Off The Map Discussion Board for Christians, Atheists and People In-between

Marty · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 174 Location: Santa Barbara, CA

Pam told her story on http://conversationattheedge.com/2006/07/20/interview-with-pam-hogeweide/#more-80

In that she shared that she will be going to the November Conference and asking about who else may be going - and there seems to be a lot of interest on the part of many of us - not only to attend the great conference that Jim et al are putting together - but to meet those who have become our friends and fellow searchers on this blog.

Rather than take away from Pam's story by her thread being taken over by thoughts on the Conference - I am creating this topic here.

Who are planning to go the the conference? (my wife and I are)

Who would like to have some sort of gathering of those of us who have participated on the Atheist/Christian OTM Blog? I do.

Are Jim and the OTM group planning anything relative to the Atheist/Christian OTM group? My guess is that they have their hands full pulling together the conference - and if we want to get together - we will have to pull it together - but if Jim was planning to do something - my sense is he would get a lot of support from any of us that could make it.

I just saw that Helen is leading a workshop entitled "Almost and Atheist" http://www.revolutionconference.com/workshops.html My guess is that all of us will be most interested in that. Helen - can you tell us more about this?

Assuming that Jim and company will not be putting something together - what would we like to do?

It appears that meals are on our own. Maybe Eliza could make a reservation somewhere where we could dine together. The problem is that it is hard to converse with more then four or so people nearby.

Maybe we can have some sort of badge/identifier so that we can identify each other at the converence.

What ideas do others have?

Mike C · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 600 Location: Yorkville, IL

Eliza · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 800 Location: Seattle WA

I found out last week that I'm on nearly-full-time duty at the hospital for 2 weeks, including the days of and around the conference. I will be able to slip out here and there, evenings particularly good so dinner would be excellent.

I can certainly find a restaurant & make reservations, probably in Bellevue to be near the conference. We would just need to figure out when (depends on when Helen is flying back - would Friday night work? Or Thursday night?) and how many people.

Maybe headgear to identify us? I suppose wearing devil's horns is out Twisted Evil

Maybe a colored ribbon dangling from namebadge? That way you can identify someone from a distance...

Eliza · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 800 Location: Seattle WA

Until September 1, tickets are $89 each (individual ticket) or $79 each (for group of 2 or more). After that, the price goes up on the first of October & again on the first of November, & maxes out at $159 each at the door ($139 for group of 2 or more at the door). Tickets are at: http://revolutionconference2006.mollyguard.com/

Ir (Helen) · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 609

Thanks for starting this discussion, Marty!

Eliza I was going to say, we could ask for color-coded name badges maybe?

And/or lunch tables set aside for us, maybe?

I'm sure the conference organizers would be open to doing things that will help us find each other.

I plan to fly back on the 6 a.m. flight Saturday...so I'll still be around at Friday dinnertime.

As we get closer to the conference I expect Jim will finalize the schedule so we know exactly when dinner break is. It sounds as if there's more conference after dinner since it goes until 9 p.m.

Marty, I can't tell you any more about the workshop than you read on the conference site. That's all I know too! For what it's worth I won't necessarily expect conference attendees who know me from here to be at a workshop focused on my experiences because you've heard a lot of it already. You might rather go to something that's new to you. But I still would love to meet you all at the conference!

Julie Marie · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC

I am seriously looking into coming - what OTM is doing, and what George Barna wrote about in Revolution seem to make a direct intersection with where I am going.

But aside from all that, the chance to meet the folks I've been talking to, and who have been so instrumental in helping me think things through during my transition from FE to Friendly Humanist Christian, is very very appealing.

Pam Hogeweide · Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 4

yes, i'm planning to come. i'm in portland so it's only a three hour drive. i'm hoping to bring a person or two, people who would not normally go to a conference because of the cost. I deplore the elitism that overpriced conferences can breed.

would love, love, love to meet you guys, whether for a meal or coffee or whatever. count me in.

(paleeze, not color-coded badges!)

jimhender · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

There are a several opportunities for all OTM bloggers to gather
Helens Workshop with Jim
Peter Walkers Workshop
Bruce Logues Workshop
Jim and Caspers workshop

Yes Dinner on Friday night would be about the only time to make it happen

Eliza - we will be near Redmond (check venue address) if you are looking to make reservations

If there are too many and it doesn't sound too informal we could have dinner together at the church in one of their large rooms - we could have it catered and everyone spread the cost

That might make it easier for all to participate and still be there for the evening session

I am appreciative of all of your efforts to try and make this event

it will be a blast

Jim

Ir (Helen) · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 609

Pam, I could go either way on color-coded badges.

Would you rather not have anything which indicates visually who is an OTM blogger?

Or is it that you're open to that idea if it was done a different way?

Julie Marie · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC

Ir (Helen) · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 609

I agree, Julie Marie. Informal is fine with me! I'm not a very 'formal' sort of person.

Mike C · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 600 Location: Yorkville, IL

Pam Hogeweide · Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 4

what about ordering pizza? that keeps it simple...? or picking up subway? i think with prearrangements they can prepare megasubs for large groups.

what do you think? (i'm for keeping it real simple......)

oh, i'll be with other people. they might come with me, they might not. hard to say until we are there.

i think we'll want to get a guestimate by the end of Oct if we're going to order out, sooner if people want to cater. you know my vote...