Page 51 of 57
Convention Committee Report
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS:
During the year the WSC Convention Committee met during the 2004 CAWS Convention in Los Angeles, utilized conference calls and email to handle work relevant to our committee. Throughout the year we have:
- updated Convention Guidelines reflecting the decisions of the 2003 WSC
- selected the Steering Committee for CAWS 2007
- provided support and guidance for Areas bidding on future conventions
- worked with the WSO to request and review bids for 2006 and 2008
- reviewed the bidding process for multiple bids
- requested that future bids be included under standing rule 14
- discussed the development of internal guidelines
We received bids for CAWS 2006 from Cleveland, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. For CAWS 2008 we received a bid from Colorado. Utah and Wisconsin will submit their bid for CAWS 2008 if they are not chosen as the host of CAWS 2006.
At this time we will hear a report from Jim H. on CAWS 2004.
Report from Jim H.: See Pass it on Report.
First and foremost I would like to thank CA for allowing me the chance to find a God that loves me, one that continues to put into my life, people:
People like my sponsor, Jay S., his love, support and direction way very inspirational during this process. I thank you.
People, like the 2004 Convention Committee, their dedication to this fellowship, love for CA, countless hours of work, sacrifice of personal time, and support, gave me the opportunity to ENLARGE the circle of love that surrounds me. I thank you.
People, like the WSO staff, whose continued work for this fellowship, love for the process and belief in all that is good, allowed me to develop new friendships give and receive the gift of respect and learn as we went along. I thank them all.
Page 52 of 57
People, like the WSOB, whose job at times is not an easy one, who continue to work for this fellowship out of sheer desire and love, for believing in me and my ideas and for trusting my decisions. I thank you.
People, like the Trustees, whose positions and decisions are ALWAYS under the microscope, whose beliefs and experiences are ALWAYS meant for the betterment of this fellowship, for their continued support in our efforts. I thank you.
People, like the selection committee and the Conference Convention committee for putting me in yet another position for another Spiritual Experience. Thank you.
People, just people, people whose desire to help. People, whose desire is to give back at any level to this fellowship. People, just like you and me, that LOVE a program called Cocaine Anonymous.
People that believe and agree ABSOLUTELY on ONE thing and that one thing is that
this program WORKS.
WORKS.
Thank you all for chance to have an experience that I will never forget
Peace and God Bless
Jim H.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help in the future.
Joe C. will provide a brief update on CAWS 2005 in Memphis.
Question:
Paul P. Banquet Are there going to be provisions for vegetarian meals?
Joe C. – Yes. There are provisions being made.
Jahi B. will provide a brief update on CAWS 2007 in Kansas City.
In order to use the conference time wisely and to allow the members of the Conference sufficient time to review and discuss the proposals for CAWS 2006 and CAWS 2008 the WSC Convention Committee will now ask the Areas placing bids to make their presentations to the floor. All members should have full copies of the four proposals. The Areas will take your questions at the end of their presentation.
Areas bidding on CAWS 2006:
- Texas– Report given.
- Utah Report– given.
- Wisconsin Report given.
Areas bidding on CAWS 2008:
- Colorado Report given.
Page 53 of 57
- Utah
- Wisconsin
Questions:
Jay F. – Tell us when the world convention was last held in your region.
Bobbie H. – Last few in Texas 1993, Colorado in 1997, Arizona in 2000.
Howard J. – Portland in 2002.
Tony D. – Chicago in 2003, Milwaukee in 1999.
Rob W. – 2000 in Arizona, 2006 in Houston possibly.
Dan S.M. – Clarification regarding the rotation process between regions. If in Houston in 2006, would that impact Colorado having the convention in 2008?
Tammy M. – No, Colorado would not be precluded from the 2008 bid. Kevin M. ñ What is the distance between Denver and Houston?
Bobbie H. – Approximately 1100 miles, so, even though we are in the same region, the difference is significant. May in Houston is like summer and it can be winter in Colorado.
Discussion by all areas of weather in May at other potential convention sites.
Jahi B. ñ The free coffee in the Wisconsin packet, 325 gallons, how much do they think will be used at the convention?
Tony D. – They do not think they will go over it the 325 gallons.
Howard J. – 400 gallons at $19, but they are in a real war regarding price, so that will probably go down.
Rob W. – 500 gallons and will be given $6,000 worth of coffee.
Bobbie H. – 500 gallons listed. Want to make money off of it since we usually do not have to pay for it.
Mark T. – What is the room tax? Bobbie H. ñ 17%
Howard J. – 10.1%
Rob W – 13%
Page 54 of 57
Tony D. – 14.6%
Elizabeth S. – For 2006 bids, how far in the process have you negotiated? Do you feel you can be in the final negotiation phase?
Bobbie H. – I would say that we are in the middle of setting a contract.
Tony D. – Same hotel from prior convention, and we are ready to have the hotel sign.
Howard J. – We could have a contract signed today, but it shouldn’t because the time is ripe for additional negotiation.
Elizabeth S. n- Please tell us about the fundraising at other conventions and net gains from those conventions.
Response by each Area, including dollars brought in and number of attendees.
Elizabeth ñ are you aware whether hotel being negotiated is a union hotel?
Bobbie H. – No, it isn’t.
Howard J. – No, it isn’t.
Tony D. – No, it isn’t.
Rob W. – No, it isn’t.
Greg B. – Room rebates ñ is that per room for the three day stay or per room per night?
Tony D. – Per room per night.
Bobbie H. – Per room per night.
Rob W. – Per room per night.
Howard J. – Per room per night.
Greg B. – Do you plan on having activities at the hotel site versus off-site?
Bobbie H. – We plan to have events on-site, including special events and possibly concerts inside hotel.
Howard J. – Plan to do a combination of both. Off-site events would most likely be in walking distance or a short drive. We will try to keep things focused in SLC during the convention and have other things farther away that people can do before or after the convention.
Tony D. ñ- Events will be done on-site and there is also a lot to do within walking distance.
Rob W. – There were a number of events off-site previously that may be reviewed, but that has not been looked at specifically.
Page 55 of 57
Dan S.M. – Questions regarding the budget comparison in WI.
Tony D. ñ Response regarding combination of room credits. Would have to review a bid to answer that question.
Rick D. – What are the travel costs from airport to hotel?
Howard J. – Hilton charges $6.00. May also be able to get a complimentary shuttle. Can also take cabs for approximately $10.
Tony D. – No shuttle, but the cab fare would be approximately $25. Rob W. ñ Taxi – $45; Shuttle $22; May also have light rail by 2008.
Bobbie H. – Hilton $24 pp; $50 per cab; Some are right by airport so no cost. Doubletree – $20; Marriott – $50-$60 (no shuttle). May negotiate with shuttle service to get the least expensive fare.
Hayward H. – What are the standard and suite room rates?
Tony D. – $95 for single, double, triple or quad room.
Rob W. – $79 – $109
Bobbie H. – Various rates including $105, $119, $122. There are also rebates per room. Howard J. ñ The prices will all come down with the bidding war.
Diane W. – Banquet cost per meal. Does it include gratuity? This is regarding the cost for the fellowship.
Tony D. – $15 for breakfast which includes gratuity; Dinner $30-$35 including gratuity.
Howard J. – $30 for banquet; $18 for brunch includes gratuity, (the charge to individuals is more.)
Rob W. – $35, includes gratuity.
Bobbie H. – $34-60 and includes gratuity.
Greg U. – What does your city/area/region plan to do to promote unity?
Tony D. – Areas are all in support of the region hosting convention. People are excited and behind us.
Bobbie H. – The Texas areas are all supporting as is the region. We are doing everything we can to pump it up and we have a lot of support. Old-timers and newcomers.
Page 56 of 57
Howard J. – Since previous convention the fellowship was small we had to depend on the other areas in the region. Plan on have the Canadians assist in the process.
Rob W. – All the groups in the area were asked if they would support and everyone said yes. We will have good unity within the region as well.
Ethel T. – Hotel that are being investigated, are the meals investigated for vegetarian and non-pork eaters?
Bobbie H. – Yes.
Tony D. – Vegetarian option which is actually cheaper.
Howard J. -We will have a variety of choices for different tastes. “No one has ever had a bad meal.”
Rob W. – We will have a vegetarian meal.
Rob W. – If vegetarian meal is not satisfactory, are there a list of restaurant in the area.
Bobbie H. – Yes. There are nice restaurants in all the potential areas.
Tony D. – There are many restaurants in a three-block walking distance.
Howard J. – Every option is available in the downtown area, with a large variety.
Rob W. – Downtown hotels do have at least 100 in the downtown area.
Susan D. – During the Banquet, are you going to assign seats?
Tammy M. – Assigned seating is just a suggestion in the convention guidelines.
Susan D. – Yes, but if it is optional, will you be using it?
Tony D. – Committee has not focused on that, but they do that at regional events.
Howard J. – We have not addressed that. We heard how it was done in the UK and are willing to hear other options.
Rob W. – No decision has been made.
Bobbie H. – They have not discussed that.
COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS:
| Tammy M. – Chair | Cory D. | Patty F. |
| Carl W. – Vice Chair | Sean D. | Wilbert L. |
| Susan C. – Secretary | Johnnie E. | Morris R. |
Page 57 of 57
| Cindy C. | Dennis H. | Joe C. |
| Carolyn C. | Johnnie E. | Barry H. |
| Leandra C. | David M. | Earl H. |
| Jennifer J. | Pilar R. | Greg U. |
| Al F. |
REFERRALS THAT WERE WORKED UPON DURING THE YEAR:
There were no referrals from the 2003 WSC worked on throughout the year.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
We now recognize the need to more clearly define the process by which we will work to fulfill our purpose as defined in the World Service Manual. The Convention Committee will be extremely busy during the 2004 Conference. We will be focusing on the development of internal guidelines and uniform bidding procedures, creating an ad hoc committee to review bids prior to the Conference, clarifying the responsibilities of Convention officers as well as other referrals sent to our committee. We hope that some of the new delegates will join us for an exciting and fun opportunity to serve. I thank you for the opportunity to serve the fellowship.
Conference committee reports have been completed.
Skip H. – Motion to accept 2003 conference minutes.
Seconded.
Motion carries unanimously.
Old Business: None
Session closes at 11:10 p.m.