The purpose of the Western Area Convention is to promote unity within area 39.

WHY HAVE AN A.A. CONVENTION?

It’s clear that A.A. get-togethers beyond the group have become an established part of A.A. life. The calendar in any Box 4-5-9 or in the Grapevine shows how many conventions, conferences, and banquets are being held by A.A.s throughout the world.

What makes an A.A. convention click for its participants? It’s probably not style or form that matters so much as the spirit and feeling behind it. As one member puts it, the best A.A. convention is “just a darned good A.A. meeting blown up big.” Just watch enthusiastic members at any A.A. convention and you’ll get what he means. The atmosphere alone is worth the trip. Here you’ll find fellowship, laughter, warmth, and understanding—”heaped up, pressed down, and running over.”

Link to A.A. Guidelines by GSO

To Get Involved Contact the Committee Chair or attend the committee meeting at the Area Assembly

Current Activities Include:

• 2008 Western Area 39 Convention - October 31st, November 1st and 2nd

Groups Can...

• Announce convention and offer flyers and registration provided by WA Convention Committee

Other Ideas...

• Provide dates for convention 3 years in advance

Western Area of Missouri Convention Guidelines 

The purpose of the Western Area Convention is to promote unity within Area 39.
The convention committee shall follow all of the AA Guidelines (Convention and Conferences)
 in all areas not specified in the following pages.

Guidelines revised 3/99

Section One: Western Area of Missouri Convention.
A:  The convention will be held the last weekend in October whenever possible.
B:  The convention will be held at a site approved by the majority of the convention committee.
C:  The program for the convention will be developed by the Co-Chairperson and approved by a simple majority of the convention committee.
D:  The convention committee shall make an earnest effort to cooperate with Al-Anon and Alateen without affiliation with them, as outlined in the AA Guidelines.
E:  The Western Area provided $2500 to begin financing the convention.  After paying all of the debts of the convention, any money in excess of $2500 shall be donated back to the Western Area.
F:  The amount of registration to charge for each convention will be determined by the Treasurer, for approval by the committee.
G.  The convention committee will select, with a simple majority vote, the taper for the convention coordinated by the Chairperson.

Section Two: The Committee
A:  The officers of the committee elected for a 2 year term, will be Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Information, Hospitality, Registration and Entertainment.
B:  Each member is expected to attend all scheduled meetings of the committee.  In the event that a member is unable to attend a meeting, the member should notify the Chairperson and send a written report to be presented at the meeting covering the member’s area of responsibility.  If a member misses 2 meetings without notice and report the person will no longer be considered a member of the committee and a new member will be elected.
C:  Elected committee members shall vote on the inner workings of the Convention Committee.
D:  During elections any AA member can stand for positions and all present may vote.

 Section Three: Officers
A:  Chairperson (assisted by the Co-Chairperson) - runs the entire convention, coordinates the work of the sub-committees chairpersons, keeps informed of all of the arrangements, calls committee meetings when they are needed, preparing an agenda for each committee meeting with the secretary.
B:  Co-Chairperson – selects speakers, arranges the transportation of the speakers, reserves the rooms for the speakers, arranges for flowers or gift baskets for the speakers rooms, arranges for the speakers to charge meals with the hotel following the guidelines on speakers (attachment A), arranges for a local representative to act as host for each speaker.
C:  Secretary – keeps all written records, including minutes of committee meetings sends thank you notes to the speakers and panel members who led various meetings from the committee, maintains written committee records of previous conventions for future planning and prepares agenda of committee meetings with the chairperson.
D:  Treasurer – is responsible for all money, including revenues from registration, pays bills, advises the chairperson and committee on cash supply & income flow as well as rate of expenditures, determines the amount of registration to be charged from past records, prepares a written report of income and expenses from each committee meeting and a final report after each convention, disburses excess funds over and above set reserve to the area.  The treasurer shall open a non-interest bearing checking account.  The account should have two signatures (the treasurer and chairpersons) but only one signature is required on the checks.

Section Four: Committee Chairpersons
A:  Registration Chairperson – Receives the registration slips from the treasurer, prepares name tags and packets for pre-registration, also prepares badges for speakers, hosts, committee members and area officers with ribbons.  Organizes committee to occupy the registration tables for 2 hour periods throughout the convention.
B:  Public Information Chairperson – is responsible for arranging and printing of convention flyers and programs, is responsible for sending convention information to Box 459 and Grapevine by printing deadlines.  Also coordinates the Marathon Meetings.
C:  Hospitality Chairperson – serves as concession host, arranges for food and beverages to be served in the Hospitality Room, obtains volunteers to work in the Hospitality Room for 2 hour shifts throughout the convention, Friday 4-12 PM, Saturday 6:30 AM – 12 PM, and Sunday 6:30 AM – 10 AM.
D:  Entertainment Chairperson- is responsible for obtaining a disc jockey or band for the Saturday night dance and decorating the area.

Attachment A: Speakers
A:  The Co-Chairperson shall select the speakers for each convention
B:  The Co-Chairperson when contacting speakers shall:
      1. Specify to the speakers exactly what expenses will be paid by the convention,
          which are travel expenses, room, meals and registration.  If a spouse accompanies
          the speaker the convention will pay for the spouses registration.
      2. Notify the speaker when they are on the program and the theme of the convention.
          They are expected to arrive on Friday and leave Sunday after the convention ends.
      3.   Ask if the speaker is willing to be on a panel or lead a workshop.
      4.   Find out how the speaker wants to appear on the flyer and inform the PI Chairperson.
      5.   Arrange for transportation of the speakers.
      6.   Inform the speaker the name of their host, who will pick them up at the airport.
      7.   Host will be responsible for speakers meeting.
C:  Send all speakers a confirmation letter immediately upon their acceptance.  Also send all speakers a letter of appreciation as soon as possible after the convention.
Western Area Convention Chairperson: Jenny D
To contact the Western Area Convention Committee please go the the "Contact Us" page