April 19 25 2015 Delegates Conference Report Crowne Plaza Hotel 1605 Broadway New York NY 10019 Delegates Conference Report Mini Assembly What I saw heard and felt What it was like ID: 726668
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65th Annual General Service ConferenceApril 19 – 25, 2015
Delegate’s
Conference ReportSlide2
Crowne Plaza Hotel 1605 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 Slide3
Delegate’s Conference ReportMini Assembly
What I saw, heard, and felt
What it was like:
The preparation
What happened:
The Conference Experience
What it is like now:
Agenda recommendationsSlide4
1
st group of delegatesPanel 01 (1951)I am privileged to be the 33rd Delegate from Eastern Pennsylvania and the 8th
Woman
In 1950 Bill obtained Dr. Bob’s
consent to try the conference.
The 5 year experiment was a success. The Conference is now 65 years old and going strong.Slide5
Regional Map
Of U.S. & CanadaMap represents a general Outline of RegionsSlide6
Area 59 Delegates
to theGeneral Service Conference of Alcoholic Anonymous Beginning in 1952 to present
PANEL
DELEGATE
PANEL
DELEGATE
01
George R. (1952-52)
33
Dorothy G. (1983-84)
03
Aaron B. (1953-54)
35
Robert N. (1985-86)
05
Richard C. (1955-56)
37
William G. (1987-88)
07
Horace H. (1957-58)
39
Reba W. (1989-90)
09
Ed H. (1959-60)
41
Marcia G. (1991-92)
11
Ted R. (1961-62)
43
Hugo
McK
. (1993-94)
13
Paul O. (1963-64)
45
Joe Q. (1995-96)
15
Gail J. (1965-66)
47
Clay R. (1997-98)
17
Louis R. (1967-68)
49
Gary C. (1999-2000)
19
Monroe B. (1969-70)
51
Martin S. (2001-02)
21
Lenore M. (1971-72)
53
Nancy K. (2003-04)
23
Joseph
DeB.
(1973-74)
55
J. Gary L. (2005-06)
25
Francis G. (1975-76)
57
Sheila D. (2007-08)
27
Lenore J. (1977-78)
59
Lowell L. (2009-10)
29
Ambrose M. (1979-80)
61
Hugh H. (2011-12)
31
Lee B. (1981-82)
63
Steve O. (2013-14)Slide7
Key Dates in the Conference Process
DECEMBER – First year delegates are assigned a conference committee. FEBRUARY
– Agenda items and background material & NERASSA.
MARCH –Northeast Regional Delegates Weekend [NERDS].
APRIL
–
Area 59 Pre Conference Sharing Session.
APRIL
–
General
Service
Conference is held in New York
.
MAY
–
Delegates begin reporting back to their Areas.
JUNE
–
Box 4-5-9, DCR/Mini Assemblies
SEPTEMBER
-
Final conference reports are printed.Slide8
Area Delegates – USA & Canada93 = 69.4%Trustees, A.A.W.S. & Grapevine Directors
26 = 19.4%General Service Office & Grapevine Staff15 = 11.2%
Total:
134 Voting Members
Conference
Voting MembersSlide9
Average Age 57 yearsOldest 78Youngest 32Average Sobriety 22 yearsLongest “ 42
Shortest “ 8Average Service 18 yearsLongest “ 37Shortest “ 5
93 Area Delegates
StatisticsSlide10
Conference BuddyJen N. New Mexico Area 46Slide11
DOWN TO BUSINESS –The work done on
your behalfSlide12Slide13
Weekly Schedule (9am-9pm+)Early Session – Saturday1728 MeetingRemote Communities
Delegates Only MeetingOpening Day - SundayRoll callKeynote addressesTrustees & committeeGSB Dinner
Monday – Friday
Committee meetingsPresentationsElection of New Trustees Committee report-backs
Closing Day – Saturday
Closing Brunch
Rotating Trustees
Goodbyes
Past Delegates pick up (Area 59 Tradition)Slide14
Keynote Address: J. Gary L., Trustee23rd World Service Meeting: Bob W., U.S. Trustee-at-LargeAA Around the World: Rick W., G.S.O. staff
Panel 64 Delegate Presentations:Diversity in AA – Our Heritage of InclusionSafety & Respect – Practicing the Principles Begins in Our Home GroupsSafeguarding Our Traditions Through the Evolution of Technology Inventory – Looking Back to Move Ahead
Opening Presentations Slide15
J. Gary started his Keynote Address with “Should we assume that the 36 Principles will maintain us forever?” and then he talked about 10 Points that are very pertinent in our Fellowship today:
Singleness of PurposeSocial MediaDiversity of Membership (does not yet reflect our society)Diversity in Service
Size of our Membership
The Decline of PrintTechnology PolarizationInternational StructuresLitigation
Let us never fear needed change!
He further eloquently stated, “We frequently say at the Close of the General Service Conference, “You are now part of AA’s History,” I would submit that you are also a part of AA’s Future!” This was a Perfect motivator as we began our committee meetings, reminding us what to keep first and foremost in our minds as we experienced conference week.Slide16
A. Theme for the 66th GSC: “Our Spiritual Way of Life: Steps, Traditions and Concepts”
I. Agenda CommitteeSlide17
B. Presentations/discussion Topics for 2016 GSC 1) Connecting With the Newcomer:All Inclusive – Never Exclusive
Are We Doing Enough to Help the Newcomer – Are We going to any Length?Home Group – Where it begins2) Connecting with each other:Singleness of Purpose – Staying Pertinent in a Changing World
Informed Group Conscience – The Key to Unity
Be Involved, Be Inspired, Be of Service3) Connecting with A.A. as a wholeParticipation in All of A.A.Understanding Self Support
Reaching Out to the Next generation of A.A.
I. Agenda CommitteeSlide18
Workshop: “Anonymity – The Spiritual Foundation” Committee Considerations:Asked the Trustees to explore ways to
include the Conference [delegates] in selecting conference agenda items.Provide delegates who are conference committee chairs with full background materials for the last quarterly board weekend prior to the General Service Conference.
I. Agenda CommitteeSlide19
No Advisory Actions Committee considerations:
Review the “The Talks to Medical Societies by Bill W., Co-Founder of A.A.” as well other pamphlets for language outdated information and relevance to modern day medical professionals included in the CPC kit.
II. Cooperation With The Professional Community (CPC)Slide20
No Advisory Actions Committee considerations:
Discussed the Corrections Correspondence Service (C.C.S.) and requested the trustees’ Committee on Corrections consider the effectiveness of the criteria used in linking alcoholics behind the walls with volunteers. One specific concern was the distance requirement for participants in the C.C.S.
III.
CorrectionsSlide21
IV. Finance CommitteeAdvisory ActionsProceed with Phase 1 of the G.S.O. plan to translate conference material into Spanish and French
beginning with the 66th General Service Conference. The estimated cost is $80,000 to $120,000. [104-25]Trustees’ Committee on the General Service Conference will create a plan to translate all conference material and provide a progress report at the 66th
General Service Conference.Slide22
IV. Finance CommitteeCommittee ConsiderationsTook no action on
increasing the area contribution [currently $1,600] for the delegate expense to the Conference.Failed RecommendationIncrease the limit for annual individual contributions from $3,000 to $5,000. [67-59, substantial unanimity required 84 to pass]Slide23
Although our finances have grown much more complex, remember that Corporate Poverty is more a state of mind, rather than the size of our bank account.
“Too much – and we argue over perilous wealth and lose sight of our primary purpose of carrying the message…. Too little – and we risk losing the ability to carry the message at all.” IV. FinanceSlide24
TrendsMembership levels are flatContribution levels are flat
Literature sales show slow to no growthExpenses continue to grow slowly at 2-3% per yearSlide25
A DOLLAR IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE
1945 - $1.002015 - $13.00 Slide26
CONTRIBUTION HISTORY:
1985—2014
26Slide27
BIG BOOK UNIT SALES:
1995—2014
27
*
*
Excludes 75
th
Anniversary EditionSlide28
SUMMARY - 75TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK
The printing of the 75th Anniversary Commemorative Edition reflects the group conscience and Advisory Action of the 63rd General Service Conference and celebrates the history and message in our Big Book.The 75th Anniversary Commemorative Edition has most importantly provided us with the opportunity to share our history and excitement for the message of A.A. as was experienced and shared by our founding members.
The
write-off in 2014 of the 75th Anniversary Commemorative Edition was done in accordance with good accounting practices and is being reported to the Fellowship.
26Slide29
75TH ANNIVERSARY BIG BOOK–2014
27
177,888 Books Sold: Gross
Revenues
$1,888,880
Costs of Books sold &
shipping
904,032
Gross
Profit
984,848
Early
reorder created an overstock situation & required an Accounting write-off of 125,000 Books
823,152
Net Profit
on 75
th
Anniversary Book
161,696
40,000 Books on hand are budgeted and expected to be sold in 2015
125,000 Books were written-off for Accounting purposes, but remain in physical inventory and are available to be sold. Slide30
A.A.W.S. & G.S.O. ANNUAL OPERATING RESULTS
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Fiscal Year Ended Dec 31. . .
30Slide31
31Slide32
Advisory Action: Recommended changers in text of the pamphlet, “AA Grapevine and LaVina: Our Meeting In Print (104-26)Committee Considerations
:Implement a communication plan to the Fellowship clarifying La Vina’s unique status as a service that strives to be self-supporting and continue to publish as cost effectively as possible.Encouraged purchase of Subscription Gift Certificates
by local service committees, groups and members to provide magazines to people in prisons, treatment centers and nursing homes.
Suggested the AA Grapevine Board produce two books:Armed Forces Members AA Stories (working title) &
Voices from Early AA
(working title)
V. Grapevine CommitteeSlide33
AA GRAPEVINE ANNUAL OPERATING RESULTS
37Slide34
Advisory ActionsTrustees’ Literature Committee develop literature for the alcoholic with mental health issues. [99-11]
Revise/update the current pamphlets“Inside AA: Understanding the Fellowship and Its Services”“AA and the Gay/Lesbian Alcoholic”“AA for the Woman”
VI. Literature CommitteeSlide35
Committee ConsiderationsReviewed the suggestion to produce a book combining “Twelve Steps an Twelve Traditions” with the “Twelve Concepts for World Service” and took no action. The committee noted the
“Twelve Concepts for World Service” are suitably placed with “The A.A. Service Manual” and in a stand alone volume.
VI. Literature CommitteeSlide36
The Big Book was first published in 1939 by Works Publishing.36Slide37
Seven Big Book translations in the ‘50s & ‘60s.37
1952
Spanish
1954
German
1958
Finnish
1959
Norwegian
1961
Afrikaans
1963
French
1969
PortugueseSlide38
In the ‘70s & ‘80s there were thirteen Big Book translations. 38
1952
Spanish
1954
German
1958
Finnish
1959
Norwegian
1961
Afrikaans
1963
French
1969
Portuguese
1977
Icelandic
1979
Japanese
1980
Italian
1984
Dutch
1985
Maltese Korean
1986
Marathi (India)
1987
Arabic
1988
Croatian Swedish
1989
Hungarian Polish RussianSlide39
Twenty-two Big Book translations in the ‘90s.39
1952
Spanish
1954
German
1958
Finnish
1959
Norwegian
1961
Afrikaans
1963
French
1969
Portuguese
1977
Icelandic
1979
Japanese
1980
Italian
1984
Dutch
1985
Maltese Korean
1986
Marathi (India)
1987
Arabic
1988
Croatian Swedish
1989
Hungarian Polish Russian
1990
Farsi
1991
Vietnamese Turkish
1992
Swahili Slovenian Tagalog (Philippines) Danish Lithuanian
1993
ASL Romanian
1994
Czech Thai Estonian Kannada (India) Ukrainian
1995
Armenian Nepali Hindi
1996
Bulgarian Tamil (India)
1997
Malayalam (India)
1998
GreekSlide40
Sixteen Big Book translations in the last 15 years.40
1952
Spanish
1954
German
1958
Finnish
1959
Norwegian
1961
Afrikaans
1963
French
1969
Portuguese
1977
Icelandic
1979
Japanese
1980
Italian
1984
Dutch
1985
Maltese Korean
1986
Marathi (India)
1987
Arabic
1988
Croatian Swedish
1989
Hungarian Polish Russian
1990
Farsi
1991
Vietnamese Turkish
1992
Swahili Slovenian Tagalog (Philippines) Danish Lithuanian
1993
ASL Romanian
1994
Czech Thai Estonian Kannada (India) Ukrainian
1995
Armenian Nepali Hindi
1996
Bulgarian Tamil (India)
1997
Malayalam (India)
1998
Greek
2000
Mongolian Slovak Punjabi (India)
2001
Bengali Gujarati (India) Telugu (India)
2002
Urdu (Pakistan)
2003
Khmer (Cambodia)
2004
Latvian
2005
Indonesian Zulu
2007
Hebrew Sinhala (Sri Lanka)
2009
Tibetan
2010
Saami (Lapland)
2011
Xhosa (South AfricaSlide41
Sixty-three Foreign General Service Offices41
Argentina • Australia • Austria • Belarus • Belgium (French) • Belgium (Dutch) • Bolivia • Brazil • Chile China • Colombia • Costa • Rica • Cuba • Czech • Republic • Denmark • Dominican • Republic
Ecuador • El Salvador • Estonia • Faroe • Islands • Finland •
France • Germany • Great • Britain Guatemala • Honduras • Hungary • Iceland • India • Iran • Ireland • Italy • Japan • Latvia • Lithuania Malta • Mexico • Mongolia • Netherlands • New • Zealand • Nicaragua • Norway • Panama • Paraguay Peru • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • Slovakia • Slovenia • South • Africa •
South
Korea
Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Taiwan • Trinidad and Tobago • Turkey • Ukraine • Uruguay • VenezuelaSlide42
Advisory Action:Audio recordings of the General Service Conference presentations published in the GSC Final Report and audio recordings of the trustees’ farewell talks
given at the closing brunch be made available in accordance with the Archive’s Policies. Access to all other GSC sessions will continue to be prohibited. [Substantial unanimity, vote count required]
VII. Policy/Admissions CommitteeSlide43
Advisory Actions:Approved “Doors”, a video Public Service Announcement (PSA), providing that a dialog voice-over using professionals, not to exceed $24,000. The PSA will be centrally distributed.
Approved the 2014 Alcoholics Anonymous Membership Survey pamphlet.Discontinued the video PSAs “A Force of Nature” and “Testimonials”
Authorized the A.A.W.S., Inc. Board to
produce and post audio/video service material on the aa.org website.VIII. Public Information CommitteeSlide44
Advisory Actions:Two revisions to Chapter 9 (The General Service Board) clarifying nominating procedures.
Revisions to Chapter 2 (The Group and Its GSR), Chapter 3 (The District and Its DCM), and Chapter 5 (The Area Committee) about the G.S.O. database. Specifically, who has access and where the information is stored.A new subsection in Chapter 1 called Stimulating Interest in General Service.
IX. Report & Charter CommitteeSlide45
Advisory Actions:Two new sections in Chapter 9 (The General Service Board) on “Regional Forums” and “Local Forums”.
Restore the table of contents of the “Twelve Concepts for World Service” and the Twelve Concepts section of the “The A.A. Service Manual/Twelve Concepts for World Service” to include the pages in the same order as published in the 1990-91 Edition. [94-39]
IX. Report & Charter CommitteeSlide46
Advisory Action:Print a limited number of A.A. Regional Directories (Canadian, Eastern U.S. and Western U.S.) annually for purchase upon request
. [121-12]Committee Consideration:Took no action on a request to include a chart in the section “Working with Local Intergroups” noting that since local intergroups and central offices are not part to the general service structure, a chart could be misleading. It is adequately expressed in the text.
IX. Report & Charter CommitteeSlide47
Report & Charter CommitteeSlide48
No Advisory ActionsCommittee considerations:Asked trustees to consider posting content of AA literature in audio format on aa.org
Expressed appreciation for AAWS, Inc. to consider publishing the Twelve Concepts in ASL.Suggested changing all references of “Special Needs-Accessibility" to “Accessibilities
X. Treatment /Special Needs-AccessibilitiesSlide49
XI. Trustees CommitteeAdvisory Action
The Bylaws of The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc., as amended to comply with New York State nonprofit law, be approved at the annual meeting of the members of the General Service Board in April 2015.Committee ConsiderationReflecting on the importance of Concept XI, the committee encouraged the General Service Board and the Fellowship to
identify, attract and recruit in a timely manner, a diverse, competent and qualified pool of candidates to serve as Class A (nonalcoholic), Class B (alcoholic) trustees, nontrustee directors and appointed committee members on trustee committees.Slide50
XI. Trustees CommitteeRotating TrusteesClass A [Non-Alcoholic] Trustees
Frances L. Brisbane, Ph.D. Corliss R. Burke, B.Ed.Class B [Alcoholic] TrusteesCanadian Trustee-At-Large........Barbara (Barb) K.Northeast Regional ....................J. Gary L.Southwest Regional....................Clayton V.
Thank you for your dedication and service!Slide51
XI. Trustees CommitteeNew TrusteesClass A [Non-Alcoholic] Trustees
Leslie S. Backus, B.A.Peter Luongo, Ph.D., LCSW-CClass B [Alcoholic] Trustees [Third Legacy Elections]Canadian Trustee-At-Large........Scott H.Northeast Regional ....................Richard P.
Southwest Regional....................Yolanda F.Slide52
Northeast Regional Trustee Election
“Congratulations, Richard!Richard P. - our new Northeast Regional Trustee from New Hampshire.
Slide53
No Advisory ActionsCommittee considerations:Reviewed the contents of the workbook and noted minor editorial changes and added a new section, “Sharing on Digital Archives”, which will provide sharing and suggestions for Archives committees.
Discussed “Shared Experiences” which is refreshed every 5 years and suggested including experiences from local archivist.XII. ArchivesSlide54
No Advisory Actions Committee considerations:Heard reports on upcoming International… over 45,000 have registered
Discussed ways to encourage interest in Regional forumsSuggested using Conventions to share the new regional Forum Flyers.XIII. International Convention/Regional ForumsSlide55
Floor ActionsNo action on floor actions
Tried to initiate floor actions on translations and New book on the 36 principles (12X12x12)Could not be considered 2X’s in the same conferenceAll presented were withdrawn or failed to passSlide56
The General Service Conference Uses Electronic Voting for First TimeSlide57
The General Service Conference completed a three year process by where delegates, trustees and staff met together in small groups to discuss pre-determined questions.A bound report will be printed and distributed later in this year.The
value of the inventory process will be determined by how the Fellowship follows up on the responses.Stay tuned!The 3-Year GSC Inventory ProcessSlide58
Your General Service OfficeSlide59
18
GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE
NUMBER
OF EMPLOYEES
Records/Files
5
A.A. Support Services
16
Archives
6
Publishing
10
Inventory
Control
3
Order
Entry
4
Mail & Shipping
5
Contributions
4
Human Resources
2
Finance
8
Staff & Administration
13
Information
Services
2
Office Services
3
Total
81Slide60
Receives
1,500 requests
&
Publishes 3 Markings
eNewsletters
Distributes
8 million
books,
pamphlets &
audio materials
Receives
85,000 pieces
of mail
&
G.S.O. received
~12,000 contribution letters in the month of December alone
Each Year,
A.A.…
60
ARCHIVES
SHIPPING
CONTRIBUTIONSSlide61
Each Year…61Staff members respond to more than
90,000 emails, letters and phone calls from A.A. members, suffering alcoholics, distraught family members, professionals, students, the press and others interested in A.A.The Corrections desk answers over
6,500 letters
‒that’s 18 letters per day, every day.There are over
400 Alcoholics in extremely remote areas
and the General Service Office coordinates and connects them to each other through
a newsletter,
Loners-Internationalists Meetings (LIM
)Slide62
Walking Buddies on BroadwaySlide63
Northeast Region Trusted ServantsSlide64
NERDS at their BestSlide65
“80 Years – Happy Joyous and Free”
Slide66
SummaryLet’s look forward to receiving the Conference Report and Inventory SummaryConsider Future Agenda items
Consider using topics for next yearsConference for Area 59 Workshops Slide67
I am Deeply Grateful to Eastern Pennsylvania Area 59 for the opportunity to serve as your Area Delegate.
Thank You Sincerely for this great honor and privilege!Pat F.Panel 65
delegate@area59aa.org
AA Confidential—Not for use outside the FellowshipSlide68
Questions