OH conference Houston TX

Hey everyone -

As you have seen and read its conference time again!!!!

There have been a few topics and discussions that have come up, so I wanna touch on some of them....

#1 - discount codes - they are starting to become available.  Leaders will post them on their profile as we are not allowed to post them here.

#2 - The Grad Panel - this is a new idea for the OH staff to try out here in Houston.  Many folks have emailed Kim their ideas and suggestions for speakers.  Trust me, she is listening.  Here is the issue - the time on Friday evening.  The reason why they were going with that time is that that was the same time to clothing exchange took place and many folks came out early for that.  I know I know, 'I didn't need any clothes, I wasn't there early' - remember a lot of folks were.  Also OH is considering changing the time to Sunday AM.  The grad panel can be a success if WE make it one.  The older folks complain about the same topics, same speakers, topics that are not relevant to us, etc etc.  Remember that each year the number of WLS patients increases so their is always more and more 'newbies' around.  Lets stand together and make this grad panel work...

#3 - the Clothing exchange..  At this time there is NOT one scheduled.  This hurts me as this was my baby, but I understand why.  Here it is - basically it was the fact that folks were not attending the meetings and going to the clothing exchange, it is a lot of $$ to rent another room, and #3 OH saw that it was mainly me cleaning up the clothes and arranging the delivery.  So, in saying that and having many calls to Kim, OH is considering have one here in Houston.  But, we need to show her that I have the volunteers to help out.  Those that have in the past, THANK YOU so much.  I need volunteers to help out - especially you local folks.  I need to get a list to Kim to show her that we mean business.  So, if you are interested then let me know.

If you have any questions or ideas, let me know.  Or even better, email Kim at [email protected]  She would love to help.  If you would rather email, tx or call me, that's okay.  Email for me is [email protected]  and I can relay it on to her.

Let's make this the best OH conference yet.......

Thanks for the info, Sean.  I will help with the clothing exchange, if there is one.

Laura

Put me down for anything you need for the clothing exchange.

Sean, I can help. Last time I didn't do much as there were already a bunch of people helping but if you need me, I'm here. Also, if you need me to come early, I can arrange to be off work. But you have to let me know. (Also you should see if Miranda could bring the kids to help.)

Kim already has my name but I will put it here also.

Lynn, there is always plenty of help during the conference - what I think Sean and Kim are referring to is everyone splits on Sun and leaves Sean with the bulk of the work to load the clothes up and deliver them to a shelter.  Since this is a local conference for me, I volunteer to stay afterwards to help with the cleanup also.

As far as people going to the clothing exchange instead of the meetings ????    Ii was not *my* observation - I saw most of the meeting rooms full and only a handful milling around the clothing exchange the last time one was open the whole time (Houston OH 2008).  They addressed this issue in Dallas by only having it open only during the breaks.

sarah,

I have to agree with you about the meetings versus the clothing exchange.

I am looking very forward to the Grad times, but if they are friday afternoon and Sunday morning, then that leaves Saturday, if there is nothing going on and the other speakers are 'repeats to me'. So I will gladly help DURING the conference.  I am, as everytime, an out of towner, so I am out the door as soon as possible at the end of the conference and can't help with cleanup.  I know it's quite an undertaking and I certainly commend Sean and the others for even trying it. 

 
Sean,

I'm local and glad to help out.  Will pop you an email, as well.

Maybe I jumped the gun - but bought my tickets right away!  Really looking forward to meeting you all face to face. :-)

Julie

What is the Grad Panel?

In our efforts to try and offer something for everyone who attends, we are offering a two hour question and answer session with several experts to field questions, especially for those who are 4+ years out. We hope to address weight regain, vitamins, labs and such; we will also be inviting possibly two grads to add their perspectives.  We will also have some of these same topics presented by breakout speakers on Saturday, just in case you miss the Friday sessions.  Please check the schedule on the event page for updates on topics and speakers!  As for now,  there will be no sessions Sunday morning. It usually proves too difficult since people have to check out of their hotel rooms, etc. 

If you have more questions, please keep watching for announcements! 

Kim

Ah ha!

Thank you very much!  I will do that!  It's wonderful to know that the concern of having information and activities for those of us who are farther out from surgery is being addressed!  :-)

I have not attended in the past for that reason but will watch for announcements and more information specific to this subject!  Perhaps I will be able to justify attending the conference this year!  :-) 

Thank you again!