Registration

Stories From the Heart

URGENT: We have passed the 04/11/2016 deadline for notifying the conference hotel of our meal counts. Therefore, registrations that normally include lunches, will be for WORKSHOPS ONLY. You may still register for the Saturday &/or Sunday, or the full conference, but meals will not be included.

We're expecting a capacity crowd at this year's conference, and we want to give the members of our SCN writing community first priority for registration and an early opportunity to select pre-conference options.

You're not a member? We welcome you. Join now and register to ensure your place at this unique women-only conference!

Stories from the Heart VIII, the 8th women's writing conference of the Story Circle Network, will bring together women from around the country to celebrate the stories of women's lives. Through writing, reading, listening and learning, we will share our stories and enrich our lives.

The Conference will be held at the Wyndham Hotel in Austin, TX, from April 15-17, 2016. Read all about it on our conference web site.

Male guests are welcome at our three public events: the keynote address and the Saturday and Sunday lunches. Our conference sessions are designed for women only.

Register for the Story Circle Network's Women's Writing Conference:
  • Fill out the form below and press the "Register" button.
    You can also request a brochure via email: conference at storycircle.org or snail mail:

  • Send us your payment (see details on next page, after you submit the form).

  • Financial assistance is available. The application is at the bottom of this form. Financial Assistance Application deadline: February 7, 2016—we must receive your application and $140 minimum payment by that date!

Your registration is not complete UNTIL we have received your payment. We will notify you when we receive your payment.

Information about you:

Name:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

Country:
Street Address:

City:

State/Province:
(select "n/a" if not US/Canada)
Zip Code:
Emergency Contact:
Name: Phone#: Relationship:

Are you currently a dues-paying member of the Story Circle Network? Yes / No
(Not yet a member? Interested in joining? See our online membership form)

Where did you hear about the conference?


You may only select one (at most) of the following choices; if you are a conference chairperson, presenter, and a panelist or coach, only select "presenter" If you're registering before these selections have been made, we will make the appropriate refund later...
Are you a conference chairperson, presenter, or panel discussion leader at the conference? yes
Are you a panel discussion member or coach at the conference? yes

[As stated in the Call for Presenters, our presenters receive a $40 discount on a full registration, $25 on a Saturday-only registration, & $15 on a Sunday-only registration. Panelists and Coaches receive a $20 discount on a full registration.]

Registration Requested:

Registration Type MEMBERS-ONLY Registration*
(through 12/31/15)		 Regular Registration
(01/01/2016 - 03/11/16)
member/non-member		 Late Registration
(after 03/11/16)
member/non-member		 Amt Due
Full Registration (Fri keynote / Sat / Sun) $325 $365/$420 $405/$460 $
Partial Registration (please check all that apply): Friday (Keynote / dessert reception) $35 $40 $45 $
Saturday only (includes lunch) $166 $195/$220 $224/$249 $
Saturday lunch only $35 $40 ** $
Sunday only (includes lunch) $122 $130/$155 $138/$163 $
Sunday lunch only $35 $40 ** $
Friday Pre-Conference Workshop (Not included in full registration: optional; extra charge.) noon-1:45pm session: Brooke Warner/Linda Joy Myers $30
each		 $40
each		 $50
each		 $
2-3:45pm session: Susan Wittig Albert/Connie Spittler/Debra Winegarten
Your rate for the registration period [ ]
(with $ discount applied) 		Total due: $
Saturday/Sunday lunch preference: chicken / vegetarian
other dietary restrictions? email conference@storycircle.org

What is included in my registration fees?

Your (full) registration includes:

  1. All General Sessions
  2. Workshop Sessions
  3. Friday Evening Keynote Address & Dessert Reception
  4. Two Meals (Sat. & Sun. lunch)
  5. Refreshments/Snacks
  6. Opportunity to sign up for Free 15-minute Coaching Session

Plus Informal Sessions and Networking

Male guests are welcome at our three public events: the keynote address and the Saturday and Sunday lunches. Our conference sessions are designed for women only.

What is *NOT* included in my FULL registration fees?

*Non-Members who choose to join prior to the end of the conference on April 17, 2016 will have a portion of their registration fee applied toward a one-year membership: those who registered for the full conference—or Sat. & Sun.—can pay an additional $10; one-day attendees can pay an additional $35.

**You MUST register for lunches by 03/11/2016! Registrations for these events will NOT be accepted at the door.

You can pay online via credit card or mail your check to our office. Payment information can be found on the next page, after you submit the form.

  
Refund Policy

Cancellations are accepted until March 11, 2016, and are subject to a cancellation fee of $50 for a full conference registration or $25 for a one-day registration. No refunds will be made after March 11, 2016. Note: If you cancel past our refund deadline, and you were registered for Saturday and Sunday or the full conference, you will receive a two-year extension of your National membership.

  

If you want to apply for financial assistance, please click here. Otherwise, you may press the "Register" button now.

Questions? Contact us via email: conference at storycircle.org or phone:


NOTE: after the conference, we share names/email addresses with all attendees.

"Sisters Helping Sisters" Financial Assistance:

If you are a member of SCN and have an annual family income of $50,000 or less, you may apply for financial assistance. Assistance will be awarded in amounts ranging from $140 to the full conference cost ($405 minus a $140 minimum payment—see more details below), depending on need and the availability of funds. Additionally, we may be able to assist with travel/lodging. If you would like to apply for financial assistance, please fill out the form below. Note: women awarded a subsidy for one conference are not eligible again (or have to skip a conference).

Financial assistance will be based on perceived need, the thoughtfulness of your response, and your interest in sharing what you learn in your community (for example, by starting a writing circle or developing other women's story-sharing activities). Our desire is to encourage the attendance of a diverse group of women who want to share their stories and help other women enjoy the benefits of women's story-telling and story-sharing. Priority will be given to applicants who have done previous volunteer work for SCN and who have not received financial assistance in the past.

Financial Assistance Application deadline: February 7, 2016—we must receive your application and $140 minimum payment by that date!
If you request financial assistance, you must pay $140 towards your conference fees. If you receive financial assistance, you will then pay the remaining fee (your full conference fee, minus the amount of your financial assistance, minus your $140 payment). This amount must be paid by February 21, 2016. If you do not receive an award your $140 payment will be returned or applied to your full registration.

We require those who receive financial assistance to help out during the conference by working 2-4 hours in a volunteer capacity; volunteer commitments will vary with the amount of financial assistance awarded. Note that this means you may have to miss a session due to your volunteer commitment. See this list of volunteer opportunities. Our volunteer coordinator will contact recipients to assign them a shift/job in one or more of these areas; if you have a preference, please let us know.

I want to apply for $* financial assistance for registration fees

I want to apply for $* financial assistance for travel/lodging
NOTE: lodging will be "paid" via a double-occupancy room (Friday & Saturday night only) at the conference hotel; the room will be shared by two recipients. We do not reimburse you for your hotel room. Any additional nights (Thursday or Sunday) must be paid for (in full) by the subsidy recipient.

*The full amount may not be available

Tell us a little about yourself, including your reason for applying for financial assistance:

One of the objectives of Stories from the Heart VIII is to return to our communities and share our discoveries with others. In approximately 200 words, explain how you will help the Story Circle Network achieve this objective.

As a Sisters Helping Sisters recipient, will you agree to share your follow-up experiences? Yes / No

Thank you for your financial assistance application. We will notify all applicants by February 14, 2016.

Questions? Contact us via email: conference at storycircle.org or phone: