Invite 2013: Tribal Pride

The Grand-Daddy of Them All

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. CLICK HERE FOR REGULAR REGISTRATION. 8TH GRADERS PLEASE SEE BELOW!



Invite is a tradition with roots seven decades old. Every chapter in GMR gathers for competitions showcasing the talents and spirit of each chapter, ranging from Song to Debate to T-shirt, and many in between. In 2013, Invite will encourage chapters to dig deep into their roots and find what binds them together as individual tribes, and what binds the thirteen GMR chapters together into one single tribe.

Program Information

A jam-packed programming weekend begins with Shabbat on Friday, and includes social, recreational, educational, and service-oriented offerings Friday night and Saturday morning. Talented teen leaders and nationally-recognized artists lead both traditional and cutting-edge prayer services, song sessions, thought-provoking seminars, and high-energy activities like Zumba, Israeli cooking, Comedy Improv, and more!

Highlight: This year, Great Midwest Region will honor Jewish United Fund Chairman David T. Brown as our Outstanding Alumnus on Saturday afternoon.

Parents and alumni are invited to Saturday evening Opening Ceremonies at 6PM, beginning with Havdalah. Competition events follow Saturday night and continue Sunday morning. After AZA and BBG Business meetings, the weekend closes with a Final Banquet and Awards Ceremony. Buses will depart at 2:30 PM Sunday.

Registration/Fees/Scholarship Information

- Early Bird ($250 for 8th graders ONLY) registration deadline: Friday, 1/4/2013.  Please call the BBYO Office at (224) 406-9261 to register by phone on December 31, or January 2, 3 or 4.
- Regular registration ($280) deadline: Friday, 1/18/2013.

Fees include a 2-night stay at the Hyatt with all meals, access to all convention events, transportation to and from the hotel (where necessary), and convention giveaways.

Scholarship: Regional scholarship applications have been processed and allocated.  No further regional scholarship funds are available.  Some chapters offer additional scholarships. Please contact your chapter president and/or advisor for details!

Cancellation/Refund Policy

BBYO incurs costs in the registration process and is responsible for rooms booked and cancelled past certain deadlines. In addition, many supplies and giveaway items are ordered far in advance based on projected AND actual registration. PLEASE READ THESE DATES CAREFULLY!

 

Cancellation Date* | Refund % | (Amount)

1/4/2013 | 80% | $225
1/18/2013 | 50% | $140
After 1/18/2013 | $75

  *note: Dollar amounts listed above apply to Regular Registration fees. Early Bird cancellations will be refunded the percentage listed above.

Meals/Dietary Information

All meals served by Hyatt's catering are “dairy vegetarian,” with both gluten-free and lactose-free options. Participants requiring strictly Kosher meals may contact the BBYO office to make arrangements.

Transportation Policy & Information

BBYO Policy expressly prohibits teens from driving to Invite Convention! Bus transportation is available to and from the Hyatt on Friday and Sunday. Buses (or vans) will depart from Homewood, Skokie, and Buffalo Grove. Families living nearby may drop off and pick up teens. Transportation information will be released and arrangements can be made after registration is complete. Participants needing to arrive late or leave early may indicate their needs at that time.

Medical/Allergy Information

Parents: To ensure participant safety and proper supervision, all medical forms and general liability waivers MUST be up-to-date. You will receive a notification if additional paperwork is required. BBYO staff generally do NOT hold and dispense participant medications; teens are expected to handle their own meds throughout the weekend. You may contact the BBYO staff after registration to make special arrangements if necessary.

Hotel Information

The Deerfield Hyatt is located at 1700 Lake-Cook Road, with excellent amenities and high-quality, teen-friendly catering. BBYO professional and volunteer staff and professional security staff ensure participant safety throughout the weekend.

Roommate requests: Please e-mail your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices to gmr@bbyo.org no later than January 10th.  Please use the subject line "Invite Rooming Request."

BBYO Office Information

300 Revere Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062
(224) 406-9261 P
(224) 406-9272 F
gmr@bbyo.org

Adam Bilsky, Senior Program Director
(224) 406-9260
abilsky@bbyo.org

Jessica Leving, Program Associate
(224) 406-9261
jleving@bbyo.org

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and Twitter!  @GMRInvite2013