Retreat Information Sheet 2015
African American Storytellers’ Retreat
GREETINGS
Moyo za Ngano! Spirit of Story! Peace and Blessings. May all your stories have divine purposes and relevant intentions. Welcome to the Year 2015 African American Storytellers’ Retreat.
You have the opportunity to come where other tellers have walked/talked/danced and created an energy that still spirals in our storytelling places!
Your presence promises to make this another special time in the cultural heritage and history of our people. If you have any questions please call Baba Jamal Koram at :
office phone: 703.684.8587
email : griostory@gmail.com
cell phone: 703.725.6593 .
PLEASE NOTE some cell phones do not connect in the Whitakers, NC area. Most do. Some of us have to go off site to make calls. The Franklinton Center Mailing and physical address, and phone are:
Franklinton Center at Bricks
281 Bricks Lane
Whitakers, NC 27891
252.437.1723
www.ucc.org/franklinton-center
ARRIVALS
Optional Storytelling Training Classes , Workshops, and/or other related activities, begin on Thursday morning, however, the Storytellers' Retreat Registration begins on Thursday at 12:00 noon. On Thursday Morning there will be Mwongozi Orientation/classes for those interested in making a lifelong commitment to affecting culture and education through storytelling. There are additional Registration and housing fees for these classes. We expect that some of the participants will arrive on Wednesday and others on Thursday. Rooms may be available on Wednesday, at an additional cost, not included in your registration. Please call for further information. If you are staying on site and are attending the Mwongozi sessions, please try to arrive on Wednesday, between 6 pm and 10 pm, unless other arrangements have been made.
Thursday's arrivals are expected after 12:00 pm and before 10 pm. Look for the registration in the Residence area which is the modern, single level building. You will receive a packet and someone can help you unload if you need assistance. If you are bringing someone who needs to register, they may do so at the time of your arrival. NO CREDIT CARD on site registrations at this time (call to confirm status). The Residence facility will fill up fast, and late registrants will be advised of local hotels/motels. Retreat accommodations are in comfortable facility with motel styled facilities. All housing is double occupancy. On-site housing is included in your registration fee. There are no partial refunds or considerations if you decide to, or have to stay off site.
EARLY ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Please make arrangements if you plan to arrive early and, to plaer departure transportation to the airport or bus or train station. The best flights are into Raleigh Durham Airport. which is an hour and fifteen minutes away. Amtrak stops in Rocky Mount about 20 minutes away. Arrangements can be made with a transportation service in Raleigh for Airport Pick-ups. The Retreat can assist with Rocky Mount, NC Amtrak pick ups.
LODGING
All registered lodging will be DOUBLE OCCUPANCY. Please select your roommate early and complete the registration process. Otherwise, a roommate will be assigned to you. Roommates are gender specific. Register early. On-site space is limited. If after the pre registration deadline, we are at capacity, you may, at your own expense, stay at local hotels which are 10 -15 miles south of Whitakers in or near Rocky Mount, NC.
Towels and sheets are provided or you may bring your own (double beds). The town of Enfield is a small town about 3 miles away, with a supermarket shopping area, fast food places, a Chinese takeout, and Italian Restaurant, PNC and local banks, and other retail stores.. Rocky Mount, NC is a larger city with all of the big marts and malls and chain stores located 20 minutes south of Whitakers.
MEALS
Breakfast and Dinner will be provided on Friday and Saturday, continuing with breakfast - only on Sunday. No meals are provided on Wednesday or Thursday. Snacks will be available during each full day of the Retreat. There are local eateries and supermarket food stores within in the immediate area.
GENERAL ORIENTATION
On Thursday at 12:30 pm there will be a General Orientation about the Retreat. Its purpose is to answer any questions or concerns about the weekend’s activities. The orientation officially opens Retreat programming and activities.
SILENT AUCTION
You may want to participate in the annual storytelling auction by donating or bidding or both. Some one -of- a-kind items are always donated. Donations may be mailed, and must be received two weeks prior to the Retreat:
African American Storytelling Arts Institute
3213 Duke Street # 629
Alexandria, VA 22314
Attn: AA Storytellers' Retreat
FREE TIME AND GUESTS and Security
This is your free time. While at the Franklinton Center, please feel at home to walk designated areas on the grounds and to mix and mingle with the other participants in attendance. Remember, however, that this is a 150+ acre farmland and wooded rural environment bordered by a creek, railroad tracks, a farm, a two lane by-way and a small town so be aware of your surroundings.
Please let staff know if you are leaving the immediate retreat area (on or off grounds). As in any event of this type we require a secure environment.
Any invited guest must come through the registration process (as an invited guest) and is not allowed in the sleeping areas unless properly registered. There are no outside guests on premises after 8:00 pm
Everyone comes to learn and we all have a wealth of wisdom and experience. Please SHARE your skills and information as often as you can. What you give will come back to you.
CRAFT DISPLAYS
The Retreat would like to display your personal crafts or other works. Please complete the necessary forms to bring any secured examples of your works for display or sale. We have resident professional vendors, but welcome participants' items.
TRAVEL
If you require any logistical assistance with your travel arrangements. Call Baba Jamal. If your are driving, use GPS or computer directions to the Franklinton Center. Again, it is in the country, so once you get off the interstate highway, be prepared for two lane roads. Call if you get lost or lose direction.
Franklinton Center at Bricks
281 Bricks Lane
Whitakers, NC 27891-8864
Phone: 252.437.1723
AASAI Retreat cell phone Contact: 703.684.8587
or Baba Jamal @ 703.725.6593
African American Storytellers’ Retreat
GREETINGS
Moyo za Ngano! Spirit of Story! Peace and Blessings. May all your stories have divine purposes and relevant intentions. Welcome to the Year 2015 African American Storytellers’ Retreat.
You have the opportunity to come where other tellers have walked/talked/danced and created an energy that still spirals in our storytelling places!
Your presence promises to make this another special time in the cultural heritage and history of our people. If you have any questions please call Baba Jamal Koram at :
office phone: 703.684.8587
email : griostory@gmail.com
cell phone: 703.725.6593 .
PLEASE NOTE some cell phones do not connect in the Whitakers, NC area. Most do. Some of us have to go off site to make calls. The Franklinton Center Mailing and physical address, and phone are:
Franklinton Center at Bricks
281 Bricks Lane
Whitakers, NC 27891
252.437.1723
www.ucc.org/franklinton-center
ARRIVALS
Optional Storytelling Training Classes , Workshops, and/or other related activities, begin on Thursday morning, however, the Storytellers' Retreat Registration begins on Thursday at 12:00 noon. On Thursday Morning there will be Mwongozi Orientation/classes for those interested in making a lifelong commitment to affecting culture and education through storytelling. There are additional Registration and housing fees for these classes. We expect that some of the participants will arrive on Wednesday and others on Thursday. Rooms may be available on Wednesday, at an additional cost, not included in your registration. Please call for further information. If you are staying on site and are attending the Mwongozi sessions, please try to arrive on Wednesday, between 6 pm and 10 pm, unless other arrangements have been made.
Thursday's arrivals are expected after 12:00 pm and before 10 pm. Look for the registration in the Residence area which is the modern, single level building. You will receive a packet and someone can help you unload if you need assistance. If you are bringing someone who needs to register, they may do so at the time of your arrival. NO CREDIT CARD on site registrations at this time (call to confirm status). The Residence facility will fill up fast, and late registrants will be advised of local hotels/motels. Retreat accommodations are in comfortable facility with motel styled facilities. All housing is double occupancy. On-site housing is included in your registration fee. There are no partial refunds or considerations if you decide to, or have to stay off site.
EARLY ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Please make arrangements if you plan to arrive early and, to plaer departure transportation to the airport or bus or train station. The best flights are into Raleigh Durham Airport. which is an hour and fifteen minutes away. Amtrak stops in Rocky Mount about 20 minutes away. Arrangements can be made with a transportation service in Raleigh for Airport Pick-ups. The Retreat can assist with Rocky Mount, NC Amtrak pick ups.
LODGING
All registered lodging will be DOUBLE OCCUPANCY. Please select your roommate early and complete the registration process. Otherwise, a roommate will be assigned to you. Roommates are gender specific. Register early. On-site space is limited. If after the pre registration deadline, we are at capacity, you may, at your own expense, stay at local hotels which are 10 -15 miles south of Whitakers in or near Rocky Mount, NC.
Towels and sheets are provided or you may bring your own (double beds). The town of Enfield is a small town about 3 miles away, with a supermarket shopping area, fast food places, a Chinese takeout, and Italian Restaurant, PNC and local banks, and other retail stores.. Rocky Mount, NC is a larger city with all of the big marts and malls and chain stores located 20 minutes south of Whitakers.
MEALS
Breakfast and Dinner will be provided on Friday and Saturday, continuing with breakfast - only on Sunday. No meals are provided on Wednesday or Thursday. Snacks will be available during each full day of the Retreat. There are local eateries and supermarket food stores within in the immediate area.
GENERAL ORIENTATION
On Thursday at 12:30 pm there will be a General Orientation about the Retreat. Its purpose is to answer any questions or concerns about the weekend’s activities. The orientation officially opens Retreat programming and activities.
SILENT AUCTION
You may want to participate in the annual storytelling auction by donating or bidding or both. Some one -of- a-kind items are always donated. Donations may be mailed, and must be received two weeks prior to the Retreat:
African American Storytelling Arts Institute
3213 Duke Street # 629
Alexandria, VA 22314
Attn: AA Storytellers' Retreat
FREE TIME AND GUESTS and Security
This is your free time. While at the Franklinton Center, please feel at home to walk designated areas on the grounds and to mix and mingle with the other participants in attendance. Remember, however, that this is a 150+ acre farmland and wooded rural environment bordered by a creek, railroad tracks, a farm, a two lane by-way and a small town so be aware of your surroundings.
Please let staff know if you are leaving the immediate retreat area (on or off grounds). As in any event of this type we require a secure environment.
Any invited guest must come through the registration process (as an invited guest) and is not allowed in the sleeping areas unless properly registered. There are no outside guests on premises after 8:00 pm
Everyone comes to learn and we all have a wealth of wisdom and experience. Please SHARE your skills and information as often as you can. What you give will come back to you.
CRAFT DISPLAYS
The Retreat would like to display your personal crafts or other works. Please complete the necessary forms to bring any secured examples of your works for display or sale. We have resident professional vendors, but welcome participants' items.
TRAVEL
If you require any logistical assistance with your travel arrangements. Call Baba Jamal. If your are driving, use GPS or computer directions to the Franklinton Center. Again, it is in the country, so once you get off the interstate highway, be prepared for two lane roads. Call if you get lost or lose direction.
Franklinton Center at Bricks
281 Bricks Lane
Whitakers, NC 27891-8864
Phone: 252.437.1723
AASAI Retreat cell phone Contact: 703.684.8587
or Baba Jamal @ 703.725.6593
