Frequently Asked Questions about the Meeting of Diocesan Hierarchs
ANNOUNCEMENT
July 5, 2012
Meeting 2012 Information Page
July 11, 2012What are the arrangements for the hotel?
We have gotten a rate with the hotel at $132.00 a night at the Comfort Inn in Saugerties for the evenings of Friday, the 24th, and Saturday, the 25th, which is for two queen size beds per room, meaning two adult shares would pay $66.00 each per night– or $132.00 for the weekend. This room size was chosen because of availablity and cost. Two adults can stay in a room, or two adults and two children.
Can I schedule or pay for a room at the Comfort Inn on my own?
Absolutely! Not only can you do so, it’s encouraged. In that case you would tick off the “I am providing my own accomodations” section of the registration form. When you register with the Hotel, make sure to mention you are part of the group for the “2012 Meeting of Orthodox Bishops” to ensure that the group rate is used. If you are on a share (meaning you will share the room with another person), let us know so that you only pay the $66.00 per night. The manager– in charge of group rates– is available during business hours. If you want to arrange a share, let us know first. We already have some shares available and ready to convert into rooms.
What if I have my own accomodations somewhere else?
In that case you would tick off the “I am providing my own accomodations” section of the registration form. If your location is in the Woodstock area, let us know so that we can plan for pickups in that situation.
I see that the hotel provides breakfast– but what about lunch and dinner? Is there a restaurant?
The hotel indeed provides a complimentary breakfast from 6:30-9:30 AM with a lovely dining area which will be available for participants Saturday. (The hotel does not have a restaurant, but there are a number of restaurants of note nearby.) However, lunch and dinner are being arranged as a group at the highly recommended Mid-Hudson Buffet in nearby Kingston. This is an all-you-can-eat Asian buffet with a fresh sushi table and wide selection of seafood and some vegetarian dishes (with many choices therefore available for the conclusion of the Dormition Fast). The price for an adult, for lunch and dinner for both days inclusive, is $36.00.
What about accomodations for children?
Because children are free with adult registration, the cost is substantially lower. In the case of children, the hotel allows two children to a room with two adults (presumably their parents) which could be best organized by letting us know in advance who is coming. In short, children are covered by their parents’ accomodations. In the case of lunch and dinner, the cost is once again much lower at $22.00 per weekend. Since small children are not bound as strictly by the fast, it has a lot of children’s favorites as well. (This does not mean that we are free to eat everything on the buffet table because it’s there. Nor do I wish to have a discussion on the canons related to travelling and fasting. Nor do I want to discuss Western and Eastern uses on the Dormition Fast. Please discuss with your spiritual father.)
What will be done about transportation?
Our plan is, while we imagine some will be using their cars, to include two full size 17-passenger vans for transport to and from individual locales. Because of the cost of rental, we have set a basic cost of $20.00 per person to cover for the vans. This does not include gas, and so we will have to figure that one out ourselves, and any donations will be heartily appreciated. 🙂
What about the Sunday liturgy is in New York?
We will provide transportation for everyone there and back by van.
So how much is all of this going to cost in the end?
Well, if you decide you want to go ahead and register the rooms on your own or you live in Woodstock or nearby, basically the food and transportation run $56.00 for adults for the weekend and $42 for children. If you decide you want to share a room for the two nights (the most economical option), lodging, food and transportation together come out to just $188.00 total per person for what is looking to be a truly joyful weekend. If you want a room to yourself– it would come out to $320.00 for the weekend– a very big difference.
How do we pay for the trip?
There are three ways that can be used.
1) Check– If you are paying by check to have us route everything accordingly, checks should be made to the Abbey of the Holy Name and include a printed copy of the registration form.
2) Credit/Debit Card/Paypal — we will be setting up a Paypal button on the Synod’s “Meeting 2012” Page that will allow you to pay by credit or debit card or using Paypal.
3) Cash on arrival — please fill out the registration form and circle the cash option, so that we are able to calculate the number of people coming in advance of the meeting.
