Once again, Gary has a straightforward answer. Nothing wrong with booking a block of rooms at a discount.
There is a discount at most of these hotels, I know some of you can do better, but many cannot.
It is the spirit that the message is delivered in- DO IT, Do not vary from our command.
CO's told elders and servants that they would need to comply or be removed from the body. TRUE.
Gary's suggestion that it just be honestly delivered and not forced, they would get most JW's to comply.
If you are not an elder, MS, pioneer- stay where you wanted to, or get the best deal. They are powerless
to do anything in those cases. I have a deal next year that I may use that would make the hotel free.
The wife won't even blink at something FREE. As far as lunch outside the site goes, there's not a
threat to remove you if you go to the restaurant. It's hard to travel and bring your own food for three days.
Many JW's continue to see the silliness of enforcing the BRING YOUR OWN FOOD rule and go out at
lunchtime.
I never heard of congregation arrangements for seats, but there is the rules to save them only for your
immediate family and car group. There is some consideration in that, but if you talk on your cell phones,
and know your buddy needs seats, I don't see a problem with that.