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Delegates Only Meeting
There were two Delegates Only meetings during the week, one held on Saturday and the other on Tuesday evening. The Saturday night session is held prior to the conference opening to help orient the new Delegates. Presentations were given focused on the committee process, the full conference process and some tips on post Delegate Reports. There was also an overview of Conference Week, and the Delegate Chair for the conference, Mark G., Area 10, Colorado put together a great glossary of General Service Conference terms regarding the conference process and terminology. Many second year Delegates shared their experiences from last year and helpful tips they personally found useful during conference week. This meeting helps to set the tone of the spiritual process we are all about to embark on.
The Tuesday evening session allowed for open discussion from any Delegate present. We also selected a new Delegate Chairperson and Alternate Delegate Chairperson for the 55th General Service Conference.
Remote Communities Workshop
The pre-conference workshop for Remote Communities was again held on Sunday morning. The theme for the meeting was "Remote Communities - A Vision for the Future". The definition for Remote Communities is: "Where it may difficult to carry the A.A. message of hope because of challenges with language, culture, or geography." There were great presentations from many other areas sharing their experience on how they are overcoming these barriers to reach those still suffering from alcoholism.
There was also a sense again this year from many of the areas in Canada, where geography is a main focus, that perhaps we are stretching and diluting the definition of remote communities. Many areas, including Area 36, have created Remote Communities/Special Needs Committees to accommodate carrying the message to alcoholics not being reached. However, our definition of "remote" is much different than Area 79, BC/Yukon covering 540,000 square miles with over three-fourths of this remote by geography, or Alaska, Area 02 consisting of 872,000 square miles with four native languages spoken by indigenous people. Last year the Delegate from Alaska gave 9 district reports and one assembly report traveling approximately 8,000 air miles.
Eastern Pennsylvania has a Special Needs/Remote Communities committee. This area's focus is on unifying their Spanish & English-speaking groups. They have taken several steps in that process: 1) Informational displays were created and set up at many area & district functions; 2) English and Spanish literature is distributed; 3) Bilingual members are serving as interpreters at the Assembly/Convention and at other area functions. An updated list of interpreters is maintained; 4) Their monthly area calendar is in both English and Spanish. The goal is to see a linguistic district become a reality.
Southern Wisconsin, Area 75, is working closely with the Spanish Community. This year at their state conference, Eva Sanchez, GSO staff, is the main AA speaker. Eva is coming a day before the conference to lead a special Spanish sharing session. This a great example of how our General Service Office staff supports our 12 Step efforts.
There was also discussion again this year regarding the movement of the Remote Communities meeting away from the Conference. Steps taken in this regard include a Hospitality Room obtained for Remote Communities at the 2005 International Convention in Toronto. Decisions will be made at that meeting for the potential of an ongoing meeting away from the conference. It was also voted to hold the Remote Communities Workshop again next year on Sunday prior to the General Service Conference. Copies of the "Remote Communities Communicator 2004" were distributed.