General Assembly, Anyone?
Opportunity for between 7 and 10 fellow Massachusetts UU’s and to Travel and Live with Rev.
Steve at GA in Baltimore. We would be leaving Thursday Morning June 19 and returning on
Tuesday night June 24 th. The overall cost of this trip not including spending money, but including
registration (which you will do on your own) would be about $1200, overall trip I would guess if
you’re frugal: $1400.
Ok, I’m intrigued, but want another layer of detail? Ok, here is more of the scoop.
Housing (If we go): I have rented a Verbo (house) about half a mile from the Convention
Center in Baltimore. The house has 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, with 3 queens and two King Beds (It
says it sleeps 12, but that would involve strangers sleeping in the same bed. I think with a couple
couches; it more realistically sleeps 10).
If you want to look at the house or a map it is https://www.vrbo.com/3607613 It is .6 miles or ½
mile from the convention center in a safe neighborhood with great reviews. I can cancel this
“Vrbo” by June 5 and If I don’t have 7 committed people, by May 10 I will cancel the house
and likely the whole trip. I suppose there is a chance I might just rent the van, and let people do
housing on their own at the hotels.
*Total Housing cost for the 5 days we would stay in this Vrbo is $3400. Per person-with 10
people going-the cost would be $350 each. With only 7 people the cost would be roughly $525
each.
GA Registration: You will need to register on your own and choose your comfort of risk as to
whether you/we together are going…
From April 1 – May 15 the cost for registering for GA is $475. After May 15 th the registration
cost rises to $540. Note- GA wording suggests you may cancel your registration for GA for a
fee of $50. (I do not see a deadline for that. but that is not a promise from me.)
I/we will not go with less than 7 people. I/we will go if 7 or more people commit. If going
together is the only way you think you will go to GA, I would encourage you to wait until May
10 to register. I will clarify whether we are going will all those who express interest on May 11 so people will have time to register or not, before the rates go up on May 15. Registration is
online.
Transportation: I am planning on renting a 12- or 15-person van for the trip and doing a pick-
up and drop-off at all the churches I serve (Billerica, Northborough, and Bernardston) on
Thursday morning June 19. Between 8 and 11am. The Van is roughly $2000 for the 6 days we
would be gone plus roughly $300 gas. I would plan on doing AM and PM drop offs and return to the house with the van. Note- GA begins on Thursday, so we will be missing most of the first
of 4 days. Believe me GA is pretty intense Fri, Sat, and half day Sunday is enough.
On Monday I/we will drive to DC for a full day of sightseeing, returning to our Vrbo Monday
night for a Tuesday AM departure.
Transportation Costs Total 2,300 potentially divided by 10 $225 per person. If we only have 7
people the cost is $300 each.
*In most cases I can cancel the van free of charge by June 18. Travelocity number: 73077680255410
Your potential Costs in more detail:
If you register for GA before May 15, it is $475. + $300 for Transportation + Housing 3 or 400.
Making your total costs to be about $1150 before any food or spending money is allotted for. In
general I think 1500 is a realistic budget. Sorry, “Wilson Travel” is a non-profit, low overhead
operation and thus, no scholarships are offered with this proposal. All I get out of this is the
pride of getting parishioners to GA, and the chance for a mix of people from my three churches
to have some crossover and a fun road trip.
As I said, I/we will not make this trip with any fewer than 7 confirmed travelers. I will ask for
no deposit money, before we go, but I will ask for a firm confirmation. An email expressing interest, is ok, but I really would prefer a phone call. Inevitably questions will need to be asked. Call Rev. Steve.