We're looking forward to seeing you at Council! In this email you will find information for Clergy, Delegates, Alternates, Guests, and Visitors to our 93rd Annual Council, Friday, January 27 - Sunday, January 29, 2012:

• Clergy and spouses will meet together on Friday at 10 am.
• New delegate orientation begins at 1:30 pm on Friday.
• Business begins at 2 pm on Friday.
• The Bishop will give his Pastoral Address at 2:30 pm on Friday.
• Business closes on Sunday following the Eucharist (unless unfinished business remains).
• Please be sure your parish is told that Council information is available on the diocesan website (www.dioswva.org).

Registration is available online now from www.dioswva.org:

• Early Bird Online Discount Registration for Clergy, Delegates, Alternates, and Guests attending all of Council is $130 until midnight of January 17.
• Online Registration closes at midnight of January 17. Those needing to register after January 17 must do so at the Onsite Registration table when they come to Council. They will need to be prepared to pay $155 at that time (valid credit care or exact change or check payable to the Diocese of SWVA for the exact amount).
• Visitors who want to participate in Saturday@Council workshops should register online for these. There is no charge.
• A Visitor may use the online registration form to purchase one or two of the Council meals.
• Contact Jim Robertson (jrobertson@dioswva.org) if you have questions about registration.

Hotel Roanoke room reservations are available now.

• We have a block of rooms reserved until January 17 or until they are full. It is wise to reserve a room early!
• You can reserve your room online at the Hotel Roanoke website (hotelroanoke.com). Enter the group/convention code (EPD). Or you can call the hotel at 540-985-5900.

Children@Council is available for the children of clergy, delegates, and alternates.

• Children@Council will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Roanoke on Friday and at the Hotel Roanoke on Saturday and Sunday.
• Preschool through 5th grade's program is a Vacation Bible School format.
• A nursery is offered for infants - age 3.
• Non-delegate volunteers are needed to staff Children@Council.
• Donations of time and money are invited. You may send checks payable to the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, with "C@C donation" on the memo line. Mail checks to C@C, PO Box 2279, Roanoke, VA 24009.
• Register your children for Children@Council when you register yourself online. Be mindful, however, that Children @ Council registration closes at midnight of January 5. This early deadline is necessary because this program requires a great deal of advance preparation based on accurate information about how many children of each age are expected. Another important reason to register children promptly is the fact that this program can accommodate up to 32 children. When that number is reached, additional registrations cannot be accepted.
• Contact Sally Willis (sallywillis@mcps.org) if you have questions about Children@Council.

Youth@Council is available for 6th - 12th graders.

• Youth@Council will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Roanoke.
• Information will be available soon on the Youth website (youth.dioswva.org).
• Contact Aimee Bostwick (abostwick@dioswva.org) if you have questions about Youth@Council.

Young Adults@Council is available for those who are aged 18-34 AND who are no longer in high school.

• Young Adults@Council will be held at Evans Diocesan House in Roanoke.
• The program begins with dinner on Friday.
• Young Adults attend Saturday workshops, lunch, and business sessions. They have seat and voice in the business sessions, but do not vote (unless they are also delegates from their parishes).
• Register online through January 17.
• Contact Erin Harden (eharden@stjohnsroanoke.org) if you have questions about Young Adults@Council.

To Submit Resolutions or Proposed Changes to the Constitution or Canons:

• Resolutions to be printed must be turned in by December 31, 2011, by snail mail (Resolutions, PO Box 2279, Roanoke, VA 24009) or by email to Kate Garcia (kgarcia@dioswva.org). Or you can submit a resolution online using the link on the diocesan homepage (www.dioswva.org).
• Changes to the Constitution or Canons to be presented to Council must be received by Alan Boyce (aboyce@dioswva.org) by December 1, 2011. 

Tell Your Parish 

 

About Saturday@Council:

• Register online from www.dioswva.org for Workshop and Meal Tickets
• There is no charge for workshops!
• Up to 2 meals (Friday night dinner, Saturday lunch, Saturday night banquet) can also be purchased by visitors.
• Visitors may be able to register their children for Children@Council, as space permits.   (See deadlines and other notes, above.) 
• Our annual blood drive for the American Red Cross  will be Saturday January 28 from 8 am -2 pm. Sign up online by going to www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation (the Red Cross donation appointment website) after November 22 and entering Sponsor Code: 979.

Exhibitors MUST register online from the link at www.dioswva.org. Choose "Visitor for Workshops and/or Meals" and, when the option presents itself, choosing "I would like to set up a display/exhibit in the Exhibit Hall." 

• Limited space is available, and priority will be given to diocesan parishes and ministries.
• If there is additional space available, next priority will be given to Episcopal ministries.
• Any other space may be available for groups not directly related to Episcopal ministries.
• Fees may apply for groups selling items or groups not directly related to Episcopal ministries.

Invitations to the Legacy Society dinner will be mailed soon.

• Dinner will be Thursday, January 26, 2011, at the Hotel Roanoke.  A reception at 6 pm will precede dinner, which begins at 7 pm.
• Rooms at the Hotel Roanoke for those attending the Legacy Society dinner will be available at the Council rate. See the information about hotel reservations, above. 
• Contact Bill Lindsay (blindsay@dioswva.org) if you have any questions.