Delegate's Report
Area World Service Committee Meeting
February 24-25, 2007
Hello Florida South!
Now that we are in our second year of Panel 46 and have been Moving forward with Confidence, Collaboration and Clarity, we are getting ready to have New Thinking — New Energy — Abundant Resources.
I attended the Southeast Delegate’s roundup the first weekend of February in Myrtle Beach South Carolina. The purpose of the Southeast Delegate’s get together is an opportunity for the Region’s past and present Delegate’s to share serious discussion on:
- The agenda of the past year’s World Service Conference and issues raised at that time.
- Topics of interest and concern pertaining to the World Service Office and World Service in general.
- Matters of current interest in our Southeast Region.
The topics brought up for discussions were as follows:
Pyramid Sponsorship
- Grand Sponsor — No such thing.
- Make sure our groups are strong in the Traditions.
- Keep your Group healthy.
- Hold a mini workshop on sponsorship.
Anonymity on the Internet
- Putting last names and phone numbers on the Internet.
Area Newsletters
- What type of information do you put in the Newsletter?
- Dear Serene column (fictional questions that are answered by the Traditions).
- Some have a theme like detachment or anonymity.
How to handle groups redistricting
- Talk to each other, reason things out.
- Logistics are a lot of reasons for moving.
The ultimate authority member
- Dominance, they correct members' job responsibility, being manipulative and gossiping.
- Vision for the Group, read the three obstacles.
Assemblies, how does your Area handle their assemblies?
- Alateen training sessions on Friday night.
- Study of the Service manual handled by different Districts.
- Service Manual Bingo.
Group Contributions
- Financial responsibility.
- Groups and Districts hoarding money.
- Let the groups know what the money is used for.
Do you have incorporated Alateen Conferences in your Area?
Groups that have no interest in Service, do not have a GR, do not want to hear announcements
- District officers can visit groups.
How are AIS assimilated into the Assemblies?
- Their roles are not as clear as some.
- Are they welcomed and a part of the Area?
Vision of Al-Anon Family Groups in five years
- Most recognized resource for recovery for families.
- Rotational basis that WSO staff visit each country every five years.
- Regional Service Seminars in foreign countries.
- Financing of the Groups at work on whatever languages they request.
- All areas, on their marquee at hotels say welcome Al-Anon Family Groups.
- Al-Anon Family Group – should we really be Al-Anon Family Group, since we don’t encourage or include families in our activities.
- Al-Anon Family Group – should we be a household name.
- Newcomers come back.
- Focus more on the recovery of the program.
- A handbook in every member’s hands.
- Sponsorship to encompass more emphasis on service and study of the Traditions and Concepts.
- More visits by the WSO staff and Trustees at Area Assemblies.
RT Plan, what is it?
- Looking for people that are willing and hard working. Physically strong and able to give a lot of time.
Dual members, who are, for the most part, Adult Children trying to make it an AA meeting
- In opening, state “please remain anonymous.”
- Use the pamphlet Al-Anon spoken here.
Circuit Speakers and longtime members who think they are authority
- Circuit speakers are entertainers
- Tapes on relationships, Steps and Traditions.
- Are we putting these people on a pedestal and are they getting paid?
- Get someone to pick speakers that have a good Al-Anon program.
- Do not use speakers to elevate the Conventions.
- Do we need to tape the speakers?
LDC
- Are they good or bad?
- Some Areas wanted to get one started.
- Some Areas were having trouble with theirs.
Alateen
- Does your Area have training sessions, what do they consist of?
- Do you have background checks?
- Do you have requirements above the WSO level?
- Have a State Trooper come to Assembly and fingerprint sponsors.
- An Alateen Sponsor needs to make a commitment in years if they are going to open a meeting.
Action Committees
- Are they successful?
- What happens between assemblies?
- Some Areas assign committees and rotate every year.
- What is the purpose of the committees?
As we read the list, we can see that the Florida South Area has some of the same problems and concerns that other Areas have.
Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism in 2007
My vision for Florida South was to order and distribute 1000 copies of Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism in 2007. Well, on the first printing we ordered 3275 copies. Way to go everyone, and thanks for helping me see one of my visions for the Florida South Area. The total orders for the first printing were in the excess of 168,000.
Members Web Site
Look for the Asia trip blog. It is 15 pages long but very informative and lets us know that Al-Anon is truly a worldwide Fellowship.
See attached sheet for information on the goals of increasing visitors to the member’s site.
e-cal — have you checked it out on the members website?
Upcoming Events:
Southeast Regional Seminar
March 16-18, 2007 Charleston, West Virginia — Hope you have already made your reservations.
2008 Pittsburgh Will Be Great
“Connecting People around the World” International Al-Anon Convention will be held July 4th weekend. Registration forms will be out in September 2007. Have you started saving for this trip yet?
2007 World Service Conference
April 21-27, Ramada Plaza Hotel, Virginia Beach, VA.
2010 AA International Convention
with Al-Anon participation in San Antonio, TX, July 4th weekend. More information to follow.
2013 International Al-Anon Convention
Join the Dream in 2013. They will be picking a site after the Conference.
Career Opportunity
The World Service Office has a career opportunity for an Associate Director of Group Services and an Information Analyst. If you are interested in relocating, I have the resume information.
I will be attending the 2007 World Service Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, from April 20th to April 28th. The theme this year is New Thinking, New Energy, Abundant Outlook, and that is what my Al-Anon program has given me.
My address while at the Conference will be:
***Please contact Georgia personally for this information***
- I am still working on my visions for the Florida South Area; one is to have 50 percent of the GRs attend the assembly.
- I am looking forward to an exciting year and attending as many events as possible. I am also looking forward to seeing all of you at these events.
- Remember to “forget” a piece of Al-Anon Literature in a public place on Lois’ birthday
March 4th, 2007.
- If I can be of any assistance please call or email me. I am here for you as your Trusted Servant.
Love and Hugs,
Georgia C.
Florida South Delegate
delegate46fls@aol.com
***Remember to use our full name, Al-Anon Family Groups, whenever appropriate.***
Southest Region
- Alabama
- Florida South
- Florida North
- South Carolina — Bermuda
- North Carolina
- Tennessee
- Mississippi
- Kentucky
- West Virginia
- Puerto Rica
- Virginia
- Georgia
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