TO THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
"The 20th NAI-AA Convention Committee would like to extend an invitation to all AA members around the world to come and celebrate with us the 20th year of the Annual NAI-AA Convention. The NAI-AA started 20 years ago at the Hacienda Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Conventions were held there. The early conventions had attendance in excess of 1000. The 4th and 5th were held in Rapid City, South Dakota. The 6th was held in Seattle, Washington. The 7th, 8th and 9th were held in Reno, Nevada. The 10th, 11th and 12th were held in Mesquite, Nevada. The 13th was held in Burbank, California. The 14th was held at Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 15th was held at St. Paul, Minnesota. The 16th was in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The 17th was in Billings, Montana. The 18th was in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 19th was in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The convention started in 1991 as the result of a vision experienced by a Paiute Indian man by the name of Earl L. The purpose of the NAI-AA Convention is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to the Native Indian people by organizing an Annual Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. With the realization that few natives would realistically make the trip to Las Vegas to hear the beautiful messages of hope and recovery the 1993 NAI-AA convention planning committee voted to make the Convention a travelling Convention. By 1993 the committee voted to take the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to the people. The convention has been travelling this country reaching out to the tribes of this country with a message of hope that life can be lived without the use of alcohol and that recovery from Alcoholism is possible using the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
A travelling Convention has been financially difficult with set backs along the way but the Convention has survived because of the volunteers. The average attendance on the road has been around 300-400 people per convention. The smallest was 179 two days after the 911 attack. The committee has four executive positions and numerous sub-committee volunteers to work the conventions. Because of travel demands the executive committee is responsible to make sure the Convention continues. The volunteers have changed with each new community visited, falling away as the convention moves to a different location. The 20th Annual NAI-AA Convention would not be possible if it were not for the support of local AA communities both Native and Non-Native AA members. For the support of the faithful followers that have attended all the Conventions. For the new comers that keep coming back. The nai-aa Convention Planning Committee has tried to keep the Convention a Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. There have been several mishaps along the way but the intention of the committee is to stay in line with the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The convention fees and costs are set according to the cost for the conventions. For our 20th Convention we all know that we can get supper a lot cheaper than $45.00 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fee for the food helps pay for the meeting room rental costs, round trip airline fees for the AA speakers, lodging for the speakers and guests, printing costs, flyers, postage for mailings, etc., etc. We need to buy roughly 400 banquet tickets to pay for the 20th Convention. If you want to know how we are doing, ask how many banquet tickets we sold. If we clear 400 we are doing good. If we are below this number then you know we are struggling. Remember everything has a 24% gratituity attached to it plus Clark county taxes. We wish we could do better for you on prices but Vegas is Vegas, they don’t haggle very much. Attendance also makes a difference. Remember also that this is your event. Any event that does not have support dies, this convention lives because you support it and keep it going. You can also buy a meal ticket for the Alnon brunch and help them with their costs; they have been there for us as well. If you really want to help the Convention please pre-register, buy banquet/brunch tickets and stay at the host hotel. Sponsor someone for a registration and meal tickets.
There have been many changes in Native communities since 1991. There are currently more AA meeting on Native American and First Nations Reservations then at anytime in AA history. Many areas have their own major AA activity, convention, conference, campout, roundup, etc. There have been several AA Forums on Native Reservations with the entire New York General Services Office Staff participation…a first in AA history. Another AA forum is scheduled for Rapid City, South Dakota in November of 2010. There have been updates to AA Literature targeted for Native use. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Fourth Edition has changed the Native stories to reflect a more modern accurate snapshot of Native American culture. More Native groups are registering with the General Services Office in New York. At the 2000 Minneapolis, Minnesota World AA Convention, Natives were included in the world family of Alcoholics Anonymous. For the first time in AA history a Native American Indian Harold Y. (dec.) a Lakota from Pine Ridge, South Dakota led the parade of flags. He carried an Eagle Staff representing all the native peoples of the world. In 2005 at the World Convention in Toronto, Canada a 6 Nations Reserve First Nations Native by the name of Roger L. (dec.) led the parade of flags with an Eagle Staff and posted it along with the other Flags of the World. There are two Native panels at the AA World Convention, 6 to 8 selected individuals carrying the messages of Alcoholics Anonymous to the world. There is a Native hospitality suite at the world convention. The International Native American and First Nations communities have been accepted by the world fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Gratitude goes out to all AA members Non-Native and Native who have extended a helping hand; you have made all these changes possible by carrying the message of Alcoholics Anonymous. Thank You.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR 20th NAI-AA CONVENTION
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ARCHIVES DISPLAY
The 20th NAI-AA convention has invited the archivist (Gerry R.) from Area 40 which is Montana to provide an AA Archives display. The display has lots of history about the early movement of Alcoholics Anonymous growth and development. It also contains information about Native and First Nations AA development. This archives display will be available for your pleasure during the convention. Copies of some of the information may be available at cost for you.
The archivist will also be collecting information on the history and development of the NAI-AA Convention as well as Native American and First Nations AA development. If you have early Convention Flyers, Programs, or any other items that could be added to the archives collection please bring them to the Convention. Copies will be made and the originals will be returned to you. You may donate them to the collection that would be appreciated also. The plan includes adding collected information to the GSO New York Archives for all AA members to enjoy.
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2010 NAI-AA MARATHON MEETING INFORMATION
AND SIGN UP SHEET
The first 2010 nai-aa convention marathon meeting will start at 4pm Thursday afternoon September 9, 2010. The meetings will continue one after another every hour of the convention. The last marathon meeting will be Sunday September 12, 2010 at 8am. Please select a day and time and provide the information to the marathon meeting Chairperson
Contact Roger L. 702-612-8954 or rogerntoni@cox.net
You will need to provide the following information.
Date:…………………………………….…Friday Sept. 10
Time:…………………………………….…11:00am
Topic:………………………………….……Surrender
Name of the Chairperson:……….........…Betty W.
Name of the home group:………........….Out-of-towners-group
City:…………………………………………Wood
State:……………………………………….South Dakota
Tribe: (optional) ……………………….…..Sicangu Lakota
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12midnight |
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MARATHON MEETING SCHEDULE:
Thursday 9-9-2010,Friday 9-10-2010, Saturday 9-11-2010,
Sunday 9-12-2010
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