Convention 2008

The 98th Annual Diocesan Convention is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, November 14-15, 2008, at the Hilton Seattle Airport. Convention members will notice immediately that things are different this year. There will be more emphasis on conversation and discussion over legislation, but the convention will still act on resolutions and elect to diocesan offices. A draft of the convention schedule is here.

The convention will convene at 8:30 AM on Friday, November 14 and conclude mid-afternoon on Saturday, November 15. 

REGISTRATION FEE

There is a $25 convention registration fee for each clergy, lay delegate, alternate, exhibitor, and visitor attending, to supplement funds available through the diocesan budget. Congregations are encouraged to help defray costs of attending the convention by covering this fee for delegation members. A registration form should be submitted by each individual or by an entire congregation prior to the pre-registration deadline of November 7. Clergy are particularly encouraged to pre-register so that seats may be assigned and the appropriate number of clergy packets prepared. It is still necessary for each person to check in Thursday afternoon or Friday morning (in the Conference Center lobby) to pick up convention materials and nametag, to sign for voting materials and to receive bible study/discussion group and table assignments.

ON-SITE REGISTRATION

Early registration on Thursday, 4-7 PM, will be located in the Conference Center lobby area. Registration will continue on Friday, beginning at 7 AM. Registration for Convention lay delegates will be divided by regional ministry. Clergy will register at the clergy registration area. At registration, each voting member will receive a packet of materials, ballots, voting cards and a name tag. Your name tag gives you admittance to the Convention floor. Delegates-at-large (lay members of the Diocesan Council, Standing Committee and Board of Directors, young adults elected to represent regions, and lay regional ministry convenors and assistant convenors), licensed and out-of-area clergy, alternates not serving as delegates, guests with privilege and visitors should proceed to the registration area marked for each of these groups.

THURSDAY EVENING WORKSHOPS

Several optional Thursday evening workshops are being planned - introduction to the College of Congregational Development, Safeguarding God's Children (in English and Spanish), and a presentation on Stewardship of All Our Resources. Plan to attend if you are arriving at the hotel on Thursday - or close enough to commute; these workshops are open to all, not just convention members. The workshops will be held in the Conference Center starting at 7 PM.

ORIENTATION

An orientation for those attending for the first time and for those wishing to have a "refresher course" on how Convention operates, is scheduled for Friday at 7:30 AM in the Mercer A room.

CERTIFICATION

Alternates replacing a delegate, who have not been previously certified by mail, should proceed to the certification table. If you are an alternate and know that you will be substituting for a delegate at Convention, you can receive a certification form through your congregation or click here. Certification of an alternate delegate requires the signature of the rector, vicar, priest-in-charge, or interim. To facilitate certification, please make sure your clergy person is with you, or close by, to sign your form. Alternates will not be certified without an authorized signature. Certified alternates, those who completed a form and returned it to the convention office prior to November 7, may proceed directly to the registration station for their congregation as noted previously. Any questions regarding your status as part of your congregation's delegation may be directed to Dede Moore, bishop's executive for governance, at 206-325-4200/800-488-4978, ext. 2022, .

FELLOWSHIP AND MEALS

During the Convention there will be many opportunities for fellowship with people from across our Diocese. In additional to several hosted breaks and - new this year - a social hour with hosted reception and cash bar immediately following adjournment on Friday afternoon, attendees may also choose to purchase tickets for the banquet/party on Friday evening and for lunch both Friday and Saturday. This year's Convention banquet on Friday night will be a down home country BBQ followed by dessert, dancing and games. Join us for the full evening, or find dinner on your own and return for dessert, dancing and games. Make your reservation now so you don't miss out on this fun event. Click here for details.

Optional lunches are available, by advance purchase, on Friday and Saturday. Join us for these delicious buffet lunches and spend your lunch hour exploring the many exhibits and information booths in the exhibit area, or relaxing in the convention hall with friends, while avoiding the crush in local restaurants and/or parking hassles. Details on lunch options are available here. The deadline for lunch reservations is November 7. Breakfast is on your own, however, on Friday, "treat kiosks" will be located throughout the property where you can pick up a quick bagel or muffin and on Saturday there will be hosted morning treats in the conference center lobby; coffee service will be provided in the conference center both days and there is an Espresso Bar that will be open from 7:30 AM through the lunch hour on both Friday and Saturday.

CONVENTION ACTIVITIES FOR CLERGY SPOUSES/PARTNERS

For all clergy spouses and partners, Marti Rickel and Bob Moore (our bishop's spouses) will be hosting a lunch on Saturday and a social hour on Friday. RSVP's are required. Details are available here.

HOTEL

Room rate at the Seattle Airport Hotel located at 17620 International Blvd, Seattle, is $110 single/double. Parking is at 50% of the published rate for overnight and/or day-use parking. To make reservations call the national reservation line at 1-800-HILTONS and request the group rate for the Diocese of Olympia or visit the hotel website here.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE HOTEL

From the north: On I-5 southbound, take the 188th St. exit (#152). You will merge onto 188th westbound. Go to the third light, which is International Blvd. (Hwy. 99). Turn right (north) onto the blvd., the hotel is on the right, just before the fourth light (176th St.). From the south: On I-5 northbound, take the 188th St. exit (#152). There is a light at the bottom of the exit, turn left onto 188th. Follow this to the fifth light, which is International Blvd. (Hwy. 99). Turn right (north) onto the blvd., the hotel is on the right, just before the fourth light (176th St.). Parking is behind the hotel, beneath the Conference Center. Parking (self-park) for both registered guests and commuters will be at 50% of the current published rate.

PLENARY SEATING AT THE CONVENTION

Seats on the floor of Convention during plenary session (e.g., at numbered tables) are assigned for lay delegates, clergy, certified alternates and others who have been given seat, voice, and sometimes vote by the Committee on Privilege. All seating on the Convention floor will be pre-assigned. Assigned table numbers will be on each name tag and table layouts will be available at registration. Open seating for alternates (not certified as delegates) and guests will be provided at designated tables.

NEW!! BIBLE STUDY/DISCUSSION GROUPS

All pre-registered convention members (including alternates) will automatically be assigned to Bible Study/Discussion groups. Guests who pre-register may also request assignment to these groups.

CARPOOLING

The Bishop's Committee on the Environment has set up access to a website to request or provide carpooling to the convention. To access the information go http://bce.erideshare.com/. This is a free service. To participate you register and receive your password and then fill in the form indicating if you are offering a ride or asking for a ride, list the date or dates, the direction your are traveling, along with the starting city and zip code. The group password is diocar. Check this out and enjoy companionship and conversation on the way to and from the convention while helping to reduce our carbon footprint at the same time!

CHILDCARE

No on-site childcare will be provided; however, Easter Seals Washington runs a daycare (on a space available basis) for children ages 6 weeks--5 years just minutes from the convention site. This service would be available on Friday, November 14, from 6:30 AM-6 PM. Cost: 3-5 years old, $55; 1-2 years old, $60; under 1 year old, $65. You are encouraged to contact them as far in advance as possible to reserve a space for the day. For more information, call 206-816-3255.

RESOLUTIONS

The 2008 canonical deadline for submitting Convention resolutions was September 30. Draft resolutions are available here. Constitution and Canons Proposed Changes: The 2008 canonical deadline for submitting proposed changes to the diocesan Constitution and Canons was September 30; this report will be finalized and distributed in convention packets onsite at the convention.

NOMINATIONS
Nominations received prior to the September 30 deadline are available here. Supplemental nominations are available here. Additional nominees may be added up to and at the convention in November.

EXHIBITORS

Information for Convention Exhibitors is available here.

DOCUMENTS

• 2008 Convention Draft Schedule
• 2008 Pre-Convention Flyer with Agenda
• Delegate/Alternate job description (08/A/2)
• 2008 Convention Timetable (08/A/3)
• 2008 Convention Guide (08/A/5)
• 2008 Nomination overview – short form (08/B/1)
• 2008 Nomination Report (08/B/6)
• 2008 Nomination Supplemental Report (08/B/7)
• 2008 Diocesan Nomination Form (08/B/2)
• 2008 Candidacy form for General Convention (08/B/3)
• Diocesan Offices – list and description (08/B/4)
• General Convention – overview of deputation responsibilities (08/B/5)
• 2009 Preliminary Budget information (08/C/1)
• 2009 Fall Budget (08/C/2)
• 2009 Budget Survey Results
• 2008 Draft Resolutions
• Resolutions Report to Convention (08/D/3)
• Alternate Certification Form
• Registration Form
• Clergy Spouse/Partner Invitation
• Convention Banquet Flyer
• Meal Reservation Form

Please read all posted documents and print only those that you will need for discussions/votes at the convention. Keep this material together, and bring it with you to regional meetings and to the Convention. Help us to avoid unnecessary duplication!

If you have any questions regarding Convention preparation, please be in touch with John Schaeffer, secretary of convention, at 425-255-7232, ; or Dede Moore, bishop’s executive for governance, at the Diocesan House 206-325-4200 or 800-488-4978, ext. 2022; .