List of Questions

What Would it Take for OACC to Happen at a Different Location Next Year?

Ananda Kanan has graciously hosted many OACC’s in recent years. People often ask what it would take to change the location of OACC in the following year.

The Congress has convened in many beautiful settings and we welcome your ideas for new venues. Anyone who is willing to attend the planning session of the next OACC and come prepared with the necessary information is invited to propose a new location. The Sunday morning planning meeting of each Congress is the time and place major decisions about OACC are made. Decisions are made by consensus of those who attend the meeting.

Necessary information to be presented at the meeting permits the Congress to decide if the proposed facility will be affordable and meet the needs of all. Please take a look at the list of questions to ask when you are researching possible locations. Not every question need be answered with a “yes”,however,all of the information listed is necessary for the Congress to make an informed decision as to whether a location will meet our needs. We thank you for your help and look forward to taking OACC to new locations!

1. How many total people can be accommodated?

2. What are the sleeping,dining and meeting areas like?

3. Is the location special needs/handicapped accessible? If yes,how so? (Are there ramps into meeting,dining and sleeping areas? Are these areas on the ground floor? If not,is there an elevator?)

4. What are the sleeping spaces? How many can be accommodated? Are they heated? Any restrictions on male/ female areas? Bathrooms?

5. What are the dining/food prep areas like? How many can dining room seat? What is the kitchen like:Can we have access at all times to use for our event? Stove(s),oven(s),how much refrigerator space,is there dishwasher? What supplies are provided? Dishes,cooking equipment (pots,pans,etc.)

6. What is the meeting space like? Is there an indoor space that can seat 150 people (coffeehouse,open space,etc.)? What other meeting spaces are there? How many people can they accommodate? Do they have heat?? Electrical outlets?

7. Two of the meeting spaces needed will (or could) be a space suitable for exhibits and a space suitable for the Coffeehouse Talent show. The exhibit space could also hold meetings if space allows. Is the host accommodating to something like Coffeehouse? Is there electricity? Stage space? Seating? (Coffeehouse could be all acoustic if need be but it is good to know these things. There is typically a large enough crowd to warrant the use of a microphone).

8. What outdoor facilities are available? Can we have campfires during safe conditions? Are there forested areas on the premises where we could harvest/cut downed wood for use? What other areas are available for outdoor use?

9. Is there camping space? Where,what,and how much?

10. What is the cost to rent this venue? Is it per day or per person in attendance for our group? Is there a minimum base cost? Is there a deposit? How much? How much in advance of the event is it due? Are any of these prices subject to change? What other amenities are included,if any,for this price?

11. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!- Find out the availability of dates they have open for use. It would be good to be able to get them on the phone during the planning session Sun. am to see availability of dates and confirm. Please check in advance to see if there is a place we could reach them on Sunday morning.

12. Get a quote on the price and the name of the contact person who gave it to you!

13. Is there adequate parking?

14. Is it a family friendly facility?

15. Would OACC be able to rent the whole facility or would it be shared with others? (Important in regard to Coffeehouse and use of kitchen).

16. Are there restrictions on pets?

17. What supplies are provided (in the kitchens and bathrooms)? Are there sheets,blankets or towels provided?

18. What is their policy on our responsibility for cleaning up? Will the facility be clean when we arrive?

19. Do they have folding chairs to accommodate 150? Do they have any tables available for the exhibit hall (usually around 8 ft. long)?

20. Are there any restrictions on activities that may take place at the location?

21. Are all of the spaces heated-sleeping,eating,meeting? 22. Do all of the spaces have electricity?