2006 FLORIDA AMERICORPS AND NATIONAL SERVICE CONFERENCE

"You're a Shining Star!"
December 1 - 2, 2006

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the purpose of the conference?

A: The purpose of the Florida AmieriCorps and National Service Conference is:

• To provide quality trainings for all national service participants that will strengthen skills and increase knowledge of service related issues and best practices.
• To strengthen the Florida national service network by providing opportunities for national service participants to connect with their peers from across the state.
• To motivate and inspire national service participants to demonstrate a "lifelong ethic of service" by staying engaged in service and volunteer efforts within their community.
• To foster a renewed commitment to National Service and helping communities.
• To recognize and celebrate national service members' service to Florida communities.

Q: When is the conference?

A: The Conference schedule is:

1. Friday, December 1 & Saturday, December 2, 2006
2. Opening Session begins at 1:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2006
3. Conference ends at 1:30 PM on Saturday, December 2, 2006

Q: How do I register to attend the conference?

A:

1. Online registration begins Monday, October 2, 2006, via the official conference website: www.volunteerflorida.org/conference.
2. On-site registration of programs begins after the conference opening session at 4:30 PM. Volunteer Florida will distribute AmeriCorps member nametags and room keys to program directors at the conference registration desk. There will be a separate registration station provided for others programs, (VISTA, Senior Corps, Learn & Serve), as well as trainers and conference guests.

Where is the conference?

A:

1. Caribe Royale (All Suites) 8101 World Center Drive Orlando, FL
2. Members will be assigned 3 to a room. All rooms have two beds and a sleeper sofa.
3. Program Directors/Staff will have their own room unless they wish to share with another person.

Q: What are the key roles of Program Directors?

A:

1. Ensure members wear service gear for opening/closing sessions and dress appropriately throughout the conference
2. Create excitement
3. Register your entire corps for the conference
4. Arrange transportation to National Service conference (We encourage partnering with other programs in your area to minimize transportation expenses.)
5. Oversee member room assignments
6. Attendance of members and verify member service/training hours
7. Manage members on-site and insure their participation in general sessions and trainings
8. Instruct members to sign in at all trainings for verification of attendance
9. Program Directors are needed to volunteer as training room monitors to distribute sign-in sheets, introduce trainer, and let people know when room is full and to facilitate trainings

Q: What are some of anticipated conference expenses?

A:

1. Travel costs are to be covered from each program's budget. Volunteer Florida will provide lodging and some meals for all AmeriCorps State programs. This includes dinner on December 1 and Lunch on December 2.
2. National Direct programs, VISTA, Learn & Serve, Senior Corps, Partners, Stakeholders and all others will be responsible for paying a registration fee to attend the conference.

Q: What meals will be provided to registered participants?

A:

1. Dinner and Dessert on Friday, December 1, 2006
2. Luncheon on Saturday, December 2, 2006
3. Non-registered guests should check-in at the Volunteer Florida registration desk if they desire meals

Q: Is this conference and the recommitment ceremony appropriate for members who are close to completing their term of service (ex: members who started in January of 2006)?

A: Yes this conference is recognition of member service and will include trainings and networking opportunities for Life After AmeriCorps.

Q: Will attendees pre-register for specific trainings?

A: No. Volunteer Florida will provide a list of trainings in advance so that you can meet with your Corps and identify trainings the members will attend. You will be provided with a format to help the members make a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd selection.

Q: What are some examples of the types of trainings?

A: Sample trainings include Managing Service Projects, Appreciating Diversity, Managing Your Time ∓ Money, Disaster 101, Disability Awareness & Sensitivity, and Grant writing to name a few. The intent is to provide as many training options as possible to meet the professional development needs of national service attendees and to offer options for required member trainings.

Q: We have Alums in our program. How do they register to attend?

A: Alums are responsible for their registration costs. Alums can also talk with partners to see if the cost of their registration can be sponsored. Programs may want to consider pairing an alum with your members for lodging.

Note: There will be an AmeriCorps Alum Leaders meeting on Thursday, November 30, prior to the start of the conference. Please contact Ericka Zdenek at Ericka@volunteerflorida.org for information.

Q: What is the Volunteer Florida Policy on the service/training hours per day members may earn for this event?

A: Members may NOT earn 24 hours per day for this event. Program Directors should individually determine the number of allowable hours members are eligible to earn for travel times, meals, training time and exhibit time. This number of hours and how they are eligible for these hours should be communicated to members before the conference. Contact your Volunteer Florida Program Consultant if you have questions.

Q: What will attendees do with their luggage upon arrival?

A: Volunteer Florida asks that all attendees keep their luggage in their cars/buses until room keys are distributed at 4:30 PM. If you are flying, please notify Volunteer Florida in advance. There will NOT be a storage area provided for luggage either prior to room check-in or following check-out. Remember to store luggage in vehicles during these times.

Q: How much will parking cost?

A: Parking will be free for all registered attendees.

Q: Are AmeriCorps members required to wear service gear?

A: Day 1: Yes, at certain events Volunteer Florida is requesting that members wear service gear with one of the AmeriCorps Logos on it for the Opening Session.

Day 2: Members are also asked to wear service gear again for the re-dedication luncheon on Saturday. There will be a break before the dedication lunch where Corps will have a chance to change into their service gear.

At all times, members are encouraged to dress comfortably but always professionally!

Q: What are the room checkout procedures?

A: All members should turn their keys into the Program Director and the Program Director will drop them off to the Volunteer Florida staff at the registration desk. Please instruct members not to check in or out at the hotel registration desk.

Q: Who can attend this conference?

A: Anyone, however Volunteer Florida will only cover costs for CURRENT AmeriCorps members and staff. If they are part of your AmeriCorps budget, they will not be charged a registration fee.

Q: If two AmeriCorps programs charter a bus together, how will the individual programs be reimbursed?

A: Transportation costs are the responsibility of program and it will be up to your organization. Money designated for member training/travel in your program budget can be used to support transportation expenses.

Q: Are hotel rooms provided for Bus Drivers?

A: Volunteer Florida will cover lodging for bus drivers. Larger programs may register up to 2 bus drivers. Bus drivers should also be registered as such via the official conference registration site.

Q: How many people are expected to attend the conference?

A: Volunteer Florida expects between 800 and 900 attendees at this conference.

Q: Will there be a dance on Friday evening like last year?

A: Volunteer Florida is still in the planning stage and has not finalized plans for an evening event beyond the networking and exhibit time. If your program has suggestions, please contact your program consultant.

Q: Will there be trainings for Program Directors?

A: All trainings offered at the conference are service-related, however there are no specific trainings for Program Directors. However, Program Directors are welcome to participate in any of the scheduled trainings for the conference.

Q: Do programs need to provide anything else in advance?

A: Yes. Volunteer Florida is requesting group photos of your corps from this year to be featured at the conference opening session. A posed group photo is preferred, but we will accept one of your Corps providing service. Please send all photos to Mary Griffith at Volunteer Florida at maryg@volunteerflorida.org. (High resolution .jpg files are preferred.)

Q: Is there a free shuttle from the airport to the Caribe Royale for participants who fly in?

A: No. There is no free shuttle service from the airport. However, The Caribe Royale recommends Mears Transport which is $17 each way. From the hotel, transportation can be arranged through guest services.

Q: Are AmeriCorps Members allowed to bring their children to the conference if they can not make other child care arrangements?

A: No. This conference is a recognition and training event for National Service participants. While Volunteer Florida understands that child care for overnight trips can be difficult to arrange, we can not allow Members to bring their children because (1) Volunteer Florida nor the AmeriCorps program can assume liability for anyone other than the AmeriCorps Member; (2) Our contract with the hotel only allows for a maximum of three individuals per room and AmeriCorps Members are being asked to share a room with other Corps Members; (3) Members are required to participate in ALL conference events — thus, time becomes factor in providing oversight/care for children. Overnight childcare is NOT covered by the AmeriCorps national childcare provider.

Q: Can we stay an extra night at the hotel at the conference room rate if we choose to pay for our own hotel and other expenses?

A: Yes. The conference rate will be available for you three days prior or following the actual conference hotel night of December 1, 2006. You may register your Corps Online for the additional dates, with the understanding that you will need to provide a credit card to guarantee self-payment of the room nights that are not paid for by Volunteer Florida.

Volunteer Florida is dedicated to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all its funded programs. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the conference, please call 850-414-0093 voice/TTY with your request. You may also e-mail your request to: paul@volunteerflorida.org. Information regarding reasonable accommodations can also be requested during the online registration process.

Partners:

Corporation for National and Community Service
Florida Association of Volunteer Centers
Florida Alliance for Student Service