OCF Convention 2009

Frequently Asked Questions for Convention

1. What are the details for the OCF Convention in 2009?

The OCF Convention 2009 will be held from 9 to 13 December 2009 (Wednesday to Sunday) at Hotel Equatorial in Melaka, Malaysia.

We have decided on the phrase ‘Restoring Vision, Renewing Hope’ as the theme for the Convention. The idea of vision restoration encourages us to regain the vision – both corporately and individually – that God has put in our hearts while we were/are at University. With this vision recaptured, we can remember our roles called to the nations to help spread hope to those who have not heard the message.

2. Who are the main speakers for the Convention?

We are privileged to have Rev Dr. Calvin Ma, as well as Ps Chris Chia as our main speakers.

Rev. Dr. Calvin Ma is the current director of OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship) Australia. He was involved in both OCF Melbourne University and Parkville, and was Chairman of Exco in 1983.

Ps. Chris Chia is currently the Senior Pastor of Adam Road Presbyterian Church in Singapore and was from Sydney OCF in 1979.

3. What are the programme details?

The Convention’s programme details can be found here:

4. Will there be a children’s programme at Convention?

Yes, we will be organizing a Children’s Programme for Convention. The programme will be geared at children from the ages of 5 to 12 and will take place during the main sessions and seminar shops.

5. What Seminar Shop electives are available?

There will be sem-shops on two days and they will cater to the needs of the different groups attending the Convention. For more details, please see the programme schedule at the link above.

6. How can I register for Convention?

You can register online at www.ocfconvention.org.

Students have a separate registration and payment process, which will be administered by their local centres and Exco. Please contact your respective Convention Ambassadors for more details.

Registration will open on 15 July 2009 and close on 30 September 2009.

7. How much does it cost to attend Convention?

You can view the prices for Convention here.

http://archives.ocfconvention.org/2009/registration/

8. Will there be any early bird rates applicable? When is the early bird period?

Yes, we will be introducing early bird rates for delegates signing up from 15 July to 31 August 2009. Thereafter, we will be charging normal rates.

9. Why are there two applicable rates for Convention, namely the Subsidised and Full Rates? Who are the rates applicable to?

We recognize that the ex-OCFers come from different countries where the costs of living differ. As such, the Convention Committee has prayerfully considered how to calculate the fees for Convention and, in order to make the event accessible to all ex-OCFers, have come up with these two tiers of fees.

The Subsidised and Full Rates are applicable to participants residing in emerging/developing and advanced economies respectively, as defined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). You can find more details of the IMF classification here:

http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/02/weodata/groups.htm#cc

10. How can I pay?

We will only be accepting cheques or bank drafts at present due to administrative issues. The details of where to send the cheques to are found at the end of your registration forms.

11. I am a current student OCF at university. How do I register and pay for Convention?

Student registration will be handled by the respective OCF centres and Exco in Australia. Please contact your local centre’s Convention Ambassador for more details.

12. Can I still sign-up after registration closes on 30 September 2009?

Unfortunately, we will have to confirm our numbers with the hotel in early October and as such are unlikely to be able to afford late signing up after registration closes on 30 September 2009.

13. Will you be accepting part-time delegates to Convention? What are the costs for part-time attendance?

We are in the process of negotiating and finalizing the part-time rates, which will be released at a later date. However we would like to encourage you to try as best as possible to come full-time in order to get the most from the Convention.

14. Will you be buying insurance for the delegates?

No, we will not be purchasing insurance for the delegates.

However we would like to encourage you to buy your own insurance when you come for Convention.

15. Will you be providing transport to Convention?

Please Note that transport arrangements is NOT INCLUDED in the registration. However, we recognise that the Singaporeans and Overseas delegates might need help in this area, so we will help to consolidate the number of people who need transport. Do Note that transport will be a separate charge (charges will be made known later once we have a firm number of people).

If you require transport, please indicate in your registration form.

16. What is the visa information for Malaysia?

You can refer to the Malaysian Department of Immigration website for more information.

17. Do you need any fund-raising help for Convention?

Yes, we will need help in terms of fund-raising. You can do this in two ways:

First, you can help us fund raise among your peers. Second, you can personally contribute to the Convention. The funds will be used to help defray our operational costs and subsidies.

18. Can I help out for Convention?

Yes, we definitely do need as much help as possible to make this Convention work. We will need helpers for the following:

Pre-Convention

Role	Description
Data Entry	To help sort out the registration and mailing list details
Creative Directors	To create videos to publicise Convention
Convention Ambassadors	To help publicise Convention to your friends and to help in fund-raising matters.
Bus OIC	To help organize buses from Singapore to Melaka and contact delegates taking the buses

During Convention

Role	Description
Photographer	To take photographs throughout Convention
Videographer	To take videos during main speaker sessions
Sound Technicians	To help operate the AV system for the hall
Camp Emcee	To emcee the programme
General Logistics, Hospitality and Sem Shop Runners	To assist the Logistics, Programme and Domestic Officers in general logistics, hospitality and programme efforts, e.g. direct crowds
Kids Helpers	To help run and look after the Children’s Programme
Bible Study Leaders	To help lead bible study for the small groups
Prayer Intercessors	To pray for the speakers and Convention

If you wish to help out in any of the above roles (or are open to do anything), please indicate clearly in your registration form. Alternatively, you may wish to contact us at committee at ocfconvention dot org.

19. How can pray for Convention?

You can join us to pray for the following points:

1. Capturing the vision for convention, that we will hear what God is speaking to us and how to go about putting it to practice;

2. Strength, discernment and wisdom for the Convention Committee, as we plan for the Convention;

3. Discernment for our main speakers, Rev Dr. Calvin Ma and Ps Chris Chia, as they prepare their message to share;

4. Helpers to be raised, as we need a lot of additional help to make Convention work; and

5. Provision of funds to cover our operational costs and subsidies for delegates. We will need to raise around $100,000 Ringgit to cover costs.

20. Why is there a need for fund-raising?

There are quite a few big items involved in the running of the Convention, for instance, the hiring of equipment. As such, we are fund raising to cover these operational costs as well as to provide subsidies to the participants of certain countries.