Frequently Asked Questions

• Meeting Information
• Registration & Fees
  
• Hotel Accommodations
• Transportation
• Cancellations

Meeting Information

1. What is the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering?
The Catholic Social Ministry Gathering is an annual event co-sponsored by 14 national Catholic organizations. It is rooted in the Word of God and the Church’s living Catholic social tradition that builds solidarity, knowledge, and skills among social ministry leaders in local arch/dioceses, religious congregations, Catholic educational institutions, and other national Catholic organizations. It animates the Church’s social mission for the evangelization of the world. 

2. What is the purpose of the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering?
The purpose of the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering is:

• to share and apply Catholic Social teaching
• to share information and strategies on priority domestic and international issues affecting the life and dignity of the human person
• to prepare and organize participants to carry the message on issues both to Congress in Washington, D.C., and to constituencies and political leaders in their home arch/dioceses
• to deepen and strengthen participants efforts to develop leadership and capacity at the diocesan and parish level by sharing Catholic social teaching, providing workshops on skills and strategies, and by sharing materials and activities that are useful at the local level
• to gather in the context of the Catholic social tradition to teach, pray, and celebrate the work and accomplishments we share

3. Who should attend the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering?
Catholic leaders whose work is to advocate for social justice issues in a Catholic organization, an arch/diocese, a parish, a catholic educational institution, or other local or national Catholic organization.
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4. Where is the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering held?
The Gathering is usually held in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, which makes it convenient for participants to travel to Capitol Hill for their lobby visit(s).
New for 2012, the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering will be held at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park. The hotel is located at 2660 Woodley Road N.W., Washington, District Of Columbia 20008.

5. What is the reasoning behind choosing the hotel?
In addition to being convenient to Capitol Hill, the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering Planning Committee selected the Washington Marriott Wardman Park because it is one of the few union hotels in the Washington, D.C. area that can accommodate the group’s size. In earlier surveys, using a union hotel was expressed as an important factor when contracting hotels for the Gathering.

6. Why should I stay at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park when there are less expensive hotels in the Washington, D.C. area?
The meeting planners negotiated and contracted special discounted rates for the attendees. It is very important to fill the room block in order to keep costs down for the conference.

7. When is the Gathering held?
The Gathering is an annual meeting, which is usually held in February when Congress is in session.

8. What are the dates for the next Gathering?
The dates for the 2012 Gathering are Sunday, February 12 through Wednesday, February 15. Pre-Gathering meetings, hosted by several national Catholic organizations, will take place Friday, February 10, 2012, through Sunday, February 12, 2012.
 

Registration Information

1. When will registration open?
Registration for the Gathering opens in either late October or early November and continues through the end of January depending on the conference dates.

2. What are the registration fees for the Gathering? 
The Gathering registration fees are $310 - $410, daily rates are available. There is a discounted early registration fee, but the fee increases after December 23, 2011.  See fees below:

	Early Registration Nov. 21–Dec. 23, 2011	Standard Registration Dec. 24, 2011–Jan. 22, 2012	Late Registration Jan. 23, 2012- Feb. 15, 2010 (On site)
Gathering (Feb. 12-15)	$295	$345	$395
Daily Rates
Sunday Feb. 12	$90	$105	$120
Monday Feb. 13	$125	$140	$155
Tuesday Feb. 14	$50	$65	$80
Wednesday Feb. 15	$80	$95	$110

**Additional fees may apply for Pre-Gathering meetings.**

3. How should I register for the Gathering?
Participants can choose either registration for the entire Gathering (Sunday – Wednesday) or registration for individual days of the Gathering. Attendees are encouraged to register for the full Gathering.

4. What is Gathering registration?
Gathering registration fees include admittance to all meeting activities, events, and meal functions taking place Sunday, February 12, 2012 through Wednesday, February 15, 2012. Pre-Gathering meetings and other partner events fees are not included. Additional fees may apply.

5. What is daily Gathering registration?
Daily Gathering registration fees allow attendees to register for activities for selected day(s) during the Gathering.  Daily Gathering registration fees range from $45.00 to $125.00 depending on which day the attendee registers.

6. What is a pre-Gathering meeting?
Pre-Gathering meetings are an opportunity for the co-sponsoring national Catholic organizations to meet with their membership to plan, learn, strategize, share, organize, and celebrate their own efforts from February 10 - February 12, 2012. These are meetings of the sponsoring groups, not USCCB-JPHD meetings. Content of pre-Gathering meetings is the sole responsibility of each meeting sponsoring organization.

7. Who should attend pre-Gathering meetings?
A person or persons who are colleagues, members, or guests of one or more of the Catholic social mission organizations that sponsor a pre-Gathering meeting.  

8. This is my first time attending the meeting – will there be a new attendee’s orientation or training?
Yes, if this will be your first time at the Gathering, it is strongly recommended that you attend the First-Time Attendees orientation on Sunday afternoon.  

9. How can I register for the Gathering?
Click here to be directed to the online Catholic Social Ministry Gathering registration site, where you can complete the registration process. Payment requires a credit card or check.

10. Can I register a group of people?
Yes, there is an option to register a group of people at one time with one form of payment. For additional information, please contact CSMG Reservations at csmgreservations@gmail.com or 240-602-6280.

11. What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept credit cards (MasterCard and Visa only) or checks (personal and organization check). Do not send cash.  A credit card is required for online and fax registrations.  Credit card payments will be processed within 3-5 business days after your registration application is submitted.  Credit card statements will reflect USCCB Publishing as the charge. If you have questions, please contact CSMG Registration at 240-602-6280.

Check payments are to be made payable to USCCB-JPHD.  USCCB-JPHD charges a $35.00 fee for returned checks.  
 

Hotel Accommodations

1. How do I make my hotel reservations?

New for 2012! Participants are responsible for making their own hotel reservations by going online to Washington Marriott Wardman Park or contacting Marriott reservations at 1-800-228-9290 using the discounted group code (CCBCCBA). A deposit of one night's room and stay ($209 + tax), is required at the time of registration.

2. What are the hotel rates for the Gathering?
The hotel rates for 2012 are $209 for single/double occupancy plus 14.5% tax.

3. What is the cut-off date for making hotel reservations using the discounted conference rate?
The cut-off date for discounted Gathering hotel room rate is Thursday, January 19, 2012.
Attendees are strongly encouraged to register for the Gathering and to reserve their hotel room as soon as possible. Register today 1-800-228-9290 and refer to the group code (CCBCCBA) or go online to Washington Marriott Wardman Park to make your reservations now!

4. Whom should I contact to modify or cancel my hotel registration?
To modify or cancel your hotel reservations contact the Washington Marriott Wardman Park reservations at 1-800-228-9290.
 

Transportation

1. What airports are located near the Gathering?

There are three airports in the Washington, D.C. area:

• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located approximately 9 miles from downtown Washington, D.C.
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located approximately 25 miles from downtown Washington D.C.
• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Washington, D.C. Trains run regularly between BWI and downtown Washington.

2. How will I get to the Gathering from the airport?
Listed below are several modes of ground transportation to the get to the Gathering. Please note all service rates are subject to change without notice. To travel to the Washington Marriott Wardman Park by car, click on directions.

From Washington Reagan National Airport
Driving: Follow the signs to Washington D.C. (George Washington Parkway). Take I-395 North to Route 1 (Route 1 is the 14th Street Bridge). Merge to the far left lane on the bridge and follow the signs for 14th Street. Take 14th Street for 1 mile. Turn left onto K Street. Continue on K for 5 blocks. Turn right onto Connecticut. Avenue. Follow Connecticut Avenue for 1 mile. Cross over the William Taft Bridge. Make a left turn at the 3rd light after the bridge onto Woodley Rd. The Hotel entrance is on left.

Metrorail (D.C.’s subway system): Look for the “Metro” signs in the airport. Purchase a ticket (approximately $1.60 one-way), at the station. Take the Blue Line in the direction of Largo to the Metro Center stop. Change to the Red Line in the direction of Shady Grove. Take Red Line to Woodley Park/Zoo Metro Station. The hotel is located one block from the Metro. Once you have exited the Metro via the escalators, go to the right and down the stairs. Go to the left and walk to Calvert St (1 block). Cross the street and take a right. The hotel will be on your left hand side. Check Metro for more information.

Taxi: Taxis are available outside the baggage claim area. The fare is approximately $30.00 (one-way).
Shuttle Service: Super Shuttle vans are available at the all the three Metropolitan Airports. Go to www.supershuttle.com or call 1-800-258-3826 (1-800-BLUE-VAN), for more information.

From Dulles International Airport
Driving: Follow the signs to Interstate 66 east to Washington. Follow I-66 to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge (US Route 50). Take the Constitution Ave exit off the bridge. Continue on Constitution for 6 blocks and make a left turn onto 17th Street. This will change to Connecticut Avenue for 1 mile. Cross over the William Taft Bridge. Make a left turn at the 3rd light after the bridge onto Woodley Avenue. The hotel entrance is on the left.

Taxi:  Washington Flyer Taxi Service is the exclusive taxi provider at Dulles. A ride to the hotel is approximately $60.00 (one way).
 
Metrorail/Metrobus: Coming from Dulles International Airport, connect to Metrorail using Metrobus. For just $6 per person (discounted rates are available for seniors and people with disabilities), the 5A takes you to Rosslyn station on the Orange and Blue lines with just one stop in between. To find out when the bus leaves the airport, see the 5A schedule. Click here for more information at WMATA’s website.
You can also take the Washington Flyer bus to the West Falls Church-VT/UVA station on the Orange Line. To find out when the Washington Flyer leaves the airport and its cost, go to the Washington Flyer website.
Shuttle Service: Super Shuttle vans are available at the all the three Metropolitan Airports. Go to www.supershuttle.com or call 1-800-258-3826 (1-800-BLUE-VAN), for more information.

From Thurgood Marshall/Baltimore Washington International Airport
Driving: Take I-95 South to I-495 West. Take Exit 33, Connecticut Ave. Southbound. Continue on Connecticut Avenue for about 6.5 miles. Turn right onto Woodley Road. The hotel entrance is on the left. The hotel is located at the on top of Woodley Park Metro Stop.

Train: Take the free shuttle from the Airport to BWI Marshall Rail Station and take the AMTRAK or MARC rail services to Union Station. Once at Union Station, take the Metro (Red Line in the direction of Shady Grove) to Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams Morgan stop. The hotel is located half a block from the Metro. The fee is approximately $6 for MARC and $1.75 for Metro. Check Metro for more information.

Taxi: Fares to the hotel are approximately $60.00 (one-way). 

Metrorail: Connect to Metrorail using Metrobus. For just $6 per person (exact change required), the B30 takes you to Greenbelt station on the Green Line. To find out when the bus leaves the airport, see the B30 schedule.

Shuttle Service: You can also take a shuttle from the airport to the MARC rail station and take the MARC train to Union Station. From there, you can transfer to Metro's Red Line. Contact Super Shuttle vans are
 

Cancellations & Refunds

1. Will I be able to cancel my meeting registration?
Cancellation requests must be submitted by email and received by close of business (5:00 p.m. ET) no later than January 20, 2012. Send your email to csmgreservations@usccb.org

2. Is there a processing fee for canceling my registration?
Meeting registration fees will be refunded minus a $75.00 processing fee.

3. If I paid with a credit card, will the refund be issued to my credit card?
All refunds will be issued by check, even if paid by credit card. All refunds will be made payable to the registrant who registered, unless otherwise specified.

4. How long will it take to receive a refund?
Refunds are processed approximately six to eight weeks after the Gathering.

5.  Can I cancel my hotel reservation?
Contact the Washington Marriott Wardman Park directly to cancel your hotel reservation at 1-800-228-9290.