Page 12 - 2015 Summer - To Dragma

sisters, advisers, and long distance friends. It
was enough to cause goose bumps watching
sisters embrace after not seeing each other
since the last Convention, or longer! Later in
the evening, AOII’s Candle Lighting Service was
held to honor AOII’s Founders and all installed
collegiate chapters, followed by time to shop-
till-you-drop in the AOII Emporium!

We started Thursday morning with Opening
Ritual and a scrumptious brunch. The
day continued with a special welcome to
attendees, as well as an excited introduction
from Vice President of Finance Krista Whipple
and Vice President Gayle Fitzpatrick. The lovely
voices of the AOII Convention Choral Group
led everyone in the singing of the United
States and Canadian national anthems and AOII
Grace. A long-standing Convention tradition
continued with a panda donation of collected
pandas for the Arthritis Foundation’s Juvenile
Arthritis Conference.

After brunch, the first of three business
sessions began. The business sessions are
where history is made at Convention. This is
a time for Council members to discuss and
challenge different amendments proposed to
the AOII Governing Documents. Attendees at
the business sessions are able to experience
firsthand the differing perspectives of sisters
from all over on the same bylaw changes.

The Forever Friends reception for participants
and honorees took place later that evening just
before the Awards Dinner. This reception is a

Issue no. 3 • Summer 2015