Purpose: HAA constitution and bylaws call for holding convention once every two years. The convention is the premier activity of the association. It is an effort to celebrate, preserve, as well as to propagate our common cultural heritage to our posterity. HAA started in the year 1982 with three chapters, has grown in depth and breadth, with new demographics. HAA now comprises 18 chapters all across America and Canada. There is a need to bring together this small Havyaka community spread in this vast region, in different chapters to strengthen our roots. HAA, an umbrella association of all these chapters holds the biennial convention for that purpose. Since its inception, HAA had 19 biennial conventions so far and latest was in San Fransisco bay area. The upcoming convention will be in North East in July 2023.

Progress

Conventions are held biennially, generally on the July 4th weekend. The three main chapters based in San Francisco (West coast), Chicago (mid west), and New Jersey (east coast) took turns in hosting the convention for long time, because of the relatively higher number of families in these urban areas. Recently with the change in demographics with more families, HAA has added more hosting regions. Washington DC chapter hosted the convention in 2015 and Canada (Toronto) chapter hosted in 2019 successfully. Convention Attendance, activities, and expenses have been steadily going up with each convention. This reflects the success and the progress of the HAA conventions held over these years. 

Convention Format: Convention is generally held biennially for a minimum of two days on the July 4th weekend. The convention starts with registration, reception, along with picnic activities. The sports and games are organized to help delegates to socialize and to get to know each other. The formal inauguration takes place in the evening with cultural activities. A grand banquet dinner is also part of the agenda. The second day starts with Puja and continues with cultural activities in an auditorium. The special programs like Yakshagana, concerts are performed by the invited artists. Sumptuous Havyaka themed food is served throughout the convention. Visiting delegates stay with relatives, friends, or in designated hotels. The entire convention has a joyful festive atmosphere. The convention format is flexible, and it is left to the discretion of the executive committee to make any changes.

Benefits: It is an opportunity to celebrate our common cultural heritage, and to present it to our future generation. The benefits of the convention are invaluable and unquantifiable. The convention is a great time to meet and mingle with our extended families and friends residing in North America. For three to four days, one can stay together, play together, dine together and perform together. It is also the time to make new friends in our community. Convention experience stays in our memory for a lifetime.

Youth camp: HAA’s mission is to preserve and transfer our Havyaka traits to our posterity. Havyakas being a small community spread out in this vast country can easily lose their identity. Convention makes an effort to connect the youth by designing programs especially for them. Recently, the convention in Toronto dedicated one day to the youth camp. Attending the convention will instill a sense of belonging and a feeling that they have a community to identify with. Culture and identity-conscious parents should make an effort to attend every convention with their children starting at an early age so that they develop a continued camaraderie.

General body meeting: Convention is also the time to plan the future course of HAA activities. General body meeting held during the convention, add, edit the existing bylaws, and pass new resolutions. 

Souvenir: Souvenir is an integral part of the convention, published biennially and distributed to all the members. It showcases the Havyaka history, traditions, and Havyakas’ talent in writing. Souvenir is also a repository of the directory, family pictures, memberships, and the proceedings. Members who couldn’t participate in the convention in person still contribute and connect to the community through the souvenir.