Spring 2009 Workshop of the National Institute for Teaching Ethics and Professionalism

Friday, April 24 - Sunday, April 26, 2009

WORKSHOP LOCATION:

Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge

50 Lodge Rd SE

Cartersville , GA 30121

(800) 864-7275 or (770) 975-0055

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Red Top Mountain State Park is located 35 miles northwest of Atlanta near Cartersville. Take Exit 285 (Red Top Mountain Road) from I 75.. Follow signs to the park from the exit. You will turn right and go 2 miles east to the Red Top Mountain State Park. After crossing the bridge, take the second road on your left (Park Marina Road) about one mile and the Lodge Road will be on your right.

– From the Atlanta Airport

Take I 85 north from the airport toward Atlanta. I 85 will merge with I 75 a few miles north of the airport. Go through downtown Atlanta – stay in the right hand lanes which will keep you on I 75. Take I 75 north toward Chattanooga. Total time from the airport to Red Top Lodge should be about 1:15 if there is no traffic. Warning: I 75 from downtown north through the I 285 intersection can be very congested and slow during rush hour. If you are leaving the airport after 3:30 on Friday, you may want to take this alternate route: I85 north to intersection with I75, take next exit (Exit 243) west to I285. I285 north to I75. This bypasses downtown Atlanta.

– From Chattanooga (70 miles). Take I-75 south to Exit 285 (Red Top Mountain Road).

ATTIRE

Very casual for the entire workshop; however, be aware that we are videotaping the entire workshop for webcasting so you should be prepared to be "on camera." If you want to explore the nature trails in the park, bring appropriate footwear. Participants doing the optional visit to the medical examination testing center on Friday may want to wear something more like business casual for that visit and then change when they get to the Lodge.

WEATHER

MEALS

NIFTEP is providing the following meals:

Friday night dinner

Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner

Sunday breakfast and brunch

Snacks at break time

The featured entree for Friday dinner is seafood and for Saturday dinner, prime rib; however, meals at the Lodge restaurant are buffet style and sufficient options are available for vegetarians and persons with other dietary restrictions. Alcoholic beverages must be purchased.

PARK PASS

If you have a car, request a park pass at the Lodge registration desk and display it in your car. NIFTEP is paying for the park pass.

ROOM AT THE LODGE

Your room is already reserved and payment will be made directly by NIFTEP.The Lodge has a room list; you do not need a confirmation code. You will need to provide a credit card at check-in to cover any phone calls and other charges to your room. Lodge rooms have free wireless internet service. All rooms are non-smoking as are the restaurant, conference rooms and public spaces. Official check in begins at 4pm but you may be able to check in earlier on Friday if your room is available. Check out deadline on Sunday is 11am.

RECOMMENDED AREA ATTRACTIONS:

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site

New Echota State Historic Site (Cherokee Indian capital)

Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History

REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES

For participants arriving by air:
NIFTEP will reimburse actual air fare and car rental costs for those arriving by air.
For air fare you must provide either the original ticket receipt or a printed electronic ticket showing amount actually paid. Reimbursement can not be made on a Orbitz or Expedia type itinerary statement. An electronic ticket receipt should show the method of payment including, typically, the last several digits of the credit card used. You are expected to make reasonable efforts to obtain the least expensive economy class airfare available on a reasonably direct route using the discount available for purchasing a restricted fare in advance. Air fare in excess of $300 will not be reimbursed unless approval was obtained from NIFTEP prior to purchase.

Car rental from the airport

Persons arriving by air will need to join a car pool or rent their own car. If you are renting to drive by yourself, NIFTEP will reimburse rental of a compact class car plus loss damage waiver and actual gasoline purchased to refill the car on return. Three day rental at the Atlanta airport on these terms from Avis is approximately $250 (including all taxes and surcharges) so we do not expect to reimburse more than $275 for individual drivers.

We will reimburse rental of a full-size car for the driver of a car pool group of three or more. Because NIFTEP funds are limited, we urge you to travel by car pool unless you are arriving at the airport at an unusual time.

For car rental, attach the rental agreement, receipt from the rental company upon return, and receipts for gasoline purchased. NIFTEP will not reimburse you for purchasing a full tank from the car rental company or for costs charged by the rental company for filling your partially empty tank upon return, or for other forms of car rental insurance or coverage beyond the standard loss damage waiver.

For participants driving their own car.
NIFTEP will reimburse you at the Georgia government rate of 55 cents/mile but State of Georgia procedures require that you provide ALL of the following information
A) Your vehicle license plate number (including state)

B) The following actual odometer readings
1) the odometer reading when you begin the trip
2) the odometer reading when you arrive at the Red Top Lodge
3) the odometer reading when you leave the Red Top Lodge
4) the odometer reading when you complete your trip back home
5) the total miles driven

C) A print out from Mapquest showing miles from your originating point to Red Top Lodge

As indicated in the invitation to apply for fellowships, Fellows are "responsible for meals in transit and all incidental travel expenses (e.g. airport parking) and such costs will not be reimbursed by NIFTEP.