I hope there are more over time. However, I have to hold up my end and write some new stuff from time to time!
Right now there is a lot of hubbub getting ready for WSBC later this month. On April 5th there is a Region 1 Intergroup Chairs and Green Dot phone in session scheduled for 7PM. “Green Dots” are delegates attending WSBC for the first time.
I thought I might share a few tips for WSBC gleaned from my five previous trips.
This year there is NO hotel shuttle. Uber or Lyft are the less expensive ways to get to the hotel. Region 1 delegates have shared their arrival info so look and see if anyone is arriving close enough to you to reasonably share a ride.
Plan to take advantage of the grocery shuttles to have the food you prefer to eat available in your room. I usually eat at least lunch in my room. Sharing that mealtime with others is a fun and relaxing way to get a real break in the business day. You’re invited!
Dress in layers. The hotel rooms are often over air-conditioned at least according to my comfort dial. I always pack a shawl to add a layer. I have seen delegates with gloves and scarves! Whatever makes you comfortable as there are long stretches of time spent sitting.
Read your online Binder and make notes of things you want to ask about. Region 1 has a reputation for asking questions that I consider a very healthy sign of interest and engagement. Going to the center mic for a question can help the whole body. Chances are if you had a question, others did too. Joining the pro/con groups preparing at the lectern for debate is a fabulous way to help all. This year for the first time there is a session called Meet the Maker (no not Higher Power). They mean the maker of the motions to be discussed. The idea is that much can be clarified by a direct discussion ahead of time.
RSVP for your banquet choice and for the grocery shuttles. https://oa.org/members/events/world-service-business-conference/ to find the info.
That’s plenty of info for now. Looking forward to talking with any of you who can make the call. I will share my ESH from WSBC soon after! Safe travels to all Region 1 Delegates! See you in Albuquerque. (and I am so glad there is spell check for that city name!)
Region 1 Assembly and Convention October 2017
The dust is settling from a very productive Assembly and very interactive Convention in Seattle, WA in mid October.
17 Intergroups (out of 25) were represented at Assembly. The focus was on connection and how that contributes to a strong recovery. Three project teams were organized on the topics of Nurturing Newcomers, Supporting Sponsors and Strong Recovery. Look for “products” to help members in your area out of each of these groups. They will have their own tab on the Region 1 website.These teams are in addition to teams giving service to support Region functioning such as Financial Issues and Nominations.
We reelected Beverly M., OR as Chair for her second term. Margie G.,OR was elected Communication Coordinator, Cindy C., WA was elected Member at Large and Gary O.,Idaho was elected Secretary. Leslie W., Alaska was elected Treasurer. I was affirmed to run for election at WSBC, 2018 for Region 1 Trustee. Sue B., WA remains Vice Chair the only position which was not up for election this year. You can reach all of us at [email protected]
Over 260 members attended the Emerald City Convention with the imaginative theme of OZ. Dorothys, scare crows and Tin Men were spotted. The keynote speaker was amazing. Ask your fellows who attended Convention to tell you about her approach to forgiveness. Her main object was loving kindness. There were 4 tracks of different workshops all day on Saturday. Body Image workshops were very well attended. I attended Steps 6 and 7, Step 10 and Steps 11 and 12 sessions myself and the presenters offered practical and helpful ideas.
Region 1 is compiling the handouts prepared by the different workshop presenters and these will be available on the Region 1 website soon. We hope to post recordings of many of the sessions also on this website. We were breaking in a new recording system so we may not have all sessions but by next year we should be pros at this.
I had a weird experience at this Convention.This was my first Assembly and Convention as the official “Trustee of Region 1”. It freaked me out a bit. For no good reason, I felt on display and that I was certainly not perfect enough to be Trustee! There were over 260 hugs that were mine for the asking but I was frozen in the “not good enough” dungeon. I had a serious coming to my Higher Power moment on my way home and realized I had done all that to myself. It never ceases to amaze me how I can judge myself into a corner. My resolution for this in future ...ask for help! I think I can recognize it while it is happening and put myself into reach out mode before I let it take me too far. Thank you OAers and Thank you Higher Power for loving me especially when I am not able to love myself. I’ll be looking for hugs at the Connections Convention in Spokane next October. Hope to see you there.