March 1, 2000

Operation Day's Work Annual Convention Delegates, Parents & Advisors:

All of us at USAID and the International Youth Foundation are looking
forward to the Annual Convention in Bemidji, MN, on October 12-15, 2000.
The work you will do during these three days is critical to ensure a
successful ODW effort for this school year. In addition to our meetings
to discuss the many issues facing ODW, we will select a country or theme
for the year, elect a new ODW National Committee, and make any necessary
amendments to the ODW constitution.

# How do we get there?

USAID and IYF are providing flights for those travelling from outside
Minnesota. Advisors have been given instructions on how to book flights
for the trip. Students, who live close to the site, can be driven to the
Convention by their adult advisors. All convention attendees will arrive
on October 12^th^ and depart on October 15^th^. Please remember to show
up at the airport at least an hour in advance of your flight and to
bring some form of identification.

# Where will we stay and meet?

####### The convention will be held at:

Concordia Language Villages

9500 Ruppstrasse NE

Bemidji, MN 56601

Website: [http://www.cord.edu](http://www.cord.edu/)

This facility provides meeting rooms, dining facilities, and sleeping
quarters for our convention. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be
provided. Male and female students will be housed separately. Adult
chaperones will be staying in each of the buildings that house students.

Participants will have access to phones to make collect or credit card
calls home. If parents need to reach students during the convention,
they may call 218-586-3601 and a message will be delivered to their
child.

# 

# 

# Getting from Airport to the convention site.

A shuttle bus from the airport to Concordia Language Villages will be
provided. Since staff will have the travel itineraries of each
participant, flights will be met and participants escorted to the
shuttle.

# Do I need any money?

All meals and lodging costs are covered by USAID and IYF. There is a
small snack bar at Concordia where you may wish to spend a small amount
of money. You should bring enough money to cover any costs during your
flight to and from the Convention.

*What do I need to bring?*

Convention attendees should bring their own bedding (twin size sheets
and blanket or a sleeping bag), towel and toiletries. Concordia Language
villages will provide pillows and pillowcases.

Remember that the fall in Minnesota can be very cool, so bring warm
clothes. All buildings are heated.

# How will we spend our time?

We will only have two full days to do our work. Therefore, students will
not have a lot of free time. Most of our time in Minnesota will be spent
conducting ODW business. We have many things to do such as:

-   Review and amend the ODW Constitution.

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-   Elect a new ODW National Committee for the coming year.

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-   Select a country to study and support this year.

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-   Review our ongoing projects in Haiti and El Salvador.

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-   Discuss improvements in communications among ODW participants.

# Safety

Every student must provide the attached forms to USAID with emergency
contact information and the signature of a parent or guardian.

# Other details?

I have included a letter to your school administrator that you can use,
if necessary, with a note from your parents to be excused from school.

As with all ODW events, appropriate behavior and respect for other
participants is expected. Students who use any form of tobacco, alcohol
or illegal drugs will be sent home immediately at their parents'
expense.

**Please call me with questions.** I am available to speak with
students, advisors or parents between now and the convention. Please
call me at 202-712-4021. If you or your parents are only available to
speak in the evening, I can be reached at home in the evening at
410-467-5124.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you.

Sincerely,

Paul W. Austin, Director

Operation Day's Work

**Contact Information:**

**Paul Austin, Director**

**Operation Day's Work**

**USAID/LPA/PL**

**Room 6.10-080 RRB**

**1300 Pennsylvania Avenue**

**Washington, DC 20523-6100**

**Work Phone #: 202-712-4021**

**Fax #: 202-216-3035**

###### E-mail: paustin@usaid.gov

**Home Phone #: 410-467-5124**

Please fill out the attached forms

and send a copy to Paul Austin.

**Contact Information:**

**Paul Austin, Director**

**Operation Day's Work**

**USAID/LPA/PL**

**Room 6.10-080 RRB**

**1300 Pennsylvania Avenue**

**Washington, DC 20523-6100**

**Work Phone #: 202-712-4021**

**Fax #: 202-216-3035**

###### E-mail: paustin@usaid.gov

**Home Phone #: 410-467-5124**

**Operation Day's Work Annual Convention**

**Parental/Guardian Authorization Form**

#### Student's Full Name\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Name of
School\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**The undersigned does hereby consent to participation by my child in
the Operation Day's Work Annual Convention having reviewed the materials
describing the meeting that accompany this form. I further consent to
the conditions stated above on participation in this event, including
the method of transportation.**

**By signing this authorization form I herewith assume all risks of said
trip and agree to hold harmless the school named above, the United
States Agency for International Development and the International Youth
Foundation for all damages from injury to a person or property occurring
during or by reason of this activity.**

**Should it be necessary for my child to have medical attention while
participating in this meeting, I hereby give USAID staff and school
chaperones permission to use their judgement in obtaining medical
services, and I give permission to the physician selected by said staff
and school chaperones to render medical treatment deemed necessary by
the physician. I understand that medical costs incurred for such
treatment shall be my sole responsibility.**

**Signature of Parent or Guardian
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Date of Signature
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Name of Parent or Guardian (printed)
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Address
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Home Telephone Number
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Business Telephone Number
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Medical/Emergency Information**

#### Student Name\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Name of
School\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Parent's Work Phone Numbers**

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**In case of emergency if you are unable to contact us, please call:**

**Name\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Phone
Number\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Name\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Phone
Number\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Does the student have any special health problems or conditions? Is
the student required to take any medications?**

**(If so, please describe below)**

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Please Check One.**

**\_\_\_\_My child is covered by accident/medical insurance. (Complete
info below)**

**\_\_\_\_My child is not covered by accident/medical insurance.**

**Medical Insurance Provider
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Policy
Number\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

Dear ODW Advisor:

Each school may now bring four (4) delegates to the Annual Convention in
addition to the teacher/advisor and any National Committee Member that
attends your school.

To get tickets for your group, each advisor should call our travel agent
(Elly Grau) at 1-800-554-5540. Tell her you are booking flights for the
Operation Day\'s Work Convention in Bemidji, MN. She will book your
flight and send you your tickets. You must have the names of students
who will attend in order to book flights. **Please do this as soon as
possible!**

-   If your school would like to nominate a country for support in the
    coming year, please e-mail me the name of the country by Tuesday,
    October 3^rd^ so that I may provide students background information
    on the nominated countries before the convention.

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-   Your school may nominate up to two present or former ODW students to
    serve on the National Committee in the coming year. Nominees should
    send me their names and a short summary telling why they want to be
    on the National Committee and would be good members. I will send
    these summaries to delegates who will elect a new committee at the
    Convention. (These can be sent by e-mail and should be to me by
    October 3rd)

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-   I have attached a copy of the suggested changes to the ODW
    Constitution from the National Committee. If your school has other
    suggested changes, please e-mail them to me by October 3^rd^. There
    will be an opportunity to suggest changes from the floor of the
    Convention, but any that we have ahead of time can be circulated to
    delegates.

Items in this packet:

-   Letter to students, advisors and parents

-   Permission slips and medical forms to be signed by parents and
    returned to me (I suggest keeping a copy for yourself and mailing
    them all at once; my address is at the end of the letter mentioned
    above)

-   Letter to school administrator (if needed for excused absence)

-   Basic agenda included in letter

-   Copy of Constitutional Amendments suggested by the National
    Committee

-   Photocopy of Concordia Language Village's brochure

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-   Please let me now if any of your participants have special dietary
    needs (i.e. vegetarian, allergic, etc.) by Tuesday, October 3^rd^ so
    that I can inform the food service staff.

> Thanks,
>
> Paul

These items are for your use in getting excused from school for the ODW
Annual Convention.

####### To: School Administrator

Re: Operaion Day's Work Annual Convention

Your student has been selected to be a delegate to the Operation Day's
Work Annual Convention. You may be familiar with Operation Day's Work
(ODW). ODW is a national student run organization that seeks to learn
about the world and help peers in developing countries through service.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the
International Youth Foundation (IYF) have been sponsoring and assisting
this organization to become viable in all 50 states.

USAID and IYF are sponsoring this years Operation Day's Work Annual
Convention to be held in Bemidji, MN on October 12-15, 2000. This
meeting, and your students participation, are critical to the
organization. While in Bemidji, the students will amend the ODW
Constitution, select a focus country for this year's activities, and
elect representatives to serve on the ODW National Committee. Students
will also be sharing their experiences, insights and advice with other
ODW members from across the country.

I ask that you allow your student to reschedule any obligations and be
excused from school to attend this meeting.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Paul W. Austin

Director, Operation Day's Work

USAID