We are pleased to announce an upcoming Parents’ Matching Convocation on October 24-26, 2014

We are pleased to announce an upcoming Parents’ Matching Convocation (PMC) on October 24-26, 2014 at the UTS Conference Center in Barrytown, NY. All of the necessary registration and schedule information is attached to this memo.

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 will also be able to 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. Those who already have profiles displayed on Matchbook should update their profiles with the most up-to-date information prior to the 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 to 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.

There will also be a Training Seminar for New Matching Advisors held all day Friday, October 24. More information about this training will be forthcoming and can be found on the BFM website.

May God bless you and your family!

Dr. Michael Balcomb Crescentia DeGoede President Blessing and Family Ministry

PARENTS’ MATCHING CONVOCATION October 24-26, 2014 UTS Conference Center Barrytown, NY

CONVOCATION INFORMATION: I. Location - This convocation will be held at: UTS Conference Center 30 Seminary Drive Barrytown, NY 12507 http://www.uts.edu/

II. Schedule Onsite registration will open at 4:30 PM Friday afternoon, October 24 (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, October 26.

III. Who Should Attend Parents of matching candidates and Blessed siblings of candidates are also welcome. Parents of younger children 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 Oct. 10: $120/individual; $200/couple; $80 for each additional family member  Pay after October 10: $150/individual; $240/couple; $90 for each additional family member

The registration fee covers the convocation program and materials, the new 2nd Edition Matching Handbook, snacks and refreshments during the program, and 5 meals: Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. Accommodations are the responsibility of each participant.

To register, visit www.blessedfamilies.org, and click on the pink PMC registration banner on the right side, above the Matchbook logo. Or, visit bfm.familyfed.org. Candidate profiles and photos can be uploaded at the registration site and should be completed by October 15. If you need assistance registering for the PMC or uploading profiles and photos, email us at bfmadmin@unification.org.

V. Accommodations Accommodations are the responsibility of each participant. Housing choices include UTS dorms (at $20/person/night), UTS private rooms ($70/room/night), nearby hotels or with friends. A small number of private rooms for one or two persons and 4 family rooms with private or semi-private bathrooms are available at UTS on a first-come, first-serve basis. To reserve any of these, contact Kate Korda, UTS Hospitality at: k.korda@uts.edu or call phone: (845) 389-6224.

VI. 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 October 15. 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 a profile has not been updated since March 2013, you must contact us at bfmadmin@unification.org if the candidate still wishes to be displayed. We strongly recommend profiles be updated and improved. 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.