Delegate’s Report to Area Assembly, March 14, 2021

Everyone, boy oh boy it is getting real.

It has been an interesting month with all the new people I am meeting and all of the new things I am learning. So enough about me let me get to what is new.

While I realize that everyone is primarily focused on Pre-Conference activity, please note below a few tidbits from our GSO:

• Return to the Workplace – As previously alluded to, employee feedback continues to inform us that many of our employees are eager to return to the workplace. To this end, GSO is moving forward with plans to have a limited, voluntary return to the office the week of May 3rd. This initial phase will include approximately 4 employees modified basis in staggered work shifts. We are continuing to follow external events, current guidelines as well as building updates to ensure our return to workplace is as safe as possible. No word yet on reopening “visitors” – as the circumstances will dictate.

• HR Strategic Plan – Planning for 2021 continues to support our GSO’s overall strategic plan. At its core, we strive to foster a motivated, engaged workforce while providing resources to support our employees so they are best positioned to serve the Fellowship. Focusing on the areas of Employee Engagement, Talent Management, Compliance and Legal, Training and Development, etc., we remain committed to building a learning and feedback culture that leverages technology to better serve AA now and in the future.

• Fellowship Connection – We are currently exploring broader sharing sessions among Registrars to prioritize the FC development roadmap.  Specifically, these sessions will be the tool for driving change and finding solutions. These sessions will be hosted through our Group Services desk (Craig W.) in collaboration with Malini and Lorna (from IT). Initial discussions will focus on our approach towards providing data to Registrars (which I think everyone agrees is kinda important.  Speaking of Lorna, our Director of IT, one of her goals is to become a certified cyber security professional.  Cybersecurity is, of course, a focus for everyone.  Among other things, such training among GSO Staff and employees remains ongoing.

• Finance Matters – We remain on course for our April 12 Audit Presentation to the Audit Committee (of which [or is it to which] I serve). As near I can tell, we remain on course for a full Conference Financial Report. Which, I am sure, everyone is looking forward to hearing. More will be disclosed. The STELLAR work group (Seventh Tradition Envelopes and Linked Literature Address Reboot (STELLAR) has been making steady progress – despite all the other work that needs attention right now. At present, the group is focused on encouraging online contributions – for those who already plan on making voluntary contributions. Ideally, we’ll coordinate an update along with the AAWS self-support committee. At present, our 2021 ratio of online contributions is upwards of 33%.

Next is the Fellowship Connection with GSO saying thanks. Here is the letter that was sent out thanking the registrars.

March 26, 2021

Dear Trusted Servants,

The road to Fellowship Connection has been marked with exceptional efforts by many people, each providing a small part of a huge piece necessary to make a great whole. We want to thank all of A.A.’s trusted servants involved in this detailed process, especially those who served on the task force. Through this strenuous participation we have been able to put all our records in one place, improving our organization’s effectiveness.

The data collected from Fellowship Connection will give the individual, group or A.A. entity the ability to have a unique ID. The ID will be used for everything from literature sales and contributions to position holders in the service structure. And we now offer the capability to use a separate email for your service role and an individual email for your member activities.

We have conducted numerous training sessions for area registrars, along with development of a user-friendly manual with an online FAQ section and glossary. We are helping prepare each trusted servant for the responsibility and purpose of Fellowship Connection. As we “pass the torch,” putting the data ownership back in the hands of the registrar, there is a critical aspect of this transition to consider, that of data stewardship.

The main reason for our existence as a Fellowship is to carry the message of recovery though our Twelfth Step. Our organization operates through elected leaders, trusted servants, special workers, and the principle of the group conscience. To do this effectively, consistently, and precisely we need accurate data. As intuitive as Fellowship Connection is, without correct data we will inevitably fall short in the communications that connect us.

As we improve Fellowship Connection, we ask that you join us in also improving the value and importance of data stewardship in each of our roles and with each trusted servant. The area registrar, or other designated officer, is responsible for the accuracy of the area’s information and we all can be helpful stewards of A.A.’s data. This ensures we are there when the phone rings, an email hits the inbox or we request another’s experience, strength and hope, whether by way of A.A.’s recovery or service.

Ultimately, we want to facilitate your data stewardship, to celebrate and congratulate you on being a critical part of A.A.’s history, guided by the assurance of the Responsibility Declaration that when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, we want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: we are responsible.

We are grateful for this opportunity to be in touch with you and look forward to the ongoing interchange of information and ideas that Fellowship Connection provides.

Finally; GSO Internal Promotions: As was reported following the Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program, some of the vacated positions would be filled internally, through training and development. To this end, the following seven planned promotions are gratefully announced. Please join me in congratulating the following employees:

Filed in: From Our Delegate