newsfrom the 2016 World Service Conference topics 1. Updates to Al-Anon and Alateen Policies 2. Descriptive text of Concept Eleven 3. Task Force Presentations 4. Discussion of Prayer for Today 5. It s coming 2018 Al-Anon International Convention 6. Where will you be in July 2023? 7. More Information Al Anon s largest representative group conscience, the World Service Conference (WSC), met in Virginia Beach, Virginia, April 11-15. The Conference theme was Realizing Our Spiritual Potential. It was Al Anon s 56th annual Conference, which brought together Delegates from 67 Areas in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda. These Delegates are elected by their Area Assemblies, which include Group Representatives, District Representatives, and other Al Anon members participating in the activities of their service structure. Although Delegates are elected by the Al Anon members in their Areas, their purpose at the World Service Conference is to represent Al Anon as a whole. Other participants in the Conference include members of Al Anon s Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and Al Anon members who serve in senior staff positions at the World Service Office (WSO). The 1985 WSC voted to make the Conference member ratio two-thirds elected Delegates to one-third WSO volunteers and staff. The 2016 Conference had 92 voting members. More information about how the Conference works is available in the 2014-2017 Al Anon/ Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), beginning on p. 139.
Updates to Al-Anon and Alateen Policies As requested by the 2015 Conference, the Policy Committee proposed language to the Conference regarding a limited, one-time memorial contribution in memory of deceased Al Anon members, by family members who are not Al Anon members. The Conference has discussed this matter since 2013, with all viewpoints and ideas from the membership voiced through the Area Delegates. The memorial contributions motion reflects the spiritual principle of Tradition Five, to give comfort to families of alcoholics. It reinstates a similar policy that had been in place from Al Anon s early days until 1986. There are many relatives and close friends of Al Anon members who recognize the value of our program and want to acknowledge their gratitude with a memorial contribution to their beloved Al Anon member. The Conference approved the motion to amend the text on page 95 of the Financial Matters section, Memorial Contributions, in the Digest of Al Anon and Alateen Policies section of the 2014 2017 Al Anon/ Alateen Service Manual (P-24/P27). The motion specified: A definition of family for use by the donor. A limited amount of money ($500.00 USD) on a one-time basis per donor, which represents.01 percent of the WSO s General Fund. The amended text will be updated in the electronic version of the Service Manual located on the Members Web site here. Members can download the new text, print the page, and insert it into their 2014-2017 Al Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27). Descriptive text of Concept Eleven In July 2012, the Board of Trustees began to update and clarify the descriptive text of Concept Eleven in the Al Anon s Twelve Concepts of Service section of the Service Manual (P-24/27). The revised text would reflect changes to the structure of Board committees that were implemented and approved by the 2002 World Service Conference (WSC). Amended text would describe the various structure changes of Standing Committees, as well as the addition of Thought and Task Forces and Work Groups. The Twelve Concepts of Service belong to our worldwide fellowship. The WSC is the senior structure that provides an example to General Service Offices (GSOs) and emerging structures around the world. Therefore, the update includes a brief description of those Board committees that, while no longer in effect in the WSC Structure, may be in effect in other structures. Prior to the 2016 WSC, Conference members received a draft of descriptive text for review to help them prepare to continue the discussion. They were also asked to review the 2015 Conference discussion found on pages 43-45 of the 2015 Conference Summary (P-46). After thorough review of the descriptive text, there was consensus that it was clear and accurate. The Conference approved the changes, which will take the place of the current wording on pages 207-214 of the 2014-2017 Al Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27).
Task Force Presentations Four Task Forces gave presentations throughout the 2016 World Service Conference: The Meeting Types Task Force presented a list of potential types of meetings that could meet a variety of group needs while remaining consistent with Al Anon s Legacies. The Task Force shared that Al Anon Guidelines and the Service Manual provide information on many types of meetings, but that there are times when meetings need to be non traditional in order to meet the needs of individual members or the group as a whole. The Task Force encouraged creativity and ingenuity in determining what type of meeting would best fit the needs of the group, the members, and potential members. Some of their suggestions were: Technology assisted meetings Seasonal meetings Identified need location meetings For additional non-traditional meetings presented, look for detailed information in the 2016 World Service Conference Summary (P-46). The Communication and Strengthening the Links of Service Task Force gave a presentation to assist trusted servants in better communicating information using spiritual principles as a guide, while empowering members to use the links of service and make their needs known. Following a humorous skit, Conference members were presented with several questions to consider, including: How can I communicate and introduce spiritual principles into discussions? How can I, as a trusted servant, empower the group to address problems keeping spiritual principles in mind? Conference members broke into small groups and discussed how to approach specific problems lovingly. Participants agreed that by basing communication on spiritual principles, such as gratitude, mutual respect, and abundance, members would best be able to understand and apply information communicated through the links of service to make better decisions for the group and the fellowship. Many Conference members shared how implementing the tools identified in the presentation will help begin conversations in their Areas. The Task Force on Acceptance of Communities, Cultures, and Beliefs developed a workshop for district and Area use. It included ideas for group members to welcome and give comfort to newcomers from all communities, cultures, and beliefs, while keeping the focus on Al Anon s primary purpose of helping friends and families of alcoholics. Cultural differences and diversities may include: Differences between people due to age, religion, race, gender, social or economic status, physical or mental status, etc. Differences among groups of people and individuals based on ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, and/or geographic area. Conference members were asked to consider what we could do to overcome our own discomfort and reach out to people who are not like us. How can we avoid separating into cliques and familiar groupings, or being territorial at our meetings? How can we actively demonstrate at our meetings and in public outreach that we are a recovery support group available to everyone everywhere? Conference members had an opportunity to share their personal experiences overcoming their own prejudices, and how it expanded their personal recovery. Many Conference members thanked the Task Force for this workshop, as it will help them present this topic in their Areas. The Task Force on Technology and Anonymity shared how to successfully use technology, including social media sites, for personal usage and for Al Anon business, while maintaining Al Anon/ Alateen anonymity. The Task Force discussed ways to help members understand the facts and dispel some of the myths of anonymity when using social media, e-mail, and other on-line technologies. One myth dispelled was that clicking Like or Follow on any Al Anon social media site indicates that one is a member of Al Anon:
Simply Liking or Following any of Al Anon s or Alateen s social media sites, such as Facebook or Twitter, doesn t imply affiliation. It simply means you support the message. It is important to respect your comfort level regarding whether to Like or Follow Al Anon s social media sites. Liking Al Anon s Facebook page is a matter of an individual s personal preference. Liking or Following Al Anon s social media can have a ripple effect. When you Like or Follow a page or post without identifying yourself as a member, you share that information with your social media friends. This helps broaden Al Anon s message of hope to others. Discussion of Prayer for Today One of the roles of the Literature Committee is to review suggestions that come from the fellowship for new literature or changes to existing pieces. If it involves a major decision, the topic is brought to the World Service Conference for discussion. During the last year, the Committee began discussing concerns from Al Anon members regarding the Prayer for Today. This prayer is included in the Just for Today Wallet Card (M 10) and Bookmark (M 12), as well as in How Al Anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics (B 22, B-32). The Literature Committee introduced the topic to the Delegates at the Conference in a one-hour discussion in order to seek a wider perspective and receive more input. Some Delegates reported that there were members in their Areas who believed this was an attempt to remove God from our program. While many Conference members were opposed to the idea of removing or making changes to any piece that had such a long tradition within the fellowship, others expressed concerns that the prayer muddied the border between spirituality and religion. What seemed particularly troublesome to some was the line, it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. They felt this is a specific religious belief, the discussion of which is cautioned against in the Three Obstacles to Success in Al Anon. The Conference agreed to continue the discussion next year, after the Delegates conduct informed, Traditions-based discussions within their Areas, in which all aspects and points of view can be examined prior to reaching conclusions. In following this process, we trust that all group conscience decisions will be, as stated in Tradition Two, the expression of the loving God of our understanding.
It s coming 2018 Al Anon International Convention Conference members were reminded there are two years before our next Al Anon/Alateen International Convention! Al-Anon s Sixth International Convention will take place July 5-8 in Baltimore, Maryland. International Conventions are a great way to celebrate recovery, meet old friends, and make new ones. An International Convention is where members from Canada, the United States, and many other countries gather together to speak the same language the language of the heart. The registration fee for the Convention will be announced at the 2017 World Service Conference. Conference members were told that registration forms will be available in August/September 2017. Now is the best time to plan your budget to attend! Here are a few important things to consider: 1. Estimate your travel expense. 2. Think about how many others you may want to room with you. 3. Plan on registering early for the lowest registration price. 4. Total these items for a preliminary budget. 5. Divide this number by weeks remaining to determine how much to save each week. Don t forget to talk to members in your home group and even those you sponsor about attending and making their budgets too! Where will you be July 2023? Al Anon will be holding an International Convention in 2023, but we don t know where it will be held! Conference members heard an overview of Al Anon s participation with Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) in International Conventions, as well as Al Anon s side-by-side and stand-alone International Conventions. Following the overview, Conference members received information regarding the World Service Office s (WSO) initial preparations for Al Anon s Seventh International Convention in 2023, and how Areas can present bids to host it. We expect 4,000 to 5,000 attendees, including A.A. participation. For this International Convention, the dates being considered are: June 30-July 2, 2023 or July 7-9, 2023. It was noted that the responsibility for preparing, submitting, and presenting a bid rests with the Area Delegate. Bids are due to the WSO December 1, 2016. Where will you be in July 2023? Stay tuned. More Information For a more detailed account of the 2016 World Service Conference, see the Conference Summary (P-46), available in August 2016, here on the Members Web site. You can also order a copy of the Conference Summary (for $5 shipping and handling) here.