In virtually every profession, there are reference materials that are fundamental to the job. Journalists rely on the Associated Press Stylebook; investment professionals turn to the Morningstar Reports. And religious meeting planners keep the annual RCMA Handbook at their fingertips.

Religious meeting planners require a complete guide to the basics of planning meetings for religious organizations. This year's Handbook was developed to provide you with the meeting planning basics that form the backbone of any event, plus the resources you need to find the more detailed information for the specific needs of your meetings.

The 2002 Handbook is conveniently divided into sections to allow you to quickly flip to the information you need, whether it's in meeting management, health and safety, audiovisual and technology, or international concerns, such as a guide to budgeting.

Because the most important lesson every religious planner learns early on is that it pays to work smarter, not harder, this year's Handbook focuses on how you can improve the efficiency of your efforts throughout the planning process. Whether it's marketing your meeting, conducting a site inspection (especially what to ask about technology issues), or preparing to be able to ensure the health and safety of attendees, the Handbook has the answers. As an added bonus, it includes a section dedicated to the checklists that planners rely on to keep them on track throughout the planning process.

Whether you are a meeting planning rookie or a seasoned professional, the 2002 Handbook will be an invaluable tool to help you maximize your meeting's impact while minimizing the costs to your organization. It's one resource you will want to keep on your desk throughout the year, along with Who's Who in Religious Conference Management, which will be published this spring.