Registration
How do I register my jurisdiction for the meeting?
GARE’s Annual Membership Meeting (AMM) registration can be found here. Each attendee should be registered individually, using a government email address. If you encounter problems while registering, please email gare@raceforward.org using the subject line “AMM21 REGISTRATION SUPPORT.”
Can anyone attend the GARE Annual Membership Meeting?
No. The Annual Membership Meeting may only be attended by employees from current GARE jurisdictional members that are in good financial standing.
Can I be invoiced for my ticket rather than buying it directly?
We know many jurisdictions prefer to utilize invoicing systems to pay for conference registration. However, we are a small team that does not have the capacity to process invoices in-house. As such, we are requesting that you either a) use a jurisdictional credit card to process payment for the AMM or b) consider using a personal credit card to process payment and get reimbursed by your jurisdiction. Our prices have been reduced significantly this year, which will hopefully make the personal reimbursement a more amenable option for you and your colleagues.
We are in the process of transitioning our financial systems and will share more about the possibility of invoicing as soon as we are able. For us to understand members’ needs as we figure out this process, if invoicing is your only option to purchase tickets, please share this with us by emailing gare@raceforward.org with the subject line “AMM21 INVOICE INQUIRY” so that we can gauge the level of need. For continuous updates and status reports, please check our FAQ page for the latest details. For all other payment questions (unrelated to invoicing), please email gare@raceforward.org
I have gotten a group discount in prior years but don’t see this as an option this year; why not?
Since many of our members have experienced budget cuts and shortfalls due to Covid-19, this year’s ticket prices have been significantly reduced compared to prior years’ AMM ticket prices. Because we have already drastically reduced our pricing for tickets, we are not offering any group discounts this year.
Does my AMM admission ticket get me into the AMM Pre-Conferences?
No. Admission to each Pre-Conference requires its own ticket. Additionally, admission to each Pre-Conference is limited and prices vary. Some Pre-Conferences are invite-only (Philanthropy; Arts & Culture); while others are offered at no-cost, but are first-come, first-served (GARE Foundations). Tickets for pre-conferences will be available in the next two weeks.
Can I go to more than one Pre-Conference?
No. All Pre-Conferences take place concurrently, and thus, you must only choose one session.
What is the refund policy for the Annual Membership Meeting?
If you are no longer able to attend the 2021 GARE Membership Meeting, obtaining a refund is possible. Refunds will be issued in the form of the original method of payment to the person or organization that made the payment. You may also: a) request to transfer your registration to someone in your organization or network; or b) donate your registration fee to benefit those who need registration support.
Cancellations received in writing, via email on or before April 30, 2021 will receive a refund for their registration fee, according to the following refund schedule:
- If cancellation occurs on or after 2/17/2021 through 2/28/2021: 75% refund
- If cancellation on or after 3/1/2021 through 3/31/2021: 50% refund
- If cancellation on or after 4/1/2021 through 4/30/2021: 25% refund
If the refund request is made 90 days or more after the payment date, said refund will be issued via check to the original payee. Please allow up to 4 weeks for the refund to be processed.
To request a refund, or for more information on any of these options contact gare@raceforward.org and use the subject line “AMM21 REFUND”. Please note: No refunds will be processed after April 30, 2021.
Complimentary Ticket Codes
How do I get my jurisdiction’s complimentary tickets to the AMM?
Your jurisdiction’s primary contact, also known as a GARE Team Lead, will receive a follow up email with a complimentary ticket code that can be used in Eventbrite to register for the AMM. If you have a question about your complimentary ticket code, contact gare@raceforward.org using the subject line “AMM21 TICKET CODES.”
Does my GARE Membership include complimentary tickets to the AMM?
Yes, so long as your jurisdiction is in good financial standing. To be in good financial standing, your jurisdiction must have sent GARE its annual dues payment for the 2020-2021 membership year by April 1, in order for your jurisdiction to receive its complimentary code and use it by the 16th deadline.
The number of complimentary tickets available to your jurisdiction is dependent on the number of employees who work for your jurisdiction. Our current complimentary code structure for Core GARE members is as follows:
- Jurisdictions with up to 4,000 employees – 1 complimentary ticket
- Jurisdictions with 4,001 to 14,000 employees – 2 complimentary tickets
- Jurisdictions with more than 14,000 employees – 3 complimentary tickets
Where can I access my jurisdiction’s complimentary ticket code?
GARE provides all pertinent ticket code information to the individuals listed as primary contacts, also known as GARE Team Leads, in our records. GARE Team Leads determine the dissemination of complimentary codes to individual employees. Please reach out directly to your jurisdiction’s GARE Team Lead for more information on your complimentary code. Please note that jurisdictions are responsible for updating GARE staff about changes to your jurisdiction’s primary contacts.
Why do I have fewer complimentary tickets this year than last year?
GARE is constantly working towards an equitable way to distribute complimentary tickets to our members. Due to the rapid growth that we have experienced in the past year, we made a few changes to the complimentary code structure. Our current complimentary code structure for Core GARE members is below:
- Jurisdictions with up to 4,000 employees – 1 complimentary ticket
- Jurisdictions with 4,001 to 14,000 employees – 2 complimentary tickets
- Jurisdictions with more than 14,000 employees – 3 complimentary tickets
How long do I have to use my jurisdictional complimentary tickets?
All complimentary ticket codes expire on April 16, 2021.
My jurisdiction is considering joining the GARE network, but is not yet a member. If our jurisdiction joins GARE before the Annual Membership Meeting, can my colleagues and I attend?
Yes. However, to receive a complimentary ticket code with enough advance time to redeem your complimentary tickets, we must receive your jurisdiction’s membership application by March 20, 2021. If you are not interested in receiving complimentary tickets, but want to register for the event, we must receive your jurisdiction’s membership application by April 16, 2020. For information on how to apply for GARE Membership, visit our website.
Programming
What are the dates of the GARE’s 2021 Annual Membership Meeting?
GARE’s 2021 Annual Membership Meeting will take place May 19-21.
When are the GARE Pre-Conferences taking place?
Pre-Conferences will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Each session is unique, and their start times and duration vary. Stay tuned for more information about these sessions as we confirm details in the coming weeks.
What types of programming can I expect at this year’s Annual Membership Meeting?
Our program theme is Democracy for All: Governing for Racial Justice and you can expect our plenaries and breakout sessions to fall within the scope of that theme. As we confirm speakers and content, we will be updating our website and the Eventbrite Registration page with the latest information.
I would like to present at the GARE 2021 Annual Membership Meeting. How do I submit a proposal for it and what’s the deadline to submit?
As members, you drive the program content, and we invite you to propose a complete concept for a breakout session — workshop, learning lab, or panel — that highlights an issue of importance; policy innovation; or racial equity practice you would like to share with the network. For more information, or to submit a breakout session proposal, click here. For full
consideration, please submit your proposals by March 15, 2021.
How can I increase my chances of having my breakout session proposal selected for the AMM?
Preference will be given to proposals that fulfill 2 or more of the following criteria:
- Lead with tools and tactics, and provide skill-building opportunities;
- Offer examples of jurisdictions applying one or more aspects of the GARE framework of Normalize, Organize, Operationalize & Visualize;
- Represent multiple jurisdictions;
- Center the voices and expertise of staff who are doing cutting-edge work;
- Contribute to a diverse representation of presenters by race & ethnicity, gender, positional authority, age, and other forms of identity; and
- Utilize interactive, audience-centered virtual formats.
When will I find out if my session proposal was selected for the AMM?
Applicants will receive communications about selection decisions by the end of March 2021.
Additional Information
Small businesses have been given vendor space at previous in-person meetings; is that happening this year?
Yes. We are delighted to offer a space for vendors to sell their products and services to our membership. To apply to have your business featured in our virtual vendor space, please fill out this application.
What sorts of volunteer opportunities are available at this year’s AMM?
This year’s volunteering opportunities are a bit different since we’ll be having a virtual conference. But we would love some help with our virtual information desk; as chat monitors throughout the event; and for additional virtual support needs. If you’re interested in helping out, please fill out this application form.
I need a conference agenda in order to get approval from my employer to attend the AMM. Where can I find one?
As we confirm speakers, select breakout sessions and assign moderators for plenaries, we will update our website, this FAQ page, and the Eventbrite page with the latest information available. While we do not have all the details of our AMM finalized just yet, here’s a sample agenda.
Agenda At-A-Glance
May 18, 2021 – Pre-Conference Day
- GARE Foundations: Advancing Racial Equity in Government;
- Convening of Philanthropy Partners;
- Surdna Convening on Arts & Culture
May 19, 2021 – Annual Membership Meeting Day 1
1:00 pm EST/10:00 am PST – Conference Opening & Welcome
1:30 pm EST/10:30 am PST – 3:00 pm EST/12:00 pm PST – Plenary Presentation
3:00-3:30 pm EST/12:00-12:30 pm PST – Break/Networking/Explore Sponsor, Wellness & Vendor Booths
3:30-5:00 pm EST/12:30-2:00 pm PST – Breakout Sessions (4 sessions offered simultaneously)
5:00-5:30 pm EST/2:00-2:30 pm PST – Grounding & Closing
May 20, 2021 – Annual Membership Meeting Day 2
1:00 pm EST/10:00 am PST – Conference Opening & Welcome
1:30 pm EST/10:30 am PST – 3:00 pm EST/12:00 pm PST – Keynote Presentation
3:00-3:30 pm EST/12:00-12:30 pm PST – Break/Networking/Explore Sponsor, Wellness & Vendor Booths
3:30-5:00 pm EST/12:30-2:00 pm PST – Breakout Sessions (4 sessions offered simultaneously)
5:00-5:30 pm EST/2:00-2:30 pm PST – Grounding & Closing
May 21, 2021 – Annual Membership Meeting Day 3
1:00 pm EST/10:00 am PST – Conference Opening & Welcome
1:30 pm EST/10:30 am PST – 3:00 pm EST/12:00 pm PST – Keynote Presentation
3:00-3:30 pm EST/12:00-12:30 pm PST – Break/Networking/Explore Sponsor, Wellness & Vendor Booths
3:30-5:00 pm EST/12:30-2:00 pm PST – Breakout Sessions (4 sessions offered simultaneously)
5:00-5:30 pm EST/2:00-2:30 pm PST – Grounding & Closing