Your Input Needed for Big Event!

Dear RevGals Ring Members:
Your input is requested! We need to know how many of you are able to commit to the Big Event as we have planned it (with an initial deposit date of October 13).

We have already polled the Corporation members and do not need those responses again (unless you are changing your answer!)

Please respond YES or NO to this message by Friday, October 5 at this address: revgalblogpals@gmail.com Be sure to include your name and email address!

After much searching, the Big Event Planning group has found the most practical and affordable option to be a four-day cruise, departing from New Orleans on March 27, 2008, with a sail time of 4:00 p.m.

How did we reach this decision?
Retreat centers are typically outside of major metro areas and require an hour or more drive from major airports. We wanted to keep the cost as low as possible, so we started looking at hotels in major cities (similar to conference venues). Most of these required more advance notice than we have and also required large deposits well in advance, which the corporation is not in a position to make.

A cruise meets our goals of putting us all in one place for fellowship and renewal; providing (at no additional cost) meeting rooms for the many sessions we plan to have, and giving us the opportunity for personal time. All meals will be provided and (if flying to New Orleans) it is a major hub airport that offers fairly low flight costs.

We recognize that many of you will be applying to use clergy study leave time and/or funds for this event. It will be clearly titled and the schedule organized to demonstrate that the purpose and scope of the event are for Clergy self care and nurturance. We believe that we can provide materials that can be shown to a Pastoral Relations committee or similar body to explain that self-care preventsburnout/illness (not to mention misconduct).

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Big Event Planning Committee

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DETAILS
Ship : Carnival Fantasy
Port: New Orleans
Port of call: Cozumel, Mexico with 2 days at sea

Inside Cabins: Total cost $432.12 per person
includes:
$270.00 cabin
$122.12 port& gov tax
$ 40.00 pre-paid tips

Oceanview cabins: Total cost $482.12 per person
includes:
$320.00 cabin
$122.12 tax
$ 40.00 pre paid tips


PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON AND BASED ON TWO PERSONS IN A CABIN. Transportation to and from New Orleans is NOT included.
Travel insurance is available, with price based on age of passenger and cost of trip.
ALL SAIL DATES ARE MARCH 27, 2008 this is a 4 day cruise
ALL SHIPS SAIL AT 4:00 PM
Meeting rooms are available for all days
ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL RESERVED AND DEPOSIT MADE.
This price includes all food, tea, coffee, juice and water (in a pitcher), ship board entertainment, games, weight rooms etc.
Does not include liquor, tips for liquor, gambling, soda, bottled water, beauty shop, massages, shopping, internet access, ship to shore phone calls, etc.
Passports as of now are not required until June, 2008...THIS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE...as it has changed so many times in the last two years. A PASSPORTIS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED.

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Here is the payment schedule:
Deposit due October 13, 2007 - $25.00 per person
Second Payment due November 1, 2007 - $150.00 per person
Final (balance) due January 5, 2008

To make reservation, must have
FULL LEGAL NAME
DATE OF BIRTH
MAILING ADDRESS
HOME AND CELL PHONE NUMBERS
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER
Decisions to be made include: roommate arrangements, inside or oceanview cabin and dining time for group (choose from 6:15pm, 6:30pm, 8:00pm, or 8:30pm. )
For more information on the ship:
Carnival Fantasy Cruise Ship
http://www.carnival.com/Ship_Detail.aspx?shipCode=FA

Questions? comments? you know what to do!!