|
How do I register?
Download the registration form from
this site, complete and mail along with payment, as directed
(back)
I did not receive a
brochure in the mail. Why?
The costs of conducting the School for Ministry have risen
dramatically over the past few years. In an effort to
control overhead we have chosen to discontinue distributing
brochures via U.S. Mail. We hope you do not find this
inconvenient.
(back)
Why the Marriott
Downtown?
In the
central Iowa area there are only a few venues that can
accommodate our School. In previous years the School was
held on a college campus, but that is no longer possible. We
have sought a venue that can provide house, meeting space,
serving of meals and refreshments, among other services. A
full-service facility like the Marriott can accommodate us
at a lower rate than if we used some other venue that did
not have food service, etc. (back)
It is cheaper to stay
in other motels. Why should I consider the Marriott?
Aside from
the convenience of being in the venue where all the
activities take place, there is a hidden cost factor to
consider. The Marriott furnishes us with meeting space at no
additional cost, provided our participants rent a minimum
number of rooms. If we do not meet the minimum we must then
pay additional charges for the meeting rooms. Those
additional costs would necessarily have to be passed on to
all registrants. So, paying a little more for your room
means that we all pay a lower registration fee. We feel the
Marriott has been very generous in offering us a room rate
far below the market rate. (back)
I do not intend to
room at the Marriott. Will I have to pay for parking?
The cost
of parking for everyone who rooms at the hotel will be paid
by the School. Those who do not stay at the Marriott will
have to pay, either at the Marriott lot or the city lot
across the street. Please note, however, that the School
will not pay for parking the day before the School, or after
2:00 p.m. the final day of the School. (back)
I have special diet
needs. Will special meals be available?
The
Marriott offers us the option of standard or vegetarian
meals. You may indicate your preference for a vegetarian
meal on the registration form. No other special diet
arrangements are available. (back)
May I bring my
spouse/family with me?
Yes.
However, any member of your family who wishes to attend
sessions at the school, eat full package meals or partake in
refreshments during breaks must also register for the
school, at the special package rate. (back)
My spouse/family is
rooming at the hotel with me, but not registering for the
School. Can they eat with us at the group meals?
We make
reservations for these meals one week in advance of the
School. If a member of your family who is not registered for
the School wishes to eat with the group it will be necessary
for you to check at the School registration desk to see if
that is possible. We cannot guarantee that it will be so at
this time. (back)
Will the Commission
help me find potential roommates?
Since room
reservations are made directly with the hotel the School
registrar has no way of coordinating roommates. We suggest
that if you are not aware of who is attending the School
that you might coordinate with your District Office. They
may be able to distribute an email stating that you are
seeking roommate(s). (back)
Will there be child
care available?
The
Commission regrets that providing child service is not
possible. The problems of liability, state regulations and
lack of available services are insurmountable. In recent
years some participants have worked together to share child
care. If you are seeking others who might be interested in
sharing, please contact the
School
Registrar. He will attempt to put you in contact with
others of similar interest. (back)
I forgot to register.
Can I register upon arrival?
Yes, you
may register upon arrival. HOWEVER, be aware: You will not
qualify for the pre-registration discount, available to
those who register before March2. Also, the Marriott offers
our special room rate only to those who have made
reservations prior to March 22. (See the
Marriott page.) You should also be sensitive to the
complications that can result from late registration.
Meeting room size, seating, refreshments and such are all
determined by the registration numbers. A significant number
of last minute registrations may mean that all participants
are accommodated at less than the optimum. We encourage you
to register ahead of time if at all possible. (back)
I registered for the
School but now I will not be able to attend. Can I get my money
back?
Persons
who cancel their registrations at least one week prior to
the School will receive a 100% refund. After that the
Registrar will withhold $75, due to commitments the
Commission must make in the days immediately preceding the
School. Contact the
Registrar
at the earliest possible time if you must cancel. (back)
The School used to be
a lot cheaper. Why has the price gone up so much?
It is
certainly the case that when we met on the college campus
some costs were considerably lower than they are now at a
commercial site. However, in recent years other costs not
related to location have also increased, so even if we had
continued to meet on campus the cost of registration would
have gone up. Speaker honoraria, transportation,
adminstrative costs and equipment rentals have increased
significantly. The members of the Commission work diligently
to control costs. Our mission is to provide a quality
continuing education experience in a comfortable, hospitable
venue, at the lowest cost possible. We think when you
compare the cost of the School to other continuing education
events that the cost of the School reflects a real bargain.
(back)
What happened to the
work shops?
The
emphasis of recent School events has led us to an
all-plenary format. While we have received mostly positive
responses to this format, there have been participants
expressing a desire that we return to offering work shops.
This may very well happen in the future. We encourage
everyone to express their desires and suggestions to the
Commission using the evaluations forms available at the
Registrar's desk. (back)
The schedule is
really tight. How about some break time?
In putting
together a schedule our philosophy is to offer a complete
experience in the short time during which the school takes
place. In fact, we reduced the total hours of the School a
few years ago in an effort to reduce costs. In providing
this admittedly very full schedule we remind all
participants that it is up to the individual just how many
sessions he or she will attend. Pace yourself. Continuing
Education Unit credits are awarded based on attendance, so
it is up to you to determine an appropriate balance between
rest and participation. (back)
Where else may I eat
other than the hotel?
An number
of eating establishments are located within walking distance
of the hotel. We suggest you inquire at the hotel desk for
directions to places that meet with your preferences. (back)
|
