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?