The 2009 Diocesan Convention will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, Saturday, November 14, 2009. Registration will begin 7:30 a.m., Morning Prayer will be 8:30, and Convention business will begin 8:45 a.m. We invite clergy and lay leaders who are planning to attend Convention but have not yet registered to register online. Lay delegates, alternates and youth delegates should be registered by their parishes using the same link.

For the most up-to-date information about Diocesan Convention, please take the time to visit the Convention Section, which includes:

  • Resolutions
  • Reports
  • Budgets
  • Nominees and Biographical Information
  • Standing Rules of Order

Parking
We encourage you to consider using public transportation, especially Regional Rail, which stops at Market Street East (right below the Convention Center). Parking lots surround the Convention Center, and we have arranged for discounted parking in the EZ Parks lots at 12th & Vine Streets, 912 Arch Street, and Broad & Vine, as well as the Parkway garage at 1201 Filbert Street (12th & Filbert). Tickets entitling the bearer to the discounted parking will be handed out on Convention day.

The Convention Center
Please enter the Convention Center at the 12th & Arch East Concourse (noted above the doorway) and take the elevator or escalator to the second floor registration area. Delegates, alternates, youth delegates, clergy and lay leaders will be asked to sign in so they can receive their Convention packets. Staff will be posted throughout the second floor to assist you.

Refreshments are provided for registered Convention attendees.
Coffee, tea, juice, water and bagels will be available in the concourse area beginning 7:30, and lunch will be provided at the Convention Center.

Seating for Delegates
Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis, not by Deanery. To facilitate voting, delegates are encouraged to arrange with other delegates of their parishes to sit together, and the first delegate to arrive from your parish should save seats sufficient for all attendees. Ushers will be available for assistance.

Orientation for New Delegates
If you have never been to Convention, please attend the Orientation for New and Youth Delegates at 7:45 a.m. (follow the signs for directions).

Registration volunteers will distribute packets with ballots when you sign in.
Individual resident clergy will receive a ballot in his/her packet. The first lay deputy from each congregation will receive a sealed envelope which will contain the voting ballot and nametags for all delegates, alternates and youth delegates from that parish.

Handicap Accessibility
The Convention Center is handicap-accessible. If you have special requirements, please contact Karen Bach (see below for contact information).

Be sure to visit exhibit tables.
You are invited to visit exhibits of diocesan and national organizations that will be on display in the concourse area and exhibit room. Please follow the signs for directions.

Please do not litter.
We ask that you refrain from leaving any brochures or flyers on parish events on chairs. Be sure to place all trash and litter in the proper receptacles so we can leave the Convention Center in the same condition we found it.

Remember that distribution of flyers inside the Convention Center is forbidden without the permission of Secretary of Convention.

If you have questions about Convention, please check the enclosed list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or contact Karen Bach by email at karenb@diopa.org or by phone at (215) 627-6434 x111.

Submission by Karen Bach, Convention Arrangements