So what is this Spring Convention that I've been hearing about? 
At Spring Convention  2019 --  “A Dash Through Time” -- Alephs and BBGs will be given the chance to celebrate all of our accomplishments from the past year, say goodbye to our seniors and enjoy exciting programming created by their peers. 

Are we bringing in any special guests?

YES WE ARE! Cindi Leive is a journalist, media leader and advocate for women. She is the former editor-in-chief of both Glamour and Self. Jeff Raz has performed nationally and internationally for decades, starring in circuses including Cirque du Soleil. He will be presenting workshops highlighting his experiences as a performer and how they relate to social action. Rabbi Philip and Rabbi Shoshana Ohriner are developing a permaculture-based farmstead in the Los Gatos area. The farm will be dedicated to Jewish and secular environmental education and community organizing focused on food justice.

Still have questions? Please take a few minutes to read through this information in its entirety. 

• What: Spring Convention
• Who: This convention is open to all members in grades 8-12. You must be a member to register. Not a member yet? Click here. 
• When: Friday May 17, 2019 at 5:00 PM through Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 12:00 PM 
• Where: A Marriott

​Cost & Registration Details:

• Early Bird Registration: $350: Early Bird is open to the first 70 registrations or through 4/7/19, whichever comes first.
  
  IMPORTANT: In order to get early bird pricing you must use discount code CRWSpring19 at check out. If the code does not work, that means we have given out all 70 Early Bird spots! 
  If you are registering more then one registrant you must register each person separately. Codes only discount one item in each shopping cart.
  
  Joined BBYO after March 22? New members get a special discount! Email Ross Glinkenhouse to get your automatic Early Bird pricing PLUS an additional $25 off!! He will create a one-time use code for you to register with, so please reach out before you register!
• Regular Registration: $385: March 30-April 14
• Registration closes 4/14/19.  If you need to cancel for any reason, this is the final day to receive a full refund. 
• Important: There are only 300 spots. This convention WILL sell out. There's no need to wait- register early to guarantee your spot!

Other details:

• If you need to arrive late or leave early from convention, please email Amanda Cohen 

You may register at the following link, starting Saturday, March 30, at 8pm!

You will have a choice to pay in full or give a deposit to hold your spot; deposits are only available for those applying for scholarship. If you choose to put down a deposit, full payments are due by April 14.  

What does the registration cost cover?

The convention price is close to that of last year’s program, and it's our commitment to provide high quality, high value programming and an experience that you and your teens won't forget. 

• Meals: dinner Friday through breakfast Sunday, and evening snacks Friday/Saturday

• Sleeping accommodations 
  (Teens are sleeping in double rooms, with 3-4 teens per room)
• All programming materials, speakers and special guests, and Saturday evening SILENT DISCO UNDER THE STARS!  
• Swag (e.g. t-shirts, branded lanyards, etc.) 

Safety and Security:

The safety and security of our teens is our number one priority. We work hard to keep as low of a profile as possible for our events and ask that you do not publicly post information about Spring's timing and location. Before each major event, we are in contact with local law enforcement. 

Financial Aid:

You can apply for need-based financial aid, and all financial aid applications are due by 4/8/19 at 5:00 PST! Note that this is six days before registration closes. If you are applying for financial aid, you will need to register BEFORE the 4/14/19 registration deadline

Financial aid will work the same as in previous years. We work with BBYO International’s standardized scholarship process, based on an IRS form threshold, in order to make the process more equitable to our families. Please note that the process will work as follows: 

• You will need to fill out a financial aid request form at the following link: BBYO Online Scholarship Application (Choose Central Region West)
• When you fill out the application, Ross Glinkenhouse will receive an email notifying him of the request. 
• You no longer need upload the first page of your family’s IRS 1040 form if you are asking for more then 25% of the cost of the event. How ever you must include your AGI in order for us to make allocations.  

• We cannot, however, allocate full scholarships 

• You can also reach out to your local chapter, Federations, or Temples to request additional funds 

• You will receive an email from Ross indicating your scholarship allocation decision by April 10.
• Afterwards, please email Ross, indicating whether or not you are accepting scholarship request. You have until April 14 to accept the aid granted or to cancel registration. 
• If you accept the request, please log onto you myBBYO Account and pay any remaining balance minus the scholarship award. (Don’t worry, we’ll remind you of all these steps along the way.) 

• If you choose not to accept the financial aid, refunds for any allocated funds will be issued by April 30

Last Notes: 

• Scholarships are a gift. We want to give it to as many people as possible, and there is only so much to go around. If for any reason your teen is sent home, we will require you to pay back the scholarship. 
• We can work out payment plans if it is necessary. Please email Ross Glinkenhouse for more information. 

We aim to lessen the financial strain of conventions in order to ensure that our teens have the opportunity to create meaningful experiences and gain essential leadership skills at our intentionally programmed events, no matter what: we work hard to ensure that cost should never be a deterrent for teens hoping to attend conventions. 

ISF:

A small portion of convention registration revenue is donated to BBYO's International Service Fund (ISF). ISF is AZA and BBG's treasury that allows our members to be engaged in the affairs of the global Jewish community. More information about ISF can be found by clicking here. 

Cancellation Policy:

The deadline to cancel with a full program refund is the final registration deadline for this program. Until that date, full refunds will be granted for cancellations in writing (e-mail is acceptable), for any reason. After the registration deadline, partial refunds may be available based on convention expenses already paid (hotel, transportation, etc..). Within ten days of convention we’ve already confirmed final counts with our vendors, and no refunds will be given. “No shows” will not receive a refund.