Although this event was a Special Meeting of the Grand Chapter and a year later than originally planned, attendees still made memories to last a lifetime.
Main events included the Grand President's Reception and Tailgate Party sponsored by Monster Energy, honoring Joelle Berlat, Houston, with our 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring CEO of Rocket Companies Jay Farner, Michigan State, with our 2022 Career Achievement Award, a private event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and celebrating the retirement of Executive Director Emeritus Bill Schilling.
The special event was not all fun… much business was conducted during this meeting of the Grand Chapter. Past Grand President Bill Kinsella served as the Chancellor for this 54th Grand Chapter Congress, and Jeff Neurauter, DC Metro, served as Parliamentarian. Results of the bylaws legislation and Ritual proposals voted on by the Grand Chapter will be posted separately.
In the spirit of #DSPServes, attendees donated pop tabs and T-shirts, which were sold to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities. We are proud to announce that we completed our goal of collecting one million pop tabs and were recognized as part of the Collect-a-Million Club by RMHC Northeast Ohio.
Prior to GCC, we launched the new DSP Network App where registrants could review schedules, biographies for presenters, session descriptions, legislation, people to know and more… including the QR Code Adventure Game. Throughout GCC, attendees could find 16 QR codes that put together a puzzle that allowed them to enter for amazing prizes including luggage sponsored by Monster Energy, an Amazon Echo sponsored by Riddle & Bloom and a gift pack sponsored by Mecca Specialties.
We would like to extend a special thank you to Delta Sigma Pi’s Grand Chapter Congress partners, who offer outstanding opportunities (in both the areas of service, goods, education and employment) to brothers. Grand Chapter Congress partners included:
- Brodie Consulting Group
- Enterprise Holdings
- ExecSocks
- Fraternal Composite Service
- Herff Jones Jewelry
- IES Aboard/IES Internships
- Mecca Specialties
- Monster Energy
- Riddle & Bloom
- Rocket Companies
MORE CONGRESS HIGHLIGHTS (in somewhat chronological order):
- An opening educational session and networking: Ready, Set, Grand Chapter Congress presented by Brad Killmeyer, Dallas Area. During the keynote, he provided attendees tips and advice on how to maximize their GCC experience in Cleveland and provided them opportunities to meet and network with others.
- Educational sessions and roundtable discussions on topics ranging from recruitment and member engagement to personal finance, getting a job, leadership skills and more.
- A National Collegian of the Year Panel with Cody Vasquez (2020), Brennen Feder (2021) and Christian Loeb (2022), where they shared their insights and future plans with Delta Sigma Pi and answered questions from the audience.
- Keynote and Wrap-up: It's Not Personal, It's Interpersonal presented by Adekunle Samuel, Wisconsin-LaCrosse. During the keynote, he urged attendees to be respectful of varying viewpoints and educate themselves on things they may not understand. Although mistakes may be made along the way, it’s important to learn from those mistakes to make things better.
- A Diversity & Affinity Networking Reception where about 75 attendees gathered to share their own affinity with other attendees while providing feedback to align with our Strategic Priorities.
- The Grand President's Reception and Tailgate Party (sponsored by Monster Energy) with Monster Energy beverage tastings, food, music, games and more.
- Honorary Initiation of Wade Weistreich, Cleveland-Akron, provided an opportunity for hundreds of Deltasigs to see an in-person Initiation Ceremony – something many had not seen since before the pandemic. Brother Weistreich is a residential realtor in St. Louis and is recognized as a top producing agent year over year by his brokerage. He enjoys teaching others about real estate as both a personal or professional investment, previously presenting at the 2019 GCC and LEADs.
- The awarding of Golden and Silver Helmets (see Deltasigs to Receive Milestone Recognition at Grand Chapter Congress) and recognition of our Leadership Foundation donors.
- Honoring CEO of Rocket Companies Jay Farner, Michigan State, with our 2022 Career Achievement Award, followed by a fireside chat with LF Trustee Tim Augustine. During the chat, Farner shared some of his life lessons including that "relationships matter" and provided advice such as "work is about who you do it with, not about what you do".
- An on-site service event where hundreds of Deltasigs gathered together to make blankets for Fleece and Thank You and cards for healthcare workers and families supported by RMHC.
- A private event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, complete with a dessert reception and entertainment by a live band. Brothers enjoyed exhibits celebrating the history of rock and roll and many even jammed with their friends in the “Garage”!
- Presentation—and eloquent remarks from—Lifetime Achievement honoree Joelle Berlat, Houston.
- Retirement celebration—and not-so-eloquent, but entertaining remarks from—Executive Director Emeritus Bill Schilling. Thank you to the more than 80 donors who came together during Grand Chapter Congress to honor Bill by raising nearly $17,000 for the Bill & Sherry Schilling Fraternity Grant Fund!
- The Grand Chapter Congress Banquet, a formal affair that opened with a grand entrance of our 2021-23 Leadership Team to a guitar solo, emceed by Darrick Williams, South Carolina, and ended with the tradition of singing the “Rose of Deltasig” led by Megan Paul, Lindenwood (MO).
NEXT UP: Houston!
Save the date for August 16-20, 2023, and plan to experience firsthand all Congress has to offer.