Pocono Manor reservations

Karen Brock (previously frazzled but doing better now that registration has slowed!) has been hearing from Pocono Manor that excited SOAR-ites have already started calling to book their rooms. While I completely understand the excitement factor, I'd like to caution against reserving a room so early in the game.

We've asked that SOAR attendees not book rooms until after confirmations start going out in early June for a couple of reasons:

- Since SOAR is so popular this year and we have a waiting list just to attend, waiting until you get your confirmation could save you the hassle of canceling your room reservation later.

- It will be really stressful for the resort to process lots of cancellations while assigning all the new reservations at the same time (and we don't want to frazzle anyone we don't have to!).

- Right now the only way to book a room is by phone or fax. If you wait to register, you'll get to use the new online form, which is much faster and easier.

Don't worry, rooms and rates are locked in - I promise that it won't be like Christmas in the movies where the dad forgets his son's special present and he gets in a fight at the toy store over the last robot action figure. There's no benefit to getting space now instead of later (except feeding into the planning fervor.... but patience is a virtue, right?)

So if you would wait until confirmations go out in early June to book your room, we (and the staff at Pocono Manor) would very much appreciate it.

Waiting with Quivering Anticipation

In the comments, Lynn said:
"OK, I'm confused, and so are a couple of my friends, to whit:

The online registration form included a page that just said: "First Preference:____. Second Preference: _____." I assumed this had to do with my workshop preferences and I also assumed that, since the form had already asked my first preference in workshops,this next page referred to my first and second preferences in back-up choices. Were my assumptions correct?"

Yes, Lynn--that is correct. (We had a little glitch in the first 30 minutes of registration where it said 1st and 2nd preferences, instead of 2nd and 3rd preferences and it was confusing, but we corrected it as soon as we realized what was going on.)

Lynn went on to ask:
"If I got an email from the no-doubt overworked and slightly frazzled Ms. Brock, confirming my registration, does that mean I actually got in? [woot! in fact, WAHOOOO!!!] Or does it just mean, "yup, we received your registration; stay tuned for the lottery results." [in which case...woo]"

The email confirmed that we received your registration--stay tuned for the lottery results.

Let me explain further. In past years, during the first week of registration we normally receive fewer registrations than we have spots at SOAR--so everyone who registered that first week got in and the lottery was to determine who got the first, second, and third choice class selections. This year, we had more people register during that first week than we have spots available--so the lottery will (in addition to determining the class you get in) also determine who is placed on a wait list to get into SOAR until a spot opens up.

Lynn asked:
"When do you charge someone's credit/debit card?"

We'll charge credit/debit cards when you've been confirmed into a class--after June 9th. If you're placed on a waitlist to get into SOAR you won't be charged until you're actually taken off the waitlist and placed in a class.

Please forgive me if the answers to these questions are obvious to everyone but me; it's hard to interpret directions correctly when one is quivering ecstatically in anticipation!"

We totally understand the quivering ecstatically in anticipation and will do our best to make sure all who want to come to SOAR are able to.

Busting at the seams

Wow, we’ve had a phenomenal registration week for SOAR 2008. Our workshop sessions are currently full, but you can still register and your name will be added to the waiting list for the sessions you select.

SOAR registration

SOAR registration is well... soaring right along (lame pun, I know, I couldn't help myself). Fax issues have been resolved and the fax number originally posted by Amy is back in business. The second fax number that I posted is still usable too, so you can send faxes to either one.

Registrations can also be submitted by mail or scanned and emailed (amyc@interweave.com or sberganini@interweave.com) in addition to faxing or registering online. If you haven't registered yet and you're worried about things getting here as safely as possible, I would suggest using the online registration process (www.interweave.com/spin/events/soar/default.asp), it's definitely the most fool-proof way to get your information to us. But no matter which method you use, we're still happy to check and make sure things arrived safely!

Keep in mind that registration ends at the end of the day on April 25!

SOAR scholarship application - FAX ALERT!

Well, trust technology to let you down just when you need it the most!

We are having a fax problem and are currently unable to accept faxes at the number Amy supplied in the last post. Hopefully the issue will be fixed soon, but until it is please use this fax number instead: (970) 667-8317.

If you have already sent an application by fax and want to make sure we received it send an email to Amy (amyc@interweave.com) or me (sberganini@interweave.com) and we will be happy to check for you.

Thanks to everyone who has applied (we've gotten a lot so far!) and we apologize very much for the confusion.

SOAR Scholarship Applications

Remember the scene in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone when all the letters start shooting out of the fireplace? There was a rumbling before all that happened (or at least I imagined it while reading the book)--and that rumbling has started here as the start date approaches for SOAR 2008 Registration. Exciting times for sure!

If you're working on your SOAR Scholarship application--all of it needs to arrive in our office by Friday April 18th. You can send it by mail, email, fax, or even hand deliver it.

Email to amyc@interweave.com
Fax to (970) 669-6117
Mail or Hand deliver to 201 E. 4th St., Loveland, CO 80537-5655

Spinning in the News

Spinning is apparently getting more mainstream recognition, judging from these recent news posts.

Thanks to Carol Rhoades for letting us know about this post from the BBC News online.

And on a humorous note, I happened upon this on the Onion's website.

Spinning shall take over the world!!! :)