BDS January 2026 Minutes
BIG DEEP SOUTH CONVENTION 2026
Committee Planning Meeting
01/07/2026 Call to Order 6:30PM /End 7:01PM OPEN WITH PRAYER
Chair (Mary H.) Welcome anyone who is new here tonight! Updated flyers are printed for anyone to take. $34 pre-registration in January.
Vice Chair (Scott B.) James the taper has been contacted and is lined up for the convention. We will pass the basket for meeting space rent.
Secretary (Emily A.) check the sign in sheet.
Hotel Liaison (Bobby A./Michael) no report
Treasurer (Bill B./Billy K.) Balance is about $17,000 currently, and will provide checks as needed. 50/50 (Maria S./Mike H.) no report
Accessibilities (Ricky P.) no report
Al-Anon Liaison - (Denise/Josie D.) no report
Audio/Video (Chip) no report
Bingo (Cindy/Charlotte) Accepting gently used or new items for prizes - will visit home groups to gather items.
Coffee (Lauren M./Shelly P.) Jerry has joined the coffee committee! The coffee committee will gather with Josie D. to discuss coffee logistics
Decorations (Karen/Skye) no report Entertainment (Tee/Tiffany) no report Fundraising/Pre-Events (Neville B.) thinking of ideas and open to ideas
Grapevine Rep (Bonnie/Brandy) no report
Hospitality (Nick S./Dennis F.) In contact with Vic T. and he has been helpful with sharing his past experience. Housekeeping (Ralph M./Shane) no report
Marathon Meetings (Earl) Earl will be the housekeeping chair!
Meditation (Brittany C./Morgan C.) Skye L. will lead a morning meditation. Thanks to all for your service and hard work!
Merchandise (Mark F./Ryan L.) In touch with N.O. Vative (Ryan) - most likely going with the light blue mist t-shirt. Shirt is Gildan and has proven to be comfortable. $65 for mock-up of tshirt/hat design - this charge is refunded once order is placed. 7-10 days turn around time.
Outreach (Laura B./Rachel M./Tori S.) Laura has been circulating updated flyer reflecting $34 rate, will circle back to make sure it is updated where needed.
Raffle/Auction (Angie B./Gina S.) Met with Rene (last year's chair) to get a better grasp on what to do.
Registration (Leslie H./Lainey S.) 5 pre-registrations since our December meeting
Scholarships (Nikki C./Josie D.) no report
Security (Brandon S./Eric B.) people lined up to help
Snowballs/Popcorn (Ryan W.) Working on getting popcorn machine, will get with Josie to get snowball machine.
Speakers (Don/Tisere/Angel) lining up hosts for speakers, keeping in touch. Will iron out other logistics as convention nears
T&C (Rachael F./Legier) Contacted service board T&C rep to discuss possibilities. Lining up volunteers for the table. Tech Support/Website (Lisa/Carolyn) Website updates are ongoing - volunteer pages, etc. Voice (Jeff A.) just need binder
Welcoming (Jackie/Chris D./Andrea H.) no report **Mary H. stated she has some items to pass on from last year. Workshop (Belinda,Tamara,Kacy) Will have final topics by February meeting
OLD BUSINESS
-Saturday night meal alternative: ongoing discussion with hotel about alternatives
● Definitely want something more accessible/inclusive & easy
-Lauren M. asked about kids registration
● Mary H. stated there will be an alateen rate
NEW BUSINESS
-40+ years of sobriety engagement
● We want old timers at the convention, maybe extending personal invites, offering rides, etc. -In Memoriam Wall
● “Big Meeting in the Sky” cloud banner with chairs as name tags
● Dedicated space for us to pay our respects to passed on fellows
-All committees will need help! Anyone wanting to get involved, there is plenty to do.
-Bobby to ask hotel about furnishing cigarette butt receptacles
-People on scholarships should be of service; encourage “pay what you can”
-Scott and Mary thank everyone who contributed to the basket, we collected $61 last night. THANK YOU!! -next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 4!
CLOSE WITH PRAYER