The Words of the Schanker Family

Parents Convocation Details and Registration Information

Phillip Schanker
March 16, 2010

From: HSA-UWC HQ
Date: Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 10:33 PM
Subject: OFFICIAL HQ COMMUNICATION - Parents Convocation Details and Registration Info

MEMO: BFD 2010-03-16

To: District Directors, State & Church Leaders, Blessed Central Families
From: National Blessed Family Department
Re: Parents Matching Convocation: April 16-18, 2010 at UTS
Date: March 16, 2010

In order to support Blessed Children and their parents in the process of matching and Blessing, a new series of Parents Matching Convocations will be held this year, in accordance with the new international matching guidelines. The first of these programs will be held at the UTS Conference Center in Barrytown, NY, April 16th to 18th, 2010, closing with the Lovin' Life Worship Service and a networking luncheon at the Manhattan Center in New York City.

The Parents Matching Convocation (PMC) provides an excellent opportunity for parents to explore their role in the matching process, learn the new guidelines and recommendations, and hear from those who have matched their children successfully. It is also a great chance to network with other parents and learn about potential matching candidates. Candidates entering the matching process should complete the attached profile themselves, and the information form together with their parents. They should also prepare up-to-date, presentable photos of themselves and their family. All candidates and parents should update and re-submit these forms prior to the PMC. See recommendations are below.

Three additional PMCs are being scheduled for this year: June 25-27 in the San Francisco Bay area, August in Chicago (date to be announced), and October or November in New York once again. The first three are for parents' education and networking, while the final NY program will invite the participation of candidates aged 23 and above as well. We will post a schedule of international PMCs on the BFD website soon. Candidates seeking an international match will be able to participate by making their profiles and information available at these events. A step-by-step matching handbook is in development based upon the new international guidelines, and will be available at the PMCs and through the district and national BFD.

Parents Matching Convocation: April 16-18, 2010

I. Who Should Attend

Parents of matching candidates; Blessed siblings of matching candidates are also welcome. Parents of younger BCs are encouraged to attend, to familiarize and educate themselves about the process and their role, and begin developing a family plan for matching their children.

II. Schedule

Onsite registration will open at UTS at 5:00 PM Friday afternoon, April 16th. The program begins with Orientation at 7:30 that evening. An a la carte dinner can be purchased for those who arrive early, and wish to take advantage of this initial parent networking opportunity.

The program will conclude at 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 18th at the Manhattan Center in New York City, following Lovin' Life Worship and a networking luncheon.

III. Registration

The registration fee for this convocation is $100 per participant or $160 per couple, and includes the convocation program and materials, a Matching Handbook, and five meals: Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. Additional members of the same family may register at $70 each. To register, visit www.unification.org/membersand click on the PMC banner (members must be registered at the website to use this page), or complete the attached Application Form (pdf) and return it by fax.

Participants MUST pre-register to guarantee participation, as demand is high and participation may be limited. Pre-payment is also preferred, by using the attached Credit Card Payment Form (pdf) or sending a check or money order to the address below. Participants may also pay upon arrival, but must pre-register in any case. Checks payable to HSA-UWC may be sent to:

National BFD- Convocations
Attn: Esther Flores
481 Eighth Avenue, Rm. 626
New York, NY 10001

IV. Accommodations

Meals from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch are included in the cost of registration. Housing must be arranged separately. Choices include dormitory space (with refurbished bathrooms) at UTS at $16 per person per night or staying at a nearby hotel or with friends. A small number of private rooms for individuals and couples are available at UTS on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as four family rooms with private or semi-private baths.

To reserve dormitory space, indicate which nights on the registration form, and include the additional fee with your registration. To reserve a UTS private room, act quickly, contact housing@uts.edu, and arrange payment with UTS directly. Any other arrangements are the responsibility of each participating family.

V. To Prepare for the Convocation

A. Candidates complete the attached Profile (pdf) themselves, and the Info Form (pdf) with their parents

B. Prepare 3 high-quality, presentable 8x10 photos: the candidate head and shoulders, the candidate full-length, and at least one family photo. Professional photos are recommended

C. Visit www.familyfed.org/bfd/events/resources/profileinfo.html and use one or more of the resources recommended there to more fully understand your adult child's personality and character, and prepare a fuller profile for presenting them to other families. Be creative! A poem, photo montage or personal story also conveys who you are. Prepare "contact cards" with your family's contact info to give to other parents at the PMC.

For additional information, contact Blessing@unification.org. We look forward to seeing parents at one or more of these upcoming events, and to supporting candidates in the process of matching and Blessing. May God be with you and your family.

Sincerely,

Rev. Phillip Schanker
National Blessed Family Department 

Table of Contents

Tparents Home

Moon Family Page

Unification Library