We're Up and Running!

All,

As of this evening, we have a dedicated area with a door for privacy to begin hosting AA meetings at the Dallas Convention Center. Meetings were initiated this past weekend by a recovery support organization and we will be taking over the hosting of those meetings beginning Wednesday this week. Special thanks to those who helped jumpstart the support efforts. We will be sharing our meeting space with Al-Anon and N.A. as both are drastically needed to support those now living at the Convention Center. Our meeting space will hold approximately 15-20 people comfortably but we need to respect the ongoing support efforts that will be going on around us while we are there and be sensitive to overloading the meeting space.

All AA members wishing to participate in meetings or help host the information table will need to register upon entering the Convention Center. You will need a picture ID and you will not be permitted to enter with open toed shoes (such as flip flops/sandals). Additionally, you will be expected to abide by health guidelines and you may be asked to wash you hands upon entering and leaving as well as potentially wear disposable rubber gloves. I will send out detailed logistics tomorrow after they're finalized with the Red Cross.

I am currently working to have detailed fliers available with pertinent information as well as posters that we'll distribute around both the Convention Center and the Reunion Arena with contact information and our meeting schedules. Additionally, I'll be taking stocks of Big Books and other literature to be made available to members and for use in meetings. Please continue to send me your availability information including contact info, dates and times of availability. If your group would like to take on the hosting of one or more meetings that would be very helpful.

Finally, I've been in touch with our Louisiana Area Assembly contact and below please find a copy of Keith's email back to me regarding contributions for rebuilding meeting locations. We'll continue to communicate with the Area down there to insure they have what they need to make sure that AA is available as the world helps to rebuild the region.

Thanks to all, Jeff
www.aadallas.org
http://friendofbills.blogspot.com

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From Keith L. - Louisiana Area Assembly of Alcoholics Anonymous.........

Jeff,

As we've tried to think through what the future will hold, it's becoming clear to us, too, that cash will be useful in the future. We don't know exactly when the needs will become apparent, or what they will be. I've started replying to people who want to donate cash with the Louisiana Area Assembly address. Only thing to remember is no more than $2000 from any one entity, and of course since we're self-supporting, contributions can only be accepted from AA individuals/groups/entities.

So, bottom line, we will be accepting contributions dedicated to Katrina recovery efforts at:

Louisiana Area Assembly, Inc.
P.O. Box 2793
Opelousas, LA 70571

Be assured that the donations will be dedicated to the recovery efforts, and the needy groups as they get re-established.
Keith L. - Webmaster
Louisiana Area Assembly
http://www.aa-louisiana.org/