2023 Sigma Phi National Convention

California Convention Beckons

It is our great pleasure to invite you, our beloved brethren, along with your spouses, lovers and significant others to the Society’s upcoming 2023 Convention. It will be held in the vibrant city of Berkeley, California. from October 13th to 15th.  We’ll come together to celebrate Sigma Phi, share our experiences and strengthen our bonds as members of this exceptional organization.

With this humble invitation, placed at your feet for consideration, we on the far-left coast also extend with it a promise; this will be a convention to rival any held before. Our vision is a celebration of epic proportion. The stunning San Francisco Bay area awaits your arrival and we only request that you prepare yourselves to leave behind the icy bonds of earth for a few days, come with an open heart, take sustenance here and plan to renew yourselves with a solid dose of unrivaled mirth and hilarity.

From the moment you arrive at the iconic 2307 Piedmont Avenue “Teakwood Towers”, as is customary you’ll be immersed in the rich history and spirit of the California Sigma Phi Society. However, we’ve also been working hard to ensure that every aspect of this planning exceeds your expectations, from the inspiring sessions to delectable California cuisine. And we’ve given special consideration to showcasing the beautiful venues in and around Berkeley and the Bay Area.

Ways to Enjoy the convention: Come, bring yourself, family & friends.

For Alumni:  If you are on your own prepare to meet and grow your association with members from all chapters. Or better yet, set up a reunion tour! Reach out to your contemporaries and make this a homecoming! Nothing better than to arrive and party with your old pals, those partners in crime that you enjoy Sig life with. Make those calls to your compadres and come here to enjoy a few days of debauchery the Sigma Phi way.

For Alumni with Family:  Bring everyone! Make this a family outing. This convention is kid and wife friendly! The kids can run around at the Chapter house while you’re there, and for other times plan to enjoy tours of the UC Berkeley campus, or take excursions close by, over to SF or out to the coast. No bad options, think about this as a long weekend in the Bay Area. Do plan on attending Banquet & Conclave (family welcome at Banquet), then spend the rest of time on family excursions.

Our recommended hotel venues (exception Claremont Hotel) are grouped walking distance to UC Berkeley Campus, walking distance from the Sig House, and create a perfect launch point for fun excursions to areas around the bay area. We have a recommended set of activities some of which require no planning and take a small amount of time, and others that may require some planning but will be special such as wine tasting in Napa Valley or trips to San Francisco Pier39, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, a romp in Golden Gate Park or a trip to the Marin Headlands to hike on the California Coast. All of these are within an easy 10-minute to 1-hour drive from any of the hotels we recommend. Pro tip: if you end up in Napa – go to the Cline Family Vineyards – he’s a brother!

For Actives: Please plan on a weekend experience like none other. The main message for the youngest members of the band is “JUST GET HERE.” The Active Chapter has special fun planned for you. And, we want each of you to put on the Convention T-shirts 15 years from now with fond memories of this foray to the west coast. If you are on a shoestring budget, bring a tent and camp in the backyard at Sig. Or, call the house and reserve a couch. Or, you can also get a hotel room with two twin beds and share at two of the recommended hotels to knock down those room costs. Whatever you do, though, find a way to get here and all the rest will be gravy, guaranteed.

For Wives, Lovers & Significant Others: There are many things to do here in Berkeley and the Bay area. We are creating a list of recommended activities. If you stay in any of the 4 recommended hotel venues, each hotel is a destination in and of itself and will most assuredly provide lots of comfort and fun. Then, going out to explore the Bay Area - anything from hitting a few local Berkeley restaurants, heading into San Francisco to explore the Palace of Fine Arts, the SF MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), a romantic evening dinner in SF or in the East bay, the choices are solid and almost endless.

More than anything else, what makes the Sigma Phi Society truly special is its people.  This of course includes the Brothers as well as Sig Sisters, Wives, Significant Others, and Family. As members with a shared passion for FLT, a commitment to community, and a deep desire to make a positive impact on the world around us, a chance to gather together can only serve to enhance this powerful force for good that is the Sigma Phi Society.

So, on behalf of the Sire of the Alpha of California, the Little Fairy, our esteemed, dignified Alumni numbered over 400 strong, the ever worthy, sometimes miscreant but always jovial and welcoming Active chapter, and the wee pledges running about; make your plans now!

I look forward to seeing you all there.

Sincerely,

Moses Cesario, I’89

Conference Attire Guidelines

Attire for all events except the Saturday Banquet is nice casual:

• Nice jeans and a polo or collared shirt are fine for men.
• For delegates, slacks or khakis and a polo or collared shirt.
• The Saturday banquet is a coat and tie affair. Suit or sports coat      is fine for men.

Transportation to Berkeley From Local Airports

• Take BART (public train) from the San Francisco airport to Rockridge      station (on the Antioch line - Yellow), then UBER/LYFT or taxi to your      hotel or the Chapter House
• Take BART (public train) from the Oakland airport to Downtown      Berkeley station (on the Richmond line - Orange), then UBER/LYFT or taxi      to your hotel or the Chapter House
• UBER/LYFT directly to your hotel or the Chapter House
• Airport shuttle
• Rent a car (parking is tight in Berkeley)
• Phone a friend

Parking Options

For those that will be driving to the Chapter House, here are some options.

• Street parking can be difficult, even on the weekend. Be sure to      carefully check posted limitations. It can vary from street to street.
• Best option is the Stadium Parking Garage at 2175 Gayley Rd. right      next to the Memorial Stadium. Open 24 hours. Recommended option for the      Sat. banquet.
• Another option is a block from Telegraph Ave. at 2450 Durant Ave.      Closes at 11:00pm.
• Parking at the House will be unavailable throughout the Convention.

Accommodations:

We have 4 different and special, destination boutique hotels with room blocks reserved.  Each hotel is walking distance to the Sigma Phi Chapter house EXCEPT the Claremont Hotel which is a 5-minute Uber ride away.

The Berkeley Faculty Club (left) is a California Historic Landmark located in the heart of UC Berkeley’s campus next to the faculty glade. The is a peaceful and stunning venue, that will host the Hicks Oratory as well as several Sigma Phi Leadership meetings during convention.

https://www.berkeleyfacultyclub.com/

510-540-5678, ext. 0

Ask for the Sigma Phi Society held block of queen rooms and provide credit card to complete reservation. Limited room quantities. Must be reserved by 9/8.

Prices include breakfast and taxes.

Queen Bed with private bath $195

Queen Bed with shared bath (several rooms share the bath) $175

The Berkeley City Club is a historic hotel built in the 1930’s. The hotel is designed by famed architect Julia Morgan who was known for pool design, and the hotel has one of her marque indoor pool designs for use by guests.

https://www.berkeleycityclub.com/

510-848-7800

Reservation request must be sent to reservations@berkeleycityclub.com.  Ask for the Sigma Phi Society group rate. A credit card will be needed to complete reservation. Rate will be 10% off the rack rate. Limited quantities.  Must be reserved by 8/1. Rates include breakfast. Held block are all Queen Beds. Rates from $225

The Graduate Hotel

The Graduate, formerly known as the Durant Hotel, is a fine, well-appointed Hotel steeped in California football tradition. This has been the venue for game day celebration for nearly 100 years, and was recently renovated and updated to a retro-chic style that is quite nice.

https://www.graduatehotels.com/berkeley/hotel/

510-845-8981

$226/Night

Last, but certainly the most fabulous of our venues is The Claremont Hotel, Spa and Resort. This Claremont is a full service, 5 star accommodation which is also a National and State historic landmark. The build, the rooms and the full service resort facilities are excellent and the hotel affords fabulous views of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge.

https://www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley/

800-257-7544

$400/Night +$45 Resort Fee