2013 Delegate’s Conference Report

1. 2013 Delegate’s Conference Report by Steve O., Delegate Eastern Pennsylvania General Service Assembly Mini-Assembly I June 2, 2013

2. 63rd General Service Conference “The General Service Conference Takes Its Inventory – Our Solution In Action” April 21 – 27, 2013 Crowne Plaza Hotel, New York, NY

3. GRATITUDE I am deeply grateful to our Eastern PA General Service Assembly members for the opportunity to participate on your behalf – Thank You!

4. The 2012-13 AA Service Manual, pS16

6. Conference Membership • Area Delegates – from US & Canada 93 = 71% • Trustees, A.A.W.S. & Grapevine Directors 25 = 19% • General Service & Grapevine Staff 13 = 10% • Total 131

7. Delegate Statistics Avg. Age 57yrs. Oldest 75 Youngest 36 Avg. Sobriety 21 Longest Sobriety 37 Shortest Sobriety 7 Avg. Sobriety 16 Longest Service 37 Shortest Service 3

8. I. Agenda • Theme for 2014 General Service Conference: “Communicating Our Legacies – Vital In A Changing World”

9. II. Cooperation with Professional Community • Revised pamphlet “If You Area A Professional” • in section Referrals from Court & Treatment Facilities: “Some groups at the request of the prospective member, have the A.A. Group Secretary sign or stamp the court slip.”

10. III. Corrections • Recommendation that, revised pamphlet, “A Message To Corrections Professionals” be approved.

11. IV. Finance • No recommendations or actions • Mirrors Area 59 pre-Conference Sharing

12. V. Grapevine • No Recommendations – as in Area 59 • One Floor Action: • Discontinue current La Vina formatting requirements • Motion failed

13. VI. Literature • Draft pamphlet “AA Spiritual Not Religious” • Motion to re-commit to Trustees Literature committee; Passed • Discussion about mention of any specific religion • Some “atheist” versus “agnostic” discussion

14. VI. Literature, cont’d. • Recommendation: The 2nd paragraph on inside, front flap of the dust jacket be revised. Failed • Recommendation: The Primary Purpose (blue card) be revised. Failed • Amendment passed: “Non-alcoholics are welcome to attend open meetings as observers.”

15. VII. Report & Charter • Recommendation: that a typo in AA Service Manual be corrected. Passed. • From “”uniformed” to “uninformed” • Recommendation: Duty description for the G.S.B. Chairperson be included in the AA Service Manual – Passed • Recommendation: A paragraph “The Principle of Rotation” be added to the AA Service Manual - Passed

16. VIII. Treatment/Special Needs -Accessibilities • No Recommendations • Expressed the need for translations of existing AV material into Spanish & French • Need for better sound production for some materials

17. IX. Trustees • All slates of candidates for boards & directors (AAWS & Grapevine, Inc.) approved • Reviewed G.S.B. Plan for proposed “inter-locking directorate” • Took No Action

18. X. Archives • Recommendation: “Marking On The Journey” be revised – Passed • Recommendation: A 75th Anniversary Edition of the original “Big Book” be published in April 2014 – Passed • Recommendation: posting of freely accessible, anonymity-protected archival audio clips on GSO’s AA web site - Passed

19. XI. International Convention/Regional Forums • Recommended 3 cities as possible sites for 2025 International Convention • Montreal • St. Louis • Vancouver, B.C. • Recommended: up to 21 non-AA speakers be invited attend the 2015 International Convention

20. XII. Public Information • Recommendation: Short form of the Eleventh Tradition implicit includes internet, social media and all forms of public communications. Passed • AAWS be permitted to use commissionable digital channels & third party stores to sell literature – passed

21. XIII. Policy/Admissions • Recommendation: change deadline to submit Conference Agenda Items • From January 15th to December 15th • Passed

22. Floor Actions • All 6 failed • Discussion about 75th Anniversary Commemorative Edition of Big Book in French & Spanish – failed • “The Plan” any vote on reorganizing be decided by three-quarters - Failed

23. Summary • Area 59 Delegate voted consistent with all Pre-Conference sharing • Trust Committee Process • Especially with regard to the “Plan” • All participants well prepared • Discussion deliberative and informed • I worked to keep an open mind

24. Questions?