Email #1 sent March 20, 2011

Dear Dueck Family,

Trust you have all had a good winter and are looking forward to the first signs of Spring to appear. This is our first email communication regarding the Dueck 2012 Family Gathering.

Committee:
At the Dueck Gathering in 2009 those present asked us, Jake & Eleanor and James & Elfrieda to form the planning committee for the 2012 Dueck Gathering.  We had our first planning meeting in Winnipeg on February 24, 2011 with Jake as the committee chairman and Elfrieda as the secretary. 

February Brainstorming Session:
On Sunday, February 20, at the Trinity Baptist Church we had a mini Dueck gathering after Tim & Alli’s wedding at which time we did some brainstorming about the 2012 Dueck Gathering with those who were present.  We talked about the date and location.  Pinawa and Providence were named as options and it was suggested that we also check out camps like Winkler Bible Camp, Arnes, etc. The discussion seemed to lean in the direction of Providence as the location for 2012.


Follow-up:Follow-up on the camp suggestions confirmed that none of the Children’s Camps were available for family gatherings during July, the peak of their camp season.  That brings us back to the two original locations, Providence and Pinawa.

The planning Committee has made the following observations:

1.  Date:  The committee is suggesting that we have the Dueck Gathering July 20-22, 2012

2.  Purpose of Dueck Gathering

• Build relationships and exchange family updates
• Explore/review our heritage
• Have enjoyable/fun time together
• Worship together

3.  Location:  The committee preference is Providence for the following reasons:

a.  Cost:  For a family with 3 children (ages 3, 6, 12) lodging and meals would be:

• Providence  =  $290.00   {(95x2) + (0+50+50)}
• Pinawa  =  $524.00   ${(169x2) + (38+56+92)}

b.    Distance

• Providence - 56 Km from Winnipeg
• Pinawa - 117 Km from Winnipeg
• For families commuting from Winnipeg for part or all of the gathering, the distance could be a determining factor
• At the 2009 Gathering we had a number of people join us for Saturday only, which was encouraging

c.    Food Service

• Providence - food was excellent and we could choose our own menu. We also had our own dining room where we could close the doors and so let our little people wander around without fear of losing them or disrupting others.
• Pinawa - has a large dining room which we would be sharing with other groups or families - they book several groups per week-end.
• Friday night supper is not included in the Pinawa cost and would be an additional cost while at Providence it is part of the week-end package

d.   Required Numbers (we had 25 adults in 2009)

• Providence required 25 adults to get the group package
• Pinawa - required 30 adults
• Providence was flexible with our part time attenders

e.    Down Payment

• Providence - asked for a $200 deposit, refundable until three months before the event
• Pinawa - asks for a $40 non-refundable deposit/family when making reservation totaling over $1000.

f.     Group Room

• Providence - private group room in our dormitory at no additional cost
• Pinawa - extra charge for a group meeting room

g.    Activities

• Providence does not have the activity options that Pinawa does and we would have to plan our own.  In 2009 we had planned some very good children’s activities.
• Pinawa Town - has a golf course, canoeing, playground, swimming pool - all of which are a short distance from campus at extra cost.

Considering the above data the committee felt that for a smaller sized family gathering like the Duecks, Providence would be a better fit.

We would like to hear from you regarding our plans to date by giving us your response to the following questions ASAP so we can book the venue.

1.  Is the date, July 20 - 22, 2012 suitable for you?      Yes ____,  No____

Comment _______________________________________________________

2.  Your location preference:  Providence ________,  Pinawa __________

Comment _______________________________________________________

3.  Future Emails:  Is it important to you that all future emails be sent as blank emails to protect the confidentiality of your email address.       Yes ____,   No ____

4.  Any activity suggestions for the 2012 Dueck family gathering event? 

________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your response.  We look forward to hearing from you.  An official attendance/registration form will be sent as we get closer to the event.


The committee: 

Jake & Eleanor,  James & Elfrieda