By SHERRY HALBROOKThe PEF Executive Board at its February meeting in Albany adopted special expense and reimbursement rules for delegates attending PEF’s convention this September in Washington, DC.
Delegates will receive a $124 meal stipend from PEF to cover their full time at convention. PEF divisions may choose to authorize an additional stipend of up to $125 for each of their delegates.
PEF will pay for delegates’ overnight hotel rooms when those rooms are arranged through PEF and are shared by two delegates.
The overnight rate for a single room will be $154.50.
Other special rules include:
• PEF is chartering buses for some regions. Consult your regional PEF office for transportation information.
• PEF may pay for limited train travel for delegates from some regions.
• Air travel will be permitted from Regions 1-4, and 6-8 only. Airline reservations must be made through PEF Travel. Exceptions for extenuating circumstances may be granted by the PEF secretary-treasurer.
• Delegates reserving bus or train tickets must provide a check for $20 as a deposit. Delegates reserving airline tickets are required to provide a $75 deposit by check or credit card. Checks will be returned to the delegates on the first day of convention in the headquarters office, and credit cards will not be charged, if the reservation is kept.
• PEF Travel will make air reservations for family members, but only after all delegate reservations are complete. Family members also will be allowed to ride PEF-chartered buses if space permits.
• In Washington, PEF will provide a free shuttle to and from the train station and airport on Sunday and Wednesday for transportation arranged by PEF Travel.
• PEF will fully reimburse delegates’ airport or train parking fees for vehicles left in long-term parking lots. Receipts must be submitted.
• Reimbursement for local travel (cab fares or mileage between delegates’ homes and their air, bus or train connections) is limited to $25 each way for Regions 1-9 and $50 each way for Regions 10-12. Receipts must be submitted.
• Delegates choosing to drive must notify PEF Travel as early as possible, so it can release plane seats being held for them.
• Delegates driving alone will be reimbursed at half the federal mileage rate. Delegates who also transport additionally one or more other delegates will be reimbursed at the full federal mileage rate. An out-of-state toll or gas receipt must be submitted with vouchers for mileage reimbursement.
• Tolls will be paid in full for delegates who drive. Receipts must be submitted.
• In Washington, the maximum reimbursement for parking will be $20 per day. Parking at the Marriott Wardman Park is $17 per hour or $32 daily, and space is not guaranteed.
For more information, e-mail Kim Partridge at kpartridge@pef.org or call her at (800) 342-4306, ext. 235.