Call Out & Survey For SECOND CULE CONVENTION – Varadero, Cuba, January 16 & 17 2010
At its October 2008 meeting, the Executive established that the Second CULE Convention will be held in January 2010. After surveying the CULE membership it was decided the Convention would again be held in Cuba and the Convention Committee has worked with Air Canada Vacations to find a suitable location and dates.
The Second CULE Convention will be held at the Sirenis La Salina Hotel in Varadero, Cuba on January 16 and 17, 2010 and members will have the option of traveling Monday, January 11, 2010 to return Monday, January 18, 2010 OR Friday, January 15, 2010 to return Friday, January 22, 2010.
A deadline for resolutions and call out for convention committees will take place soon. We look forward to continuing our Solidarity with the Cuban people and forging new relationships with Cuban workers!
COSTS / FUNDING
At the October 2008 Executive Committee meeting, the following motion was passed:
THAT CULE members on staff on September 1, 2009 who are either indeterminate or term over 12 months continuous service are eligible to apply to attend the CULE Convention as long as they are continuously on staff until the closing of Convention.
CULE will cover the costs for eligible members to fly into Toronto or Montreal depending on dates, and stay overnight (if need be) then fly out the next day to either Varadero or Havana, depending on the dates. More information will be available as discussions with the travel agent continue. We will make every effort to reduce the amount of air travel required – if flights are available directly to Cuba from members’ home cities these will be used.
CULE will also cover double (or single if required) accommodation at the Sirenis La Salina Hotel for the weekend or for up to one week as well. Return transportation to and from the airport in Cuba. Any additional costs to cover our day trips for International Solidarity work will also be covered by CULE.
Individual members will be responsible for all costs including (but not limited to) leave to attend, parking and local transport to their closest airport, food and drink while in transit but not at the hotel in Cuba as well as additional costs related to extending one’s stay beyond the week mentioned above.
Expenses related to family or friends accompanying members to the Convention will not be covered by CULE.
You will need to submit a non-refundable cheque of $300.00 per person to CULE in advance if you intend on having a family member or guest accompany you. CULE will then reserve a seat for your company with Air Canada. Please indicate this on the attached survey form.
REMINDERS
If you don’t have a valid passport, please start applying for one now to avoid the rush. A passport with at least six months validity is required to enter Cuba.
Your Host / Administrative Committee will prepare a list of suggestive things to take with you and it will be forwarded soon.
SURVEY / APPLICATION
Please take the Convention Survey / Application online at www.cule.ca/convention/. Note the deadline for registration to ensure you get your choice of dates is April 14th 2009
Should you have any questions, please direct them to web@cule.ca
In Solidarity, your Convention Organizing Committee.