Conference Advisory Actions

Conference Report & Charter Committee

1.       Recommendation: The committee recommended replacing the first sentence of the third bullet under "Delegates Duties" in Chapter Six with: "Be prepared to attend all area and regional service meetings and assemblies applicable to his/her respective area".

A friendly amendment was made to add "applicable to" and accepted.

The recommendation was overwhelmingly approved (overwhelmingly means that more than two-thirds of the conference voted to approve the recommendation, and there were very few (1) who voted in opposition).

2.       Recommendation: The committee recommended adding the following two new bullet points as the first and second items under the section titled "Duties" in Chapter Two: The Group and It's G.S.R:

Discussion: It was noted that this change basically just spells out what should be done, and not everyone understands the responsibilities they should fulfill.

The recommendation is approved, with 87 voting in favor and 38 opposed (125 total voting, 2/3 would be 84).

3.       Recommendation: The committee recommended adding the words "and a sponsor" to the sentence of the second bullet under the section titled "Qualifications" in Chapter Two: The Group and Its G.S.R. to read: "Usually, prospective G.S.R.s have at least two years of continuous sobriety and a sponsor."

Discussion: One delegate shared that his area did not think this was necessary and it was micro- managing again. As your delegate, I mentioned that the point was brought up in our Delegate's Workshop and it was suggested if we add this to a GSR description, we should also add it under DCM and Delegate (this got a good laugh and some head shaking yes). The question was called.

The recommendation was not approved: In favor = 19, Opposed = 108

Motion to reconsider did not pass.

4.       Recommendation: The committee recommended adding the words "to reprint the Steps, Traditions, and/or Concepts, and" to the first sentence in paragraph three under the section "Area Newsletters or Bulletins" in Chapter Four: The Area Assembly and Activities, to read:

"Local A.A. publications are permitted to reprint the Steps, Traditions, and/or the Concepts, and to quote a phrase, sentence or brief paragraph excerpted from A.A. literature such as the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, The A.A. Service Manual and Conference-approved pamphlets without a prior, written request to do so."

Discussion: It was pointed out that this change really codifies what we've been already doing for years.

The recommendation was unanimously approved

ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE CONSIDERATIONS:

  1. The committee considered that Chapter Two: The Group and Its G.S.R. on page S23 be returned to the text on pages S45-49 in the 1991-1992 Edition of The A.A. Service Manual that includes the sections "How Elected," "What is an A.A. Group?," "How the A.A. Group Fits into the Structure of the Fellowship," "The A.A. Group - the Final Voice of the Fellowship," "Why Do We Need Service Entities Other Than the A.A. Group," "How Much Organization Should an A.A. Group Have?" and "The Home Group," and took no action.
  2. The committee reviewed the updated chart of the A.A. Grapevine, Inc. to replace the chart on page S80 and other editorial updates to include language on the Grapevine Representative (GvR), La Vina Representative (RLV) and La Vina.
  3. The committee considered the request that the trustees conduct an audit of all reported Conference Advisory Actions to ensure that they have been and will be reported accurately and took no action.


    4. Discussion: It was pointed out that the committee discussed this item at great length, and did not see a benefit for conducting an audit. They felt we already have 135 auditors (the conference members).

  4. The committee discussed the purpose and usefulness of the Eastern and Western, Canada A.A. Directories, and International A.A. Directory and agreed that the directories continue to be useful and serve the Fellowship.