NERAASA 2018 was a very informative year both as a member of alcoholics anonymous and as the secretary for Area 47. As usual, it gave the opportunity to have some very informative discussions and really tested how much I know about some of the concepts as they pertain to the board & trustees.

The Secretary’s roundtable discussions seemed to be much more informative and engaging than I remember from the previous year. I was quite happy to announce that our area has finally dove into digital minutes; ditching the bulk mailing of printed copies.

The bulk of the discussion on both nights was focused on the experiences various areas in the region have had with using Google For Non-Profits (and a couple that use Microsoft’s equivalent). While it was certainly difficult to try and discuss various aspects of it without having an actual computer/projector in front of us to see what they were talking about, they made a pretty compelling reason as to the benefits of using it. One of the biggest benefits mentioned multiple times was that it greatly reduces the confusion and miscommunication between members of the assembly when it comes to registering new trusted servants for the minutes, as group representatives, etc. as multiple users can be authorized to access and update the list(s) rather than the traditional bottleneck of having to go through multiple people for any of the changes. Users are even able to create forms/templates that can be used internally or on the area’s website with relative ease to help streamline this communication even further.

There are a number of other benefits that were discussed throughout the roundtables and I am continuing to look into the details of them as I am contemplating bring a motion to the assembly that we utilize at least some of the products that the Google For Non-Profits program offers. I’ve spoken with Dave, our area web chair, about the idea and he recommended I make sure we have a thorough understanding of the Terms-of-Service that would be required, which I am currently in the process of reading.

As far as the general sessions of NERAASA went, I found there to be quite a bit of concern regarding the lawsuit as well as the actions that led up to it and that followed after the lawsuit was settled. Overall, I was left with little confidence in the mutual trust and respect that our principles tell us should be shared between the fellowship and the General Service Board. Despite numerous members asking questions regarding the lawsuit and the decision(s) that lead to it, our Northeast Regional Trustee and the AAWS general manager did not give anything remotely close to adequate answers; often going on tangents and never actually addressing the specific questions being asked. Unfortunately, silence from the board as well as AAWS since NERAASA, despite numerous requests from members throughout the fellowship for more information as well as multiple comments that they would be providing that information shortly, has caused me to consider the two agenda items related to the lawsuit more and more.

All in all, this year’s NERAASA was quite a learning experience, though not necessarily all of that learning being of the optimistic variety, and it once again kicked up the excitement level I have for Alcoholics Anonymous as it seems to do each year.

Sincerely,

Christopher M,

Area 47 Secretary