Registration
CCRCNA is registration only
- what does this mean? Haga clic aquí para Español
The issue of requiring all attendees of a convention to register is one that continues to be raised at virtually every convention in NA. We, in Central California have moved to this policy effective in 2014. This decision was made by the CCRSC in 2013.
There are many reasons for this change, but allow us to focus on two reasons: the costs involved in putting on a convention and the issue of adequate meeting space. Over the past ten years, the costs involved have risen dramatically in terms of costs for facilities including meeting space, labor, food and beverage costs, insurance requirements, etc. As an example let us discuss the rental for the meeting space outside of the hotel in Bakersfield and/or Ventura, the sites for our last ten conventions. These have risen to the point where it costs an extra $9,000 for the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, and it could cost as much as $13,000 or more to rent parts of Seaside Park In Ventura. These costs are over and above any commitments we have with the host hotel. The costs involved for other registration benefits such as dances and other events have also risen in the past few years, and will continue to do so. We continue to offer newcomer registrations and reduced-rate registrations for members who are in recovery houses. That is not expected to change, but the extent to which they will be available will also heavily depend upon donations received for those purposes. For example, if we receive $450 in newcomer donations, that would cover 30 newcomer registrations.
As for space, as our fellowship grows, so does our need for adequate meeting space for the meetings at our conventions. Currently, the only locale in Central California that can host our convention without a great deal more cost is Bakersfield, and even there costs continue to rise. At the present time, our Friday and Saturday evening main meetings are attended by at least 1,400 members. If we want to be able to have a convention in places like Ventura or Santa Barbara, we must be able plan for the additional space needed.
We want to ensure that the Central California Convention continues to be the best convention we can put on for our membership. To ensure that we can continue to do that, we must move forward with implementing the registration-only option.
- what does this mean? Haga clic aquí para Español
The issue of requiring all attendees of a convention to register is one that continues to be raised at virtually every convention in NA. We, in Central California have moved to this policy effective in 2014. This decision was made by the CCRSC in 2013.
There are many reasons for this change, but allow us to focus on two reasons: the costs involved in putting on a convention and the issue of adequate meeting space. Over the past ten years, the costs involved have risen dramatically in terms of costs for facilities including meeting space, labor, food and beverage costs, insurance requirements, etc. As an example let us discuss the rental for the meeting space outside of the hotel in Bakersfield and/or Ventura, the sites for our last ten conventions. These have risen to the point where it costs an extra $9,000 for the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, and it could cost as much as $13,000 or more to rent parts of Seaside Park In Ventura. These costs are over and above any commitments we have with the host hotel. The costs involved for other registration benefits such as dances and other events have also risen in the past few years, and will continue to do so. We continue to offer newcomer registrations and reduced-rate registrations for members who are in recovery houses. That is not expected to change, but the extent to which they will be available will also heavily depend upon donations received for those purposes. For example, if we receive $450 in newcomer donations, that would cover 30 newcomer registrations.
As for space, as our fellowship grows, so does our need for adequate meeting space for the meetings at our conventions. Currently, the only locale in Central California that can host our convention without a great deal more cost is Bakersfield, and even there costs continue to rise. At the present time, our Friday and Saturday evening main meetings are attended by at least 1,400 members. If we want to be able to have a convention in places like Ventura or Santa Barbara, we must be able plan for the additional space needed.
We want to ensure that the Central California Convention continues to be the best convention we can put on for our membership. To ensure that we can continue to do that, we must move forward with implementing the registration-only option.