Frequently Asked Questions

This (the whole conference site content for that matter) has been mostly adapted from last year's conference web-page. Thanks, Cincinati volunteers!

About the conference

• What's the idea behind behind the conference? 
  Have you looked at the main page? Did you check out the agenda?
  

• How will attending the conference benefit me, since 
  1. I am new to AID, and dont know much of what is happening ? 
  2. I have been in AID for a while ? 
  3. I know almost everything about AID ? 
  Did you see the broad goals in the main page? Anyway, 
  1. You can meet a lot of other volunteers. This will probably be the most efficient 72 hours you spend understanding AID. 
  2. You will get to hear, or get others to hear what they/you have to say. 
  3. This would be a good forum to contribute towards and learn about the future directions of AID, how different chapters can co-ordinate for the better. 
  And finally, Boston is an amazing place to visit - especially in summer.  
  
   
• Is there a fee for attending the conference ? 
  No. There is no fee to attend the conference. You have to pay for your food expenses (both outstation and local participants). We estimate it to be about $30 f or the 3 days and Saturday night.
  
  
• How do I register for the conference?
  There's a registration form you need to fill. You will need to fill in the form even if you have contacted someone in Boston and told them that you'll be attending the conference. 
  

• Can I make a presentation? 
  Please contact us with your idea.
  
  
• How formal are the presentations ? Are the proceedings being published? 
  The presentations are held in a very informal setting. The meetings will be very similar to the CSHs in your chapters, and anyone can voice their opinions at any time. The presentations should be in English, and you should try to stick to your given time limits as much as possible. The proceedings will hopefully be published on the internet. 
  
  
• As an AID chapter, how can we contribute ? 
  Present the main features/activities of your chapter the past year - each presenation has a time limit of 5 min, so please be brief.  
  
  Any artwork, poetry, or photography that is inspired by development issues, posters or other material you use for publicity, you can bring to the conference. We will have an area to display such items.
  
  If you or your chapter has books or village products that they would like to display for sale, we will have any area set up for this also.
  
  Apart from this, we would want one of the chapter members giving a presentation on any topic of his/her choice. This is what will go in the proceedings. The topic has to be broad enough to interest all AID volunteers. Any relevant topic of current interest will suffice. The idea is to share well-researched information about various themes pertinent to AID. This means that 'introducing a topic and claiming it to be an important problem' will not be sufficient. The person will have to present argument  for or against the choice of a particular course of future action. Ideally the topic should be one the presenting person is familiar with, and able to answer questions about. 
  Finally, please do remember to register before attending the conference. 
  
  
• What is a GBM ? 
  GBM stands for General Body Meeting. This is a session where the office bearers of AID come and talk to the volunteers about what has been happening since the last GBM, what are the plans of action for AID till the next GBM, and listen to your feedback/comments. 
  

• Where are the various sessions being held ? 
  The conference will be held at MIT, Cambridge. The agenda will be updated with the particular venues as and when information becomes available. 
  
  
• I am making a presentation in the conference. What facilities can I expect ? 
  The following facilities will be available
  • A laptop/video projection system with Windows 98 and PowerPoint 97 installed.
  • An overhead projector, transparencies and markers
  • A 35mm slide projector
  
  
• How can I mentally prepare for the conference?  
  The agenda will be updated to include reading material, pre-discussions on the various items. Please go through this so that the discussions may be more productive.
  
  
• Can't make it to the conference. How can I make my presence felt? 
  Send us your special messages/comments for the conference to the webmaster, or by snail mail to the address at the bottom of this page. We will display it at the conference for everyone to see.
  
  

• What are your arrangements for my accommodation and food ? 
  Please try and arrange accomodation with friends in Boston. If not possible, let us know and we'll arrange accomodation for you. Typically this will mean sharing an apartment with AID volunteers here. Please indicate that you need accomodation in your registration form. If you have already registered but missed to mention that you need accomodation please send us a mail. 
  Please bring a sleeping bag or blankets, if you can- we have a few extra but will not be suffcient for all.
  
  About food - you will need to pay for it. We have estimated it to be around $30 for the 3 days (excluding Sunday night). Also, lets try and make this a minimum garbage event. Please try and bring a mess-kit containing a dinner set (plate, cup and spoon). It may be logistically a bit more cumbersome to carry and wash plates, but that trouble may be worth the example we will be setting in this regard!
  
  
• What will the weather be like in Boston then? 
  It should be incredible. A sweater should be enough during the stay. A raincoat or an umberlla is always a good idea in Boston. 
  
  
• What else can I do in Boston? 
  Click here. 
  
  
• How do I get to the conference site from the airport? 
  Click here. 
  
  
• Can I get a ride from the airport/bus station? 
  Click here.
  
  
• Can I get a ride from my place if someone will be driving my way? 
  Click here. 
  
  
• Can I give a ride to someone on the way?
  Please click here. 
  
  
• Can't find my question answered here. What can I do? 
  Contact one of us.