Conference UPDATES and FAQs - 4/1/-08

[Smartmarriages]

- UNITED DISCOUNTS
- SAN FRANCISCO ALLEYS FOR COOL CATS
- CFLE CREDENTIALS AND EXAM IN SAN FRANCISCO
- INSTITUTE CERTIFICATIONS INCLUDING PAT LOVE'S CFL DESIGNATION
- TAX EXEMPTION
- SPECIAL MASTER SESSIONS AND BANQUETS
- BROCHURES
- VOLUNTEERS
- ROOMMATES
- ORGANIZE AN INTEREST GROUP
- HOTEL UPGRADE TO THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL

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- UNITED DISCOUNTS
> Hi Diane, 
> Yes, I was able to make my reservations on Friday.  United is now honoring the
> extended dates.  Thank you so much for getting on the problem so quickly.  The
> Smart Marriage discount did indeed make a difference.  Looking forward to San
> Francisco.  
> Judy Macuga 
> Old Stone Wedding Program

Judy brought to my attention that fact that United Airlines wasn't honoring
the shoulder dates for the Conference Discounts. We've gone over the
contract and they've reinstated the extended dates of June 23 - July 13. If
you had that experience, try again.  So many of you want to arrive early or
stay late to take in San Francisco.
Go here for info: http://www.smartmarriages.com/travel.html

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- SAN FRANCISCO ALLEYS FOR COOL CATS
March 30, 2008
New York Times

> WHILE Paris has its boulevards and Miami its beaches, San Francisco¹s lure is
> its labyrinth of back alleys, those mysterious midblock detours that seem to
> offer, in equal doses, the promise of discovery and the slightly scary
> possibility of getting lost ‹ really lost.
> 
> Built in haste after the discovery of California gold in 1848 and rebuilt in a
> bigger hurry after the 1906 earthquake and fire, San Francisco is riven with
> all manner of concrete crannies, quaint cobblestone back ways and remote
> waterfront hide-outs like the Ramp, a sunset margarita spot whose front deck
> literally drops into the bay. In the tradition of a city whose literary legacy
> includes both the Beats and Sam Spade, those out-of-the-way addresses also
> include hipster bars and Zagat-rated speakeasies like Bix, an alley-front
> favorite whose Jazz Age ethos includes tuxedo jackets and torch songs.

Who knew?  You could clip this article and have fun simply by trying to FIND
and check out a few of these hidden treasures.....in this most walkable of
cities. Of course, if this is only your first or second trip to SF, you'll
probably want to hit the more obvious treasures first ­ walk across the
Golden Gate (I think that's a MUST), through Chinatown, see the Seals at
Pier 39, ride a Cable Car, and tour Alcatraz (you MUST make your
reservations for Alcatraz today!).  See local attractions page:
 
http://tinyurl.com/ysbkle
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- CFLE CREDENTIALS AND EXAM IN SAN FRANCISCO

Diane,
You told me several months ago that I would be able take the CFLE exam at
Smart Marriages. You said to look for an announcement and I'm not sure if
you meant in the mail or on the listserv.  I've not seen anything and I've
been looking for it.  As I explained, I've enjoyed a long career in
government which has given me solid planning and policy experience but I
would like credentials to add to my resume as I transition to becoming a
community marriage educator.  Did plans for the CFLE not pan out?
HG

All is well.  I did announce the exam to the listserv but with so many
announcements it's easy to miss the one you're looking for.
The info is also posted on the smartmarriages website on the Conference
Page, but even there it can be hard to see - gets lost in the overload of
info!  (I know because I go online with callers every day and try to help
them sort through it.)  Go here:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/cfle.exam.html

For all of you who wonder, CFLE stands Certified Family Life Educator and
it's explained on that same link:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/cfle.exam.html. It's NOT at all necessary that
you have a CFLE designation to be a Marriage Educator just as it's not
necessary to have any degree, but it helps in certain settings.  See next
question for more on this whole "credentialing" question.  - diane

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- INSTITUTE CERTIFICATIONS INCLUDING PAT LOVE'S CFL DESIGNATION

There is always confusion about certification you receive by taking the pre
and post Conference Training Institutes.  Like the exchange below:

>> Upon completing the RE Institute Training #103, what title will
>> I be able to use when teaching this course? With anger management we use
>> CAMF, for Certified Anger Management Facilitator. Will there something
>> similar to use for Mastering the Mysteries of Love Instructors? Thank you
>> James

> Hi, James, 
> After taking Institute #103 you will be an Authorized Relationship
> Enhancement® Program Leader. You will have a certificate.  As an authorized RE
> Program Leader you may purchase and lead any of the programs based on RE
> skills: Mastering the Mysteries of Love, RE (standard program) Mastering the
> Magic of Love RE (tailored for lower education folks), Love's Cradle
> (unmarried parents), Ready for Love RE (singles), or the traditional RE
> program.  If you are a therapist, a one-day add-on (offered as a post
> conference workshop) will equip you to use RE methods in therapy.
> Mary Ortwein

So, you'll be able to use the title of Relationship Enhancement Program
Leader or Instructor.  Or, Mastering the Mysteries of Love Program
Instructor, or any of the program variations.

The point is that the credentials are awarded NOT by some state licensing
board or by Smart Marriages but directly from the Programs that have created
the courses and are training you and giving you permission to advertise
yourself as a leader in that particular program.

You get the 7.5 hrs of continuing education credits from your national and
state professional licensing boards (Social Work, Psychology, MFT,
Counselor, CFLE : http://www.smartmarriages.com/ceu.html).  You get whatever
teaching credential you will receive for the particular Marriage Education
program from the owners of those programs (RE, PREP, PAIRS, CC, Family
Wellness, etc.)  AS IT SAYS at the top of pages 3 & 4 in the brochure, see
the website for additional information on each INSTITUTE that spells out
what credential and what materials you will receive by taking the institute.
Start here and then click the "for more info" link at the end of EACH
Institute Description.  http://www.smartmarriages.com/institutes.html

And, as mentioned in the header, Pat Love offers a CFL credential that you
can put after your name: it stands for Certified Love Educator
>  108 Two Days - Tuesday & Wednesday, July 1 & 2
> Become a Certified Love Educator
> Pat Love, EdD, Kathleen McFadden, CLE
> Gain an in-depth understanding of love & relationships that includes the force
> of family systems, physiology & hormones, roles & stages of love, and leave
> equipped with a coursebook & experiential teaching guide. $100 spouse
> discount. Click for more information: http://www.smartmarriages.com/cle.html
> 
Also see the FAQs page for more questions and answers:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/faqs.html

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- TAX EXEMPTION

> Diane, I am bringing people from my church with me to the Smart Marriage SF
> Conf.  We wonder if we would need to do anything to get Tax Exemption from the
> Hotel for our stay.  I know in some states we would need to apply for the
> State Exemption.  We are coming from PA.   I am sure other church groups would
> be interested in this information.
> The Rev. Dr. Dolores E. Littleton, LMFT
> Trinity Lutheran Church, Havertown PA

Here's what the hotel said:

Guest MUST provide a 501C# form issued by the Internal Revenue
Service. 
(Many educational & charitable organizations are only exempt in their
own state and often provide us with a letter from their state tax
board). Organization must be Federally Tax Exempt, i.e. have a 501C3
-    If the organization is based in California and provides a letter
from the State of California tax board, this is acceptable.
-    Guest must fill out & sign a short "Type B" form, provided at the
Front Desk.  
-    Organization must pay for the room and tax either by company
check or....    
By signing the type 'B" form, the guest is certifying under penalty of
perjury that they are traveling on company business and if using a
personal card, they will expense the costs to the organization. (It is
best if they pay via a check from the organization)
--------------
Is this clear? - diane

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- SPECIAL MASTER SESSIONS AND BANQUETS

Diane, 
This will be our first ever Smart Marriages. We are excited but it's a
challenge to figure it all out.  Can you explain how the Master Workshops
work? It says they are by Special Invitation. We'd both like to attend 202
(Soul Healers Training) and 702 (African American Marriage Enrichment).  We
understand that we'll be able to teach those programs if we attend.  Is that
correct? Are there requirements to be admitted into those sessions? Or,
maybe I should ask, how do we get invited. Can we attend more than one
Masters session? You probably have this information in the brochure but we
can't find it.  Also, is there a way to get more information about the
banquet speakers. In particular, we'd like to know more about Bill Doherty.
Does he have a program about how to prepare children for strong marriages?
E & H 

You are good to ask, to remind me that many are confused by that.  I hope
some of these questions are answered on the website on the FAQs page.  But
will answer them here.  If one asks, many wonder.....

I should probably change the "Special Invited Masters Workshops" tag line in
the brochure. It's confusing. It simply means that these presenters were
invited to present a Masters Session - that they achieved that level of
"master" based on their prior evaluations.  Just register for these as you
would for any other worksop.  The Master Sessions are open to everyone. You
can attend as many as you like.  There are no requirements.

YES, you will be able to teach ANY of the TOOB programs - in fact, you can
go ahead and teach the TOOB programs without attending any workshop or
training.  By definition they are Teach Out Of the Box.  See the full list
and order the programs HERE: http://www.smartmarriages.com/toobs.html

THIS INCLUDES the MICHELE WIENER-DAVIS TOOBS MARRIAGE BREAKTHROUGH and
KEEPING LOVE ALIVE - several wrote in to ask how to order those programs
mentioned in a prior post.

BILL DOHERTY is extremely well known to Smart Marriages veterans.  He has
written many books, developed many programs, won many awards, and presented
extremely highly-rated keynote and banquet events at the conference.  He
doesn't YET have a program for this keynote "Raising Children for Good
Marriages".  I say YET, because he tends to work that way - gives a stellar,
knock-it-out-of-the-park keynote, and then develops the program.  For more
info on any/all of the keynote speakers, click on the Keynote bios here:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/keynote.bios.html
FOR BILL DOHERTY specifically, here is a link:
http://www.drbilldoherty.org/marriage.html

BANQUETS - I urge everyone to attend the banquets. The Tues and Thurs
banquets are really the only two times during a really jam-packed seven days
when we relax, catch our breath, and sit down to break bread with and get to
know some of the wonderful people at the conference.  The $39 per person fee
may sound steep but it includes the full monty ­ salad, entre, dessert,
bread, and even a glass of wine and TIP and taxes are included in the $39 -
PLUS A WONDERFUL KEYNOTE EXPERIENCE.  We'll have attendees from all 50
states and from more than two dozen countries -- all of them passionate
about marriage education. Don't miss it.  - diane
 
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- BROCHURES
Have to keep reminding you that if you run out of brochures, JUST LET ME
KNOW.  With three months to go, this is the perfect time to tell people
about the conference -- plenty of time to make their plans. Don't wait much
longer. 

Send me an address and how many to send you.

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- VOLUNTEERS
I can still use Student Volunteers who attend the full conference (don't
miss a thing) on a work-exchange (they check badges and help with
logistics). It's a great behind the scenes way to get an overview of the
profession.  Info: http://www.smartmarriages.com/volunteers.html

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- ROOMMATES
Find a roommate - cut costs! It also seems like those with roommates have
more fun at the conference - a buddy-system!  How to:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/roommates.html

#######################
- ORGANIZE AN INTEREST GROUP
There are many options, see info:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/roundtables.html

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- HOTEL UPGRADE TO THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL

Diane, 
I heard from a colleague that you sent information about upgrading our
reservations at the Hilton.  I missed that and don't see it on the archive.
Can you explain it again?
C

I can see why you can't find it on the archive. It's header is Hotel Tip.

> SAN FRANCISCO HILTON HOTEL: Interesting tip.  For an additional $50 a night
> you can upgrade to a room above the 35th floor which "guarantees a great view"
> and puts you on the Executive level which includes free breakfast in the
> morning and hors d'oeuvers in the evening in the Executive lounge on the 45th
> floor.  This is $50 PER ROOM so includes anyone staying in a double/triple or
> quad room.  Not sure what I recommend - agree the views ARE spectacular and
> the lounge is extremely convenient, BUT the food in the nearby restaurants is
> so good that you may not want to eat in this lounge. However, it's also true
> that there is no way to gain entry to the lounge unless you have an executive
> level room.  And to compound things, City Scape restaurant on the very top of
> the hotel - on the 46th floor - is closing. The hotel will use that space for
> private parties (weddings, etc). So the option to go up there for one meal or
> drink to take in the spectacular view, is no longer available.  The hotel is
> also closing most of its restaurants - they say it just doesn't pay: "Everyone
> goes across the street to eat where there is great food at NON-hotel prices."
> They'll have only two upscale restaurants that will also be open to the public
> (open onto the street).  They're 'under construction' so I didn't get to see
> the space or menus/prices.

If you've already made your reservation, just call and upgrade -800-445-8667
For new reservations, the option is available either online or through the
800#.

This by the way, does nothing for Smart Marriages - we don't earn any extra
perks or stars on our forehead.  Just do it if you want to. $165 is still
WAY below this hotel's normal rack rate.  - diane

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12th Annual Smart Marriages® Conference, Hilton San Francisco Hotel,
June 30-July 6, 2008  (General Conference July 2-5)
Pre-Conference Training Institutes June 30-July 2
Post-Conference Training Institutes July 6
DOWNLOAD a conference brochure and register at:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/download.brochure.html

List your program and resources on the Directory of Classes at
http://www.smartmarriages.com/directory_browse.html

Order conference audio & video CD/DVD/MP3s: 800-241-7785 or
http://www.iPlaybackSmartMarriages.com

Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couples Education, LLC (CMFCE)
Diane Sollee, Director
5310 Belt Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015-1961
http://www.smartmarriages.com
202-362-3332

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