Leaders Conference 2024 FAQs

THEME: Modeling Transformational Leadership

PURPOSE:

• To equip leaders to contribute to our unified understanding of "leading beyond"; leading contextually while always thinking beyond the geographic and cultural boundaries.
• To create time and space for leaders from all corners of TeachBeyond to do “life together”.
• To introduce and engage with Leadership Core Competencies.

DATES: April 25-29, 2024
The conference begins with afternoon registration, dinner and evening session on Thursday, April 25th and concludes with breakfast on Monday, April 29th.

LOCATION: 

• Maritim Rafaelo Resort (https://rafaeloresort.com/)
  Shëngjin, Lezhë 
  4503 Lezhë 
  Albania 
• Phone: +355 67 2011 033 
• Check-in from 2 p.m. 
  Check-out until 11 a.m. 

COSTS:

• Invited members will have their conference costs (hotel/food) covered by TeachBeyond.
• Spouse's costs ($300 USD) are not covered.
• Attendees pay transportation (airfare, visa, shuttles etc.) *We will be accepting requests for travel assistance for invited members.
• Attendees can raise/set aside funds as needed.
• The conference cost includes registration fee, accommodation, and food (three meals and coffee breaks daily) beginning with the evening meal on April 25 and ending with breakfast on April 29.

SPOUSE OF INVITEES:

You are welcome to bring your spouse (at your own cost) to the conference. They are welcome to attend the sessions, although attendance for spouses is optional. There may be an opportunity to organize an outing specifically for spouses.

CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE:

There will be no children’s programming or supervision as we don’t anticipate children being in attendance. If you would like to bring your children, please reach out to [email protected].

Travel Information

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE REQUEST: We will be accepting requests for travel assistance for invited members. If you would like to apply, please complete this form. The deadline for requesting travel assistance is January 31, 2024.

VISA: Everyone is responsible:

1. To verify what the entry requirements are for them based upon where they are coming from and what passport they hold.
2. To obtain the necessary visa based upon what is required for entry. If you require an invitation letter, please complete this form.
   • If you are required to obtain a visa, please apply for a scientific, cultural, sports and humanitarian Type C Visa.  
3. Click here for information on obtaining a visa to enter Albania.

You will be receiving a monthly email update. As you prepare for your journey, if you are not able to find an answer to a question in these updates or on our FAQ page, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] and we will do our best to help you be ready for a great conference. All conference-related inquiries should be sent to this email address.

TRAVEL FORMS: If you haven’t already done so, please let us know your travel plans, when you will be arriving/departing, and what days you will require accommodation at the conference hotel. Please complete this travel form as soon as possible.      

ARRIVAL AIRPORT AND SHUTTLES:
Tirana International Airport (TIA).

EXTRA DAYS AT THE HOTEL:
If you are arriving early or staying longer:
Single Room: Euro 68/night
Double room: Euro 45/per night/per person

Only breakfast is included between April 19-21.
Full board begins with the evening meal on the day of your arrival, beginning on April 22.
On April 29. Lunch is available for those staying for meetings.

Schedule

Plenary Sessions  

Our plenary sessions will be a time to come together as a whole group. We will be lead in worship by two different teams, featuring members from 8 different countries (but representing service in over a dozen countries) and will hear “My Transformation Stories” from around the globe. Each session will then be focused around the TeachBeyond leadership core competencies. We are excited to hear leaders around the world share insights and practical ideas for developing these competencies both personally and within teams. We expect each session to provide opportunities for prayerful reflection and interactive discussion designed to deepen our personal and corporate understanding of our calling as TeachBeyond leaders. As we prepare to come together, we encourage you to read over the Leadership Core Competencies and think about how these manifest in your cultural context. We would also appreciate your feedback on this survey to help one of our plenary teams develop content that reflects your lived reality on the field. Please complete the survey by Friday, March 22.  

What are Core Groups?  

The Core Group section of the schedule is a time we have set aside for you to connect with others across the organizational matrix to process the content we are experiencing each day. Our hope is that you will be encouraged and challenged by these connections with others. We’ll communicate which core group you are a part of during one of the plenary sessions early in the conference.? 

What are the Regional/Service breakouts? How do I know where to go? 

Just as there are regional and service breakout times on the Global Leadership Council call, we are creating space for connections within our regional teams and service divisions during our Leaders Conference. The content of this time will largely be shaped by the regional leadership (for the regional breakouts) or the service directors (for the service division breakouts) with the intention of building community and hearing from each other. Depending on your role, you'll attend either the regional breakouts on Friday or the service division breakouts on Saturday, though some may need to attend both. Your Conference nametag will include your breakout assignment(s). 

What are the Interactive Round Tables?

Join others "around a table" as we listen, share, and discuss different leadership topics which impact ministry and effectiveness on the field. We will think together discussing how leadership challenges play out in different cultural contexts. Participants will leave the conference with new ideas and connections. 

What opportunities for prayer will there be during the conference?  

Prayer is central to our ability to be transformational leaders. We will spend intentional time praying and listening for the Lord during our plenary sessions. Our final day will also feature a dedicated session to reflective prayer as we ask the Lord corporately and individually what He has for us as we leave our time together and step back into our ministries of leadership.  

Need to Know when Traveling to Albania

(Security, phone, cash, voltage, health & safety and packing list)

SECURITY: Take the normal precautions for travel and security at the hotel.

CASH:

• This is a cash society. 
• Large establishments might accept credit cards, but taxis, souvenir shops, cafes etc. are cash only. 
• The currency used is the Albanian Lekë, but Euros are accepted with Lekë being given as change. 
• The best place to exchange money is at the airport. ATMs are also available in most towns.  Local ATM’s will only dispense Albanian currency. 
• There is also an ATM beside the security office on the Rafaelo Grounds. 
• PLEASE NOTE:  The Rafaelo Hotel does not allow you to charge extra coffees, snacks etc., to you room – you will need to pay for those in cash. 

PHONES:

• The hotel has WIFI capability.
• If you would like a SIM card, an international prepaid SIM card purchased online ahead of time or e-sim is recommended.

VOLTAGE, PLUGS AND TRAVEL ADAPTORS

• You will need to bring a plug adapter to travel in Albania. There are 2 common plug types: types C and F. Both are compatible with a continental European adapter.
• Voltage: 220V

WATER:

• Drink only bottled water.
• Cafes will often serve a glass of water with coffee, but this is not necessarily safe to drink.
• Our meals at the hotel, will have filtered water and you can fill your water bottles at that time.

TIPPING

• 10% is a good rule of thumb. It may be added to your bill for large groups in a restaurant. If you don't want to pay, just let the waiter know.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

• Uber is not used in Albania
• For local transportation you can ask the front desk of the hotel to book a taxi. You will need cash to pay the driver.

PACKING LIST

• International adaptor – Type C & type F (normal European adaptors)
• Bible – you may want to have a physical bible for the prayer session on Sunday.
• Swimsuit – the indoor pool will be open
• Bring an umbrella for unexpected showers.
• There will be time after the sessions in the evenings or during free time for fellowship. If you have a favorite card or board game that is easy to travel with, you may want to bring it along!

DRESS CODE:  

Our expected dress code for this conference is business casual. The average temperature in April is about 20°C, but daytime temperatures may be higher and it cools off in the evenings. You may want to pack a light sweater.  

EXCURSIONS/Things to see and do 

• Leisure Tips | Maritim Rafaelo Resort 
• Visit Albania - Albania 
• The centre of Lezhe has coffee shops and shopping, but you will need to take a taxi to get there.
• It is possible to book a shuttle service into Lezhe for shopping or coffee, or for some sightseeing. See the front desk at least one day in advance and be prepared to pay cash.