Delegate’s Report to Area Assembly, Dec 10, 2017

Delegates Report to Area Assembly: Period of November 13 to December 12, 2017

Thank you to our host district, 0340! It wasn’t that long ago that this district was inactive. Now they are having monthly district meetings and hosting an assembly. They are a good example, and inspiration, to all of us on how we can increase the participation by groups and districts in general service.

Box 4-5-9

An important function of the area assembly is to be a conduit of information from the groups to the conference and the general service office and conference back to the groups. This is a primary responsibility of the delegate. However, it’s not the only way that information flows. I was reminded of this, when I read the 2017 holiday issue of Box 4-5-9 with its annual insert of the Twelve Tips on Keeping Your Holiday Season Sober and Joyous. I think it is a valuable service piece. Especially for newcomers. And it would make a nice holiday gift to those groups that do not have a GSR. I suggest that you attach the A.A. service material SM F-104 Is Your Group Linked to A.A. as a Whole? (Copies were provided at the assembly).

Also, each quarterly issue has information that can be reviewed and discussed at district/group meetings. For example, in the holiday issue, there were articles on digital contributions by members to their home groups; building a better Bridging the Gap program; conducting A.A. meetings by video conference at prisons in remote locations; the General Service Board communications inventory and enhancement initiative; better, stronger, faster: E-books; and safeguarding anonymity in the digital age.

I asked the DCM’s and the GSR’s to do a silent inventory on what they do with their copy of Box 4-5-9. I noted from the A.A. Service Manual duties of a DCM (page S32) “Makes sure that GSR’s are acquainted with The A. A. Service Manual, the Twelve Concepts for World Service, the GSO bulletin Box 4-5-9…” And for the GSR’s (page S26) “they receive the GSO bulletin box 4-5-9 and keep their groups abreast of AA activities all over the world.”

All this material is available on aa.org. And a free digital subscription to Box 4-5-9 is available to everyone.

DCM registration: Let’s get another page for the Trusted Servants list!

I have been looking at the same two-page Trusted Servants list for many years. Frankly, I’m tired of seeing it not expanding. I realize it would be a stretch goal to add more DCM’s this coming year. After all, we don’t just pop them out of cans. However, we can be encouraging current GSR’s to stand for election as a DCM in September 2018. It is not too early to start this work. An apt analogy: to grow a plant, you prepare the soil, plant the seed, water it, and nurture it to ensure its growth. We do this when we model the behavior of a trusted servant that is a guardian of the Twelve Traditions, and not by mandate. And our DCM’s are all working on increasing participation in their districts.

68^th General Service Conference – Area review of agenda items

The plan for the March and April assemblies review of the 68^th General Service Conference will be finalized by the February assembly. It will be very similar to the format we used last year. Barb C, Alt-Delegate, and Carrie C, Area Chairperson, will be assisting in putting together the plan. And over the next couple of months is your opportunity to weigh-in with any suggestions regarding the format.

Pending legal matter: Printer’s Copy Manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous

An updated report was posted on the area website on November 29, 2017.

A.A. World Services, Inc. on November 27, 2017 applied to the New York State Supreme Court to voluntarily dismiss its case related to the 1939 Printer’s Copy Manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous, our Big Book.

Information on the matter was provided to all members of the General Service Conference by an email on November 28, 2017 from Greg T, General Manager of the General Service Office of A.A.

The rationale for applying for the dismissal and some additional detail from Greg’s email follows.

“A.A. World Services, Inc. (A.A.W.S.). maintained, and continues to maintain, that the manuscript rightfully belongs to A.A.W.S., pursuant to a specific, irrevocable gift that was conveyed by Barry L. In addition, for all of the reasons given by A.A.W.S. in its initial papers in May, temporary restraints were fully appropriate and supported by law, given (among other things) A.A.W.S.’s superior claim to title, the singular nature of the Manuscript, and the impending auction and anticipated removal of the Manuscript from New York.

Since the time that this action was filed, A.A.W.S. has decided that it is no longer in our best interests to pursue this litigation, despite the uniqueness of the document and A.A.W.S.’s clear ownership right. The time and expense of engaging in protracted litigation has become too significant a distraction from A.A.W.S.’s and the General Service Board’s responsibility as the organized service structure of our Fellowship, whose primary purpose is assisting recovering alcoholics.”

At the assembly I noted the timeline: motion to discontinue 11/27; defendant’s response due by 1/10/18, and the judge has set an appearance date for 2/21/18.

Subsequent to the assembly, on December 12, 2017 I received an email letter from Michele G, General Service Board, chairperson. In the letter, she reiterated that “when this matter comes to its conclusion will be a time for sharing, and I look forward to that time. I appreciate the frustration that some have experienced because of the suspended dialogue, and ask for patience while these matters resolve. It is only because the matter is still in process that a full discussion has to wait.”

So far, I have received very little feedback on this issue. I believe the area understands the need to wait until the matter comes to its conclusion before it can be discussed at the assembly.

I want you to know that you can contact me at any time if you have any questions regarding this matter.

DCM Summit

The results of the participants assessment of the DCM Summit was distributed at the area committee meeting. Barb C, Alt-Delegate, and Carrie C, Area Chairperson, will be assisting me in putting together the plan for next year’s summit.

Where Have I Been?

Corrections Connection, Friday December 1, Wende Correctional Facility, Alden, NY.

This was a very informative, for me, day-long event. Over 80 people were in attendance, half of whom are NY State correctional facilities staff. The event was very well organized by the Rochester Intergroup corrections committee. Also participating was our corrections chair, Michele S-F, and other trusted servants including from Area 50, WNY.

There was an excellent presentation by the Rochester Intergroup Public Information and the Cooperation with the Professional Community committees. Also, four A.A. speakers powerfully shared their experience strength and hope. Each in their own way demonstrated that a sense of freedom is found in sobriety. And, the A. A. produced 30-minute video A New Freedom was shown, and I believe it was very well received judging by the reaction of the correctional facility staff. In addition, four NY state employees reviewed in detail the application that must be submitted in order to be approved for clearance to bring an AA meeting into a correctional facility. Finally, information was provided on the proper way to conduct yourself when bringing a meeting into the facility.

Where am I Going?

I will be one of two speakers at the Ovid Young People in A.A. first anniversary meeting on December 15. Food and other activities start at 6:30 PM with the meeting beginning at 8 PM.

Closing Remarks

As I reflect on my first year as a delegate I want to share with you a couple of important lessons that have helped me to grow in my sobriety and service work.

They are related. The first one is: at certain times I really need to listen to what someone is saying. It’s not that I don’t listen to people when they are talking. What I mean is I need to recognize those times when it’s not about having a dialogue or probing with questions or trying to solve a problem. I just need to listen to what the person is telling me.

Secondly, if I want to be an elder statesman and not a bleeding deacon I need to know when to keep my mouth shut. For example, given my service background it is not uncommon in my home group to be asked my opinion on a business item or a Tradition. However, at a recent group conscience meeting, I volunteered some information which changed the course of the meeting. Shortly after the meeting I realized I needed to make an amend to the meeting participants and I did so over the next week. One person said to me, “but it was good information.” It may have been, but it was not the time and place to share it.

I trust that you also have seen some personal growth during this year.

Looking ahead, I am excited about attending the General Service board meeting and preparing for the 68^th General Service Conference. It will be a very busy time and I find that there is the temptation to run with my head down, that is solely focused at the task at hand. I have a daughter who is an athletic trainer and she says, “always run with your head up and keep your eye on your goal.” As a team I ask we keep our heads up with our eye our goal – our primary purpose.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve. – Joe S, Delegate, P67/A47 CNY

Filed in: AA General Service, From Our Delegate