Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

about NACSW Convention 2010

Registration

Who can attend the 2010 Convention? The NACSW Convention is appropriate for social work practitioners, social work educators, social work students, church staff and those interested in social work and social change. 

What does my registration fee include? Registration includes attendance at all plenary sessions, workshops, Opening Reception, Honoring the Life and Work of Alan Keith-Lucas Event, and Saturday Banquet.

When will registration open? What are the registration rates? You can register online at http://www.nacsw.org/cgi-bin/eventpro.cgi or by downloading the registration form and mailing it in.  Both of these options are available now.  Registration rates are as follows:

Will I be refunded if I have to cancel my registration?  If your reservation is canceled prior to the Early Bird Registration Date of October 22, 2010 you will be refunded all but a $25 processing fee.  If you choose to cancel your registration after the Early Bird Deadline, NACSW is unable to refund your registration.

Will I receive a confirmation of my registration? Will I receive a confirmation of my payment? You will immediately receive an e-mail confirming your registration if you register via the website at http://www.nacsw.org/cgi-bin/eventpro.cgi   If you register by mail, a confirmation will be e-mailed to you at the address provided on your registration form or mailed if no e-mail address is provided. Depending on the time you register, it can take up to two weeks to receive a confirmation for your credit card or check payment.  Confirmation of payment will be e-mailed or mailed to registrants.

I am not a member of NACSW but my co-worker is and cannot attend.  Can I use their membership to register at the member rate? Membership rates apply only to the individuals who hold the membership.  You can register at the non-member rate and take advantage of the 6-month free membership included in the price, or join NACSW for one year and register at the discounted member rate.

My agency is an organizational member of NACSW.  Can I register at the member rate? Organizational members can register up to three agency representatives at the discounted membership rate.  Please check with your agency about organizational membership registrations. 

My agency is paying for my attendance at the convention and I need an invoice from NACSW.  How do I get an invoice? If you require an invoice to get a check cut from your agency, please contact NACSW directly at 888.426.4712.  An invoice can be e-mailed or mailed to you.  Once you have requested an invoice, you may complete your registration online leaving the payment area blank.  Please do not complete your online registration until you have received an invoice from the NACSW office.

Are reduced conference registration rates available?  If you are retired or experiencing a financial hardship that makes it difficult or impossible for you to attend the convention, you may be eligible for a reduced conference registration rate.  Contact the NACSW office at info@nacsw.org to request a reduced registration rate.  Please do not complete your online registration until you have received confirmation from the NACSW office that you have been approved for a reduced registration rate. 

Housing

What hotel has been reserved?  What are the rates? Rooms have been reserved at the Sheraton Imperial (4700 Emperor Blvd, Durham, NC) for $145 per night (3pm check-in, 12pm check-out).  The cost of the room remains at $145 per night, for single-double occupancy.  All convention sessions will be held at the Sheraton Imperial.

Can I make my hotel reservation now?  Hotel reservations can be made immediately by contacting the Sheraton Imperial (4700 Emperor Blvd, Durham, NC) at 919.941.5050. Also, hotel reservations can be made by visiting http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/booking/reservation?id=0910190526&key=EF3E0.  Room reservations must be made by October 20, 2010 in order to guarantee the convention room rate of $145 per night. A limited number of suites are available, so book early!

I called the reservation hotline to register and they said that they do not have any rooms reserved for NACSW.  What should I do? Depending on how the hotel has our convention listed in their reservation system, you may need to identify as being a part of the NACSW convention or the North American Association of Christians in Social Work convention.   If you have further questions after trying these two options, contact the NACSW office at 888.426.4712.

Will I be refunded if I have to cancel my room reservation? If rooms are canceled within 24 hours of the appointed check in time, a full refund of the deposit is available.

I would like to share a room with someone at the convention, but I do not know anyone who needs a roommate. NACSW keeps a list of people who contact the office indicating that they are looking for a roommate and will (with permission) share these e-mail addresses with others also looking for a roommate. It is up to individual registrants to contact others on this list to make arrangements for sharing a room together.

Is there internet access at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel? The hotel provides complimentary wireless internet in the guest rooms and lobby area.  Complementary wired internet is also provided in the guest rooms.  The hotel offers several computers in the lobby where convention attendees can access the internet.  There is No access to complimentary internet access available in the workshop rooms. If you plan to use internet in your workshop presentation you are responsible for purchasing internet access in your workshop room through the Sheraton Imperial’s AV company.

Transportation

Are there any airfare discounts? At this time NACSW is not able to offer airfare discounts. 

I will have a car at the convention.  Where can I park and is there a charge? Parking is available at the hotel free of charge. 

Will transportation be provided during the convention?   Hotel accommodations and convention meetings are all conveniently located in the Sheraton Imperial, therefore no transportation is required. 

I am flying to the convention, how can I get to the Sheraton Imperial? The Sheraton Imperial offers a complimentary 24 hour airport shuttle. In order to access the airport shuttle you should go to the Accommodations Information Center at the Baggage Claim Area at the RDU Airport and dial the Sheraton Imperial (instructions are provided).  The Sheraton will arrange a pick-up time. 

I called the reservation hotline to register and they said that they do not have any rooms reserved for NACSW.  What should I do? Depending on how the hotel has our convention listed in their reservation system, you may need to identify as being a part of the NACSW convention or the North American Association of Christians in Social Work convention.   If you have further questions after trying these two options, contact the NACSW office at 888.426.4712.

Will I be refunded if I have to cancel my room reservation? If rooms are canceled within 24 hours of the appointed check in time, a full refund of the deposit is available.

Evening Events

What is the Thursday Night Opening Reception?  The Thursday Opening Reception kicks off the 2010 Convention.  Enjoy refreshments and snacks with first time attendees and seasoned NACSW members while browsing Poster Presentations and speaking with exhibitors.  Convention attendees will have the opportunity to meet one another and reconnect with old friends.  

What is the Honoring the Life and Work of Alan Keith-Lucas Event?  This event will be held from 6:30pm-8:00pm on Friday evening.  Attendees will learn about the life of Alan Keith-Lucas and reflect on the impact he made on the profession of social work.  The children of Alan Keith-Lucas will speak about their father and anecdotes from friends, colleagues, and students will be shared.  At the conclusion of this event, time will be given for friends, colleagues, and students to continue to network and share stories about the personal impact Alan Keith-Lucas had on their life. 

What is the Saturday Night Award Banquet?  The Award Banquet is a favorite event of convention attendees. Attendees will spend time together as we honor colleagues in the profession who have made an impact in Social Work and social welfare.  In addition to enjoying a delicious meal attendees will be entertained by local musicians and hear from Rev. Dr. Yvonne V. Delk of the Center for African American Theological Studies.

What night is open for exploring Durham? There are no scheduled events after 8pm on Friday evening.  Please enjoy the city of Durham.  Visit   http://www.durham-nc.com/ for more information about attractions in the area. To find out more about Durham Public Transportation system, visit their website http://www.durhamnc.com/visitors/transportation/index.php.

Student Volunteers

How do I register as a student volunteer?  To register as a student volunteer simply click on http://www.nacsw.org/cgi-bin/eventpro.cgi and select “Student Volunteer Registration.” From here you will be able to complete your registration as well as indicate your preferred day for volunteering.

What should I expect as a student volunteer? As a volunteer you can expect to spend some of your time (up to six hours) at the convention providing assistance with tasks essential in helping the convention run smoothly. You will be assigned tasks such as monitoring workshops, helping with set-up and take-down, and assisting with registration.  Please note that you must be available to volunteer between the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm on the day you indicated as a preference on your registration form.  The success of the conference relies on dependable volunteers, so NACSW expects that student volunteers be responsible in fulfilling their volunteer assignments.

Miscellaneous

Can I receive Continuing Education Contact hours (CEUs) at the 2010 Convention?   CEUs are available to Social Workers for workshops and plenary sessions.  Payment for CEUs ($25) can be made with your registration payment. Attendees will earn 18.5 hours for attending the pre-convention institute, all workshops and all plenary sessions.  CEUs are certified by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), which is widely recognized in the US and Canada. It is important to note, however, that final authority for approving any continuing education activity rests with the state or province in which the participant is licensed. 

I would like to attend the 2010 Convention, but unfortunately my budget does not allow it.  Is there a reduced rate available? Limited reduced-rate registrations are available for individuals who are retired or who are experiencing a financial hardship.  Please submit a request via email (info@nacsw.org) or in writing to NACSW at PO Box 121, Botsford, CT 06404.

What is the dress code? Dress for the NACSW convention varies.  Most attendees wear business casual clothing.   Some attendees choose to come more dressed up to the Saturday Evening Award Banquet. 

Will all convention programming be held at the Sheraton Imperial? All plenary and breakout sessions will be held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center (4700 Emperor Blvd-Durham, NC). 

My question is not here.  Who should I contact? Please contact info@nacsw.org with additional questions. 

Can I buy additional individual tickets to the Award Banquet? What is the cost? Additional tickets can be purchased for the Saturday Evening Award Banquet at the cost of $45 each. 

What parts of the conference can my spouse or family attend with me if they are not registered for the convention? Attendance to workshops sessions, food breaks and plenary sessions are reserved for registered attendees only.  Additional tickets are available for the Saturday Evening Award Banquet.

I am bringing my family with me; will there be activities for them to enjoy?  There are lots of things to do in Durham.  Check out: http://www.durham-nc.com/    for more information about things to do while in Durham.