This annual breakfast is a great chance for those
who are attending their first VRA conference
to mix and mingle with both new and longtime
members of the Association. It is also a terrific
opportunity to be paired with an experienced
VRA member through the VRA mentor program,
so be sure to sign up when you register for
the conference!
The VRA Member’s Reception
Tuesday, March 7th , 7:00-9:30 pm
Constellation C,D,E & F
VRA Member’s reception and Keynote Address
is always the highlight event of our annual
conference. Please join fellow conference attendees
to mingle, and enjoy a cash bar, dinner, the
presentation of the Distinguished Service Award,
and what promises to be an illuminating talk
by our keynote speaker, Dr. P.M. Forni, Professor
of Romance Languages and Literatures at Johns
Hopkins University and the co-founder of the
Johns Hopkins Civility Project, aimed at assessing
the significance of civility, manners, and
politeness in contemporary society. *Registration
for this event is required, as tickets will
be issued.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. P.M.
Forni
A professor at Johns Hopkins University, P.
M. Forni teaches courses on Italian literature
and on civility. He studied at the University
of Venice, the University of Pavia (where he
graduated in 1974), the Catholic University
in Milan, and the University of California
at Los Angeles. At UCLA he received a Ph.D.
in Italian Literature in 1981.
Dr. Forni was co-founder of the Johns Hopkins
Civility Project in 1997. An aggregation of
academic and community outreach activities,
the JHCP aimed at assessing the significance
of civility, manners and politeness in contemporary
society. He was also the co-director of "Reassessing
Civility: Forms and Values at the End of the
Century," an international symposium which
took place at Hopkins in March 1998. He now
directs The Civility Initiative at Johns Hopkins.
Over the years, he has continued to illustrate
the functions and the workings of civility
in society. In his new book, Choosing Civility:
The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct
(St. Martin's Press, February 2002), he has
collected the results of his work in the field.
Professor Forni lectures and conducts workshops
on the relevance of civility to the quality
of life in the workplace and in society at
large. His series of commentaries, Speaking
of Manners, is aired on WYPR, National Public
Radio in Baltimore. National and foreign publications
have reported on his work on civility. They
include The New York Times, The Times of London,
Panorama, The Washington Post, The Wall Street
Journal, The Los Angeles Times, and The Baltimore
Sun. He has appeared on a number of radio and
television shows, including the ABC's World
News Tonight and BBC's Outlook, and is a weekly
guest on XM Satellite Radio's Satellite Sisters
talk show.
In his keynote address to the VRA Membership, he will discuss issues
of civility in the workplace, showing us another way in which "Image
is Everything."
VRA Annual Business Meeting
Wednesday, March 8th, 8:30-10:30 am
Constellation C,D,E & F
The Annual Business Meeting is the official forum for conduction
association business. The agenda includes the President’s
State of the Association; select officers reports; brief reports
from committee chairs; updates on current and future association
projects and activities; the recognition of outgoing officers, committee
chairs, and appointees, the induction of incoming officers, committee
chairs, and appointees; the presentation of the VRA Travel Awards;
a presentation on the 2006 annual conference city; and questions
and announcements from the audience. All members are encouraged
to attend, and enjoy a continental breakfast while they catch up
on Association business.
The Exhibit Hall
Wednesday, March 8th, 11:00 am –6:00 pm
Thursday, March 9th, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Constellation Foyer
We are again grateful to have a wonderful group of exhibitors who
are available to answer your questions in this convenient setting.
Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity for face-to-face communication
with those who provide us with essential products and services.
Something new this year, exhibitors will have the opportunity to
schedule individual meeting rooms for special presentations or meetings.
A list of exhibitors will be posted on the website and be available
in the Final Program of Events.
The VRAffle
Wednesday, March 8th, 6:00-7:30 pm
Constellation Foyer
Still VRAfflinâ™ after all these years! Plan to attend
the gala 2006 VRAffle where we will revel in a Baltimore POEdown!
Yes, Literary Baltimore will be featured, with our own Allan Kohl
as Edgar Allan Poe and the fabulous Raffle Rousers as the POEtic
Ladies! Bring your cat-eye glasses to make it a complete Baltimore
experience! The tickets will remain at the low, low price of $2
each, 6 for $10! And as a special salute to Baltimore authors, the
VRAffle is sponsoring a Haiku writing event—bring your own
original VRA-themed Haiku verses to add to a book at the VRAffle
table to be compiled after the conference. I'll even throw out the
first one to get the (bowling) ball rolling:
Digits corrupted,
Software ate data- time for
VRA roadtrip!
A quick reminder: haiku verse requires three lines: L1- 5 syllables,
L2- 7 syllables and L3- 5 syllables. VRAers, start your word processors!
And pack up your always-generous donations next to your regulation
league bowling gloves, cause here we go again! Empress Patti
Tansey Bowl
Wednesday, March 8th, 7:30-9:30 pm
Fee: $45
This year the Tansey Fundraising Event will take you away from
another sit down dinner and get you at the lanes rooting on your
colleagues as they sport their retro bowling shirts and shoes. Baltimore
is in one of 10 states that still offer Duckpin Bowling! Snack food/bowling
style cuisine will be provided. Awards will be given for high score,
low score, unique form, team spirit, and best bowling attire.
Leadership Luncheon
Thursday, March 9th, 12:30-2:00 pm
Pisces Restaurant
This invitation-only luncheon is a chance for the VRA Leadership
(including Committee Chairs, Chapter Chairs, Board Appointees, VRA
Presidents Group, and the Executive Board) to gather and touch base
regarding organization matters and interests.
Reception at the Walters Art Gallery
hosted by 
Thursday, March 9th, 7:00-9:30 pm
Bus Ticket $9
