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Annual Counselors' Leadership Conference FAQs

conference

How and why do we choose the locations for each Conference?

How and why do we choose dates for Conference?

What is the goal of a Conference?

Why do we try to "rotate" locations between Canada/US/East/West etc.?

How and when is the cost of the conference registration fee determined? 

When does the Registration Form come out?

What is the benefit of attending a GEMS Counselors' Leadership Conference?

What do you miss if you don't attend?

Should my church be asked to help support me attending conference?

Can counselors raise funds to come? Indeed!

How are sectional choices handled?

How are room assignments determined?

What if I'm coming to conference alone - no other counselors from my club are able to come?

Did you know...


How and why do we choose the locations for each Conference?

The choosing of a Conference location begins with an invitation. When a GEMS Counselor or a group of Counselors feel the Spirit's leading to hold a conference in their area, they contact the GEMS Conference Coordinator and ask for a Conference Planning Guidelines Packet. The Conference Planning Guidelines packet explains everything that needs to be done, step by step, to guarantee a successful conference. Once the Counselors read over the material, they find that planning a conference isn't hard at all! Included in the packet is an invitation, which they fill out and send to the GEMS Service Center.

Once an invitation is received, a site visit is made to ensure that the facility recommended by the LCC (Local Conference Committee) will all meet the needs of a conference. This site visit is done by the Conference Coordinator. The invitation and recommendation then goes to the GEB (GEMS Executive Board) for approval and a final decision is made at that time.

Note: GEMS Counselors' Leadership Conferences are in the planning process for three years in advance of the event.

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How and why do we choose dates for Conference? Dates chosen for each conference are determined by first of all considering school schedules, holidays and summer breaks in the US and Canada. Second, we consider the availability of the facility that will be used. Typically, we try to keep conference dates around the second week of July. When these dates are not available, we try to choose a date that will be convenient for most GEMS Counselors to attend.

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What is the goal of Conference?
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  • To provide an uplifting, spiritual growth experience for all who attend. Encouragement to deepen one's faith walk is a message that is "threaded" throughout the conference program.

  • To provide opportunities for counselors to develop and strengthen their skills in working with and mentoring girls in their clubs.

  • To provide personal growth opportunities for counselors. Recognizing that a counselors' personal growth will enhance her ability as a counselor of girls, leadership conference sectionals include a variety of topics, some of which will be of a personal growth nature.

  • To provide cross-cultural opportunities for counselors to develop enduring friendships with other women of faith.
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    Why do we try to "rotate" locations between Canada/US/East/West etc.? Knowing that the cost and location of a conference may be prohibitive to some, we try to move the location around so that a majority of counselors may be able to take advantage of the conference experience multiple times in their career as a GEMS Counselor.

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    How and when is the cost of the conference registration fee determined? The budget for a conference is set in the fall prior to the conference and must be approved by the GEMS Executive Board. Facility fees including lodging, meals, snacks, set-up fees, meeting space, audio/visual equipment rental; speaker and musician fees; equipment operators compensation, event insurance, conference materials, promotional materials, conference publications, and shipping of materials as well as administrative support salary all factor into the cost of a conference.

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    When does the Registration Form come out? The Registration Form for Conference comes with your Cable and is mailed mid-January. You can also access registration information and a printable form from the Conference website.

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    What is the benefit of attending a GEMS Counselors' Leadership Conference? The Bible tells us in Ephesians 4:11-12, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." Knowing that we as GEMS Counselors have a calling to teach young girls we attend GEMS Counselors' Leadership Conferences to best prepare for this role.

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    What do you miss if you don't attend?conference
  • Conference offers the chance to meet with sisters in Christ and share a time of fellowship that can only be described as "heavenly". It's a time to be encouraged and supported in your ministry.

  • Conference offers opportunities to grow; not only in the GEMS ministry but personally and spiritually.

  • The new theme for the next GEMS season is introduced at conference. You will see and learn first-hand how to best present the theme to your GEMS.

  • New GEMS curriculum, materials, and products are introduced at conference.

  • You'll learn how to relate to the girls in your club as well as to your fellow counselors, parents, and church.
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    Should my church be asked to help support me attending conference? A GEMS Counselors' Leadership Conference is an outstanding leadership training opportunity for women serving as mentors to girls.

  • Bring a registration packet to your pastor or church counsel. Show them the training that is offered. 

  • Point out that it is easier to recruit volunteers to a ministry (GEMS) when training is offered. Volunteers who are equipped to serve are happy and effective volunteers.

  • The GEMS ministry becomes an evangelism and discipleship program for any church when counselors are trained and prepared to make the program successful.
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    Can counselors raise funds to come? Indeed!

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  • Suppers: Baked potato supper, soup supper, chili cook-off, something with a theme.

  • Sponsorship for specific events: rock-a-thon, walk-a-thon, bowl-a-thon.

  • Bake sales, pizza sales, catalog sales, pig-n-a- blankets, pies, etc.

  • Work on a project together and auction it to the church family: quilt, meals for a month.

  • Use your imagination.
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    How are sectional choices handled? Sectionals (workshops) are chosen on your registration form by listing your preferences in order. Sectionals are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Some sectionals are limited to attendance size by the sectional leader…these naturally will fill up faster. When a registration is received, the sectionals are assigned as they are listed in preferred order. If the first choice is filled, the second choice will be assigned; if the second choice is filled, the third choice is assigned and so on. Please be assured that every attempt is made to give you the sectional choices you prefer.

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    How are room assignments determined? If you wish to room with a specific friend or individual you must send your registration forms together in the same envelope. Room assignments are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once rooms are assigned, it is very difficult to make changes.So if a larger group wishes to be placed in close proximity to each other, it is recommended that all of the registration forms are sent in together.

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    What if I'm coming to conference alone - no other counselors from my club are able to come? No problem! If you are coming to conference alone and do not have a preference as to whom you wish to room with, we will place you with another counselor who may be alone as well. Please be sure to indicate on your form if you are a 1st Time Conference Attendee (under your name and address). At the beginning of each conference there is a special reception to welcome and enfold each counselor who is new to the conference experience. We'll answer your questions, give you helpful hints, and take good care of you!

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    Did you know... New clubs receive one free conference registration when accompanied by one paid registration. This encourages new counselors to experience the rewards of conference.

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