FAQ
2025 Forma Conference Frequently Asked Questions
General
- Does this conference cover formation for all ages?
- Yes! Our planning team has worked hard to ensure that plenary topics and workshops offer content for formation practitioners working with various age groups and in various contexts.
- What is the difference between on-site and online participation?
- Online participants will engage the conference via Zoom from wherever they desire (home, library, office, etc.). On-site participants will engage the conference from a specific location alongside other participants. On-site gatherings will include additional programming organized by the gathering host. All participants will have access to the same conference sessions, recordings, and online conference portal (The Conference Space on VTS Plus).
- How will I be able to interact with participants at other locations?
- There are two ways to interact with participants at different locations during the conference: Zoom chat and The Conference Space on VTS Plus.
- Will there be a way to exchange contact information for connecting post-conference?
- You can send a direct, private message to another participant in the Zoom chat or in The Conference Space on VTS Plus to request contact information for follow-up. The Conference Space will remain open and available post-conference so you can go back and look at the participant list and send messages.
- How do I know if my diocese is sponsoring the conference? Who should I contact?
- You can find a list of sponsoring dioceses and who to contact on the Forma website.
Registration
- Do I need to register separately for the conference and an on-site gathering?
- Yes, please register for the conference through Eventbrite and then register or RSVP separately for the on-site gathering you plan to attend. [Please note two exceptions, the Province I gathering at Barbara C Harris Camp and Conference Center and the Province III gathering at Claggett Center. PI and PIII have created comprehensive registration forms so you only have to provide payment and information once.] A list of all locations with registration links is available on the Forma website.
- I am a Forma member, do I also have to register for the conference?
- Yes, Forma members do need to register to attend the conference. One of the benefits of your Forma membership is a 25% discount on conference registration. Find the discount code in The Forma Space on VTS Plus.
- I am not a Forma member, may I attend as a guest?
- Absolutely, all are welcome! Membership is not required to attend, though it provides many benefits, outlined on the Forma website.
- I want to attend but do not have the funds to cover the cost. Are there scholarships available?
- Yes, financial support is available this year to help offset the cost of conference tickets as well as reimburse meals, lodging, and travel costs for on-site gatherings. An application form can be found on the Forma website.
Participating Online
- How do I find community in an online conference? Will there be an opportunity to network?
- There are a few different ways to find community and connection during a radically hybrid conference. If you are participating online, we invite you to turn on your camera, especially during daily grounding and workshops. This helps create a sense of community. In addition, we invite your active engagement in the chat on Zoom and in The Conference Space on VTS Plus. You can message other participants, chat with the entire group, or respond to a prompt from the Conference Planning Team in The Conference Space. The Conference Planning Team is brainstorming even more ways for folks to network during this year’s conference.
- What makes an online conference worth paying for?
- We believe there is great value in participating online in a radically hybrid Forma conference. You will have access to two plenaries with live Q&A, 20 workshops, and supplemental materials related to our theme. In addition, you’ll be supporting Forma, which works year-round to celebrate, equip, support, and connect leaders who form followers of Jesus.
- What supplies do I need to participate online?
- All you need is a computer or phone that connects to Zoom. You may also wish to have headphones handy and to set up a small altar space.
- Anything else I should know about participating online?
- Although the conference is 3.5 hours/day, we highly encourage all participants to clear their work schedule and set an away message on their email. Our Conference Planning Team will be creating supplemental resources for use during parts of the day with no conference content so that you can experience rest, retreat, and renewal from wherever you are.
Participating On-site
- What is the benefit of attending an on-site gathering versus just attending from home?
- On-site gatherings offer the opportunity to connect more deeply with other conference participants. These gatherings offer a time of retreat—the opportunity to step away from work and personal commitments while participating in this continuing education event. Each on-site gathering will offer supplemental programming for participants such as worship, networking conversations, and spiritual practices. As one of our participants said, “The benefit of the on-site retreat experience was both a beautiful professional development experience but also time for renewal and rest.”
- What can I expect from an on-site gathering?
- Each on-site gathering is unique. Gathering hosts will set up the space and technology required for participating in the conference. They may also organize additional programming. For more information, please contact the on-site host.
Recordings & Presenter Materials
- Will recordings of the plenaries and workshops be available after the conference concludes?
- Yes! You will have full access to recordings after the conference via The Conference Space on VTS Plus. All plenary and workshop presentations will be pre-recorded and professionally edited with subtitles. The daily grounding, small group discussions, and Q&A portions of plenaries and workshops will take place live and will not be recorded.
- Will presenter resources be accessible for conference participants?
- Yes! You will have full access to presenter materials such as handouts and slides via The Conference Space on VTS Plus.
Spanish Language Access
- What type of Spanish language access is offered during this conference?
- The 2025 Forma Conference will offer live, simultaneous human interpretation through Cenzontle: A Language Justice Cooperative based in Asheville, NC.
- What parts of the conference will have Spanish interpretation?
- All parts of the conference will have Spanish interpretation.
- Will any parts of the conference be in Spanish with English interpretation?
- This year all presentations will be offered in English with Spanish interpretation. If you are a Spanish speaker interested in presenting at a future Forma conference, please contact Sarah Bentley Allred, Coordinator of Forma Evangelism ([email protected]).
- Will recordings be in Spanish?
- Our goal is to offer Spanish language access to conference recordings. We are still researching the best way to do this. Recordings will be available either with subtitles in Spanish or in the form of a Zoom recording of the live interpretation.
- Will presenter materials be available in Spanish?
- Our goal is to offer materials in both Spanish and English. All presenter materials received by our early January deadline will be translated and uploaded before the conference.
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