SUMMARY
PANEL PRESENTATIONS
58th GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE
Communication and Participation- The Key to Unity and Self-Support
Panel 1
Communication and Participation:
- Sharing the Message of Service
- Our Key to Keeping A.A. Strong
- Leadership in A.A.: Building Communication
Prison work
Listed meetings and activities on island of Hawaii, Puna district and
Central office
Workshops
Reach out to the newcomer
Valuable and informs the newcomer especially Sponsorship workshops
Be welcome to the newcomer
Avoid cliques
Kupunas or elders develop or nurture new leaders
Bleeding deacons-Impose their leadership or views upon the groups
Elder statesman-sharing comes when you need it the most, always there
Keep ego out of it
General Service Workshop
Co-operate with other districts
Leadership through example-powerful
Leaders speak from the I
Focus-do one job well-stay committed
Essential for leaders to be humble
Let others find their way – don’t interfere
Panel 2
Unity:
- Our Common Welfare should come first
- Principles Before Personalities
- Diversity: Reaching Out to All Alcoholics
Groups need to be available for newcomer
Trust higher power
Comes from 1st tradition
Individual welfare comes a close 2nd
Go to meetings when I don’t want to
Disease gives a distorted sense of self
Essential to newcomers being a part of the group
Workers among workers
Group inventory very helpful, healing to develop group unity
Unity means “we”
Part of what service is about
Leaders unify!
Make A.A. commitment a priority when something more fun comes along
We grow into unity
Put principles before my personality-takes courage
Get out of the 2nd grade
Pray to not judge others
Struggle for all alcoholics
Feeling fear is not unity
Fear is separation
Join a steering committee- you will find out about principles, personalities
Carry the message not the mess
Sometimes my personality is the problem
Take you own inventory
One dollar for me, one dollar for the person who doesn’t give
PRAASA experience-native people drunk on the street-not reached
Diversity is more than translations and group Specific pamphlets
Words we use are important
Share you culture
Language of the heart, love, kindness transcends culture, language barrier
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Look inside self for prejudges, pre-judgments
Want A.A. to be there for anyone who needs it
Be patient- miracles happen when we don’t give up
Panel 3
Self-Support:
- Self-Supporting Through Members Voluntary Contributions Only
- Contempt Prior to Investigation
- Responsibility to Communicate and Participate
Hopefully the day will come when voluntary contributions will be our sole support
Not broke-don’t’ fix it!
Finance committee knows more than we do
Trust our trusted servants
A full service group is attractive to those looking for home group
Refusal to take direction
Honest, Open-mindedness, Willing
Hope those who scoff will stay long enough to pray
Investigation is important
Ignorance causes confusion
Sick people /sick organization
Strong sponsorship is important
Listen! Listen! Listen!
Listen more than you talk
Broken thinking slowly healing
Keep coming back- experience a new freedom
Grateful to those who came before us
General Service is fast track to growth
Strength comes from living experience
Live positively one day at a time
Every thing comes back to unity
Reach out to others-accept them
Don’t boss-share
Collective decisions are important to unity
Panel 4
Finance
- Discuss request that a Finance Kit be developed to assist group, Intergroup/central offices, district and Area service workers in carrying the message of our shared responsibility for the Seventh Tradition
- Consider the request to “Discuss the benefits and liabilities, both spiritual and practical, of funding the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous solely by the voluntary contributions of A.A. members and A.A. groups, that profits from literature sales will no longer be used to fund our General Service Office. Further, consider a procedure for gathering input from the fellowship as a whole and prepare a report on these discussions for the 2009 Conference.”
- Discuss Self-Support
Yes- Finance kit would be helpful
Would be easier for those new in Finance
Yes to anything that would help those new in service (Finance)
What is the cost of the kit?
What is the A.A. need?
Caravan to meetings and inform them of what Area, District, GSO does
Our communication in this area needs improvement
Book sales are a contribution by members
Look and seek group conscience continually
Add to 7th tradition long version a statement from A.A. World services
What services would suffer at GSO by only member’s voluntary contribution
Buying literature is self-support
Where’s the issue?
Membership can’t be complacent about literature sales
We need continued dialogue
Shouldn’t be dependant on outside entities for revenue
Prosperity & abundance is more than money
Members give time, energy
Depend on traditions and concepts rather than codified policy
When the fellowship is informed of the need- members respond
Dialog needed at Area level on budgets and needs
How much can we afford?
We discuss issues over - we always have new people rotating in
Put an extra dollar for those who don’t give
Businesses for profit (Hazelton) make money on our literature
Important that group treasurer understand where the money goes
Stay out of fear about money!
Panel 5
A.A. Grapevine
- Consider publishing two CDs of stories from La Vina on Traditions One –Twelve
- Reconsider the 2007 General Service Conference Committee Advisory Action recommending that:
“The Grapevine and la Vina include a section on
The medical, legal and social aspects of
Alcoholism, with an appropriate disclaimer”
- Discuss the A.A. Grapevine’s legacy of self-support
- Consider ways to increase awareness of the Grapevine and La Vina’s roles in the fellowship today
Yes-publish two Cds for La Vina –traditions one thru twelve
Several Publicationsare on the horizon
Will compliment sales of La Vina and move in the direction of self-support
Gray pages will inform the medical field more about A.A.
Bridges the gap between A.A. and the medical field
Will help close the distance between the 1.1 million members we have and 17 million alcoholics there are that in U.S. and Canada that are untreated
Mis-informs newcomers
Medical information always changes
Look at the intention of the “gray pages” not the letter of the law
Co-operate w/ medical, legal field
Need more variety in the stories
Doctor’s opinion –important to the newcomer
“Gray pages” does not imply endorsement
Grapevine is the international journal of A.A.
Allow the freedom for the grapevine staff to make the decisions
Trust our trusted servant on this issue
Separation between the medical and spiritual is good
No- traditions state we stay away from affiliation real or implied
Avoid future problems by not having “gray pages”
Will tear out “gray pages” before I give to newcomer
Keep it simple
No presentation
Have a Grapevine Rep at the home group
Keep it light- Ham & Rye
Keep to stories by A.A. members for A.A. members
Grapevine Workshop
Grapevine meetings
Sponsor subscriptions
Panel 6
Literature
- Consider a request to change the title of the pamphlet “44 Questions” to “FAQ” subtitled to Frequently Asked Questions About A.A.”
- Consider a request to reinstate the pamphlet “Letter to a Woman Alcoholic”.
Title is confusing
FAQ is a street term for Fxxx –you
People don’t like FAQ- don’t know what it is
Suggestion- 44 Frequently Asked Questions
Consensus- Get rid of FAQ
Yes- New/old timers could relate
Majority of those asked thought that pamphlet not be re-instated but re-written and include stories from A.A. women
Out-dated-sexist
Describes women drunk as fat, blousy, get sober be more attractive, get husband
Feed-back-good nuggets but found in other literature
Erroneous or deceptive information
Panel 7
Public Information
- Discuss the 2002-2006 General Service Conference Advisory Actions regarding replacement and production of television P.S.As.
- Consider proposed text for anew section on posthumous anonymity in the pamphlet “Understanding Anonymity.”
- Consider request that a wall poster with information about Alcoholics Anonymous be created for placement in school guidance counselor offices.
Support Proposal to review PSAs before discontinuing
Posthumous anonymity – decision to be made by family and wishes of the deceased
Bill & Dr. Bob’s anonymity broken after death with permission
In favor of individual making their own decision
Schools already inundated with anti-drinking literature
Poster beneficial for teens and teachers who may have a problem
Poster would be helpful
Ask the teen today for ideas
Literature for teenagers is geared to 5 yr. olds and insulting
Support kids in starting their own A.A. meeting
Sounds like we are creating a temperance movement
If poster could save one kid –it is worth it
Young people think posters are dumb
Information should come from Ala-teen
Poster should contain information about A.A for School guidance counselors
Posters could be defaced and have negative impact
Have information on My Space
Teens don’t need posters
Posters not effective
Posters would need to be distributed by an active P.I. Committee
Want more evidence that poster would be effective
Need more information/background
Poster could go into health room
Will only reach schools that have an active P.I. Committee
No need to create a poster
Ask ICYPAA
Message of A.A. sometimes not known by those who work in the field
Anything that would inform others about A.A. is good
Literature is neutral-works well
Sounds like a printing or publishing seminar
Message of A.A is carried by one alcoholic talking to another
What is the cost?
P.I. is already accomplishing this
Poster may plant the seed for sobriety even though teens make fun at first
General consensus was against the poster but not overwhelmingly so
Panel 8
Report and Charter
The A.A Service Manual, 2007-2008 Edition:
- Consider a paragraph titled “District Information” for inclusion in chapter three
- Consider a suggestion to place a glossary of terms used in the A.A. Service Manual and the Twelve Concepts for World Service after the text of the A.A. Service Manual and directly preceding the index.
A.A. Directories (Canada, Western U.S. and Eastern U.S.):
- Consider listing the online Intergroup of A.A. (OIAA) in the new section titled “Online Intergroups” under the section “International Correspondence Meetings” in the A.A. Directories where “Online Meetings” appear, and include the online intergroup web site and email addresses.
Need to reflect accurate information
Revisions need to update
Teaches new GSRs what service is about
Glossary-great, very helpful
What is the cost?
List in A.A. directories
Too much money spent on revising the Service Manual
Spend money and time carrying the message
Panel 9
Treatment Facilities
- Discuss the possible development of Conference-approved literature and/or service material to stimulate A.A. members’ interest in Treatment Facilities Twelfth Step work.
- Discuss a proposal that the pamphlet, Bridging The Gap (BTG), be rewritten to reflect that the BTG program is used in both Treatment Facilities and Corrections service work
Pamphlet unchanged since 1991
While doing 12 th step work have some sobriety, don’t do it alone
Contacts thru BTG are temporary only
Person released from treatment facilities/prison same intention- stay sober
While doing prison work- be punctual and well groomed
Contact newcomer while still in treatment
Inform new person about the big book, the different formats in the meetings
Explain Home Group and sponsorship
Need sponsors to pass it on
Suggest sponsees get involved with BTG program
Read “Coming of Age”
This is just another pamphlet we are not going to read and takes away from sponsorship
Are correction workers aware of the BTG program?
Don’t give medial advice
Be welcoming and encourage attendance at A.A. meetings
Be familiar with what A.A. is and what A.A. is not
No solicitation
Yes re-write and include prisons, everyone should have the opportunity to recover
A.A. has huge population that comes from treatment centers
Two major issues- not easy to mix treatment center and corrections work
Many newcomers have other problems-drugs
Enough pamphlets already!
Treatment facilities try to impose their ways on the A.A. 12th stepper
No to pamphlets!
Didn’t get sober from a pamphlet
Firm believer in pamphlets
Need more education about BTG at home group
More effective than pamphlets is the excitement of the A.A group being represented in treatment facilities
Service provides the opportunity to face fear and challenge self
Pamphlets have niche and explains A.A position
People learn different ways
Pamphlets supplement the message carried by us
Essential to give to others what has been given to us
Panel 10
Trustees
- Review report from the trustees Committee on Nominating regarding Nominating Procedure No. 9 (“Guidelines for Hiring General Manager, G.S.O.”) and length of service of General Manager, G.S.O.
- Discuss request to revisit the 2007 General Service Conference Advisory Action to consider all eligible Class A and Class B trustees when selecting the Chairperson of the General Service Board.
Don’t tie the hands of General Service board trustees negotiating term of service for the next GM
Spirit of rotation still valid for GM
General Manager requires a different skill set
Best interest of A.A. for GM to serve at will of the Board
Keep it simple
Abide by spiritual principles, these principles apply to everyone
Controversy over issue being re-visited
There is no written restriction on Class B trustees being considered as Chair of the GSB
No evidence that the present system is working badly
Class A trustees are rich source of wisdom and can appear in public, newspapers, etc.
The most qualified candidate should be chair no matter if class A or class B
Trustees are the best qualified to determine length of service
Trustees are volunteers, have passion for A.A.
GSM is a special situation- against rotation
Common practice for head of organization to rotate
Term of service is O.K.
No time limit for GM position
Change is hard for alkies
Trust in God- we are not in control
No time limit for this position
Best for A.A that a Class A trustee to be chair so they can be the face of A.A. if needed in the public arena
If its not broke- don’t fix it and waste the conference time
Class B-why not? Assign someone else to be the face
Time to try fresh ideas
Anonymity issue will be dealt with
Clearly articulate the term of service for the new GM
Qualifications are most important factor
Presentation-Archives
- Discuss ideas for making A.A. archives and history more readily available to the Fellowship in
- The future.
GSO Archives staff is readily available via phone and internet
Loosening of the Archives Committee policies would assist in more ready access for the fellowship
Archives staff could be more flexible in their office hours
Internet is a possibility but there are concerns
What is in place is sufficient
Panel 11
Workshop-Love and Tolerance, Now Than Ever
- What does the face of A.A, look like? Is there diversity in my group,district,area, at the conference? If not what can or should be we do about it?
- How are Twelfth Step calls being made these days?
- What challenges have you faced while participating in A.A. service with placing principles before personalities? In terms of love and tolerance, how well or badly did you deal with theses challenges
Are we welcoming?
What about people who smell?
Atheist or Agnostic?
Gay or from another culture?
Self-important because of your service position?
Don’t put a wall between the message and the messenger
Learned principles from those I didn’t like the personality
Not enough 12th step being done
Do I talk to the tough ones or am I afraid?
Treatment changed the face of 12th step work
GSO needs to create more time and energy to do 12th step work
Ask myself-what can I do to help the newcomer?
The word tolerant is arrogant, doesn’t go with who we are and A.A as a whole
Reach out to someone different than myself
Ask more about them and less about myself
Race, color, creed so shallow! We have other reasons not to like each other!
Get deeper and get over it!
Concentrate on similarities, not differences
All children of God- all deserve love no matter race, religion of orientation
Keep my side of the street clean
Love one another like there is no tomorrow
God is in charge
We will get here when it is time
Carry the message
Program works for those who are given the gift of desperation
Talk about slogans, promises-not pamphlets
Pray first, get in God’s car and do the 12th step work
Alcoholism is no respecter of persons
Listen to the little voice-“take him to a meeting”
You have no idea who is going to help you
Go to any lengths to carry the message
Area 17 is doing a great job on 12 step calls
Every day is an opportunity to do 12th step work
Share ideas more between fellowships
Why should I love someone more or less they are in A.A. or not in A.A.?
Fear stops love
It is important to listen to ideas that make me feel uncomfortable and open to ways of thinking different than my own. Helps me to examine my blind spots