FaQ’s to share .....
How is this conference different than others held in our area?
This conference started like most women's conferences - out of a need. This is a weekend where women can share feelings and ideas on a deeper level than what could be shared in a regular hour-long meeting. Even the speakers who have been asked to come can share on certain situations that they might not share during a normal conference because there is no taping and no men. We also strive to keep AA & Al-Anon on an equal level.
Can participants come for Saturday only?
NO. The Girl Talk conference is structured differently and is carefully planned as a weekend experience. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend the whole weekend to benefit the most from the entire program. It would also disrupt the “intimate setting” we are trying to maintain throughout the weekend.
Why don’t we accommodate “Day-Visitors” or “Drop-In’s?
There would be a considerable “drop-in” cost charged by Colombiere for day commuters (more than $60, not including the GTMI registration fees we would need to pass along also). Day Visitors would also create additional interruptions to the meetings as people would be arriving ‘whenever’. Also, we would need to miss the conference ourselves to register people as they choose to arrive.
Furthermore, we close registration at dinnertime on Friday or we would have to miss parts of the conference ourselves. We would also like to emphasize: please do not compare Girl Talk of Michigan to a state or county convention where hundreds of people are attending, and teams can take short shifts to handle registration through Saturday night.
Why is there a NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT?
We are non-profit organization and self-funded event. The non-refundable registration fee covers the cost of overhead expenses, including lodging, meals, snacks, publications, postage, registration materials, and room and equipment rentals. Event fees are kept to a minimum and the weekend is designed to be self-supporting.
GTMI has a responsibility to honor our contract to Colombiere, and we cannot do this if we refund money we do not have. While your payments are non-refundable, you may choose to transfer them to another individual.
Why is there an Early Registration date of October 15?
We ask for early registrations so that we can have funds available for the required finances needed to secure deposits and items related to planning our conference (deposit for conference center, gift items, planning, etc.)
We also use this date so that we have time to review and confirm our commitment to Colombiere, without overextending ourselves. We need to provide a contractual agreement with Colombiere before the end of October, and early registration numbers help us determine a more accurate count for attendance.
What should I bring to the conference?
Our Hospitality room will have plenty of chocolate, snacks, coffee, tea, and water. Towels, wash cloths, pillows, bed linens and blankets are provided by the facility. There are also 2 refrigerators and a microwave for our use as well. PLEASE FEEL FREE to bring whatever makes you most comfortable.
SUGGESTED ITEMS you may wish to bring with you for the weekend:
- Bathrobe and/or slippers for the hallways
- Small folding table/tv tray for your room
- Alarm clock
- Tabletop fan
- Extension cord
- Personal humidifier
- Extra clothes hangers
- Eye sleep mask and ear plugs
- Soda/pop (there is also a vending machine available onsite for soda)
- Money for souvenirs and/or raffle tickets for our "Action Auction" which benefits our scholarship fund.
We have more answers to your questions
Why do we ask attendees to be on-time for all workshops/speakers?
Courtesy for everyone.
Less distraction to speakers, workshop leaders, and other attendees.
Why do we have an auction and/or souvenirs available?
Fund raising through the auction and/or purchasing souvenirs is strictly optional and proceeds will be used to fund the Scholarship fund as well as to create a seed fund for future Girl Talk groups. This was a requirement upon receipt of our seed money form Girl Talk Dallas.
We also hope to create two additional funds – one to pay for our main speakers and possibly cover some or all of their travel expenses; the other would be to create a prudent reserve for GTMI.
Why do we ask for donations of auction items ahead of time
Having all auction items ahead of time allows us to set all items up for viewing beforehand. We would have to miss programs and create more table space to add additional items to the auction table if they are brought directly to the conference.
Why C.A.L. Literature?
Everyone is encouraged to use/refer to only Conference Approved Literature (CAL) from Al-Anon and AA during the conference weekend. (The only exception is possibly during the main speakers’ open talks, as this may be considered part of their personal story).
Why are there other people milling about throughout the weekend?
Colombiere Conference Center is available to many different groups, as well as being a long term residence for the Jesuit Community. While we will be sharing the dining hall with other groups, please be assured that GTMI attendees will always have separate and private meeting, workshop, hospitality, and sleeping rooms so that our conference will remain “safe and intimate”.
Have other locations/venues even been considered?
Other venues have been reviewed and visited. Several factors were taken into consideration such as:
Cost – we realize everyone is struggling these days financially, so we try to keep our costs as low as possible while creating a fantastic and spiritual weekend for all.
Convenience - we wanted a space that was convenient, yet far enough to feel as if we are truly getting “away” for the weekend.
Setting – we are trying to stay in a smaller setting so that we can keep the “tone” of the conference more intimate and purposely leaving out other distractions (such as television, telephones, pool/spa access, etc.).
Size – the facility must have one (1) large meeting room spacious enough to hold all of us at once, as well as a minimum of two (2) meeting rooms to accommodate half our group for breakout meetings.
Timing - there are several outdoor conference facilities we looked at; however, since the weather in Michigan during January is not always predictable, we chose not to have to traipse outdoors and/or between buildings for dining and/or restroom facilities.
Food – the facility must be flexible with food choices and allow us to bring in and set up our own snacks instead of requiring us to purchase from them directly. Colombiere accommodates for diabetics, vegetarian, vegan, etc. while also allowing us to refrigerate items and use microwave ovens when needed.