PI Chair’s Report on NERAASA 2023
Carrie C.
Public Information Committee Chair
Report: NERAASA 2023
In some form or fashion, the North East Regional Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly (aka NERAASA) never ceases to amaze me. I had an enjoyable trip to and from Albany with Debi C., our treasurer. While it was a maze, the hotel was very nice. The nicest part though was seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Area 48 made meeting these new friends easy because they provided two different colored lanyards to distinguish between the prior attendees and the new ones – hugs for some, and an open hand with a hello to the “newbies.”
Upon arrival, we stowed our “stuff,” ate our “dinners,” and off to the Red Ball meeting we went! It was something to see! It was huge compared to last year’s in Pittsburg.
The panels were great! While I’m a bit biased, Area 47 did a grand job presenting, moderating, and timing the panels. Although, I did have a few perceptions changed throughout the assembly by a couple of the other presenters.
I missed the first night of the PI/CPC roundtables to grab a bite to eat, only to have a friend and past delegate join me as we discussed what’s “going on” in AA – not the happenings at GSO – rather sponsorship and newcomers. I did make it to the second roundtable though. I was rather amazed that many attendees were unaware of many of the pamphlets and their contents, especially The Group pamphlet.
As I noted previously, there were a few panels that shifted my perceptions. Towards that end, I stood outside the Saturday night YPAA roundtable to get a better understanding of what YPAA is about. I could sense the bond and the comradery of the participants. Afterward, though, it was interesting that a couple of YPAA members felt that a discussion they had had around safety should really have occurred during a panel discussion around safety. Also, a past delegate that grew up in YPAA, feels strongly that YPAA doesn’t need its own committees or desk; that they are equal members of the fellowship who are actually excluding themselves (I was like – WOW!). In addition, I had two YPAA from different areas correct me that what they do is indeed fundraising. So, is it or isn’t it? The question remains.
As for the business meeting, don’t we know – it’s always about money. The inventory committee requested if I recall correctly, ~ $600 – 700, for expenses they had incurred during the inventory. What had started as a little here, a little there. Ultimately, it passed. Question though, do we trust our trusted servants or not.
Somewhere in between some of the ‘learning’ though, Debi C., Mary B., and I managed to take a trip to Dorset VT – my first visit to Bill’s family home. It was a lot to take in, and a lot of gratitude for the legacy he left behind. As for visiting his and Lois’ gravesites, um (laughing as I write this)…let’s just say we didn’t quite make it up a slope.
I walked away with only two disappointments. One, it had come to a close. I always feel like the new perspectives and all the friends are never enough. Second disappointment though, the roundtable wrap-ups. They were great and I was so looking forward to the written reports, especially the report from the website roundtable, because they mentioned a number of tools that I believe Area 47 could possibly utilize. Alas, the written reports didn’t match the wrap-ups that were presented at the mic – the tools were excluded from their report. Nevertheless, more is always revealed.
