Here are a few highlights of conference events you won't want to MISS!
Ofrenda On-going throughout Conference
October is the month leading up to Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, a traditional Mexican celebration honoring those we love who have died. Part of the celebration includes the creation of ofrenda, or offerings, on an altar or table top that include memorial items, photos, flowers, food items or toy that were loved by the person who died. Please feel free to participate in personalizing the ofrenda with items of your own, or you will have the opportunity to make some as well, to honor your child(ren).
Grief Relief Reception Thursday, October 4
8:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Take a break from the tears, and join us for a fun and relaxing start to your conference with a party! Complimentary refreshments, cash bar, and lots of live entertainment will help you let loose and give you the opportunity to meet other families and presenters.
We're proud to feature several young entertainers, including Run 2 Cover!
Grandparents Gathering Friday, October 5
5:00 – 6:45 p.m.
Raintree Room in Milagro's Restaurant
Bereaved Grandparents gather for dinner and socializing in the Raintree Room Restaurant, located here on property. See Robin Kennedy or the MISS table for details.
Memorial Service – Celebration of Love Saturday, October 6
8:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Grief takes form because of love. Like a painter needs to paint, parents need to parent - to love. Join us for a Celebration of Love in the Ballroom where we will take the time to express and share the unconditional love for our children gone too soon.
Please bring a few small photos or mementos of your child/children to share.
Festival of Desserts and Photos with the Ofrenda
Brought to you by the generous people at Maddock Douglas Saturday, October 6
9:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Cap off an incredible conference by joining us for a delicious treat (or three) at the Festival of Desserts, immediately following the Celebration of Love service, and have the opportunity to take a photo in front of the Ofrenda.
*Want to share a room? Check "YES" when you register for conference and we will let you know who else wishes to share a room!
MISS Chapters, Facilitators, Mentors:
If you are long-time MISS Foundation HOPE Mentor, Facilitator, Forum Moderator and/or another MISS Foundation volunteer, you will notice some changes in the format of this year's conference. In year's past we have attempted to conduct the volunteer training on Sunday. Given the amazing growth in technology, policy and procedure that MISS has experienced, we are now providing MISS specific and required trainings every day of conference.
The first required training will cover technology including Google Apps as well new policies and procedures. This training will be offered at different times over the 3 days. The second required training will take place during lunch on Friday, October 5 and will be specific to your role. HOPE Mentors will have their specific training, Forum Moderators will have their specific training and Support Group Facilitators will have their training. We will be videotaping these training sessions for those of you who have more than one volunteer role. The last required training is the suicide training given by Dr. Cacciatore and Carla Hoffman.
On Sunday, we will host an "optional" Conference Debrief for MISS Foundation Volunteers from 10:30 am – Noon. Continental breakfast/brunch will be served.
We are also inviting each chapter to host their own table in the exhibit area to display the activities and outreach of your chapter. A prize will be given to the chapter will the most impressive and unique display. Please contact Michele.Newton@MISSFoundation.org with your ideas and for more information!
Kids in Sympathy and Support - Kid's Camp
2012 Kids Camp: Once again
the MISS Foundation will host a concurrent children's event during
the Parental Bereavement Conference. Ages 5 - 17.
Not appropriate for children under age 5.Due to the sensitive nature of the 2012 MISS Foundation Conference topic and
attendees, we request that you kindly make alternative arrangements for all
children who are not registered for Kids Kamp, and who are under the age of 5.
This list is comprised of options for babysitters, however, in no way does the MISS
Foundation formally endorse them, or assume any liability whatsoever. All sitters
must be arranged and paid for directly by conference attendee. Availability is firstcome, first-served.
How to support the 2012 Conference + Overview and FAQs
WAYS TO SUPPORT THE CONFERENCE
Of course the best way is to register today and attend the conference. And there are a myriad of ways to financially support the conference at any budget level, so that you, too, can reach out to the bereaved families and care-providers attending the conference:
WILL YOU BE EATING OUT DURING CONFERENCE? IF SO, IT CAN BENEFIT MISS!
We are so excited to announce that Michele Newton arranged for two local dining establishments to offer MISS fundraising during the conference. All you do is print out the flyers (click the images below to get print size), take them with you to Chili's or Applebee's (address on flyer), and they will give 10% back to MISS.
BECOME A SPONSOR! Click here to download our sponsorship packet that shares all the levels available including
sponsorships, exhibit tables, bag stuffers, and program advertisements.
ADVERTISE: Click here to download our ad spec sheet to see how sizing works, to find out what formats are acceptable for delivery of ads, and to get details on design services available.
CONFERENCE BAGS:
If you want to add commercial item to the bag promoting your business, see our sponsorship packet for placement rates.
In addition to those kinds of itemes, we are also looking to provide hospitality items (e.g. notepads, mints, gum, tissues, sunscreen, etc.) that can also be optionally customized with your personal message (i.e. In loving memory of ...) (subject to MISS approval). We can assist with the design, or you can order yourself. For instance, about $130 would put a customized notepad in all the conference bags printed with your personal message or child's name. Please email Leo's mom, Jennifer Blain Christen, if you are interested, at: blain.jennifer@gmail.com.
OVERVIEW & FAQs
This unique conference is an education of both the mind and the
heart. It is a rare opportunity for bereaved children, teens and
adults to come together with compassionate professionals in a rare
learning experience.
What is the MISSion of your conference?
To provide education, tools, and resources to help professionals, bereaved parents, bereaved family members, friends and volunteers better understand and respond to grief, loss, separation and bereavement related to the death of a child, regardless of the age or cause of death. Issues related the challenges, personal stress, and interpersonal growth by those responding to child death will also be addressed.
Who Should Attend?
Anyone bereaved as a result of a child's death should attend this
conference. Additionally, social workers, psychologists, nurses,
physicians, first responders, funeral directors, professors, school
counselors, clergy and spiritual leaders, and anyone else who may
encounter families experiencing a child's death should attend.
What can I expect to learn?
This conference is devoted to helping bereaved parents connect with
one another. At the same time, we provide knowledge and support
to health care professionals through creative workshops and lectures
in the field of death and dying. Our objective is to inform on issues
related to compassionate psychosocial care and evidence based practice,
explore personal death experiences and provide an opportunity to
collaborate and network with others in the field.
Please note:
This program is currently under review for 21.8 CE credits for Psychologists under a co-sponsorship through the Arizona Psychological Association and 21.8 CE credits through the Arizona National Association of Social Workers for Social Workers, and other like licencees. Decisions Pending.
What about bereaved children?
This conference will feature a concurrent grieving children's experience
"Kids in Sympathy and Support" camp and teen program for children
ages 5 - 17. This conference is not appropriate for children under age 5.
Want to be on a Conference Committee?
Our Conference committee is meeting regularly now. We are still looking for conference committee volunteers….what would you like to help with? Design, Fundraising, Hospitality, Volunteer Coordinator, Conference Concierge, Touchstone Volunteers, Marketing, MISS Store, Kids Kamp, Memorial Service, Photography & Videography, Audio/Visual, Slide show presentation, Scholarships, Registration, Print/Graphic Design, Vendors/Exhibitors, Grandparent Committee….let us know…..
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please email Monica.
SPECIAL APPEARANCE at 2012 Conference by Run 2 Cover!
BIG Thank You To Our Sponsors!
KONG Company has generously given the MISS Foundation a $10,000.00 sponsorship for the 2012 Conference! We send the biggest thanks possible to all of you at Kong and to KD Frueh for her dedication to the MISS Foundation.
