1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:02,760 - The views and opinions expressed during this podcast 2 00:00:02,760 --> 00:00:04,320 are those of our guests. 3 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:06,797 No one person speaks for A.A. as a whole. 4 00:00:06,797 --> 00:00:08,640 (upbeat music) 5 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:10,980 - Welcome to a very special bonus episode 6 00:00:10,980 --> 00:00:12,660 of "Our Primary Purpose." 7 00:00:12,660 --> 00:00:13,493 We're going to discuss 8 00:00:13,493 --> 00:00:16,200 the upcoming A.A. International Convention 9 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:18,750 which takes place this July 3rd through the 6th 10 00:00:18,750 --> 00:00:20,700 in Vancouver, British Columbia. 11 00:00:20,700 --> 00:00:22,650 My name is Nathan, I'm an alcoholic. 12 00:00:22,650 --> 00:00:25,643 Welcome to the International Convention. 13 00:00:25,643 --> 00:00:29,060 (upbeat music continues) 14 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:32,850 We sat down with four board members 15 00:00:32,850 --> 00:00:34,470 and a GSO staff coordinator 16 00:00:34,470 --> 00:00:36,990 to chat about A.A.'s biggest event. 17 00:00:36,990 --> 00:00:39,150 What is it, why is it such a big deal? 18 00:00:39,150 --> 00:00:41,910 And what it's like to experience it for yourself. 19 00:00:41,910 --> 00:00:45,660 Here's Carolyn W. and Vera F. sharing the overall vibe. 20 00:00:45,660 --> 00:00:46,980 - It is electric. 21 00:00:46,980 --> 00:00:49,260 There is so much enthusiasm. 22 00:00:49,260 --> 00:00:50,970 Everyone just really wants 23 00:00:50,970 --> 00:00:55,590 to show people how welcome they are and participate. 24 00:00:55,590 --> 00:00:58,020 The enthusiasm for it is huge. 25 00:00:58,020 --> 00:01:00,570 - You can imagine walking into this massive arena 26 00:01:00,570 --> 00:01:03,810 that's filled with tens of thousands of sober alcoholics 27 00:01:03,810 --> 00:01:05,880 all gathered together for recovery 28 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:09,420 and this overwhelming sense of unity and joy. 29 00:01:09,420 --> 00:01:10,830 From the moment that you walk in, 30 00:01:10,830 --> 00:01:12,480 this energy just engulfs you. 31 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:14,850 People are laughing and hugging old friends 32 00:01:14,850 --> 00:01:15,990 and making new ones. 33 00:01:15,990 --> 00:01:19,110 And the sound of 40,000 plus AA members 34 00:01:19,110 --> 00:01:21,330 saying the Serenity Prayer in unison 35 00:01:21,330 --> 00:01:24,240 is one of those moments that kind of gives you chills. 36 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:26,790 - But it's not all huge crowds and large gatherings. 37 00:01:26,790 --> 00:01:29,430 - I think the amazing thing for me personally 38 00:01:29,430 --> 00:01:33,090 is just the those quiet moments of personal connection 39 00:01:33,090 --> 00:01:37,260 that you can find in this great big place full of people. 40 00:01:37,260 --> 00:01:40,167 And I don't know who that'll be or where I'll find them, 41 00:01:40,167 --> 00:01:42,420 but I know that there will be those moments 42 00:01:42,420 --> 00:01:44,310 I share with other A.A. members 43 00:01:44,310 --> 00:01:46,920 who we just pause in a hallway somewhere 44 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:50,076 or randomly sit next to each other in a meeting somewhere 45 00:01:50,076 --> 00:01:52,350 and have that brief moment of connection. 46 00:01:52,350 --> 00:01:53,913 It's really, really special. 47 00:01:54,870 --> 00:01:57,540 - People can expect of course speaker meetings, 48 00:01:57,540 --> 00:02:00,270 there's workshops, panels featuring A.A. members 49 00:02:00,270 --> 00:02:01,800 from all over the world. 50 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:03,570 If you're interested in history 51 00:02:03,570 --> 00:02:05,010 or you're interested in service 52 00:02:05,010 --> 00:02:08,670 or you're just interested in personal stories of recovery, 53 00:02:08,670 --> 00:02:10,710 I think there's something there for everyone. 54 00:02:10,710 --> 00:02:14,070 There's smaller sessions on more specific topics, 55 00:02:14,070 --> 00:02:15,690 opportunities to connect with people 56 00:02:15,690 --> 00:02:16,710 from different countries. 57 00:02:16,710 --> 00:02:19,860 I sat in on some meetings just to hear the language. 58 00:02:19,860 --> 00:02:22,290 I sat in on a a meeting spoken in German 59 00:02:22,290 --> 00:02:24,540 and I just wanted to hear the language. 60 00:02:24,540 --> 00:02:26,880 And you know, besides the official programming, 61 00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:28,230 you know, there's plenty to do. 62 00:02:28,230 --> 00:02:31,410 Grab coffee with some friends, explore the whole city. 63 00:02:31,410 --> 00:02:32,940 - Speaking of exploring the city, 64 00:02:32,940 --> 00:02:35,730 here's Trish L. to tell us about a popular tradition 65 00:02:35,730 --> 00:02:37,290 at the International Convention. 66 00:02:37,290 --> 00:02:39,660 - When the meetings end on the Friday night 67 00:02:39,660 --> 00:02:42,090 and Saturday night at the convention center, 68 00:02:42,090 --> 00:02:43,920 the convention campus in Vancouver 69 00:02:43,920 --> 00:02:46,350 includes BC Place Stadium. 70 00:02:46,350 --> 00:02:48,120 It's about a 20 minute walk 71 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:52,290 from the convention center itself to BC Place Stadium. 72 00:02:52,290 --> 00:02:55,680 So Walk The Walk is all of us walking 73 00:02:55,680 --> 00:03:00,300 who choose, who can, walking from the convention center 74 00:03:00,300 --> 00:03:03,090 to BC Place Stadium 75 00:03:03,090 --> 00:03:06,360 and the excitement builds with every block. 76 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:10,080 In Minneapolis, I thought I was floating on air 77 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:13,170 and I'm so excited to think that the city of Vancouver 78 00:03:13,170 --> 00:03:16,800 and our local members get to experience Walk The Walk 79 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:18,330 at this particular convention. 80 00:03:18,330 --> 00:03:21,360 - It sounds like Vancouver is a great city to Walk The Walk. 81 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,660 - Oh, I really can't wait, it will be spectacular. 82 00:03:24,660 --> 00:03:26,250 - And once we get to the stadium. 83 00:03:26,250 --> 00:03:28,620 - I think for most people, you know, a highlight 84 00:03:28,620 --> 00:03:32,070 are the big meetings which will be in BC Place Stadium 85 00:03:32,070 --> 00:03:35,280 and all of us gathered together and witnessing together 86 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:38,160 and hearing together the Old-Timers Meeting, 87 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:39,930 the saying of the Serenity Prayer 88 00:03:39,930 --> 00:03:44,730 in the languages represented but together as one voice. 89 00:03:44,730 --> 00:03:47,370 - This is from the 1990 International Convention 90 00:03:47,370 --> 00:03:48,988 in Seattle, Washington. 91 00:03:48,988 --> 00:03:52,525 - God, grant me the Serenity 92 00:03:52,525 --> 00:03:55,710 to accept the things I cannot change, 93 00:03:55,710 --> 00:03:59,034 the courage to change the things I can, 94 00:03:59,034 --> 00:03:59,870 and the wisdom to know the difference. 95 00:04:03,165 --> 00:04:04,470 Thank you. 96 00:04:04,470 --> 00:04:07,410 - Tom H. had a favorite memory from that same convention. 97 00:04:07,410 --> 00:04:08,850 - At my first in Seattle, 98 00:04:08,850 --> 00:04:11,520 and I was only a couple years sober at the time. 99 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:15,240 And at the closing ceremony, a blind woman was led 100 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:19,590 to the microphone to sing "Amazing Grace." 101 00:04:19,590 --> 00:04:23,850 And when she sang, "I was blind but now I see," 102 00:04:23,850 --> 00:04:26,100 there wasn't a dry eye in the place. 103 00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:27,240 - Here's Trish again. 104 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:29,490 - For me, a highlight of any International 105 00:04:29,490 --> 00:04:30,507 that I've ever ever been to, 106 00:04:30,507 --> 00:04:33,510 and this could only happen in Alcoholics Anonymous, 107 00:04:33,510 --> 00:04:35,580 and it was the hard work of the organizers 108 00:04:35,580 --> 00:04:39,480 of that convention, was hearing a a young man 109 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:43,770 who was serving time in the Georgia prison system 110 00:04:43,770 --> 00:04:46,170 share for the first time publicly, 111 00:04:46,170 --> 00:04:49,770 for the first time outside of a jail or institution 112 00:04:49,770 --> 00:04:52,380 in front of all those 57,000 people 113 00:04:52,380 --> 00:04:54,180 under the dome in Atlanta, 114 00:04:54,180 --> 00:04:56,250 sharing his experience, strength, and hope. 115 00:04:56,250 --> 00:04:57,420 That was extraordinary. 116 00:04:57,420 --> 00:04:59,610 You could hear a pin drop. 117 00:04:59,610 --> 00:05:01,620 - Another favorite is the Old-Timers Meeting. 118 00:05:01,620 --> 00:05:04,110 - The way that works is that members 119 00:05:04,110 --> 00:05:06,420 with over 50 years of sobriety, 120 00:05:06,420 --> 00:05:09,360 they all sit in a section very close to the stage, 121 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:11,250 the names are randomly pulled 122 00:05:11,250 --> 00:05:14,520 and we get to hear from 15 or so of them, I guess, 123 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:17,760 that come up on stage and share for five minutes. 124 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:19,920 And again, it's just one of those things 125 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:22,890 that's extremely powerful, enlightening, 126 00:05:22,890 --> 00:05:26,670 humorous to see all that sobriety up there, 127 00:05:26,670 --> 00:05:27,900 just getting a couple of minutes 128 00:05:27,900 --> 00:05:30,150 to say a few things to the crowd. 129 00:05:30,150 --> 00:05:31,530 - Then when we leave the meeting. 130 00:05:31,530 --> 00:05:34,050 - The beautiful light will probably be in the sky 131 00:05:34,050 --> 00:05:35,970 until about 10 o'clock at night. 132 00:05:35,970 --> 00:05:39,180 That means that as people leave BC Place Stadium, 133 00:05:39,180 --> 00:05:43,530 having had this amazing collective experience together, 134 00:05:43,530 --> 00:05:47,460 they're going to be walking out into this lovely gloaming 135 00:05:47,460 --> 00:05:50,520 of a long, long summer night in Vancouver. 136 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:52,440 It will be unforgettable. 137 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:54,210 - Carolyn, do you keep in touch with anyone 138 00:05:54,210 --> 00:05:56,460 you've met at past International Conventions? 139 00:05:56,460 --> 00:05:59,580 - I actually have a couple friends I've met 140 00:05:59,580 --> 00:06:02,700 from out outside of Canada that intend to be there, 141 00:06:02,700 --> 00:06:05,220 one from Rwanda and one from Iran. 142 00:06:05,220 --> 00:06:07,890 We'll see if they make it, but I'm sure hoping 143 00:06:07,890 --> 00:06:09,660 to get to see them at that meeting. 144 00:06:09,660 --> 00:06:11,250 - I have some friends that I know 145 00:06:11,250 --> 00:06:14,760 that are coming from as far away as Japan, South Africa. 146 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:17,370 I know some folks in Australia who are coming. 147 00:06:17,370 --> 00:06:20,820 I think it's going to be a real global gathering and- 148 00:06:20,820 --> 00:06:23,190 - An excellent way to enhance one's experience 149 00:06:23,190 --> 00:06:25,470 at the convention is to do service. 150 00:06:25,470 --> 00:06:27,330 That opportunity is open to anyone. 151 00:06:27,330 --> 00:06:29,730 And Trish, who heads the Volunteer Committee, 152 00:06:29,730 --> 00:06:31,740 told us about the volunteer kickoff event. 153 00:06:31,740 --> 00:06:35,730 - There were, you know, between 750 and 800 amazing, 154 00:06:35,730 --> 00:06:38,910 totally energized members of Alcoholics Anonymous there 155 00:06:38,910 --> 00:06:40,350 for this kickoff event. 156 00:06:40,350 --> 00:06:43,350 And I think they blew the lid off the building. 157 00:06:43,350 --> 00:06:46,860 And the energy, but it's not just the energy, 158 00:06:46,860 --> 00:06:49,590 it's the love for Alcoholics Anonymous. 159 00:06:49,590 --> 00:06:51,540 - What kind of volunteer positions are available? 160 00:06:51,540 --> 00:06:56,100 - Most of them involve greeting in some way or another. 161 00:06:56,100 --> 00:06:57,840 Some don't, there are marathon meetings, 162 00:06:57,840 --> 00:07:00,240 so there's a specific committee for the marathon meetings 163 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:04,080 that will be going 24/7 starting on the Thursday night 164 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:05,040 of the convention. 165 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:07,980 There's a Guest Headquarters Committee that again, 166 00:07:07,980 --> 00:07:08,850 that's greeting though, 167 00:07:08,850 --> 00:07:12,191 it will be sort of the nerve center for the volunteers 168 00:07:12,191 --> 00:07:15,300 and for us during the convention itself. 169 00:07:15,300 --> 00:07:17,520 Even a committee like Global Languages, 170 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:18,540 which is there to make sure 171 00:07:18,540 --> 00:07:21,780 that anybody whose first language is not necessarily English 172 00:07:21,780 --> 00:07:23,580 or even French or Spanish, 173 00:07:23,580 --> 00:07:25,530 has a way of communicating with us. 174 00:07:25,530 --> 00:07:27,000 It's you know, we're going to be able 175 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:28,740 to connect them we hope with technology 176 00:07:28,740 --> 00:07:30,240 as well as other people. 177 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:31,980 But even that is a form of greeting 178 00:07:31,980 --> 00:07:34,800 because you know, it's called Global Languages, 179 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:36,570 but the theme of this convention 180 00:07:36,570 --> 00:07:39,470 is the Language of the Heart and that's what we all speak. 181 00:07:40,470 --> 00:07:43,800 - There are many things to do at the convention and yet. 182 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:45,420 - There's no way you could look at the program 183 00:07:45,420 --> 00:07:47,640 and know what your experience is gonna be 184 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:48,960 because it just doesn't allow 185 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:52,710 for the random lunch you ended up having 186 00:07:52,710 --> 00:07:55,710 with the group of people who were there from Poland. 187 00:07:55,710 --> 00:07:57,570 That happened to me in Atlanta, 188 00:07:57,570 --> 00:07:59,940 and you know you can't plan for that. 189 00:07:59,940 --> 00:08:01,590 That's just not in the program. 190 00:08:01,590 --> 00:08:04,290 - Carolyn, for someone who's never visited British Columbia 191 00:08:04,290 --> 00:08:05,670 or the West Coast of Canada, 192 00:08:05,670 --> 00:08:08,310 what would you tell them that makes the area so special? 193 00:08:08,310 --> 00:08:10,320 - Oh my goodness, there is so much. 194 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:11,820 Of course, the outdoors 195 00:08:11,820 --> 00:08:15,810 and we have some fantastic accessible outdoor spaces. 196 00:08:15,810 --> 00:08:18,960 The convention site itself is right on the ocean. 197 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:23,220 You can quite literally walk 10 minutes to a beach. 198 00:08:23,220 --> 00:08:25,950 Lots of trees in Stanley Park. 199 00:08:25,950 --> 00:08:29,790 So, there's lots of that type of excitement to be had. 200 00:08:29,790 --> 00:08:34,470 And if you're interested in, you know, museums, history, 201 00:08:34,470 --> 00:08:37,800 galleries, Pacific Northwest, indigenous art, 202 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:39,750 I mean, we just have so much. 203 00:08:39,750 --> 00:08:43,680 I am so excited for people to get to see what we have here, 204 00:08:43,680 --> 00:08:46,290 in addition to just the big-hearted spirit 205 00:08:46,290 --> 00:08:47,820 of our A.A. community. 206 00:08:47,820 --> 00:08:49,410 - what kind of questions do you get? 207 00:08:49,410 --> 00:08:52,350 - People who aren't familiar with traveling to Canada 208 00:08:52,350 --> 00:08:56,430 have had questions about things like currency exchange. 209 00:08:56,430 --> 00:08:58,740 A lot of people don't know the Canadian dollar 210 00:08:58,740 --> 00:09:03,480 is about a $1.35, $1.40 US. 211 00:09:03,480 --> 00:09:06,000 So whenever you see something in US dollar prices, 212 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,690 it's actually like 35 to 40% less than it looks like. 213 00:09:09,690 --> 00:09:12,570 - Some folks might have some challenges crossing the border. 214 00:09:12,570 --> 00:09:14,550 - People have asked a lot of questions 215 00:09:14,550 --> 00:09:18,210 about how to enter Canada if you have a criminal record. 216 00:09:18,210 --> 00:09:20,400 And I'm so glad that the General Service Office 217 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:21,780 has done such a great job 218 00:09:21,780 --> 00:09:24,330 on those frequently asked questions 219 00:09:24,330 --> 00:09:28,200 'cause there's links there on the aa.org website 220 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:31,560 that go right to the correct information 221 00:09:31,560 --> 00:09:33,690 for like the official information 222 00:09:33,690 --> 00:09:36,810 so people don't have to guess or Google. 223 00:09:36,810 --> 00:09:38,400 You can go straight to the facts. 224 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:40,950 - Patrick, the International Convention Staff Coordinator, 225 00:09:40,950 --> 00:09:42,210 had a friendly reminder. 226 00:09:42,210 --> 00:09:45,120 - The key date to keep in mind is April 15th. 227 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:48,060 That's when our pre-registration will end 228 00:09:48,060 --> 00:09:51,390 and the registration price will increase. 229 00:09:51,390 --> 00:09:53,670 So, if you're thinking about going 230 00:09:53,670 --> 00:09:55,830 to the International Convention, 231 00:09:55,830 --> 00:09:58,350 then now's the time to make those plans. 232 00:09:58,350 --> 00:10:01,380 - We're here with our arms open wide, and our hearts open 233 00:10:01,380 --> 00:10:03,360 and we're just waiting for the privilege 234 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:07,020 to welcome all of you here to host this 235 00:10:07,020 --> 00:10:10,950 on behalf of Alcoholics Anonymous in the US and Canada. 236 00:10:10,950 --> 00:10:12,210 - If you've never been, 237 00:10:12,210 --> 00:10:15,963 then I'd say you are in for an experience like no other. 238 00:10:15,963 --> 00:10:18,546 (upbeat music) 239 00:10:20,130 --> 00:10:23,580 - The 2025 A.A. International Convention, 240 00:10:23,580 --> 00:10:24,600 Language of the Heart, 241 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:27,300 celebrating 90 years of Alcoholics Anonymous, 242 00:10:27,300 --> 00:10:30,930 July 3rd through the 6th in Vancouver, British Columbia. 243 00:10:30,930 --> 00:10:32,610 Information about the convention, 244 00:10:32,610 --> 00:10:34,920 registration, housing, volunteering, 245 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:38,520 and more can be found at aa.org. 246 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:40,341 We can't wait to see you there. 247 00:10:40,341 --> 00:10:42,480 (upbeat music continues) 248 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:45,240 - Thank you for listening to "Our Primary Purpose," 249 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:48,270 a podcast produced by the General Service Office 250 00:10:48,270 --> 00:10:51,150 on behalf of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous 251 00:10:51,150 --> 00:10:54,643 in the US and Canada. (gentle music)