1 70 th GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE 2020: A CLEAR VISION FOR YOU - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

In this unusual time of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, our primary purpose, while remaining constant, has evolved considerably in terms of how we fulfill it. The GSO offices had to shut down, with all employees working from home. Our International Convention, the source of so much interest and excitement throughout the Fellowship, was canceled. Two Regional Forums have been canceled. Area Assemblies throughout the US and Canada have been

• canceled. And the General Service Conference itself has been postponed and ultimately moved to an

entirely digital platform. There are additional changes and adaptations that will be necessary as time moves on. And yet, we have continued moving forward – as individuals, as A.A. members, and as a Fellowship. In the face of such organizational challenges, it is a privilege to present this summary report on the 70th General Service Conference.

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GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE 2020: A CLEAR VISION FOR YOU

MAY 16 – MAY 19, 2020 HISTORIC 1ST VIRTUAL CONFERENCE !

70th

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T he L e g a c y Co ntinue s 3

I n 1951 the first Ge ne ra l Se rvic e Co nfe re nc e me t in Cle ve la nd, b e g inning a F ive Ye a r e xpe rime nta l pe rio d until the 1955 I nte rna tio na l Co nve ntio n in St L

• uis, whe re A.A. Co -

F

• unde r Bill W. fo rma lly turne d o ve r the ste wa rd ship o f A.A. to the Ge ne ra l Se rvic e

Co nfe re nc e . T

• da y the L

e g a c y c o ntinue s.

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.

F irst Sto p wa s PRAASA 5

T he first sto p o n o ur wa y to the c o nfe re nc e this ye a r wa s a t

• PRAASA. T

his ye a r PRAASA wa s in Arizo na Are a 3, in T uc so n o n Ma rc h 6,7,8. T he ho st c o mmitte e pro vide d a fa b ulo us se rvic e to the e ntire Pa c ific Re g io n.

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I t se e ms like e ve ry de le g a te re po rt ha s a pic ture o f the c o nfe re nc e ha ll. He re is the c o nfe re nc e fo r this ye a r. No te the b o x o f K le e ne x o n the b e d, I use d it fre q ue ntly !

May 16 – 19, 2020

Daily 10 – 10:30 a.m. Hospitality/Fellowship and Dancing 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Serenity Group A.A. Meeting

SAT URDAY – MAY 16, 2020 – OPE NING SE SSION 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. We lc ome , Ope ning, Roll Call, Gr e e tings, Ke ynote Addr e ss, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Confe r e nc e Committe e Me e tings 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Se c ondar y Committe e Me e tings 6:45 – 7:45 p.m. Ope ning A.A. Me e ting SUNDAY – MAY 17, 2020 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. F inanc e Re por t: 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Ge ne r al Shar ing Se ssion – What’s On Your Mind? 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. E le c tions: We st Ce ntra l re g io na l

truste e , We ste rn Ca na da re g io na l truste e

6:30 – 8 p.m. Ar e a De le gate s Only Me e ting

MONDAY – MAY 18, 2020 1:15 – 8:30 p.m. Committee Reports and Discussion 8:30 – 9 p.m. Virtual Ice Cream Social and D.J. Dance Party TUESDAY – MAY 19, 2020 1:15 – 7:15p.m. Committee Reports and Discussion 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Floor Motions 8:30 p.m. Closing Remarks 70th General Service Conference Adjourns Closing – Serenity Prayer: English, French, Spanish

A CLEAR VISION FOR YOU

Confe r e nc e We e k Sc he dule

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Co nfe re nc e me mb e rs c o me fro m the 8 Re g io ns in the US/ Ca na da se rvic e struc ture .

De le g a te Sta tistic s

Ave r age Age 59 Olde st 76 Younge st 33 Ave r age sobr ie ty 22 L

• nge st sobr

ie ty 43 Shor te st sobr ie ty 5 Ave r age le ngth of se r vic e 17 L

• nge st se r

vic e 40 Shor te st se r vic e 5

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A q uie t pla c e to pre pa re fo r e a c h da y. 10

He a rd a t the Se re nity Me e ting

“rocketed into the 5th dimension” “God of my experience not my understanding” “We sacrifice our ego and pride” “Anonymity is part of each Tradition”

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Conc e pt I

T he fina l re sponsibility a nd the ultima te a uthority for A.A. world se rvic e s should a lwa ys re side in the c olle c tive c onsc ie nc e of our whole F e llowship. Bill in Conc e pt 1, "If the se our vita l a g e nc ie s we re to c olla pse or bog down, our unity within a nd the c a rrying of our me ssa g e to innume ra ble a lc oholic s without, would suffe r se rious a nd pe rha ps irre pa ra ble da ma g e . Unde r a ll c onditions a nd a t a ny sa c rific e , we would ha ve to susta in those se rvic e s a nd the flow of life blood tha t the y we re pumping into the world a rte rie s of our F e llowship.”

The Mi Miracle le o

• f the 70th G

General Serv rvic ice C Conference.

We stc he ste r , NY, the or iginal c onfe r e nc e loc ation was the U.S. e pic e nte r

• f the COVID- 19 outbr

e ak just we e ks be for e the c onfe r e nc e was to take plac e . L e t us r e me mbe r

• ur

GSO staff and all the wor ke r s who made the c onfe r e nc e a r e ality, thank you!

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A.A.W.S REPORT

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Disappointment comes when expectations don’t meet

• reality. And

there has been much disappointment

• ver the last

few months.

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Ho we ve r, if we ta ke a c lo se r lo o k, a lo ng with tho se disa ppo intme nts ha ve c o me so me re a l

• ppo rtunitie s. T

he fe llo wship ha s ste ppe d up, a nd q uic kly o rg a nize d o nline a nd te le pho ne me e ting s a nd wo rksho ps. I nte rg ro ups a nd Ce ntra l Offic e s ha ve sc ra mb le d to ke e p the ir me e ting lists upda te d. a nd ma ny ha ve pro vide d g uide line s fo r c o lle c ting dig ita l c o ntrib utio ns while ma inta ining priva c y a nd a no nymity. Our Ge ne ra l Se rvic e Offic e ma de the tra nsitio n to te le wo rk a nd o ur GSO e mplo ye e s while wo rking fo rm ho me ha ve ke pt o ur e sse ntia l se rvic e s up a nd running to suppo rt o ur 12th Ste p wo rk. T he y ha ve a c c o mplishe d this while b e ing in the re g io n mo st a ffe c te d b y the pa nde mic . Just a no the r se t o f he ro e s to b e a c kno wle dg e d thro ug h a ll o f this. Pho ne c a lls a nd e ma ils a re still b e ing a nswe re d, lite ra ture is b e ing shippe d a nd pla ns fo r whe n life re turns to the ne w no rma l a re unde rwa y.

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A lo t o f g re a t wo rk wa s do ne la st ye a r. We no w ha ve a Co mmunic a tio ns Se rvic e s De pa rtme nt, a n ide a tha t g o t it’ s sta rt fro m o ur Co mmunic a tio ns a udit. T his de pa rtme nt will c o lla b o ra te with o the r G.S.O. de pa rtme nts, AAGV a nd sta ff a ssig nme nts o n vide o pro je c ts, PSAs, a nd muc h mo re .

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Enterprise Resource Planning – We are beginning to see the positive impact it will have on

• ffice operations and the services provided throughout the Fellowship. Once fully implemented,

the new system will better facilitate the Fellowship’s involvement and maintenance of group, district and area records.

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The Big Book is available in 71 languages, with 23 languages pending and 16 new translations in progress, along with 5 revisions/retranslations. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions is available in 48 languages, with pending translation in Arabic and a revised Czech translation. Daily Reflections is available in 34 languages. For Correctional Facilities: Digital distribution and staple-free pamphlet projects are u

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L a st ye a r, Arc hive s re c e ive d a lmo st 1,500 re q ue sts fo r info / re se a rc h. Gro up Se rvic e s ha s b e e n a n inte g ra l pa rt o f impro ving c o mmunic a tio ns with I nte rg ro up a nd Ce ntra l Offic e s. T he CPC a nd Co rre c tio ns de sks re c e ntly se nt o ut upda te s a sking fo r sha ring fro m the fe llo wship a nd pro viding info rma tio n a b o ut wha t is g o ing o n – e ve n whe n the wo rld se e ms to b e shutdo wn. T he Co nfe re nc e de sk ha s b e e n c ra zy b usy g e tting e ve rything pre pa re d fo r the first e ve r dig ita l c o nfe re nc e ! T he I nte rna tio na l Co nve ntio n de sk – a fte r ye a rs o f e ffo rt a nd tho usa nds o f ta sks b e ing c o mple te d – o nly to ha ve it c a nc e lle d. No w we c a n lo o k fo rwa rd to 2025 in Ca na da . T he Pub lic I nfo rma tio n de sk, b e side s wo rking with the me dia a nd c o ming up with inno va tive wa ys to g e t the me ssa g e o ut, ha s c o ntinue d wo rking o n pro viding info rma tio n a b o ut Sa fe ty in A.A. a nd upda ting sa fe ty ma te ria ls.

A.A.GRAPEVINE REPORT

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• da y, the Gra pe vine re ma ins true to Bills

visio n fo r it, re fle c ting o ur AA c o mmunity thro ug h the sha ring o f o ur sto rie s. I t is the spiritua l va lue inhe re nt in o ur sto rie s tha t ma ke Gra pe vine a nd L a Viña the b ro a de st e xpre ssio n o f o ur c urre nt me mb e rship. T he AA Gra pe vine ha s b e e n kno wn a s “o ur me e ting in print” o r the I nte rna tio na l Jo urna l o f AA.

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We a re fo rtuna te to ha ve te c hno lo g y a t o ur dispo sa l to da y. T his he lps re duc e the fe e ling s o f iso la tio n. I n AA, we o fte n ta lk a b o ut tho se re mo te c o mmunitie s whic h a re ha rd to re a c h. T

• da y it so me time s

fe e ls tha t e a c h o f us is in a re mo te c o mmunity a nd so b rie ty (a nd sa nity) ma y b e je o pa rdize d.

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Wa nt to he lp a no the r a lc o ho lic ? Che c k o ut the 2020 Ca rry T he Me ssa g e Pro je c t a nd g ive Gra pe vine o r L a Viña to a n a lc o ho lic . T his 12th Ste p pro je c t is g re a t fo r Spo nse e ’ s, Ne wc o me rs, Priso ns, De to xe s, a nd mo re . in 2019 a g ra ss-ro o ts e ffo rt wa s unde rta ke n b y a Spa nish ling uistic Distric t in Are a 16 Ge o rg ia to pro vide L a Viña ma g a zine sub sc riptio n c e rtific a te s to Alc o ho lic Spa nish-spe a king inma te s a nd g ro ups in Co rre c tio na l fa c ilitie s in a ll 93 Are a s a c ro ss the US a nd Ca na da . I a m e xc ite d to re po rt tha t 322 c e rtific a te s we re g e ne ro usly do na te d to the Che st o f Ho pe e ffo rt fro m the A.A. fe llo wship.

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T he a a g ra pe vine .o rg we b site wa s re de sig ne d a nd the L a Viña we b site pa g e s a re in the pro c e ss o f b e ing re de sig ne d, a n a ve ra g e o f 32,488 uniq ue visito rs g o to a n a ve ra g e o f 2.4 pa g e s o n the we b site e a c h mo nth.

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AA Gra pe vine distrib ute d 110,549 Gra pe vine a nd L a Viña b o o ks, e -b o o ks, CDs, a nd o the r c o nte nt-re la te d ite ms. AA Gra pe vine a lso pro duc e d a ne w c o lle c tio n o f jo ke s pre vio usly pub lishe d in Gra pe vine , T ake Me to Yo ur Spo nso r; a nd c o mple te d tra nsla tio n o f the b o o k E mo tio nal So b rie ty into F re nc h.

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One Big T e nt wa s tra nsla te d into Spa nish a nd I n 2019, the L a Viña Sto ry Arc hive Pro je c t wa s c o mple te d, the first dig ita l a rc hive o f o rig ina l sto rie s o f re c o ve ry writte n b y me mb e rs o f the Hispa nic A.A. c o mmunity a nd pub lishe d in L a Viña ma g a zine . Additio na lly, a ne w L a Viña sto re wa s a dde d to the we b site . T his ye a r the 24th Pa c ific Re g io n L a Viña Annive rsa ry will b e in Pho e nix o n July 24th –July 26

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Sixte e n a udio sto rie s ha ve b e e n pub lishe d o n Gra pe vine ’ s Yo uT ub e c ha nne l, inc luding a rtwo rk c o ntrib ute d b y me mb e rs. Additio na lly, the re a re six e xpla ine r vide o s, inc luding Ho w to Suc c e e d as a Grape vine /L a Viña Re p a nd Carry the Me ssag e vide o s in b o th E ng lish a nd Spa nish.

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CHE CK OUT T HE A.A. GV YOUT UBE CHANNE L T O VI E W T HE NE W GV VI DE O HT T PS:/ / YOUT U.BE / UDMVX1L UAF Y

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T he se b a rs g ra dua te fro m rig ht to le ft.

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T his b a r sho ws the re se rve fund a t 7 mo nths a fte r a $3MM dra w do wn, ho we ve r , b e c a use the 2020 b udg e t is b e ing c o mple te ly re do ne a nd o ur re se rve fund is b a se d o n o pe ra ting c o st, this numb e r will b e mo re a c c ura te whe n the ne w b udg e t is c o mple te . Afte r the ne w b udg e t is re le a se d a lo ng with the a udite d 2019 numb e rs, I will re po rt tha t info rma tio n b a c k to Are a 3.

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Sig ning into me e ting s / DANCE T I ME !!!

Whe n sig ning into the c o nfe re nc e ro o ms Mo to wn Music wa s b e ing pla ye d a nd e ve ryo ne ke pt the spirit o f the I nte rnatio nal Co nve ntio n and the De tro it ho st c o mmitte e in o ur he arts. Pe o ple da nc e d, wo re funny ha ts, a nd funny g la sse s to o ! A.A=L

• ve in Ac tio n

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GET READY FOR VIRTUALLY DETROIT, JULY 2020

A.A. speakers; a digital “Carrying the Message Pavilion”; sharing from nonalcoholic friends of A.A. and special guests linked to our history; a presentation of the 40 millionth Big Book; a new Archives video on the history of A.A.; an AA Grapevine video created for the Convention, and more.

1. AGENDA

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Yo u c a n se nd ide a s fo r Co nfe re nc e the me s, wo rksho ps a nd pre se nta tio ns to me yo ur De le g a te fo r Co nfe re nc e sub missio n. T he se the me , pre se nta tio n/ disc ussio n a nd wo rksho p to pic s re vo lve a ro und b a sic princ iple s o f A.A. Yo ur Distric t a nd the Are a c a n inc o rpo ra te disc ussio n o f the se to pic s into wo rksho ps, me e ting s, a sse mb lie s, e tc .

• A. T

he c ommitte e r e c omme nde d that the the me for the 2021 Ge ne r al Se r vic e Confe r e nc e be : “A.A. in a T ime of Change .” T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION.

• B. T

he c ommitte e r e c omme nde d that the following be pr e se ntation/ disc ussion topic s for the 2021 Ge ne r al Se r vic e Confe r e nc e : Pr ac tic ing A.A.’s Spir itual Pr inc iple s in a Changing Wor ld:

• 1. Re c ove r

y in a Changing Wor ld

• 2. Unity in a Changing Wor

ld

• 3. Se r

vic e in a Changing Wor ld T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION.

• C. T

he c ommitte e r e c omme nde d that the following be the wor kshop topic for the 2021 Ge ne r al Se r vic e Confe r e nc e : Infor m - Communic ate Involve - Ac t Inspir e – Attr ac t T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION. A G E N D A 1

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2. COOPERATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY

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No Committe e Re c omme ndations. Committe e c onside r ations:

• T

he c ommitte e disc usse d the r e que st to disc ontinue the pamphle t “A.A. in Your Community” and took no ac tion.

C P C 1

Ar e a 03 Assigne d to: CPC PANE L T he se nse Ar e a 03 WAS IN F AVOR

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T he c o mmitte e no te d tha t this pa mphle t is vita l to lo c a l C.P.C. c o mmitte e wo rk to intro duc e A.A. to pro fe ssio na ls a nd tha t the title de fine s A.A. a s a c o mmunity re so urc e . T he c o mmitte e a lso no te d tha t a n upda te to the la ng ua g e a nd style is ne e de d. T he c o mmitte e re q ue ste d tha t the truste e s’ C.P.C./ T re a tme nt a nd Ac c e ssib ilitie s Co mmitte e e xplo re wa ys to upda te c o nte nt o f the pa mphle t with a fo c us o n mo de rn pro fe ssio na l se tting s a nd c o nside r tho se who c o nsume c o nte nt in va rio us fo rma ts

Consider a request to create a pamphlet for mental health

• professionals. This was

forwarded on to the 71st General Service Conference along with some notes for next years committee to consider.

.

C P C 2

Ar e a 03 Assigne d to: CPC PANE L T he se nse of Ar e a 03 WAS IN F AVOR

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3. CORRECTIONS

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C O R R E C T I O N S

No Committee Recommendations

Committee considerations:

• The committee heard a report from the A.A.W.S.

publishing director on the efforts to provide digital distribution of A.A. literature into correctional facilities.

• The committee reviewed the Corrections Kit and

Workbook and provided a list of suggestions including adding “The ‘God’ Word” pamphlet to the kit.

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4. FINANCE

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Re vie w the pamphle t “Se lf- Suppor t: Whe r e Mone y and Spir ituality Mix.” Conside r a r e que st to r e vise the pie c har t pe r c e ntage s on page

• 12. No ac tion.

Conside r a r e que st r e gar ding c ontr ibution pe r c e ntage s to se r vic e e ntitie s. F

• r

war d to ne xt ye ar c onfe r e nc e .

The committee recommended that the draft language related to the “virtual basket” be included.

T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor ADVISORY ACT ION F I N A N C E 1

AREA 03 Assigned to: FINANCE PANEL The sense of AREA 03 WAS OPPOSED The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR

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5.

GRAPEVINE LA VIÑA

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G R A P E V I N E L A V I ~ N A 1

AREA 03 Assigned to: GV and SPANISH PANELS

The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR

Conside r a r e que st to c hange the name of the Confe r e nc e Committe e on Gr ape vine to the Confe r e nc e Committe e on Gr ape vine and L a Viña.

The committee recommended that the name of the Conference Committee on Grapevine be changed to the Conference Committee on Grapevine and La Viña.

T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION

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G R A P E V I N E L A V I ~ N A 2

AREA 03 Assigned to: ALL PANELS

The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR

Conside r r e vising the A.A. Pr e amble to use ge nde r ne utr al pr

• nouns. F
• r

e xample , "Alc oholic s Anonymous is a fe llowship of pe ople who shar e the ir e xpe r ie nc e , str e ngth and hope with e ac h othe r ...“

The committee requested that the Grapevine Board consider developing examples of generalized language options and that a progress report or draft versions be brought back to the 71st General Service Conference.

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G R A P E V I N E L A V I ~ N A 3

AREA 03 Assigned to: GV and PUBLIC INFORMATION PANELS

The sense of AREA 03 WAS SPLIT

Conside r a r e que st for AA Gr ape vine , Inc . to e stablish an Instagr am ac c ount in line with the T we lve T r aditions.

The committee suggested that the Grapevine Board provide additional information on implementation, anonymity, security, affiliation, outside contributions, privacy and promotion and bring a progress report back to the 71st General Service Conference.

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G R A P E V I N E L A V I ~ N A 4

AREA03 Assigned to: GV and SPANISH PANELS

The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR

Conside r a r e que st to de ve lop an A.A. Gr ape vine pamphle t on how the AA Gr ape vine c an be utilize d to c ar r y the A.A. me ssage .

The committee agreed to forward to the 71st General Service Conference:

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6. LITERATURE

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L I T E R A T U R E 1

The committee recommended that the updated draft video of “Your General Service Office, the Grapevine and the General Service Structure” be approved.

T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor ADVISORY ACT ION

The committee recommended that the “A.A.W.S. Policy on Publication of Literature: Updating Pamphlets and Other A.A. Materials,” approved by A.A.W.S. in January 2020, be approved.

T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor ADVISORY ACT ION

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I nte rc hurc h Ce nte r whe re the GSO is lo c a te d o n the 11th flo o r. (white b uilding o n the rig ht) And the Rive rside Churc h. (just to the le ft o f I nte rc hurc h Ce nte r)

L I T E R A T U R E 2

Consider updating the pamphlet “A.A. for the Black and African-American Alcoholic.” The committee recommended that the pamphlet “A.A. for the Black and African-American Alcoholic” be updated to include fresh stories and a new title that is respectful and inclusive. The Committee report time expired before a vote was taken. Moved to 71st Conference as a Committee Recommendation.

AREA 03 Assigned to: LITERATURE PANELS

The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR

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L I T E R A T U R E 3

AREA 03 Assigned to: Treatment/Accessibilities and Corrections PANELS The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR

Consider if proposed agenda items for plain language, simplified language, accessible translations and large print versions of the book Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as workbooks to help study the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, can be addressed with a common solution. The committee requested that the trustees continue to explore this topic and the trustees make available to the Fellowship the presentation “The Big Book: Researching Issues, Possible Tools and Access (70th General Service Conference 2020)” The committee noted the importance for the Fellowship to be informed about the nature of the accessibility challenges with regard to A.A. literature. The committee requested that a progress report be brought back to the 2021 Conference Committee on Literature.

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L I T E R A T U R E 4

AREA 03 Assigned to: LITERATURE PANEL

The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR Consider request to include a G.S.R. preamble in the pamphlet “G.S.R.: Your Group’s Link to A.A. as a Whole.” The committee agreed to forward the to the 71st General Service Conference

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L I T E R A T U R E 5

AREA 03 Assigned to: PI-CPC-P&A PANELs

A: The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR B: The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR Consider revising the pamphlet “Questions & Answers on Sponsorship”:

• a. Change the suggestion that

sponsor and newcomer be of the same sex.

• b. Expand the section on “Service

Sponsorship” and retitle the pamphlet to include service sponsorship. The committee agreed to forward the to the 71st General Service Conference

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L I T E R A T U R E 6

AREA 03 Assigned to: FINANCE PANEL

The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR Consider request to revise text related to self-support in the pamphlet “Frequently Asked Questions About A.A.” The committee agreed to forward the to the 71st General Service Conference

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L I T E R A T U R E 6

AREA 03 Assigned to: LITERATURE PANEL

The sense of AREA 03 WAS OPPOSED Consider request to add a subtitle to the booklet Living Sober. The committee agreed to forward the to the 71st General Service Conference

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L I T E R A T U R E 7

AREA 03 Assigned to: ALL PANELS

A: The sense of AREA 03 WAS SPLIT B: The sense of AREA 03 WAS OPPOSED Consider requests to revise the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions:

• A. To remove the phrase “opposite

sex” from paragraph two on page 117 in the chapter “Step Twelve.”

• B. To reconsider use of the phrase

“lustful enough to rape” in paragraph

• ne on page 66 in the chapter “Step

Six.” The committee agreed to forward the to the 71st General Service Conference

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T he 12 Ste ps to Dr. Bo b ’ s ho me

L I T E R A T U R E 8

AREA 03 Assigned to: SPANISH PANEL

The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR Consider development of a draft Fourth Edition of the book Alcohólicos Anónimos. The committee agreed to forward the to the 71st General Service Conference

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L I T E R A T U R E 9

AREA 03 Assigned to: ALL PANELS

A: The sense of AREA 03 WAS OPPOSED B: The sense of AREA 03 WAS OPPOSED Consider requests to revise the book Alcoholics Anonymous:

• A. Add pages 3 through 41 of the

pamphlet “The A.A. Group” as an appendix in the next printing.

• B. Revise the first 164 pages.

The committee agreed to forward the to the 71st General Service Conference

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7. POLICY and ADMISSIONS

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P & A 1

Consider a proposed process for approving

• bservers from other General Service

Structures to the U.S./Canada General Service Conference. The committee recommended that the “Process for Approving Observers to the Conference” be approved.

T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION

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P & A 2

Consider implementing electronic voting for trustee elections. The committee recommended that the General Service Conference implement electronic voting for trustee elections starting in 2021.

T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION

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P & A 3

Consider continuing the review of dates for the General Service Conference with timing and year(s) to review as requested by the general manager. The committee recommended that the review of Conference dates be changed to consider dates for the General Service Conference with timing and year(s) to review as requested by the general manager.

T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION

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P & A 4

Committee consideration: The committee considered a proposed process for the equitable distribution of Conference committees. The committee requests that the trustees’ General Service Conference Committee clarify the specifics of the proposed plan and bring back a more fully developed process for review by the 2021 General Service Conference.

The last business each committee does is elect its chair for next years conference.

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The committee elected Kevin F, Delegate for Area 03, Arizona, as Policy and Admissions Conference Committee Chair !!!

8. PUBLIC INFORMATION

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P I 1

The committee recommended that all A.A.W.S video titles be adjusted for search engine optimization (SEO).

T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION

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P I 2

The committee discussed a request to develop a plan to create an A.A. podcast. The committee suggested that G.S.O. explore the development of a draft plan to create a G.S.O. podcast to be brought back to the 2021 Conference Committee on Public Information. The committee suggested that information such as function, target audiences, participation, possible episode topics and an implementation plan be included.

AREA 03 Assigned to: PI PANEL

The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR

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9. REPORT and CHARTER

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R & C 1

The committee discussed restoring the two paragraphs with the accompanying footnote in the Concept Eleven essay of The Twelve Concepts for World Service that were removed by an Advisory Action of the 66th General Service Conference and took no action.

AREA 03 Assigned to: P&A PANEL

The sense of AREA 03 WAS OPPOSED

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10. TREATMENT And ACCESSIBILITIES

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T R E A T M E N T A C C E S S 1

Discuss the report on the review

• f materials related to Bridging

the Gap activities. The committee recommended that the pamphlet “Bridging the Gap” be updated for currency and inclusion to reach a broader scope of treatment settings about temporary contact services, and that a progress report or draft be brought to the 2021 Conference Committee on Treatment and Accessibilities.

T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION

T his wa s my first full Co nfe re nc e vo te . I t wa s a spiritua l e xpe rie nc e a s wa s e ve ry vo te I to o k

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T R E A T M E N T A C C E S S 2

Consider a request to develop a Bridging the Gap Workbook. The committee suggested that the trustees’ C.P.C/T.A. committee develop a Bridging the Gap Committee Workbook and provide a progress report to the 2021 General Service Conference.

AREA 03 Assigned to: TREATMENT/ACC and CORRECTIONS PANELS

The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR

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11. TRUSTEES

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The committee recommended that the slate of trustees of the General Service Board be elected at the annual meeting of the members of the General Service Board in May 2020.

T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION

The committee recommended that the slate of officers of the General Service Board be elected at the annual meeting of the members of the General Service Board in May 2020.

T he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION

The committee recommended that the slate of A.A.G.V directors be elected at the annual meeting of the members of the AA Grapevine Corporate Board in May 2020. T

he full Confe r e nc e vote d in favor making the r e c omme ndation an ADVISORY ACT ION

The committee recommended approval of a revised slate of directors of the A.A. World Services Corporate Board, omitting the newly proposed A.A. World Services director as ineligible due to procedural issues. The Conference Chair ruled the committee recommendation out of order.

T R U S T E E S 1

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12. ARCHIVES

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The committee considered requests to develop a book on A.A. history from 1955 through the present and suggested that the trustees’ Archives Committee consider possible themes, content ideas and the time period such a book might cover. The committee requested a report be brought back to the 2021 Conference Committee on Archives.

A R C H I V E S 1

AREA 03 Assigned to: P&A and FINANCE PANELs

The sense of AREA 03 WAS IN FAVOR

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13. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS and REGIONAL FORUMS

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I C / R F 1

The committee discussed the use of the Lord’s Prayer for closing the Big Meetings at the International Convention and had a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion.

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• T

he use o f the L

• rd’ s Pra ye r c a n c re a te c o ntro ve rsy a nd suppo rt the pe rc e ptio n o f

A.A. a s a re lig io us o rg a niza tio n.

• Altho ug h the pra ye r is a pa rt o f the histo ry o f A.A. a nd is wide ly use d a nd suppo rte d

in so me a re a s, it c o uld ma ke so me me mb e rs fe e l e xc lude d.

• T

he b e ne fits o f a uto no my a nd ke e ping the ne wc o me rs in mind whe n se le c ting ho w to c lo se A.A. me e ting s.

• T

he dive rsity o f o ur F e llo wship a nd the ne e d fo r e ve ryo ne to fe e l inc lude d.

• Co nside ra tio n o f surve ying the F

e llo wship fo r a wide r sha ring re g a rding use o f the L

• rd’ s Pra ye r.
• Give n the inte rna tio na l na ture o f the I

nte rna tio na l Co nve ntio n, ho w the L

• rd’ s

Pra ye r is pe rc e ive d in o the r c o untrie s. T HE COMMIT T E E ’S T HOUGHT S…

• 14. F

lo o r Ac tio ns

Se ve ra l flo o r a c tio ns we re mo ve d a nd fo rwa rde d to the truste e s’ Co mmitte e o n the Ge ne ra l Se rvic e Co nfe re nc e fo r c o nside ra tio n o f fo rwa rding to the 2021 Co nfe re nc e .

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We we nt o n a virtua l to ur o f Bill a nd L

• is Ho me , Ste pping Sto ne s.

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GE NE RAL SE RVI CE CONF E RE NCE APRI L 18-24, 2021

BROOK L YN BRI DGE MARRI OT T HOT E L

T ha nk yo u Arizo na Are a 03 fo r a llo wing me to se rve yo u, a nd the fe llo wship tha t sa ve d my life .

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