A Guide for the Frugal Attendee
General Assembly on a Budget
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.
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 are made available by March 1 and 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 between March 1 and 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.
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.).
Food
Winn-Dixie Grocers is located at 1625 Cordova Road, about 1/2 mile northwest of the convention center. The store features a deli, bakery, and pharmacy. Buying items such as fruit, bagels, granola bars, instant oatmeal, and bottled water can eliminate the need to buy breakfast and lunch out.
There is also a Whole Foods Market at 2000 S Federal Hwy (at SE 20th St), about 4/5 mile west of the convention center.
Also near the convention center, try:
- Harbor Cafe, 1396 SE 17th St
- Einstein Bros Bagels, 1499 SE 17th St
- H & E Marina Deli, 1453 SE 17th St
- Giorgio's, 1499 SE 17th St
- Carlos & Pepe's Cantina, 1302 SE 17th St
Lodging
The General Assembly Office is currently seeking suitable dormitory accommodations at a nearby college or university that might be available to our attendees during GA. Information will be posted here as it becomes available.
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.).
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.
The UUA Florida District will be coordinating bed and breakfast style accommodations with local UU hosts. Information on local hospitality should be available in February.
All information is subject to change.
Last updated on Saturday, February 2, 2008.
