[amanda6035]

Every college chapter is required to send 1 collegiate delegate. They may send an alternate (or several) if they want. When convention was in Atlanta, several of the local chapters sent individual officers to specific events (such as, the philanthropy chair going to the philanthropy breakfast).

College chapter are must budget to send their delegate. How they do that depends on the chapter. Headquarters "forces" the chapter to at least save up $500 over the course of the year in an effort to at least cover the registration cost for the one required delegate. Transportation, lodging, additional food and incidentals is again, up to the chapter. Some chapters with big budgets can cover it all. Other chapters with smaller budgets make it a responsibility of the president (who is typically the delegate) to cover some of the cost on her own. I don't think this is terribly common, but I came from an extremely small chapter where our first few conventions, our delegate had to pay for a portion of the cost out of her own pocket. I think the year I went I paid my airfare, but the chapter was able to cover hotel or something like that.

Alumnae associations may send a delegate if they want a vote.

Anybody initiated sister can GO to convention. It's just a matter of who is footing the bill...and who is the official representative for the chapter. Any and all collegiate members may go to convention, but typically, the chapter only pays for the delegate and or alternate delegates. There's nothing stopping other collegiate members from attending if they are willing and able to pay their own way. As an alumna, when I go these days, I go as a visitor alumna. I go to socialize, and I usually help with some of the financial educational programs as part of my volunteer duties, and that's about it.