Alcoholics Anonymous – Area C – Australia, 2007 National Conferance Area Delegates Report

Area C Eastern Region Delegates Report 2007 49^th National Conference

I would like to thank all of Area C for allowing me this opportunity to attend the national Group Conscious of Australia - known as the national conference, without the money, effort and time of all Area C Service People and all members that contribute at service meetings I would not have had the absolute privilege of attending the national conference for the last 2 years. Thank You!!! Until you attend in person it is hard to explain the honor you as an Area have given me.

The conference was different this year because of it location, Tasmania was cool and Wrest Point warm and inviting, as well it was the cheapest venue in Australia cheaper by far than the quarantine station on North Head where it was held last year.

We started off on Thursday with our Delegates only meeting which we had wrong it is actually a board excluded meeting but open to observers, its use is as an orientation to conference for people new to Conference.

The theme for this year’s conference was “Positive Attitude – Positive Message” and this was reflected most in our world service delegates report on the Solomon Islands. Ian outlined his visit to the Solomon’s in depth and it’s my view that we should ask him to speak at one of our workshops this year so the local members can hear at depth, what we as a country do to help the still suffering alki in our region.

As your representative at conference I discussed, debated and Voted on maters of importance to AA as a whole, being AA as much was done over coffee and meals as was done in the committee’s I was your representative on, on Friday night we work until 10.30pm at night and on the Saturday we were still working late into the night as well.

I represented Area C Eastern Region on these three committees:

The Finance committee made a recommendation to conference that resulted in the office management committee being able to help struggling Areas reach conference when all other avenues have been exhausted, which made topics 016 and 030 obsolete for that committee we also after much discussion, decided that Districts and Areas are solely responsible for distribution of their funds.

The service manual committee looked at changes to how topics be voted on in Area assemblies, we found that topic 012 was unworkable as presented because it would make a DCMs vote be worth more that a GSRs vote from a non aligned district thus contravening the service manual guidelines, in topic 025 we found that the service manual more than covered the information asked for so a pamphlet was not needed, in topic 028 we also found that the guidelines more than covered the required information asked for in this topic.

In my last committee we only had a joint meeting between the PI/CPC & the T/CF committee in which we thrashed out the guidelines for the national co-ordinators of those committees and made a recommendation that the board look at making a senior paid position at the national office for those positions.

At the Saturday meeting of all committees (the full conference) we rejected some committee’s recommendations which then allowed us to look at the topic again and amendments were made to those topics. We had 3 floor motions passed at conference one on the minority voice where one person changed their vote and amended the floor motion allowing it to pass on the next vote.

Next year’s conference is the 50 year celebration of General Service in Australia all past Area Delegates that attended conference are invited to attend on the Saturday, to facilitate this the Conference will start one day early. We as an Area have had one Delegate to Conference John C to my knowledge if anyone knows of more (I think Garth went one year without being funded) please tell me so we can contact them and advise them of the invitation to attend.

We worked our tails off again at this conference and because we only had one 3^rd Year delegate in attendance it was a little less well run than the first conference I attended, it is essential that all delegates have a sound knowledge of how meetings run by Roberts’s Rules are conducted and how minority voice actually works. Under minority voice I can talk on new ground affecting a topic and try to change a person who voted with the majority’s mind then they can propose a new vote.

Australian events

The Eastern Region (NSW, ACT) Delegates jointly agreed to Area As proposed bid for the 2010 National Convention, this means that we will actively help in fund raising and supplying volunteer workers.

We also as a region agreed to host the first T&CF Forum in 2008 to be held in Area G our Area will supply speakers and volunteer workers.

Area H will hold this year’s regional forum more information as it becomes available will be given to all Areas.

2008 National Convention in Adelaide

2009 National Convention will be held on the Gold Coast

2009 PI&CPC Forum will be held in Melbourne

2013s Convention is open for Area C to bid for at conference I think we should put together a bid for then.

If you wish to be involved, or know anyone else interested in being on the Host Planning Committee for the 2013 national Convention, please contact Area C by email at

convention2013@aa-area-c.org

New appointments

Advisory Action #032/2007

Conference resolved to ratify the election by the Board of John G as General Service Trustee, effective 1^st January 2008, for a four year period.

No disapproval

Advisory Action #033/2007

Steve T from NSW was appointed World Service Delegate (effective 1^st January 2008 for a 4 year term), replacing Trevor H who we thanked for his outstanding contributions to Australian General Service.

Voting: For: 23 (two-thirds majority)

Stories for Australian Big Book

Stories are wanted for inclusion in the new Australian edition of the Big Book which is planned to be published in two to three years.

Any Australian member of AA is eligible to submit his or her story regardless of length of sobriety. Bill W once said that Big Book stories were “personal narratives which describe the drinking history, how the newcomer came to Alcoholics Anonymous, how AA affected him or her and what AA has since accomplished for the person.”

You are invited to submit your story for consideration.

Preferred stories will, as Bill W recommended, be those that reach out to the newcomer who is still looking for the AA solution.

Stories should be no more than 3,500 words and can be submitted by email to ozbigbook@aa.org.au in Microsoft Word format. (If you do not have a computer, someone in your group is bound to be able to help you.)

Your full name, mailing address, email address and telephone number should appear on the first page of the story.

The deadline is 1 April 2008.

Email address for submissions or inquiries: ozbigbook@aa.org.au

** An Advisory Action is a directive to the Board by Conference.

Ian C, Australian World Service Delegate (1st Term), reports on his recent visit to the Solomon Islands, in response to a call to the Fellowship in Australia, for help.....

SOLOMON ISLANDS

I have just returned from my second visit to the Solomon Islands. Since I was there the last time they have experienced a large earthquake which caused a tsunami to hit several islands sinking an uninhabited one completely and killing 35 people in the town of Gizo. It had been my intention to visit Gizo but unfortunately the lack of accommodation and shortage of time did not allow it.

Again I stayed with Archbishop Adrian Smith who continues to be a driving force in all areas and introduced me to many valuable contacts while managing to work an 18 hour day in his archdiocese. I had also initiated contact with various groups before going including the Anglican Church and the Church of Melanesia this resulted in being able to reach a greater number of people throughout the islands.

My first assignment was a meeting with Honiara family support group who come into contact with the results of alcoholism every day. I spoke to about 10 staff members who asked lots of questions, they also took literature for display and to give to clients and one member attended our AA meeting to find out more. This was followed by a meeting with the Church of Melanesia and I had fruitful exchanges with a number of people including Sister Doreen who runs a refuge for families affected by alcohol and Sister Kathleen who amongst other things looks after a plantation called C.D.C. which have problems with alcoholism. My first day was completed by getting together with the three members who have been holding the AA group together.

We decided to try to hold an AA meeting twice a week one on Thursday and one on Saturday and with this as an objective set out to try to advertise these meetings and arrange halls. I was told by one of the Solomon islander ladies when I was attempting to hire a hall to help alcoholics that there was no need for this anymore as in America they had invented a chewing gum that helped you stop. I think she may have been talking about smoking. The first week I advertised in the Solomon Star newspaper but since this proved to be expensive I decided to write a letter to the editor explaining what AA was. This resulted in an almost full-page spread and from those we had five members come who had read the newspaper.

Over the next few days I was able to speak to people from 6 other islands which since there are 347 inhabited leaves a few to cover nevertheless these people attended an AA meeting and took literature which they said they would take back to their island so I am hopeful the seed is spreading.

My next trip was out to the palm-oil plantation which has lots of workers housed in the area. Because of the lack of electricity I had to talk to people illuminated by the light of two trucks on either side.

The first AA meeting while I was there was held on the Thursday night and we had 14 members all Solomon Islanders and all identifying as AA members and although getting them to share remained difficult I found if I allowed them to converse in pidgin English and not bother about me understanding it seemed easier for them (and for me) The Saturday morning which is held at 8.00am we tried something different. The caring and sharing tape library had sent up some cd”s and when I got there we had lots of cd’s but no player. With this rectified the first one we played had our own board member EricB who was much appreciated and it showed how we share in Australia. A funny thing happened at the close of this meeting in that the police dragged away one of the members who then spent the night in jail. This is real AA.

After the meeting I was invited for the weekend to a place called Visale which is at the far end of Guadacanal where lots of kids were being transported in from villages to do their church confirmation. This gave me a chance to talk to lots of villagers and their clergymen and we even had an impromptu meeting. I was also able to trek out to a couple of the villages to carry the message and to swim in the sea although keeping an eye out for crocodiles since a 6metre one had been caught a few days before. Visale runs on electricity from a generator which I suspect is not often turned on and was put on especially for us. Sunday was spent mostly in church, the Archbishop confirmed 157 children a process that took over 3 hours. Monday and Tuesday were spent mostly at home due to an infection I had picked up which had the Archbishop rushing me to the doctor suspecting malaria but luckily it was just something I ate and by Wednesday I was able to travel to Tunagi to speak at the Anglican church and to take our message to the police and courthouse.

Thursday was again meeting day and we had 16 at our meeting 12 of whom had been at the last one so hopefully this consistency continues. I managed to make a deal with the Solomon Star and they are going to advertise both meetings once a month. Saturday and Sunday turned out to be two bad days for me when I had my wallet stolen but was again rescued by the Archbishop who loaned me money to get home and my flight was delayed causing me to miss my connection to Perth and spending an extra night in Brisbane and the cost of an extra ticket for AA.

I feel that AA has now been established in Honiara and it is now up to the members to keep carrying the message. A couple of things that may aid this are that one of the priests who has the problem and who came to meetings with me the first trip is now in the Philippines and is experiencing AA meetings every day for the next three months so hopefully when he returns he will be a driving force. I have also had contact from a group in Hawaii who are thinking about paying the Solomon islands a visit to remember family members who fought there but would combine it with AA activities.

The effect of this experiment by AA Australia is being felt world-wide and I have had messages of support from as far afield as the U.S.A. and the U.K. Tremendous support from our National Office,from my own CSO in Perth who contributed literature and from groups with offers of big books, individuals who copied tapes and the Caring and Sharing Tape Library who contributed cd”s. With all this support AA cannot help but thrive.

Our next goal I feel should be to try to get representation from the Solomon Islands to the Asia-Oceanic conference in 2009 A great deal could be learned by having a delegate attend and I am sure it would boost their membership. I also feel we should produce a guideline on carrying the message to other countries and shall approach the board on both these issues

Ian Comrie (International delegate)

CONFERENCE POLICIES & ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE

Conference recognized the importance of on-line meetings as a part of AA, but resolved that, at present, they are not part of the General Service Conference in Australia. Conference requested that feedback be obtained from international sources to assist in formulating an Australian policy regarding on-line meetings.

If a group rejects the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, 12 Concepts and the Big Book, is it a group of Alcoholics Anonymous?

If a Group or District aligns itself with an Area other than the one in which it is geographically situated, does Conference agree that there should be very good reason for doing so?

It is realized that the autonomy of the group is an important principle as per the first part of the long form of Tradition 4. However, surely the second part of the long form of this Tradition should be taken into account.

Currently there appear to be no checks or balances for ensuring that the stability of other groups or Areas are not compromised when decisions such as this are made.

Suggest that Conference ask the General Service Board to formulate a procedure for a group or District wishing to align itself with an Area other than the one in which it is geographically situated, and that both Areas involved should reach agreement. The Regional Trustee should participate in discussions.

That Assembly’s and all Committee Members take up their positions at the 1st of January.

That the Conference please asks the G.S.B. to restore the National Website listing for the Melbourne Central Office (AKA, A.A. Victoria.)

The supply of DVD/Video for use in “Speaking in Schools” programmers, based on UK video “Young People in AA” or the new UK “A Message to Young People”.

(a) makes available to the Fellowship, as an interim measure, the existing video, “Young People in AA”, revised to include suitable Australian AA contact details, and

(b) considers the production of an Australian version of a video specifically directed in carrying the message of AA to young people.

The supply of a DVD or Video for PI use, explaining to both professionals and public hat follows when you contact AA first, and the reasons for contact, e.g. a combination or adaptation of the two new UK VIDEOS: “Journey to AA” (as seen on UK website) and “An Inside View of Alcoholics Anonymous for Professionals”.

(a) determines what Conference Approved video material is currently available for presentation to both the professional community and public for PI use, and

(b) considers the production of a new video/DVD, specifically addressed to the professional community and public, depicting what follows when people contact AA for help.

Would Conference consider creating an A.A. online multimedia presentation in order to clarify the meaning of the ‘I am Responsible’ Banner?

That a single AA service website be established in Australia, supported and funded by the General Service Board, to coordinate and facilitate the work we do in Public Information and Cooperation with the Professional Community (PI&CPCP) and Treatment and Correctional Facilities (T&CF) and other service activities.

Conference resolved that a single AA service website be established in Australia, supported and funded by the General Service Board, to facilitate the sharing of the work the Fellowship does in PI&CPC, T&CF and other service activities.

The Board recommends that Conference considers whether a link be provided from the National Website to General Service Area Websites, or whether such links should be via the Service Website.

Conference resolved that the Service Website provide links to Area websites but that there be no links from the National Website to Area websites.

The Board recommends that Conference considers the idea of compiling a list of non-alcoholic, non Trustee friends of AA, totally familiar with AA’s principles, willing to be our public face with the media.

Conference resolved that a list be compiled consisting of non-alcoholic, non Trustee friends of AA, totally familiar with AA’s principles, willing to be our public face with the media. Area Delegates to be encouraged to forward nominations to the General Service Board.

Conference resolved to approve the letter re our Singleness of Purpose (with minor typographical changes) and make it available to Groups, Districts and Areas for distribution to health professionals and treatment centres if desired.

The revision and reprint of the booklet “The AA Group Handbook”, to both modernize it and to relate it more to Australian customs.

Conference supported the topic suggesting that the AA Group Handbook be revised and Australianised but made no recommendation as the booklet is currently being reviewed by the Trustees’ Literature Committee as per Conference Advisory Action #023/2006. Conference recommended that this topic be forwarded to the Trustees’ Literature Committee to assist in their review.

An Australia-wide National Meetings Book be published and contact details be included for all Central Service Offices and Intergroups.

Conference resolved that the General Service Board prepare an updated version of the pamphlet ‘Alcoholics Anonymous in Your Community’ for Conference 2008.

To include the short form of the 12 Concepts to the Big Book and the little Big Book.

Conference resolved that the short form of the Twelve Concepts be included in the pocket size Big Book on the next reprint.

To include a new banner with the literature currently available. New banner to go with the 2 banners for “Unity” and “I am Responsible”.

The wording on the banner is a quotation from the forward in the “12 Steps and 12 Traditions” book.

“AA’s Twelve Steps are a group of principles, spiritual in their nature, which, if practices as a way of life, can expel the obsession to drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole.”

Would Conference consider creating an A.A. pamphlet on Tradition 3 (A.A. membership), with an emphasis on both the Short and Long Form of Tradition 3?

That the (12) promises contained on pages 83 and 84 of the big Book be approved as AA Literature and printed on a Banner to be made available to those members and groups of the fellowship who wish to display them at meetings.

Conference resolved the pamphlet containing guidelines and suggestions on how to conduct a Group Conscience Meeting be approved and produced.

That the General Service Board establishes a General Service Conference Fund so that any Area in Australia not able to fully fund their elected Delegate’s attendance at the General Service Conference could be financially supported by having any of the outstanding balance of their Cost Equalization Levies waived.

Conference resolved to reject the suggestion that a General Service Conference Fund be established, but that the National Office Management Group be given the discretion to provide funding to any Areas not able to fully meet their financial commitments.

(a) That the General Service Board review the Cost Equalization Levy with regard to the AA population in an Area so that Levies will be charged in relation to how many AA Groups comprise an Area (and maybe even consider actual attendance numbers of these Groups).

(b) Further, any payment towards the Levy is currently non-refundable and is also NOT able to be carried over to the next year. If this system cannot be changed, we believe that the situation should be explained in the Service Manual or the Guidelines so that the fellowship will know exactly what the position is re payment of these Levies.

Conference resolved that the Conference Cost Equalisation Levy system remain unchanged but that the General Service Board produce a Guideline on how Areas can encourage groups to participate, seeking input on the Guideline from strongly supported Areas.

The Board recommends to Conference that revision of the cost equalization levy be discussed, taking into account the number of groups in an Area rather than the current system of an equal amount paid by each Area. For example an Area with 120 groups currently has to pay the same as an Area with only 20 groups.

Could Conference clarify who does the money belong to when it is put into the Bank Account of Districts and Areas?

Conference resolved that Areas and Districts have the sole responsibility for spending and distributing funds donated to them as per their Group Conscience and are encouraged to follow Guidelines as set out in existing literature, such as the Group Donations Plan and Memo to a Group Treasurer. They are also encouraged to accumulate funds as per the Conference recommended Prudent Reserve limits.

The Board recommends to Conference that the limits for donations and bequests be increased by 6% to $6042 for donations and $14,840 for bequests (currently $5700 for donations and $14,000 for bequests).

Conference recommends that the allowable limits for donations and bequests be increased to $6050 for donations and $14,850 for bequests.

Conference resolved to accept the Financial Accounts for the period 1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007.

Conference resolved to accept the 2008 budget submitted by the General Service Board.

No topics were allocated to this committee other than Topic 031. This committee will meet in joint session with the Conference Public Information & Co-operation with the Professional Community to discuss this Topic.

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

In follow up to Advisory Action #003/2006 committee recommended Advisory Action #034/2007

Conference resolved that the new Service Website be utilized to create a contact list which would be viewable by T&CF Co-ordinators only.

The Board recommends to Conference that all Regional Trustee nominations be forwarded to Conference and that all Conference members vote to select a candidate by Third Legacy Procedure.

Reason: The Regional Trustee does not represent a region, but AA as whole, therefore all Australian delegates should be involved in the selection. The current system of the selection being made by a minority of delegates and Trustees has been adopted from the American system where they have a large number of delegates. It is not a democratic process for Australia.

Conference resolved that, in the event of a region not selecting a single candidate for the position, Regional Trustee nominations be forwarded to Conference and that all Conference members vote to select a candidate by Third Legacy Procedure.

Conference resolved that the theme of the 2008 General Service Conference is ’50 Years of Love and Service’.

Date for conference – The conference Agenda Committee recommends to conference that the 2008 General Service Conference be held Wednesday 5^th to Sunday 9^th November at venue to be advised.

Conference resolved that the 2008 General Service Conference be held from Wednesday 5^th – Sunday 9^th November at a venue to be advised. It was further resolved that all past Conference members be invited to participate in a celebration of 50 years of the General Service Conference on Saturday 8^th November.

The committee further recommends that all past Conference members be invited to participate in a celebration at own expense in a celebration of 50 years of the General Service Conference on Saturday 8^th November.

Saturday 16^th August at National Office premises to allocate topics to Conference.

Conference resolved that the deadline for receipt of topics for the 2008 General Service Conference be Friday 27^th June.

To have the Service Manual changed to reflect the Service Structure of Alcoholics Anonymous in the voting of motions and topics for Conference that have gone back to the Groups and brought to Area for voting on.

In such that, where a structured District is operational, all motions referred back to Groups and topics for Conference (which also go back to Groups) for voting, be voted on at the Area level by the DCMs only.

In matters dealt at the Area level not pertaining to the above all those present at the Assembly (which includes all GSRs) are entitled to vote. This is then the one vote each in an assembly.

The Board recommends to Conference that a guideline be written on the process for Regional Trustee interim appointments in the case of a vacancy caused by resignation, death, etc. The guideline should contain information on legal responsibilities required by ASIC.

The Board recommends that Conference considers whether it is appropriate for Al-Anon contact details to be included in advertisements for National Conventions in the media paid for by AA and whether information on this subject should be included in National Convention Guidelines.

The Board recommends to Conference that the sum of $2000 be donated to assist with the running costs of the Asia/Oceania Service Meeting Secretariat.

Conference resolved that the sum of $2000 be donated to assist with the running costs of the Asia/Oceania Service Meeting Secretariat.

The General Service board asks conference to accept the attached Guideline as a structured document underlining the co-ordinator positions and forums that have the primary purpose of supporting certain AA Service activities.

These positions and forums mainly involve communication and support inside AA to facilitate sharing of experience and capacity building. The overall goal is to work with others outside AA to help alcoholics: Public Information, Co-operation with the Professional Community; Treatment (including Hospitals, Institutions, rehabs, clinics ect) Facilities & Correctional Facilities(Police, Courts, Goals ect)

(a) the combined Guideline for PI&CPC and T&CF Co-ordinators and Forums be approved in principle and that the General Service Board investigate the basis of engagement of Co-ordinators and bring their recommendations to Conference 2008.

(b) The Co-ordinator nomination form be accepted with the following amendments: length of sobriety and service history to be included; place of birth and health status be removed. It is recommended that applicants have a minimum of 5 years sobriety. and that there be separate nomination forms for PI&CPC and T&CF Co-ordinators.

That invited observers may attend the Delegates meeting and that it be re-named Delegates and Observers Meeting.

That the following DVDs be reinstated for sale on the National Office literature list until such times as the revision is complete and any new items required produced:

Conference supported, in principle, the previously rejected proposal to provide safe and sufficient facilities for archival material storage, but recognised that considerable preparatory planning and consideration was involved. Conference resolved that the General Service Board should produce a plan, in conjunction with National Office and Area A, Eastern Region. This plan should include details of how storage space can be created, situated (for the present and future), ownership of items stored therein, financial obligations created, collation and possible display of memorobilia. Conference further resolved that, in the event of illness and.or death of members who have items they wish to be bequeathed to AA, National Office will create safe storage as the need arises.

Conference resolved that the following be added to point (i) of the Conference Administrative Procedures:

After hearing the minority voice, any Conference member who voted with the majority can move a motion to re-vote on the original motion, or prepare a new motion.

Conference is then asked by the Chairman if the sense of the meeting is that there should be a re-vote.

Conference resolved that National Office should proceed with production of the DVD for deaf alcoholics, as soon as it is available.