KNOWLEDGE BASED
DECISION MAKING
FOR AN INFORMED GROUP
CONSCIENCE
KBDM
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Four essential elements:
Open communication
 Dialogue before deliberation
 Common access to all information
 Exists in a culture of trust
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KBDM
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KBDM Procedures
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Topic is brought for discussion
on the KBDM Worksheet
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KBDM WORKSHEET
For introducing a topic for discussion at AWSC or Assembly
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in order to reach an informed group conscience
(Refer to Knowledge Based Decision Making Review for

completing this form)
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_______________________________________________
( Topic Title )
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Topic Statement or Framing:
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
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History or Background:
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
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Summary or Conclusion (after discussion):
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
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Request for discussion made by :________________________________________
Date:________________________
Knowledge Based Decision Making (KBDM) Review
What do we know about our membership’s needs, wants and performances that are
relevant to this matter?_________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What do we know about our resources (finances, membership, participation) that is
relevant to this matter?_________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What do we know about the current realities (membership, culture, etc.) and our
fellowship’s environment (technology, spiritual principle, Steps, Traditions, Concepts)
that are relevant to this matter?_________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What are the Pros and Cons?
Pros________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Cons________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
What more do we wish we knew?________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
KBDM
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The completed KBDM
Worksheet will be sent to the
Chairman.
Request that the topic be added
to the next meeting’s agenda.
 Topic will be discussed.
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KBDM
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After discussion, the Chairperson
will ask the following questions:
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Has everyone asked all the questions
needed for clarity?
Have your ideas been voiced in this
discussion?
Have all opinions been heard?
Does everyone feel they thoroughly
understand the topic?
Does everyone feel that an informed
group conscience has taken place?
KBDM

Is the group ready to take some
action:
Write a motion and take a vote
 Assign a Task Force, Thought Force
or Work Group to further research the
topic
 Dismiss the topic
 Can the topic be tabled until the next
meeting?
 Is it possible that just a discussion is
sufficient
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AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS ARIZONA MOTION FORM
Name of originator _____________________
Name of second _______________________
Dale ______________________
Background: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
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Wording of specific motion:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Determination: ___________________(Carried, Not Carried, Tabled, Rescinded)
Voting results: Yes _______ No ________ Abstaining _________
_________________________________________________________________
(Deliver all originals to the Recording Secretary to obtain a motion number.)
AWSC Motion Number: AW ________ Assembly Motion Number: AS ________
Charge Worksheet
(Name of Committee, Thought Force, Task Force and Work Group)
Background:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Charge:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Reporting Process:
____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Dissolution:
____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Members:
____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Committees, Work Groups, Thought Forces, and Task Forces
Arizona Area
Definitions of these four units:
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Committee: Responds to an on-going need of the Area; often thought to be a permanent
part of the organization
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Work Group: Unit of people established to meet an ongoing need with the objective to
complete its activity and present it to the originating body to move forward
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Thought Force: Temporary unit that generates ideas and strategies
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Task Force: Temporary unit that develops a plan of action for a
single defined task or activity—they are the “doers”
If the need for a Committee, Work Group, Thought Force, or Task Force is determined by
the AWSC or Assembly, the Area Chairperson in consultation with the Area officers, will
complete the “Charge Worksheet.” The Area Chairperson will determine the number of
persons to be on these units. S/He will invite members from across the Area with a
willingness to serve and a range of strengths. The Area Chairperson will appoint one of
them to be the Chair. The members themselves will decide on a secretary.
All members of the Committees, Work Groups, Thought Forces and Task Forces are
considered to be equal, although the Chair will have additional responsibilities. When the
Chair calls the first meeting, members will discuss the “charge” making sure everyone
understands the assignment. This will be a time for choosing a Secretary, for
brainstorming, assigning any outside tasks such as research or surveys. The Chair may
use the suggested KBDM questions to assist in the process. Members will set a timeschedule for deadlines, the number of meetings they will have, how and when they will
meet and will be in agreement with their final presentation if one is needed.
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Chair’s Responsibilities
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Will build the agenda—the plan of action based on the set time-schedule
Will review the agenda with the members and ask for agreement to follow it
Sets the ground rules for discussion
Keeps the discussion on topic
Sets up the meeting times, dates and method of communication and the purpose of each meeting
Helps the group maintain a sense of unity by allowing everyone to talk
Will make sure the “charge” is completed, checking with the Area Chairperson if necessary
Maintains contact with group members and notifies Area Chairperson of any changes
Assigns responsibility to one or more members for creating final presentation materials
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Secretary’s Responsibilities
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Takes minutes at all meetings and distributes them to all members
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Asks for clarity if needed
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Member Responsibilities
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Be sure that all members understand the assignment or “charge”
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Why has this task been assigned?
What is meant to be accomplished?
What information do members need?
Ask questions and get clarity in the beginning
Do brainstorming
Whenever something is not understood, ask for clarity
Stay on course and do not put personal interpretation on the “charge”
Be prepared to work on the “charge” from the moment it is assigned
Be willing to volunteer for specific activities related to the fulfillment of the “charge”
Respond to the Chair in a timely manner
Be able to accept constructive criticism when the project is up for review
Share work with other members
Notify Chair if unable to keep commitment
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Confidentiality
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Any discussions that take place or ideas that are put forward during the meetings,
conference calls, e-mails, or any other communications are confidential.
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The Area oversees these Committees, Work Groups, Thought Forces, and Task
Forces, so it is the responsibility of the Area Chairperson to decide when and how
the information from these groups is disseminated.
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Final Presentation
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Will include the “charge,” some general comments about discussions and some
suggested strategies for solving the “charge.”
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Will make recommendations based on the strategies
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The strategies/recommendations could also include the pros and cons
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The strategies/recommendations could include the answers to the five KBDM
questions
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Each body’s objective is to complete its activity and present it at AWSC to move it
forward. It will be the responsibility of the Assembly to make the final decision based
on the information presented.
KBDM