TOPIC #009/2020
Some virtual meetings will continue after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. These meetings will not necessarily be associated with AA meetings that are also held in a physical location and the groups that run them are likely to be made up of members from diverse physical locations. As such, they will not be located in a physical AA Area or Region. Creation of a virtual Area/Region would enable such groups to participate in the structure of AA by electing GSR’s, running virtual Assemblies and electing a Delegate to the General Service Conference. The existing process for requesting creation of a new Area (AA Service Manual pp.53-54) cannot assist in this situation, because it assumes a request from an existing Area which is no longer able to provide adequate service and communication to all the groups that are within its geographical area.
WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND OR REASON FOR THE TOPIC?
1. The necessity of virtual meetings, eg held via Zoom, Skype, etc during the COVID-19 lockdown has created a chance for AA members to experience an alternate access to recovery.
2.This is particularly relevant to members in regional and remote areas, those physically unable to attend face-to-face meetings, members with carer responsibilities (eg small children) or restricted access to transport. Others may just prefer the virtual option.
3. It is likely that some virtual meetings will continue after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and will be run as separate groups consisting of members drawn from diverse geographical locations, across existing Areas. (This is already happening in some virtual meetings where e.g. both city and country members are carrying out service roles).
4 All members have the right and the responsibility to participate in the General Service Structure.
5. These groups will not have a ‘home’ within the existing General Service Structure.
DO YOU HAVE A SUGGESTED SOLUTION?
1.Create a cyber or ‘virtual’ Region/Area as part of the General Service Structure that groups operating only in the virtual space can join.
HOW WILL THE ALCOHOLIC WHO STILL SUFFERS OR THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BENEFIT FROM THIS SUGGESTION?
1. Provides opportunity for members who would otherwise be excluded from participation in the General Service Structure
2. Acknowledges the wider options available for participation provided by the virtual space.
3.The move to virtual meetings during COVID-19 restrictions has identified that technology can provide alternative meeting formats that provide valuable additional support in particular, to members who may find it difficult to access physical meetings on a regular basis for a variety of reasons.
4. Enabling those groups and members to be fully active members of AA will benefit both their recovery and the Fellowship as a whole.
WHAT ARE THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS SUGGESTION?
Nil
HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR GROUP, DISTRICT OR AREA TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT THIS TOPIC AND, IF SO, WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME?
Process of going through Group, District, Area not applicable which is what this Topic is addressing
TOPIC #012/2020
That conference considers moving all of its activities on line for a reasonable period, to be designated by Conference, as an experiment. This would include The General Service Conference in November, Conference Committee meetings, meetings of the General Service Board, and the Office Management Group. The Covid crisis has demonstrated just how quickly and efficiently our fellowship can adapt and change to new technology, when the need arises. It may be prudent for the fellowship to take full advantage of this unique period to see if we cannot do things better.
WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND OR REASON FOR THE TOPIC?
Advantages:
1. Enable the GSB, Conference Committees and the Management Group to meet more frequently, as required, at little cost or inconvenience.
2. On-line Conference and Board meetings would cost a fraction of current meetings yet could be attended from anywhere.
3. Encourage more Areas. Without hefty levies and finding members free to travel, often vast distances, to attend assemblies and Conference, this could help solve our intractable 2/3rd’s majority issue.
4. GSB could meet more frequently, without prohibitive cost, rather than the twice yearly marathons demanded of current board members, between conferences.
5. Potential Class A trustees may be more amenable to virtual board meetings, which would be more convenient and time efficient, especially for the people we seek – highly motivated, busy professionals.
6. On-line Management Group meetings would allow Conference to broaden eligibility of General Service Trustees, currently selected from a small pool within the Sydney metropolitan area.
DO YOU HAVE A SUGGESTED SOLUTION?
1. Move the General Service Conference structure online
HOW WILL THE ALCOHOLIC WHO STILL SUFFERS OR THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BENEFIT FROM THIS SUGGESTION?
1. By expanding participation in the General Service Conference, the group conscience of AA in Australia, this initiative could further unify the fellowship and enhance our ability to better carry the message. .
2. By more easily facilitating the creation of new areas, this initiative could aid in addressing the lack of 2/3’s majority representation of groups on the conference floor.
3. It offers the opportunity for the fellowship to divert much needed funds to more immediate and direct efforts to carry the message: Public Service Announcements, literature production and distribution etc
4. Easy on-line access would also help demystify General Service and facilitate greater interest and participation.
Note: Should this plan be implemented, the need for Regional Forums, as opportunities for the board and staff members to meet and share with the general membership, would be greatly enhanced.
WHAT ARE THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS SUGGESTION?
The financial savings to the fellowship would be substantial. Conference costs around $60,000.00 a year and the two annual board meetings many thousands more.
The time saved by members would also be substantial.
HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR GROUP, DISTRICT OR AREA TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT THIS TOPIC AND, IF SO, WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME?
The topic has been widely circulated for discussion and feedback. There has been enthusiastic support. The home group has given the topic unanimous support. Three districts have also given the topic unanimous support. The topic was also given unanimous and enthusiastic Area support at an extraordinary topic meeting.
TOPIC #023/2020
To form new Eastern Region Area. Topic attached separately due to size.
TOPIC #024/2020
For all monies received from the Australian Government for the JobKeeper payment be returned.
WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND OR REASON FOR THE TOPIC?
1. Receipt of this money for the JobKeeper payment is a perceived breach of Tradition 7.
2. The letter to the GSB from Southern Region Area D dated 14/06/2020 clearly outlines all of Saturday Night Living Sober’s concerns. Please refer to this letter as the background for this topic. Referenced letter is attached.
DO YOU HAVE A SUGGESTED SOLUTION?
1. To return the money to the Australian Government received from the JobKeeper payment.
2. If unable to return monies, donate equivalent value to alcohol related services.
HOW WILL THE ALCOHOLIC WHO STILL SUFFERS OR THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BENEFIT FROM THIS SUGGESTION?
1. A breach of any tradition or concept and the underlying intent of those principles could seriously damage the AA Fellowship. Consequences and fallout, such as those in the Southern Region in recent years, are not good for the unity of the fellowship. This perceived breach has the capability of de-unifying the AA fellowship nationally, as acceptance of outside funds has done in the Southern Region. AA is based on an equilateral triangle of Recovery, Service AND UNITY. “For on A.A. unity depend our lives and the lives of those to come”.
2. Both newcomers and old-timers are confused by the appearance of double standards associated with the perceived breach.
WHAT ARE THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS SUGGESTION?
The cost would be the amount received from the Australian Government for the JobKeeper payment and therefore the equivalent amount would need to be returned or donated.
HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR GROUP, DISTRICT OR AREA TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT THIS TOPIC AND, IF SO, WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME?
Given the discovery of this issue in June, there has been insufficient time to raise this as a topic of discussion at either a District or Area level. However, Saturday Night Living Sober as a group and many other individual members, both newcomers and old-timers, in the Bendigo District have expressed overwhelming approval to submit this topic/.
Topics For Conference 2019
CONFERENCE REPORT 2019: http://www.aaservice.org.au/membersonly/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Conference-Report-2019-Service-Website.pdf