I interviewed Randy L. about “How To Put on A Conference”, hoping to generate excitement through the Springfield AA community for what has  been for me  the most exciting event in Springfield each year. Anyone who has the opportunity to attend this year should run, not walk to this opportunity and don’t look back.

I came to understand that several of the same people are involved each year. Randy L., Steve D., Liz B., Karen N., Julie K., Tom C., Curt H., and Steve W., are members of the Host Committee and each leads another committee which handle finances, relations with the hotel, including  handling the hospitality rooms, receiving and honoring scholarships, granting them in accordance with funds provided by district, groups, and private members,

finding and planning for speakers as well as guest host, and any arraignments to insure there are no major glitches and plenty of coffee!

To give you an idea of how much planning goes in to this event, next year’s speakers are already selected and The J C convention is set up already to be at the hotel. 

The Guidelines on conferences from General Service Office says, “What makes an AA 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 put it, the best AA convention is ‘just a darned good AA meeting blown up big.’ Just watch enthusiastic members at any AA 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 run over.’”

Despite all the work done I have been told, “It is all up to our Higher Power. We just do the foot work and any success belongs to a power greater than ourselves.” Why do these AA’s work tirelessly on this event? I am told it’s all about the alcoholic who still suffers. Again, the traditions bring us together. While we look for the alcoholic who still suffers, we step into tradition one, our common welfare becomes greater, our personal recovery improves as the result of the AA unity provided by The Journey Continues.