News and Events at MRJ
To:
BROTHERHOOD PRESIDENTS/ by email From: Stuart J. Aaronson, MRJ President RE:
Together We Journey Forth! – |
40th Biennial Convention Forms: |
The theme for MRJ’s 40th Biennial Convention is “Together We Journey Forth!” How appropriate! For it is only as a federation of affiliated brotherhoods across North America working together that we can ensure the success of the Brotherhood Movement in this, the early part of the 21st century. What better way to truly ensure that success than for the key leaders of our affiliate brotherhoods to convene together in workshops, seminars and plenaries to share their success and concerns?
Join your fellow brotherhood leaders on June 8-12, 2005. The Convention is being held in Providence, Rhode Island, at the Marriott Hotel and the lay leaders of our local affiliates there are busily engaged (once they shovel out from under the recent blizzard) in ensuring that you, your colleagues, and guests will have a positive and welcoming experience.
The MRJ Convention is always special for those who attend. It is a time to make new friendships and renew old ones. It is a time to learn about the new directions in the Reform Movement and the challenges that we all face as brotherhood leaders. And as always, there will be opportunity to pray and study together with fellow brotherhood leaders. MRJ’s convention program committee is working to design a convention program that meets YOUR needs. Our goal is to give you and your key leaders the tools and information you need to strengthen your brotherhood and to grow in leadership skills! We hope to make it a unique North American convocation of Jewish men, an experience you can not obtain anywhere else. Your presence will help make that happen!
While more details will be forthcoming, we wanted to share just two special highlights with you now:
- Rabbi David Saperstein,
the Director of the Reform Movement’s Religious Action Center
in Washington, D.C., will be our featured speaker on Thursday.
- MRJ -One-on-One Consultations: Throughout the Convention, times have been set aside for individual brotherhoods to have ‘one on one in depth consultations’ with various MRJ national lay and professional leaders. Request forms for such consultations will be sent upon registration. This is an extraordinary opportunity for your Brotherhood leaders to discuss specific issues and receive our best advice and assistance.
The MRJ Board of Trustees Meeting will convene on Friday June 10th, i.e., during the Convention. As per Article VII, of the MRJ Constitution, the MRJ Board of Trustees includes “one representative per Brotherhood affiliate’. Every brotherhood is entitled to ONE representative to sit on this body. The Constitution indicates that “the representative from the local affiliate shall be the president of said affiliate or an alternate duly appointed by the affiliate body.” We urge you to make your voice heard, your vote count! The Board meeting will deal with the budget and other matters which might be brought before it.
Brotherhoods are encouraged
to send their full complement of delegates to the MRJ Convention. Delegate
representation for the convention remains based upon a membership-weighted
formula (Print
and complete 2005 Delegates Form [pdf]). Additional members
of your Brotherhood as well as spouses and children are welcome and participate
as guests (Print
and complete 2005 Official Visitors Form[pdf]).
Who is eligible to attend:
- Affiliate brotherhoods in good standing are entitled to send multiple delegates based upon membership size. (Print and complete 2005 Delegates Form [pdf]);
- One man per brotherhood who is your representative as a member of the MRJ Board of Trustees
When:
First Plenary session will commence Thursday, June 9th at 1pm
(Note: other
educational sessions are scheduled to begin 9AM Thursday morning
and Thursday lunch is included in MRJ Registration fee);
Closing Session Sunday, 12th,2005 ( Session ending by 11AM)
Please make proper airline reservations.
Costs:
- MRJ Program
Registration Fees (includes all program material; Thursday
lunch, Thursday dinner, Friday lunch, Friday Shabbat dinner, Saturday
Night Dinner at Johnson & Wales, and Sunday Brotherhood Brunch):
- $275 (until April 15th); $325 April 16 or later). Please fill out Delegate and Visitor forms; make payment to “MRJ” and return to the MRJ office. (Only current President is receiving these forms)
Accomodations:
Marriott Hotel,
Providence, RI: $142 (+ 13% tax, a Federal Government increase
from the 12% initially printed on the attached form) per night/ per room;
– Marriott Hotel registration forms included. (Please
Print and fax/send this form directly to hotel).
If your Board’s authorization is required for you or other delegates
to attend, please bring this matter to your board’s attention immediately.
PLAN TO BE THERE! HELP SET THE COURSE FOR THE FUTURE OF BROTHERHOOD
IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
SA/db
2/05/05
