Delegate’s Report to Area Assembly, August 12, 2018
Delegates Report to Area Assembly: August 12, 2018
Thank you to our host district 0610. It is great to be back in Cortland!
2019 General Service Conference dates moved to May 19-25.
In early July, the 68th General Service Conference members were notified by email by the conference staff coordinator. He wrote, “The General Service Office has discovered a mistake with our signed 2019 hotel Conference dates. Our current contract is for April 21-27, 2019. The approved Conference dates, as voted on during the 2016 Conference, are April 28-May 4, 2019.”
The Crowne Plaza Hotel could not accommodate G.S.O. for the approved dates. The discrepancy in dates was attributed to an “office error.”
The email continued: “The urgency of this matter was discussed last week with the Conference Committee on Policy and Admissions, along with the trustees’ Committee on the Conference. It was recommended that all Conference members be polled as soon as possible. Following discussion, including the necessity of altering some post-Conference assemblies and our continued attempt at being mindful of major holidays, it was recommended that: The dates of the 2019 Conference be moved to the first week available to hold our Conference, May 19-May 25, 2019.”
The electronic polling process of the conference, which had just been approved at the 68th General Service Conference, was thus utilized for the first time.
There were two other alternatives that were considered. One was finding a new hotel for the approved dates. However, this would have incurred a significant cancellation penalty of $142,000. The other option was to move it to a week earlier, when the hotel had the availability, however those dates would’ve included both the Easter and Passover holidays.
I informed the area officers, area committee chairs, and DCM’s about the issue and solicited their input as regarding how it would affect our area if the conference was moved to the late May dates. I did receive some feedback and the consensus being that the moving of the dates would have no material impact upon our area. I read and participated in the discussion of the delegates and then voted in favor of moving the 2019 conference to the dates of May 19-25.
Following two weeks of discussion, the motion did pass. Yes votes 111 and No votes 26. All 137 Conference Members voted. (Substantial unanimity of 2/3 is required for the motion to pass, which is 92 votes.)
The Minority Opinion was heard over the next two day. A motion to reconsider was made. However, it failed to pass. I voted No. The total was Yes Votes: 45. No votes: 71. Conference Members: 137. Total votes received: 116. A simple majority was required to reconsider, which is 69 votes.
Some general observations: this is the second time in the last three years that there has been a problem with the date and/or location of the conference. The first instance was the location change of the 2018 General Service Conference from Rye to New York City at a cost of nearly $100,000. Although I do trust the G.S.O. to conduct the business of AA these two “office errors” do chip away at that trust. For me, our Third Concept implies that trust is the currency of leadership. The office must do a better job nailing down these basic business transactions in order to fully have the trust of the conference that they can conduct the business of AA for the good of AA.
Additionally, I was very surprised to see that although all members of the conference did participate in the vote for the original motion. 21 members did not participate in the vote for the motion to reconsider. I’m not sure what the reason for this was. If possible, I will try and find out. Finally, I was surprised at how well the electronic polling process worked and I believe it was good for AA that this process was in place in order to take action on this issue with the input of the fellowship
Informational Items from the Highlights from A.A.W.S, July 26, 2018.
G.S.O. staff rotations will be finalized in September.
The Safety Card is being reviewed for possible revisions by the general service board in light of feedback from the fellowship that is been received at the office. There is an ad-hoc committee evaluating the effectiveness of the card and the board will continue its discussion of this matter.
Technology/Communication/Services: The A A.W.S./G.S.O. app to be launched in conjunction with the new AA website, will include the Meeting Guide, Big Book, Daily Reflections, and alert/messaging capabilities. The launch date has not been determined. In addition, the G.S.O. is proceeding with the implementation of the Meeting Finder component of the app, pending General Service Board review.
“Anonymity in the Digital Age” posters are into manufacturing and the flyer announcing their availability to be mailed will be in the fall edition of Box 4-5-9.
Design of the book Our Great Responsibility: A Selection of Bill W’s General Service Conference Talks, 1951 – 1970 is close to completion. French and Spanish translations and indexing has begun, with estimated availability of finished books in all three languages in early 2019.
At the request of Intergroup/Central Office managers and staff’s, barcodes are being added to the back covers of our items of literature in all three language versions as they come up for reprinting.
Language totals: the big book is available in 71 languages, which includes the original English +70 translations. Navajo is the latest new language completed. There are 22 non-English languages pending (15 new ones and seven revisions in progress). Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions is currently available in 44 languages; this represents 43 translations plus the original English. Additionally, as a result of an extensive organizing an inventory effort of Native American and First Nations materials on hand in the office and used by the Fellowship, we are able to include languages such as Algonquin, Cree, Inuktitut, Micmac, and Mohawk in our tally of totals, bringing the count of AA languages worldwide up from 92, as reported in 2017, to a current total of 102.
From an electronic letter from Michele G., Chairperson, General Service Board: “The board has been reviewing the findings from the Communications Audit recently conducted by Impact Collaborative (IC), the communications consultants engaged by the General Service Board. An update on the audit was distributed at the 68th General Service Conference, sharing highlights and some background on the methodology IC utilized in developing its findings.” This update is available on the Area Website.
The Executive Summary of the consultant’s report and recommendations should be made available to the General Service Conference members soon. I very much look forward to reading the report and reporting it to the area assembly.
From the Draft GSO Board July 30, Board Meeting Minutes: Unaudited G.S.O. Financial Results, Six Months Ended June 30, 2018: Revenues $8,609,000. Operating Expenses: $8,750,000 Total Income: -$141,000. This is within the budgeted amounts; However, Total Income is $1.1M less than last year. For an explanation of variances in actual vs. last year, please contact me.
DCM Summit
I met by telephone conference call with Barb C, Alternate Delegate and Carrie C, Area Chairperson to continue the planning of the 2nd Annual DCM summit. Because district elections continue into November, the date of the summit will be on Saturday, December 15 from 10 AM to 3 PM. At a location to be determined. The purpose of the DCM Summit is to equip the DCM’s to carry out our primary purpose through the participation in general service by AA groups and GSRs. The agenda is in development at this time. However, it will include outgoing DCM’s sharing their experience with the incoming DCM’s. Also, incoming DCM’s will be able to ask questions, etc. Anyone with ideas regarding the agenda please contact me. I will prepare the draft agenda, review it with Barb C. and Carrie C for their input and then present it to the DCM’s at an area committee meeting for their input. ALT-DCM’s and any member of AA is also invited to attend. Please save the date December 15.
I sent a letter of spiritual support for the Rochester Convention of Young People in A.A. for their bid to host the 2019 Empire State Convention of Young People in A.A. (ESCYPAA). I said in the letter, “As Delegate, I have seen firsthand, at the 2018 ESCYPAA convention in Albany and every month at our area assembly the dedication and enthusiasm of ROCYPAA members to carry the message of recovery to the alcoholic who still suffers. Their service, in various positions, at the area assembly, is much appreciated by me, and they are a great power of example to all of us.”
The 68th Conference final report will be available at the September or October Area Assembly, depending on when I receive it. There will also be available at the AA website an electronic anonymity protected version.
I also noticed that the board approved a recommendation that a professional analysis of the Membership Survey methodology be conducted by an outside consultant at a cost not to exceed $8,000. This is a result from the discussion at the 67th General Service Conference which voted not to conduct the membership survey as it was done in the past.
Where Have I Been?
I attended the district 100’s meeting in Geneseo and the Rochester District Meeting RDM (0800’s and some 0100’s). Both districts had efficient business meetings centering on discussions on how best to reach out to groups to encourage participation through GSRs.
And the RDM took up the issue on its mission and the overall effectiveness of the meeting. The 0100’s also discussed the hosting on the 2019 Delegates report back of the 2019 General Service Conference.
39th Annual New York State Workshop, Utica, NY. July 27-29. Once again, this was a very rewarding experience. I have attended many of these workshops and as always left feeling encouraged about the future of AA. Each of our committee chairs did the area proud. I believed that each one had grown over the course of the last year in the fulfillment of their commitment. It seemed that they were less nervous and more confident, having done this once before. I thank each of them: Lori S, Archives; Michele S.-F, Corrections; Anita L, CPC and PI, she did both panels. Doug L, Literature and Grapevine, he did both panels. Nikki P, Treatment and Dave M, Website.
Peter G, Accessibility chair was not able to attend. I have known Peter for a long time and he has been a great power of example to me in service. He is always applied himself fully in carrying out his service commitments. He has demonstrated to me over the years that when necessary he had the foresight and courage to stand up for what he believes is best for AA, even in the face of opposition. He acted on principle and not personalities. He was very much missed.
In addition, Jonathan J, DCM 0250, did a good job presenting on the Young People panel: Focus, Fellowship & Fun in Service.
The host committee, Area 47, Hudson Mohawk Berkshire (HMB) did a great job. I think one of the contributing factors to the success of the workshop was that each panel was assigned topics germane to their committee which helped focus the presentations and discussion. Also, a timer was used, ensuring that everyone had adequate time to make their presentation.
Where am I Going?
1st Annual Faith Without Camping is Dead sober campout in Windsor, NY. This is a joint event of ESCYPAA and STCYPAA. My wife and I have not been camping in quite a while, so we are looking forward to this weekend of sharing information on general service and fellowship with AA members.
Three Legacies Workshop, Binghamton, September 15. The workshop is hosted by the 0630 and 0640 districts. I will be presenting on the legacy of Service. I very much look forward to the workshop and appreciate the invitation to share my experience, strength and hope. This is shaping up to be a great event!
Feel free to invite me to your District and home groups meetings.
Up-Coming Elections
As you know, our elections of the delegate and other area officers is next month. I thought about what I wanted to say regarding your consideration for standing for election. But what I came up with was pretty much a Rah-Rah speech. I realize that I was fearful that, in my opinion, some very good trusted servants may choose not to stand for election. I did not want to lose you. Your experience, strength, and hope are valuable to the protection and perpetuation of our message of recovery from alcoholism. However, I realized that the question to stand or not is a complex one and doesn’t need fear-based Rah-Rah comments from me. I believe you will make the right decision regardless of how you go about arriving at it.
Regardless of that decision, I believe that good advice was given to me by a mentor very early in my general service was to always rotate on and not rotate off.
Finally, following the elections, I have observed over the years, a tendency of outgoing officers to have a letdown in their energy level, and even in some cases their efforts. This is natural. I have seen it in business often. For me, I will resist this natural tendency to the best of my ability. When my term concludes at the end of December I want to know that I gave it my all during my term. It’s why I was elected, and it’s the very least I can do to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve the assembly and the area as its delegate.
In Service – Joe S., Delegate, P67/A47 CNY.
