RLI Frequently Asked Questions

All Gamma Phi Beta required sorority volunteers, chapter advisors and designated IH staff are expected to attend RLI. Attendance at this event is by invitation only. 

As part of your volunteer responsibilities, attending this event is a key expectation of your role and an essential component for your ongoing professional development. If you have questions about this or do not receive an invitation, please consult your direct supervisor for more information. Invitations are non-transferable unless you are being replaced in your current position. Each Sorority volunteer is responsible for their own registration fee. This fee includes double occupancy at our host hotel, event meals and RLI programming. Other expenses (flight, travel expenses, etc.) will be at the expense of the Sorority as outlined in the workforce expense and travel policy.  

One advisor from each chapter is also expected to attend RLI. If you are invited and unable to attend and would like another advisor to be considered as a replacement, please contact your regional team leader for approval. A substituted advisor should be someone who will return to the chapter and proactively share their experience and make good use of this outstanding educational opportunity. The registration fee and all other travel expenses are at the cost of the collegiate chapter and should have been included in your chapter’s budget according to the budget creation tool provided. 

If you have a prior commitment and are unable to attend RLI, please reach out to your supervisor by April 15, 2025, to let them know the reason you are unable to attend the weekend.  

No, the vaccination requirement was lifted on August 1, 2022.  

Attire for the weekend is summer business casual (no jeans, sweatpants, t-shirts, tank tops or flip flops). Your best pajamas for our Pa-Gamma Party on Saturday night. Business casual dress includes nice slacks, skirts, summer dresses, capri pants and cardigans. You will be provided with a name badge upon arrival and will be expected to wear this throughout the weekend. Your membership badge should be always worn (except Saturday evening). 

• Your badge 
• Summer business casual attire 
• Your best pajamas for our Pa-Gamma Party! 
• A light sweater or wrap for the meeting rooms (these spaces are sometimes chilly) 
• Money for incidentals and Crescent Corner purchases 
• Ideas and questions 
• Energy! 

• Airfare up to $400 (international volunteers only).  
• Reimbursement of airport transfers (international volunteers only).  
• Three nights double occupancy at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago. 
• Meals include Friday: breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner. Saturday: breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner.  
• Complimentary airport shuttle from Chicago O’Hare International airport to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare.  
• Complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms and meeting space.  
• Customized workforce programming.   
• Customized mobile app. 

Please plan to arrive in Chicago on Thursday, June 19 as we will begin early on Friday, June 20.  

We encourage all regions, teams and committees to coordinate a group dinner or event on Thursday night for some sisterhood bonding. These activities should be planned on your own in advance of the weekend. All international volunteers can expense the cost of their dinner back to the Sorority as per the workforce expense and travel policy. If one person pays for the group, please be sure to note all individuals that attended the meal in your reimbursement.  

Click here to see what restaurants and activities are near our event hotel! 

All programming will be wrapped up by 9 p.m. on Saturday. You may depart at your leisure anytime on Sunday, June 25.  

It is expected that all attendees will participate in the full RLI experience. Any late arrivals and early departures must be approved by Page Adams. Please email her in advance for approval.  

If you encounter flight restrictions that will not allow you to arrive in time or that will force you to  

depart early, please contact Page Adams prior to booking your flight. She may be able to assist you in finding an alternative flight that will accommodate a timely arrival and departure.  

The Saturday evening theme is Pa-Gamma Party! Get ready to slip into something cozy and join us for a laid-back, fun-filled night of sisterhood! Whether you're a fan of fluffy slippers, fuzzy socks or your cutest onesie, this is the ultimate sisterhood night you’ve been waiting for. 

We will have a fun costume contest for those who like to get wild! Costume entries can fall under one of the following categories: 

• Best house shoes 
• Best G-Phi Pajamas 
• Best Group 
• Craziest Pajamas 

Please indicate your allergies and/or dietary needs when you register. You will be provided with an allergy card at registration and required to bring this to all meals to indicate your preferences. All information will also be shared with the hotel banquet staff. 

The following accommodations will be available to all RLI attendees: 

• Learning materials created with high contrast colors and increased screen reader compatibility. 
• Downloadable text-based resources to support session learning. 
• Alt-text on digital images within downloadable resources. 
• Closed captioning at all general sessions and meals. 

Additional accommodations available during RLI can be found within the RLI registration form. Attendees seeking additional accommodations can select from those provided or provide accommodations not listed within the registration form. Additional accommodations questions can be directed to Page Adams. 

All RLI cancellation requests must be in writing and emailed to IH. Please send written requests to Page Adams before May 26, 2025.  

All registrations are fully refundable until June 13, 2025, minus a $50 cancellation fee. After this date, registrations are 100% non-refundable. No exceptions.   

We are no longer able to accommodate attendees who have not paid for their event registrations before arrival. Please ensure that you or your chapter have paid for your attendance in full before arriving in Chicago. If you arrive at RLI and your registration fee is still outstanding, you will be unable to check in for the event unless you pay on-site by check or credit card. All event fees should be paid by June 13, 2025. 

Yes, all chapter advisors and sorority volunteers in attendance are required to be current on international alumnae dues for current fiscal year (August 1 through July 31) or be a Life Loyal member. If you arrive at the event and are still outstanding on your dues, you will have the opportunity to pay your dues or join Life Loyal when you check in for the event.  

All matching roommate requests will be honored to the best of our ability. In other words, if Shana and Jill both request each other, they will be paired together. However, if Shana requests Jill but Jill and Elsa request to room with one another, then the matching request will be honored. Please make sure you discuss roommate pairings before the close of registration so that everyone is clear on their roommates, and they are assigned accordingly.  

No changes will be made after the registration deadline. If you need a roommate, leave that section blank during registration and you will be paired at random. You will not be alerted to the name of your roommate in advance. Instead, you will find out who your roommate is upon arrival. Come prepared to make a new friend! 

Please email Page Adams to alert her of your issues and let her know your estimated time of arrival. 

No, we do not allow event participants to commute to the hotel. All participants are required to stay on property to fully immerse themselves in the education, sisterhood and networking that the weekend has to offer. 

You will need to email Karima Soliman to see if there is still availability. 

REAL Leadership Institute is the time for Gamma Phi Beta to invest in you and your opportunity to engage with other volunteers and professional staff in person. This event is designed with you in mind, to give you the motivation, tools and sisterhood to support all you do for Gamma Phi Beta. Our time together focuses not only on education but on developing relationships with other sisters and friends who give their time to Gamma Phi Beta.    

This year, RLI will include two main components: team meetings and educational programming. During team meetings, volunteers will meet with others in their region, specialty team or committee to set goals and create a work plan for the biennium.   

Our educational programming will be hosted in partnership with the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC). Attendees will have the opportunity to complete a series of educational sessions and leave RLI with a certificate in Culture, Communication and Conflict from the NCRC.  

If you need assistance with registration, contact Conferences and Meetings Coordinator Karima Soliman. If you have questions regarding logistics, contact Director of Conferences and Meetings Page Adams.