American Society for the Alexander Technique
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AGM 2009: Widening Awareness,
Widening Experience June 10--14, 2009 |
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WELCOME! We are delighted to invite you to AmSAT’s 2009 Annual General Meeting at Hotel Whitcomb in San Francisco, CA. Over 50 teachers from across the country and overseas will provide workshops and private instruction. Please join us for an exciting week of learning, sharing and connecting with each other. We are thrilled to welcome you to our beautiful city! Come, and let San Francisco work its magic charm! For more information on San Francisco visit www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com. Josephine Gray, AGM 2009 Coordinator
Online registration is now closed for all but the public events. To register for a public event please click on the Register button. You will be able to register onsite at the conference beginning Tuesday June 9 at 5:00 p.m.
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Free Public Workshop: Back Care for People in Pain
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Workshops:
Applying the Alexander Technique to running (Malcolm Balk from Montreal); swimming (Steven Shaw from London); skiing; golf; yoga; T'ai Chi; walking; dance; Tango and Nia.
For those who work with musicians: on teaching singers; string-players; pianists; winds/brass players and percussionists.
On the voice including, breath work and theatrical voice work.
On the nuts and bolts of the Alexander Technique: on Primary Control; basic teaching strategies; non-doing; Dart; the jaw and whispered ah's; anatomy; the comparison of Carrington, MacDonald and Scott teaching styles
Pertaining to the business side of things: on presenting to groups; writing about the Alexander Technique; giving introductory talks; reaching an audience; management skills; professional success and the Alexander Technique and our emotions.
Especially for Trainees (one during the Pre-AGM and two during the AGM)
Special Guests from Near and Far:
Anne Battye from London will be our FM Alexander Memorial speaker on Sunday. Anne, who trained with the Barlows in the early 60's, will be discussing her training and its relationship to teaching today.
Frank Ottiwell will give the opening address at the reception on Thursday evening, introduced by Michael Frederick.
Richard Brennan, who has published four books on the Technique, will be visiting from Ireland.
Yehuda Kuperman, from Jerusalem will be attending.
Judy Stern will chair this year's Leadership Forum on the Back Pain Study results published in the British Medical Journal.
Gabriella Minnes Brandes will chair a Panel Discussion on Teacher Training.
Social Events:
Early morning urban walks of San Francisco neighborhoods with local teachers serving as guides—tour the murals in the Mission, see the bay and the bridge up close by walking the Embarcadero, discover the hidden staircases, check out Chinatown, visit the Castro.
Two concerts featuring AmSAT members--one jazz and one classical.
Dance performance after the opening night reception.
Two excursions on Friday night to choose from- a walk and dinner in Chinatown or a ferry ride to Alcatraz.
Saturday night catered dinner and auction featuring the delightful Bob Britton. Afterwards, dance the night away to a 4 piece swing band!
Ongoing Events:
Private Readings in Chiromancy—Hand Reading with Associate member Catherine Pinkas. This long standing tradition provides a fascinating look into how we think, feel and act. Book your personal reading at the Private Lesson desk.
The AmSAT Bookstore will be open with the full range of goodies for your perusal.
Souvenir items will be available for purchase.
If you have any donations for the auction, please contact Michele Drivon at micheledrivon@yahoo.com
Got Questions? We've Got Answers!
What is the AGM?
What is the Pre-AGM?
Do I have to be a member of AmSAT to attend the Pre-AGM
and/or AGM?
How do I register?
What is the registration fee? What does it include?
What is the cancellation policy?
What if I can't attend all three days of the AGM?
What may I attend?
Are there events for Trainees?
What about private lessons?
How do I get to the AGM?
Where can I look for cheap airline fares?
Where do I stay?
I want to share a room at the hotel. How can I find a
roommate?
I will have a car. Where do I park?
What about meals?
What is the AGM?
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is three days of afternoon workshops, private
lessons, concerts, parties, food, fun and the three-day business meeting “the
real business of the AGM” where the membership (you) gathers to discuss issues
critical to AmSAT and to vote on amendments to the bylaws.
What is the Pre-AGM?
The Pre-AGM is two days of workshops and private lessons prior to the AGM.
Do I have to be a member of
AmSAT to attend the Pre-AGM and/or AGM?
Yes but….
1.) If you are a non-affiliated teacher (a teacher who is not AmSAT certified and therefore not currently eligible to be a member of AmSAT), you are welcome to attend the AGM one time before applying for membership. To attend additional Pre-AGMs and/or AGMs non-affiliated teachers are asked to join AmSAT via the Credentials Review Committee. This one time rule applies starting with the 2006 AGM. You will pay the Non-Eligible Teacher fee for the AGM.
2.) If you are a member of an affiliated society, you do not have to join AmSAT to attend. You will pay the Teacher fee for the AGM.
3.) If you are not currently a member of AmSAT or an affiliated society, but are eligible to join, you must join in order to attend the Pre-AGM and/or AGM. We are offering a prorated 6 month membership that saves you 50% off the regular membership fee and allows you to attend the Pre-AGM and/or AGM in June.
Go ahead and register for the Pre-AGM and/or AGM. Then contact the AmSAT office (1-800-473-0620 or info@amsat.ws) within 10 business days of registering to start the membership process. Failure to do so will result in your registration being cancelled. Your membership will run from June 30—Dec 31, 2009. For the remaining 6 months of 2009 the following prorated fees apply:
$25 to join as an Associate Member (regular fee
$50)
Associate Membership is open to those who are neither Alexander Technique
teachers nor trainees. You will pay the Associate fee for the
AGM.
$130 to join as a Voting Member (regular fee $260)
Full Voting Membership is open to those who are AmSAT certified teachers.
Please note that you will need 10 Continuing Education (CE) hours for each
year since you lapsed as a voting member (or year since certification, if
you have not ever joined). The maximum number of CE hours you will need is
30. Hours accumulated during the 2009 Pre-AGM and/or AGM can be counted
toward your total. You will pay the Teacher fee for the AGM.
$50 to join as a Non-practicing Teacher (regular
fee $100)
Non-practicing Teachers are those who teach absolutely no Alexander
Technique lessons, classes or workshops in exchange for any form of
remuneration (including, but not limited to: fees, honoraria, travel
reimbursements or stipends, etc.). You will pay the Teacher fee
for the AGM.
Please note that all membership applications are subject to AmSAT Board Approval.
How do I register?
Online registration is now closed for all but the public events. To register for a public event please click on the Register button at the top of the page. You will be able to register onsite at the conference beginning Tuesday June 9 at 5:00 p.m.
What is the registration fee?
What does it include?
During the Pre-AGM workshops are priced individually as are private
lessons. Workshop prices are $30/1.5 hours; $60/3 hours; $120/6 hours. Private
lessons run 30 minutes and are $60.
The 2009 AGM Registration fees are:
Teachers $195 ($170 before April 15, 2009)
Trainees $160 ($150 before April 15, 2009)
Associates $170 (no early discount)
Non-eligible Teachers $295 (no early discount)
Late fee of $25.00 if registering after May 15, 2009
The AGM Registration fee includes:
Thursday evening opening night program
Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning business meetings
Early Morning City Walks
Friday, Saturday and Sunday workshops
Friday afternoon Leadership Forum
Saturday afternoon Panel Discussion
Sunday F.M. Alexander Memorial Lecture
The AGM Registration Fee does NOT include:
Private or Semi-Private lessons (each $60)
Lodging and Meals
Wednesday and Thursday Pre-AGM workshops
Friday evening excursions to Alcatraz and Chinatown
Saturday evening catered dinner and dance ($50)
What is the cancellation policy?
If you cancel your registration by April 25, you can do it online and will receive a full refund. Cancellations between April 26 and May 15 must be done through the AmSAT office (1-800-473-0620) and will receive a 50 % refund. No refunds for cancellations after May 15.
What if I can't attend all
three days of the AGM?
Provision is made for partial attendance. Please contact Susan Beech in
the AmSAT office for more information (1-800-473-0620 or sbeech@amsat.ws)
What may I attend?
Workshops are designed for teachers, trainees, associates, or a combination. If
there is a restriction on who may attend a workshop, it will be stated at the
end of the workshop description. Trainees and associates are welcome in many
workshops, though your role may change from active participant to observer only.
When in doubt, ask the presenter. Associates are also welcome to attend the F.M.
Alexander Memorial Address and all of the social events.
Are there events for
Trainees?
Yes. See below:
Pre-AGM: Most workshops are open to trainees during the Pre-AGM and there is one exclusively for trainees presented by Lisa First.
Friday and Saturday Mornings: There are two trainee only Workshops, one with Anne Battye and one with George Lister.
Friday Luncheon: Meet other trainees, members of the AmSAT Board and some of our 20-year teachers during this event. AmSAT picks up the tab
What about private lessons?
We're very excited to offer private lessons at the Pre-AGM and AGM.
Teachers and Trainees will be allowed to schedule a total of two lessons prior
to the Pre-AGM /AGM, on a first come, first serve basis. Associate members will
be able to schedule lessons on site.
To schedule private lessons in advance, go to http://sites.google.com/site/agm2009privatelessonschedule/ and follow the instructions. This site will show you the schedule of lessons available and allow you to request the lessons you want. After you have submitted your request for lessons, you will need to go to the online registration site to pay (accessible below)
How do I get to the AGM?
Three airports serve the Bay Area. San Francisco International (SFO) and Oakland
International (OAK) will be the most convenient. San Jose International (SJC) is
further away, at the south end of the Bay.
From SFO you can take the subway (BART) directly to the Civic Center stop at the Whitcomb Hotel. Once in the BART station, look for the 8th Street and Market Exit. There are also shared shuttle buses (approx. $17 per person) and taxis ($40).
From Oakland Airport, there is a shuttle bus that takes you to the Coliseum BART station; from there take BART to the Civic Center stop and follow the directions above. Shared shuttle buses and taxis into San Francisco will be more expensive from Oakland Airport. For more info on transportation from the airports go to www.bart.gov.
From San Jose there is a shuttle bus that will take you to the San Jose railway station. From there you can take Caltrain north to San Francisco. Muni number 19 or 47 will take you to Hotel Whitcomb. Go to www.sfmta.com/cms/home/sfmta.php for more info on public transport.
Where can I look for cheap
airline fares?
We suggest the following websites for cheaper fares:
www.BookingBuddy.com
www.kayak.com
www.Travelzoo.com
www.airfarewatchdog.com .
Where do I stay?
Hotel Whitcomb is located on the corner of Market and 8th Street, in the Civic Center District of San Francisco.
1231 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: 415-626-8000
Fax: 415-861-1460
Web: www.hotelwhitcomb.com
We’ve negotiated a special flat rate of $99 (+15.57% tax) per night. This is for single, double, triple or quadruple occupancy. Triple occupancy rooms have 2 beds. Quadruple occupancy rooms have 2 king size beds. Children under 17 stay for free unless they need a rollaway bed ($20).
This special $99 rate extends to three days either side of the Pre-AGM/AGM. So, we hope you will take advantage of this--extend your stay and make a vacation of it!
Please note that in order to get the $99 rate you must reserve your rooms directly through the hotel. You cannot reserve your rooms through the hotel’s website.
Here are the three options for making your room reservations:
o Call 1-800-227-4747 or 415-626-8000 and mention the conference name (AmSAT)
o Email Reservations@HotelWhitcomb.com and mention the conference name (AmSAT)
o Fax 415-487-4436 and mention the conference name (AmSAT)
I want to share a room at
the hotel. How can I find a roommate?
If you need to find someone to share a hotel room visit:
http://sites.google.com/site/agm2009hotelroomsharing/
When you get to the site, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "sign-in." Use the following account and password to sign-in:
Email account: agmhotelsharing@gmail.com
Password: forwardandup
Once you have signed in please click the "edit page" tab at the top of the page. You will then be able to post your offering or request.
Just add it below the last one on the list.
I will have a car. Where do
I park?
If you will require parking please let us know by emailing
jo.gray@usa.net so we can make some
suggestions. There are many parking options in the area surrounding the hotel.
What about meals?
You can eat at the Whitcomb or take advantage of a huge selection of restaurants
within walking distance or an easy bus or tram ride from the hotel.
AmSAT is subsidizing a buffet style lunch with vegetarian options Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday The cost for the lunch buffet is $14.75 including tax and tip. The AGM is a great opportunity to network and socialize--what a better place to do that than over lunch! We hope you’ll join us!
Cancelation Policy: If you cancel your registration by April 25, you can do it online and will receive a full refund. Cancellations between April 26 and May 15 must be done through the AmSAT office (1-800-473-0620) and will receive a 50 % refund. No refunds for cancellations after May 15.
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