BDS February 2026 Minutes
BIG DEEP SOUTH CONVENTION 2026
Committee Planning Meeting
02/04/2026 Call to Order 6:31PM /End 7:25PM OPEN WITH PRAYER
Chair (Mary H.) We are 4 months away from the convention! Welcome to a few committee members: Gina (Raffle/Auction Co-Chair), Tori (Outreach), Charlotte (Bingo). Any money collected by committees during the planning period needs to be reported to and collected by Bill (Treasurer). Will be sending out budgets to committee chairs.
Vice Chair (Scott B.) We are cozy in our new space! Passing the basket to pay for meeting space rent. Has a key to storage unit, get with him if you need to visit it.
Secretary (Emily A.) sign in if you are new to get added to the email list.
Hotel Liaison (Bobby A./Michael) NO REPORT
Treasurer (Bill B./Billy K.) We are way ahead with pre-registrations, which is great!
50/50 (Maria S./Mike H.) Volunteers are welcome - need 2 years by convention to handle money. Will have a trial run of hosting the 50/50 raffle at the upcoming Meditation Workshop/Experience.
Accessibilities (Ricky P.) working on an ASL translator- student at Tulane (receiving extra credit, so no cost to convention). Looking into spanish translator.
Al-Anon Liaison - (Denise/Josie D.) Al-Anon speaker: Cathy R. (local) No hotel room, Josie and Denise will host. Audio/Video (Chip) NO REPORT
Bingo (Charlotte/Cathy/Cindy) Working on a flyer! Looking for donations. Wants to coordinate with Raffle/Auction to ensure “big ticket” items go to Raffle/Auction. Working to ensure bingo cards only allow for 1 winner per game.
Coffee (Lauren M./Shelly P./Jerry) Met with Josie D. and got a lot of wisdom. The storage unit has 2800 8oz cups. Circulating flyer for donations and visiting homegroups. Tori (Outreach) suggests looking at Amazon for ordering coffee.
Decorations (Karen/Skye) Now that we have colors/final artwork, will get started on quotes for banner. Entertainment (Tee/Tiffany) have some ideas, Tee talking with Mary H. on 2/5
Fundraising/Pre-Events (Neville B.) Next fundraiser: 2/21 2:30-6:30pm, “Finding Zen After the Madness” meditation workshop and experience. Looking for volunteers to help with all aspects. BDSC 50/50 committee will be hosting a 50/50 raffle at the event.
Grapevine Rep (Bonnie/Brandy) NO REPORT Hospitality (Nick S./Dennis F.) NO REPORT Housekeeping (Ralph M./Shane) Has some guys lined up to help - will get with the scholarship committee as well. Marathon Meetings (Earl) Has 1 person lined up to chair a meeting, looking for the schedule to line others up. Meditation (Brittany C./Morgan C.) Has someone lined up to lead a sound bowl session.
Merchandise (Mark F./Ryan L.) Shirts and hats are in production (1-2 weeks out)! Light blue shirt, 3 hat options (black, blue, grey/blue). Wants to do presales, will be up on the website for sale soon.
Outreach (Laura B./Rachel M./Tori S.) Lots of footwork being done. Passing around a binder of current event flyers, help yourself! Let Laura know if you are attending any events so that we can see about getting a table for outreach. Updated flyer will be circulated. LASCYPAA, looking for people to attend for outreach.
Raffle/Auction (Angie B./Gina S.) Angie- shared that she feels slightly overwhelmed by the responsibility of the position and wants to do the best job possible. Asks the whole committee to help by making announcements for donations. Several committee members chimed in to offer support and words of encouragement. Rene (GNOSB Secretary) suggests announcing that gently used items are welcome, everything can be brought to Central Office, and she is happy to be of
assistance through the planning process!
Registration (Leslie H./Lainey S.) As of this meeting we have 222 pre-registrations!!
Scholarships (Nikki C./Josie D.) Nikki- has a list of treatment centers and will be reaching out to them after Mardi Gras. Will be discussing price.
Security (Brandon S./Eric B.) have people signed up
Snowballs/Popcorn (Ryan W.) NO REPORT
Speakers (Don/Tisere/Angel) ready to go!
T&C (Rachael F./Legier) Raechel went to the T&C Service Board meeting recently - several district chairs were there. They are working on an informational/”how to” pamphlet. Raechel will be coordinating with this committee to encourage a presence at the convention.
Tech Support/Website (Lisa/Carolyn) Just got Zoom online. Updating the website as we go. Working with registration. Will be getting with merchandise to have merch for sale on the website.
Voice (Jeff A.) NO REPORT Welcoming (Jackie/Chris D./Andrea H.) NO REPORT
Workshop (Belinda,Tamara,Kacy) Workshops are titled! Practical Experience with prayer and Meditation, The Road of Happy Destiny, Transformation Through Service, Fixed Ideas/Theater of the Lie. Belinda shared the ideas behind each workshop and is excited!
OLD BUSINESS
-Saturday night meal alternative:
Southern Comfort Dinner Buffet! $25
Hoping this will be more accessible and inclusive for our fellowship
-Pre-registration rate / alateen rate
Pre-registration is $39 2/15 until about 2 days before convention start
Alateen rate $10
$45 registration fee at the door
NEW BUSINESS
Mary H. (Chair)
● Carolyn H. is no longer working for Central Office. Sharing this with the committee since so many chairs need to contact Central Office for matters. Asks that anyone needing to communicate with Central Office contacts Mary or Scott so they can get them connected with the correct person.
● Bobby A. (Hotel Liaison) requests full names of speakers to reserve their hotel rooms
● Get with Emily A. (secretary) if you need the official artwork for flyers, etc.
● Donations must come from AA members (NO soliciting). Any questions, please ask.
● We want an Alateen speaker, thinking caps on if you know anyone. We do not have a travel budget, someone local.
● An email will go out to all those who have pre-registered about purchasing the Saturday Night Southern Comfort Dinner Buffet and merchandise.
Ralph (Housekeeping): roommate has a recovery related painting he intends on donating to Raffle/Auction CLOSE WITH PRAYER