GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE 2011 ADVISORY ACTIONS
GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE 2011
ADVISORY ACTIONS
The group conscience of the Fellowship of ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS in Australia was expressed in the following Advisory Actions to the General Service Board, based upon the recommendations from the Conference Committees, as indicated in the headings. The background to these Advisory Actions and the submissions from the Groups, individual members or from the General Service Board in the form of Topics which led to them were presented in full detail to all Areas prior to Conference.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON TRUSTEES
Advisory Action #018/2011
Conference resolved to reject the proposal that future appointments to paid positions at the National Office be made on the basis of fixed term contracts. Conference works within Concept XI which states:
"In the World Service Office, we have found it impractical and unfair to set any fixed term of employment. A staff member has to have several years training. Are we then to throw her out, just as she is getting top grade? And if she realized that she could only serve for a fixed period, could we have hired her in the first place? Probably not. These posts are hard to fill because they require just the right ingredients of personality, ability, stability, business and AA experience. If we insisted on a fixed term of service, we would often be forced to engage AAs really not qualified. This would be both harmful and unfair."
Voting: For: 29; Against: 4; Abstentions: 0
Carried
Advisory Action #034/2011
Conference resolved to recommend that the General Service Board writes a letter to all Areas, advising the ways in which General Service Board members and National Office staff are available to assist in developing the Fellowship within their Area, if needed.
Voting: Carried by a show of hands
Advisory Action #35/2011
Conference resolved to ratify the appointment of General Service Trustee Kieren T for a four year period commencing 1st January 2012 .
No disapproval
Carried
Advisory Action #36/2011
Conference resolved to ratify the appointment of Class A Trustee David Brown for a five period commencing 1st January 2012.
No disapproval
Carried
Advisory Action #37/2011
Conference resolved to ratify the appointment of Class A Trustee Rodger Bull for a five year period commencing 1st January 2012.
No disapproval
Carried
Advisory Action #38/2011
Conference resolved to recommend to the General Service Board that Kevin D be appointed as Northern Regional Trustee for a four year period commencing 1st January 2012.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
Advisory Action #39/2011
Conference resolved that Sharon R be elected as World Service Meeting Delegate for a four year period, commencing 1st January 2012.
Voting: by Third Legacy Procedure
Carried
Advisory Action #40/2011
Conference resolved to request all delegates to assist the Conference Committee on Trustees in seeking quality candidates for Conference positions, specifically General Service Trustees, as it was noted there is a shortage of candidates for this position.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
CONFERENCE REPORT CHARTER AND SERVICE MANUAL COMMITTEE
Advisory Action #41/2011
Conference resolved that the following description of the role of a Trustee be included in Section 9 of the Australian AA Service Manual:
Trustees emeriti are appointed by the General Service Conference following nomination either by the General Service Board, or from the Fellowship. The appointments are considered after rotation following a lengthy period of service and only Class A Trustees are eligible for these positions. The positions are for life, or until the Trustee Emeritus wishes to resign.
It is recommended that Trustees emeriti are invited to attend quarterly board meetings of the General Service Board and the annual General Service Conference with participation, but not voting rights. They are a resource of corporate memory and are often asked to share their experience with past board decisions, how previous General Service Boards conducted business, and the processes they used to reach a group conscience. Trustees emeriti do not vote on any matter before the General Service Board or the Conference.
Voting: For: 33; Against: 0; Abstentions: 0
Carried
Advisory Action #42/2011
Conference resolved to adopt the submitted AA Child Safety Guidelines, with amendments as recommended by the Conference Report Charter & Service Manual Committee.
Voting: For: 30; Against: 3; Abstentions: 0
Carried
CONFERENCE POLICIES AND ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE
Advisory Action #43/2011
Conference resolved to adopt the following policy re online meetings:
Just like regular AA meetings, online AA meetings are autonomous.
Due to the lack of a central geographic location, online AA meetings are not a direct part of the General Service Structure.
AA members are encouraged to participate in service where they physically reside and to participate in group conscience decisions locally.
In addition, some online AA meetings have business meetings and collect Seventh Tradition contributions.
Voting: For: 28; Against: 4; Abstentions: 0
Carried
Advisory Action #033/2011
Conference resolved to establish a Conference Remote Communities Committee be to work in conjunction with the General Service Board Committee.
Voting: For: 30; Against: 2; Abstentions: 1
Carried
CONFERENCE TREATMENT & CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Advisory Action #006/2011
Conference resolved to establish a correspondence service for alcoholic inmates, to be co-ordinated by National Office.
Voting: For: 32; Against: 1; Abstentions: 0
Carried
Advisory Action #44/2011
Conference resolved to accept the submitted Treatment Facilities Guideline.
Voting: For: 33; Against: 0; Abstentions: 0
Carried
Advisory Action #45/2011
Conference resolved to accept the submitted Correctional Facilities Guideline.
Voting: For: 33; Against: 0; Abstentions: 0
Carried
CONFERENCE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
Advisory Action #030/2011
Conference resolved that the sum of $2000 be donated to the Asia/Oceania Service Meeting Secretariat to assist with the running costs of the Secretariat.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
CONFERENCE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Advisory Action #008/2011
Conference resolved to reject the proposal that the General Service Board does not issue loans to anyone, without first consulting with the Fellowship. Conference resolved to adopt a policy that the General Service Board seeks approval from the Conference Finance Committee for any loan, or series of loans, that amount to more than 5% of its previous year's annual expenses, excluding literature.
Voting: For: 29; Against: 4; Abstentions: 0
Carried
Advisory Action #031/2011
Conference resolved to accept the following guideline regarding the use of members' contributions towards the cost of importing AA speakers, being mindful that groups are autonomous and noting that Guideline 14 already contains some relevant information:
Most Members enjoy hearing speakers from other countries; however, using members' contributions to fund travel and accommodation expenses of such speakers to attend conventions and rallies in Australia requires careful consideration. This should include whether members knew before they donated that their contributions were to be used towards travel and accommodation for overseas speakers.
Ideally speakers from overseas should be selected from those already booked to attend, and who are self-funding. However if a committee believes that there is a unique speaker, they should put forward a valid argument to their group conscience.
The practice of individual members funding speakers to attend should be avoided, particularly if the group conscience has decided, for whatever reason, not to fund the speaker.
It is also worth reminding ourselves of the following statement which appears in our publication "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions" under Tradition 12: ‘we try to give up our natural desires for personal distinction as AA members both among fellow alcoholics and before the general public'.
Funding members to speak could be considered to be disregarding this tradition.
Voting: For: 26; Against: 5; Abstentions: 2
Carried
Advisory Action #032/2011
Conference resolved to rescind Advisory Action #024/2005 and that allowable limits for donations and bequests be increased or decreased by recommendation to Conference. The current limits of $6050 for donations and $14,850 for bequests are considered to be adequate.
Voting: For: 31: Against: 2; Abstentions: 0
Carried
CONFERENCE LITERATURE COMMITTEE
Advisory Action #025-B/2011
Conference resolved that the words on page 3 of the pamphlet ‘Alcoholics Anonymous for the Aboriginal Australian' (We have a choice) be deleted in the next printing of this pamphlet.
Voting: For: 27; Against: 4; Abstentions: 2
Carried
Advisory Action #028/2011
Conference resolved to accept the submitted policy regarding the use of commercial names in AA produced literature, with a minor correction (delete the word ‘materials' from the second line). The amended policy to be included in the Australian AA Service Manual.
Voting: For: 32; Against: 0; Abstentions: 0
Carried
CONFERENCE PUBLIC INFORMATION AND CO-OPERATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
Advisory Action #46/2011
Conference resolved to accept the revised Guideline GL-30, PI&CPC and T&CF COORDINATORS AND FORUMS, with the following minor amendments:
+ (pg 140 of the folder) first dot point the words "held in early October" be changed to "held by early October"
+ That where appropriate, the term "AA Around Australia" be used, not "AAAA".
+ (pg 141 of the folder) fourth line typographical error - third word should be "additional"
+ Under the heading "THE ROLE": first dot point, after the word "reporting" to read:
"......reporting in several directions: such as in writing; email; the service website; displays and National forums.
+ (pg 142 of the folder) under the first sub heading Bidding and Host Planning Committee, the second line: replace the word "preferably" with the words "at least".
Voting: For: 33; Against: 0; Abstentions: 0
Carried
Advisory Action #005-A/2011
Conference resolved to better protect the anonymity of members by adding an additional restriction to the Media pages of the AA website and inserting an alert to members in the Anonymity Statement. Conference resolved that in the submitted documents:
+ the (underlined) amendments in Attachment A of the submitted document (pages 53 and 154 of the folder) be accepted. Additions were:
or report information that could identify a member through events or circumstances unique to them.
And without identifying them by a unique set of events or circumstances.
Voting: For: 32; Against: 0; Abstentions: 1
Carried
Topic 005-B/2011
Conference resolved to support the proposal that the (underlined) amendment (and further suggested amendment at Conference) in Attachment B of the submitted document be added to the Media pages of the AA website with the aim of better protecting the anonymity of members.
The amended text was:
We should also alert members of Alcoholics Anonymous who are concerned about their anonymity that they ‘share in a general way' that cannot identify them from unique events or circumstances in their life'.
Voting: For: 31; Against: 2; Abstentions: 0
Carried
CONFERENCE AGENDA COMMITTEE
Advisory Action #47/2011
Conference resolved to accept the Agenda Committee recommendation that:
a) Conference approve the redraft of the Conference Administrative Procedures;
b) that any approval take immediate effect; and,
c) the Report Charter and Service Manual Committee update Guideline 27 to align with the revised Conference Administrative Procedures.
Voting: For: 32; Against: 0; Abstentions: 0
Carried
Advisory Action #48/2011
Conference resolved that the next General Service Conference be held from Thursday 1st - Sunday 4th November 2012 at the Novotel, Brighton Le Sands, NSW.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
Advisory Action #49/2011
Conference resolved that the Conference Agenda Committee should meet on Saturday 16th June 2012 at 4pm EST to formulate agendas and on Saturday 18th August 2012 at 11.30am EST to allocate topics to Conference.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
Advisory Action #50/2011
Conference resolved that Friday 29th June 2012 be the deadline for receipt of Conference topics.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
COMBINED CONFERENCE PUBLIC INFORMATION & CO-OPERATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY AND TREATMENT & CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Advisory Action #001/2011
Conference resolved to reject the proposal that the programmes for National Forums such as Treatment & Correctional and Public Information & Cooperation with the Professional Community do not run parallel sessions. However, Conference recommends that organising committees of National Forums will consider the cost implications for Areas, arising from scheduling parallel sessions, and that this recommendation be included in Guideline GL- 30: PI & CPC and T&CF Coordinators and Forums.
Voting: For: 31; Against: 1; Abstentions: 0
Carried
NATIONAL CONVENTION BIDS
Advisory Action #022/2011
Conference resolved the bid to host the 2015 National Convention in Newcastle, New South Wales.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
NATIONAL PUBLIC INFORMATION FORUM BIDS
Advisory Action #51/2011
Conference resolved to accept the bid by Area D, Eastern Region, to host the 2013 National Public Information Forum.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
REGIONAL FORUM BIDS
Advisory Action #52/2011
Conference resolved to accept bids by the following Areas to host Regional Forums in 2012 and 2013:
Area A, North Eastern Region (2012)
Areas A and B, Western Region (2012)
Area D, Southern Region (2012)
Area F, Eastern Region (2012)
Area B, North Eastern Region (2013)
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
FLOOR ACTIONS
Advisory Action #53/2011
The General Service Conference supports the General Service Board in taking whatever action is deemed necessary to fulfil its legal responsibilities to protect the registered trademarks and literature licensing agreement.
The Conference also supports the General Service Board in taking whatever action is deemed necessary in the interests of the Fellowship to attend to matters relating to circulated misinformation affecting the General Service Structure and public liability insurance concerns.
Voting: For: 32; Against: 0; Abstentions: 0
Carried
Advisory Action #54/2011
Conference resolved that the document entitled ‘A Message from the 2011 General Service Conference, the Group Conscience of our Australian Fellowship' be distributed to all groups throughout Australia. The statement is to be issued so that all members can share in the principles of recovery, unity and service that Conference embodies. The message summarises Conference's commitment to the long term health of our Fellowship.
Voting: For: 33; Against: 0; Abstentions: 0
Carried
Advisory Action #55/2011
Conference resolved that Conference and the Board should urgently take whatever steps are necessary to develop and implement a 21st Century New Media Policy for AA Australia.
Voting: For: 33; Against: 0; Abstentions: 0
Carried
Advisory Action #56/2011
Conference resolved that the Conference Agenda Committee should contact Conference Committee Chairmen in 2012 regarding the selection of two committees to trial a new system whereby, instead of these committees making recommendations on Conference Topics referred to these committees, the committees will present arguments in favour of and against the topics to the full Conference. The Conference will vote on the topics, not on committee recommendations.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
Advisory Action #57/2011
Conference resolved that the Conference Agenda Committee should prepare a set of guidelines for Conference Committee Chairmen to help make committees run more efficiently and also organise mentoring of new delegates so that they are better informed.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
Advisory Action #58/2011
Conference resolved that General Service Board Committee Chairmen should send monthly reports on Advisory Actions to the relevant Conference Committee Chairmen by email, and that the Conference Committee Chairmen should communicate this information to their other committee members.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
Advisory Action #59/2011
Conference resolved that the Conference Inventory Committee should prepare for next year's Conference:
(1) Checklists for personal inventory
(2) Conference feedback sheets
(3) Standing agenda slot for face to face discussion on Conference Inventory.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried
Advisory action #60/2011
Conference resolved to adopt the Conference Decision Process Chart, as shown on page 313 of the Conference folder, and that this chart should be included in all Conference folders, as a guide for Conference session Chairmen and Conference members.
Voting: by a show of hands
Carried