Delegate’s Report to Area Assembly, November 11, 2018
Thank you to the 0300’s and the volunteers from the Syracuse area for hosting the assembly. And it was great to see and chat with two old friends, both of which have served the area with distinction.
Licensing of Meeting Guide Technology
On November 2, 2018 Greg T, General Manager, A.A. office, sent an email to all members of the conference regarding the Meeting Guide. Because I think the information is important for you to know, the entire email follows:
“Anonymous World Services, Inc., has licensed the Meeting Guide technology. Meeting Guide was launched in November 2015 and provides a platform for local A.A. entities (Areas, Intergroup/Central Offices, Districts, etc.) to post their local A.A. meetings and currently provides information to more than 100,000 users, reflecting some 86,000 meetings. Since the meeting information is all made available through the app’s mobile-friendly interface, those seeking a meeting have a simple, one-stop place to look.
The collated meeting information will be available in the future through G.S.O.’s website, www.aa.org, and will be a component of the proposed A.A.W.S. app. The intent of incorporating the Meeting Guide component is to make it easier for members to find A.A. meetings.
A.A. Intergroup/Central Offices, Districts and Areas that provide online meeting lists are invited to have their meetings displayed through the Meeting Guide. If you are already synchronizing your meetings through the Meeting Guide app there is no additional action necessary. When the new aa.org website launches at some point in 2019, your information will be seamlessly included.
Please note the meeting information database will operate completely independently from the Fellowship New Vision (FNV) database that is currently supported by G.S.O. Meeting Guide is a separate tool that offers A.A. entities full control of their local meeting information and collects it in one place. Users of this new portal will be linked to the service entity providing the information. Participation is, of course, voluntary, but the more connected the service is to the Fellowship as a whole, the more powerful a tool it will become.
The current listing of Intergroups and Central Offices and other local entities in “A.A. Near You” on aa.org will not be impacted. Those wishing to contact A.A. in their community will still have access to the information that is currently available on the site.
We have developed instructions about how to connect with this new resource at https://meetingguide.aa.org. If you have any questions about this initiative or how to synchronize your meetings to this database, dedicated support is in place. We welcome your input and suggestions.” As do I.
Regarding the proposed A.A. app. I have been hearing about this for four to five years. It is starting to sound like the play “Waiting for Godot,” (spoiler alert) – Godot never shows up! But I haven’t given up hope.
Election of Northeast Regional Trustee (NERT)
Rich P, NERT, concludes his 4-year term at the conclusion of the 69th General Service Conference, next May. The election of his successor will be held at the conference. Qualifications of an effective trustee is on pages S66-S67 of the 2018-2020 edition of the A.A. Service Manual. If there are any candidates from the area an election will be held at the December assembly. If there is an election the candidate must complete a resume form from the General Service Board Nominating Committee, which I will provide. It is the delegates responsibility to submit the area candidate resumé to the Secretary, trustees’ Nominating Committee, General Service Office.
Typically, candidates for the position are past-delegates, but it is not restricted to them. If you are going to stand for election please let me know by December 5, 2019, so the area chair can plan accordingly for the December assembly meeting.
Status of A.A. Internal/External Communications Audit Report (Abridged)
The NERT is hosting a conference call on November 26 for the Northeast Regional Delegates (NEDS). I anticipate that there will be a status report and other information from the General Service Board meeting in November. I will update the assembly at the December assembly. In the meantime, if you have not read the report, I suggest that you do. It is available on the area website. I welcome any questions or comments.
DCM/Alt-DCM Summit
This event is for current and incoming District Committee Member (DCM) and Alternates. In addition, any member of A.A. is invited to attend.
The Summit will be on Saturday, December 15, from 10 am to 3 pm at the Presbyterian Church of Geneva, 24 Park Place, Geneva, NY. A big thank-you to Mary B., D.C.M. 0260 for taking the time to find and make the arrangements for the use of the meeting space.
The purpose of the summit is for the incoming DCMs/Alt DCMs to have a clear understanding of their service position. The meeting is based on A.A. literature, including the service manual. At the assembly 19 trusted servants registered for the meeting. The registration form and agenda will be posted on the area website.
The agenda, which the DCMs/Alt DCMs had the opportunity to review and offer input, includes: Review the purpose and responsibilities of the position; review; Analysis of Bill Ws essay: Leadership in A.A. ever a vital need; the role of a Service Sponsor; support by the registrar (the current and registrar-elect will be in attendance.) and sharing of the experience (and hopefully, wisdom) by the current and incoming DCMs/Alt DCMs. Also, lunch will be provided.
This is the second year the summit has been held. As last year, the organizers and presenters will be Barb C, Alternate Delegate, and Delegate Elect, Carrie C, Area Chairperson, and Alternate Delegate Elect and myself.
Past Delegates Welcoming the Delegate Elect
Today, at a restaurant nearby the area assembly meeting, 8 past-delegates hosted a brunch for the delegate elect. This is a long-standing tradition at area 47. We had the opportunity to share with Barb C, our experience strength and hope. Barb shared her gratitude for being able to serve the area and her enthusiasm for taking on the responsibilities of a delegate.
Thank you to following past delegates for taking the time to attend the brunch and the assembly:
Bob W, Paul W, Liz O, Vada G, Tom T, Patty S, Vicki S, and Marcia G. Also, Rosemary P sent her regards as she was not available to attend. I think it is one of the nicest traditions at Area 47. It was inspiring to hear from each delegate their love for the fellowship and their continuing commitment to service. Frankly, it was an emotional experience for me and I do look forward to joining their ranks in January.
There was one piece of business conducted, as I distributed the resume form for the NERT election of a candidate from Area 47.
Closing Remark
I am very grateful to be your delegate. Pro or con, you have supported me. It truly is a privilege and honor to serve the fellowship and the area. Thank you!
In Service – Joe S., Delegate, P67/A47 CNY
