Welcome!
What’s Next?
How do I register to attend the 2022 GIVEN Forum?
We are so excited to see you this June! Please log in to your application portal to complete a registration form and pay your registration fee by Sunday, April 10. If you received a scholarship, it will be reflected in your balance due. The registration form will be at the end of your application, after Electronic Signature on the left-side navigation. When you register, we will invite you to the cohort’s private Facebook group and share further recommended steps to prepare.
What happens between now and June 21?
When you register, you will be invited to a private Facebook group where you can start getting to know your fellow participants. We will send you suggested preparation steps and we invite you attend an online Orientation on April 28 at your choice of either 12pm or 8pm Eastern Time. We will share important information about the Forum schedule, activities and what to expect.
I have a question that’s not answered here!
Please contact Megan Haile, Events & Network Coordinator, via email using this form (choose “I have a question about GIVEN Forum, GIVEN Gathering, or Guadalupe Parties.”)
Travel Information
Where will the 2022 GIVEN Forum be held?
Lodging and most programming for the 2022 GIVEN Forum will take place at Neumann University: 501 Convent Rd, Aston, PA 19014. Directions for how to get to the campus from area airports or driving can be found on the university’s website. Portions of the Forum will also take place at the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, which is home to the tomb and shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel.
Where will I stay during the 2022 GIVEN Forum?
Lodging will be provided at Neumann University for all attendees, and will include linens (2 flat sheets, towels, pillow, blanket). If you prefer a fitted sheet, please bring one in size Twin XL. If you need hangers, a clothes iron or a hair dryer please bring those items as well. The dormitories are well air-conditioned, so please keep this in mind while packing if you tend to be cold. Meals will be provided from Tuesday dinner through Saturday breakfast.
When should I arrive?
Check-in will take place on Tuesday, June 21st from 12pm to 2:30pm at the Mirenda Center at Neumann University (number 10 on this campus map). The Opening Mass will begin at 3:00pm. Please ensure that you arrive on campus with enough time to settle in to your room before Mass.
The Forum will conclude on Saturday, June 25th after 12:00pm Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. We will depart from the Cathedral after Mass, with lunch and transportation on your own. Please book your departing flights after 3:00pm to allow enough time for transportation to the airport. For those traveling by train or bus, please take into consideration the transportation time needed to get to the appropriate stations.
To which airport or train station should I arrive?
We recommend that you fly into Philadelphia International Airport, a short drive away from Neumann University. The closest major train station to Neumann University is Philadelphia 30th Street Station, which is a 30-45 minute drive from the university.
How do I get from the airport or train/bus station to Neumann University?
Uber and Lyft rides are a convenient option, especially for those flying into Philadelphia International Airport, which is a 20-30 minute drive to the campus. If you would like to coordinate transportation with other GIVEN Forum attendees, we encourage you to use the Facebook group to connect with others who may have similar arrival times. You can find more information about getting to Neumann’s campus at this link.
If I am driving, will I need a parking pass?
No, free parking is available throughout the Neumann University campus.
Health & Safety Measures
Please check back to this page for updates and changes between now and the beginning of the Forum.
What should I expect regarding COVID safety at the Forum?
We are committed to providing a safe environment that respects the variety of experiences and comfort levels among all attendees while maintaining the spirit of the Forum: a beautiful community of Catholic female leaders! Please check back to this page for updates as requirements may shift. Currently, Neumann University and Archdiocese of Philadelphia policies require the following:
- Anyone entering a campus building, including contractors, vendors, suppliers, and visitors, must comply with all posted signage and not enter university buildings if they are feeling sick.
- Additional safety measures for residential guests: For attendees staying in the dorms, guests who have been vaccinated against COVID will be asked to provide proof of vaccination. A booster is not required at this time. Non-vaccinated guests will be asked to provide a negative antigen test completed within 24 hours of check-in or a negative PCR test within 3 days of check-in.
Participants assume any risk associated with public exposure to the COVID-19 virus, and will hold The GIVEN Institute, Neumann University, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and our sponsors blameless in the event of a COVID exposure or any related illness.
Additional FAQs
Can I change my Action Plan?
Yes, your Action Plan can certainly change, either gradually as you go or in a completely new direction. It’s very common; attending the Forum and starting to work with a mentor can be transformative and bring up lots of new inspiration! After the Forum, an Action Plan Reproposal form will be available to you. You can use this form to propose a completely new Action Plan. Natural changes, new developments or “tweaks” to your Action Plan that still fall under the same idea can be worked out with your Mentor during your Art of Accompaniment year, and may not need to be re-proposed to GIVEN Staff.
Will there be time for sightseeing during the Forum?
No, there will not be time allotted for sightseeing in Philadelphia during the days of the GIVEN Forum. If desired, feel free to make travel arrangements to allow for sightseeing either prior to or following the GIVEN Forum. You are wholly responsible for all costs and accommodations outside the days of the GIVEN Forum. If you do decide to extend your stay, you can visit the following website for tourist information: www.visitphilly.com.
What is the weather like in June in Philadelphia?
June in Philadelphia tends to be warm, often between 70-85°F. As the event draws nearer, we suggest checking weather.com for more specific temperatures.
What is the dress code for the GIVEN Forum?
Business casual dress is appropriate for attending the conferences, workshops, and liturgies throughout the week. Be prepared for chilly air conditioning for indoor programming and in the dorms. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
For the Meet and Greet Evening on Wednesday night, the dress code is cocktail attire. You may also want to bring business cards if you have them, as this will be an opportunity to network with GIVEN alumnae, mentors, and community members as well as your fellow Forum attendees.
Should I bring spending money?
All meals will be provided from Tuesday evening through Saturday morning. You will need to bring money to pay for your travel costs and any additional or personal spending you desire throughout the week.
Will there be time to exercise?
Yes, you are welcome to exercise during free time periods. A group often forms for morning runs as well!
How do I share my dietary restrictions?
You can share any needs for diet or accessibility, as well as any other notes for Forum organizers, in your registration form.
Will there be a daily holy hour and time for private prayer?
Yes, Adoration and Morning Prayer are scheduled for the morning before daily programming begins. You will also have the opportunity for private prayer during lunch and dinner breaks.
One more thing…
In preparation for the GIVEN Forum, we recommended that the participants explore the following documents. Although there is no requirement to read them, we want you to have access to these great resources that speak to the beauty and dignity of women as well as the gift of our personal vocation:
Letter to Women: This letter, written to women throughout the world, addresses the concept of woman and her indispensable role in the Church, the family, society, and the world.
Mulieris Dignitatem: This apostolic letter on the dignity and vocation of women considers the anthropology of man and woman, God’s intention for their relationship, woman’s vocation to motherhood, and the Church as Bride of Christ.
Redemptoris Mater: This encyclical focuses on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the plan of salvation and her continued role in the life of the Church.
A Meditation on Givenness: This meditation is a powerful reflection on the concepts of gift and entrustment within human relationships and in our faith.
Christus Vivit: This Post-Syndonal Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis speaks “to young people and the entire people of God” about being alive in Christ and cultivating a lively Church culture through the full activation of personal vocation.
One thing Necessary: This e-book by Luke Arthur Burgiss and Joshua Miller, Ph.D. is a great short read to overview the vision of personal vocation that we are communicating through GIVEN mentoring. We highly recommend reading this e-book prior to our first session with Dr. Miller. This e-book is based on the longer published book that we also recommend, Unrepeatable.