An elder I know was accepted to be an International Delegate -$9,000 for 2 people! (page 2)

Dagney

That sounds about right. I have a JW friend who is also going as a delegate to S Africa.

I was a delegate to the (perhaps first) series of "international" conventions in -- still "communist" -- Poland in 1985. But I was a Bethelite then and (at least to us) it was quite cheap, since we were accommodated by local "brothers and sisters" (wonderful people btw). Even the trip was pretty low cost as the four of us (all from Bethel) simply packed into my old deux chevaux (a legendary cheap and thrifty French car); long but lot of fun as we travelled through West and East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Austria on the way back.

OnTheWayOut

Just to get a good understanding- YES, 9000 for two is about right. YES, they can do better booking online without the "delegate" status. It's possible that they could do way better. The thing is that the people arranging the package put in their profit. They do like any good businessmen would do and put in a good deal of profit when they know the travelers are not likely to compare packages and are not supposed to go on their own.

People do go on their own, and find better deals, but they are not "delegates" which turns out to mean absolutely nothing. The problem with the package is that they are spending so much money and they are really not able to do much because the package limits them to WTS stuff. If I were to advise someone, I would say "if you want to go to S. Africa to an assembly, just go. Get reviews of hotels and book your own package.

aligot ripounsous

Hei, Narkissos, stay at home too, with this misty weather ? Have you completed the declaration of your 2008 income to the tax department ?

Albert Einstein

In my country we had International conventions, I had the "privilege" to asist with organization time ago. My experience:

US delegates had everything organized by WCS company (World Convention Services) - its a US non JW company. In countries where they travel to, they hire local (non JW) guides and asistants. One of them told me, everything must be on a very high level, because the delegates from US expect it, and if it is just on an average level, delegates would sent many complaints to the Headquarters.

US delegates stay in really fancy hotels (Hilton and so...) From what I saw, I can imagine tre trip must be very very expensive, although I dont know (and dont care) how much. I just now it could cost one half of the sum and still be a very good trip. (Staying in private homes of local brothers - absolutely unthinkable..)

Staying in private homes is possible only if delegates from "poor countries" travel to "wealthy" countries.

If you want to go to an assembly in some other place, can't you just go? JW daughter: It is strongly discouraged to travel to an International assembly "on your own". It is technically possible, but by doing, you show lack of appreciation for Jehovah´s arrangement.

Albert

Narkissos

aligot: went out this afternoon, the weather was better... fiscal confession postponed again :)

(Apologies for hijacking the "International" thread with French domestic communication...)

jabberwock

Attending an international convention that you have not been invited or assigned to is seriously discouraged. I have noticed that this has been mentioned in letters and such with increasing frequency and sternness.

When attending an international convention does anyone check to see if you are actually an approved delegate?

Also, I had heard that the delegates have to follow some strict rules during their stay. Mostly these involved staying with their assigned groups, wearing their convention badges, and wearing convention appropriate clothing (such as skirts and ties) at all times (even when sightseeing).

Anyone heard about this or experienced it firsthand?

jabberwock

BonaFide

So World Convention Services is earning good money for arranging these trips.

Is it possible that the WT Society is also getting some money out of this arrangement?

BF

yknot

Albert Einstein is this the company?

http://www.wegieltours-wcs.com/clientservices.htm

The inflated WTS arrangement is always way more expensive then making your own arrangements! The travel arrangements in South America are outrageous too in light of local economies.

MissingLink

African GB told me about someone who was going to be a foreign delegate, but instead of entrusting the society with their $9K, they thought they could do it cheaper on their own. They managed to book it for $3K, but their airplane ironically crashed into the very hotel they planed on staying in. Oh, if they had only put their trust (and money) in Jehovah.

An elder I know was accepted to be an International Delegate -$9,000 for 2 people!

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