Conference Intnl. Conv. & Regional Forums Committee
1. Recommendation: The committee recommended that up to twenty-one non-A.A. speakers be invited to attend the 2005 International Convention at A.A.'s expense.
Note: It is estimated that transportation,
housing and meal reimbursement will be $2,500 to $3,000 for each speaker.
Discussion: The question was asked
as to why we do not pay for alcoholic speakers to attend the
convention as well? It was pointed out that the speakers are
non-alcoholic and we invite them to share their professional
experience at workshops, not at an A.A. meeting. This not only
allows us as A.A. members to observe the sharing from a
non-alcoholic professional, but also offers us the opportunity to
invite professionals from our community to attend and learn more
about A.A. from another professional. We are not paying them to
speak, we are just covering their expenses, because they are asked
to attend. Our current trustees are not included in this number of
21. A.A. speakers are selected to speak from A.A. members who are
registered to attend the convention, and their expenses are not
covered.
The recommendation was
unanimously approved.
2. Recommendation: The committee unanimously recommended that the under noted three (3) cities, expressed here in alphabetical order, be considered as possible sites for the International Convention in 2015.
Atlanta, GA
Indianapolis, IN
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
The recommendation was
unanimously approved.
Discussion:
One area has a concern about the Canadian laws on a person with a
felony or DUI entering Canada. It was pointed out that the United
States has a similar law, we just don't enforce it as strictly as
the Canadians are doing. Information on what to do if you are
planning to attend the International in Toronto in 2005 and have
a felony or past DUI (s) can be obtained from the AA website at
www.aa.org or the area web site at
www.area36.org
ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE CONSIDERATIONS:
- The committee discussed data collecting of personal information of A.A. members who attend conventions and strongly suggested that, in order to protect A.A's principle of anonymity, G.S.O. direct hotels contracted for Regional Forums and International Conventions not to use the list of A.A. hotel guests in conjunction with the words "Alcoholics Anonymous" or "A.A." for any mailing lists: including outside marketing campaigns.
- The committee discussed ways to improve and encourage interest in Regional and Special Forums and suggested:
- Continue providing simultaneous translations into Spanish and/or French to increase participation of Spanish and French-speaking A.A. members.
- Have presentations at Forums in Spanish and French as well as English.
- Seek better ways to encourage members, groups, districts and areas in organizing various means of transportation to Regional/Special Forums.
- Encourage attendees to share their Forum experience more widely with other members, (e.g. articles in local newsletters, reports at group conscience or business meetings, etc.).