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IAC Newsletter Summary — May 2009 (IACTIVITY)

  • GaL-AA Newsletter Committee
  • Dec 5
  • 4 min read

📰 IAC Newsletter Summary — May 2009 (IACTIVITY)

This issue centers heavily on preparations for the 2010 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous in San Antonio, outlines numerous IAC volunteer opportunities, provides updates from recent roundups, gives guidance on conventions, invites submissions for a new IAC button design, and includes a Treasurer’s Report and donation listing.


IAC Logo: IAC Newsletter Summary — May 2009 (IACTIVITY)

🌈 At the Roundup — “The Place to Be!”


(Page 1)


The newsletter opens with a recap of the Quest Carolina AA Roundup, which hosted:

  • The annual IAC General Meeting

  • The semi-annual Executive Committee Meeting

  • A workshop focused on 2010 Convention activities


Committee members also attended:

  • Austin Roundup (Jan)

  • SEMRU (Feb)

  • Together We Can — Detroit (Mar)

  • Long Island Roundup (NY)


Planned appearances later in 2009 include:

  • Dallas Roundup (May)

  • Fort Worth Cow Town (July)

  • San Antonio Roundup (Sept)


Special focus on Texas due to 2010 Convention planning.


The Houston Roundup (Nov 2009) will host the next in-person Executive Committee Meeting with elections.


Representation at Roundups:

  • IAC can send representatives depending on finances

  • Reimbursement covers: roundup registration + two nights lodging, for up to two trips per year

  • No travel or meal reimbursement

  • Additional participation is self-funded


📖 Meetings & Roundup Directories


(Page 1)


The IAC website accepts updates year-round and only lists information voluntarily provided by groups or roundup committees.

Groups are encouraged to:

  • Submit accurate meeting and roundup details

  • Update listings as meetings change

  • Ensure information is available for newcomers seeking LGBTQ AA support


🖥️ IAC Website Sleeping (Temporarily Offline)


(Page 1)


The website is temporarily down; users are asked to be patient.In the meantime, all updates and questions can be emailed to iac2010@sbcglobal.net, with a response time of within 72 hours.


🧩 IAC Volunteer Opportunities (Executive Committee, Editor, Area Reps, 2010 Convention)


(Page 1)


Positions Open:

  • Executive Committee Members (elections at Houston Roundup)

  • Newsletter Editor — writers & layout volunteers needed

  • Area Representatives — to connect local AA communities to IAC

  • 2010 Convention Volunteers — all skills and experience welcome

Volunteers are encouraged to email iac2010@sbcglobal.net.


🎨 Call for Entries — 2010 Button Design Contest


(Page 1)


IAC will introduce a new button for the 2010 Convention.


Guidelines:

  • Must include the IAC name or abbreviation

  • Official logo remains the same for letterhead, website, and newsletter

  • Submit designs to iac2010@sbcglobal.net

  • Deadline extended to August 31, 2009


🌍 Feature Coverage — The 2010 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous


(Pages 2–3)


The issue provides detailed guidance for attending the 2010 AA International Convention in San Antonio, Texas, themed “A Vision for You.”


Key Convention Facts:

  • Dates: July 1–4, 2010

  • Expected attendance: 50,000+ sober alcoholics

  • AA turns 75 years old — a Diamond Jubilee celebration

  • Info available at AA.org

Registration Details:

  • Forms available August 2009

  • Distributed via mail, GSRs, Intergroups, Central Offices

  • Housing opened after registration

  • NO lottery system (San Antonio has abundant hotel capacity)

Travel Notes:

  • Downtown San Antonio hotels = 8,000 rooms

  • All housing within a 30-minute ride

  • AA shuttle system available

  • International travelers may need U.S. visas (State Department link provided)

Future Conventions:

  • 2015 — Atlanta

  • 2020 — Detroit


🏳️‍🌈 Special Events for Gay & Lesbian AA Members (Co-Hosted by IAC)


(Page 2)


IAC and local San Antonio LGBTQ AA groups will co-host:


1. Hospitality Suite

  • Located in a downtown hotel

  • Coffee, fellowship, quiet space

  • In Toronto 2005, the suite welcomed ~6,000 visitors

  • Many hospitality suites exist from groups worldwide

2. Gay & Lesbian Dance

  • A major event at a large venue

  • Evening of fun, fellowship, connections

  • Hosted by IAC; GSO provides the space

  • IAC responsible for all activity and expenses

3. Convention Workshops

  • LGBTQ AA workshops have been scheduled at every International Convention since 1980

  • Organized by GSO

  • Listed in the convention program


🤝 IAC @ 2010 — Volunteer Efforts & Committees


(Page 3)


A 2010 Steering Committee was formed to coordinate IAC’s activities at the convention.

Packets were mailed to LGBTQ AA groups; members who didn’t receive one are encouraged to email IAC.


How Members Can Help:

  • Share convention info with groups and friends

  • Volunteer for committees

  • Donate to help fund events

  • Sign up for the mailing list at iac2010@sbcglobal.net


Committees Include:


Hospitality Suite Committee

  • Meet & greet

  • Register members

  • Staff literature tables

  • Host quiet-space visitors

  • Decorate, set up, take down the suite

  • Serve coffee & beverages

  • Update meeting/roundup lists

  • Invite groups to co-host an hour

Dance Committee

  • Plan theme, music, décor

  • Staff coffee/snack bar

  • Host guests in garden & halls

  • Manage setup & takedown

  • Prepare flyers

  • Assist with supplies

Business/Finance Committee

  • Purchasing, contracts

  • Accounts, budgeting

  • Banking, sales

Communication Committee

  • Write newsletter articles

  • Email updates

  • Design buttons

  • Data entry

  • Educate groups on donations

Fundraising Committee

  • Car washes, dinners, game nights

  • Cover major costs:

    • venue

    • DJ/band

    • security

    • décor

    • tables/chairs

    • sound equipment

    • printing & postage

    • volunteer ID tags, etc.


💵 Money in a Spiritual Program — Funding the Dance & Hospitality Suite


(Page 4)


The newsletter emphasizes:

  • The convention registration fee covers AA-wide events.

  • LGBTQ-specific events must be self-supporting through IAC contributions.

  • Goal: reasonable budgeting, full transparency, and building a reserve for 2015.


Ways AA Groups & Individuals Can Contribute:

  • Group Donations — one-time, monthly, or percentage-based

  • Pass the Basket — an additional basket specifically for IAC

  • Roundup Contributions — many roundups include IAC in their distributions

  • Host an Hour — cover one hour of hospitality or dance costs

  • Sponsor an Urn — fund coffee (central to AA gatherings)

  • Fundraise — dinners, dances, game nights, etc.


📬 Donations List — Feb & Mar 2009


(Page 4)


Donations received from:

  • Detroit, Atlanta, Loganville GA

  • Matthews NC, Kihei HI, Montclair NJ

  • Traverse City MI, Palm Springs CA

  • Birmingham AL, Ft. Lauderdale FL

  • Vancouver (Mandate Sober)

  • Central Jersey, Dallas, Houston

  • Los Angeles CA, Austin TX

  • Tacoma WA, San Diego CA

  • Houston Roundup, Quest Roundup

  • Ohio State Roundup…and many others.


🧮 IAC Treasurer’s Report — March 7, 2009


(Page 4)


  • Balance: $18,377.40

The report appears concise, providing the financial position but not broken into income/expense categories in this issue.


IAC Newsletter Summary — May 2009 (IACTIVITY)

👉 Download the full PDF:


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