banquet faciltiies are now beginning to fill to capacity on a regular basis and thats with far less than half of section 87-88-89 members going to conferences at all. I have seen more and more chapters jonesing to host a conference and feeling dejected because it is unrealistic to expect most to be able to host a conference more often than once every 4-5 years, far longer than the average active member lifecycle. I also dont notice much intersection activity among actives any more outside of conferences. Not like it used to be. Sectionals are perhaps one of the most important events on an average chapter calendar to either run or participate in. At a minimum, every chapter needs to have representation, regardless of location or conflict in schedule. At the very least, a chapter needs to delegate two individuals to represent the chapter at a conference, even if say the chapter is hosting Walk for Life on a school break that weekend. But also just as important, every member should consider sectionals attendance at least once if not more so. I have seen a direct correlation between interchapter activity and the most successful brothers and leaders. 20 years ago, a clear majority of brothers in a majority of chapters would go to conferences on a regular basis. Back then, those were sectionals of 200-300 people. Nowadays if we get to that same percentage of involvement, and we most definitely should, the joint conferences would easily exceed 500 participants!! That said, as much as I enjoy seeing all brothers of all sections, and as much as I gave the experiment a chance and was a fan of the reversion to the old ways, I now put forth a proposal for consideration that at the very least, a split-joint model be seriously considered. I think it would work nowadays for the following reasons: 1. The locality would encourage better attendance, and with better average participation, split conferences would still be highly attended. In 88 alone, if only half total members went to a conference, thats almost 300 right there! 2. The hosting opportunities for each section would go from once every three semesters to four every six semesters. If each section had three chapters who can realistically and effiicently run a conference, thats a hosting opportunity every three years for the average chapter, which means the average brother has a crack at being part of a hosting effort once in their college experience. 3. It would be easier to program on Friday night since most would arrive earlier, and no need for a joint meeting on Saturday which can free up 60-90 minutes of time on the schedule for something else. 4. transportation would be easier and cheaper. brothers who can only afford to make it a one day trip now have more opportunities to make it so, and travel safely to do so. 5. If more individual section issues were intensely focused on in the split conference, it then may make it easier to focus on the bigger picture at the joint conference. 6. The real die-hards now have the option to attend more than one conference in a semester, but it should be agreed upon that the priority one needs to be the home section. Even if a few dont go to their home conference, the impact will be hardly noticeable (as opposed to the 1997 example given above). 7. With more opportunities to lead and attend, it will produce more chapter leaders and future staff to make this model more sustainable in the years to come. So this longtime brother/alum has always supported sectionals and encouraged participation regardless of the format. I put forth the above proposal. But its not up to me to look into it futher, its up to you the actives to ponder it and decide among yourselves. Feel free to stop and ask me about it this weekend, whether youre for or against, or indecisive or ambivalent. Ill gladly sit down and chat. And whether future conferences are ever split or remain joint, I am always for the conference experience!!
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 21:21:57 +0000
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