BDS March 2026 Minutes
BIG DEEP SOUTH CONVENTION 2026
Committee Planning Meeting
04/01/2026 Call to Order 6:32PM/End 7:26PM OPEN WITH PRAYER
Chair (Mary H.)
- Welcome to new attendees: Buddy B., Will A., Garrett & Charlotte!
- Chris D. (Welcoming Committee) has passed away, we will still include him on the program as a committee member. Chris loved AA and was always involved with Big Deep South. He will be missed!
- 3rd hotel payment is due mid-April.
- Johnny T. will perform Saturday night after the speaker - Mike A. will assist him.
- 40 buffet tickets have been purchased! Kelly S. will be the buffet “ticket taker.”
- Archives will have a table at the convention.
- James the Taper is good to go - Will A. will assist him.
Vice Chair (Scott B.) We have a surplus of funds collected for the meeting space ($37) going into our meeting tonight. Drapes are being discussed with Buddy’s friend Ed, they will either be donated or the cost will match our budget.
Secretary (Emily A.) no report Hotel Liaison (Bobby A./Michael) no report
Treasurer (Bill B./Billy K.) Retrieving and depositing money brought to central office. $275 collected from merchandise tonight. $571 deposited on 3/4, and about $180 since.
50/50 (Maria S./Mike H.) happy to take volunteers! 2 years to handle money.
Accessibilities (Ricky P.) Mary has been in touch with Ricky. Ricky intends to purchase a pamphlet rack, and asks the committee for funds to purchase the pamphlets.
Al-Anon Liaison - (Denise/Josie D.) In contact with the speaker.
Question: Can a discount be extended to get the speaker a shirt? Answer: The speaker receives a free t-shirt. Audio/Video (Chip) no report
Bingo (Charlotte/Cathy/Cindy) Sending out flyers, asks the committee to circulate flyers to groups. Has established a bingo caller. Sarah M. has joined the committee.
Coffee (Lauren M./Shelly P./Jerry) Has $ to give to Bill, treasurer. Has collected 38.5lbs of coffee and lots of fixins. Josie will donate stirrers.
Decorations (Karen/Skye) In conversation with 2 banner vendors. Raised questions from vendors regarding keeping the integrity and legibility of our logo when printing on a banner. Emily will provide the tweaked logo to see if that works better.
Entertainment (Tee/Tiffany) Jazz Band will perform Saturday! Possible Saturday night activity is a charade type event. Considering speed-friending for Friday afternoon.
Fundraising/Pre-Events (Neville B.) Next event is Saturday 4/4 Chillin & Grillin in City Park 12-4pm. Grapevine Rep (Bonnie/Brandy) no report
Hospitality (Nick S./Dennis F.) Haydel’s will be donating pastries! Eye Openers donated 9 cases of water - Neville will use some for the event on Saturday. Another thanks to Vic T. for all his help.
Housekeeping (Ralph M./Shane) no report
Marathon Meetings (Earl) Earl shared with the committee that he has found employment so he will be unable to fulfill the committee position. The committee extends congrats to Earl and gratefulness for his willingness to serve on the committee!
Meditation (Brittany C.) Brittany and Skye will each lead a meditation. Kennedy will be joining the committee.
Merchandise (Mark F./Ryan L.) Pre-sale: 13 shirts and 5 hats. Leslie: 8 shirts and 5 hats. Intends to bring merchandise to sell at the event on Saturday.
Outreach (Laura B./Rachel M./Tori S.) Passing white binder around meeting with flyers for all kinds of events - please take and circulate. Nikki and Laura attended an event in Thibodaux to spread the word.
Raffle/Auction (Angie B./Gina S.) Picked up some donations at central office. Visited storage unit to get supplies. Registration (Leslie H./Lainey S.) 278 pre-registrations!
Scholarships (Nikki C./Josie D.) Will be sending letters to treatment centers soon to extend an invitation to bring clients at a discounted rate.
Security (Brandon S./Eric B.) Brandon could not attend, as he has a squirrel in his attic.
Will have a meeting with security volunteers to hash out time slots and responsibilities.
Snowballs/Popcorn (Ryan W.) no report
Speakers (Don/Tisere/Angel) Working on speaker gifts. Buddy B. is hosting Vann. The committee is saving money because 2 speakers are driving in (Jane and James).
T&C (Rachael F./Legier) Attended service board T&C meeting. T&C committee intends to have a box to collect used (or new) literature. Planning to have alot of helpful information on their table.
Asking for some funds to purchase some pamphlets for the table - Mary will take a look at the budget. Service Board T&N Chair (Anthony) has spoken to Mary about getting a timeslot for a T&C workshop.
Tech Support/Website (Lisa) Added a secure page for treatment centers to register clients at a discounted rate. Happy to add anything to website that committees need. Working on a volunteer page.
Voice (Jeff A.) no report
Welcoming (Jackie/Chris D./Andrea H.) Several quotes on welcome chip, going with $135/800 chip quote. Quick turn around time.
Emily will send a JPEG of the circle and triangle with Big Deep South 2026.
Workshop (Belinda,Tamara,Kacy) Going great, working on panel members from the fellowship
OLD BUSINESS
No old business.
NEW BUSINESS
Mary:
● Marathon Meetings:
○ Laura B. will assume the Marathon Meeting chair position! Garrett will assist.
○ Meetings will be scattered throughout the convention with a couple late night meetings. ○ We will have an AlAnon meeting.
● Schedule is being worked on
Tiffany says that the drapes being installed early is important so that banners and decorations can be installed. **NEXT MEETING MAY 6 @ 6:30PM!
CLOSE WITH PRAYER