2010 World Service
Conference
Celebrate! Embrace the group conscience
to expand our circle of hope.
—50 years of the World Service
Conference
Canadian Delegates meeting
• Saturday afternoon 3- 4pm
• Saturday evening
• 7:00 pm Reconvene in designated meeting
room with Trustees
• Business Arising from Minutes of meeting
April 2009
• RDM Report
• Anonymity Regarding newsletter
submission
Canadian Delegates Continued
Remote Northern Communities
Task Force report
Area Reports Discussion?
OPENING DINNER
Conference Goals
Goal #1
The spiritual tone of the WSC will prevail by the demonstration
of mutual respect and acceptable conduct by its members.
Goal #2
Conference members will understand the purpose of the
Conference, relationships within the structure, and be able to
articulate Conference decisions.
Goal #3
Knowing that our Higher Power is present in the expression of
our group conscience, Conference members will presume
goodwill.
WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE
STRUCTURE
The Board of Trustees
Delegates
World Service Office Staff Members
Executive Committee members
Orientation
What each group brings to the
World Service Conference, Roles and
Responsibilities
• Board of Trustees
- Legal rights and responsibilities
- Affirms the actions of the World Service Conference
- Mission and Vision
- Provides resources
Orientation
What each group brings to the
World Service Conference, Roles and
Responsibilities
• Delegates
-
Voice and Input
-
Communicate issues
-
Gather information
-
Act as a Conduit
Orientation
What each group brings to the
World Service Conference, Roles and
Responsibilities
• World Service Staff Members
- Operational understanding
-
Management and implementation of the
World Service Conference decisions.
-
Serves the will of the World Service
Conference
Orientation
What each group brings to the
World Service Conference, Roles and
Responsibilities
• Executive Committee members
- Common link between Board of Trustees and
WSO staff
-
Administrate WSO using legal authority
granted by the Board of Trustees
Embracing Diversity
•
Cultural Diversity presentation
•
Leadership Workshop: Diversity-Understanding Ourselves and Others
•
Chosen Agenda Item
•
Cultural Competency workshop using KBDM
questions
Embracing Diversity
Cultural Competency presentation
•
Given by outside speaker, John Colon, from the Center for
Culturally Competent Education and Training, Stony
Brook University
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
culture is behavior learned very early in life
how elderly are treated, punctuality
learn about the culture you are working with
develop key alliances in the community
seek and you will find strengths in everyone
welcoming attitude is more important than aptitude
How do you get along with others who are different?
Embracing Diversity
Chosen Agenda Item
•
How can the members of the World Service
Conference develop an effective strategy that would
bring Al-Anon Family Groups into the communities
and cultures of specific minorities in the U.S. and
Canada? If we are effective in reaching minority
communities, what actions must we take as a
fellowship to ensure that they remain as active
members?
•
Can we find effective and practical ways to make it
easier for non-English-speaking members to
participate in Al-Anon service at the Area level and
beyond?
Embracing Diversity
Chosen Agenda Item
•
There are many minority communities to consider-race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age…
•
Ideas for strategies include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Using a buddy system
Bilingual members asking for help with service tasks (greeters)
Reaching especially younger members through technology
Maintaining healthy, welcoming groups with a service emphasis
Finding out about each community to avoid offending
Developing alliances with minority communities by identifying key
leaders
Developing a tent card for AA meetings to encourage AFG
BUDGET & FINANCE
Understanding the 3 Funds
• The General Fund
- Cash Contributions
- Used to pay:
Salaries
Bills
Expenses related to printing literature
Total Budget for 2010 is $4,996,000
BUDGET & FINANCE
Understanding the 3 Funds
• The Reserve Fund
-
Our “Ample Reserve” (Warranty One)
Consists of savings, bonds, stocks, etc.
Cannot exceed one years operating budget
Funds special projects
Balance at end of 2009 $3,705,269.
BUDGET & FINANCE
Understanding the 3 Funds
• The Building Fund
•
Is used for the housing of the World Service Office
•
Consists of our building (the asset) and its equity
•
If ever liquidated, this fund can only be used for
housing the World Service Office
Value at end of 2009 $1,698,916
BUDGET & FINANCE
• The General Fund – Expenses exceeded
income (contributions) by $21,555
• The Reserve Fund – Had earnings totaling
$374,659
• Because of the Reserve Fund earnings, AFG,
Inc. had a net income of $353,104
BUDGET & FINANCE
Interesting Figures
The World Service Office has an average cost of
$240.60 to support a meeting
57.39% of groups donated to the World Service
Office … Ontario South 60.3% groups donated
Average donation per group was $100.97 …
Ontario South average donation per group
$100.05
BUDGET & FINANCE
Interesting Figures
Each year the budget sets the goal of
$1,500,000 in contributions.
Last year contributions totaled
$1,248,194. We haven’t met the
goal, but we are getting closer
every year.
If each of us increased our gift by
$1.80 more than we gave last year,
we would reach the goal.
WSO Property Ownership
• In 1994, the World Service Conference
authorized the purchase of property to house
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. for a
trial period of 15 years.
• The 15-year trial period began with occupancy
of the current site around May 1996.
• After reviewing the last twelve years of real
property ownership, the Board of Trustees has
no negative impact to report.
• Vote will occur at the 2011 WSC to decide
whether to
• End the trial and keep the building
• End the trial and sell the building
• Extend the trial for another period of
years
WSO Property Ownership
• Information regarding ownership of property is
available on the member’s website:
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/members/index.html
(password is your group name followed by afg)
• Discussion at the 2010 Conference was
substantially in favor of ending the
15-year trial and keeping the building
POLICY COMMITTEE MOTIONS:
Changes to the Digest of Al-Anon and
Alateen Policies
• New “Alateen Policy” section
(before p. 83)
• “Conference Approved Literature
and Service Tools/Materials”
section amended (pp. 92-97)
• “Membership and Group
Meetings/Conventions” section
amended (pp. 77-79)
• “Finances” section changed to
“Financial Matters” and amended
(pp. 84-89)
POLICY COMMITTEE MOTIONS:
Changes to the Digest of Al-Anon and
Alateen Policies
New “Alateen Policy” section
• Since Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements, many topics
•
related solely to Alateen have been identified.
Members have requested a new section which will bring focus
and clarity to issues related solely to Alateen.
• Includes sections about:
--2003 BOT Alateen motion
--Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements
--AMIAS
--Starting an Alateen group
--Alateen Group and Personal Sponsors
--Alateen membership
POLICY COMMITTEE MOTIONS:
Changes to the Digest of Al-Anon and
Alateen Policies
“Conference Approved Literature and Service
Tools/Materials” section amended
• Task force formed as a response to member’s request
about a word change; entire section was clarified
• To keep Al-Anon’s message in focus and encourage
unity, it is suggested that only Al-Anon /Alateen
Conference Approved Literature (CAL) and
Al-Anon/Alateen service tools are displayed, distributed,
and used at Al-Anon and Alateen meetings, including
meetings at conferences, and conventions.
POLICY COMMITTEE MOTIONS:
Changes to the Digest of Al-Anon and
Alateen Policies
“Conference Approved Literature and Service
Tools/Materials” section amended
•
While individuals may use whatever they find helpful as part of their
personal recovery outside of meetings, Al-Anon does not evaluate or
recommend anything other than Al-Anon materials. When sharing at
meetings, members limit any mention of outside material to a brief
reference.
A.A. literature is not used at Al-Anon meetings because it is written
for and from the viewpoint of alcoholics and is not Al-Anon/Alateen
Conference Approved Literature. Reliance on opinions expressed in
A.A. and other outside materials can distort the Al-Anon approach.
POLICY COMMITTEE MOTIONS:
Changes to the Digest of Al-Anon and
Alateen Policies
“Membership and Group Meetings/Conventions” section
amended
• Choosing a Group’s Name
Having an appropriate group name is very important because it
is included in local and on-line meeting directories and may be a
potential member’s first impression of Al-Anon. The group’s
name should be inviting to all and reflect Al-Anon principles.
The WSO will review proposed group names for adherence to
Al-Anon principles. (See “Group Names” in “Groups at Work.”)
POLICY COMMITTEE MOTIONS:
Changes to the Digest of Al-Anon and
Alateen Policies
“Finances” section changed to “Financial Matters” and
amended
• Clarifies:
Quarterly Appeal letter--individual contributions
Combined giving campaigns--no matching
Contributions go to General Fund--no earmarking
Discounts and Services
WSO and other Al-Anon service entities may accept discounts or
services that are routinely available to other non-profit
organizations (e.g. non-profit postal rates, free placement for public
service announcements, etc.). Discounts may not be accepted if the
discount is given only to Al-Anon and not to other non-profit
organizations.
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UPDATE!!!
New Regional Trustee Selection
Procedure Adopted
•
Original RT selection took place on the floor of WSC by caucus
RT committee members often advocated for candidates-process became
political
•
New process allows RT committee members to review resumes and
score candidates in private, with a greater degree of anonymity
•
•
The 3-year trial was ended and the new procedure was accepted
Conference Approved Literature
Updates
• The Forum subscriptions up ~25%! To become a vital force
for Al-Anon unity, The Forum still needs a greater number
of members reading it and writing for it.
• Al-Anon's first 60 years--working title “Tracing Our
Growth”--how members through the years have found
recovery--it is hoped that it will be ready by next WSC
• WSC approved a major revision of the pamphlet “Why
Anonymity in Al-Anon?” (P-33)
• WSC passed a motion to give conceptual approval to
develop a Legacies workbook, using sharings from the
Legacy blogs.
Thought/Task Forces
•Develop a Conflict Resolution Presentation for Areas TF
•Integrating Alateen into Al-Anon where no Alateen Meetings Exist
ThF
•Strengthen the Links--AISs, Districts, Area ThF
•Strengthen Relationships--Delegates and AWSC ThF
•Utilizing Technology at Area Meetings for Nontechnical
People TF
•ThF on Current Conference Structure
DIVISION / CONSOLIDATION
OF AREAS
• Ongoing, long-term discussion has occurred about further division
of populous/large Areas
• KBDM questions were applied to the question in
Admissions/Handbook Work Group meetings
• Current policy is that ‘A state, province, or territory having more
than 400 groups may petition the Conference to divide and send an
additional Delegate to the Conference. A state, province, or
territory may divide only once, as reaffirmed at the 1982 World
Service Conference.’
Current Conference Structure TF
Strategies
1. Plotting all groups on a map for the purpose of
developing new Areas
2. Allowing Areas with more than 400 groups to
split
3. Allowing smaller Areas to combine
4. Virtual Area for remote groups
5. Virtual Area for electronic meetings
6. Leaving structure as is
7. (Other)
WORLD-WIDE Fellowship of
Al-Anon
International Representatives’
Sharings
• Personal stories
• National Structures
– Mexico--Maria D. C. T. G.
– New Zealand--Peter A.
WORLD-WIDE Fellowship of
Al-Anon
International Trip Reports
• Ibero-American Meeting
• South Africa trip
• European trip
WORLD-WIDE Fellowship of
Al-Anon
International Trip Reports
• United Kingdom
– Ric B., Executive Director
• Invited by and paid for by GSO
• Attended UK/Eire’s National Service Conference
– Workshops on
» Conflict resolution
» Strategic planning
• Conference voted to consider owning property using
WSO 15-year trial as a model
• WSO recieved a very positive thank-you letter for
Executive Director’s guidance
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
• 2010 Public Service Announcement (PSA)
• Actors are used in this PSA
• Available in English, Spanish and French
• 3 scenarios, 60 second and 30 second
formats
• Sample DVD not professional quality; not
for distribution to stations
• Lets have a look …
PUBLIC OUTREACH
•Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism
(AFA) subscriptions
•Lois W. movie
International Conventions
AA International
Convention with AlAnon Participation
2010, Fourth of July
weekend
San Antonio, Texas
Third Al-Anon
International
Convention
2013, Fourth of July
weekend
Vancouver, BC, Canada
World Service Office Visit
Canadian Delegates WSC 2010
Here we are at the World Service Office in the Lobby before our
Tour
e-Communities Bulletin Board
• First for current WSC members- early summer
• Later for current and past WSC members, WSO-fall
• There will be a list of topics (threads)
• All posts will be business, no social networking
Membership Survey
Fall 2009
• Membership 84% female and 16% male
• Average age of members is 56 (56 for U.S. and 58 for
Canada)
– Less than 5% are under 35 and almost 60% are over 54
• 93 % white, 3% Latino or Hispanic, 4% other
• 99% of members graduated from high school
– 56% have at least a college degree
• 40% of members are not employed (retired,
homemakers, unemployed)
• Household income is $71,542 with 17% under $30,000
Children Under 18 in the Home
Marital Status
Single, never married
7%
Yes
Life partner
7%
Relation to Children
Married
58%
Biological parent
83%
Separated
3%
Grandparent
9%
Divorced
17%
Step parent
4%
Widowed
7%
Adoptive parent
4%
Mean number of times
married
1.5
Foster parent
<1%
Other
1%
Mean number of times
divorced
Life Partner Gender
1.4
Same sex
Opposite sex
14%
Children Over 18 in the Home
29
%
71
%
Spouse Gender
Same sex
5%
Opposite sex
95
%
Yes
16%
Relation to Children
Biological parent
89%
Step parent
5%
Grandparent
4%
Adoptive parent
3%
Other
2%
Nearly three-quarters of members currently hold a service position.
Q26: Have you ever been involved in service work in Al-Anon Family Groups?
Base: All respondents (n=1,775)
Q26a: Do you currently hold a service position in Al-Anon Family Groups at or beyond the group level?
Base: Respondents who have been involved in service work in Al-Anon Family Groups (n=1,613)
Mean:
3.1 members
Q4:
Base:
Q4a:
Base:
Do you sponsor an Al-Anon Family Group member?
All respondents (n=1,775)
How many members do you sponsor?
Respondents who sponsor an Al-Anon Family Group member (n=939)
• One in three members initially started attending Al-Anon Family Group
meetings because a person with a drug problem was negatively affecting
their life, more so in the US and among those with less than ten years of
membership.
• Of those who started attending because of someone with a drug problem,
nearly nine in ten later discovered someone’s drinking was also negatively
affecting their life which led them to continue attending Al-Anon Family
Groups.
Q28:Did you initially start attending Al-Anon Family Group meetings because a person with a
drug problem was negatively affecting your life?
Base: All respondents (n=1,775)
Q28a:Did you later discover that someone’s drinking had also negatively affected your life,
which led you to continue attending Al-Anon Family Group meetings?
Base: Respondents who started attending Al-Anon Family Group meetings because a person with
a drug problem was negatively affecting their life (n=530)
More than six in ten members have experienced abuse from the
person in their life with a past or present drinking problem.
Q21: Have you ever experienced any kind of abuse from this person?
Base: All respondents (n=1,775)
Q21a: Was the abuse physical, emotional, sexual or verbal?
Q21b: Are you still experiencing this abuse?
Base: Respondents who have experienced abuse (n=1,082)
Almost all
members’ lives
have been
positively
affected by AlAnon Family
Groups.
99%
Q25: How has being a member of Al-Anon Family Groups affected your life?
Base: All respondents (n=1,775)
THANK YOU
FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE
YOUR TRUSTED SERVANT!
QUESTIONS
?
?
?