A Proposal Regarding AA’s Future

A PROPOSAL REGARDING AA’s FUTURE

In order to embody the principles of inventory and vision, as described in the following statement from The A. A. Service Manual;

“At about this stage we may have to take a critical decision. Maybe we have a policy or plan that still looks fine and is apparently doing well. Nevertheless we ought to ponder carefully what its longtime effect will be. Will today’s nearby advantages boomerang into large liabilities for tomorrow? The temptation will almost always be to seize the nearby benefits and quite forget about the harmful precedents or consequences that we may be setting in motion.
These are no fancy theories. We have found that we must use these principles of estimate constantly, especially at world service levels where the stakes are high. In public relations, for example, we must estimate the reaction of both A.A. groups and the general public, both short-term and long-term. The same thing goes for our literature. Our finances have to be estimated and budgeted. We must think about our service needs as they relate to general economic conditions, group capacity, and willingness to contribute. On many such problems we must often try to think months and years ahead. ” (Concept IX – page 41,1991-92 Manual)

and to continue to prepare Alcoholics Anonymous for the next century, it is proposed that:

A.	The structure of, and relationships between our current boards (i.e. General Service, A.A.W.S., & Grapevine).
B.	The composition of the General Service Board.
	I. Class “A” Trustees a. Qualifications b. Term of service c. Method of selection
	II. Class “B” (Regional & At-Large) Trustees a. Size of region covered b. Board assignments
	III. General Service Trustees a. Qualifications b. Term of service c. Method of selection
	IV. Directors (A.A.W.S., Inc. & Grapevine, Inc.) a. Qualifications b. Term of service c. Method of selection
	V. Trustee Committees a. Composition 1. appointed committee members b. Legal voting rights
	VI. General Manager a. Qualifications b. Term of service c. Method of selection d. Relationship to board(s)
C.	General Service Office
	I. Legal Status II. Funding III. Management IV. Location
D.	G.S.O. Staff Assignments
	I. Selection process II. Term of service III. Compensation/ remuneration package
E.	General Service Conference
	I. Agenda II. Length III. Location
F.	Conference Committees
	I. Formation of agenda II. Method of selection III. Number and date of meetings
G.	Conference Delegates
	I. Maximum number II. Term of service
H.	Other items as referred by the Trustees or Conference

This proposal is presented with the understanding that each element within Alcoholics Anonymous ought to share, proportionately, in seeking Gods will for us with regard to the shape our future ought to take. In that regard, it would be improper for any portion of the Conference to solely undertake this assessment, or to offer possible corrections.

It is therefore also a part of this proposal that the Ad Hoc Committee be composed of a representational portion of the 1992 General Service Conference, as noted in item #3. That proportional balance being such that at least one (1) person from each element will be a part of the committee and that the delegates, as a general component, compose at least two-thirds (2/3) of the committee.

Proposed committee makeup:   1 – Class “A” Trustee 1 – Class “B” Trustee 1 – General Service Trustee 1 – Non-trustee Director The General Manager (or Acting GM) 1 – senior Staff member 1 – junior Staff member 1 – Grapevine staff member 1 – Southeast Region Delegate 1 – Northeast Region Delegate 1 – East Central Region Delegate 1 – West Central Region Delegate 1 – Southwest Region Delegate 1 – Pacific Region Delegate 1 – Western Canada Region Delegate 1 – Eastern Canada Region Delegate 6 – Delegates-At-Large/US 2 – Delegates-At-Large/Canada

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION