First Vice State Director Monaleto Irby presents outgoing State Director Kenneth Straughter with painting.
Posted on Saturday, March 9, 2019 2:28:00 PM
There was plenty of anticipation for an eventful 2019 Georgia State Conference and it delivered as promised. The Georgia State Executive Board and host chapters, Gamma Pi Sigma Chapter of Macon and Gamma Iota Gamma of Mercer University, welcomed a record number of attendees of the Macon campus of Middle Georgia State University for the February 22-24 weekend event. By the end of the conference, there would be a new Georgia State Director, Miss Phi Beta Sigma – Georgia, along with new executive board members.
The opening ceremony kicked off the conference and there were greetings brought on the city officials, host chapter presidents of Phi Beta Sigma, Southern Region Director, Roy Edmonds, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc – State of Georgia Director, Soror Vicki Pearson, and the Macon – Middle Georgia Council of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Immediate Past Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta, Soror Mary Breaux-Wright made an appearance as well.
The Miss Phi Beta Sigma – Georgia followed the opening ceremony. Representatives from four chapters (Alpha Pi – Fort Valley State, Chi – Morehouse, Gamma Zeta – Savannah State, and Beta Beta Gamma – Augusta University) exhibited style, class, and grace in an effort to be crowned Miss Phi Beta Sigma – Georgia and the represent the state in Miss Phi Beta Sigma - Southern Region pageant in the spring. After several different event, Miss K. Maiyah Webster, Miss Chi Chapter, took home the crown of Miss Phi Beta Sigma – Georgia.
The second day of the conference was filled with events for the Brothers, Sorors, and guests of the conference. The plenary sessions occupied the morning as executive board members provided reports complete with accomplishments and statuses. The key reports came from State Director, Ken “Sarge” Straughter, who delivered his final State of the State Address and Southern Regional Director, Roy Edmonds. Both key reports emphasized the growth in membership and increase in service programs.
The afternoon of the second day began with the Awards Luncheon and several chapters racked up several awards. The Tau Beta Sigma Chapter of Savannah took home the Large Chapter of the Year and several other awards for their outstanding programs. Nu Psi Sigma Chapter of North Atlanta and Gamma Pi Sigma of Macon brought home Medium Chapter of the Year and Small Chapter of the Year respectively. Pi Alpha Chapter of Georgia State University dominated the collegiate awards as they won the Collegiate Chapter of the Year. Immediate Past Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta, Soror Mary Breaux-Wright brought an address to the luncheon attendees to get involved. Georgia State Director of Bigger and Better Business Dale Burgess was the 2019 recipient of the R.O. Sutton Award as the top executive board member of the year. Michael W. Hines received an honor from state director Kenneth Straughter for his induction into the Distinguished Service Center, the highest individual honor a Phi Beta Sigma brother can receive. As outgoing state director, Straughter received a gift from the Georgia State Executive Board.
After the awards luncheon, guests of the conference received a little pampering and a change to show off their artistic skills at the Sip and Paint while brothers of Sigma continued with the second business session. The session was filled with committee reports. Key committee reports were the Outstanding Sigma of the Southern Region as outgoing state director Kenneth Straughter received the nomination from the state of Georgia. However, the election committee brought the most anticipated report of the session. Brothers awaited the results of the election and they went as follows:
After the swearing of officers, the second business session concluded with necrology ceremony to recognize recently deceased brothers.
Conference
Over 300 men of Phi Beta Sigma and guests gathered at the Augusta, Georgia for the 2023 Georgia Stat . . .
The Georgia brothers of Phi Beta Sigma were well represented at the 2019 Southern Region Conference . . .
Second day of the 2019 Georgia State Conference held at Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Georgia
Return to News and Events