So, did you have fun? Your committee sure did, and we hope you did too. This year’s convention has come and gone, and it is now another entry in our shared memory book. From the time the doors opened on Friday until the cleanup was finished on Sunday afternoon, the Elks Lodge was the scene of laughter, hugs, tears, shared conversation and good fellowship. We hosted guests from all over the USA and beyond. We renewed old friendships and made new ones. Perhaps some even got started on a sober life there.
Friday began with the golf tournament. It was a beautiful, sunny (and warm) Santa Barbara day. We had fourteen groups participate this year, and everyone had a great time, being outdoors, enjoying their fellow players, and even making the occasional fantastic golf shot.
Meanwhile, at the Elks Lodge, tables were arranged, literature was set out, the registration computers were all networked, and case after case of sodas and water were carried in for the Hospitality table. The decorations committee was hard at work setting up the stage in the main hall. Finally, all was ready, and the only thing we needed was you.
And you came! You came by the hundreds! Slowly at first, throughout the afternoon, you drifted in one at a time or by twos and threes. You chatted with the committee members and volunteers, drank coffee (free with your convention mug!), and attended marathon meetings.
As usual, the rush really began late Friday afternoon as people got off work. By 5:30, people were lined up at the registration desk, filling out forms, making payments, and getting their badges printed. The lucky ones were those who had pre-registered; they got to go directly to the end of the table and pick up their packet with little or no waiting. About the time the crowds began to arrive, the Elks brought out their famous barbeque chicken and tri-tip. Delicious! The turnout was very good this year, nearly selling out – something you might want to keep in mind when you’re signing up next year. Don’t miss out.
Al-Anon had their opening meeting at 6:30, and that was followed by the first AA speaker meeting at 8:00. I’m not going to go into the individual speakers at this year’s convention. If you were there, you know what they were like, and you were probably touched by the message they shared, just as I was. If you weren’t there, I’m sorry you missed it. My few words in the Messenger can’t begin to touch on what the experience of hearing them was like. It’s one of those things that you just had to be there for.
And so the convention continues on into Saturday, with the H&I Panel, the Long Timers’ Meeting, and Marathon Meetings all day. It was so good to have a broad range of participation this year, too, including special events for our sober gay and lesbian friends, the young people who bring such positive energy to our fellowship, wonderful Spanish speaking meetings, and, of course, a variety of Al-Anon events.
The Saturday night banquet was a big success, also. We completely sold out this year, even though the committee increased the number of meals at the last minute based upon the number of early registrations requesting the banquet. The food was excellent, as always, and the Elks Club staff got a well-deserved round of applause from the crowd.
Saturday night was capped off by a wonderful speaker meeting, followed by the dance. The DJ managed to mix in a little something for everyone, and that dance floor was crowded most of the night.
By the time Sunday morning arrived, I think nearly everyone was tired but very happy. Attendance at the “Spiritual” Meeting was good, and the sobriety countdown tallied up 4,859 years of communal sobriety (or 1,773,462 days, one at a time). We heard another heartfelt message of experience, strength and hope, reminding us, once again, that the “Age of Miracles” is still with us in this wonderful fellowship. Afterwards we said goodbye to our old and new friends, some until next year and some until the next meeting.
In only a few weeks, we’ll begin the process again, planning for the 25th annual Santa Barbara convention. Watch the Messenger for an announcement for the first committee meeting if you want to participate. But for now, on behalf of the committee, I want to extend our thanks to all those who make the convention possible, especially to the great volunteers we again had this year, many from Casa Serena, New House, and other recovery centers. Most of all, thanks to all of you who came to enjoy our celebration – we had 740 people register for this year’s event. I love my fellow committee members, but I don’t think any of us would volunteer for all this work if we were the only ones who showed up. So keep on coming, all of you. You are the reason Santa Barbara has a convention. See you again next year!
- Your Convention Committee
