The Fathers' Rights & Equality Exchange (F.R.E.E.) and FREE Foundation are very pleased to announce the second annual National F.R.E.E. Conference, to be held at the Clarion Hotel at San Francisco airport, Friday, July 18th through Sunday, July 20th, 1997.
Our 1997 conference offers useful and timely topics, with nationally recognized speakers, and, as always, we have put together the best conference package and rates available!
| Investigating & Defending False Allegations of Abuse | Harvey Shapiro, Private Investigator | Domestic Violence as an Issue which Transcends Gender Lines | Eric Towle, M.A. - Violence Counsellor | The Special Master Program | Laurie Williams, LCSW and Special Master | Preparing & Presenting a Father's Case: Legal Aspects | Michael Brennan, Esq., Author "Custody for Fathers" | Preparing & Presenting a Father's Case: Courting the Court | Carleen Brennan, Co-author "Custody for Fathers" | Putting Kids First | Michael Oddenino, Esq., Author "Putting Kids First" | Fathers & Family Law Mediation | Brendan Cunning, LCSW | When a Parent Comes Out | Amity Pierce Buxton, Ph.D., Author "The Other Side of the Closet" | Getting in Touch with Your Inner Father | Ken Byers, Ph.D., Author "Man in Transition" | What to do When CPS Comes Knocking | Speaker To Be Announced | Parental Kidnapping - What Every Parent and Professional Should Know | Speaker To Be Announced | Effecting Co-Parent Friendly Legislative Change | Brent Wellman, Associate Director, FREE Foundation |
We have secured greatly discounted conference rates for you on both accommodations and airfare, and we have arranged "one stop shopping" for you with our travel agency. With one call to a toll-free number you will be able to make arrangements for hotel and travel, as well as any other arrangements you may wish to make, such as a rental car.
(Special note to our friends outside of the United States: additional group-rate discounts on airfare are available for groups of ten or more.)
This year's conference will be held at the beautiful Clarion Hotel. See http://www.goldpage.com/travel/californ/clarion/default.htm . The Clarion will be providing free shuttle service to and from the hotel. Room rates are: $99.00 per night for a single or double; $109.00 for a triple, and $119.00 for a quad.
The Clarion offers wonderful amenities, including:
| Free Parking | Free Motorcoach Parking | Nob Hill Court Restaurant |
| Sac's San Francisco Style Deli | Norton's Sports Lounge | Room Service |
| Outdoor Heated Pool & Whirlpool Spa | Free In-Room Movies | Fitness Center On-Site |
| Handicap Accessible Rooms | Non-smoking Rooms | Free Coffee in Lobby |
To arrange accommodations and travel, call Angelica at Uniglobe Paragon Travel at 800-424-9498
For more information, call or write to:
F.R.E.E. Conference
3140 de la Cruz Boulevard, #200
Santa Clara, California 95054
An individual membership in F.R.E.E. is $95.00 per year. Membership Includes: Legal Services Plan, free attorney consultation, copies of "Custody for Fathers" and "Putting Kids First", and subscriptions to Modern Dad Magazine and F.R.E.E. Thoughts.
by
Please join me in welcoming
Hello, my name is Dave Smith. I have been divorced for a little over two years and am the non-custodial parent of two fine boys ages 2 and 5 who, needless to say, I love very much.
Like many of you, I was treated poorly as I went through the "emotion grinder" they call the family court system. I tried to get custody and failed. I quickly learned that, as a father, I had no real rights to speak of with regard to my children's future or my own. No one cared about my wife's threats to leave the state with my kids, her false accusations of crimes I did not commit, or infringment on my visitation.
My new purpose in life, according to the court, was clear. I was a source of income to my ex-wife and children without regard to fairness, ability to pay, or accountability. In addition, the state would ensure that I lived up to this new role with any form of punishment or harrasment they could muster.
I took my beating and tried to rebuild my life. I tried to get involved and change the system, but didn't know where to turn. I struggled daily, feeling that I had to face my situation alone but was powerless to change it. I hoped my problems would go away. They didn't.
Yet, I tell you there is hope. You are not alone. There are people out there working hard for change, but we need your help.
My plan for the Florida chapter is simple to state: To assist in changing the laws that have stripped father's of their rights and the means to defend them.
In closing I'm going to share something with you that's worth about an hour of therapy:
Many people, including our politicians, have no idea how unjust our current family law system really is. Performing a simple task such as writing a letter or making a phone call to some of your legislators informing them of how our system really works will replace those feelings you have of hoplessness and being alone with those of hope and accomplishment. Try it. I tell you it works.
Please get involved.
| Home | July | Features | Columns | OrgNews | Boutique | Directory | Links | Definitions |
Email to the Editor -- If you don't want it published in the "Email to the Editor" column, say so. Otherwise, it may be published.