The event you have been waiting for ..... You are cordially invited to the Goa Sudharop INTERNATIONAL GOAN YOUTH CONVENTION from July 2-4, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The Convention is being organized by Youth and the events, topics, presentations will cover ages 15-40, although all ages are invited to attend as people like to travel with family.
This convention is being held to develop future Goan leaders in the diaspora, to inspire youth to public service, public office, and volunteerism in their communities, to connect with/visit/partner/volunteer in Goa, to network with Goan youth around the world, to obtain mentoring and guidance career opportunities, etc. etc. etc. Someday a Goan might be President, Prime Minister, Supreme Court judge, CEO - we at Goa Sudharop want to facilitate that sooner rather than later. We are going to have an outstanding line-up of events, speakers, topics. We encourage young couples to attend. At the convention, every youth attendee is a Chief Guest, everyone a celebrity in their own right. No one should miss this event, we look forward to welcoming everyone and will be honored by your presence. Nearly 25 Youth Committee members are working to make your visit a memorable one. Don't miss the excitement, we want to welcome you from around the world. There are few cities in the world as charming and inviting as San Francisco in summer. See http://www6.sfgov.org/index.aspx?page=5. San Francisco is a wonderful vacation getaway and Los Angeles (Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios) is an hour's flight away in Southern California (6 hour car drive, 600 kms) in case you want to add Los Angeles to your trip. There are buses (Greyhound) and trains (Amtrak) which go to Southern California too. The convention will be held at the HOLIDAY INN, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco. See http://www.hifishermanswharf.com/, a prime hotel in Fisherman's Wharf, close to Alcatraz, and a short distance from Golden Gate Park, Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square and other world-famous attractions. Rooms can be booked for $165 per night plus taxes (up to 4 people a room). If you are coming alone and want to share a room, contact Acaria at [email protected] and she will try and pair you up to share a room. Here is the agenda: Pre-convention- June 30 (Carmel/Monterey or San Francisco tours - OPTIONAL) Pre-convention- July 1 (Napa Valley wine or San Fran tours - OPTIONAL) (We will provide you information from a tour company and you can book directly with them). Convention Day 1 July 2 LUNCH: 11:30am-1:30pm Welcome, purpose of the Youth convention, information on Goa Sudharop. 1:30-2pm Session #1, Fun with Konkani, some words, phrases, music. 2:00-2:45pm Session #2, Goan quiz contest and fun Goa-related items. 2:45-3:30pm Tea: 3:30-3:45pm Session #3, Panel discussion on Goan Identity with audience participation. The panel will explore various issues related to identity, growing up outside Goa, cultural expectations, generational issues (parents & children), etc. 3:45-5:00pm Grand private Cruise/Dinner with DJ dancing on the San Francisco Bay, passing by Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, etc. for all paid convention attendees. Subject to availability, individual tickets will be available to non-attendees at $75 per ticket. 6:30-9pm July 3 - Day 2 BREAKFAST 8:00-9:30AM Session #4, Volunteering and Connecting to Goa. 9:30am-10:15am Session #5a, Making your dreams come true and planning your life with focus on Career counseling for 18+, 10:15am-12:00pm. Session #5b, Making your dreams come true and planning your life with focus on college counseling for 15-18, 10:15am-12:00pm. LUNCH 12:00pm-1:30pm Session #6, Update on various topics related to Goa. 1:30-2:15pm Session #7, Entrepreneurs, Start-ups, Innovators, Global Markets and doing business in the Global economy. 2:15-3:00pm Close convention and thank you 3:00pm Adults 21+ Club night Under 21 Games at the hotel. July 4 - Day 3 Picnic 11am onwards, Picnic lunch included. See location below. Fireworks 8pm onwards. See location below. Picnic and Fireworks at Aquatic Park, 2998 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109. Cross Streets: Near the intersection of Hyde St and Jefferson St. Neighborhoods: Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco, CA, North Waterfront San Francisco, California Thanks to our kind individual donors, this convention is generously subsidized. You are separately responsible for your travel, hotel costs and any other optional tours and expenses. If you plan on attending, please let Acaria at [email protected] know the number in your party so she can keep track of headcount. Prices includes CONVENTION (July 2-4) and the San Francisco Bay Dinner CRUISE on July 2 are as follows. You can pay on the Goa Sudharop website at www.goasudharop.org and click on "Click here to donate" button (PAYPAL) or you can mail a check payable to "GOA SUDHAROP" and mail to our Treasurer, Acaria Almeida at: ACARIA ALMEIDA P.O. Box 6144 MORAGA, CALIFORNIA, 94570, USA Phone: 925-324-0513 Ages below 23 April 25-June 15, $115 After June 15, $130 Ages 24-40 April 25-June 15, $140 After June 15, $155 Ages 41+ April 25-June 15, $225 After June 15, $250 Registration covers all Convention sessions, Lunch, Tea and Dinner Cruise on July 2 (Day 1), Breakfast and lunch on July 3 (Day 2), and a boxed picnic lunch on July 4 (Day 3). If you have any questions please email Acaria at [email protected]. Please pass this email on to your friends and family. Please mark your calendars. Goa Sudharop Building a better Goa World G.O.A.N. network
