2016 General Service Conference Committees
Agenda Items – Background Information Summary for Area 72
I.
Agenda
A.
Review suggestions for the theme of the 2017 General Service Conference.
2016 Theme:
“Our Spiritual Way of Life: Steps, Traditions and Concepts”
Conference theme and presentation topics revolve around basic principles of A.A. and
can spark thought-provoking discussion at Area and District meetings as well. This gives
A.A. members the opportunity to participate and become more informed about A.A.
The “Suggestions for 2017 Conference Theme” can be found in the ‘2016 Pre-Conference
Support Docs’ file which is available on the Area Website.
B.
Review presentation/discussion topic ideas for the 2017 GSC.
The “Suggestions for 2017 Conference Presentation/Discussions” can be found in the
‘2016 Pre-Conference Support Docs’ file which is available on the Area Website.
C.
Review the General Service Conference Evaluation Form.
The Conference Evaluation plays an important role in helping both the Trustee’s
Committee on the Conference and the Staff to plan the next annual meeting of the GSC.
The committees and staff members responsible for the agendas for future Conferences
give careful consideration to the comments of all Delegates, Trustees, Directors and Staff
who turn in a form.
D.
Discuss report on the Conference Agenda Process from the Trustees’
Committee on the General Service Conference.
Last year’s Conference Committee on Agenda requested that the Trustees’ Committee on
the Conference fully explore the potential role that the Conference Committee on
Agenda might play in the selection process of Agenda items in the future and provide a
report to the 2016 committee. A full report, “Conclusions Regarding the Conference
Agenda Committee and the Agenda Item Selection Process”, has been provided to the
Conference Agenda Committee.
Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
II.
C.P.C.
A.
Consider discontinuing the pamphlet “Three Talks to Medical Societies by
Bill W.”
The pamphlet “Three Talks to Medical Societies by Bill W., Co-founder of A.A.” (P-6)
contains Bill’s ideas of how A.A. works, principles borrowed from medicine and religion,
and a summary of A.A.’s first 23 years. Both last year’s Conference C.P.C. Committee and
the Trustees’ Committee are concerned about the pamphlet’s language, outdated
information and relevance to modern day medical professionals. The Trustees’
Committee has recommended that the pamphlet be retired because it is too lengthy and
dated.
B.
Consider adding text regarding A.A. and medications to the pamphlet “If
You are a Professional…”.
The ‘Subcommittee on Reading and Reviewing C.P.C. Pamphlets’ and the Trustees’
Committee suggest that text be added to the pamphlet “If You are a
Professional…” (P-46) to suggest that in cases where a patient says they cannot take
prescribed drugs because they are a member of A.A., the doctor can refer them to the
pamphlet “The A.A. Member - Medications and Other Drugs” (P-11). The suggested text
is from existing language in P-11 which says: “No A.A. member should ‘play doctor’; all
medical advice and treatment should come from a qualified physician. The pamphlet
“The A.A. Member - Medications and Other Drugs” may help A.A. members find the right
balance and minimize the risk of relapse.”
C.
Consider adding text to the pamphlet “Is there an Alcoholic in the
Workplace?” regarding A.A. as a resource for small businesses.
The Trustees’ Committee suggests that text be added to the introduction of the pamphlet
“Is there an Alcoholic in the Workplace?” (P-54) to clarify that A.A. can work with
employers of any size, including small businesses such as medical practices, etc.
D.
Review draft revision of the pamphlet “How A.A. Members Cooperate with
Professionals”.
The Trustees’ Committee forwarded to the Conference Committee a request from an Area
for a text change to the pamphlet “How A.A. Members Cooperate with
Professionals” (P-29) along with several other text changes suggested by the
‘Subcommittee on Reading and Reviewing C.P.C. Pamphlets’.
E.
Review contents of the C.P.C. Kit and Workbook.
The C.P.C. Workbook (M-41I) is contained in the Kit. The content list of the C.P.C. Kit
(F-66) is available on G.S.O.’s A.A. website (www.aa.org) with hyperlinks to most items
listed.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
III.
Corrections
A.
Review draft of video created to replace “It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell”.
The original video “It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell” (DV-08) has helped to carry the A.A.
message of hope and recovery to alcoholics who are incarcerated for 25 years but, it is
clearly out dated. Because of corrections volunteers in the U.S. and Canada, we were
able to film a diverse group of alcoholics currently in prison or who got sober inside and
were released. This draft video reflects the latest revisions suggested by the Trustees’
Corrections Committee.
B.
Discuss the Corrections Correspondence Service (C.C.S.).
In 2015, we were able to link 1,741 inmates with outside A.A. members through C.C.S.
For the first time, there are now more English-speaking men and women A.A. members
willing to correspond than there are inmates asking for a correspondent. We still don’t
have enough Spanish-speaking male correspondents to answer the needs of Spanishspeaking inmates.
C.
Review contents of Corrections Kit and Workbook.
The Corrections Workbook (M-45I) is contained in the Kit. The content list of the
Corrections Kit (F-68) is available on G.S.O.’s A.A. website (www.aa.org) with hyperlinks
to some items listed.
IV.
Finance
A.
Review suggested Area contribution for Delegate expense for the
Conference.
The current annual Delegate’s fee is $1,600. Per motion 07.1, our Area contributes twice
the amount requested annually by the General Service Board.
B.
Review the Conference approved level of $5,000 for individual bequests to
the General Service Board from A.A. members.
C.
Review the Conference approved maximum annual contribution to the
General Service Board from an individual A.A. member of $3,000.
D.
Discuss material from A.A.W.S. Self-Support Committee.
Be sure to go to G.S.O.’s A.A. website (www.aa.org) and check out the new ‘Seventh
Tradition Fact Sheet’ (F-203) flyer.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
E.
Review Self-Support Packet
The Self-Support Packet (F-19) contents may be viewed on G.S.O.’s A.A. website
(www.aa.org).
V.
Grapevine
A.
Review Audio Strategy status update.
As of January 13, 2016 Grapevine has collected 252 audio stories. Stories have been
submitted by individuals who have recorded their own as well as from individuals who
have recorded their story at a ‘Record Your Story’ workshop. Nine free stories have been
published on the website (www.aagrapevine.org) since 2013 and are available as
examples for others who wish to record. In the future, Grapevine plans to offer
collections of audio stories for sale through third party vendors by topic at price points
similar to other on-line audio offerings.
B.
Consider the list of suggested Grapevine book topics for 2017 or later.
The suggestions for production in the year 2017 or later are: “Young & Sober II”, “Stories
by Atheist & Agnostic A.A. Members”, “Steps Four and Five” and “Beginners II” (all are
working titles).
C.
Review A.A. Grapevine Workbook.
The Grapevine Workbook is available online at www.aagrapevine.org.
VI. Literature
A.
Consider developing a plain language version of the Big Book, Alcoholics
Anonymous.
According to the Plain Language Association InterNational, “a communication is in plain
language if the language, structure, and design are so clear that the intended audience
can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information.”
The Conference has reaffirmed on several occasions that the writings of our co-founders
not be changed:
• 1995 Advisory Action: The first 164 pages of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, the
Preface, the Forewords, “The Doctor’s Opinion”, “Doctor Bob’s Nightmare” and the
Appendices remain as is.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
Background from the maker of the request:
“I want to see sometime in the near future, a plain English language translation of the
Big Book. The book Alcoholics Anonymous has been translated into 69 languages
worldwide. To me there is no difference between translating the Big Book into a foreign
language, and taking that same book and translating it into plain language. Such a
translation into plain language would be very valuable to A.A. members in remote
communities, members who only know English as a second language and members with
low literacy levels.
Some history pertaining to simplified, easy-to-read literature:
• 1987 Advisory Action: The Trustees’ Literature Committee further explore the need for
simplified material for those with limited vocabularies and report its finding to the
1988 Conference.
• 1989 Advisory Action: That an illustrated, easy-to-read manuscript entitled “Is A.A. for
Me?” be approved to help carry the message to people with limited reading skills.
• 1990 Advisory Action: That the easy-to-read text for the proposed pamphlet “Twelve
Steps Illustrated” be further simplified and shortened into simple statements that
would direct attention to the illustrations, without attempting to rewrite the Steps;
and bring the text back to the 1991 Conference for approval.
• In 1993, the Conference Literature Committee discussed a request for a simplified
version of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous and determined that there was not
sufficient expressed need.
• In 2008, the Trustees’ Literature Committee discussed and took no action on an Area
proposal that a new booklet be developed using an up-to-date style of writing with
simple basic language to explain the principles in the Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions and the Big Book.
‘Plain Language’ example:
B.
Before:
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become
unmanageable.
After:
We agreed that alcohol was stronger than us - that our lives were out of
control.
Review A.A.W.S. report on ‘pagination’ of Conference-approved digital
books.
Some of our members have been having an ongoing issue with our ebook page numbers
not matching to the printed version. The report is from the A.A.W.S. Production
Department and details how they have been working with Amazon and others to solve
this problem.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
C.
Review progress report on the revision of the pamphlet “A.A. for the
Woman”.
The 2015 GSC recommended that the Trustees’ Literature Committee “revise the
pamphlet ‘A.A. for the Woman’ (P-5) by gathering current sharing from women in A.A.,
with the suggested inclusion of stories from women in the military, single mothers, and
women of diverse backgrounds.” Calls for stories (with an October 15, 2015 deadline)
were sent to all Conference members, Intergroups and Central Offices, and placed in Box
4-5-9 and A.A. Grapevine. A total of 104 submissions were compiled and forwarded to
the committee. The committee has so far agreed to retain two stories from the existing
pamphlet and to a top tier list of 5 new stories.
D.
Review progress report on the revision of the pamphlet “A.A. and the Gay/
Lesbian Alcoholic”.
The 2015 GSC recommended that the Trustees’ Literature Committee “update the
pamphlet ‘A.A. and the Gay/Lesbian Alcoholic’ (P-32) to include a wider range of A.A.
recovery experience from members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and
gender nonconforming, especially regarding being a newcomer and sponsorship.” A total
of 55 submissions were compiled and forwarded to the committee. The committee has
so far agreed that the existing pamphlet is dated and that all stories should be replaced
with new stories. The committee recommends rewriting the introduction to one that
would better reflect the intent and purpose of the revised pamphlet.
E.
Review progress report on the development of literature for A.A.s with
mental health issues and those who sponsor them.
The 2015 GSC recommended that the Trustees’ Literature Committee develop literature
for the alcoholic with mental health issues. A total of 157 submissions were compiled
and forwarded to the committee. The committee has so far agreed that further review
and discussions should continue in order to ascertain either the necessity for a second
call for stories (specifically, sponsor submissions), and/or identify a top tier list of
stories.
F.
Review progress report on the development of a plan for the systematic
review of A.A. recovery literature.
The 2015 GSC forwarded an additional consideration suggesting that the Trustees’
Literature Committee develop a plan for the systematic review of recovery literature.
G.
Review revised draft pamphlet “Inside A.A.: Understanding the Fellowship
and Its Services”.
The 2015 GSC approved the revised draft pamphlet “Inside A.A.: Understanding the
Fellowship and Its Services” (P-18) with minor corrections. An updated service piece
“Services Provided by G.S.O./A.A.W.S.” (SMF-176) can be found in the ‘2016 PreConference Support Docs’ file which is available on the Area Website.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
H.
Consider request for revision to the pamphlet “Young People and A.A.”.
The A.A.W.S. Board considered a request to create an A.A. Guideline for ‘Young People in
A.A.’ (Y.P.A.A.). The Board did not feel there was sufficient need to create a new A.A.
Guideline but felt it would be helpful to include information on young people’s
conferences in current A.A. literature and suggested a revision to the pamphlet “Young
People and A.A.” (P-4).
I.
Consider a request to update the pamphlet “Twelve Traditions Illustrated”.
An Area made a request to update the pamphlet “Twelve Traditions Illustrated” (P-43)
noting that the pamphlet was written in 1971 and that some of the pamphlet’s text and
many of the illustrations are outdated and may not be relevant anymore.
VII. Policy/Admissions
A.
Approve request for two observers from A.A. in the Ukraine to attend the
2016 General Service Conference.
The two guests are Mikhail A., past World Service Meeting delegate, and Yury T., G.S.O.’s
primary contact for translations of A.A. literature into Ukraine. Both observers are
bilingual and will be responsible for their own travel costs. G.S.O. provides hotel
accommodations and meals, similar to previous international guest observers.
B.
Review progress report on plans for French and Spanish translation of all
Conference Background.
The Trustees’ Committee on the General Service Conference was asked to create a plan
to translate all Conference materials into French and Spanish with a progress report given
to the 2016 Conference Committee on Policy and Admissions that describes the process
and costs, including options using third-party translators and a proposal to change agenda
submission deadlines.
Four plans are being submitted for review, and three feature a September deadline for
the submission of new agenda item proposals. Two call for the translation of background
using professional and financial resources we do not currently have and are not likely to
see in the coming year or two. The third and fourth plans are more modest and might be
done sooner, but require that A.A. embrace a more “let’s keep it simple” style of
proposing new agenda items. In all plans, everyone receives the same background,
whether it is in English, Spanish or French.
Even if no translation plan is adopted, it is acknowledged that the G.S.O. will see
operating expenses increase by $350,000 each year, or roughly $1 million every three
years, and the office does not have guaranteed income sources to cover that.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
The Trustees’ Committee notes that in the matter of translation plans, all Conference
members need to give serious consideration to their fiduciary responsibility to A.A. and
to the implications of these plans regarding the development of an informed group
conscience.
2015 Advisory Actions:
•
“Phase 1 of the G.S.O. proposed plan (February, 2015) to translate pre-Conference
and Conference materials into Spanish and French be implemented beginning with
the 2016, 66th General Service Conference.”
(Note: Phase 1 included all of the ‘static’ documents, or those that have very little
change from year to year and, does not include the Conference Committees
background.)
•
“The Trustees’ Committee on the General Service Conference create a plan to
translate all Conference material with a progress report given to the 2016
Conference Committee on Policy and Admissions that describes the process and
costs, including options using third party translators and a proposal to change
agenda submission deadlines.”
Translation Plan A: (800 pages of background - 60 items @ 13 pages per item)
Plan A takes the Conference process and comprehensive background as we know it today
and superimposes the requirement that all background will be translated into French and
Spanish. In Plan A, all proposed new Conference Agenda items are due by September
15th, allowing for agenda items to be approved by the conclusion of the October/
November General Service Board meeting. With this plan, Conference background will be
processed and posted in all three languages by January 25th.
Plan A Summary:
• Time for the task is 95 business days (4.5 months)
• Total cost is approximately $331,200
• Give the Fellowship 3 months to review background before Conference
Translation Plan B: (450 pages of background - 60 items @ 7.5 pages per item)
Plan B brings some simplicity and uniformity to how proposals for new agenda items are
submitted and brings a more restrained approach to the gathering of background. In Plan
B, proposed new Conference Agenda items are due by September 15th, allowing for
agenda items to be approved by the conclusion of the October/November General Service
Board meeting. A two page New Conference Agenda Item Proposal Form will be used to
send in each new agenda item proposal. No other pages will accompany the form
received by G.S.O. Staff will compile up to 6 pages of essential background.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
With this plan, Conference background will be processed and posted in all three
languages by January 25th.
Plan B Summary:
• Time for the task is 84 business days (4 months)
• Total cost is approximately $207,000
• Give the Fellowship 3 months to review background before Conference
Translation Plan C: (120 pages of background - 60 items @ 2 pages per item)
In Plan C, the two-page New Conference Agenda Item Proposal Forms are due by
September 15th, allowing for agenda items to be approved by the conclusion of the
October/November General Service Board meeting. No other pages will accompany the
two-page form. On the form, Staff will reference information such as previous Advisory
Actions or recommendations. With this plan, Conference background will be processed
and posted in all three languages by November 30th. This option gives the Fellowship the
maximum amount of time, nearly 5 months, to review items and help their delegate
prepare for the Conference.
Plan C Summary:
• Time for the task is 40 business days (2.25 months)
• Total cost is approximately $45,680
• Give the Fellowship nearly 5 months to review background before Conference
Translation Plan D: (120 pages of background - 60 items @ 2 pages per item)
In Plan D, the two-page New Conference Agenda Item Proposal Forms are due by
December 15th, allowing for agenda items to be approved by the conclusion of the
January/February General Service Board meeting. No other pages will accompany the
two-page form. On the form, Staff will reference information such as previous Advisory
Actions or recommendations. With this plan, Conference background will be processed
and posted in all three languages by February 20th.
Plan D Summary:
• Time for the task is 40 business days (2.25 months)
• Total cost is approximately $45,680
• Give the Fellowship less than 2 months to review background before Conference
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
C.
Review report from the Trustees’ Committee on the General Service
Conference regarding Conference observers from other fellowships.
Last year, our General Service Board received a request to allow a member of the Board
of Trustees of Adult Children of Alcoholics (A.C.A.) to attend the General Service
Conference as an observer. From the mid-1950’s the G.S.C. has welcomed A.A. members
from other countries as guest observers at the Conference. The Archives Department
reports that there is no record of any previous request from any other Twelve Step
Fellowship to observe the G.S.C., including the Al-Anon Family Groups. The Trustees’
Committee has requested that the Conference Policy/Admissions Committee consider the
concept of admitting representatives from the service structure of other Twelve Step
Fellowships to observe the G.S.C. The committee took no action on the request from
A.C.A. to observe the G.S.C. to allow the Conference to consider the concept separate
from a specific request.
In considering allowing representatives from other Twelve Step Fellowships to observe
the G.S.C., a number of questions need to be addressed with the guidance of A.A.
Traditions and principles:
•
Would allowing another Twelve Step Fellowship to observe the G.S.C. constitute
affiliation and/or endorsement?
•
What about our Anonymity Traditions, both Eleven and Twelve? If non-A.A.
members were welcome as observers to the G.S.C., policies would need to be
developed to insure the anonymity of A.A. members would be respected.
•
Currently the G.S.C. is considered a closed business meeting open only to
Conference members and observers from other A.A. service structures from
around the world. Is it appropriate to allow member of other Twelve Step
Fellowships to observe a closed A.A. business meeting that is not open to A.A.
members in the U.S. and Canada who are not Conference members?
•
There are now hundreds of Twelve Step Fellowships around the world. Does this
open the door for a large number of requests?
•
What about the financial aspects? It has been customary for us to provide room
and board for observers to our Conference. Observers have usually assumed
responsibility for their transportation, as well as the cost of interpreters, if
needed. There are significant Traditions’ considerations regarding the use of A.A.
funds to pay expenses for a non-A.A. member for a non-A.A. purpose.
The committee also noted that there are other ways to share our Conference experience
with another Twelve Step Fellowship that do not include physically observing the G.S.C.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
D.
Consider request that all Conference members be sent the same background
material with the exception of digital media and works in progress.
In recent years, there have been four types of Conference background documents that
are distributed only to the members of a particular Conference Committee. These four
categories of documents are: resumes of candidates for positions elected or approved at
the G.S.C.; works in Progress which include both printed literature and audio/visual
materials; annual list of editorial updates for the A.A. Service Manual and; other
confidential documents designated for “committee only” distribution on a case by case
basis.
E.
Review dates for the 2019 General Service Conference.
Each year the committee considers dates for the G.S.C. three years in advance, taking
into consideration the importance of avoiding conflict with significant holidays.
VIII. Public Information
A.
Review 2015 annual report from the Trustee’s Public Information
Committee regarding aa.org and aagrapevine.org
B.
Public Information Comprehensive Media Plan:
The goal of the Public Information Comprehensive Media Plan (P.I.C.M.P.) is to increase
awareness of what A.A. is and what A.A. can and cannot do, in ways that are measurable
and undergo regular review and revision, as appropriate, so that any alcoholic in need
can find A.A.
1. Review the Trustees’ Public Information Committee report on the 2015
P.I.C.M.P.
2. Review the 2016 P.I.C.M.P.
This year’s update of the Public Information Comprehensive Media Plan (P.I.C.M.P.)
focused on further exploration of how the Fellowship might utilize social media and
networks to make A.A. information available to the public.
The Trustees’ Committee on Public Information forwarded the following
recommendations to the Conference Committee on Public Information:
I.
That a proposal be developed for the implementation of both a
Google-For-Non-Profits account and a Twitter account for carrying
the message of A.A. to the public.
II.
That guidelines be developed on “Carrying the A.A. Message Online
and in Social Media”.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
And, the Trustees’ Committee on Public Information forwarded the following suggestions:
III.
To the Trustees’ C.P.C. Committee: Explore the feasibility and
potential implementation of an official LinkedIn page or C.P.C
purposes.
IV.
To the Trustees’ Archives Committee: Explore the feasibility and
potential implementation of an official A.A. Flickr page dedicated to
the public display of historic A.A. photos, illustrations, and other
artifacts from A.A. history with links to aa.org and aagrapevine.org for
additional information.
V.
To the A.A.W.S. Board: Explore the addition of content sharing
functionality (i.e. share buttons) to aa.org.
VI.
To the A.A.G.V. Board: Explore the addition of content sharing
functionality (i.e. share buttons) to aagrapevine.org.
An “Addendum to the report from the 2015 trustees’ Public Information Subcommittee
on the P.I.C.M.P” which details the subcommittee’s reasoning behind the above
recommendations can be found in the ‘2016 Pre-Conference Support Docs’ file which is
available on the Area Website.
C.
Review the July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 distribution and
tracking information for the video P.S.A. “Doors”.
The video Public Service Announcement (P.S.A.) “Doors” has aired (played) 29,754 times
which translates to 239,542,646 audience impressions (estimated number of people who
viewed the spot). Locally, the P.S.A. “Doors” has aired 46 times since July 1, 2015 on
KSTW-TV (503,685 audience impressions).
All full-length versions of A.A. P.S.A.s can be viewed on G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site
(www.aa.org).
D.
Review 2015 report from the Trustees’ Public Information Committee on the
Usefulness and Relevance of Public Service Announcements.
The Conference Committee on P.I. annually reviews current P.S.A.s for relevance and
usefulness to the Fellowship and annually assesses the need for a new television P.S.A.
The Trustees’ Committee on P.I. made the following recommendations:
1. Consider centralized distribution, tracking and evaluation of the English and
French language versions of the video P.S.A. “Tengo Esperanza” at a cost not to
exceed $40,000, in addition to the distribution work of local Public Information
committees.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
2. Consider discontinuing the video P.S.A. “I Thought”.
The video P.S.A. “I Thought” is not available in HD (high definition) which is the
standard TV format.
All full-length versions of A.A. P.S.A.s can be viewed on G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site
(www.aa.org).
E.
Discussion a request to reconsider the 2011 Advisory Action regarding the
“Policy of Actors Portraying A.A. Members or Potential A.A. Members in
Videos Produced by the General Service Board or Its Affiliates.”
The 2011 G.S.C. Advisory Action says that videos produced and distributed by the General
Service Board that include actors portraying A.A. members or potential A.A. members
shall not show the actors full face unless the Conference authorizes, by substantial
unanimity, the production and distribution of such video.
The request to reconsider the above policy came from an Area who recognizes that the
current policy follows Traditions 11 and 12 but argues that deaf alcoholics need to have
facial expressions to understand the video’s message.
F.
Review Contents of the P.I. Kit and Workbook
The P.I. Workbook (M-27I) is contained in the Kit. The content list of the P.I. Kit (F-65) is
available on G.S.O.’s A.A. website (www.aa.org) with hyperlinks to most items listed.
IX.
Report & Charter
A.
The A.A. Service Manual, 2016-2017 Edition
1. Review list of editorial updates
2. Consider adding definition of “Service Manual” to Glossary of Service Terms.
3. Consider adding text in the Third Legacy Procedure chart in Chapter One.
4. Consider draft text for a section on “Local Forums” to be added to Chapter
Nine.
The “Draft section on Local Forums” can be found in the ‘2016 Pre-Conference
Support Docs’ file which is available on the Area Website.
5. Consider removing endnote #4 in Concept Twelve of the Twelve Concepts for
World Service.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
6. Consider request to revise text in the Concept Eleven essay regarding “male/
female” distinctions in the Twelve Concepts for World Service.
The Area proposing the change is suggesting that the two paragraphs that begin with
the text “Women workers present yet another problem…” and end with “…are
women.” be removed from the Concept 11 essay in Twelve Concepts for World
Service (pages 58 & 59 in the 2014-2015 edition of the A.A. Service Manual). These
two paragraphs state that males and females are differently qualified to serve in
different roles in the General Service Office. While there is a footnote identifying
that our G.S.O. is an equal opportunity employer, the footnote might be insufficient
to assure readers that A.A., in fact, has no opinion as to whether there are
differences between men and women in their abilities to serve in various capacities.
B.
Consider A.A.W.S. recommendation regarding an alternative publishing
schedule for The A.A. Service Manual/Twelve Concepts for World Service.
The 2015 Conference Committee on Report and Charter considered the complexities
involved in annual production of The A.A. Service Manual and suggested that A.A.W.S.
consider publishing it every other year. The A.A.W.S. Board has recommended that The
A.A. Service Manual be revised per existing schedule after this year’s Conference and a
new edition published biannually thereafter (the next edition would be published in
2018) with an approximate savings of $45-50,000 in alternate years when a new edition is
not published.
C.
Discuss A.A. Directories (Canada, Eastern U.S., Western U.S., and
International).
D.
Discuss the General Service Conference Final Report.
X.
Treatment/Special Needs–Accessibilities
A.
Consider removing “Special Needs” from the Conference Committee on
Treatment/Special Needs-Accessibilities’ name and throughout the
committees’ Composition, Scope and Procedure.
With a commitment to make A.A. more readily available to all and agreeing with the
need to focus on the concept of overcoming barriers in accessing, receiving, and carrying
the A.A. message, rather than the limiting concept of identifying ‘special needs’; The
General Service Board agreed to remove “Special Needs” from the name of the Trustees’
Committee on C.P.C./Treatment/Special Needs-Accessibilities and agreed to forward the
same recommendation to the Conference Committee.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
B.
Review contents of the Treatment Committee Kit and Workbook
The Treatment Committee Workbook (M-40I) is contained in the Kit. The content list
(F-167) of the Treatment Committee Kit is available on G.S.O.’s A.A. website
(www.aa.org) with hyperlinks to most items listed.
C.
Review contents of the Special Needs/Accessibilities Kit and Workbook
The Special Needs-Accessibilities Committee Workbook (M-48I) is contained in the Kit.
The content list (F-182) of the Special Needs-Accessibilities Committee Kit is available on
G.S.O.’s A.A. website (www.aa.org) with hyperlinks to most items listed.
XI.
Trustees
A.
Review resumes of candidates for:
1. West Central Regional Trustee
2. Western Canada Regional Trustee
B.
Review slates of trustees and officers of the General Service Board of
Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc.
C.
Review slate of directors of A.A. World Services, Inc.
D.
Review slate of directors of A.A. Grapevine, Inc.
E.
Review report from the Trustees’ Committee on Nominating on expanding
the pool of candidates to serve the General Service Board and the Corporate
Boards.
Reflecting on the importance of Concept XI, the committee encouraged the G.S.B. and
A.A. Fellowship to identify, attract and recruit in a timely manner, a diverse, competent
and qualified pool of candidates to serve as Class A (non-alcoholic) trustees, Class B
(alcoholic) trustees, non-trustee directors and appointed committee members on
Trustees’ Committees.
F.
Consider options presented by the Trustees’ Committee on Nominating
regarding the unexpected vacancy of a Regional Trustee.
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Area 72 - 2016 GSC Agenda Item Summary
XII. Archives
A.
Explore ways to encourage groups to write or update their histories.
B.
Review Archives Workbook
The Archives Workbook (M-44I) is available on G.S.O.’s A.A. website (www.aa.org).
XIII. International Conventions/Regional Forums
A.
Discuss ways to encourage interest in Regional Forums and attract first-time
attendees.
The 2016 Pacific Regional Forum will be held September 30 - October 2 in Waikoloa,
Hawaii. Please visit the ‘Regional and Local Forums’ page at www.aa.org for online
Forum registration.
B.
Discuss report on the 2015 International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.
Last year’s International Convention my be known as the largest International Convention
of A.A. with 56,900 registered attendees. Approximately 88% of attendees used online
registration. The largest international contingent was from Mexico with 812 members
registered, followed by the United Kingdom (381) and Germany (202). There were 784
registered attendees who designated ASL (American Sign Language). The convention’s
Flag Ceremony began with an A.A. member from the Cherokee Nation carrying an Eagle
Staff followed by 93 members from around the world each carrying a flag from their
country. For the Saturday night Old-timers Meeting at the Dome, 106 old-timers with 50
or more years signed up to participate (this included 10 members with over 60 years of
sobriety). New to this International Convention was a Convention app, which was used
by 30,700 persons. At the Sunday Closing Meeting, the 35 millionth copy of the Big Book
was given to the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine after a presentation on Sister Ignatia
given by our G.S.O. Archivist.
Please email your Group responses to Darren F. at delegate@area72aa.org by
April 15th
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