Last Chance to Register and Update Candidates Profiles for the Parents Matching Convocation in Ohio on July 11-13!

It’s not too late to register for the Parents’ Matching Convocation (PMC) on July 11-13, 2014 at the Columbus Family Church in Columbus, Ohio! All of the necessary registration and schedule information is attached to this memo. Also, matching candidates who would like their profile to be displayed at the Convocation should make sure their profile is up to date on Matchbook by July 3rd! See instructions below.

The PMC is a wonderful opportunity for parents to understand the matching process, learn from those who have matched their children successfully, network with other parents and consider potential matching candidates. The PMC is not a place to finalize matches but to connect with other parents, learn about candidates and prepare to develop a Family Matching Plan based upon your child’s priorities and preferences. We recommend that parents attend a PMC before beginning the matching process with their children. Parents whose children are at least 16 should participate in a PMC simply to learn and prepare.

Participants in this PMC will receive the brand new, vastly improved 2nd edition of the Family Matching Handbook. They will learn about the matching websites, the international matching process and other resources to support them in matching their children. They can also meet Matching Advisors who are prepared to assist and support them.

The PMC registration process and submission of candidate information and photos is entirely online. PMC registrations and candidate profiles are submitted through “Matchbook,” the online matching site at www.blessedfamilies.org. Candidates and their families need only apply once, and can then indicate where and to what extent their profile and photo information can be accessed by others, from total privacy, by permission only, through advocates or advisers, at the PMCs, etc. If you would like your profile displayed at the Convocation make sure to check the box stating “Show profile at PMC.”

To register for the PMC, visit www.blessedfamilies.org and click on the pink PMC registration banner on the right side, above the Matchbook logo. See the attached PMC information sheet for fees, accommodations, how to prepare or update candidate profiles, and all convocation details. If you have any remaining questions, write us at BFMadmin@unification.org. We look forward to seeing parents at this PMC and to supporting candidates in the process of matching and Blessing.

May God bless you and your family!

Crescentia DeGoede Director, Blessing and Family Ministry

Dr. Michael Balcomb President

PARENTS’ MATCHING CONVOCATION July 11-13, 2014 UC Columbus Church Center Columbus, Ohio

CONVOCATION INFORMATION: I. Location - This convocation will be held at: UC Columbus Church Center 4303 Indianola Ave Columbus, Ohio 43214 (614) 448-9099 II. Schedule Onsite registration will open at 5:00 PM Friday afternoon, July 11 (pre-registering online will save you money and time at the conference registration). The program begins with Orientation at 7:30 PM that evening, and closes at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 13. III. Who Should Attend Parents of matching candidates and Blessed siblings of candidates are also welcome. Parents of younger BCs are encouraged to attend, to familiarize and educate themselves about the process and their role and begin developing a family plan for matching their children.

IV. Registration- Save Money by Registering Early! To encourage prompt registration and facilitate planning and organization, participants can save money by registering early. You can pay directly online by credit card:  EARLY BIRD Pay by June 24: $100/individual; $150/couple; $50 for each additional family member  Pay after June 24: $120/individual; $180/couple; $60 for each additional family member The registration fee covers the convocation program and materials, the new 2nd Edition Matching Handbook (choose English or Japanese), snacks and refreshments during the program, and 5 meals: Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. Accommodations are the responsibility of each participant. Dinner on Friday is optional at the cost $8.00.

To register, visit www.blessedfamilies.org, and click on the pink PMC registration banner on the right side, above the Matchbook logo. Candidate profiles and photos can also be uploaded at the registration site and should be completed by July 3rd. If you need assistance registering for the PMC or uploading profiles and photos, contact your church office or Email us at BFMadmin@unification.org.

V. Accommodations Accommodations are the responsibility of each participant. For those who travel and may need a hotel, we found two hotels with availability at reasonable rates. We reserved a block of rooms at each hotel:

The Ramada Plaza Columbus North Hotel, 2 minutes from UC Columbus: $107+tax. To obtain this rate, call and ask for the “Family Federation” rate: 877-361-2502 and reference confirmation number 20610245 prior to 6/27, the cut-off date.

La Quinta Inn Columbus Dublin, 20 minutes from UC Columbus: $109+tax. To obtain this rate, call and ask for the “Family Federation” rate: ( 614) 792-8300 Cut-off date June 13, 2014

Preparing Candidate Profiles

Parents may attend the PMC without displaying a candidate. Candidates can also be displayed at the PMC without their parents being present. But candidates can only be displayed with their permission and involvement. No parent should display their adult child as a candidate or pursue a match without the candidate’s involvement. To be displayed at the PMC, every candidate should do the following: A. Complete the candidate profile page at the PMC registration site. This will allow candidates to participate in Matchbook, PMCs, or both, and to designate their preferred level of accessibility. B. Complete the additional 9-question personality profile at the profile page. This is optional for Matchbook participants but required for candidates at the PMC. Candidates should complete these profiles themselves. NOTE: Unless all 9 questions are answered, the profile cannot be printed for display. C. Upload three good-quality photos at the profile page: one half-length (head & torso) and one full- length of the candidate and one family photo. The profile and photos are required, but do not necessarily need to be uploaded at the time of registration. They must be uploaded by July 3rd. If parents bring photos or profiles to the PMC that require scanning or copying to be displayed, there will be a $20 charge, and we cannot guarantee how quickly the material will be ready for display. Be creative! A poem, photo montage or personal story also conveys who you are, and can be added to your profile at the PMC. Parents can also prepare “contact cards” with the candidate’s picture and your family’s contact info to give to other parents at the PMC.

IMPORTANT: If your candidate’s profile has not been updated since February 2013, you must contact us at bfmadmin@unification.org if they still wish to be displayed. We strongly recommend profiles be updated and improved, with your adult child’s permission and participation. We will not display any old profiles unless we have heard from the candidate that they wish to be displayed.

For additional information visit the registration site or contact BFMadmin@unification.org. We look forward to seeing parents at the PMC and to supporting candidates in the process of matching and Blessing.