western regional wrap up

first off, sorry it’s taken me so long to get this post up. the trip was a whirlwind adventure and after making up for the missed days at work, i’m finally at the point to share my thoughts with you.

Day1: The Arrival – Thursday, March 16

I flew into Ontario on Thursday afternoon. I spoke with Bro. Phil Hubbard, immediate past regional director, and he said they should still be playing golf. Bro. Miller rounds the corner as I’m checking in. It takes him all of 5 seconds to ask when I’m transfering to a chapter up north. Luckily, I’m prepared with as soon as I hear back from Theta Lambda Sigma chapter. I had already planned to spend the rest of the time out in Redondo Beach, but when I retured to the hotel, I could see more Frat buzzing around. I decide to look for the hospitality suite and catch Bro. Donald Jemison’s eye. He knows, I follows, and it’s on.

We rounded 3 corners and I could hear the music bumpin’. Yeah, the Sigmas are in the house! We swing in the door and it’s Frat everywhere. I turn right into the living room and hear an “Ooooh!!!” from Bro. Hubbard. Seconds later, I plop down to Bro. Savage on the couch. I see one of my prophytes, Bro. Richard Batiste and head on to the other room to show him love and Bro. Ruben Galvez is like “damn I just finished telling Richard you’re coming tomorrow”. I make myself a plate of fried chicken and Soror quickly hooks me up with a drink. I post up at the couch and get much love from Bro. Christian Gonzalez.

Minutes later, Bro. Paul Griffin, the Intl. President, walks in. He says a few words and I head over to say hi. This is the first time we’ve seen each other since our little falling out and it’s uneventful. I think we’re both grown ups, right? I asked him if he’d say hi to some students my Sands is bringing to the step show, then I found out he’s leaving Friday afternoon. No probs, I say. You’re easy to replace. Laugh-Laugh, Wink-Wink. Let me see if Donald would say hi to these kids.

As the night wore on, more Frat rolled thru and got the same kinda “OOOOH!” reception I got when walking in from someone in the room. I could tell it was gonna be a good weekend.

Day 2: Time for Business – Friday, March 17

We had the registration booth all setup in the lobby with Frat still arriving. We started the morning session late, but amazingly ended on time. While chatting it up with Paul outside, Bro. Brandon Wallace brought over a neo from Alpha chapter who’s from LA. When he told us he was 2006, we were like “Wow!” He crossed on March 11! He damn near had sand still behind his ears.

Paul’s address was nothing new to me. It was the same information that was presented at the General Board meeting in November. I would say that it was appropriate for the audience, but would have loved to see more progress.

Ruben and I headed out to TGIFriday’s for dinner. Half way thru, Sorors Tiffany, Malika, and Veronica came by so we asked them to join us. Turns out Malika and I are Sands so that was a pleasant surprise. The quality time spent getting to know these members of the Blue & White Phamily was a recurring theme over the weekend. It’s what makes that bond so great.

By now, my Sands, Ashanti was on his was as was Bro. Bjorn Davis – O-Pi was definitely in the house. Bjorn and I bounced between the bar, the hospitality suite, and the dance. I had Bros. Wallace and Jemison say hi to Ashanti’s kids. Pi Zeta from Sin City finally rolled thru. Friday night was kickin’

My last regional conference was San Diego in 1994. I was a neo then and overhwhelmed with the sheer number of Frat at the hotel. While this conference didn’t compare numbers-wise, I’m happy to hear that we had 102 registered, well over the 60 anticipated. But despite the passionate arguments both on and off the floor that marred an otherwise successful regional conference, the thought I want to leave you with is Brotherhood. It’s one of our principles and I believe it’s what really sets us apart. I’ve heard from more than one source that Sigmas are really tight. And the sisters of Pi Zeta Zeta showed how that ‘hood extends well beyond our constitutional bond. With the smaller conference, you kept running into the same Brothers/Sisters over and over again. You really got to know them well. From chillin’ on the floor with Bro. Alex Roy during breaks, to trying to spell Bro. John Izard V (conference planner), to being called “old school” by a collegiate and then turning around and saying at least I’m not as old as Bro. Mike Bush, I loved seeing each and every one of my Frat Brothers this past weekend during regionals. Bro. Gerald Smith suggested we go back to the basics and start with Brotherhood; the rest will follow. I’m happy to say the west is on the right track.