Welcome!

Dear Sister in Christ,

Welcome to GIVEN! We are so grateful for your willingness to serve as a volunteer at the 2022 GIVEN Forum. The Forum aims to provide emerging Catholic female leaders with faith formation, leadership training and dedicated mentoring as they navigate the questions, opportunities, and challenges posed to the contemporary Catholic woman. Volunteers are integral to the success of these goals!

We are honored to welcome you to attend the Forum as a volunteer. You are truly an essential part of this work, and we are grateful for the gifts you bring.

In Christ,

Ochie Dinoso/Volunteer Coordinator and the GIVEN Team

Important Dates

Please mark the following dates:

June 19 – Volunteer Arrival
Dinner and Evening of Recollection #1 with lay and consecrated women

June 20 – Forum Preparation Day
Prepare campus spaces and giveaway bags, receive your assignment for volunteering throughout the week
Evening of Recollection #2

June 21-25 – 2022 GIVEN Forum
Serve in your role, take in the talks and programming, and form community with hundreds of Catholic female leaders!

FAQ

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 available at Neumann University on the arrival date that you specify on your registration form. Accommodations at Neumann will be a single room with privacy of a door and a shared Jack and Jill style bathroom. Linens and towels are provided. If you need hangers, a clothes iron or a hair dryer, please bring those items. The dormitories are well air-conditioned, so please keep this in mind while packing if you tend to be cold.

Although we only offer complimentary lodging for consecrated women who have taken a vow of poverty, we have managed to bring down the cost of lodging to an affordable rate compared to lodging outside Neumann Campus.

Women may also make their own accommodations off campus at their own cost. We have provided a list of discounted hotels in the registration portal.

If you are local and are not going to stay at Neumann, there is a spot to indicate that on the registration form.

When should I arrive?

Event volunteers are to arrive at the Neumann Campus* in Philadelphia on June 19, 2022 starting at 4PM EST. Once settled, we have dinner together followed by an Evening of Recollection. 

On the following day, June 20, 2022 will be Forum Preparation Day. This is when we get moving to prepare campus spaces, giveaway bags, and other Forum related logistics. This is also the day where we receive our specific volunteer assignments throughout the week of the Forum. In the evening, our mentors and volunteers will have an opportunity to pray together at Mass celebrated by His Excellency Nelson Perez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, and attend a special conference given by Father John Burns in preparation for the GIVEN Forum participants’ arrival the following day. 

For the duration of the Forum, from June 21 – 25, 2022, you are called to lovingly serve in your role, take in the talks and programming, and build community with hundreds of Catholic female leaders. The Forum will conclude on Saturday, June 25 by 12:00pm at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in downtown Philadelphia.

What is the schedule for Sunday, June 19?

4:00PM – Check-in
5:00PM – Traveler’s Mass
5:00PM-7:00PM – Dinner Available
7:00PM-8:30PM – Adoration and Conference by Fr. John Burns

What is the schedule for Monday, June 20?

7:00AM – Breakfast Available
8:00AM – Morning Prayer
8:45AM-12:00PM – Preparation/Working Session
12:00PM-1:00PM – Lunch
1:00PM-2:30PM – Preparation/Working Session
3:00PM – Mass celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Pérez
5:00PM – Evening Prayer
5:00PM-7:00PM – Dinner Available
7:30PM-10:00PM – Adoration and Conference by Fr. John Burns

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 staying at home and commuting to the Forum, what time should I arrive and leave each day?

On Monday, June 20, volunteers should arrive by 8:45AM and Mentors should arrive by 10AM. Working sessions end at 2:30PM, and the afternoon and evening will be filled with beautiful opportunities for prayer and reflection, ending at 10PM.

On Tuesday, June 21, please arrive by 9AM and plan to leave 9-9:30PM

On Wednesday, June 22, please arrive by 8AM and plan to leave 10-10:30PM

On Thursday, June 23 and Friday, June 24, please arrive by 8:30AM and plan to leave 10-10:30PM

On Saturday, June 25, please arrive to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul by 9AM and plan to leave around noon.

If I am driving, will I need a parking pass?

No, free parking is available throughout the Neumann University campus.

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 shot 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.

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. During the Forum preparation days, Adoration is scheduled for the evenings, and during the days of the Forum, 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.

When will the MCODE be sent?
We are excited to offer the MCODE assessment as a gift to you, and are planning to send it in May to be completed before you arrive at the Forum.

May religious communities provide information for the young adults?
Religious communities are welcome to bring a brochure or piece of literature about the community. We will have a table to place these items where attendees can pick them up.

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.

Resources

Orientation Recording

You can watch the recording of the Volunteer orientation from April 7, 2022 at this link. The slides from the orientation can be downloaded at this link.

Overview of Inscape Center Trainings

Click here to watch a video by Dr. Josh Miller and Donna Ottaviano-Britt explaining more about the MCODE assessment that was mentioned in orientation.

Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults

To review the Safeguarding agreement that you signed at registration, click here.

The link to report child abuse in every state in the country can be found here. The link to report abuse of vulnerable adults in every state in the country can be found here. Then, contact GIVEN Staff immediately to report any safeguarding concerns.

Application Portal Access

If you need to change your arrival day or which meals you will attend, you may do so by logging in to your application portal.