Attend the 1981 District Convention
1 “Kingdom Loyalty” District Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses. What a fine theme to stimulate our desire to attend the 1981 district convention! With worsening conditions and nationalism abounding in the world, how necessary that faithful Christians assemble together to strengthen their loyalty to Jehovah and his kingdom. (Heb. 10:23-25) A truly fine opportunity will be afforded to meet together with thousands of loyal brothers and sisters at over 100 locations this coming summer, as listed in the February 15 Watchtower (English). Additionally, we are providing the following necessary information to enable you to make your arrangements to attend, as well as to assist others who may need help to be there with you.
ROOMING ARRANGEMENTS
2 Last year the Society instituted a new system of rooming for district conventions in order to assist everyone needing accommodations and to simplify the overall rooming operation. (See Our Kingdom Service, February 1980.) For the most part, this arrangement proved to be very beneficial for all concerned and will be used again this year.
3 Under this arrangement you will make all your own arrangements directly with the hotel/motel. In most cases you will pay much less than the regular rates charged by that hotel/motel since the convention has arranged for a large number of rooms to be set aside for this purpose. Already many managers of good quality hotels and motels in the convention cities have been approached and the best rates possible have been negotiated with them for those attending each convention. A number of rooms in each of these hotels and motels have been blocked off to be assigned by the hotel/motel only to those identifying themselves as Jehovah’s Witnesses or as delegates attending the Watchtower Convention. In most cases, by the middle of January 1981, your congregation will have received a list of hotels and motels in the convention city that are cooperating closely with the Society’s rooming arrangement. It will show the address of the facility, its agreed-upon rates to those attending the convention and the phone number to be used in making your reservations, along with other information.
4 WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: As soon as your congregation receives the list of hotels and motels from the convention organization, you should select the facility where you would prefer to stay. Then phone the hotel or motel immediately, identifying yourself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses or as a delegate attending the Watchtower Convention. Doing so will qualify you for the agreed-upon rates listed. One night’s deposit (credit card, cashier’s check or money order) will be required at all locations and should be sent to them as soon as your reservations are confirmed. This deposit should be sent to the hotel or motel directly, well in advance of the cutoff date listed on the sheet(s) received from the rooming department. Motels and/or hotels are not obligated to hold the rooms without a deposit or extend the special rates beyond the cutoff date. If you find it necessary to cancel your accommodation you should write or phone the hotel/motel directly, doing so as far in advance as possible. This makes the room available to other delegates who may desire the accommodation. The convention rooming department will be monitoring the arrangement and will provide additional information through the congregation, such as which hotels/motels are filled after a month or two, as well as any additional ones it may find necessary to add to the list. Remember, therefore, that it will be your responsibility to contact the hotel/motel and make reservations based on the information provided on the list. If the hotel/motel you call first is filled, then it will be necessary for you to call the next one you have selected from the list, and so on.
5 DORMITORIES: A few conventions find it necessary to use school dormitories in order to accommodate all those attending. In most cases, the congregations will receive information on these a month or so after the first hotel/motel listing is sent. Those needing accommodations of this type should follow through in accord with the instructions set out on the list that will be sent to the congregation by the convention rooming department.
6 SPECIAL NEEDS: Most arrangements to care for those with special needs have customarily originated at the local congregation where such ones attend. Elders and others who are aware of such circumstances have lovingly extended help, which is commendable. This has often involved taking others with them in their own group—those in full-time service, the elderly, infirm or needy ones. Also they have cared for their needs in other ways, such as assisting them in making arrangements or even aiding them financially, if possible and where needed. (Jas. 2:15-17; 1 John 3:17, 18) We are confident that such loving concern will continue to be shown to all such loyal ones. (John 13:35; Gal. 6:10) However, the convention rooming department will function to provide rooming accommodations for those with special needs who can neither be cared for by themselves nor by those in the congregation where they attend. Such ones may ask the convention coordinator in their congregation for a Special Needs Room Request Form, discussing their situation with him at this time. Those with special needs are the only ones that should use this form. They should fill it out and return it to the convention coordinator to be checked for completeness, accuracy and verification of circumstances. Even though he forwards it to the convention rooming department, the individual(s) will be notified of the accommodations directly by the rooming department. This should be done well ahead of the convention. (The one with special needs should not simply go to the convention and request a room when he arrives, because the convention rooming department needs the congregation convention coordinator’s verification of the circumstances.) Both private homes and hotel/motel accommodations will be used in caring for those with special needs, according to their circumstances. Please keep in mind that private home accommodations listed by the convention are usually set aside for those with limited funds who would experience real hardship if such accommodations were not made available. They are not intended for those who want free or inexpensive rooms just to save money, such as for a vacation. Also, private home accommodations are for the convention period only. It hardly seems proper to presume upon the hospitality of our brothers by expecting them to accommodate delegates for extra days so as to visit vacation spots or do other things in the area before or after the convention.
7 DELEGATES ATTENDING OUT OF THE ASSIGNED AREA: District conventions are arranged at many locations to reduce the travel required in order to attend. In nearly every case, the location recommended for you to attend is the one nearest your congregation. Seating, literature, food orders, and so forth, are planned on the premise that the great majority will attend the convention to which they are assigned. However, a few for various reasons may choose to attend a location other than the one recommended for their congregation. Such individuals may ask the convention coordinator in their congregation for the address of the convention headquarters where they wish to attend. These addresses are listed on the back of the Special Needs Room Request Form. Unless these persons have special needs, they should not use the Special Needs Room Request Form. Rather, they should write to the convention headquarters and request a copy of the hotel/motel listing for that location, sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope along with this request. Upon receipt of this listing of hotels/motels they should proceed just as if they were using the listing for their local area.
8 YOUR COOPERATION APPRECIATED: The smoothness with which this rooming arrangement functions will largely depend on the cooperation of everyone involved—the convention rooming department, the hotels and motels, the elders serving as convention coordinators and those being accommodated. It would be good to keep two things in mind in order to avoid a problem. If a number of delegates attempt to make hotel/motel reservations on their own before receiving the listing of facilities that are cooperating with the convention rooming department, it could cause a breakdown in some negotiations. This could occur at locations used year after year where brothers, based on rumor or assumption, have been accustomed to making very early reservations. Also, it could result in difficulties if a large number of delegates choose not to use the hotels and motels listed but, for one reason or another, make their own arrangements with facilities that have not cooperated fully with the convention rooming arrangement. We hope to make the listing broad enough to give a choice of good quality accommodations and yet give preference to the hotels/motels that give the best cooperation. Our aim with this rooming arrangement is to see that delegates are accommodated as comfortably and economically as possible, according to their circumstances, so as to be refreshed and able to enjoy fully the fine spiritual benefits of the program.
SELECTING YOUR CONVENTION
9 It is our hope that every lover of Jehovah will be in attendance at the “Kingdom Loyalty” District Convention, if at all possible. In most cases, you will be attending at the location nearest to your congregation, or where two or more conventions are being held at the same location, on the dates recommended for your circuit or portion thereof. Please find listed on page 6, in date order, each convention city and the circuits, or portions thereof, recommended to attend each convention.
10 Those circuits in the chart marked with an asterisk (*) may have some congregations located a little closer to another convention city, but it would be best, if possible, to attend at the location indicated so as to prevent unnecessary crowding.
11 Where the chart indicates that a portion of a circuit attend at a particular location, such as 1⁄2 or 1⁄4, it simply means that those congregations in the part of the circuit closest to that convention would attend where indicated, but the rest of the circuit would attend another convention closest to them as shown elsewhere on the list.
12 Your determination to be among those attending the “Kingdom Loyalty” District Convention will bring rich rewards as Jehovah blesses your efforts. May your joy be made complete by planning to be present for every session from beginning to end, all four days.
TO THE BODY OF ELDERS
Upon receipt of this insert, it will be the responsibility of the convention coordinator to meet together with the presiding overseer before the next service meeting. They can determine from the circuit list shown which city and dates their congregation is to attend, based on the circuit or portion thereof that the congregation is in as of the end of February. (If the coordinator is caring for both positions, he should meet with another member of the congregation service committee.) Where a fraction of a circuit (1⁄2, 1⁄4, and so forth) is involved, they should determine whether their congregation is part of the fraction nearest to that convention and, if so, plan on attending there. Then please announce at the next service meeting as well as the following Watchtower study the location and dates recommended by the Society for the congregation. It may be good to underline on the circuit list the recommended convention city and dates the congregation is to attend and post that portion of the insert on the information board for the benefit of the congregation.
In nearly every case, the elder serving as the convention coordinator will be conducting the service meeting part covering this insert as scheduled, as well as making other announcements and handling convention material on the meetings. This will serve to acquaint the congregation with their convention coordinator, as well as better enable him to coordinate convention matters. When covering this insert on the service meeting, it would be good to have a qualified brother read the key numbered paragraphs that apply to your congregation.
All the elders should be informed as to convention arrangements. They will want to cooperate fully, offering suggestions to assure the prompt, enthusiastic and effective handling of convention-related material. We appreciate very much your enthusiastic support of and kind attention to these matters.
1981 DISTRICT CONVENTIONS
JUNE 11-14:
Augusta, GA: Ga. 1⁄4 3, 1⁄3 8; S.C. 1⁄2 1, 1⁄2 2, 1⁄3 3.
Beaumont, TX: La. 1-B; Tex. 4, 12-B*.
Cicero, IL: Ill. 2, 9, 12; Mich. 4-B; Wis. 4-B.
Jacksonville, FL: Fla. 3, 1⁄4 5, 1⁄3 11, 12; Ga. 1⁄3 7.
Los Angeles, CA (Japanese also): Calif. 1-A, 2⁄3 1-B, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 20, 21, 24, 28, 33, 35, 37; Nev. 1⁄2 2.
Phoenix, AZ: Ariz. 1, 2-B, 3, 5; Calif. 1⁄3 1-B; Nev. 1⁄2 2.
Richfield, OH: Ohio 5-B, 8, 10, 11, 12.
Savannah, GA: Ga. 3⁄4 3, 1⁄3 7; S.C. 2⁄3 3.
Tucson, AZ: Ariz. 2-A, 4; N.M. 1.
Tuscaloosa, AL: Ala. 1*, 2, 4, 5-A, 1⁄2 5-B; Miss. 1⁄2 2-B, 1⁄2 3-B.
Wilmington, DE: N.J. 7-B, 7-C; Pa. 1, 3, 11, 13.
JUNE 18-21:
Amarillo, TX: Kans. 1⁄3 2-A; N.M. 2-A, 3; Tex. 9, 10, 1⁄2 18.
Baton Rouge, LA : La. 1-A, 3, 4, 5 ; Miss. 2⁄3 4-B.
Cicero, IL: Ill. 8, 10; Ind. 1; Wis. 1.
Huntington, WV: Ky. 2⁄3 3-B; Ohio 1⁄2 7, 15-A, 1⁄2 15-B, 16; Tenn. 1⁄2 5; W.Va. 1⁄2 1, 1⁄2 3.
Lakeland, FL: Fla. 1⁄2 4, 1⁄3 9, 10.
Macon, GA: Ala. 1⁄2 6; Ga. 1, 2, 1⁄3 7.
Nashville, TN: Ga. 1⁄3 4; Ky. 1⁄2 1; Tenn. 1⁄2 2-A, 2-B, 4, 6.
Portland, ME: Me. 1, 2; N.H. 1-B; Vt. 1-A.
Providence, RI: Mass. 1, 4; N.H. 1-A.
Richfield, OH: Ohio 1, 3, 4, 13; Pa. 12-B.
Wichita, KS: Kans. 1⁄2 1, 2⁄3 2-A, 2-B, 3, 4; Mo. 6-B*, 8*; Nebr. 1-A*.
Wilmington, DE: N.J. 3, 6; Pa. 2-A, 4, 6.
JUNE 25-28:
Cicero, IL: Ill. 1, 1⁄4 4, 5, 11, 13.
Dallas, TX: Okla. 1⁄3 4-B; Tex. 6, 12-A, 15.
Denver, CO: Colo. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; N.M. 2-B; Wyo. 2.
Greensboro, NC: N.C. 1-B, 2, 5, 6-A, 7; S.C. 1⁄2 1; Va. 2-B.
Lakeland, FL: Fla. 3⁄4 5, 13.
Macon, GA: Ga. 1⁄3 4, 5, 6, 1⁄3 8.
Pontiac, MI: Ind. 7-B; Mich. 1, 2, 3, 4-A, 5, 6, 8, 9*, 10, 11, 12, 13*, 14; Ohio 5-A.
Providence, RI: Mass. 2, 5; R.I. 1.
Roanoke, VA: Va. 2-A*, 4-A, 5; W.Va. 1⁄2 1, 1⁄4 3.
Utica, NY: N.Y. 6, 16-B, 22-A.
Wheeling, WV: Ohio 1⁄2 15-B; Pa. 7, 14; W.Va. 2-A.
JULY 2-5:
Beaumont, TX (Spanish only): S-14, S-33-B*, S-33-C.
Dallas, TX: Tex. 5, 13, 14, 1⁄4 18.
East Rutherford, NJ: N.J. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7-A, 8; Pa. 2-B.
Green Bay, WI: Wis. 2*, 3-B.
Greenville, SC: Ga. 1⁄3 4, 1⁄3 8; N.C. 4; Tenn. 1.
Indianapolis, IN: Ill. 1⁄3 3; Ind. 2, 3-A, 1⁄2 4-A, 5*, 6 7-A; Ohio 2*, 2⁄3 6, 1⁄2 7.
Los Angeles, CA (Korean also): Calif. 5, 8-A, 16, 17, 25, 30, 31, 32, 36, 38, 44, 45, 46, 47.
New Haven, CT: Conn. 3; N.Y. 14-A*, 16-A.
Oklahoma City, OK: Okla. 1, 2, 3, 4-A, 2⁄3 4-B, 5.
Pine Bluff, AR: Ark. 1, 2, 1⁄2 4, 5*.
Reno, NV: Calif. 23, 43.
St. Louis, MO: Ill. 1⁄2 6-B, 7; Mo. 1, 2, 1⁄2 4-A, 4-B*, 1⁄2 5-A, 5-B, 7.
St. Petersburg, FL: Fla. 1⁄2 2 (St. Petersburg congregations), 2⁄3 9.
San Francisco, CA: Calif. 1⁄2 14, 19, 26, 34, 41.
Utica, NY: N.Y. 2⁄3 21, 22-B*, 24.
Wheeling, WV: Ohio 14; Pa. 8, 10; W.Va. 1⁄4 3.
JULY 9-12:
Billings, MT: Mont. 1-B*, 2, 3; N.D. 1-A; Wyo. 1.
Fresno, CA: Calif. 10, 29.
Green Bay, WI: Mich. 7; Wis. 3-A, 4-A, 1⁄3 5.
Greenville, SC: N.C. 3*; S.C. 1⁄2 2; Tenn. 1⁄2 5.
Hallandale, FL (French also): Fla. 1, 1⁄2 4, 6, 8.
Hampton, VA: N.C. 1-A, 6-B; Va. 6.
Houston, TX: Tex. 2, 1⁄2 3-A, 11.
Monroe, LA: La. 2, 6; Miss. 3-A*, 1⁄2 3-B, 4-A, 1⁄3 4-B.
New Haven, CT: Conn. 1, 2-A; N.Y. 3*.
Ogden, UT: Idaho 3; Utah 1, 2.
Pullman, WA: Idaho 1, 2; Mont. 1-A; Ore. 1⁄4 5-A; Wash. 1⁄3 3-A, 3-B, 4.
Reno, NV: Calif. 1⁄2 14, 1⁄2 42; Nev. 1.
St. Petersburg, FL: Fla. 1⁄2 2, 7.
San Antonio, TX (Spanish only): S-3, S-7, S-8, S-10, S-33-A.
San Francisco, CA: Calif. 11, 15, 22, 40.
Springfield, MA: Conn. 2-B, 2-C; Mass. 3; Vt. 1-B.
JULY 16-19:
Chicago, IL (Spanish only): S-21-B, S-13-B.
Des Moines, IA: Iowa 1, 1⁄3 2-A, 2-B, 3, 4-B; Mo. 3*.
El Paso, TX (Spanish only): S-6, S-18, S-24, S-28.
Fresno, CA: Calif. 8-B, 9*, 39.
Hallandale, FL (Spanish only): S-12, S-16, S-26.
Hampton, VA: Va. 1, 3.
Houston, TX: Tex. 16, 17.
Landover, MD: D.C. 1; Md. 1, 4; Pa. 5*, 9*.
Los Angeles, CA (Spanish only): S-4, S-9, S-20, S-23 S-31, S-32.
Louisville, KY: Ind. 3-B, 1⁄2 4-A, 4-B; Ky. 1⁄2 1, 2, 3-A, 1⁄3 3-B, 4*; Ohio 1⁄3 6, 9.
Memphis, TN: Ark. 3, 1⁄2 4; Miss. 2-A, 1⁄2 2-B; Mo. 1⁄2 4-A; Tenn. 1⁄2 2-A, 3.
Niagara Falls, NY: N.Y. 8, 13; Pa. 12-A.
Omaha, NB: Iowa 2⁄3 2-A; Kans. 1⁄2 1; Mo. 6-A; Nebr. 1-B, 2, 3; S.D. 1⁄2 1.
San Francisco, CA: Calif. 12, 13, 18, 27, 1⁄2 42.
Seattle, WA: Wash. 1, 2, 2⁄3 3-A, 5, 6, 7-A, 7-B, 8.
Springfield, IL: Ill. 2⁄3 3, 3⁄4 4, 6-A, 1⁄2 6-B; Iowa 4-A; Mo. 1⁄2 5-A.
JULY 23-26:
Chicago, IL (Spanish only): S-21-A; Kans. 3-C.
Detroit, MI (Spanish only): S-13-A, S-29-C*.
Fresno, CA (Spanish only): S-5-B, S-15.
Landover, MD (Korean also): Md. 2, 3, 5, 6; Va. 4-B; W.Va. 2-B.
Queens, NY (Spanish and Greek only): S-1, S-2, S-17, S-22, S-25, S-27, S-29-A, S-29-B, S-30.
Rochester, NY: N.Y. 7, 9*, 1⁄3 21.
St. Paul, MN: Minn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; N.D. 1-B; S.D. 1⁄2 1; Wis. 2⁄3 5.
Woodburn, OR (Spanish only): S-19.
JULY 30—AUGUST 2:
Fresno, CA (Spanish only): S-5-A, S-11.
Mobile, AL: Ala. 3, 1⁄2 5-B, 1⁄2 6; Fla. 2⁄3 11; Miss. 1.
Portland, OR : Ore. 1, 3, 4; Wash. 7-C.
Queens, NY (Italian also): N.Y. 5, 14-B, 15, 17, 18, 19, 23.
San Antonio, TX: Tex. 1, 1⁄2 3-A, 3-B, 7, 8, 1⁄4 18.
AUGUST 6-9:
Long Island City, NY (French only): N.Y. 20.
Natick, MA (Portuguese only): T-1.
Portland, OR: Ore. 2, 3⁄4 5-A, 5-B, 6, 7.
Queens, NY: N.Y. 1, 2, 4, 10, 11, 12.
AUGUST 20-23:
Los Angeles, CA (Chinese only): North American Chinese.