Delegate’s Report to Area Assembly, July 8, 2018
Thank you to our host district the 0700’s. It is always a pleasure to go North in the summer!
Informational Items
Upcoming DCM summit: I met with Barb C, Alternate Delegate and Carrie C, Area Chairperson to begin the planning of the 2nd Annual DCM summit. The date and location are to be determined. The purpose of the workshop this year is to have a forum where the rotating-out DCMs can share their experience with the incoming DCMs. In no way is this intended to replace the one-on-one transition discussions between incoming and outgoing trusted servants at the local level. In addition, as last year, leadership development, will be at topic as it pertains to A.A. service and based on Bill W’s essay on Leadership in A.A. Ever a Vital Need in Concept IX.
Barb, Carrie and I are meeting again on August 8 and will have more details for you at the August assembly. Please note that the feedback from last years summit is taken in to account in the planning and anyone is welcome to contact me to provide suggestions for the event.
I sent a letter of spiritual support for the Southern Tier Convention of Young People in A.A. (STCYPAA) 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 2017 ESCYPAA in Albany and every month at our area assembly the dedication and enthusiasm of STCYPAA 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.”
Report and Charter Committee
The 68th General Service Conference Report and Charter committee, of which I am a member, completed its work on the 68th Conference final report. The electronic version will be available before the printed version. The dates are to be determined. Typically, the printed version is first available at the September or October Area Assembly. Serving on the committee was a great experience. I believe the committee, this year and last, worked together for the good of A.A.
Where Have I Been?
14th Annual Sober Campout in Addison, NY. The event was from June 22 – 24, and I attended on June 23 and was one of the Saturday night meeting speakers. There was some powerful sharing by the young people who shared.
I did not report in detail on the event at the assembly in the interest of time constraints. But I do want to share the following: I arrived around 11 am (I did not wear a suit and tie!) and before the evening meeting had the opportunity to socialize with many of the campers and to have discussion regarding A.A. at the General Service and World Services level. There was plenty of great food, some great “grill masters,” and fun activities. I enjoyed the participation of so many young people from nearby and those that came from several cities outside of the local area. Being at the camp ground brought back pleasant memories of the first sober campout I attended with my wife, Patty, in 2004 at Camp Harley Sutton.
The campground was nestled in the country, very near the border with Pennsylvania, and when I departed, I turned off my GPS so that I could “wing it,” going home. Soon, thereafter, I made a turn that was less then desirable if getting home the fastest way possible was my goal. (But that was not my goal. Just getting home was my goal.) I found myself in Pennsylvania, driving through farmland and long stretches on rolling hills with open fields. My car has a compass so I eventually re-orientated and headed in the right direction but not before I came to a hilltop and saw a spectacular sunset. Pausing, I gratefully thanked my higher power for all it has given me. Including, the wonderful day of service with my fellow alcoholics at Addison. I was no longer lost – but as the great old hymn continues, “I was found.”
Avon: Hope Group, July 13. My wife, Patty S. (Past Delegate A47/P63 CNY) and I shared on the Seventh Tradition: That each group should be self-supporting declining outside contributors. Among the points I included were some of the financial details of the state of A.A.s General Service Office and its two boards. And how contributions are used for group services. Also, I thanked the group for supporting GSO. And thank you to Amanda, GSR, for inviting us to speak.
Where am I Going?
39th Annual New York State Informational Workshop, Utica, July 27-29. Hosted by Area 48, Hudson, Mohawk, Berkshire. I will not repeat what I have said or written about this event in the past. You surely know by now that I love this event. I hope you will attend and I look forward to hearing our committee chairs present on their panels. For more information see website: www.aahmbny.org
District Meeting 0106, Geneseo. August 2. I will share on the General Service structure.
ESCYPAA/STCYPAA, August 17-19, Lakeside Campground, Windsor, NY. I haven’t been the camp out type for many years, much preferring hotels, but I learned at the Addison camp out event that there is a type of campers called, “Glampers.” (Sp?) Which means camping out in a nicely appointed RV. I look forward to trying out being a Glamper. At the event, I will share my experience, strength and hope and I know that there will be opportunities to discuss the importance of participation in general service. The event planners are excited about the event and I look forward to attending.
Three Legacies Workshop, Binghamton, September 15. The workshop is hosted by the 0600’s. 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.
Closing Remarks
It was great to see at the assembly Past Delegate Charlie B, A47/P43 CNY. Charlie has been helpful to me in my service commitments. We only had time for a handshake, but it was a good one!
It was also great to see and have some time to chat at dinner with my immediate predecessor, Past Delegate Vicki S, A47/P65 CNY. She has always been supportive, and this was especially important in the runup, last year, to my first General Service Conference. Knowing her over the years and seeing her, so to speak, “spiritual” side is a great reminder to me to trust my higher power. She has been and remains a great power of example and friend to me.
I appreciated the discussion on the office service positions responsibilities. Thank you to our Area Chair, Carrie, for taking the initiative to schedule it. At the August assembly I will speak about the September elections. I am available if you have any questions. I have some experience feel free to draw on it.
Finally, as I have frequently said, I try to keep in mind how my service links back to our Primary Purpose and what is best for A.A. This is life-saving work. In end, I just need to do my job and leave the results in the hands of power greater than myself.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your delegate! – Joe S., Delegate, P67/A47 CNY.
