General Assembly of Unitarian
and Free Christian Churches
2003 Annual General Meetings - Edinburgh
We strongly recommend that you take out cancellation insurance at the time of registration as there can be no reimbursements for cancellations within two weeks of the start of the Annual Meeting. DOCUMENTS
Annual Reports, handbooks, badges, and all details of the meetings will be distributed to registrants at least two weeks before the start of the meetings. DONATE-ONE-MEAL CAMPAIGN
Due to the inclusion of lunch with the Day Delegate Rate, and Dinner being on a cash basis, it will not be possible to run Donate-One-Meal in the usual way. The registration form will permit a donation to benefit the Social Service work of the International Association for Religious Freedom by an amount of your choice. If you wish to take part in this please complete the appropriate section of the registration form and remit the full amount including your donation - the GA will forward your donation to IARF. HEALTH
If you have a medical condition which could require attention during the Meetings it would be very helpful if you carried, in your wallet, handbag or other item which would usually be with you, a sheet of paper stating:
(1) the diagnosis;
(2) a list of your medicines;
(3) the name and telephone number of your GP.
It would also be helpful if you included a sheet with this information with your registration, for us to have on hand in the Conference Office.
The participants’ package will contain a sheet on emergency procedures and all participants with a known risk are strongly urged to read it before they arrive.
INSURANCE / CANCELLATIONS
Up to 14 days prior to the start of the Annual Meetings, we will refund the meal and accommodation costs but the conference fees will be retained. After that date refunds are not possible. A booking may be transferred to a replacement representative if the accommodation and meal choices can be adjusted (e.g. vegetarian/non-vegetarian). It would be sensible to take out cancellation insurance.
A programme for Junior (6-11) and Senior (12-17) participants has been organised by the Religious Education and Youth Coordinator (see the flyer in this mailing for details). We encourage parents to attend our Meetings and to bring children to participate in the special programme for young people. Children must be registered on their own forms, which can be photocopied locally as needed. The Senior group usually “camp” at a local chapel. The Junior group members will have subsidised accommodation on campus. All Children’s meals will be on a cash basis (as Children do not pay the Day Delegate Rate). Due to Health and Safety Concerns, cots and floor-mattresses cannot be provided. Young Children should share a twin room with their parents. Older Children can either share a twin room with their parents or stay in a single room next to their parents. For Infants, parents are advised to bring a carry-cot for their child to sleep in. Registered children’s parents will be sent a consent form for programme participation. RETIRED MINISTERS
Council has agreed a change for the subvention for retired ministers. Ministers will be asked to state their number of years of paid GA Service, counting part-time years as half-years. The subvention will then be that total times 1/30th of the cost of attendance. Retired Ministers of thirty or more years of paid GA service will therefore receive 100% discount. Retired Ministers will not pay the GA Conference Fee, but will pay the appropriate portion of the Day Delegate Rate and Accommodation Charges. Cash Meals will be the individual’s responsibility. Due to the potential confusion, the Retired Ministers will be asked to complete a special registration form. MINISTERS' AND SPOUSES' PRE-ASSEMBLY CONFERENCES
The Ministerial Fellowship and SPICE have arranged a conference immediately prior to the Meetings. Registration is being handled by Headquarters -- please complete the appropriate section on the registration form. Most congregations pay their minister's fare and expenses to attend the Meetings. It is hoped that they will also pay for their minister to attend the Ministers' Conference, which is held on the day before the main conference. The contact for the Ministers’ Conference programme will be Rev Bob Wightman. FIRST-TIME ATTENDERS
The local District is hosting a special reception on the first day to introduce first-time attenders to GA officers and staff and to local workers from the district. This will be by invitation only.