I love conventions, conferences and workshops...Even bad ones (and I've been to several) generally leave me feeling at least a little refreshed and glad that I participated.
So, being who I am, I often am involved in the committee. In various conferences, conventions and, workshops, I have been (off the top of my head): chair(3), coordinator(2), facilitator(3), speaker(3), treasurer(3), registration(3), program(3), solutions/special needs(2), web site(2), public information(2), hotel liaison(3), co-chair(2), media(2), entertainment(2), food and beverage(2), coffee(2) - but, who's counting...
At the state convention this past weekend, I was heavily involved and probably had one of my toughest jobs (this was why I was going to quit AA a few months back) but, it seemed to work out OK. Folks generally seemed to have a good time and the committee members are all sending around the self-congratulatory emails that we always seem to do - even after the "bad" ones.
Usually by this time (2 days later), I've reflected back and seen it as something like "...well, it really wasn't that bad was it...?" Somehow, not this time. Not yet anyway. This one took some flesh that it will take some time to heal.
In the spirit of where, in AA, "we leave no good deed unpunished", I think some folks went way over the line with me. It was personal. It was (is?) vicious. Some AA relationships I've cherished for over 20 years have been fundamentally redefined. I've been accused of motivations and actions that are so blatantly wrong to be laughable...
...except, I'm not laughing...
...not yet...
...I guess I am now.
And, I'm registered for San Antonio... ;-)
...and, I've been volunteered to participate there...
BTW - at the Friday meeting of said convention, the G.S.O. speaker said that by last Thursday (3 days after opening registration), there were over 8,000 registered for the International. One Trustee told me that the thinking is that they might sell out of 45,000 registrations in a few weeks and shut down pre-registration until they can be sure they can house and deal with everyone who wants to go. From what I understand (per said Trustee), they can comfortably deal with ~60,000 of us but might have problems with more...
6 comments:
Sounds to me like some step work might be appropriate.
And how how you "been" volunteered?
I hope the above don't seem to busybody, but I wanna make sure I learn from your experience.
I give you a lot of credit for being as active as you are. I am certain I could not do it. Just a few hours of the convention were enough for me and I spent all day Sunday just trying to recovery. But I think I have a "delicate composition".
I was number 4,000 something on the first day of registration for the international.
"Tho' I've belted you and flayed you, By the livin' God that made you, You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!"
What is your job at the convention? Like to meet up with you one day.
Does anyone really read comment lines to see answers to questions that are posted there? Just curious...
Daave:
I really am complete - no writing necessary on this one. Lessons learned...
Daave & Steve:
My name has just been placed in a pool of resources. I might speak on a panel (did at Minneapolis and Toronto) or just greet folks - I have a funny story about that I need to do an article on...
It sounds as if the character defects of those who are taking flesh from you are alive and well. I think being judged by others is difficult and to be so vicious could be a serenity breaker.
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