Delegate’s Report to Area Assembly, December 13, 2020

Here are some highlights from the last AA World Services board meeting:

• We’ve hired a new Chief Financial Officer (nonalcoholic) – he’s created a new finance advisory team. They’ll meet on a regular basis to share information and feedback and to facilitate ongoing communication and transparency about finances.

• A General Service Office relocation study is to be initiated in 2021. We typically do this study every 10 years or so, relative to the expiration of GSO’s current lease agreement. This is starting earlier than usual. The study will help to determine the best location for the General Service Office from both a financial and a spiritual perspective.

• First set of five pamphlets are receiving professional narration and production so will be available as audio files:

  • “Access to A.A.,”

  • “Frequently Asked Questions about A.A.,”

  • “A Newcomer Asks,”

  • “A.A. for Alcoholics with Mental Health Issues – and their sponsors”

  • “Young People and A.A.”

• At time of the October 30^th, AAWS Google Ads had been live for 29 days, with the total spent for that period of $1,001. We receive $10,000 worth per month as part of Google Grants. Within the account are two ad groups: “Find a Meeting” and “Get Help.” The “Find a Meeting” option is getting more engagement than “Get Help.” In terms of demographic data, there is higher engagement in Canada, but overall, it’s reaching a wide range of ages and genders. Men between 25-34 are currently the top group interacting with the ads. Currently, the use of Google Ads is still “paused”

From the last General Service Board minutes just issued (102 pages worth!):

• Public Information at GSO will begin the search for up to 2 appointed committee members (ACMs) with professional expertise in evaluation and interpretation of online metrics to assess the effectiveness of public information efforts in digital media.

• the Board approved a recommendation that Vera F serve as Nontrustee Director on the A.A. World Services Corporate Board following the April 2021 General Service Conference. She was a Panel 68 delegate so I served with her at Conference and thought very highly of her, so I think she’s a great selection based on that, but she’s also African American, so I think having her voice at a board level is fantastic.

• A new Ad Hoc Committee on Outreach to Encourage Minority Participation in General Service will be appointed

• In order for AA World Services and Grapevine to be involved in digital distribution of our literature into correctional institutions across the U.S./Canada footprint, it has been determined that multiple contracts will be necessary. This is because there are so many companies/platforms in use. There’s not just a handful of “standard” ones. Grapevine has signed a contract with the vendor serving the Maine Department of Corrections and A.A.W.S. and Grapevine anticipate adding additional contracts 2021.

I attended the eastern US and Canada Forum on December 5^th. There were +/-2,000 attendees over the course of the day, but usually about 1,000 were logged on at any given time. 900 people said it was their first forum.

Registration for NERAASA is open on the website – www.NERAASA.org. This is a terrific service assembly. It’s a great chance to learn about your service position, meet and brainstorm with other people with your job, hear about General Service Conference agenda items, and more. Cost is $21 and it’s being held February 26^th-28^th.

Well, that’s it. I can count my remaining delegate “to dos” on one hand. I can never thank you all enough for allowing me to be your delegate these past 2 years. It has been remarkable and wonderful. I’ve had experiences I’ll never forget, and that I know have changed me (that I mean for the better is implied).

Note that come January 1^st, emails sent to delegate@aacny.orgwill go to Todd. I now have a new Area email (because I’m not so easy to shake) of Panel 69@aacny.org so you can reach me there.

Filed in: AA General Service, From Our Delegate