Young People ’ s Project

1. Young People’s Project AA YP Project Progress Report Chester April 2014

2. Where are we now? AA Demographic by age : 2010 Survey • 95% over age 30 • 77% over age 40 • 47% over age 50 • 22% over age 60

3. Do the Maths • Only 1 in 20 of us is “young” ie. under 30 • This can be daunting for youngsters

4. Where do we want to be? • Attractyoung people with alcohol problems into recoveryin AA. • Engageyoung people in theunityof the Fellowship. • Sponsoryoung people into servicevia the servicestructure.

5. Conference 2013 • Young people should be warmly welcomed into AA. • Young People are encouraged through sponsorship to be active members of the Fellowship • The Service Structure may seek to encourage and co-operate with Young People’s Conventions • The Electronic Communications Sub Committee (ECSC) looks at appropriate apps and social media as a possible means of attracting young people to AA

6. Conference 2013 • Young people are encouraged, wherever possible, to carry the message at PI events in education, young offenders institutions etc. • A young person (YP) status is highlighted on the 12th Step list • The “Too Young”poster be updated with input from younger members. • Intergroups and Regions may, where appropriate, appoint a Young Persons Liaison Officer.

7. How do we get there?Young People’s Project Team • Invitation to interested young members via AA Service News, website, circular to Regions • Four meetings so far chaired and attended by Trustees • Aim: to facilitate and develop the agenda from Conference 2013

8. Work in progress • AA poster for young people • Proposal for A Message for Young People animated video • Monitoring Young People’s Conventions

9. Work in progress • Discussion document for the Role of the YPLO • Report to the GSB re Search Engine Optimisation • More of the YP community attending Intergroup and Region: more YPLOs coming into the service structure • One YPP Team member is now an alternative Conference Delegate !

10. YPLO Role: Discussion Document • Minimum two years continuous sobriety with a working knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions having come into AA at the age of thirty or younger age.

11. YPLO Role: Discussion Document • The YPLO is a conduit for young people with a desire to stop drinking. The YPLO receives and answers referred email and phone enquiries about AA from young people. This gives young people someone to talk with who has sober experience in Alcoholics Anonymous and can share experience, strength and hope about getting sober at a young age.

12. YPLO Role: Discussion Document • A YPLO will be available to assist the Public Information Liaison Officer (PILO) with public information talks where the audience is anticipated to be of a younger age, such as schools, universities, young offenders’ institutions and prisons. The YPLO could also be of assistance offering perspective to PILOs creating PI presentations.

13. YPLO Role: Discussion Document • A YPLO should encourage younger members of AA to get involved in all aspects of service at Group, Intergroup, Region, and GSB Sub Committee levels. Younger AAs are needed in all areas of service eg. Literature, Electronic Communications and PI to ensure the perspective of young people in AA is included and to foster future generations of service.

14. Posters • The “Too Young”poster be updated with input from younger members.

17. A Message to Young PeopleAnimation Video • The Electronic Communications Sub Committee (ECSC) looks at appropriate apps and social media as a possible means of attracting young people to AA • Storyboard proposal endorsed by GSB and in development

18. Where do we go from here? • Develop our YP network in all areas of the country • Attractyoung people with alcohol problems into recoveryin AA. • Engage young people in theunityof the Fellowship. • Sponsor young people into servicevia the servicestructure.

19. They are the future! • Message to AA at large • Lend them a hand... • Give them their head...