Additional Information follows



Here's the California Unity brochure. Try contacting the PPOC (714 779-9013) or the Alpha Chapter of Tri-ess (213 876-6141) about volunteering. Bobbi at IFGE
11th Annual Convention IFGE
& California Dreamin' '97
Long Beach, CA
April 15-20 1997
The union of the annual conventions of the International Foundation for Gender Education and California Dreamin' promises to be the greatest event of its kind to date!
IFGE, working with the PPOC California Dreamin' team, has been joined by Alpha Chapter of Tri-Ess, Neutral Corner, Born Free, the Pathfinders S.O. Group, and Androgyny to form an incredible alliance symbolizing and bringing into reality the new movement of transgender cooperation and truly Coming Together-Working Together. The Southern California organizations will also be joined by ETVC, Rainbow Gender Association, and the Diablo Valley Girls to make California Unity a truism rather than just a slogan! This will be a milestone event in 20th-Century TG history that you must not miss!
THE PLACE!
How many times have you had the opportunity to attend a convention in a luxurious historical site surrounded by a fantasy world of charm and beauty? Walk, sleep and dine where stars, presidents, kings and queens have been.
California Unity is indeed fortunate to have the Hotel Queen Mary for the site of the 1997 combined IFGE and California Dreamin' conventions! The Queen Mary, berthed in the port of Long Beach, California, is the largest and most luxurious liner afloat. The convention itself will take place in the exclusive 50,000 square foot, three-level Convention Center with direct boarding through a private entrance into a Gender Wonderland. The first floor will be dedicated to registration, information and vendor booths, snack bar, book store and special lounge area. Descending by escalator or elevator, the second level is dedicated to workshop and program areas and the third floor will provide space for the luncheons and a separate large group meeting space. Areas outside of the Center are available for private gatherings, such as the significant others and F2M meetings.
Evening activities will be held in various function rooms including the Queen's Lounge, The Capstan Deck and the Grand Salon, all beautifully appointed with murals, paintings, wood paneling, carvings and brass and nickel fittings. There are four restaurants on board, along with the original first class Observation Bar plus several museum areas. The evening will also be a wonderful time to stroll on the Promenade Decks and watch the harbor activities with the Long Beach sky line as a back drop.
THE ACTIVITIES!
Beginning with free time and the opportunity to take some incredible tours under the guidance of experienced local TG persons, take a cruise to Santa Catalina Island, 26 miles across the sea, leaving directly from the same wharf where the Queen Mary is docked. Other special tours for shoppers and visits to Southern California attractions are also being arranged. Wednesday evening all full registrants will be welcomed to a seafood buffet being held on the Capstan Deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Long Beach harbor. Thursday evening's spectacular is an optional (but must do) IFGE Membership Extravaganza, a professional show in the Queen's Lounge, beginning at 9:00 PM. after dinner on your own at one of the several restaurants on board the Queen, in the port or in downtown Long Beach, just 10 minutes away. Friday night's benefit, sponsored by the local LA area clubs, will include a Mexican buffet and show, and is a Fund Raiser for the Battered Women's Shelter.
Saturday evening is the Annual IFGE Awards Banquet, along with special awards and recognition of California's own, being held in the gorgeous Grand Salon. This is included in the basic registration. And this is just the evenings!
Optional lunches (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) will feature community leaders and professionals speaking on up-to-date interests and issues concerning us all. Sunday you will be given the opportunity to have brunch at one of the nation's most elegant and scrumptious buffets with a menu so long it would take the whole brochure! Again, included in the basic registration. (An optional private brunch area will also be available.)
THE PROGRAM!
California Unity is pleased that we will have a program being presented by a star-studded cast of TG professionals and experts. The list is already too long to include here without offending someone. There will be many formal presentations, as well as workshops and discussion groups on the full spectrum of CD/TG/TS issues and concerns. Sessions ranging from Speaking in a More Feminine Manner, Makeup and Deportment, to the legal, health and employment concerns of those going full time. With National TG Lobby Days just weeks away, you can expect plenty of programs on the political front. While the major emphasis of the conventions is focused on the male-to-female audience, with four parallel sessions, there will also be separate sessions for the genetic female/significant others and female-to-male persons.
While many of the special program sessions are already selected, proposals for additional programs are invited. Please submit them to, Maryann Kirkland, PO Box 1242, Newtown, PA 18940 (maryannk@philly.infi.net) or Melanie Yarburough, c/o Neutral Corner, PO Box 12581, San Diego, CA 92122 (619) 685-3696.
Leadership Institute
A special program on Leadership as it applies to the TG community is being planned for Wednesday afternoon. It will encompass New Styles of Leadership, Creating the Vision and Motivation, Building a Team and Delegation and Community Building.
GENDER WONDERLAND!
The entire first deck of the Queen Mary Convention Center will be turned into a Gender Wonderland. There will be vendors selling and providing services filling every need of the TG person. We will have wigs, shoes, jewelry, clothing including corsets and lingerie. Special services will include nail care and manicures, wig styling and comb outs.
The IFGE book store will feature over 100 titles of TG-related books, videos, and audios. Dozens of organizations will be on hand to present to you what they are doing and how you may become involved. Vendor applications can be obtained by calling Diane Drake, Vendor Chairperson. Phone (714) 240-2081 or contacting IFGE (617) 899-2212.
CALIFORNIA UNITY
REGISTRATION
Fees
Full Registration: Includes all programs, Wed reception,
Sat Banquet, & Sunday Brunch: $200.
(See below for partial registrations.)
Th/Fri/Sat Lunches: $25 each. All 3, $65.
($3 of each full registration automatically goes to Convention Scholarships to be used by local California clubs to sponsor needy and worthy interested attendees. Please add a little more to help those who otherwise could not attend.)
Special Activities
Wed: Leadership Institute: $30, lunch on your own.
Th.: IFGE Mbrs. Gala & Show: $10 IFGE Members;
$20 Non-Members; $10 Spouses;
$30 New Members (includes $25 Membership!).
Fri: Cal Dreamin Fund Raiser for Battered Women's Shelter ($45).
OTHER VITAL INFORMATION
Room Rates & Reservations
There are 365 recently restored original first class state rooms with up-to-date amenities including color television and direct-dial telephones. Rooms with twin, queen and king accommodations are available. Prices range from inside staterooms (no port holes) at the budget rate of $65 per night to Deluxe Staterooms (a blend of modern and original decor) at $90, and Royalty Staterooms (authentically restored) at $90, all three single or double. There is a $10 surcharge for Harborview on the Deluxe and Royalty Staterooms. Rollaways for a third person are $15. There are a limited number of suites ranging from $100 to $280, but you must contact IFGE regarding their availability.
These prices are for the convention dates only, but extensions at these rates can be made on a space-available basis. The number of rooms at these rates is limited, as are the budget rooms and the suites, so make your reservations early. Call Hotel Queen Mary, Stateroom Reservations, 1-(800) 437-2934 and mention IFGE/California Unity to get the convention rate. Parking is at $5.00 per day with in and out privileges.
Meals
The Queen Mary catering staff can accommodate special dietary needs if they are told in advance. Please include such requests along with your registration and prepayment for those meals.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships will be made available by participating groups, funded by the small surcharge included in the registration package by donations from generous attendees. These awards will be at the discretion of the groups, but in most cases will be based on need and used to encourage minority and younger individuals.
Handicapped
Most of the Queen Mary, and especially the convention areas is accessible to handicapped persons. California Unity is also planning on having -A Day for the DEAF!- conducted by a TG professional who is an experienced signer. Contact the Hotel directly for special needs.
Travel
Long Beach is served by all major airlines through Los Angeles International Airport. American Airlines, the 1996 IFGE Diversity Award recipient, is the official airline for this event, and special rates can be obtained by calling 1-800-433-1790, referencing our STAR number S5347AB and mentioning California Unity. Ground Transportation from LAX to the Queen Mary is $11 through L.A. XPRESS, with a discount coupon that will be provided to all pre-registrants.
Weather
Southern California weather in April can be warm, yet it can be balmy and cool in the evening in the harbor. So come prepared for a nice spring outing.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions regarding this momentous event, contact IFGE by calling 617-899-2212 or writing to IFGE at Box 229, Waltham, MA 02254. You may register by completing the tear-off registration form included with this brochure. Please save the rest of the brochure for your personal files.
CALIFORNIA UNITY '97
Registration Form
Complete the following
Name for Badge:
Name for file:
Name of S.O. for Badge:
Primary Organization/Affiliation:
Mailing Name:
Mailing Address:
Phone day:
Phone evening:
Registration Discounts on Full Registration is Cumulative! Check as applicable.
1st Person S.O.
First Time Attendee 10% ___ ___
IFGE/Cal Unity Mbr* 5% ___ ___
Supporting/Benefactor Mbr 5% ___ ___
Significant Other 10% ___
Before Feb. 1 10% ___ ___
Total Discount
1st Person:____ % S.O.: ____%
Discounted Registration Fee ______ ______
* You can join by Dec. 31, 1996 to get this discount
Partial Registrations:
1st Person S.O.
Wed Recptn $30 ______ ______
Th. Prog $50 ______ ______
Fri Prog $50 ______ ______
Sat Prog $50 ______ ______
Sat Banq $50 ______ ______
Sun Brunch $30 ______ ______
1st Person S.O.
Registration: ______ ______
less discounts: ______ ______
Reg due ______ ______
Lunches ______ ______
Ldrship Inst. ______ ______
Thur Gala ______ ______
Fri Fund Raiser ______ ______
Scholarship Donation* ______ ______
Total Cost ______ ______
Add 6% for credit card use ______ ______
$100 per person holds your place but not your early discounts.
Paying by Enclosed check ______
Credit card (type) _______________________________
(MasterCard or Visa)
Credit card No. _________________________________
Exp. Date ___/____
Refund Policy: 80% before Jan 1; 50% before Feb 15. No refund after Feb 15, 1997.
Mail completed form to:
IFGE, PO Box 229, Waltham MA 02254-0229
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