Fantastic Forum in Sioux Falls

Approximately 225 A.A.s from the upper Midwest attended our West Central Regional Forum held August 24-26, 2001, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Along with wonderful summer weather, a great weekend of service sharing and fellowship was enjoyed by all. The West Central Region welcomed Elaine McDowell to her first Forum as chairperson of the General Service Board. 

Some of the weekend's highlights included presentations from the trustees and staff of the General Service Office, General Service Board, and the Grapevine. Our Regional Delegates shared a variety of topics including Changing the General Service Structure, Group Unity, Sponsorship Into Service, Trusting Our Trusted Servants, and Linking Websites To Our Traditions. We heard excellent open-mike discussions on a variety of current issues including the approval process for our Conference literature and the emergence of "chanting and rituals" in A.A.

Correctional facilities was the theme of my Forum weekend. My Delegate presentation addressed Twelfth Step Work in Correctional Facilities -- Ever A Vital Need. In addition, I chaired a breakout session entitled Carrying the Message Behind the Walls. We heard wonderful sharing on a number of Twelfth Step problems and solutions including working with juvenile facilities, developing the corrections correspondence program, and challenges encountered with prerelease programs.

My participation as a member of the General Service Conference Correctional Facilities Committee will benefit tremendously from the sharing I experienced at this year's West Central Regional Forum. Attending Forums over the years has provided a wonderful opportunity to become better informed as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and to draw upon that experience as a trusted servant for Area 36. Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve!

Christine C.
Delegate, Area 36