Monday, July 23, 2012

Convention Countdown Begins!


16 DAYS AND COUNTING ... CONVENTION INFORMATION!!!
Connect with Area Leaders on Saturday, August 11th from 1:00 -2:00PM in the First Link Café!

Meet your Field Leaders! Meet fellow MOPS Leaders from Virginia & West Virginia!
PLUNGE into the theme highlighting area waterways. Bring a postcard with a picture of your favorite body of water in VA or WV to leave at the table.  Leave the website to a great waterpark or pool in your community.  PLUS … Get some FREE MOPS stuff!
The First Link Cafe has a table for every "area" MOPS serves - it's located adjacent to the Resource Fair and is is a GREAT place to have lunch as a team throughout Convention.

Let us know your group is attending and how many we can expect to meet!  We want to prepare for each of you!

What to bring:
Y Above all ... comfortable shoes! You'll walk A LOT!  And maybe a pedometer to log your steps!  
Y Your Bible - make time for quiet time with the Lord.
Y Business cards for networking.
Y Show & Tell samples for the Show & Tell table in the First Link Café. Directories, creative activities, instructions, supply lists, vendors, centrepieces, etc.  You might think your idea is hum-drum, but every group does things differently.  Share YOUR vision of MOPS and ignite passion in others!
o It’s a good idea to have e-mail addresses on the samples so others can contact you easily.
Y Dry foods (cereal bars, munchies, etc.) When you think you have enough -- pack one more box!
Y Refillable Water bottle - you'll be thirsty and purchasing it gets pricey.  Drink stir-in's because sometimes the water tastes funny: Crystal Light, Via, etc. 
Y Cell phone and cell phone charger.
Y Camera (and charger if necessary); film for the "old fashioned" kind.
Y A budget for spending - it's easy to get sucked into the Resource Fair or lunch/dinner out.
Y Mailing labels with your name, address, phone, and email for all the drawings and info requests at the Resource Fair.
Y An extra bag for all the stuff you'll bring home - or at LEAST leave room in your luggage for more.
Y Breathe-Right strips (for snoring roomies - or yourself); Gas-Ex (self explanatory); Tylenol and Alka-Seltzer ... you laugh, but ....


Y You don't need to bring your big binder with all your position "stuff" in it. You won't have time to look at it, anyway.
Y You don't need to bring your laptop - there are computers/Internet access available adjacent to the Resource Fair and the First Link Café.

You've signed up for sessions. Make sure you sit with people you don't know. Make connections. Network. Ask questions. Even if your group is solid and has things planned and in motion - you can always glean insights from other groups and other coordinators. Ask how they handle situations. Ask how they work MOPPETS (that's ALWAYS a good conversation starter). If nothing else, you'll see what kind of relationship other groups have with their chartering ministry.  Assume a curious posture.  Don't listen for the familiar - listen for what you don't already know.
You've signed up for sessions. Don't be afraid to skip one if you're drained. Have your quiet time. Sit by the pool. Find a spot to refresh yourself. Take a nap. Visit the exercise room. MOPS offers a prayer room staffed by Field Leaders after each General Session.  You can pray with someone or leave a written prayer request.  Convention is your time. Enjoy it!

MOM PROM is Saturday Night at 7PM.  It comes FREE with your Convention Registration.  Dinner is provided as well.  Grab a dress from Goodwill, use an old bridesmaid dress, throw on a feather boa, just come and have FUN!

The Gaylord Texan also boasts Paradise Springs - a pretty amazing WATERPARK that comes with your standard room rate.  It's not "on property" but there's a free shuttle taking you there.  Talk about team bonding at it's BEST.  What a great way to PLUNGE into MOPS Leadership together!!

Don't forget your SHUTTLE RESERVATION:  http://groups.supershuttle.com/mops12.html

Find all your Area 25 Field Leaders.  There will be TEN OF US in Dallas.  See you soon!


4 comments:

  1. Thank you for this post and very helpful list! It'll. be my first convention. I am very excited! Beth, NHPC, Mechanicsville, VA

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for this post and very helpful list! It'll. be my first convention. I am very excited! Beth, NHPC, Mechanicsville, VA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you going by yourself? I will be by myself, but I don't have a room.

      Delete
  3. Hello Stephanie,

    Have you guys heard of anyone who is not using their hotel room reservation for convention? We messed up and did not book one room properly and are looking for a room for three ladies. Please let us know if you know of someone not using their reservation. Thank you!!!
    Sarah King
    703.851.3916
    MOPS at Columbia Baptist

    ReplyDelete

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