We look forward to seeing you in June for Convention 2022! As our first in-person event since January 2020, we are excited to bring sisters together and foster new connections throughout the weekend. However, if you have attended a Phi Sigma Sigma Convention, leadership conference or training in the past, please know that this year's events will look different.

First, due to a very intentional decision made by Supreme Council and the Fraternity Headquarters staff we have condensed the Convention schedule to create a more accessible experience. This decision was made to ensure that we are being good stewards of Fraternity budget and to address the challenges that many of our delegates have in taking 2-3 days off of work or internships. 

Additionally, due to the timing of Convention, there are potential current events that may impact Convention proceedings. It has been recently brought to our attention that Convention 2022 coincides with the end of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2021-2022 session.

Historically, the Supreme Court has announced landmark decisions at the close of their sessions. Therefore, it is very likely that the Supreme Court will announce their ruling on, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, on Friday, June 24 which coincides with our first day of Convention. The decision by the Court could impact or overturn the previously determined ruling in Roe v. Wade, which established a woman’s access to abortion. 

We are sharing this information in advance, as we feel it is important everyone understands the timing of this announcement and how we are advancing our Convention planning. 

We are hosting Convention 2022 at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel located in Herndon, Virginia, approximately 30 miles from downtown D.C. While we originally planned to offer add-on tours of D.C., we have decided to keep all Convention activities on-site at the hotel to avoid any safety or security issues that may result due to potential activities occurring in Washington, D.C. We do not anticipate any security issues at the hotel given its distance from Washington, D.C.  

Additionally, we have adjusted our schedule and programming to allow for flexibility and make space for sisters to process as needed. Phi Sigma Sigma is proud to have a sisterhood that is made up of members with diverse backgrounds and beliefs. We recognize that each sister may be impacted and affected differently and intend for Convention to be a space for all sisters.

The primary purpose of Convention is to conduct Phi Sigma Sigma's biannual business meeting through our Plenary sessions. As an organization, this is an important part of our infrastructure and it is important that we are able to conduct our formal business meeting and make important decisions for the future of our sisterhood. Attendance at Plenary sessions is mandatory and will encompass the majority of the schedule for Saturday's programming.

Throughout the rest of the weekend, there will be opportunities to connect with sisters and other volunteers, participate in rotating programming sessions, hear from speakers and celebrate our sisterhood. Our programming will focus on the central theme of reconnecting with our common ties while building empathy and resilience among our sisterhood. 

As a Phi Sigma Sigma volunteer, we expect you will set an example for our collegians on how we can respectfully navigate difference of opinion and focus on our common ties as a sisterhood. Convention is a professional business meeting and while we plan to make accommodations as needed, the focus and objective of the weekend will be to carry out Fraternity business during our Plenary proceedings. As volunteers, we hope you will help us set a professional tone for the weekend and actively participate throughout the weekend.

As you prepare for Convention, it is important that you think about your participation in the weekend's activities. If you feel that you will be unable to be present and participate, particularly during Saturday's Plenary session, please consider whether it is in your best interest to attend Convention. It is vital that you give this thoughtful consideration now. We will not be able to make changes to registration, cancel travel bookings or appoint replacements at a later date and any costs we incur would be passed along to you if you cancel. If you will be unable to attend, please email us at convention@phisigmasigma.org by Friday, May 6.

As women of substance, character and influence, we hope you will choose to join us as we celebrate the strength of our sisterhood – particularly after a challenging two years – and help us make important decisions that will lead us into the next biennium stronger than ever. Over the next few months, you will receive more details to assist you in preparing for Convention activities and business. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at convention@phisigmasigma.org.