Convention Delegates and Alternates

The 99th Annual Diocesan Convention is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, October 16-17, 2009, at the Hilton Vancouver. The convention will convene at 8:30 AM on Friday, October 16th and conclude mid-afternoon on Saturday, October 17th.

Interested in the preliminary budget, resolutions or want to view other Convention related documents? Please click here.

Important Dates to Remember:

Optional Events

The convention schedule includes several optional events that are open to convention members and non-convention members. These include:

Thursday, October 15, 1-4 pm - A workshop presented by our keynote speaker Nathan Dungan.

Thursday, October 15, 6-9 pm - A social at Who Song & Larry's hosted by members of the Columbia Regional Ministry.

Friday, October 16, 7:30-9:15 pm - Evening workshops on a variety of topics, plus additional time to explore the exhibits.

Friday, October 16, 3:15 pm & Saturday, October 17, 11:15 am - Indaba group discussions.

Saturday, October 17, 1:30 pm - A dioesan/convention Eucharist which will include the ordination of six permanent deacons.

Details on these events, including ticket information where applicable, will be available in August. Information on optional lunch purchase for Friday and Saturday, as well as a dinner buffet on Friday will also be available in August.

2009 Convention Schedule - Draft

Thursday, October 15

1-4 pm - Optional Workshop with Nathan Dungan (Discovery ABC, Hilton) - You do not need to be a convention member to attend this workshop; ticket information will be available in August.

4-7 pm - Registration (Convention Center lobby).

6-9 pm - Social at Who-Song & Larry's hosted by the Columbia region. Information on tickets will be available in August.

Friday, October 16

7:30 am - Registration (Convention Center lobby)

9:30 am - Plenary #1 - Opening Worship - Convention Business

10:15 am - Table conversations

10:45 am - Break

11:15 am - Plenary #2 - Convention Business - Bishop's Address

12:00 pm - Noonday Prayers

12:15 pm - Lunch - information on lunch purchase will be available in August.

1:15 pm - Plenary #3 - Convention Business - Treasurer's Report - 2010 Budget

1:45 pm - Keynote Address by Nathan Dungan

2:30 pm - Break - Extended break with time for Exhibit exploration

3:15 pm - Indaba Groups #1

4:15 pm - Break

4:30 pm - Plenary #4 - Convention Business - Evening Prayer

5:30 pm - Recess for day - Dinner on your own or purchase buffet dinner at Hilton; ticket information will be available in August.

7:30 pm - Workshops / Exhibit Exploration

8:15 pm - Break

8:30 pm - Workshops / Exhibit Exploration

9:15 pm - Compline / End of Day

Saturday, October 17

8:30 am - Plenary #5 - Convention Business

10:45 am - Break

11:15 am - Indaba Groups #2

12:15 pm - Noonday Prayers

12:30 pm - Lunch - Information on lunch purchase will be available in August.

1:30 pm - Convention Eucharist and Ordinations - The Convention Eucharist is open to all. This Eucharist also represents the start of a new tradition - the ordination of permanent deacons within this diocesan Eucharist. Six permanent deacons will be ordained this year.

3:30-4 pm - Sending Forth and Adjournment

Reminders

To make hotel reservations at the Hilton Vancouver call the toll-free number 1-800-HILTONS and request the group rate for the Diocese of Olympia or book online using the click-through link on the diocesan website at www.ecww.org/convention2009 with the unique group code <EPS>. The cut-off to receive the group rate of $129 single/double is September 24, 2009. The group rate includes complimentary Internet access and use of the fitness center with indoor pool.

Nominations / Resolutions / Online Documents - Information on open diocesan positions, submission of resolutions, delegate job descriptions and more is all available on the diocesan website at www.ecww.org/convention2009.

Registration - At its meeting on June 6 the Diocesan Council voted to lower the convention registration fee from $25 to $10 per person, with the difference drawn from the diocesan unrestricted reserve. This action was taken with the expectation that all congregations cover this registration fee for their members attending and that the diocesan budget would cost-share in this endeavor to keep the cost of attendance for individuals as reasonable as possible.

Amtrak - A convention fare has been established with Amtrak which provides a 10% discount off the lowest available rail fare to Vancouver between October 12 and October 20, 2009. To book your reservation call Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 and use the convention fare code X91W-961. This rate may not be booked via Internet.

Fall Pre-Convention Gatherings - The following Pre-Convention Gatherings have been set. Gatherings times will be 9 am - 12:30 pm and the agenda will be identical in each location.

Saturday, September 19 - the Columbia and Willapa regions will meet at St. Stephen's Church in Longview.

Saturday, September 26 - the Mt. Baker and Sno Isle regions will meet at St. Paul's Church in Mount Vernon.

Saturday, September 26 - the Eastside and Evergreen regions will meet at St. Margaret's Church in Bellevue.

Additional locations for the other four regions are under consideration and will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

Why a convention?

The 500-plus members of convention from around the diocese will come together to conduct diocesan business (elections and resolutions), but more importantly, we will come together to share our faith journeys, to converse on topics of interest, and to hear stories from a diverse collection of speakers. Delegates and alternates vote and discuss new elections and resolutions and serve as the church's representatives to the Diocese.

The delegates and alternates also report back to the congregation after the convention. If you are interested in serving as an delegate or alternate, please click here to read the Diocese's Job Description for Delegates and Alternates and also speak with Ralph Provencal for more information.