Free Teleseries/ Conference Questions: I'm not trying to torture you, honest......6/4/09

[Smartmarriages]

- FREE TELESERIES
- I HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE: ADVICE?
- UP: THE FILM
- INSTITUTE: ACTIVE (OR, ACTIVE DUTY) RELATIONSHIPS?
- #106 MML IS THE NEW RE
- WHERE'S THE FIRE?
- SO MANY GOOD SESSIONS
- ADDING BANQUETS??
- ADDING SPOUSE TICKET

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- FREE TELESERIES

Free Teleseries on Communication on Tuesday, June 9th 8pm EST
Register at http://www.couplestoolkit.com

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- I HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE : ADVICE?

Diane,
I haven't seen the Fireproof movie.  Is there a way to see it before I
attend the Free Fireproof Institute?  I'd be happy to pay to see if if you
know somewhere I can download it.
Lloyd 

Trust me, it is NOT necessary that you see the Fireproof film before you
attend the Fireproof Institute.  But if you can get to Orlando in time, we
will show it Tues at 4pm. That gives you a chance to see Fireproof and get
out in time to attend the Gary Chapman banquet Five Languages of Apology.
Nice combo - the folks in the film sure needed to know how to apologize.
Also, if you are not attending the Fireproof Awards Lunch on Wed, we'll
again show Fireproof during lunchtime.  But the lunch will be fun - I hear
they're going to share bloopers and out takes from filming.  Try to make it
if you can.  

We're also showing Fireproof on Sat night, before Part II of the Fireproof
Institute which is Sunday 8:30am-5:30pm.

Here is the Film Festival Schedule: All seven films free and included in
Conference Registration:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/film.festival.html

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- UP: THE FILM

I've heard from a few dozen of you that the new animated film, UP, currently
in theaters across the country, is a marriage movie.  When I sais I was too
busy to go, I was advised to just go for the first 10 mins - that it's a
lovely, moving tribute to long marriages and I'd probably want to give it an
award - or at least an endorsement.   I can't make it this month, but I
trust your enthusiasm so am passing along the tip. - diane

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- IS IT ACTIVE (OR, ACTIVE DUTY) RELATIONSHIPS?

We're confused.  In the brochure there is a different description of your
training program #102 than the one you have listed on your website.  Which
is correct?  Maybe you forgot to change it on the website from a prior year.
We registered but we aren't interested in the military.   - Charles

Sorry, I'm sure it is confusing.  The brochures were printed in January.  In
April, the session was changed due to complaints that we had didn't have a
training any trainings for those working with the Military.

The description on the website, Active Relationships Military Training, is
the correct description.   Apparently it was a welcome change - there are
lots of registrants. Kelly Simpson, the program creator who will lead the
training, assure me that you will be well equipped to work with both
military and non-military couples and singles.

When I first announced this to the list (sorry if you missed the notice) I
wrote: Note that in this upgraded training
you will still  be fully trained and certified as instructors to use the
whole set of Active Relationship programs with civilians. It's as John Van
Epp said in his Denver keynote - all couples face one or another form of
*deployment* - periods of serious crises and challenge over the course of
their marriage.  If you can work with military families, you can work with
anyone.  Apparently the reverse is not as true. Military folks face special
challenges and issues....on a way too regular basis.

If you need to switch, call 651-789-3738 to switch to any other
pre-conference Institute (there are two other 3-day Institutes - Prep and
Family Wellness). Or, switch to a two-day pre-conference training and we
will refund the difference. Or, attend the first day of the training and try
it out. If after a day, you decid it's not for you, you can switch to a
2-day training.  Just be sure you tell the presenters on the first day that
you're trying it out and be careful NOT to write in any of the course
materials. Or, if you need to cancel let me know and I'll advise how to
apply for a refund.  - diane

See here: http://www.smartmarriages.com/institutes.html

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- #106 MML IS THE NEW RE

Diane, 
I'm sorry to bother you.  I hear from my colleagues that you are very busy,
but I talked to Rob Scuka a few weeks ago and he said I could get trained in
the Relationship Enhancement Curriculum in Orlando but I've searched the
brochure and I can't find this training. - Jennifer

Don't apologize.  Honest we don't do these things on purpose, but I see that
the description in the brochure doesn't even mention RE.  If you visit the
website, it does explain that latest version of RE is called MML - Mastering
the Mysteries of Love.  The two-day certification training (Tues & Wed July
7 & 8) is #106 and it's taught by Mary Ortwein. See details here:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/re.html

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- WHERE'S THE FIRE?
 
And, let me apologize for all the various frustrations and confusions in the
brochure and on the registration, etc.  Someone alerted me on Monday that we
still had last year's dates on one of the Institute pages. Auuugh.  And, I
just got off the phone with a caller who couldn't find the Fireproof
luncheon on the online registration form.  I told her I was positive it was
there, but I went into shock when I went to the form with her and realized
the luncheon was listed but it was titled: Strengthening Marriages One
Church At a Time. It didn't say anything about Fireproof.  I could easily
understand her confusion and concern.  I just called and we fixed the form.

What's that saying, Better Late than Never?  And there must be another good
quote about proving once again that I am your well-meaning but imperfect
servant.  Thank you for your patience and if you see mistakes know that it
helps if you send the corrections.  - diane

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- SO MANY GOOD SESSIONS

> Hi Diane,
> I'm all signed up for the conference in Orlando, however, there are so many
> wonderful workshops that I won't be able to attend.  Will they all be
> available on video afterwards?
> Fanny Gonzalez

This one made me feel a little bit better......*there are so many wonderful
workshops....* makes me smile.

All the keynotes and banquets will be on Video - but you'll see all 22
keynotes.   

All the concurrent breakouts will be available on audio - on CD or on
downloads for your computer or iPod.  I can't attend the sessions, so always
listen to the workshops on my iPod....it's wonderful to have the whole
conference available.  The keynotes are also available on the audio on the
iPod.  Just yesterday I was listening to Bill Doherty's 2008 keynote
"Raising Kids for Good Marriages" and wanted to tell everyone to be sure to
listen to it. Even if you were there, listen again.   (#758-B2 at
800-241-7785)

Anyway, the point is, you'll be able to hear anything you miss and the
recording quality is excellent.

ALSO note that there are GREAT discounts available ONLY on-site so be sure
you check them out while you're there.  The discounts end the last day of
the conference, July 12.  - diane

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> - ADDING BANQUETS??
> Diane, 
> We rushed to get our conference registrations in by the early-bird deadline.
> Now we've taken time to study the brochure you mailed us and we'd like to add
> the Tuesday (Gary Chapman) and Thursday (John Gray) banquets. Should we just
> wait and do this when we get to the conference?
> Steve and Anne

IT IS IMPORTANT that you add banquets ASAP, BEFORE the conference.  You
cannot add banquets once you get there, it's too late.  To add the banquets
call 651-789-3738.  Banquets are $39 per person and include entrée, salad,
desert, tax, tip and truly great keynote presentations. Plus these are our
best chance to socialize and network - get to meet the other wonderful
people who come from all across the country and around the world who share
the marriage passion.  Which reminds me to point out the Fireproof Luncheon
- it's Wed July 8 and is $26.  You might also want to add it.  I just got a
call from two people coming all the way from Brazil because the movie is
having such an impact there!

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- ADDING SPOUSE TICKET

I'm working on the Conference Badge Mailing letters today, and realize that
I should share this excerpt remind you that:

> It is not too late to register your spouse or significant other. That's always
> the number one complaint: *Why didn't you tell me to bring my spouse?!* It's
> that kind of conference - you'll want them to hear the information about
> relationships, sex, parenting, & marriage and to learn how to teach the
> courses with you. (No one can teach the courses as well as a couple who can
> teach from their own experience.) If you are registered, you can still add
> your spouse at the early-bird rate!

And, truly, if you were ever going to bring them, this is the year to do
it.....you'll see. 

To add your spouse, call 651-789-3738

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13th Annual Smart Marriages® Conference, The Shingle Creek,
Orlando, Florida, July 6-12, 2009 (General Conference July 8-11)
Pre-Conference Training Institutes July 6-8
Post-Conference Training Institutes July 12
 
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