Introduction to Grand Chapter
Occurring every other summer, Grand Chapter is a meeting of the Alpha Sigma Phi body known as "the Grand Chapter," which is the supreme legislative body of the Fraternity. It is composed of one delegate from each of the undergraduate chapters, each regional chartered association, the Grand Council and the Past Grand Senior Presidents, each being entitled to one vote. Among other things, the Grand Chapter elects the officers of the Fraternity.
The meeting is a time for Fraternity business, but also for celebrating the bonds of Alpha Sigma Phi, and for honoring brothers with various awards, including the Evin C. Varner, Jr. Distinguished Service Award, the Distinguished Merit Award, and the Frank F. Hargear Memorial Award.
Grand Chapter as a Legislative Body
In the fall of odd numbered years, members of each chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi will select a delegate to the Grand Chapter. The chapters’ delegates, delegates of regional chartered associations, members of the Grand Council, and past Grand Senior Presidents, after assignment to committees and preliminary work, assemble in August as the Grand Chapter. By constitutional mandate, during Grand Chapter the delegates of the undergraduate chapters are guaranteed a majority of voting power compared to that of the officers and regional association delegates. The Grand Chapter is the supreme legislative body of the Fraternity and elects the members of the Grand Council. The Grand Chapter has the power to elect its convention officers, adopt and enforce rules for its proceedings, to amend the Fraternity Bylaws, and on prior notice to revoke or amend the Fraternity Constitution, to adopt, alter or repeal fees and dues, and to adopt such policy or other resolutions for the progress and welfare of the Fraternity as it deems advisable.
Because the Grand Chapter enacts fraternity legislation, sets fraternity policies, determines amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws, and selects the members of the Grand Council, it is vital that each Alpha Sigma Phi chapter be well represented. The selection of the official delegate should be a careful and thoughtful process, with trust being placed in a member who will participate conscientiously in the work of his committee and of the convention at large.
Committee assignments are made by the Fraternity’s staff with input from the delegate, and many committee assignments, particularly those of Committee Chairman or of Nominations Committee member, require many hours of work in the months leading up to Grand Chapter.
Attendance at Grand Chapter is not limited to delegates, although only chapter delegates registration expenses are paid by a chapter... Any brother in good standing – undergraduate or alumnus – is welcome and encouraged to attend, may speak in debate in the convention’s plenary sessions, and may be assigned to a committee. Taking part in Grand Chapter is an exciting and rewarding experience not to be missed. It is the activity which brings together hundreds of Alpha Sigs of all ages from chapters across the country. Some find it is an experience that they will continue to partake in throughout life.
A Rich Tradition
This year's Grand Chapter in New Orleans, Louisiana and will mark the 51st Grand Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. Alpha Sigma Phi’s Grand Chapter heritage dates back to 1907.
Grand Chapter, formerly the National Convention, is held every even year. Besides bringing Brothers together from all across the country, the primary purpose of Grand Chapter is to provide the convention at which major Fraternity decisions are made. Alpha Sigma Phi is primarily an undergraduate-run fraternity and chapter delegates are charged with forming policy at Grand Chapter. The Staff must organize meetings for tackling issues such as Grand Council elections, dues assessments, Ritual modifications, and other significant decisions on which votes are required. Therefore, in addition to learning about the fundamentals of being an Alpha Sig and meeting hundreds of Brothers from other chapters, Grand Chapter is a pivotal meeting in the life of our Fraternity. The following is a list of previous host cities:
| 1907 |
Marietta, Ohio |
| 1908 |
New Haven, Conneticut |
| 1909 |
Champaign, Illinois |
| 1910 |
Marietta, Ohio |
| 1911 |
Columbus, Ohio |
| 1912 |
Detroit, Michigan |
| 1913 |
New York, New York |
| 1915 |
San Francisco, California |
| 1919 |
Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| 1921 |
Chicago, Illinois |
| 1923 |
Columbus, Ohio |
| 1925 |
Washington, D.C. |
| 1927 |
Estes Park, Colorado |
| 1929 |
Ithaca, New York |
| 1932 |
Los Angeles, California |
| 1936 |
New York, New York |
| 1937 |
Champaign, Illinois |
| 1940 |
Cleveland, Ohio |
| 1946 |
Marietta, Ohio |
| 1948 |
Bedford, Pennsylvania |
| 1950 |
Niagara Falls, Ontario |
| 1952 |
Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania |
| 1954 |
Port Huron, Michigan |
| 1956 |
Carmel, California |
| 1958 |
Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania |
| 1960 |
Marietta, Ohio |
| 1962 |
Bal Harbour, Florida |
| 1964 |
West Point, New York |
| 1966 |
Hershey, Pennsylvania |
| 1968 |
Pasadena, California |
| 1970 |
Bal Harbour, Florida |
| 1972 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| 1974 |
Seven Springs, Pennsylvania |
| 1976 |
Seven Springs, Pennsylvania |
| 1978 |
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania |
| 1980 |
Nashville, Indiana |
| 1982 |
Bethany, West Virginia |
| 1984 |
Champaign, Illinois |
| 1986 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| 1988 |
Columbus, Ohio |
| 1990 |
Washington, D.C. |
| 1992 |
Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 1994 |
Chicago, Illinois |
| 1996 |
St. Louis, Missouri |
| 1998 |
Norfolk, Virginia |
| 2000 |
Washington, D.C. |
| 2002 |
Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 2004 |
Columbus, Ohio |
| 2006 |
Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 2008 |
Louisville, Kentucky |
| 2010 |
New Orleans, Louisiana |
| 2012 |
Announced at 2010 Grand Chapter |
| 2014 |
Announced at 2010 Grand Chapter |
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Alphabet Soup
Alpha Sigma Phi is part of a large network of Greek organizations, commonly referred to as the alphabet soup (AFA, FCA, FEA, NIC, etc). Being Greek is not just…
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