2006 Australian National Conference Report.    

Prepared By: Jim K Area Delegate Area C Eastern Region Panel #48.

Douglas Area B Central Region panel #46 in his leaving address to conference described how he felt at his fist year at conference as; A kid that had snuck into the pictures and spent the whole first year waiting for the ushers to find him and kick him out.

Howard Area E Eastern Region panel #46 in his leaving address to conference said if you want to know how a Group Conscious should be run become an Area Delegate attend conference and what you learn about how the Australian National Group Conscious is run will amaze you.  

The toughest and most knowledgeable last term Delegates at conference were crying in their farewell addresses because this was their last chance to experience the emotional rollercoaster come most learning, teaching, growing experience they and I have ever experienced: The National Group Conscious of Australia known as The Australian Conference. 

I selected a seat on the first day and God was playing his part because Tony V Area C North Eastern Region panel #45 was in the seat next to me and he answered all my questions and guided me through the difficulties of the 4 days of conference.    

About now if you are like me on the first day you will be asking what does panel #46, #45 mean; my title is Jim K Area C Eastern Region panel #48:

Jim K: Name

Area C: The area letter has to do with the order that the area became active in the service structure.

Eastern Region: is equivalent to NSW/ACT

Panel #48 is the year number of your first conference. This year is the 48^th Conference so I am panel #48

By now you are probable wondering about the anomaly of Tony V North Eastern Region panel #45. Tony’s first year at conference was as an Alternate Delegate completing the last year of another delegates term, allowing him four years at conference instead of the 3 year maximum for Area Delegates attending conference, so now you will see what I meant about God playing his part, a first time delegate attending from an area that has not had a delegate for 22 years (me) sitting next to the most experienced Delegate at conference.

The necessity of the 3 year conference term was shown with panel #47s Liza P Area C Southern Region panel #47, Roger C Area B Southern Region panel #47 and Chris W Area A Central Region panel #47 showing us panel #48ers that not only the panel #46 and #45s had and or were allowed opinions till by the end of conference you were hearing from all panels in topic and floor motion discussions.

In typical AA fashion as much progress (in discussions) was made over coffee and meals, the Saturday is the day all Topics are discussed by all Delegates, Trustees and National Office Staff we worked through till about 10 pm that night and still had about 2 hours worth of work to do which we fitted in on the Sunday.

This was the day when more information became available in the discussions with the panel #46s and #45s 3 years of conference growth in knowledge helping us pickup stuff that would have been missed but for their experiences, this experience was also reflected by the trustees and Office staffs. If we did not have 3^rd year Delegates present it might have been easy for the Boards experience and the Delegates inexperience to allow the Board to dominate conference. (Not that this was ever tried at this conference).      

I thank my work on the 3^rd, 8^th and 9^th steps for allowing me to not be governed by fear and panic attacks and actually be a contributing delegate at this conference (after you have had to do the amends steps it takes a lot to put you into a panic attack everything seams less frightening after that). On my first day I started doing something that helped me through the whole conference, on the train down I read through all I had to do that day till I was totally familiar with it, each morning about 5 am I did the same thing going over all that my comities or all delegates would be covering that day.

This conference was a great experience that I would recommend that every member would benefit from experiencing, would I recommend Area C at this time in its emergence back into service at this level keep sending delegates at a cost of $2045 per year the answer is yes but the reality is no funding it would be near imposable, with only a one Group on the Central Coast supporting Area C coupled with the fact we have a responsibility to keep funding our current work.

This leaves Area C in a position were we have to look at fundraising at a level we have not experienced before if we are to achieve this, is this possible yes will we at current participation levels be able to achieve this in all honesty no.

The theme for this years conference was singleness of purpose, with one of the topics being about a singleness of purpose statement, this meant that the theme was a part of the conference but not an integral part, for that to be a reality at the start of the conference you would need a workshop where all delegates shared on the conference theme for two minutes.

The conference started Thursday with a Delegates Only Meeting where we got to know each other and learned about the processes that would be used at conference; this is the only time that delegates exclusively meet as a group during the whole conference and is the most important meeting of the conference because of that fact it allows the 2^nd and 3^rd year delegates to prepare the new delegates for the work to come.

Friday is the comity day where every delegate sits on 3 comities that recommend actions on topics to conference so on Saturday in a lot of cases when all delegates and trusties are present a lot of time is saved with discussion because the prose and cons have already been considered at comity level. The first decision at comity is how the comity would decide any Topics before it by: a simple majority, a substantial majority 2/3 or more, for the chairperson to take before conference on Saturday as recommendations or in some cases it is sent back to conference with no recommendation for full conference discussion and decision.    

Saturday is the day when all delegates and trusties are present at the discussion of all topics and is the day that the minority voice concept comes into operation, there was one topic that passed by about a 2/3 majority and when all the minority voices had talked passed by 2/3 majority the other way. This is the day the comity chairperson puts the comity recommendation to the full conference all delegates and board members for discussion, possible amendment then to a vote, all decisions that are passed by a ½ to 2/3 majority are suggestions to the board, decisions that are passed 2/3 majority are taken as directives to the board.    

This years Advisory actions and Topic results were:

GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE 2006

 ADVISORY ACTIONS

 The group conscience of the Fellowship of ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS in Australia was expressed in the following Advisory Actions to the General Service Board, based upon the recommendations from the Conference Committees, as indicated in the headings.  The background to these Advisory Actions and the submissions from the Groups, individual members or from the General Service Board in the form of Topics which led to them were presented in full detail to all Areas prior to Conference.

 Advisory Action #032/2006

Following advice from the Conference Committee on Trustees that a 2/3 majority had not been attained for acceptance of Conference Advisory Action #025/2005, Conference resolved to vote again this year on the following:

Candidates who have previously held positions as Asia/Oceania Service Meeting or World Service Meeting Delegates are not eligible for re-election as World Service Meeting Delegates.

Voting:  For:  24;  Against:  5;  Abstentions:  3

Carried

 Advisory Action #033/2006

Conference resolved to ratify the appointment by the Board on 27 March 2006 of Barbara Joss as Class A Trustee.

No disapproval

Advisory Action #034/2006

Conference resolved to ratify the appointment by the Board on 27 March 2006 of Wayne Petersen as Eastern Regional Trustee.

No disapproval

 Advisory Action #046/2006

Conference resolved to recommend to the General Service Board that Kell Cheevers be elected as North Eastern Regional Trustee, effective 1^st January 2007.

No disapproval

 Advisory Action #035/2006

Conference resolved to accept the Guideline on How a Conference Topic is developed.

Voting:  For:  31;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  1

Carried 

Advisory Action #011/2006

Conference resolved that the following sentence be included in Guideline GL-15, ‘The National Convention’ in the paragraph entitled ‘The Host Planning Committee (HPC)’:

An Area intending to host a National Convention ought to be responsible for consulting with other Areas in their region prior to submitting a bid.

Voting:  For:  28;  Against:  3;  Abstentions:  1

Carried

 Advisory Action #002/2006

Conference resolved that the election date for incoming Trustees of the General Service Board be 1^st January, so that new Trustees may attend the first Board meeting of the year in February.

Voting:  For:  27;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  1

Carried 

Advisory Action #013-A/2006

Conference resolved that Areas and/or regions can propose dates and duration when submitting bids for National Conventions and that this be specified in Guideline 15 under the Programme heading.

Voting:  For:  33;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried 

Advisory Action #013-B/2006

Conference resolved that bids to host National Conventions be submitted as Conference topics by the Conference topic deadline, to give the Fellowship an opportunity to participate in the decision.

Voting:  For:  28;  Against:  3;  Abstentions:  2

Carried 

Advisory Action #027/2006

Conference resolved that, as a suitable candidate was not available, the term of General Service Trustee be extended for a two year period as a once-only opportunity. 

Voting:  For:  28;  Against:  5;  Abstentions:  0

Carried 

Advisory Action #028/2006

Conference resolved that the proposal to restructure the current Literature, PI&CPC and T&CF Committees to Internal Communication, External Communications and Resources Committees be returned to the Board for further development, in conjunction with the Conference Committees.

Carried by show of hands

 Advisory Action #003/2006

Conference resolved to recommend that Areas consider setting up a corrections pre-release contact service for their local correctional facilities.

Voting:  For:  24;  Against:  4;  Abstentions:  5

Carried

 Advisory Action #008/2006

Conference resolved that National T&CF and PI&CPC Forums be held on alternate years and that the Board appoint a National T&CF Co-ordinator.

Voting:  For:  29;  Against:  3;  Abstentions:  1

Carried 

 Advisory Action #036/2006

Conference resolved to accept the International Activities System Report, which had been amended to include qualifications for World Service Delegates.

Voting:  For:  33;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried 

Advisory Action #029-A/2006

Conference resolved that the sum of $1200 be donated to contribute to the running costs of the Asia/Oceania Service Meeting Secretariat.

Voting:  For:  33;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried 

Advisory Action #029-B/2006

Conference resolved that further investigation should be carried out to establish if the amount of $1200 is sufficient for the Asia/Oceania Service Meeting Secretariat’s needs.

Voting:  For:  33;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

 Advisory Action #026/2006

Conference resolved that a Working Party be set up to investigate the ramifications of National Office selling literature on line, and that a topic containing their recommendations be brought back to Conference next year.

Voting:  For:  32;  Against:  1;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

Advisory Action #030/2006

Conference resolved that a gathering of members with long term sobriety (45 years plus, flexible), be held in Sydney in July 2007, to coincide with the General Service Board meeting.

Voting:  For:  23;  Against:  8;  Abstentions:  2

Carried 

Advisory Action #037/2006

Conference resolved to accept the Financial Accounts for the period 1 July 2005 – 30 June 2006.

Voting:  For:  33;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

Advisory Action #038/2006

Conference resolved to accept the 2007 budget submitted by the General Service Board.

Voting:  For:  33;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

 Advisory Action #039/2006

Conference resolved that the words “and that more editorial work than was done on the previous Australian Big Book be done to match the standard of the U.S. Big Book” be removed from Conference Advisory Action #019/2005.  The Advisory Action to now read:  “Conference amended the Conference Literature Committee’s recommendation and resolved that a new Australian Big Book be produced”.

Voting:  For:  33;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

Advisory Action 004/2006

Conference resolved that a leaflet with guidelines and suggestions on how to conduct a Group Conscience Meeting be produced.

Voting:  For:  28;  Against:  4;  Abstentions:  1

Carried

Advisory Action 022/2006

Conference resolved that the Trustees’ Literature Committee review the U.S. pamphlet ‘The AA Group’ and that any pertinent information be included in the Australian publication ‘The AA Group Handbook’.

Voting:  For:  33;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

Advisory Action #024/2006

Conference resolved that the Trustees’ Literature Committee review existing literature for adolescents/young adults, and assess its relevance by consultation with young members.

Voting:  For:  33;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

 Advisory Action #040/2006

Conference resolved that the submitted and amended Guideline on visiting schools be accepted.

Voting:  For:  32;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

Advisory Action #014/2006

Conference resolved that an article be published in AA Around Australia and on the National PI Website, containing helpful hints as to (a) the availability of AA signage from National Office and (b) the ways in which Groups have, in the past, been successful in having AA signs placed at the entrance to towns.

Voting:  For:  32;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

Advisory Action #020/2006

Conference resolved that a draft letter be obtained from Area E, Eastern Region, and brought back to the PI&CPC Committee at the 2007 General Service Conference.  It is envisaged that the letter, once approved, will not be sent to the professional community, but rather made available to Groups, District and Areas, for distribution by them if desired.  In addition, the PI&CPC Committee will consult with the T&CF Committee on this topic at Conference in 2007.

Voting:  For:   22;  Against:  9;  Abstentions:  1

Carried

Advisory Action #025/2006

Conference resolved to recommend to Area PI&CPC Committees that professionals and schools working with deaf populations be made aware of the AA Fellowship and AA resources to assist deaf alcoholics.

Voting:  For:  32;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried 

 Advisory Action #041/2006

Conference resolved that the Service Document Impact Alert be removed from the Conference Topic form as it could possibly discourage members from submitting topics.  The Trustees’ Literature Committee and National Office staff have the responsibility of identifying Conference Advisory Actions which have an impact on Service Documents.

Voting:  For:  32;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

Advisory Action #042/2006

Conference resolved that the 2007 General Service Conference be held from Thursday 1^st – Sunday 4^th November 2007 at a suitable venue.  Conference agreed that, as the Quarantine Station will not be available, it may be cost prohibitive to hold the General Service Conference in Sydney next year.

Voting:  For:  31;  Against:  1;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

Advisory Action #043/2006

Conference resolved that the Conference Agenda Committee meets in 2007 as follows:

Saturday 16^th June 2007 by teleconference to formulate Conference Agendas.

Saturday 18^th August 2007 at National Offices premises to allocate topics to Conference.

Voting:  For:  31;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

Advisory Action #044/2006

Conference resolved that the deadline for receipt of Conference topics 2007 be Friday 29^th June 2007.

Voting:  For:  31;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

Advisory Action #045/2007

Conference resolved that the theme for Conference 2007 be ‘Positive Attitude, Positive Message’.

Voting by show of hands

Carried

 Advisory Action #046/2006

Conference expressed its support of the National Indigenous AA Convention to be held in Ballina in 2007 to which all AA members are invited to attend. 

Voting by show of hands. 

Carried.

Advisory Action #047/2006

Conference recommended that a topic be submitted to Conference next year that Areas/Districts bid annually at the Australian General Service Conference to host a National Indigenous Convention in their Area, so that all Areas, Districts and Aboriginal Communities have will have input on the decision.

Voting by show of hands

Carried

Advisory Action #048/2006

Conference agreed that the sale of non-Conference approved literature on the NSW Service Council website under the banner of Alcoholics Anonymous was a breach of Tradition 6 and that this material could be mistaken as being produced and recommended by Alcoholics Anonymous.  Listing this material under the heading “non Conference approved literature” was not adequate clarification that this was not AA literature. Conference authorised the Board to take appropriate action to resolve this matter.

Conference further recommended that the Board formulate a topic to Conference next year, suggesting what action should be taken in similar instances, so that the Fellowship can be involved in this decision.

Voting by show of hands

Carried

Advisory Action #049/2006

Conference resolved that the General Service Board send a letter to Melbourne Central Service Office, stating that it appears that the office may be acting in breach of:

a)      Traditions 1, 3 and 5 by excluding groups from participation in AA in Victoria.

b)      Tradition 4 by determining what should be on group flyers and what groups can or cannot call themselves.

c)      Tradition 7 by accepting financial contributions from an outside agency.

Voting by show of hands

Carried

 Advisory Action #050/2006

Conference resolved to accept Area C, North Eastern Region’s bid to host the 2009 National Convention.

Voting by a show of hands

Carried

Advisory Action #051/2006

Conference resolved to accept Area A, Central Region’s bid to host the 2007 Central Regional Forum.

Voting by a show of hands

Carried 

 Advisory Action #05/2006

Conference resolved to accept Area C, North Eastern Region’s bid to host the 2007 National PI Forum.

Voting by a show of hands

Carried

CONFERENCE TOPICS VOTED ON, BUT NOT RESULTING IN ADVISORY ACTIONS

 TOPIC 010/2006

Conference resolved to reject the topic suggesting that, when participating at an AA activity, Al-Anon should be responsible for their own programme and be responsible for chairing and calling their own speakers at a meeting which has AA and Al-Anon participation as this was already covered in existing Guidelines 11, 14 and 15.

Voting:  For  28;  Against:  3;  Abstentions:  1

Carried

TOPIC 018/2006

Conference resolved to reject the topic suggesting that, if groups and districts align themselves with an Area outside the boundaries of their delegated Area, they must do any service work within the boundaries of the Area they have aligned themselves, as it was the responsibility of Groups and Districts to determine where they should carry out their service work.

Voting:  For:  31;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  1

Carried

TOPIC 031/2006

Conference resolved that it would be legally unwise to provide a Code of Conduct for members of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Voting:  For  28;  Against:  3;  Abstentions:  1

Carried 

 TOPIC 006/2006

Conference resolved to reject the suggestion to hold National Conventions every second year rather than annually, as there was greater benefit to AA by holding the National Convention every year.

Voting:  For:  27;  Against:  3;  Abstentions:  2

Carried

TOPIC 021/2006

Conference disagreed with the Conference Policies & Admissions Committee’s recommendation that the naming of Regions, Areas and Districts reflect the relevant geographical location and that the term ‘region’ be retained instead of the suggested term ‘state’. 

Voting:  For:  20;  Against:  13;  Abstentions:  0

Defeated

TOPIC 023/2006

As the Conference Policies & Admissions Committee were unable to reach a decision, Conference voted on the topic and resolved to reject the proposal that the Area Delegates term be two years, consistent with the term of other Area Committee members.

Voting:  For:  5;  Against:  28;  Abstentions:  0

Defeated 

 TOPIC 007/2006

Conference resolved to reject the suggestion that the expenditure of significant amounts of AA money not be authorised without consultation with groups throughout Australia and confirmed its confidence in our trusted servants and Conference procedures.

Voting:  For:  33;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

TOPIC 012/2006

Conference resolved to reject the suggestion that the General Service Board establishes a National Convention Fund for use by Host Planning Committees to draw down all running costs incurred by them prior to the Convention.  The General Service Board underwrites National Conventions and, if necessary, would cover any losses by such Conventions.

Voting:  For:  23;  Against:  10;  Abstentions:  0

Carried

 TOPIC 016/2006

Conference resolved to reject the suggestion that discount given on literature purchases by Central Service Offices be reduced from 23.5% to 10%, as it would reduce the income available to carry the message.  Reducing the discount may not have the desired effect as Central Service Offices could increase the price of literature to cover the loss from the decreased discount.

Voting:  For:  28;  Against:  3;  Abstentions:  2

Carried

TOPIC 017/2006

Conference resolved to reject the suggestion to remove ‘no discount’ items from the National Office price list.   These items are sold by National Office at close to cost price.

Voting:  For:  29;  Against:  1;  Abstentions:  1

Carried

 TOPIC 022/2006

Conference resolved to reject the proposal that the U.S. pamphlet, ‘The AA Group’ be made available for sale in Australia through the National Office.  Groups or individuals wishing to purchase this pamphlet from the U.S. can do so by ordering through National Office.

Voting:  For:  33;  Against:  0;  Abstentions:  0

 Next Conference theme: What Tom Said!! - "Positive Attitude, Positive Messa

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