Secretary’s Report on NERAASA 2024
NERAASA – February 23-25, 2024
Many thanks to Area 47 for the opportunity to attend this annual gathering of devoted servants. The panels focused on General Service Conference –related issued, but many productive encounters and conversations occur outside the panels–in the hallway during breaks and in dining and lounge areas. Liza C. and I had the chance to meet Ken T., our new Northeast Regional Trustee; we got to share ideas with the program chair from last year’s NY State Informational Workshop in Area 50; and we got information from the coordinator for Area 50’s GSR sharing session/school that’s held online each month.
I attended panels on Money and Spirituality, Are we communicating effectively within A.A.? Safety in A.A., Belonging in A.A. and the secretaries’ roundtable. On Sunday, there were reports from all the roundtable discussions
Some main points I got were:
Let’s consider cost when we plan tasks for GSO; self-support is not optional!
Only 1/3 of active groups contribute to GSB; we ask GSO to do more and we need to contribute accordingly
If most AAs gave GSB a birthday contribution of one penny for each day of sobriety, it would yield $139 million each year—enough!
Changes to our Founders’ writings was intentionally designed to be a lengthy process; not to be done or taken lightly
Really important to have informed groups, so we need to work hard to keep them informed
Consider what we would write if we wrote the Big Book today
We are all responsible for good communication: Ask questions! Share information! Visit other groups! Use Circles of Love and Service pamphlet! Try an Area newsletter! Be prudent when sharing!
We are a fellowship of mutual support AND shared responsibility
Read Box 459 for current activities and news
Use plain language when discussing finances
Talk about Grapevine apps in our groups; the podcast was heard by 175,000 listeners this week
Create a welcoming environment in committees and assemblies; call when someone doesn’t attend; create an extra meeting to improve participation; have an area sharing session as well as an area inventory; ask: Team: What do you want to get out of this?
We need to feel safe in our fellowship if we are to get well
Learn how to teach using a microphone
Bring our principles into the world to contribute to safety in the larger world
Pass around Grapevines where everyone adds a note saying where it has been…
Learning to manage out time well is essential for us servants
Create an ad hoc committee to get oral histories of past delegates!
Literature income for GSB will decrease so group contributions must increase if we are to be self-supporting
Talk about the Grapevine apps in our groups
Grateful for the chance to attend and participate in this productive weekend.
Mary B., Area 47 Secretary
