2014 Delegate’s Conference Report

by Steve O., Delegate Eastern Pennsylvania General Service Assembly

64th General Service Conference

“Communicating Our Legacies — Vital in aChanging World.””

Hilton West Chester, Rye Town, NYApril 27 – May 3, 2014

GRATITUDE

I am deeply grateful to our Eastern PA General Service Assembly members for the opportunity

to participate on your behalf –

Thank You!

The 2012-13 AA Service

Manual, pS16

Conference Membership

• Area Delegates – from US & Canada93 = 69.9%

• Trustees, A.A.W.S. & Grapevine Directors25 = 18.8%

• General Service & Grapevine Staff15 = 11.3%

• Total 133 Voting Members

Delegate Statistics

Avg. Age 59 yrs.Oldest 78Youngest 32Avg. Sobriety 21Longest Sobriety 41Shortest Sobriety 7Avg. Sobriety 17Longest Service 37Shortest Service 7

I. Agenda Committee:

The 2015 GSC theme be:

“Celebrating 80 Years of Recovery, Unity and Service

– The Foundation for Our Future”

I. Agenda Committee:Discussion Topics For 2015 GSC

“Our Common Welfare through Gratitude in Action”

1. Diversity in AA – Our Heritage of Inclusion2. Safety and Respect – Practicing the Principles Begins in Our Home Group3. Safeguarding our Traditions through the

Evolution of Technology4. Inventory – Looking Back to Move Ahead

I. Agenda Committee:

Add Conference Evaluation Form be Provided in Spanish & French – beginning 2015

I. Agenda Committee

Add wording to description of Conference Agenda Committee in Service Manual Chapter 8:

“Conference Committees” in 2013-2014 Edition,

“and Conference Evaluation Questionnaire” to end of description.

II. Cooperation with Professional Community

1. Statement in the section Referrals From Court and Treatment Facilities to A.A. on page 4 of pamphlet “If You Are a Professional” be updated.2. The statement in section How To Make Referrals to A.A. on page 5 be updated to include internet contact information in pamphlet “If You Are A Professional”3. Remove references to smoking meetings from page 6 in the pamphlet “A.A. As a Resource for the Health Care Professional”

III. Corrections

1. Revise section “What A.A. does NOT do.” in the pamphlet “A Message to Corrections Professionals” to include detox and rehabilitation and host or sponsor retreats.2. Recommended new video be developed to replace “It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell”

- not to exceed $70,000

IV. Finance

Recommended all GSC background, as well as Conference material be provided in Spanish &

French

V. Grapevine

Committee recommended Grapevine Board have the ability to exercise their Right of Decision for all formatting decisions in producing Grapevine and La Vina.

The motion failed.

VI. Literature

1. Approve revised pamphlet “Circles of Love and Service” - Passed2. Approve pamphlet “Many Paths to Spirituality” - Passed

(2 proposed amendments fail after much discussion)3. Recommendation to remove text from p. 5 of Living Sober using “addiction” & “addicts” Failed

VI. Literature, cont’d.

4. Recommendation that “Nonalcoholics are welcome to attend open meetings as observers” be added to the Primary Purpose (Blue) Card - Failed5. A correction to inaccurate text related to the addition of appendices on p. XI in the Preface of Alcoholics Anonymous be expanded. - Passed6.Recommendation that the AAWS Policy on Publication of Literature be further clarified regarding needed editorial changes. Recommitted to AAWS where policy resides.

VII. Policy/Admissions

1. Three Alternate-Delegates seated as 64th Conference members – Passed.2. The 2017 GSC to be held April 23-29, 20173. Recommendation that a two-year trial period for GSC to use electronic voting on Thursday for non-election votes. Motion failed by 1. Motion to Reconsider passed. After more discussion, motion Passed

VIII. Public Information

1. Seven (7) revisions to 2014 AA Membership Survey passed. - Passed2. Conduct Membership Survey with same method used in 2011 – Passed3. Discontinue PSA’s “Living In Chaos” & “We Know What It’s Like” – Passed4. New PSA to be produced in 2014 – not to exceed $30,000. - Passed5. Anonymity Card (F-20) have wording change. Passed, then reconsideration & original motion failed.

IX. Report & Charter

1. Add definition of “Advisory Action” to p. S19 of AA Service Manual. – Passed2. Add definition of “Additional Consideration” to p. S19 of AA Service Manual - Passed.3. The section called “Secretary and Registrar” on p. S45 of AA Service Manual be split into two separate sections. Secretary duties and qualifications to remain the same. Registrar to include suggested duties to include email use & qualifications suggestion to have working computer knowledge - Passed.

X. Treatment/Special Needs -Accessibilities

No recommendations

XI. Trustees

1. Slates for General Service Board (Class A & B Trustees) - Passed2. Recommended Officers of the G.S.B. (adopted)

Chairperson: Terrence B., FACHEFirst Vice-Chair: Hon. Ivan L.R. L.Second Vice-Chair: Nancy H.Treasurer: David M., CPASecretary: Albin Z.

XI. Trustees, continued:

3. Recommended appointments by Chairman to G.S.B.

Assistant Secretary: Julio E.Assistant Treasurer: Donald M.

4. Slate of Directors to A.A.W.S. Corporate Board:

Carole B., Beau B., Joe D., Julio E., Phyllis H.,

J. Gary L., David N., William (Billy) N. & Chet P.

XII. Archives

Recommended video “Markings on the Journey”

- After the video was shown to Conference, motion passed with standing ovation.

XIII. International Convention/Regional Forums

1. Anonymity-protected photo of 2015 International Convention – Passed2. Recommended an encrypted, anonymity-protected internet broadcast of the 2015 convention opening flag ceremony - Passed

Floor Actions

1. To add a single line item to General Fund for La Vina – Failed 2. Reaffirm the Right of Decision of GV Board to make formatting decisions –discussed and fails.

– opposed by GV staff. 3. GSC consider the use of circle and triangle on Conference-approved literature: Motion Not To Consider passes (original motion therefore – fails)

Floor Actions, continued:

4. Discontinue publishing “Alcoholism at Large” section of the Grapevine. Motion Fails.5. Consider request to develop literature for alcoholics in recovery with mental health issues.

- discussed, amended, Fails- Motion to Reconsider, Passes- Original motion Fails.

6. Consider approval of Proposed Anonymity Card.

- Motion to Decline, Passes

Summary

Questions?