Delegates Report to the Area assembly, January 8, 2017

Opening remarks: A moment of silence in memory of people who were involved in General Service and died in 2016 was observed.

When I read, and reviewed the Delegates responsibilities in the A.A. Service Manual and in the Area Handbook, I decided that I would include for me; to be “happy, joyous and free,” to the best of my abilities to do so. Being your Delegate has already made a great positive impact in my life. I am honored and grateful to have the responsibility to serve as your Delegate.

Years ago, I learned that each service commitment is also an opportunity to become a better person. And I cannot imagine not having a Service Sponsor to help me with this commitment and suggest that it would be beneficial to you also in your own service work.

Finally, I thanked Vicky S., my predecessor for her gracious assistance in the transition phase. Her joyous enthusiasm and love of A.A. is a great power of example to me and I will do my best to follow in her footsteps. I also thanked all the Area 47 past delegates that have offered their support and the wisdom of their experience to me.

Conference Information: I asked the assembly to read “Why Do We Need a Conference?” By Bernard B. Smith on page S20 of the 2016-2018 edition of the A.A. Service Manual. It reminds us in a powerful manner that we are doing life-saving work.

I briefly provided an overview of the factors that lead to the creation of the conference and the opposition to its establishment. It was a very difficult process. My information was from the book “A.A. Comes of Age,” and I also read from the A.A.W.S. archives, unpublished remarks made by Bill W. to a delegation from Texas in 1954. I quote the inspiring conclusion of his remarks: “The Conference shall become our successor. To you we hand the torch. Carry on. Face your destiny with surety and courage, and God love you.”

I am in the process of following through on the suggestion (I received in the Delegates Information Packet from the General Service Office, and from an Area 47 Past Delegate) to reread various A.A. literature, including the Big Book, A.A. Comes of Age, A.A. Service Manual Combined with the Twelve Concepts for World Service, the 2012- 2016, conference reports, and much more. At first, I questioned the value of doing so much rereading but once I started I quickly realized that I with my new perspective, as a Delegate, the material does have a fresh meaning and value to me. (Not to mention the value to my own personal recovery.)

Time-line: January 28 -30, General Service Board meeting to finalize conference agenda items. February 15, agenda and background information posted on Delegates password protected “Dashboard.” Which is accessed through an online portal (paper copies are no longer mailed). April 23-28 the 67 General Service Conference, Ryebrook, NY. Report back to Area 47 at the CNY convention May 19-21.

At the conference I have been assigned to two committees: Report and Charter and International Conventions/Regional Forums. For those and other agenda items I am considering the format we will use for presenting the conference items at the area assembly to arrive at an informed group conscience. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Also, I plan on attending district meetings, or home- groups, etc., to review the items and to encourage participation in General Service.

Activities: The Alternate Delegate needs to be prepared to step in if the delegate is not able to perform their duties. To this end, I have scheduled a reoccurring weekly phone call, at minimum, to review and exchange information with Barb C., our Alternate Delegate. I enjoy working with Barb and I think we will make a good team working together on behalf of the Area.

Thinking ahead to post-conference the role of the Delegate is not limited to informing the Area of activities at the World Service level. Other standing responsibilities include stimulating participation in General Service, and promoting interest and support of the Grapevine magazine and its publications.

I plan on attending the following: Salt City Convention, in February, where I will be presenting on General Service. The Northeast Regional A.A. Service Assembly in February. The Northeast Regional Delegates meeting in March. The Northeast Regional Forum in June, and the New York State Informational Workshop, in August, which is being hosted this year by our Area.

Finally, as we begin this service journey together, and it is truly our journey, let us do so united together and with a grateful heart, a cheerful attitude and a fierce determination to do what is best for the good of A.A. – Joe S., Delegate, Panel 67, Area 47, Central New York.