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GA isn't cheap! How do I afford to attend?
(1) Check out the ideas and resources on the GA website.
See the practical tips in the "guide for the frugal GA attendee" (I always pack food or visit a local grocery when I get to GA.) Also check out the available financial aid at http://www.uua.org/ga/registration/financialaid/15012.shtml. And don't forget to ask your congregation about its plans to help support its delegates-there are even ideas for congregational fundraising on the GA website.
(2) Link up with a roommate to share housing costs.
Invite a friend to share a room with you-it might be the encouragement they need to attend. You can even reserve a room first and find roommates later. Find out who else is attending from your congregation or nearby ones. You can also find roommates by joining the GA list; to sign up, go to http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/uua-ga . (I've roomed with both friends and people I'd just met-in both cases it was nice to have the UU company, and I was too busy at GA to spend a lot of time in the room anyway.)
(3) Share a ride to GA.
See who else is interested in going from your congregation or a nearby one, and drive to GA together. Talk someone else into accompanying you-you could be the carpool catalyst they need! (If you don't know anyone, try the GA list.)
If you live close enough to Providence, you could even share the driving duties and costs for daily commutes to GA-plus you'll have company to share GA experiences with. Maybe your congregation would like to arrange a van!
(4) Look into economical public transportation.
The downtown Providence bus terminal is at Kennedy Plaza, within sight of the Convention Center, and the Providence train station, which serves both Amtrak and the cheaper MBTA commuter rail, is within easy walking distance. You'll find links on the GA website that will help you find schedules and plan your route from home. You can also rely on RIPTA buses to stay in cheaper lodgings a bit farther out and still get to the Convention Center easily.
(5) Consider attending part-time.
While the best GA experience is total immersion Wednesday through Sunday, not everyone can afford to take all that time off from work or be away from home that long. A day or two at GA is still a great experience, and you can also register by the day. (Wednesday is included in the one-day price of Thursday.) Once the full program is posted, see which days have the programs you most want to attend, and see how that fits your personal schedule. Don't miss GA just because you can't come for the whole thing!
Looking forward to seeing you in Providence!
Beth McGregor
District Coordinator, GA 2014
BethGA14@gmail.com
epjmcg@aol.com
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