Bereavement Conference Information

I have gathered information on upcoming conferences for those who asked who want to attend regionally or nationally. The Compassionate Friends generally holds 3-4 regional conferences a year by local chapters or groups of TCF chapters and believes it is a rewarding opportunity to share an intimate time with families that have also experienced the death of a child and are seeking ways to learn more about the common path on which we walk. The content of regional conferences will vary greatly as planners try to provide a comfortable and pleasant learning and sharing experience for all who attend. Most regional conferences have workshops of some type and quite often a special speaker and other planned events. Usually 50-200 people will attend most TCF regional conferences compared to 1200 or more for TCF’s annual national conferences around the country with more than 100 workshops.

Remembering, Helping, Healing...is a regional conference March 19-20 in Frankfort, KY. Popular enteretainers include Darcie Sims, writer/humorist and Alan Pedersen, singer. Workshop presenters are Bill Ritter, Alice Wislero-Koller, Misti Lynn Hall and Terri Daniel. The conference will be held at the Capital Plaza Hotel and discounted room rates will be available for those booking a room prior to February 25, 2010 who mention they are with The Compassionate Friends. See TCF's website: www.compassionatefriends.org/conferences for registration materials.

A Ray of Hope for a Healing Heart...is another regional conference April 16-17 in Meadville, PA. .Several workshops, picture boards, book display and button table are among the activities that will be available during the annual Western PA Conference. Pat Loder, executive director of TCF, will be facilitating a workshop and a sharing session. The conference will be held at the Days Inn, Meadville, PA and special rates will be available. Again check the TCF site for registration materials to fill out.

The first TCF Chapter Leadership Training Program of 2010 will be in Los Angeles. Registration is now being accepted. The program is an all expenses paid (except for travel) opportunity for chapter leadership members to learn how to best run a chapter. TCF has a web version of a new video After a Child Dies. It offers insight and understanding and hope to bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents, and to those who care about them.

In addition to regional conferences, don't forget about the National TCF conference July 2-4 in Arlington, VA at the Hyatt Regency Crystal Citym for $129 per night for a single or double. There will be more than 100 workshops covering many areas of grief for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. In addition you will find a hospitality room, reflection room, butterfly boutique, and a completely stocked bookstore, as well as memory boards. Saturday evening's benquet will end with a candle lighting and the final day ot the conference will feature TCF's eleventh annual Walk to Remember. Whether newly bereaved or a seasoned griever, you will not be alone,for year after year bereaved parents keep coming back to continue to receive help and to help the newly bereaved.

Bereaved Parents USA will hold their conference July 9-11 in Little Rock, AR at the Holiday Inn Airport Conference Center for $99 per night including tax. Kay Bevington, editor of Alive Alone, will be one of the keynote speakers with many different sessions for both now childless and those with surviving children. The web site will soon have all the registration materials online or call Linda Bates at 501-939-2275.

Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) will hold their national conference in Philadelphia, PA at the Ramada Philadelphia Airport. Check the POMC website for further information.