Delegate's Report

Area World Service Committee Meeting
February 9-10, 2008

To All World Service Committee Members and Guests,

It is hard to believe we are starting the third year of Panel 46. I just returned last week from the Southeast Regional Delegates Get Together in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This is a gathering of all present and past Delegates from the Southeast Region to discuss topics of interest and concern pertaining to the World Service Office and World Service in general. We also discuss matters of current interest in our particular region. The Southeast Region is without a Regional Trustee at this time so our Trustee report was given by Doreen Devore who is a Trustee at large.

Overseas Travel

Two of our Trustees visited Shanghai, Beijing & Kunning in March 2007. In August another Trustee visited Germany and Finland. In October the Chairman of the Board and the Director of Membership Outreach visited Spain, France, and Russia. In March of 2008, two staff members and a Trustee will be visiting several countries in South America. It is important to remember that we are a World -Wide fellowship, not just in the US and Canada. So when you hear “when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help….” You know that your contributions are helping us to do this.

Concept Blog

This is something the fellowship has been asking the World Service Office to do for some time now. It is an interactive workshop and, therefore, not Conference approved. The blog is an interchange with members on the Concept of the month.

Financial News

Literature Sales in 2007 were $640,000 — 17% more than 2006. The new book, Opening Our Hearts, Transforming our Losses, was a big seller. With 69,400 copies being sold, it helped the Literature sales.
Contributions were $1,205,500 compared to $1,228,00 in 2006.
Building Fund, the building should be paid by April 2010.
Forum Subscriptions ended the year about even in dollar amount with 2006 due to the subscription rate increase.
Expenses are substantially below budget and almost the same as 2006.

Service Manuals

The new manuals are now printed in three languages — English, Spanish and French. Each group should have received a new Manual by now.

Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at Work

This little booklet which only cost one dollar has proven to be very well liked. Hopefully this little book will replace all those plastic sleeve sheets some of the groups use.

Regional Service Seminars

There will not be any Regional Service Seminars in 2008 due to us having an International Convention. They will resume in 2009 being more attractive and appealing to the fellowship.

Appeal Letter

Where does the money go?

Free Forums to all groups.
New Manuals.
Groups at Work printed separately.
Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism PO magazine produced.
International travel.
Attending many addiction professional events to talk about Al-Anon.
PSA’s, phone calls, mailings,
Cost of services per group is $226.71.

Groups

US Al-Anon	12,946*
Canada Al-Anon	1,393
US Alateen	926
Canada Alateen	79
Overseas Al-Anon	9,107
Overseas Alateen	770

*Some US groups have multiple meetings, there are approximately 1,501 more meetings than groups.

Al-Anon Electronic meetings registered worldwide are 37 on-line and 14 telephone meetings.

Topics of Interest Discussed by Delegates

Do we use Power Point presentations, multimedia presentations for Public Outreach to bring our Areas into the 21st century?
Do we use our area newsletter as a Public Outreach tool?
How was the Concepts Blog initiated? Was there any Delegate input?
Redistricting--has your District redistricted and what was the process?
How does an AIS fit into your Area Structure?
What are your methods of communicating with Spanish/French speaking Groups at District or Assembly?
How to increase participation from Districts at Assembly and Groups at District?
Literature ideas and education opportunities for younger “pr-teen” members.
How do the action committees share communication and projects with a common goal?
How do we keep past Area Officers interested in service?
How does having a separate Alateen Coordinator and AAPP work, rather than having one person doing both?
How can we build bridges with the Area Offices and Coordinators on the Area level?
Background checks for Alateen Safety and Behavior Requirements.
How do you plan a group budget?
Do you have Area orientation for DRs and GRs?
Declining membership and our stagnant numbers.
Pyramid Sponsorship.
Area Convention Guidelines
Development of multi-generation literature.
Service at the Area level, lack of enthusiasm for standing or serving at the Area level.
How can we lovingingly encourage Area Coordinators to fulfill their roles?
Why don’t we use the SERDGT as a new Delegate orientation?

These topics made for some lively discussion and participation. As you can see, we all have some of the same issues.

Upcoming Events

2008 Pittsburgh will be Great

July 4th weekend “Connecting People Around the World” Al-Anon International Convention with AA particapateion.We have over 2800 registrations already. Hope you have already made yours.

2008 World Service Conference

April 12-17,2008 in Stamford, CT.

2013 International Al-Anon Convention

July 4th weekend in Vancouver, Canada

2010 AA International Convention

with Al-Anon participation in San Antonio, TX

I will be representing the Florida South Area at the Forty Eighth World Service Conference April 12-17,2008. Build Bridges—Energizing our Spiritual Quest will be our theme. My address will be:

Georgia Carlen
AFG World Service Conference- April 13-17, 2008
Stamford Marriot Hotel
Two Stamford Forum
Stamford, CT 06901

Board Vision

All people affected by someone else’s drinking will find help and recovery in every community.

Board Mission

Anticipate the future and Al-Anon’s place in it and ensure that the necessary resources are available.

It is an honor and privilege to serve the Florida South Area as your Delegate. If I can ever be of any assistance, please feel free to call or email me.

Love and Hugs,
Georgia Carlen
Florida South Delegate
1-772-461-7101
Delegate46fls@aol.com

**Remember to use our full name — Al-Anon Family Groups — whenever appropriate**

Southeast Region

South Carolina
Kentucky
North Carolina, Bermuda
Mississippi
Alabama
Tennessee
Florida South
Florida North
Virginia
West Virginia
Georgia
Puerto Rico

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