Greetings Cencal Family, I am sending you this most current PDS information as I have had technical difficulties in working with the CVENT system. I am not a "techi" type person, but I am "in process" to work things out to allow our chapter to utilize the CVENT system that we have paid into. So, in light of this, here is pertinent information that I'm sure you all have been waiting for: 1. Registration this year has been set at $150.00 for early bird registration. Deadline for "early bird" is September 12th which gives you about a month to submit payment to our treasurer. Late registration is set at $200 after the 12th and on-the-spot registration will be set at $225.00 Please initiate payment arrangements with our treasurer. Please send ATTN: Carrie Lujan-Gonzalez CSU Monterey Bay 100 Campus Center, Bldg. 47/1st Floor Seaside, CA 93955-8001 Please email her once payment is submitted at [log in to unmask] and myself so that we can track payments being sent in for the event and attendee counts. Once CVENT is set up, you will be able to submit another confirmation of registration/payment being sent as well. This is all for tracking purposes. Please include the amount of your check/PO and the number of attendees from your program along with their respective names/titles. 2. I'm forwarding you all the link to make hotel reservations. The hotel has a special rate for us to book at (3) days prior and (3) days after the event for those of you who may want to arrive early and stay later. The rate is at $145.00 per night. The link should be user friendly for you to use. Be sure to check out the hotel amenities and things to do in the area. 3. There will continental breakfast served on the morning of the 9th during our plenary session *cost included in registration fee along with an Italian buffet served during lunch. The hotel is working with me on providing a plated breakfast to be served on the morning of the 10th during our scheduled chapter meeting. I'm attempting to keep the cost at or around $20 per person. Attendees will be requested to submit "payment in advance" to either myself or an "yet to be identified person" prior to the chapter meeting so that I can submit payment to the hotel. Any special diet plans need to be brought to my attention ASAP. Dinner on the evening of the 9th will be on your own. 4. Myself and Jenny Amaro are Workshop Chairs and I am attaching a Presenter letter/Workshop Proposal Call for Papers. I have been in dialog with individuals from Sonoma State and the surrounding areas for workshop proposal solicitation, however, we really need representation for ALL programs within the entire CenCal family. The Welcome speaker and Key Note speakers requests are in progress, but we now need programs or colleagues that you may know to submit papers. We don't have much to offer presenters from out of the area much in the area of compensation other than lunch/gift TBA so keep this in mind when soliciting individuals. They can also book under the same room rate that we are getting as well. Just forward them the link. 5. I received the sign-up sheet for person(s) who have signed up to be chairs for various committees. There will be a coordination meeting at Fresno State on Friday, September 5th starting at 10 AM til. Individuals who have signed up, please email me with further instructions on your assignments ASAP or contact me directly at (559) 278-2271 during the week. I still need a Moderator Chair, Entertainment Chair, and at least (2) other individuals to serve as my "right arm" aka Co-chairs for PDS as I am attempting to make sure I am covering everything. Information on TRiO colleagues/programs who have been exceptional in their delivery of services this past year, retiring, etc. are welcome information for our awards chair, Susana Lucero (Fresno State UB). I'm sure you will find this email benficial for planning purposes. Look for more info in the coming weeks in regards to a tentative agenda for the entire event. "Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit." -Conrad Hilton