(previous) REPORT SECTIONS
The conference officially adjourned its deliberations on Friday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. The Serenity Prayer was shared in Spanish, French and English.
On Saturday morning we attended a closing brunch and heard farewell remarks by rotating trustees: Linda Chezem, Class A; Bob Miller, Class A; Alex Palmer, Class A; Beth R., Class B; Tony T., Class B; and Greg T., Class B. We said our goodbyes to the people who have selflessly and endlessly served us. They give of their time and talents to serve A.A. for many consecutive years (at least four and in some cases more). We also thanked the panel 52 delegates for helping us new panel 53 delegates find our way at the conference, and serving A.A. through their dedication and time.
The 135 voting members of the conference shared a full week of discussion, deliberation and camaraderie. The conference approved 28 Conference Advisory Actions and considered four recommendations that did not result in Advisory Actions. Items discussed, but with no action taken, are known as Additional Committee Considerations. The conference discussed 44 of these committee items. The discussion was lively at times and many of the considerations may include the request for additional information to be discussed at a later date or the next conference.
What is an Advisory Action? It actually starts as an agenda item for consideration by the conference (an idea that was brought to the conference from an area, district, group or individual member). It is first discussed by the Trustees' committee, forwarded to the Conference committee (which consists of delegates), and may be brought to the entire conference (135 voting members) as a recommendation. In order for a recommendation to become an Advisory Action it must pass by at least two-thirds of those voting. So, essentially an Advisory Action has gone through the group conscience by discussion from the groups, districts and areas, discussion by the Trustees & Conference committees, the delegates that serve on the Conference committees, and then finally to the conference floor for more discussion and vote. Based on that important process an Advisory Action is something that the fellowship as a whole would like to see implemented. It is then moved forward to a Trustee committee, A.A. World Services Board, Grapevine Board or General Service Office for implementation.
It is amazing to see how the committee process works. It all culminated at the conference when I experienced a recommendation coming from a committee discussed, voted on, and passed by 'substantial unanimity' (two-thirds). It is a huge responsibility to know that the decisions made can and will affect A.A. as a whole for many generations to come.
What Advisory Actions or Additional Committee Considerations will need follow-up throughout the year?
1.
The updating of stories in the booklet A.A. in Prison: Inmate to
Inmate. The Corrections Committee requests sharing from members
who have experienced recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous while
incarcerated - this may include sharing from members currently
incarcerated or those who have been released and continue on the
road of recovery.
Typed
manuscripts of these personal stories can be sent to the
Correctional Facilities assignment at the General Service Office.
That address is:
General Services Office
P.O. Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
Attention: Corrections
2. A comprehensive review of
'The A.A. Group' pamphlet. The Conference Literature Committee
requests input from A.A. members for updates or revisions to this
pamphlet.
Districts and groups should discuss any
changes and can submit those changes to me and I will compile them
all together and send to the secretary for the trustees' Literature
Committee, or they can be sent directly to:
General Services Office
P.O. Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
Attention: Literature
3. A request that the Trustees'
Committee on CPC reconsider development of a conference-approved pamphlet
similar to the local flyers entitled 'So the Court Sent You to A.A. and You
Hate the Idea', and that the committee seek wider input from the delegate
areas on the need for such a pamphlet.
Districts and groups should also discuss this,
and send any thoughts to me or the CPC assignment at the General Service
Office - mailing address:
General Services Office
P.O. Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
Attention: CPC
4. A request from the Public Information
Conference Committee that the General Service Board explore ways that input
from the Fellowship regarding G.S.O.'s A.A. Web Site may be addressed by a
trustees' committee with a relevant Conference committee.
Any thoughts or options can be passed on to the
Chair of the General Service Board, Elaine McDowell. Mailing address:
General Services Office
P.O. Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
Attention: General Service Board
5. The CPC Conference
Committee discussed ways of reaching a wider variety of
professionals, and suggested that we:
- Continue to reach out to nursing and medical schools;
- Consider assigning an A.A. "sponsor" to professionals or students who come to A.A. meetings, sitting with them and helping them understand the meeting as it progresses;
- Make more frequent use of "Information on Alcoholics Anonymous;"
- Carry the message through calls or personal contacts to professionals, in addition to mailings;
- Cooperate with other service committees to reach professionals in all fields.
6. The Correctional Committee
requested that examples of local A.A. pre-released brochures and/or
forms be gathered and generic samples be developed to be considered by
the 2004 conference for possible inclusion in the Correctional
Facilities Workbook.
Information can be mailed to:
General Services Office
P.O. Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
Attention: Corrections
7. After considerable discussion on the
topic of self-support, the Finance Conference Committee felt that sponsorship
is the key.
The committee urges the delegates to discuss
financial responsibility within their areas.
8. There will be ongoing discussion and additional information regarding the placement of The Grapevine magazine for sale in non-A.A. outlets, such as treatment centers. This will include ongoing discussion regarding the 1993 Conference Advisory Action stating: "The Grapevine Corporate Board not actively pursue the placement of Grapevine materials for resale in commercial (non-A.A.) outlets."
9. The Conference Committee on
International Conventions/Regional Forums discussed ways to improve and
encourage interest in Regional and Special Forums and suggested:
- Continue providing simultaneous translations into Spanish and/or French as well as having presentations in Spanish and French;
- Seek better ways to encourage members, groups, districts and areas in organizing various means of transportation to Regional/Special Forums;
- Encourage attendees to share their Forum experience more widely with other members, (e.g. articles in local newsletters, reports at group conscience or business meetings, etc.).
10. The Conference
Committee on Trustees discussed various ways to encourage
qualified and willing non-alcoholic "friends of the
Fellowship" to serve as Class A trustees,
including posting vacancy
announcements in area, district and Intergroup newsletters,
as well as on local A.A. Web sites. The committee also
suggested that A.A. members work closely with potential
candidates to provide information about Alcoholics Anonymous
and the role and responsibilities of Class A Trustees.
As you can see from the above items, there is
plenty to review and discuss in the upcoming months. It is
important that districts and groups take the time to discuss these
items and share their voice.
Some of these items could be used
as great workshop topics. Our general service structure is
in place for the whole of A.A. I will continue to report any
updates or information I may receive.
As it states in our Conference Charter (found in its entirety on page S93 of The A.A. Service Manual, 2002-2003 edition): "The General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous is the guardian of world services and of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous." "The Conference will act for A.A. in the perpetuation and guidance of its world services, and it will also be the vehicle by which the A.A. movement can express its view upon all matters of vital A.A. policy and all hazardous deviations from A.A Tradition."
The six General Warranties of the Conference are clearly stated in Article 12 of the Conference Charter and further explained in Concept Twelve. These warranties are some of the most spiritual guides the conference should adhere to and helped me personally as your delegate when I was at the conference. They embody the principles that guide all of us serving A.A. As found on page S96 of The A.A. Service Manual, 2002-2003 edition: "In all its proceedings, the General Service Conference shall observe the spirit of the A.A. Tradition, taking great care that the Conference never becomes the seat of perilous wealth and power; that sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve, be its prudent financial principle; that none of the Conference members shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority over any of the others; that all important decisions be reached by discussion, vote and whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; that no conference action ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy, that though the Conference may act for the service of Alcoholics Anonymous, it shall never perform any acts of government; and that, like the Society of Alcoholics Anonymous which it serves, the Conference itself will always remain democratic in thought and action."
What a week it was! Thank you for the opportunity to serve!
Yours in Love and Gratitude,
Brenda L.
Delegate, Panel 53
Area 36, Southern Minnesota