Hello to All,

I have been reflecting on my association with the IWC,(formerly
IAAWC), and need to share my association, collaboration, and
experiences.

This conference began 41 years ago in Oklahoma and its primary purpose
was to gather a group of women together for socialization and the aa
message. The title of the conference is, "Language of the Heart."

The conference rotates from city to city annually. Groups of women in
various cities, make a decision to host the conference, establish a
committee, and proceed to bid at a conference two years out from the
scheduled year in which they would like to host. Decisions made on
the host city is made by a governing board of womem. The decision is
based on desirablity of the city, strength of committee, hotel
contracts, and the number of women involved in the local area, (or
state who would support the conference).

The first conference I attended was in 2002, Denver, Colorado.
Approximately 2,500 were in attendance, (numbers range from 1,500 to
3,700 at this time).

What I have found this conference provides to sober women is learning
that great fun and exuberance is available without alcohol. I have,
as well as others, find this a good way to vacation with women
friends, (no planned itinerary, in a city I might not ordinarily visit.

I was the bid chair for San Diego, 2005. The committee consisted of
two CPA's, two sales and marketing execs, an event planner, a travel
agency owner, small business publishing owner, broker/realtor, and the
owner of an insurance company. The committee takes the position of
any other functioning committee. It needs to be both financially
solvent, and have enough capital to provide seed money for the next
event. Excess funds follow World Services guidelines, (25,000 to
75,000).

I spoke with a woman friend last night for two hours, (engaging in a
variety of subjects including the validity of aa), and I said to
her, "When are we going to have a meeting in AA called the AA Chamber
of Commerce?"

From my perspective, completely away from, "program dogma," I would
like to see an in depth work on, "The Business of AA." It is
flourshing in Los Angeles and San Diego. It must in other areas as
well.

Beth