Delegate’s Report to Area Assembly, January 12, 2020
The next General Service board weekend is in January/February. This is when the agenda for the conference will be finalized. The list of all suggested agenda items that have been submitted by the fellowship to GSO for consideration has been released. Trustees are reaching out to their committee delegates to get the delegates input on these potential agenda items prior to the weekend, to help the trustees decide what potential agenda items should be advanced. I am looking forward to attending this board weekend.
There are 79 items on the list of proposed agenda items, but some are duplicates of one another. For example, there were multiple suggestions to change the wording of the preamble from “fellowship of men and women” to “fellowship of people.” There is a request to add “social media” to the 11thTradition, and there is a request to consider translating the Big Book into plain language (a fifth grade reading level). There are several generic and specific requests about a 5thedition of the Big Book. Again, these are items that have been submitted by the fellowship. The trustees will decide at the upcoming board weekend which of these to officially make agenda items to be considered at the General Service Conference.
The literature desk at the General Service Office is asking anyone to contact them who is using “modified” Big Books. i.e. – ones that change gender language, remove the word God, is in Plain English, etc.
GSO also acknowledges the new computer system is not allowing changes to be made to online contributions. i.e. – changing a credit card number, changing recurring contribution dates, etc. If you need to make such a change, they ask that you call them at (212) 870-3208.
NERAASA is coming up February 21st. I strongly encourage you to attend. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about general service, meet other people from the north east region, and to hear ideas about how to do your service position.
Barb
