It's time to register and prepare for the virtual 2020 Dakotas Annual Conference Session, scheduled for 10 a.m. -12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m., CDT, October 10.  All voting members are asked to register, participate in a pre-conference event to review legislation, as well as a technology and procedural orientation. The Annual Conference Session itself will open with worship, the episcopal address and the 2020 Miracle Offering. Here are details on the three ways you can get ready for our virtual annual conference.  

1. Register now

Registration is open for the 2020 Dakotas Annual Conference. In order to obtain voting privileges and attend one of the necessary pre-conference gatherings delegates must register by September 27, 2020, 5 p.m. CDT. 

In a typical in-person Annual Conference session, the session is opened with a vote to approve the organizing resolutions (rules to guide the session). In order to expedite our work together in this virtual session, we are asking you to watch the video, read and cast your vote regarding these resolutions as a part of registration.

REGISTER HERE

Those who are not voting members should not register. The Annual Conference Session will be streamed to the Dakotas Conference Website and Facebook page, and visitors will be able to watch at no cost. A Facebook account is not necessary to access the livestream.

2. Attend a Pre-Conference Gathering: Learn about the legislation

Each member of the 2020 Annual Conference Session is asked to register (as part of annual conference registration) for and participate in a pre-conference webinar. This will be an opportunity to discuss the legislation that will be acted upon during the conference.  You can view the proposed legistation in the 2020 Conference Workbook. There will be little time during the actual session for discussion about these issues. It is key that participants take this time to get their questions answered. Some important information about the sessions:

Please attend the pre-conference webinar session that best fits your schedule. 
Connection information will be sent via e-mail to each registered participant in advance of your session.
One of these sessions will be recorded for those who cannot attend.
The pre-conference webinars will take place on the following dates and times:

1. Thursday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m. CDT, 6:30 p.m. MDT
2. Wednesday, September 23 at 8 p.m. CDT, 7 p.m. MDT
3. Saturday, September 26 at 10 a.m. CDT, 9 a.m. MDT
4. Sunday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m. CDT, 5:30 p.m. MDT

View 2020 Conference Workbook

3. Attend a procedural orientation session

Each member of the 2020 Annual Conference Session is also asked to register and to attend a procedural orientation to check their connection and learn the specifics on interacting within the system (you can register for an orientation session as you register for Annual Conference). Each session is expected to last about 35 minutes; an hour is reserved to assist those who might have connection issues. The three session options are:

• Monday, October 5 at 12 p.m. CDT, 11 a.m. MDT
• Monday, October 5 at 8 p.m. CDT, 7 p.m. MDT
• Tuesday, October 6 at 7 p.m. CDT, 6 p.m. MDT 

The 27th session of the Dakotas Annual Conference will be conducted on a Zoom business webinar platform (this is different from the Zoom system most people are familiar with). Interaction will be limited but possible; through the platform, people will be able to indicate they want to comment, make a motion, or propose an amendment. Attend a procedural orientation session to learn how you can maximize your participation.