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Alcoholics Anonymous in Southern Wisconsin
Alcoholic’s Anonymous - Area 75

Alcoholic’s Anonymous - Area 75

9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 6, 2006

Spring Conference Assembly Meeting

Radisson Hotel

La Crosse, WI


MINUTES



SPRING CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY MEETING


OFFICERS PRESENT: Howard P, Area Chairperson; Monica M, Alternate Chairperson; Nancy G, Delegate; Robert S, Alternate Delegate; John B, Secretary; Kathy W, Alternate Secretary; Nancy H, Treasurer; Doreen H, Alternate Treasurer


STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS PRESENT: Nancy S, Archivist; Ken Y, Bridging the Gap (BTG); Paul H, Corrections; Stu E, Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC); George P, Public Information (PI); Marion B, Treatment; Cindy H, Conference Advisory Committee Chair


Excused: Jo Mc, Grapevine; Michael N, Special Needs


DCM’s PRESENT: D1-John N; D3-Jim K; D6-Liz Y (Alt); D8-Darryl S; D9-Apryl B; D11-John W; D12-Pat S (Alt); D13-Chris C; D14-Frank S (Alt); D15-Greg H; D16-Randy R; D20-Dan K; D23-Darrel S; D28-Ken N; D29-Bill E (Alt); D32-Chris E; D34-Todd U; D36-Dennis L


GSR’s & DISTRICT COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS PRESENT: D1-Art B, Joe A, Jeff B; D3-Larry A; D8-Edna T, Toni M; D9-Randy H; D12-Mary R; D13-Cheri C, Rich F; D20-Jeremy S, Debra B, Todd C, Kris W; D22-Carl H; D23-Teri S; D25-Marty P, George B; D32-Mike A, David B (Alt), Laverne H, Patsy S, George D; D34-Lee Ann U, Teri B, Drew A; D36-Barb W, Carrie S


OTHERS PRESENT: East Central Regional Trustee-Bob M; Past Delegates (Area 75)-John B (31), Bob B (33), Bill H (41), Joan J (43), Bill A (45), Ken G (49), Leo M (51)









Area 75 Spring Conference

May 6, 2006

Area 75 Treasurer’s Report


Copies of the April 30, 2006 Balance Sheet, Budget Report and the Income Statement - Current to Prior Year Actuals are available today plus the reports have been sent to the Area Secretary for inclusion with the minutes. Changes from the last report included contributions received, expense reimbursements and payments made and the voiding of two checks issued last December that were not cashed within the valid time period (checks are void after 60 days).


We continue to have steady contributions from groups. Since I have taken over in January there has been only one week that I did not receive a packet of contributions. Thanks again to those groups using the contribution form (copies available here and on the area web site www.area75.org) and especially those who include their GSO group number. I have copies of the contributions by group report available for review. The report is for contributions received thru April 30, 2006.


On April 11th I gave a presentation at the Milwaukee Central Office Secretaries meeting and on April 22nd gave a presentation at a workshop hosted by District 8 in Beloit “The Seventh Tradition (What Happens To My Dollar)” talking about finances at the area level.


The finance committee will be meeting at 12:30 this afternoon in the Banquet Room during the committee meeting time.


I also want to inform you that tomorrow I will be transferring $1000 from the prudent reserve to our checking account to cover checks written that are dated today.


Submitted by: Nancy H., Area 75 Treasurer


Balance Sheet



ASSETS






Current Assets



Cash in Checking-M&I

1,655.08


Prudent Reserve-M&I

4,000.00


Cash-Count On Us

1,314.88


Cash - Rainbow Can

1,126.11


A/R-Conference Seed Money

1,500.00


Expense Advance

350.00


Equipment

1,467.37





Total Current Assets


11,413.44










Total Assets


11,413.44










LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL






Current Liabilities






Total Current Liabilities


0.00







Total Liabilities


0.00




Capital



Retained Earnings

8,853.88


Net Income

2,559.56





Total Capital


11,413.44




Total Liabilities & Capital


11,413.44





Income Statement

Current

This Year

Current

Last Year

Year to Date

This Year

Year to Date

Last Year

Revenues





Group Donations

2,461.58

2,562.42

7,632.37

6,241.11

Group Donations - Rainbow

453.78

0.00

2,302.89

0.00

Group Donations - Count On Us

15.00

0.00

1,314.88

0.00

Other Income

0.00

0.00

17.01

0.00






Total Revenues

2,930.36

2,562.42

11,267.15

6,241.11











Expenses





Bank Charges

0.00

0.00

144.50

0.00

Conference Loss

0.00

0.00

170.74

0.00

Conference Booth Fee

0.00

0.00

200.00

0.00

GSO Fees

0.00

0.00

1,200.00

800.00

Literature - Rainbow/COU

577.20

0.00

1,226.78

0.00

Lodging

0.00

181.70

604.34

363.40

Meals

44.00

0.00

274.68

278.00

Mileage

662.06

262.79

1,214.26

874.85

Misc/Office Expense

41.11

274.96

134.29

512.23

Postage

112.52

85.97

258.76

330.35

Printing/Copies

237.61

130.33

367.34

973.00

Registration Fees

27.00

85.00

158.00

214.00

Rent

420.00

420.00

1,200.00

1,200.00

Archives Rent

500.00

0.00

900.00

0.00

Travel-Airfare

0.00

0.00

653.90

247.40






Total Expenses

2,621.50

1,440.75

8,707.59

5,793.23






Net Income

308.86

1,121.67

2,559.56

447.88







Budget vs. Actual


Office/Committee

2006 Budget YTD

2006 Actual YTD

2006 Total Budget

2006 Variance YTD

%

Overhead

$1,486.00

$1,615.24

$2,958.00

1,342.76

45.39%

Delegate

$2,074.00

$1,781.42

$3,064.00

1,282.58

41.86%

Alt. Delegate/Lit.

$381.00

$0.00

$1,318.00

1,318.00

100.00%

Chair

$359.50

$0.00

$1,538.28

1,538.28

100.00%

Secretary

$385.00

$246.08

$1,615.00

1,368.92

84.76%

Treasurer

$393.00

$177.21

$1,442.00

1,264.79

87.71%

BTG

$600.00

$549.99

$2,836.28

2,286.29

80.61%

CPC

$663.00

$404.81

$2,064.00

1,659.19

80.39%

Corrections

$250.00

$194.42

$870.00

675.58

77.65%

Grapevine

$425.00

$218.50

$1,766.00

1,547.50

87.63%

Public Info.

$305.00

$0.00

$1,393.00

1,393.00

100.00%

Treatment

$200.00

$0.00

$890.00

890.00

100.00%

Spcl. Needs

$231.00

$0.00

$1,519.00

1,519.00

100.00%

Archives

$1,430.00

$2,190.22

$4,040.00

1,849.78

45.79%

Alt. Chair

$180.00

$38.66

$405.00

366.34

90.45%

Alt. Secretary

$12.00

$22.66

$474.87

452.21

95.23%

Alt. Treasurer

$80.00

$41.60

$481.00

439.40

91.35%







TOTAL

$9,454.50

$7,480.81

$28,674.43

21,193.62

73.91%



George D was introduced as the newly appointed Area 75 Registrar. His duties will include maintenance and distribution of the Area 75 Directory and data collection and entry for the directory distributed by the General Service Office.



Unity Conference 2006


July 7-9, 1006 @ the Hotel Mead in WI Rapids.


Yes, the conference is on. I apologize for the confusion surrounding this conference & want to thank everyone who has been so quick to get the word out.


We initially decided to cancel the conference based on the number of registrants and the perceived lack of support and concern over how that lack of support would effect the quality of the conference. Further, we incorrectly thought canceling the conference would incur a very minimal loss. This was not the case.


So we are doubling our efforts to get the word out & are asking your help.


If you had previously made a room reservation, please call the hotel to double check that it is still valid. Some reservations had been canceled in error. Please also make sure to mention the conference when making your reservation.


Friday Night “Ask-It-Basket”

Bob M. – ECR Class B Trustee, Milwaukee, WI

Robin B. – Exec. Editor, AA Grapevine; New York, NY


Friday Night Speaker

Torv T. – Former Delegate Area 74; Ontonagon, MI


Saturday Al-Anon / Alateen Speaker

Al-Anon Speaker: Cheryl A. – Waukesha, WI

Alateen: (invited)


Saturday Night Banquet

Saturday Night Speaker

Robin B. – Exec. Editor, AA Grapevine; New York, NY


Sunday Morning Speaker

Ken G. – Former Delegate Area 75, Madison, WI



Respectfully submitted by


Barbara W

Unity Conference Co-Chair




Bob reported that he had recently been appointed as a Grapevine director and now will travel to New York two additional times. The Grapevine also has a new circulation manager and a new editor. Bob stated that the trustee’s role is to listen to the delegates and to implement items approved by the conference attendees. Bob discussed the differences between a group conscience and an informed group conscience. Bob reported that the fellowship is not self-supporting at this time and the difference is made up by increases in the literature. Only 47% of the registered groups contribute at this time, which has not changed significantly since 1958. The key to being self-supporting is to find out what’s going on with the other 53% of the groups who are not currently contributing. If we were to attain a self-supporting fellowship, the literature would not fluctuate as it does currently and could be sold at cost.



DELEGATE’S REPORT

56th GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE

APRIL 23 – 29, 2006


THE WEEK IN REVIEW


Ken and I arrived in New York on Thursday, April 20. After an interesting ride from LaGuardia with a driver from Russia, a horse breeder from Reno, and two people from Australia, we checked in at the Crowne Plaza Times Square, the site of the conference. We slept late, relaxed, ate and toured around on Friday and Saturday. We revisited Ground Zero and the Museum of Natural History, and enjoyed an evening performance of “The Odd Couple” with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.


My work started with the Delegate’s Only Meeting on Saturday night. This provided the first opportunity to meet my conference buddy from Tennessee and the other Panel 56 delegates, and to renew acquaintances from last year. Opening remarks from the Delegate Chairperson, Michael Scott from North Florida, were followed by general sharing by two Panel 55 Delegates from each region. I remembered how I felt last year - not quite “a part of” and very anxious. This year was much different. Fear of the unknown was replaced by confidence in the process and a responsibility to help the Panel 56 delegates feel comfortable.


On Sunday morning, I registered for the conference, and then went directly to my first meeting of the Policy/Admissions Committee. We recommended admission to the conference of two observers; Noriaki Nozaki, General Manager of GSO-Japan and Valerie Martin, General Manager of GSO-Australia. Following lunch with our Regional Trustee and the other East Central Region delegates, the 56th Annual General Service Conference was opened by our General Service Board Chairperson, Leonard Blumenthal. Roll call of the 136 voting members was taken by Greg Muth, manager of our General Service Office. This proved to be the same emotional yet exhilarating experience as last year. It was great to be back, representing Area 75, keeping us connected to Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole.


After greetings from the Delegate Chair, the keynote address, which focused on the conference theme of Sponsorship, Service and Self-Support in a Changing World, was delivered by Robert Pelot, a Class B trustee from Canada. The mechanics of the conference and the agenda and manual were reviewed. Two new additions to the procedures were an agreement that all wireless broadcast capabilities would be disabled while in session and that participants who had English as a second language would be allowed three-minute microphone times rather than the usual two minutes.


On Sunday afternoon, the Policy/Admissions Committee met for the second time. Because this committee does not have a corresponding Trustees Committee, we were able to move right into work on our agenda items. That evening, Ken and I attended the Opening Dinner and AA meeting which featured five speakers, including two delegates, one director, one staff member and one trustee.


On Monday morning, committee meetings resumed. Monday afternoon brought Area highlights from the Panel 56 Delegates, followed by the General Service Board report from Chairman Leonard Blumenthal. Highlights for the year included the welcoming of 6 new trustees and a new GSO Archivist, completion of inventories of the General Service Board, AAWS, Inc. and the AA Grapevine, Inc., new translations of A.A. material (including the Big Book in Hebrew, the Arabic Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, and the Daily Reflections in Simplified Chinese and Latvian), and hosting of an EAP and Human Resources Day of Sharing. Of particular interest to me was that “the U.S. Department of State contacted G.S.O. to arrange a visit to the office for eight professionals from Russia who are concerned about alcoholism in the country…” The Russian delegation visited in February and a sharing session took place. They also attended an open A.A. meeting. “Our Russian friends spoke of the immense challenges they face in dealing with alcoholism in the rural communities of Siberia.” Following Mongolia’s second A.A. convention, and with the full cooperation of the Russian General Service Board and G.S.O., Greg Muth and Doug Richardson will travel to Russia to visit with the Russian people and a federal health committee in Moscow.


Next came the Grapevine Board report by Chairperson, Mike Perry, and a presentation on La Vina by Editor Hernan Merea. La Vina will celebrate its tenth year with the May/June issue, so a birthday cake was brought into the room and ‘Happy Birthday’ was sung in Spanish and then English. As Chairman of A.A.W.S., Inc., Gary Kluksdahl delivered the Directors’ Report. This was an in-depth report on the 2005 corporation activities. This report is available upon request, as are other reports and presentations mentioned.

The next presentation by Ron Gauthier was on the G.S.O. Relocation Study. This was very interesting, with a history of office locations shown through a Power Point presentation. We currently have 43,000 square feet at 475 Riverside Drive in the Interchurch Center. This building is devoted to non-profit organizations and John D. Rockefeller provided the land and construction costs for the Center, so there is an historical connection for A.A. to this location. Our lease matures in December 2008. The 2005 relocation study compared our present office with 3 other locations; Los Angeles, Dallas and Indianapolis. The only one that showed any reduction in recurring costs was Indianapolis, and this move would still realize an estimated 44-year payback for projected costs. After a very thorough process, the study concluded that a move would not be financially justifiable. Among the reasons for this are the cost of office construction, new furnishings, relocation costs and severance costs. But more importantly, the projected loss of employees and staff due to a move from New York would have “a significant and lasting impact on the GSO’s ability to deliver its services to the fellowship”. And as Art Knight, a past Class A Trustee, pointed out in a 1996 relocation study, “The history of A.A. surrounding the New York area provides an anchor point for our Fellowship. The further we grow away from the days of members who knew our founders, the more we need roots”. So the Board will move forward with negotiation of a ten-year lease at the present location.

The Monday afternoon session ended with the Financial Report by Vincent Keefe, General Service Board Treasurer, and some of the Panel 56 Delegate two-minute Area highlights, including those from our East Central Region. After dinner, the Monday evening session included presentations on Sponsorship and a sharing session.


Following Tuesday morning committee meetings, the afternoon brought more Panel 56 highlights, presentations and discussion on Service, and our trip to the General Service Office. Our second Delegates’ only meeting was Tuesday evening. The meeting was to provide an opportunity for Panel 56 Delegates to practice spending time at the mike under the two minute limit, allow time for any questions from the delegates, and to elect the Delegate Chairperson and Alternate Chairperson for the 2007 conference. This two-hour meeting digressed into three+ hours in a classic example of an AA business meeting run riot. This was not a very good example of how it works for the new delegates!


Wednesday was filled with workshop sessions focused on the topic “Passing It On In A Changing World”, more Panel 56 highlights, a regional lunch, elections for trustees from the Eastern Canada and Pacific regions, and presentations on Self-Support. My secondary committee for which I was chairperson, International Conventions/Regional Forums, met Wednesday evening in a joint dinner meeting with the Trustees Committee. Because our agenda included a review of the report on the 2005 International Convention in Toronto, we were joined by Greg Talley of Talley Management, the outside consultant for the convention. Talley has also been selected as the management/consultant firm for the 2010 convention in San Antonio.

Conference committee reports started Wednesday evening, and were completed on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday afternoon, there were very interesting presentations on A.A. Around the World by Dorothy Wilson, our Trustee at Large, and Doug Richardson from the GSO staff International desk.

Dorothy reported on her first zonal meeting in the Dominican Republic where the language of the heart was deeply felt. She noted that shouts of joy followed the announcement that the delegate from Cuba had been granted a VISA to attend for the first time. She said, “Evidently, there were other complications, so they again were unable to attend”. We later heard that the Cuban delegate had not attended simply because he had missed the airplane! Dorothy and Doug both discussed the idea of country-to-country sponsorship; one country assists another “where A.A. is emerging by providing literature and sharing experience about our Three Legacies”. Mexico sponsors Cuba, Japan sponsors Mongolia, Switzerland assists Croatia, we sponsor the Dominican Republic, and New Zealand helps Cambodia, Thailand and Viet Nam. Dorothy also touched on our conference theme saying “if I am grateful, I will want to share what has been given to me…no matter where or when…Service is gratitude made visible (action).”


On Friday morning, Amy Filiatreau, the new GSO Archivist, gave a stirring presentation. Although she is not alcoholic, she shared that she has been deeply affected by A.A. Her father and other family members are in recovery and she has been exposed to our fellowship for many years. Amy noted that few organizations value their past as AA does; we constantly look to our principles, co-founders and past actions for future guidance. Accompanying her presentation was a slideshow and an excerpt from a recording of a 1954 talk by Bill Wilson on our Third Legacy. As the saying goes, from where I sat, there was not a dry eye in the place.

After voting on committee reports and floor actions was completed on Friday, each Panel 55 delegate had the opportunity to go to the mike and give a brief farewell talk. I was an emotional mess and truly felt I would not be able to do it. But thanks to the example of another East Central Regional Delegate, who feels as I do about going to the mike, I did get up and say something; I have no idea what I said, but I did do it. The Conference adjourned with the Serenity Prayer in three languages, many tears and many hugs.

Conference members met again on Saturday morning for a closing breakfast and farewell talks by three rotating Trustees. Saturday afternoon we traveled by bus to Stepping Stones, the historic home of Bill and Lois Wilson in Bedford Hills, New York. This was the second visit there for Ken and me, but proved again to be a very moving experience. On Saturday night, Ken and I visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, shopped, ate and packed. Aside from getting caught in a downpour in Milwaukee while changing planes, our trip home was uneventful.

Once again I want to sincerely thank everyone in Area 75 for allowing me this unique opportunity to serve as your Delegate. I was told that it would be a life-changing experience. Although my life is pretty much the same, my attitude and outlook have changed significantly as the result of participating in the Conference process at this level. As with all service work in Alcoholics Anonymous, the more I give, the more I receive. The more I receive, the more I owe. The more I owe, the more I feel obligated to give. You all understand how this works. This is our service legacy. A.A. cannot survive without our help. There is always more for us to do in order to fulfill our spiritual responsibility. In Bill’s words, “To you we hand the last torch. Carry on. Face your destiny with surety and courage, and God love you”.

April 2006


NOTE: These are Advisory Actions only. Details are contained in full Conference committee reports.


CONFERENCE ADVISORY ACTIONS OF THE

56TH GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE


The following recommendations were approved by the 56th General Service Conference and the General Service Board.


Floor Action


1. To amend the Cooperation With the Professional Community Advisory Action:


The committee recommended that three short video segments be produced that can be accessed on G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site and directed to professionals in the employment/human relations, legal/criminal justice, and medical fields [with a total cost not to exceed $60,000].


By inserting the following language into the Advisory Action after medical fields:


“and brought back to the 2007 Conference Committee on Cooperation With the Professional Community”


So that it would read:

The committee recommended that three short video segments be produced that can be accessed on G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site and directed to professionals in the employment/human relations, legal/criminal justice and medical fields, and brought back to the 2007 Conference Committee on Cooperation With the Professional Community with a total cost not to exceed $60,000.


Agenda


It was recommended that:


2. The theme for the 2007 General Service Conference be: “Our 12th Step Responsibility – Are We Going to Any Length?”


3. The following be presentation/discussion topics for the 2007 General Service Conference:


  1. Inclusiveness in A.A.:


  1. Our 3rd Tradition

  2. Growth of the Fellowship

  3. Reaching Out to All Who Want It


b) Our Primary Purpose:


        1. Attraction Rather Than Promotion

        2. Working with Wet Drunks

        3. Practicing These Principles in All Our Affairs


c) Humility and Responsibility:


1) Expressed by Anonymity

2) Are We Resting on Our Laurels?

3) Raising Literature Prices or Footing the Bill?


4. The following be the workshop topic for the 2007 General Service Conference: “Spiritual Value of Our A.A. Dollars.”


Archives1


No recommendations.


Cooperation With the Professional Community


It was recommended that:


5. Three short video segments be produced that can be accessed on G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site and directed to professionals in the employment/human relations, legal/criminal justice, and medical fields and brought back to the 2007 Conference Committee on Cooperation With the Professional Community with a total cost not to exceed $60,000. [See Floor Action]


Corrections


It was recommended that:


6. An informational media presentation be developed featuring someone highly credible in the corrections field introducing A.A. to training academies and in-service training programs for corrections personnel and be brought back to the 2007 Conference Committee on Corrections. [The estimated cost of production and distribution is $50,000]


The following should be reflected in the presentation:


  1. What A.A. is and is not.

  2. How to contact A.A

  3. An inmate’s chances of maintaining sobriety on the outside are improved by participation in the A.A. program of recovery.

  4. Correctional facilities usually regard A.A. as contributing to the objectives of their institution.


7. The draft manuscript of A.A. in Prison: Inmate to Inmate be approved and that the Publications Department maintain standard editorial responsibilities.


1Members of this committee serve on this as a secondary committee assignment.

Finance


It was recommended that:


8. The word “donation” be replaced with the word “contribution” in A.A.W.S. literature as it comes up for reprint.


9. The following be added to the end of the Q & A section of the pamphlet “Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix”:


Q Does A.A. have any specific information for our group or group treasurer about how to handle our group’s finances?


A Yes. There are two excellent publications available from G.S.O., A.A. Guidelines on Finance and the pamphlet “The A.A. Group Treasurer,” that provide specific information to groups regarding practical matters related to their group finances, such as setting up bank accounts, obtaining tax ID numbers, and outlining the responsibilities of a group treasurer.


Grapevine


No recommendations.


International Conventions/Regional Forums1


No recommendations.


Literature


It was recommended that:


10. The revised draft pamphlet “Too Young?” be approved.


11. The revised draft pamphlet “It Happened To Alice!” be approved.


12. The pamphlet “A.A. for the Native North American” be revised.


13. The word “largely” be added to the second sentence in the second paragraph of the preface to the Fourth Edition on page xi, as it originally appeared in the preface of the Second Edition, so that the sentence reads:


“Therefore, the first portion of this volume, describing the A.A. recovery program, has been left largely untouched in the course of revisions made for the second, third, and fourth editions.”


Note: Keeping in mind the note that was included with the 1955 General Service Conference Advisory Actions, “In presenting the updating of the first edition of the Big Book, Bill described the background of his long-range writing project and made the following point(s): 1. ‘Not an iota’ of the first part of the text dealing with recovery principles had been changed,” the committee agreed that the addition of the word “largely” accurately reflects revisions made to the first 164 pages of the Big Book and is consistent with the original language in the preface to the Second Edition.


14. The word “largely” be added to the second sentence in the first paragraph in the Introduction to the book, Experience, Strength, and Hope on page ix, so that the sentence reads:


“In all four editions, the first 164 pages have remained largely unchanged, preserving A.A.’s message just as it was originally recorded by the founding members.”


15. The draft manuscript of the pamphlet “Young People and A.A.” be approved.


16. The Spanish-language Third Edition Big Book, Alcohólicos Anónimos, continue to be developed and that a report be brought back to the 2007 Conference Literature Committee, in keeping with a 2004 Conference Advisory Action on contents, story solicitation, and process, as follows:


A.Contents


  1. The Third Edition Spanish-language Big Book to be similar in page count to the English Fourth Edition Big Book.


  1. The first 164 pages of the Big Book, Alcohólicos Anónimos, the Preface, the Forewords, “The Doctor’s Opinion,” “Dr. Bob’s Nightmare,” and the Appendices will undergo a complete review to assure accuracy of translation and consistency of style and tone throughout the text. As in translations of all languages, the Publications Department strives to reflect the best possible translation of Bill W.’s writings and does not require Conference-approval.


  1. Personal Stories:


I.Story Solicitation


A. Within the United States and Canada and internationally to Spanish-speaking countries.


III. Story Selection Process


A. To be under the direction of the trustees’ Literature subcommittee on the Third Edition Spanish-language Big Book.


  1. Story selection subcommittee:


C. Basic Selection Criteria:


17. The pamphlet “Letter to A Woman Alcoholic” be discontinued.


Policy/Admissions


It was recommended that:


18. Valerie Martin, general manager of the G.S.O. for Australia, and Noriaki Nozaki, general manager of the G.S.O. for Japan, be admitted to the 56th General Service Conference as observers.


19. Current General Service Board members and G.S.O. staff members from other countries be granted admission as observers upon their request to the annual General Service Conference of the U.S. and Canada; that admission is not to exceed two countries and two representatives per country, one being a board member and/or one G.S.O. staff member at each General Service Conference; that the request for admission be made through the General Service Office in New York; and that decisions regarding responsibility for guest observer expenses be at the discretion of the General Service Board.


20. The 59th General Service Conference be held April 26 - May 2, 2009, since these dates do not conflict with any significant holidays, hotel availability and Bylaws’ deadlines of the General Service Board, Inc.


Public Information


It was recommended that:


21. The television public service announcement (P.S.A.) “Testimonials,” developed by the trustees’ Public Information Committee, be approved completing a four year replacement schedule initiated by the 2002 General Service Conference.


22. The 2002 Advisory Action that states, “After the initial four years, this cycle would continue with the oldest P.S.A. being replaced each year” be reaffirmed and that a new P.S.A. be developed for review by the 2007 Conference Committee on Public Information at a cost not to exceed $40,000 and the oldest P.S.A. in the four year plan be replaced.


  1. The television public service announcement (P.S.A.) “Testimonials” be centrally distributed, tracked and evaluated at a cost not to exceed $31,000, in addition to the work of local Public Information committees.


  1. The section on “Marital Status” in the “A.A. Membership Survey Questionnaire” be revised and retitled as “Domestic Status” with the following four options:

Married

Single

Divorced

Other (please specify) _______.

25. The option “Internet” be added to the “2007 A.A. Membership Survey Questionnaire” under Question 11: “Please indicate no more than two of the following entities that you feel were most influential in your decision to come to your first A.A. meeting.”


26. The “2007 A.A. Membership Survey Questionnaire” be approved.


27. The videos “Young People and A.A.” and “A.A.: Rap with Us” be replaced and that the trustees’ Committee on Public Information develop an idea for a film, video tape or some other such instrument targeting young people, including storyboards and estimated costs, taking in consideration the findings in the January 2006 trustees’ report on Videos for Young People with the widest possible diversity range, and that a report be forwarded to the 2007 Conference Committee on Public Information for consideration.


Report and Charter


It was recommended that:


28. The graphic, “Service Structure Inside the A.A. Group,” as it appeared in the 1998-1999 edition, be restored in Chapter 2 of The A.A. Service Manual.


29. The following descriptive sentence be added to the second paragraph on page S63 of The A.A. Service Manual in the section “Trustees-at-large”:


“In the year between the World Service Meetings, the trustees-at-large may attend a Western Hemisphere zonal meeting, the Meeting of the Americas, as delegates representing the U.S. and Canada.”


30. The statement on page ii of each A.A. Directory located below the box “An A.A. Group” be revised to read:


IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DIRECTORY


As embodied in the Fourth Tradition, the formation and operation of an A.A. group resides exclusively within the group conscience of its members. While, hopefully, every A.A. group adheres closely to the guiding principles of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, A.A.W.S. neither monitors nor oversees the activities or practice of any A.A. group. Groups listed in this directory appear at their own request. A directory listing does not constitute or imply approval or endorsement of any group’s approach to, or practice of, the A.A. program.



Treatment Facilities


It was recommended that:


31. The word “institutional” be deleted from the scope so that the second paragraph of the scope of the Conference Committee on Treatment Facilities will read as follows:


“The committee will review all aspects of service to A.A. groups/meetings in treatment facilities and other noncorrectional environments and make recommendations for changes and/or improvements.”


32. The phrase “and other noncorrectional environments” be added to the scope of the Conference Committee on Treatment Facilities so that it will read as follows:


“The purpose of a treatment facilities committee is to coordinate the work of individual A.A. members and groups who are interested in carrying our message of recovery to alcoholics in treatment facilities and other noncorrectional environments, and to set up means of ‘bridging the gap’ from the facility to the A.A. community.


The committee will review all aspects of service to A.A. groups/meetings in treatment facilities and other noncorrectional environments and make recommendations for changes and/or improvements.”


Trustees


It was recommended that:


33. The following slate of trustees be elected at the annual meeting of the members of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc., in April 2006:


Class A Trustees Class B Trustees


Allen L. Ault, Ed.D. Charles J. Barta

Leonard M. Blumenthal, LL.D. Paul Cleary

William D. Clark, M.D. Gary Kluksdahl

Ward B. Ewing, D.D. Tom Kraemer

Herbert I. Goodman Howard Lowery

Vincent E. Keefe Murray McIntosh

Jeanne S. Woodford Raymond Massey

Robert Mayer

Madeleine J. Parmley

Michael D. Perry

Arnold L. Ross

Jane Sheppard

Denis Vezina

Dorothy Wilson


The following slate of officers be elected at the second quarterly meeting of the trustees of the General Service Board in April 2006:


Officers of the General Service Board


Chairperson Leonard M. Blumenthal, LL.D.

First Vice-chairperson Allen L. Ault, Ed.D.

Second Vice-chairperson Herbert I. Goodman

Treasurer Vincent E. Keefe

Secretary Gary Kluksdahl

Assistant Treasurer Donald W. Meurer

Assistant Secretary Eva Sanchez


34. The following slate of directors be elected at the annual meeting of the members of A.A. World Services, Inc. in April 2006:


Charles J. Barta Greg Muth

Paul Cleary Eva Sanchez

Roberta Lindeman Jane Sheppard

Howard Lowery Jane Tolar

George G. Martin


35. The following slate of directors be elected at the annual meeting of the members of the A.A. Grapevine, Inc., in April 2006:


James Branscome Raymond Massey

Robin Bromley Robert Mayer

Herbert I. Goodman Arnold L. Ross

Dorothy L. Hurley John Skilton

Tom Kraemer


  1. The 2006 revised Bylaws of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc., be approved.


  1. The 2006 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc., be approved.



English/Anglais/Inglés

April 2006

ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE CONSIDERATIONS


Advisory Action 40 of the 1990 General Service Conference states: “Items discussed, but no action taken or recommendation made, as well as committee recommendations which are not adopted, be included in a separate section of the Final Report.” All items, listed by committee, are as follows:



Conference Agenda Committee



Conference Committee on Archives1



Conference Committee on Cooperation With the Professional Community












Conference Committee on Corrections





1Members of this committee serve on this as a secondary committee assignment.


Conference Committee on Finance


“The Seventh Tradition states that Alcoholics Anonymous is self-supporting through our own contributions. The contributions help cover the group’s expenses. But the Seventh Tradition is more than simply paying for rent and other group expenses. It is both a privilege and responsibility of both the groups and individual members to insure that our organization, at every level including group, intergroup/central office, local services, district, area, and the General Service Office, remain forever self-supporting and free of outside influences that might divert us from our primary purpose.


“The monetary amount of our contribution is secondary to the spiritual connection that joins us in unity with our groups around the world.”




Conference Committee on Grapevine





Conference Committee on International Conventions/Regional Forums1






Conference Literature Committee









1Members of this committee serve on this as a secondary committee assignment.


Conference Committee on Policy/Admissions





Conference Committee on Public Information










Conference Committee on Report and Charter










Conference Committee on Treatment Facilities





Conference Committee on Trustees


· The committee discussed the report from the trustees’ Committee on Nominating on the efficacy of the “Diversity Statement” currently being used in vacancy letters, and agreed that the current wording of the statement continues to convey the idea of an inclusive and diverse Fellowship. The current wording is:


“In seeking applications for all vacancies in Alcoholics Anonymous, the Fellowship is committed to creating a large applicant file of qualified persons which reflects the inclusiveness and diversity of A.A. itself.”


The committee felt the impact of the statement may be improved by positioning it closer to the beginning of relevant vacancy announcement letters.



The committee also suggests that all delegates consider discussing this topic in their areas and forward any responses to the trustees’ Committee on Nominating by October 2006.

RECOMMENDATIONS THAT DID NOT RESULT
IN A CONFERENCE ADVISORY ACTION

Conference Committee on Finance



FLOOR ACTIONS THAT DID NOT
RESULT IN CONFERENCE ADVISORY ACTIONS






DELEGATE’S REPORT

56th GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE

APRIL 23 – 29, 2006


FINANCIAL REPORT – Vincent Keefe

2005 GSO Functional Expenses $7,443,295

Cost per Member per Year $5.75

Cost per Group per Year $128.18

Group Service Activities $2,481,842

AAWS Publishing (over expenses) $2,999,828

La Vina Loss $(107,739)

Grapevine Profit $ 44,198

Contributions Up 3% over 2004

Reserve Fund 8.7 months operating expenses = $9,253,935

Overall Surplus 2005 $873,589


There are three pleasant surprises in the A.A.W.S. financial statement for 2005:


1. Net literature sales exceeded the budget by $476,000, which added approximately $275,000 to our bottom line.


2. Savings in manufacturing costs added approximately $560,000 to the bottom line.


3. Group contributions exceeded the budget and added approximately $142,000 to the bottom line. This is another outstanding accomplishment and we need to give special recognition to every group that sent in a contribution and made this increase possible.


With the help of these three items totaling $977,000, our Reserve Fund now stands at 9.3 months after the transfer that will occur this month. But what if they didn’t happen. This would mean that we would not be making a transfer this month to the Reserve Fund to bring it above the nine-month threshold. We would start off 2006 with a balance that would cover approximately 8.7 months. This would put us below our lower range, so most likely another price increase would already be in the planning stages. It will get harder, not easier, in future years. There are no large cost savings on the horizon and sales may not increase at the same pace as last year. Inflation increases will most likely outpace the increase in group contributions, creating future literature price increases as the only way to maintain the Reserve Fund balance.


COMMITTEE REPORTS – THE CONFERENCE BUSINESS


AGENDA


Recommendations:


A. That the theme for the 2007 General Service Conference be: “Our 12th Step Responsibility – Are We Going to Any Length?”


Recommendation passed with substantial unanimity.


B. That the following be presentation/discussion topics ideas for the 2007 General Service Conference:


1) Inclusiveness in A.A.:

a) Our 3rd Tradition

b) Growth of the Fellowship

c) Reaching Out to All Who Want It

2) Our Primary Purpose:

a) Attraction Rather Than Promotion

b) Working with Wet Drunks

c) Practicing These Principles in all our Affairs

3) Humility and Responsibility:

a) Expressed by Anonymity

b) Are We Resting on Our Laurels

c) Raising Literature Prices or Footing the Bill?


Recommendation passed with substantial unanimity.

C. Workshop topic for 2007 General Service Conference is “Spiritual Value of Our A.A. Dollars.”

Recommendation passed with substantial unanimity.


POLICY/ADMISSIONS


Recommendations:

A. That Valerie Martin, General Manager of the G.S.O. for Australia, and Noriaki Nozaki, General Manager of the G.S.O. for Japan, be admitted to the 56th General Service Conference as observers.

PASSED.


B. That current General Service Board members and G.S.O. staff members from other countries be granted admission as observers, upon their request and at their own expense, to the annual General Service Conference of the U.S. and Canada; granting admission is not to exceed two countries and two representatives per country, one being a Board member and/or one G.S.O. staff member at each General Service Conference; and that the request for admission be made through the General Service Office in New York. (Originally as it came out of committee)


NOTE - This recommendation was discussed, tabled, amended, reconsidered, moved to a floor action, revised and revised. After four to five hours of total discussion time on the floor, the following version was passed.


That current General Service Board members and G.S.O. staff members from other countries be granted admission as observers upon their request to the annual General Service Conference of the U.S. and Canada; that admission is not to exceed two countries and two representatives per country, one being a Board member and/or one G.S.O. staff member at each General Service Conference; that the request for admission be made through the General Service Office in New York; and that decisions regarding responsibility for guest observer expenses be at the discretion of the General Service Board.

C. That the 59th General Service Conference be held April 26 - May 2, 2009, since these dates do not conflict with any significant holidays, hotel availability and Bylaws' deadlines of the General Service Board, Inc.


Recommendation passed with substantial unanimity.




TRUSTEES


Recommended that the proposed slates of Trustees and Officers of the General Service Board, A.A. World Services Corporate Board and A.A. Grapevine Corporate Board be elected - Passed


Recommended approval of the 2006 revised Bylaws of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous Inc – Passed (1 opposed)


Recommended approval of the 2006 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the GSB – Passed


There was discussion regarding having a Class B trustee as Chairperson of the Board. Aside from the obvious anonymity concerns, there is a 1986 action with the express wish that Class B’s NOT serve as Chair.



GRAPEVINE


No recommendations.


Additional Considerations – No changes to workbook; Spanish translation of workbook as soon as financially possible; for the GV Board, suggestion that an anthology of La Vina stories be produced in the year 2007 or later.



ARCHIVES


Recommended that the GSO Archivist annually provide a list of proposed archival recordings for possible production and for sale by AAWS for review and guidance by the Conference Committee on Archives.


Discussion – Is this revenue stream legitimate? Does this discourage 7th Tradition contributions? Recommendation unclear – Archivist alone preparing list? Or would the Trustees Committee approve? Archives Conference committee reviewing list only – not actual recordings.

Are we selling off our Archives?


$400K was budgeted previously for digitizing - spent just under $300K for 5000 CDs – this is a way to return that money to the fund – giving us access to the recordings – huge treasure trove of material to share - this recommendation to the point that before final decisions are made it should be brought to the conference committee.


TABLED – Sent back to Committee – the committee withdrew the recommendation – brought it back as an additional consideration – amended report was accepted



REPORT AND CHARTER


Review of the A.A. Service Manual:


Recommended that the graphic “Service Structure Inside the A.A. Group” as it appeared in the 1998-99 edition be restored in Chapter 2. - PASSED


Recommended that the following descriptive sentence on Trustees at Large be added to second paragraph on page 63:

“In the year between the World Service Meetings, the Trustees-at-Large may attend a Western Hemisphere zonal meeting, the Meeting of the Americas, as delegates representing the U.S. and Canada.” - PASSED

Recommended that the statement on page ii of each A.A. Directory located below the box “An A.A. Group” be revised to read:


“IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DIRECTORY

As embodied in the Fourth Tradition, the formation and operation of an A.A. group resides exclusively within the group conscience of its members. While, hopefully, every A.A. group adheres closely to the guiding principles of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, A.A.W.S. neither monitors nor oversees the activities or practice of any A.A. group. Groups listed in this directory appear at their own request. A directory listing does not constitute or imply approval or endorsement of any group's approach to, or practice of, the A.A. program."


Discussion - on “groups appear at their own request”. Third party lawsuits created need for this language - liability insurance carrier crafted language. Digressed to discussion on legitimacy of groups, removal of groups, the 30-day window etc. Main objective was to avoid problems with insurance companies, but many had a problem with 4th Tradition language.


This recommendation went back to committee and when discussion resumed, two points were made:

GSO never had a group insist on Identifying as AA group after GSO worked with them.

This is a disclaimer only and has nothing to do with registration of groups.


An Amendment to drop “As embodied in the Fourth Tradition,….” failed.


After a comment that we can be self-correcting if this creates problems over the next year,

the question was called and the recommendation PASSED.


INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND REGIONAL FORUMS


The Committee brought forth no recommendations.


Additional Considerations:


The committee noted with appreciation the development and addition of registration flyers to the Regional and Special Forums on the GSO website in response to a suggestion from the 2005 Conference Committee.


The committee accepted with appreciation the Report on Restructuring and/or Increasing Regional/Special Forums from the trustees’ committee and asked that the trustees’ committee consider the following suggestions:


The committee accepted the reporting on the 2005 International Convention, and expressed appreciation for the work of our convention consultant in helping coordinate a successful event. The committee noted that the financial results of the Convention showed a loss of $39,039, less than one percent over budget. There were approximately 43,800 paid attendees.


One member expressed concern regarding the handling of special needs at International Conventions. Greg Talley, convention consultant, explained that each member who marked their registration as having special needs was contacted to address those issues. Someone questioned the wisdom of having the 2010 International in San Antonio in July. The criteria for site selection include zero chance of rain and/or a domed stadium. This eliminates a lot of potential sites.


The extranet broadcast of the opening flag ceremony in Toronto was well received and the committee encouraged further exploration of this type of access to future internationals. This broadcast cost approximately $6,000. Sixty-five areas and 14 foreign G.S.O.s indicated an interest and the broadcast was accessed 1760 times over the weekend.



COOPERATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY


Recommended that 3 short video segments be produced that can be accessed on GSO’s A.A. website and directed to professionals in the employment/human relations, legal/criminal justice, and medical fields and brought back to the 2007 Conference Committee on Cooperation with the Professional Community with a total cost not to exceed $60,000.


PASSED (phrase in italics amended by floor action)

Discussion - Easier and more cost effective to stream videos than produce a DVD – 2 minutes streamed and 4 minutes other formats = 6 products – as produced, less than 30 cents per viewing – cheaper than a pamphlet - ill be produced through same process as PSAs – will come back to 2007 Conference



FINANCE


Recommended that the word “donation” be replaced with the word “contribution” in AAWS literature as it comes up for reprint.


PASSED


Recommended the following be added to the end of the Q&A section of the pamphlet “Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix”

Q - Does AA have any specific information for our group or group treasurer about how to handle our group’s finances?

A - Yes. There are two excellent publications available from G.S.O., AA Guidelines on Finance and the pamphlet “The AA Group Treasurer,” that provide specific information to groups regarding practical matters related to their group finances, such as setting up bank accounts, obtaining tax ID numbers, and outlining the responsibilities of a group treasurer.


An amendment to the language in the first line to delete “excellent” failed.


PASSED


Recommended that the current small-order freight charge policy (instituted by AAWS effective 7/1/05) be replaced with a policy of charging shipping on all orders which seems to be more in keeping with the spirit of treating everyone equally.


Discussion - Current policy $3.00 up to $30.00 – 10% up to $250 - N/C after $250 - Did not want to give Board a directive – up to Board to decide equity – current policy brings in approx $10K per month – costs approx $10-12/book handling – make it up on cartons – how do we evaluate “fair”? $1.4M shipping – 90% of orders were really small – look at group’s expenses AND AA as a whole’s expenses - S&H a service? No Central Office? Vermont - Nowhere to store literature and try to sell at cost. AAWS Publishing is a business organization – Board looked at all customers – we rely on publishing income while still being responsible to needs of groups.


FAILED – Minority Opinion – no motion to reconsider


Additional Considerations:


Finance Card – The committee asks the trustees committee to consider the following suggested short language for use on the card to be reconsidered next year:

“The 7th Tradition states that Alcoholics Anonymous is self-supporting through our own contributions. The contributions help cover the group’s expenses. But the 7th Tradition is more than simply paying for rent and other group expenses. It is both a privilege and responsibility of both the groups and individual members to insure that our organization, at every level including group, intergroup/central office, local services, district, area, and the General Service Office, remain forever self-supporting and free of outside influences that might divert us from our primary purpose.

The monetary amount of our contribution is secondary to the spiritual connection that joins us in unity with our groups around the world.”


Discussion - Why sending language back to consider again? Isn’t this a service piece? Why wait another year? States that we are “self-supporting” when we are not – Organization vs fellowship? Why are service entities listed in that order?


Deleted “to be reconsidered next year” from finance card consideration


The committee discussed a request from an Area regarding removing pie charts and a request from another Area regarding adding additional pie charts to the pamphlet “Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix” and TOOK NO ACTION.

(Committee felt no action was necessary – current pamphlet does not warrant change)


The committee discussed requests to eliminate volume purchase discounts on A.A.W.S. literature and TOOK NO ACTION. (The committee felt the ripple effect would be large ).



LITERATURE


Recommended revised pamphlets be approved:

Too Young

It Happened to Alice


PASSED


Recommended that AA for the Native North American be revised


PASSED


Recommended that the word “largely” be added to the second sentence in the second paragraph of the preface to the Fourth Edition on page xi, as it originally appeared in the preface of the Second edition so that the sentence reads:

“Therefore, the first portion of this volume, describing the A.A. recovery program, has been left largely untouched in the course of revisions made for the second, third and fourth editions.”


PASSED


Recommended that the word “largely” be added to the second sentence in the first paragraph in the Introduction to the book, Experience, Strength and Hope on

page ix, so that the sentence reads:

“In all four editions, the first 164 pages have remained largely unchanged, preserving A.A.’s message just as it was originally recorded by the founding members.”


PASSED


Recommended that the draft manuscript of the pamphlet “Young People and A.A.” be approved.


PASSED


The committee reviewed the progress report on the Spanish language third edition Big Book and agreed with the suggestion that the story submission deadline be extended until June 2006 in order to provide a greater opportunity for Spanish-speaking A.A. members to share their stories and to gather a wider pool of stories from which to select.


Julio – 146 stories have been received – would like to expand the pool


Recommended that the third edition Spanish-language Big Book continue to be developed and that a report be brought back to the 2007 Conference Literature Committee, in keeping with the Trustees’ recommendations on content, story solicitation, and process (e.g., page count similar to English Fourth Edition, first 164 pages undergo a complete review to assure accuracy of translation and consistency of style and tone throughout the text, story selection committee all bilingual….)


PASSED


Recommended that the pamphlet “Letter to a Woman Alcoholic” be discontinued.


Lively discussion:

In favor - This originally came from a 1954 Good Housekeeping article and was written by a non-alcoholic. Although it was useful at the time, it is now outdated and is considered degrading and condescending to women. We have many publications that serve women well. One woman commented - “That you get a man and your beauty will be restored is fiction”


Against - 72,000+ sold last year – about 1/2 in kits. We can start an end of life program; pull out of kits, then evaluate sales. Some delegates reported that this pamphlet is still used and effective – some with older women and some in certain cultures


FAILED to get 2/3 (74 - 46)


MOTION TO RECONSIDER – passed


PASSED


Additional Committee Considerations:

Discussed a request to develop an intergroup-central office pamphlet and took no action.

Committee Discussion: Although intergroups/central offices have a vital role in carrying the A.A. message, sufficient information is available in A.A. conference-approved material and service material. Where a need exists, it can be best addressed locally. Who would buy it? Cost concerns.

Floor Discussion: 500+ active intergroups/central offices/answering services; many many letters sent in; delegates should be able to debate the matter.

Floor Action to develop a pamphlet was brought forward.


Discussed a request to develop an A.A. history book covering the years 1955-2000. The committee reviewed the history of the agenda item and the committee agreed to take no action.

Committee Discussion: Too difficult to produce. Areas are producing their own history books through Archives Committees. Best history book is advisory actions. Consideration was given to previous history books and their cost.


Floor Discussion: 400 pages of history draft put into archives. Version rejected was a history book – entire Conference Literature Committee was against. When brought back 2 years later it had lost steam and was retired. AAWS owns rights to failed manuscripts. Is there no responsibility to make an attempt to develop a history from 1955 on; if not for us, possibly for those in the future? Bill set a model for us with AA Comes of Age. Virginia has had little success selling the book they produced.


Considered developing a pamphlet concerning A.A., religion and spirituality. The committee felt that there were already numerous references on this subject in existing literature and took no action.

Committee Discussion: 1. Did not want to put AA in a position of defending outside issues. 2. This should be explained one on one.



CORRECTIONS


Recommended that an informational media presentation be developed featuring someone highly credible in the corrections field introducing A.A. to training academies and in-service training programs for corrections personnel and be brought back to the 2007 Conference Committee. The estimated cost of production and distribution is $50,000. The following should be included in the presentation:

a. What AA is and is not

b. How to contact AA

c. An inmate’s chances of maintaining sobriety on the outside are improved by participation in the AA program of recovery

d. Correctional facilities usually regard AA as contributing to the objectives of their institution.


Floor Discussion: 6-10 minute presentation – may be webcast – notes to Trustees include the possibility of including Bridging the Gap information in this presentation. Will institutions buy this from us? Committee did not get into the final distribution process – would probably go out with the corrections kit (but not a service piece); with 90%+ positive approval rating as shown in the Correctional Facilities pamphlet, why do we need this piece?; there are a large number of facilities we are not able to get into and those are who we are trying to reach.

Distribution part of estimate based on other like products – kit decision was made in Committee – that was not part of estimate.


Jeanne Woodford- California will hire 5000-7000 new correctional officers this year - this could help dispel many misconceptions


Is this not our job to do? What about PI handling this?


Question called – MOTION PASSED


Minority Opinion – Are we getting into the business of training? What happened to going in one-on-one? How valid are those statistics in pamphlet? NO RECONSIDERATION.


Recommended that the draft manuscript of A.A. in Prison: Inmate to Inmate be approved and that the Publications Department maintain standard editorial responsibilities.


Discussion: Committee considered 1) length and balance of book, 2) desire of last year’s conference to not edit stories – 1986 conference mention of addictions as part of story is acceptable – corrections workbook quote that if alcoholism is treated by 12 steps other problems will be helped - this is an identification piece, not the program – problems with first story – pacing = no matter where someone opened book they would get the same mix of stories and purpose of Identification would be fulfilled – standard editorial license given to publications to change order of stories – cover design – emphasize “AA in Prison” rather than “Inmate to Inmate”


Doug R. – Nairobi, Kenya member – first meeting 600 inmates showed up – this book is the one he is asking for – the one most used


Ault – warden – of 2.6M incarcerated, 600,000 are in jails not prisons – not all are referred to as inmates – “AA Member to AA Member – Behind the Walls” title proposed


PASSED


FLOOR ACTION – Produce and distribute ASL language BB in a DVD format

Chris C – already working on it – withdrawn


FLOOR ACTION – Inmate to Inmate title change to “AA Member to AA Member – Behind the Walls”


Additional Committee Considerations:

Reviewed the workbook and noted that some local committees prefer the term “Bridging the Gap” when referring to pre-release contacts and asked that acknowledgement of this local custom be included in the workbook.

Committee suggested that the Correctional Facilities Kit and the Correctional Facilities Workbook be re-titled “Corrections Kit” and “Corrections Workbook”.



PUBLIC INFORMATION


Recommended that the television public service announcement “Testimonials” be approved completing a four year replacement schedule initiated by the 2002 General Service Conference. We viewed videos.


NOTE – This title was put forth by producer in his bid.


PASSED



Recommended that the 2002 advisory action be reaffirmed and that a new PSA be developed for review by the 2007 Conference Committee on Public Information at a cost not to exceed $40,000 and the oldest PSA in the four year plan be replaced.


Discussion - Plan intended to have 4 viable PSAs available at any time – to retire one, have to develop one – from 2002 advisory action $10,000 increase ($30K to $40K) in production costs and the original figure did not include translations to Spanish and French


PASSED


Recommended that the television PSA (“Testimonials”) be centrally distributed, tracked and evaluated at a cost not to exceed $31,000, in addition to the work of local Public Information committees.


Discussion - Tracker produces a list – PI staff will send a letter to local PI chairs asking them to modify distribution list if needed; can opt out – not intended to supercede local work – previously never had any hard info on PSA usage. Key to distribution – chip placed on video


Much discussion regarding the term “Testimonials” – amendment -Testimonials now changed to Identification – much more discussion – allow Trustee’s Committee to change name after research


Recommendation Failed with name change.


Motion to Reconsider – PASSED


Then Amendment to change name to “A Solution” – discussion – requires more considered thinking – back to Trustee’s Committee – Testimonials simply a working title - TABLE ENTIRE REPORT – Dies for lack of second – Amendment FAILED


Amendment to go back to Testimonials – PASSED


MOTION TO TABLE – PASSED – Back to Committee


Committee came back with unanimous agreement to stay with original recommendation –


AND IT PASSED



Recommended that the section on “Marital Status” in the “AA Membership Survey Questionnaire” be revised and re-titled as “Domestic Status” with the following 4 options: Married, Single, Divorced, Other (please specify)_______.


Lengthy discussion – how does this category assist the professional? Why do we even ask that question? Does this even go out to the professionals?


PASSED


Recommended that the option “Internet” be added to the 2007 AA Membership Survey Questionnaire” under Question 11: “Please indicate no more than two of the following entities that you feel were most influential in your decision to come to your first AA meeting.”


PASSED


Recommended that the “2007 A.A. Membership Survey Questionnaire” be approved.


Discussion - Cost of survey - $5000-$7000 – Dual Purpose of Survey 1)keep members informed (info not useful to AA members?) 2)provide info to professional community – does not provide info about AA (about some members) but not about AA


PASSED


Recommended that the videos “Young People and AA” and “AA: Rap With Us” be replaced and that the trustees’ committee on PI develop an idea for a film, video tape or some other such instrument targeting young people…with the widest possible diversity range, and that a report be forwarded to the 2007 Conference Committee on Public Information for consideration.


Discussion - Far-reaching survey of young people provided for Trustees to consider – 60 percent of respondents were between 10 and 29 years


PASSED


Additional Committee Considerations:


Considered request to add “Sexual Orientation” category to the Membership Survey and took no action – had feeling of “don’t ask, don’t tell” – feeling that if we can see the difference, it’s talked about – committee didn’t feel that info would be of interest to the fellowship – if idea is to track trends in fellowship, is that not a significant trend? – one email generated discussion – no other background material – committee could not even get close enough in unity to ask for a vote.



TREATMENT FACILITIES


Recommended that the work “institutional” be deleted from the scope of the Conference Committee.

(Deleted from non-correctional “institutional” environments)


PASSED


Recommended that the phrase “and other non-correctional environments” be added to the scope of the Conference Committee following “in treatment facilities”.


Discussion - Members surveyed said they were going into shelters, residential settings, halfway houses, areas not traditionally thought of as treatment facilities - In response to changing landscape of treatment.


PASSED


Additional Considerations:

Took no action on changing the name of “Conference Committee on Treatment Facilities”.


Requested that additional sharing be gathered from the Fellowship regarding use of the Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous video in treatment and other non-correctional facilities.


Requested that the AAWS Board consider the development of a pilot electronic bulletin board on the GSO website for treatment facility committee members.




FLOOR ACTIONS


1. Insert “and brought back to the 2007 Conference Committee on Cooperation with the Professional Community” to CPC recommendation on video segments.

Intent is to provide clarity to the process


PASSED


2. It is recommended that an intergroup/central office pamphlet be developed and a draft copy or progress report be brought to the 2007 General Service Conference.


DECLINED to consider by one vote (over 2/3)


3. That the title of “A.A. In Prison - Inmate to Inmate” be changed to “A.A. Member to A.A. Member Behind the Walls”


FAILED


4. To make available the talk by Bill. W. given at Amy’s presentation to anyone at this Conference through e-mail or CD by anyone requesting.


FAILED


5. Under the section “Domestic Status” in the 2007 A.A. Membership Survey Questionnaire, we add the option of “Domestic Partner”.


DECLINED to consider



Upcoming Area Dates


June 11, 2006: Agenda Planning Meeting - Madison, WI

July 7-9: Unity Conference - Wisconsin Rapids, WI

September 24, 2006: Pre- Conference Assembly - Madison, WI

October 20-22: Area 75 Fall conference - Beloit, WI (Area Elections)


District Report Omitted from the Pre-Conference Assembly Minutes:


Dennis Ludwig DCM - District 36


The district has a few new meetings. Last month we had a chili & brat dinner. Nancy G, Jo Mc and Paul H talked about service in their program. We had about 40 people show up. It was a good meeting. We are trying to get more meetings involved with AA as a whole. Our monthly meeting is now non-smoking. Our meeting is the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM at the Burlington 12 x 12.