The Words of the Read Family

Parents Matching Convocation: June 25-27, 2010 in California

Phillip Schanker
June 14, 2010

MEMO: BFD 2010-06-14

To: District Directors, State and Church Leaders, Blessed Central Families
From: National Blessed Family Department
Re: Parents Matching Convocation: June 25-27, 2010 in California
Date: June 14, 2010

We would like to remind Blessed Central Families that the second of four USA Parents' Matching Convocations planned for 2010 will take place Friday through Sunday, June 25-27, at the La Quinta Inn and Suites Hayward-Oakland Airport in Hayward, CA. This is the only national-level PMC on the west coast this year. A new, comprehensive "Family Matching Handbook" has been developed, and was warmly received at the recent New York PMC and by families and BCs who have read it. BFDs from other nations are requesting copies. The first edition will be published soon, but all PMC participants will receive the final draft, with crucial policies and guidelines covered during the convocation.

The PMC is an excellent opportunity for parents to understand the matching process, learn from those who have matched their children successfully, network with other parents and find potential matching candidates. It is not a place to make any hasty decisions, but to learn, plan, and connect with other families. We recommend that parents attend a PMC well before beginning the matching process with their children, simply to learn and prepare. NEW! Find a Matching Advisor! Certified matching advisors trained to support you will be available at each PMC from now on.

I. Register and Pay by June 20th and Save up to $50 per family!

Participants can save on the conference registration fee by registering and paying this week:

1. Pay by June 20th: $80/individual; $120/couple; $50 for each additional family member

2. Pay after June 20th: $100/individual; $150/couple; $50 for each additional family member

The registration fee covers the convocation program, the handbook and conference materials, as well as snacks and refreshments during the program. Accommodations and meals are the responsibility of each participant. The schedule includes substantial time for meals, and there are many affordable restaurants and stores within walking distance of the conference hotel.

To register, visit www.blessedfamilies.org, and click on the pink PMC registration banner on the middle right side. Or visit the members' area at www.familyfed.org/members, and click on the PMC banner near the top. Candidate profiles and photos can also be uploaded at the registration site, and should be completed by June 20th. For assistance registering or uploading profiles and photos, contact your district BFD or Email us.

II. Location and Schedule

The convocation will be held at:

La Quinta Inn and Suites Hayward-Oakland Airport
20777 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA 94541
Tel: (510) 732-6300; Fax: (510) 783-2265

Onsite registration begins at 4:00 PM Friday afternoon, June 25th (pre-registering online will save you money and time at the conference registration). The program begins with Orientation at 7:30 that evening, and closes at 1:00 PM on Sunday, June 27th.

III. Transportation and Accommodations

There are large, comfortable rooms available at the three-star La Quinta Inn and Suites, the PMC hotel, for $59 per night, which include a "Bright-side" breakfast each morning with a variety of choices. To obtain this rate, call the La Quinta at (510) 732-6300 as soon as possible, and ask for the "FFWP Block Reservation." NOTE: availability is limited, so register soon. View the hotel and rooms, and learn about amenities and attractions at www.lq.com/lq/.

The PMC hotel is 20 minutes from the Oakland Airport, and the hotel provides free shuttle service from the airport. For shuttle information, call the hotel or visit www.lq.com/lq/.

IV. Preparing Candidate Profiles

Parents may attend the PMC without displaying any of your children as a candidate. Only parents who are displaying a candidate may enter the display area and view other candidates. Candidates can be displayed at the PMC without their parents being present. But candidates can only be displayed with their permission and involvement. No parent should attempt to display their adult child as a candidate or pursue a match without the candidate's permission.

We have integrated the candidate application and profile process for convocations with the Blessed Family Association's "Matchbook" online matching site at www.blessedfamilies.org. Candidates and their families can now apply once, and indicate where and to what extent their profile and photo information can be accessed by others: total privacy, by permission only, through advocates or advisers, open to all, PMCs only, Matchbook only, etc.

To be available at the PMC, every candidate and family should do the following:

A. Complete the candidate profile page at the PMC registration site. This will allow candidates to participate in Matchbook, PMCs, or both, and to designate their preferred level of accessibility.

B. Complete the additional 9-question personality profile: While optional for Matchbook participants, it is required for candidates at the PMC. It can be found at the profile page. Candidates should complete these profiles themselves, with the support of their parents.

C. Upload three good-quality photos at the profile page: one half-length (head and torso) and one full-length of the candidate, and one family photo. The profile and photos are required, but do not necessarily need to be uploaded at the time of registration. They must be uploaded by June 20th for the Hayward PMC. If parents bring photos or profiles to the PMC that require scanning or copying to be displayed, there will be a $20 charge, and we cannot guarantee how quickly the material will be ready for display.

IMPORTANT: If you submitted a profile for the PMC in 2009 or earlier, you must contact us if you wish to still be displayed. We strongly recommend profiles be updated and improved, with the candidate's permission and participation. We will not display any old profiles unless we have heard from the candidate that they wish to be displayed.

Some other helpful ways to prepare include candidates making something creative that conveys who they are: a poem, photo montage or personal story can be added to your profile. Parents can prepare "contact cards" with the candidate's picture and your family's contact info to give to other parents at the PMC. Or visit the link below and use one or more of the recommended resources to more fully understand your adult child's character, and prepare a fuller profile: www.familyfed.org/members/index.php?option=com_contentandview=categoryandlayout=blogandid=949andItemid=626

For additional information visit the registration site, or email us. We look forward to seeing parents in Hayward, and to supporting candidates in the process of matching and Blessing. May God be with you and your family in this holy and hopeful process.

Sincerely,

Rev. Phillip Schanker
National Blessed Family Department 

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