Alternate Delegate’s NERAASA 2017 Report

I was fortunate to attend NERAASA February 24th – 26th. It was held in Framingham, Massachusetts, not too far from Boston. Upon arrival we were given information packets which included local meeting lists. If you’re familiar with Boston, you’ll understand why I was so charmed to see there’s a local men’s meeting every morning AT Dunkin Donuts!

There were panels on topics such as Communication, Safety, Literature, Outreach, and Spirituality & Money. These panel topics set the framework so General Service Conference agenda items could be discussed. Each panel had 3 presenters and then afterwards people from the floor could comment at the mike. Subtopics that seemed to generate a lot of interest were outreach to still suffering alcoholics in the military (presented by our own Bob D!), and safety. There were handouts of new service material from GSO titled Safety and A.A.: Our Common Welfare (SMF-209)

I was also able to attend the roundtables for delegates and alternate delegates, which were held Friday and Saturday nights. The first night each northeast Panel 66 delegate shared their experience and suggestions for the incoming Panel 67 delegates – what to expect at the conference and how to pace yourself there, what to bring, how to prepare in advance and how to report back on what happened afterwards. The second night the northeast Panel 67 delegates were each given a chance to ask any questions they had. There was also discussion about what alternate delegates could do to best support the delegates – offer to help them, pray for them, offer to help them again, do what you say you’ll do to help them, and then offer to help them some more. It was all very humbling to hear the amazing things that occur at the conference and the work that goes on all year long. I can also tell you the delegate from Washington DC made a lot of friends when he had pizzas delivered to our roundtable at about 10pm!!

I attended the luncheon for delegates, alternate delegates and past delegates. That was a nice way to socialize some and get to know each other.

Saturday afternoon our NE regional trustee made a report on how the past year has gone at AAWS and Grapevine. I always get a lump in my throat when I see the statistics. Last year alone 8 million pieces of literature or audio material were shipped out and there were 12 million hits on aa.org. Overall, we had a very good year financially. Literature sales were down, but contributions were up by 10% and expenses were down by 5%. Instead of the $29,000 loss they predicted going into the year, we would up in the positive to the tune of $1,464,624. The full Power Point report he gave can be found at www.neraasa.org/from-the-trustee.html.

Sunday morning the Panel 67 delegates each gave a 2 minute presentation on the highlights of their Areas. Listening to some of the other Areas, it struck me that perhaps we could be doing more towards our primary purpose. Something to think about, which the whole weekend was!

Respectfully submitted,
Barb Chambers, alternate delegate

Filed in: 2017 NERAASA, From Our Alternate Delegate, NERAASA