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World Service Conference Delegate’s Report
May 17, 2014
Conference Theme Our Spiritual Principles in Action
Sharing Area Highlights • Sharing Area Highlights was held on Friday
afternoon before the conference actually began as it is not officially a part of the WSC. I shared these items:
• The “Shoe” Campaign initiated by Cheryl • “Bring a Buddy” to our August AWSC
Meeting • Possible State Convention • Public Outreach Electronic Newsletter to
Professionals
WE HAVE AN AWSOME PUBLIC OUTREACH
COORDINATOR!
Conference Goals
1. Conference members will understand the purpose of the Conference, relationships within the structure, and be able to articulate Conference discussions and decisions.
2. The spiritual tone of the Conference will prevail by the demonstration of mutual respect and acceptable conduct by its members
3. Knowing that our higher power is present in the expression of our group conscience, Conference members will presume good will.
• Committee
• Thought Force
• Task Force
• This information can be found on Page 68 of the 2014-17 Service Manual
Opportunities to Serve
Thought Force: Create
Strategies to show Spiritual Connection of being a Registered Group
I am assigned to this Thought Force in 2014 :
Thought Force: The Importance of a Home Group
• It appears that the Al-Anon membership would benefit from hearing about and emphasizing more the importance of a home group. Such an emphasis could all members feel connected, encourage participation and service, and help people understand the concepts of membership in Al-Anon.
STRATEGIES FOR GROUPS
1. Make home group a meeting topic 2. Beginners’ meetings 3. Workshops for Group Representatives 4. Encourage participation in District Area, and
TEAM/WSO events 5. Submit articles for The Forum 6. Develop language in group opening inviting
members to adopt meeting as their home group
STRATEGIES FOR DISTRICTS/AREAS
1. Create a presentation/workshop on home groups
2. Sponsor an event on service
3. Communicate and disseminate tools and messages on this topic
4. Encourage member submission of written material
STRATEGIES FOR WSC/WSO 1. Create a definition of “home group” 2. Integrate the “home group” definition into
WSO events and material 3. Initiate a campaign that conveys the benefits
of a home group 4. Create a piece focused on the home group 5. Emphasize the benefits of service in a home group 6. Articles in The Forum about the importance of a home group
Universal Understanding of Recovery
“Family recovery is a process of healing and growth from the effects of living in a family affected by someone’s problem drinking. This process helps individuals to make healthier life choices, and to develop relationships that are more positive and supportive. “
Board of Trustees Big Question
• How can we as service leaders anticipate the future and Al-Anon's place in it, ensuring that the necessary resources are available, with our spiritual principles as our guide?
Topics discussed
• How will Al-Anon look in the year 2051, after 100 years of Al-Anon Family Groups?
• Structure of the Al-Anon Fellowship in 2051 • Internal Communication • External Communication: carrying our
message of hope in the 21st century • Effect of Technology on AFG at the group
level / LDC & AIS/ District & Area • Diversity: The global world in 2051
Small group discussion
• Effect of Technology on AFG at the group level / LDC & AIS / District & Area
Points we discussed • How can we utilize technology and make
sure Al-Anon is available to anyone who needs help?
• How could technology expand the way the service structures help the membership?
• How can the use of technology increase participation and communication while maintaining the idea of an informed group conscience?
MOTION #7 – (91 yes, 6 no, 0 abstentions, 0 void) - CARRIED • To authorize the use of electronic
devices for note taking starting at the 2015 World Service Conference on a three-year trial basis.
Use of Electronic Devices at the WSC
• This is a very BIG deal for the Delegates who need to take notes during the Conference in order to report back to their areas. This is for note taking only – no internet use during the meetings.
Points of Audit Report
• Gross profit on literature sales was greater in 2013 than in 2012 by $325,076.00
• Group contributions were $59,532.00 more in 2013 than 2012
• Our total expenses were less in 2013 than 2012 by $36,858.00
Area 61 Contributions 2013
• 58.3% groups contributed • Average contribution was $93.30 • 2013 Total group contributions was
$19,592 (2012 was $17,373) • Total “other” contributions was $9,137
in 2013 ($4,755 in 2012) • Other includes individual contribution
and those from AISs, LDCs and area meetings
Task Force
Develop a Script or Workshop to Encourage Discussion about the Difference between Principles and Procedures in Al-Anon
Policy Discussion: Memorial Contributions
• Timeline on Memorial Contributions – At one time the WSO did accept
contribution from family members of deceased Al-Anon Members
• Background on Memorial Contributions – This was discussed at the 2011 and 2013
WSC – A Thought Force was formed after both of
these Conferences
• Definitions Handout – Definition of a “member of Al-Anon? Who
is a member – Definition of Family
• Traditions Handout on Memorial Contributions – Review of the Traditions regarding
Memorial Contributions by Family Members and Friends of a Deceased Al-Anon Member
Chosen Agenda Item #2
• How can we encourage more participation in service in our groups including stepping up to serve as a GR and having members sign-up to lead group meetings?/How can we inspire service in Al-Anon?
Some of the responses from the 2014 WSC
• Inspire others to serve – empower to serve • One to one conversation – enthusiasm • Let it begin with me • Steps 10, 11 and 12 are more than
maintenance, they are the next step to recovery
• Sponsorship is vital – encourage/ “make” sponsee take a meeting
• Say things like “I think you’d be good at that.” And “I’ll help you with it.”
Thought Force:
Technology as more Inclusive rather than Exclusive
Provide Resources • Create a “Go to” resource: a technology coordinator or group
of Al-Anon members able to suggest solutions in a clear and concise format, or find alternatives that guide members in using technology.
• Demonstrate on-line/webinar meetings at Assemblies and Area meetings.
• Share technology success stories by using WSO publications. • Solicit examples via bulletin boards on e-Communities of how
different Areas have been able to include members in learning to use technology.
• Create workshops and/or games to introduce members to technological problems and solutions.
• Create a technical section or blog on Area Web sites to allow members to discuss technology in Al-Anon.
Reach Everyone • Encourage groups to discuss ways to use
members’ smart phones to receive communication.
• Utilize on-line or telephone conference calls, or other technology to help remote communities attend service meetings and Area Assemblies.
• Conduct Delegate “live” reports via webinar or other software between Assemblies, with several host locations for members in each district to view.
• Use a webinar to train AMIAS with different stations throughout the Area for ease of accessibility
2013 “Readiness for Step Twelve Survey”
Goal #1 of the Board of Trustees Strategic Plan for Communication Services: Increase members’ willingness to participate in Twelfth Step work This survey was developed to measure members’:
1. Level of involvement in service work 2. Motivations and fears in participating in service work 3. Demographic information
Survey Response
• 1,817 complete responses achieved • Of respondents who specified, 86%
were from the U.S., Bermuda, and Puerto Rico
• 14% were from Canada • 5% completed the survey in French • 3% completed the survey in
Spanish
Membership/Service Experience
• 53% of members indicated they have been
involved in service activities
• The average number of hours members spent a month participating in service work is 3.65
Members’ Level of Involvement in Service Work
Categories of Service Activities
Group Level
Individual Sharing
Member Sponsoring
Beyond Group-Level
Public Outreach
All Service Ac*vi*es
Mean # of times members participated
35.4 19.4 12 7.2 6.5 16.1
Mean length of time (in years) members waited before first participating
3.1 5.8 5.3 6.2 6.3 5.3
Reasons for First Participating, and for Continuing to Participate in
Service
• 20% - To give back
• 19% - Progression of my recovery in accordance with Step Twelve
• 18% - To carry the message to help others in need of the program
• 12% - To learn more about Al-Anon Family Groups and service roles
Members’ Top Concerns in Participating in Service
Concerns Number of
Respondents % of
Members Time constraints 854 47% I am already fully engaged in service work 724 40% Other (please specify) 252 14% Interference with my family life 247 14% Maintaining anonymity 228 13% Carrying out public relations based on attraction rather than promotion 194 11% I don't know enough about service to be involved 117 6% I'm not on my Twelfth Step yet 110 6% I wasn't asked to participate 97 5%
Members’ Opinion of the Importance of Twelfth Step Work in their
Recovery
• 82% of members believe Twelfth Step work to be a very important part of their recovery
• 14% believe it to be somewhat important
Demographics
“Readiness for Step Twelve”
Survey
“2012 Al-Anon Membership
Survey” Average Age 58 57 % Female 86% 86% % Married 57% 58% % College Graduate 31% 31% % Unemployed* 43% 44%
Rac
e/
Ethn
ic
Gro
up % White 92% 91%
% Black >1% >1% % Hispanic/Latino 5% 5%
% Dual Member 6% 5%
Messages to Communicate
• Implement communications strategy focused on highlighting the importance of service work in recovery – Echo message at the newcomer level
• Increase participation in service activities within the following categories: – Public outreach – Individual sharing – Beyond group-level service
• Place emphasis on providing clarity of Traditions Eleven and Twelve
• Increase members’ involvement with WSO social media Web sites
Conflict Resolution Kit
S-71
S-73
S-72
One Day At a Time in Al-Anon audio book
New Book
• Motion Passed: That the 2014 WSC give conceptual approval to develop a new daily reader that reflects the diversity of the Al-Anon fellowship.
International Visits
Some points on these visits
• “Adopt a Russian Group” was a success
• Trip to Honduras a “Life Changing Event”
• Area officers should not serve as GRs
Something to think about:
• Somewhere in the world at every hour someone at a meeting is saying the Steps and/or the Serenity Prayer.
To amend the text of the “Dual Membership in Al-Anon/Alateen and A.A.” starting on page 82 and ending on page 83 of the 2014-2017 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual.
Motion Passed:
“Meet the Board” Event
• The first “Meet the Board” Event will be held in Newfoundland/Labrador on Saturday, July 19, 2014.
• “Meet the Board” Event in July 2015.
• Opportunity to meet the Trustees and the Executive Committee members.
• The Area is responsible for publicity.
2015
Annual Report
! This report is 40 pages in length ! Was distributed to the Conference participants in March so we could review it and submit questions beforehand ! Will be included in the 2014 Conference summary ! Includes reports from all departments and committees ! Listed approved interim actions of the Executive Committee
Task Force: Compilation of Area Guidelines For Trusted Servants Not
Fulfilling Responsibilities
Charge Identify and compile procedures from Area guidelines that contain a process, or parts of a process to remove trusted servants who are not fulfilling the responsibilities of their service positions.
Percentages of Areas with or without Guidelines
• With guidelines 21% • With partial guidelines 7% • With no guidelines 72%
Information offered by Areas regarding their processes included:
" Proactive Processes " Action Processes " Removal Processes
Proactive Processes:
" Job descriptions " Résumés " Training " Service Sponsors " Communication
Action Processes:
" Presume goodwill " Identify non-fulfillment " Investigate complaints " Identify team " Decide the approach to use " Avoid gossip " Offer help " Hear all sides
Removal Processes:
" Area officer’s guidelines " Appointment of replacement " Communication with a
trusted servant " Record-keeping
International
• It was reported that there were 3763 attendees at the 2013 International Convention – 51 were Alateen and 411 were AA members.
• The 2015 AA International Convention with Al-Anon participation will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 2-5, 2015.
• The next Al-Anon International Convention will be in Baltimore, Maryland in 2018.
Task Force: To Create Games Using Information in the Service Manual
Service Manual Quiz
SMINGO
As the Group Turns
Al-Anopoly
Visit to the WSO
Lois and Ann
2015 WSC Where: Virginia Beach, VA When: April 19-23, 2015
April 24, 2015
Conference members will fly to:
NEW YORK CITY
STEPPING STONES!
Are there any questions?
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