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A Guide for the Frugal Attendee

The General Assembly (GA) Office and Planning Committee are committed to the goal of making GA accessible to the maximum number of attendees possible. Recognizing that traveling to and participating in General Assembly can be a costly venture, we have prepared this guide to help potential attendees take advantage of the many available cost-saving opportunities.

General Assembly on a Budget

Registration

The GA Volunteer Committee funds full-time GA registrations in exchange for 24 hours of volunteer work at GA (16 hours for those eligible for reduced registration rates). Applications for volunteer positions must be submitted by March 31.

Secure a pledge of support from your congregation and apply for a GA Planning Committee scholarship. If your application is accepted, the Planning Committee may match your congregation’s pledge (up to $250) and also fund your full-time registration. Apply by March 31.

Register between March 1 and April 30, when rates are lower. Registration rates increase May 1.

The Electronic Communication Office of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) provides extensive coverage of GA through our website so that those who are not able to join us in person may still participate. Many GA events are made available at no cost at UUA.org.

If you attend GA as a delegate from your congregation, your travel and registration expenses may be tax deductible. Consult the IRS or a tax professional.

Transportation

If you are seeking a ride-sharing situation, use the GA Email Discussion List (for Unitarian Universalists (UUs) attending or planning to attend GA to share GA-related information, questions and discussion, as well as look for roommates, rides etc.).

Use online group discount code 7SVNN (PDF) for a reduced rate ($15 one-way, $24 round trip) with SuperShuttle shared ride service between the airport and your hotel.

Food

Buying items such as fruit, bagels, granola bars, instant oatmeal, and bottled water can eliminate the need to buy breakfast and lunch out.

See our list of local grocery stores.

Planning your schedule ahead of time and knowing when and how you will eat meals will keep you from spending impulsively on concessions or fast food. Use the Blank Schedule Grid (PDF, 2 pages).

Local Cheap Eats

Lodging

Share the cost of housing by staying in a hotel with flat-rate pricing. For example, four people can share a room at a hotel with flat-rate pricing, split the cost up to four ways, and enjoy amenities such as parking, a refrigerator in the room, wi-fi internet access, and a pool and fitness center.

If you are looking for a roommate, we suggest first seeking other members of your congregation or district through local contacts. If you need to widen your search, you can use use the GA Email Discussion List (for UUs attending or planning to attend GA to share GA-related information, questions and discussion, as well as look for roommates, rides etc.). Also watch this list for information about home hospitality (bed and breakfast style accommodations) with local UU hosts.

A limited number of rooms will be available at University of Minnesota’s Residence Halls. Detailed information about dormitory housing will be available by March 1.

Act quickly. The GA Housing Reservation System opens on March 1. Expect that inexpensive rooms, especially inexpensive rooms that are close to the convention center, will sell out.

All information is subject to change.

For more information contact generalassembly@uua.org.

Last updated on Thursday, February 18, 2010.

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