FAQs
GENERAL
Is the convening open to the general public?
No. The convening is only open to representatives from grantmaking entities or philanthropic support organizations (i.e., board members, staff, grant advisory committee members, etc.). If you have a specific question about your own eligibility please contact Melisa Montoya.
Is there a dress code for the convening?
Business or business casual attire is suitable for GCIR convenings. The inside temperature in the conference rooms will get cold, so we recommend bringing a jacket, shawl or warm layer. The weather in Houston in May can range from the low-70's to mid-80's.
My foundation would like to sponsor the convening - how do we do that?
Thank you for considering sponsorship of the convening! Please contact Sara Feldman for more information.
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge that GCIR’s 2022 convening is taking place on the ancestral lands of number of Indigenous nations, including the Karankawa, Coahuiltecan, Atakapa-Ishak, and Sana people. We honor the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations, today, and for generations to come. We are mindful of a history of broken treaties, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn and come together on this land.
REGISTRATION
When will registration open?
Registration will open in March 8, 2022.
What are the registration rates?
Member Rate: $1,200
Non-member Rate: $1,400
What does registration cover?
Registration covers all pre-programming and convening sessions, and breakfast and lunch at the convening venue. Participants will need to cover their lodging and travel costs.
What is the registration cancellation deadline and policy?
GCIR incurs immediate expenses when a participant registers for the convening, including but not limited to registration system fees and payment processing charges. To recover these expenses, all requests to cancel a confirmed convening registration are subject to a $50 service fee. All cancellations must be submitted in writing on or before Friday, April 8, 2022. No requests for refunds will be granted after this date or for no shows.
Participants can avoid the $50 cancellation fee by transferring their registration to a colleague or peer before Friday, April 8, 2022.
Requests for cancellations and substitutions must be submitted in writing to Melisa Montoya at [email protected].
REMINDER: Cancelling your registration does not automatically cancel any hotel room reservation you have made at Hotel ZaZa. Hotel room cancellations must be made directly with the Hotel.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
What airport should I fly into?
We recommend that you fly into George Bush International Airport (IAH), located 24 miles from the convening location at Hotel ZaZa. We encourage all participants to book refundable airfare in the event we are unable to proceed with the convneing due to Covid-19.
Does the convening provide hotel rooms?
The convening has a block of discounted rooms at our conference hotel – the Hotel ZaZa in downtown Houston, TX. You can make your reservation here.
ACCESSIBILITY
GCIR aims to make our gatherings as accessible as possible. To request accommodations or those with health or religious vaccine exemptions please contact Vice President of Operations, Harmony Hayes, at [email protected].
PROGRAMMING
While we appreciate the expertise and collaborative spirit of our colleagues and partners, we are not accepting suggestions of content or presenters for GCIR’s 2022 convening at this time.
Are the site visits and pre- or post-programmng included in registration?
Yes, site visits and pre-programing are included in registration; however, there are limited seats for site visits, and you will need to indicate which events you are attending separately.
Where can I give feedback about the convening?
During and following the convening, we will be asking for feedback via the mobile app and email.
Resources
The Newest Push Factor: Climate Change and Migration
Building Refugee Leadership in the Immigrant Justice Movement
Dismantling Ablesit Immigration Policies
Combating Abuses Against Foreign-born Workers
Livestream
We are so excited to see our friends and colleagues in Houston this May for GCIR's 2022 national convening, but we know not everyone can attend in person. For that reason, we are livestreaming five of our programs, including our plenary sessions.
See below for details and links to join each of the sessions. If you have any questions or run into any issues, contact Angelica Laguna.
Livestream Sessions
Moving Money, Moving Power: Investing in Immigrant Leadership
May 10, 2022 | 11:00am - 12:00pm PT | 12:00 - 1:00pm MT | 1:00 - 12:00pm CT | 2:00 - 3:00pm ET
Link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84571108553
Or one tap mobile:
US: +13462487799,,84571108553# or +17207072699,,84571108553#
Leadership on the Front Lines: Investing in the Promise of Youth Organizing
May 11, 2022 | 6:30 - 7:30am PT | 7:30 - 8:30am MT | 8:30 - 9:30am CT | 9:30 - 10:30am ET
Link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82922118299
Or one tap mobile:
US: +13462487799,,82922118299# or +17207072699,,82922118299#
The Narratives that Shape Us: Movement Leaders Share their Stories
May 11, 2022 | 10:20 - 11:00am PT | 11:20am - 12:00pm MT | 12:20 - 1:00pm CT | 1:20 - 2:00pm ET
Link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83750038734
Or one tap mobile:
US: +12532158782,,83750038734# or +13462487799,,83750038734#
Achieving Transformative Change: Merging Power Across Movements
May 12, 2022 | 6:30 - 7:30am PT | 7:30 - 8:30am MT | 8:30 - 9:30am CT | 9:30 - 10:30am ET
Link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85310233709
Or one tap mobile:
US: +13462487799,,85310233709# or +17207072699,,85310233709#
Dismantling Ableist Immigration Policies
May 12, 2022 | 8:15 - 9:45am PT | 9:15 - 10:45am MT | 10:15 - 11:45am CT | 11:15am - 12:45pm ET
Link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82331831203
Or one tap mobile:
US: +17207072699,,82331831203# or +12532158782,,82331831203#
SOCIAL MEDIA AND MOBILE APP
What is the best way to stay informed of convening updates, information, and important dates?
Convening updates will be made on the mobile app, once it launches in early 2022. Until then, the best way to stay informed will be through email and on our website.
Is there a hashtag for the convening?
Thanks for tweeting/instragramming about the convening! Our official hashtag is #GCIR2022; give us a follow @gcirtweets on Twitter.
What is the convening app and how do I download it?
Access the entire convening, from agenda and schedules to speaker bios and live polling using the convening mobile app. Launching in early 2022, the app will contain the entire conference program, including room locations, presenter information and notifications on any room changes or schedule updates. You can also connect with colleagues, view social media conversations tagged #GCIR2022, and give feedback on the convening. An email to download the app will be sent to all conference registrants.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
COVID-19
GCIR’s 2022 convening will take place in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has devastated communities across the country, especially communities of color and immigrants. While we are eager to reconnect with our friends and colleagues in person, we remain vigilant and are planning our in-person convening in Houston with the utmost care and with consideration for changing circumstances. At this time, these are the protocols we have in place to help ensure the safety of all participants and hotel staff:
- All conference attendees, including funders, speakers, vendors, and GCIR staff, will be required to present proof of up-to-date Covid-19 vaccination (including booster).
- We will require an onsite negative rapid antigen Covid-19 test from each attendee upon arrival. (Rapid tests will be provided.) Additionally, we strongly encourage all attendees to take a rapid antigen test at home prior to travelling to mitigate the challenges of a positive test once at the convening.
- If you test positive upon arrival on site you will not be allowed to attend the convening and must isolate yourself in quarantine according to the CDC guidelines. Any incurred expenses for isolation will be the attendee’s responsibility.
- Masks will be required at all indoor convening events when attendees are not actively eating or drinking, or speaking as part of a plenary, workshop, or site visit presenter. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own masks. Extra K95 masks will be available to any convening attendee who needs one.
- We will work with our host hotel, Hotel ZaZa, to ensure all conference rooms are cleaned and sanitized before and after breakout and general sessions.
- We will ensure that hotel staff we interact with wear masks.
- There will be ample outdoor space for networking and relaxing during breaks.
- No person may participate in the Convening if they become ill, or exhibit any signs and symptoms of COVID-19 during the Convening. GCIR reserves the right to refuse entry to any participant who exhibits any symptoms of illness or who refuses to present any required documentation.
- Personal Space Preferences. All attendees will be provided with the option to wear a wristband indicating they are personally practicing additional distancing and need a little extra personal space -- no hugs, handshakes, etc.
We are relying on everyone to do their part to keep themselves and everyone else safe during the convening. GCIR reserves the right to update our policies at any time. Please continue to refer back to this website to keep up to date. If there is a significant shift in policy, we will email convening registrants directly.
We also encourage you to review the Hotel Zaza's Covid-19 Safety Information.