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
-end of brochure-