Check Out District 46 Workshops, Media & Information
DCM REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2022
With our elections this month it is a reminder that my rotation as DCM 46 will soon be coming to an end. Reflecting on the last four years has shown me that I can do things I never thought I could with encouragement, help from others, and most of all strength from my higher power. Especially for that two minutes of speaking at the Quarterlies and Assembly. Anyone can do this job because we are never doing it alone.
I am so proud of the work that we accomplished this rotation even though it hasn’t been easy with it beginning in the middle of a pandemic. We persevered and continued on because that is what we do.
Good luck to those who make themselves available for the next rotation.
The month since our last business meeting the only real thing of District business was the letter to GSO and finding an individual to conduct our elections. It being so close to Assembly everyone is busy but I succeeded.
Things you need to know is (1) the schedule for the Assembly which I will attach with the Brief Notes after the meeting report. (Please make sure you have gotten your group conscience before the Assembly so you GSR’s know how to vote on the motions.)
I am so proud of the work that we accomplished this rotation even though it hasn’t been easy with it beginning in the middle of a pandemic. We persevered and continued on because that is what we do.
Good luck to those who make themselves available for the next rotation.
The month since our last business meeting the only real thing of District business was the letter to GSO and finding an individual to conduct our elections. It being so close to Assembly everyone is busy but I succeeded.
Things you need to know is (1) the schedule for the Assembly which I will attach with the Brief Notes after the meeting report. (Please make sure you have gotten your group conscience before the Assembly so you GSR’s know how to vote on the motions.)
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DCM Notes August D-46 Business Mtg
First off, it was motioned to send $2000.00 to GSO and $2000.00 to the Area since we had a an abundance of funds leaving us $480 in the account.
The first official workshop, Our Primary Purpose, is this coming Saturday, July 23rd, at Village Pizza in Anacortes. Address is 807 Commercial Ave, Anacortes upstairs. Time is from 4:30-6:30pm. This will be a hybrid event. The ID will be the same as the District meeting #959 007 2772, the host will let you in. The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9590072772 . Please relay this information to your homegroups so all can attend. See you all there! As you will see in my DCM report I would like you to discuss with your homegroup what they think about our Delegate not being able to participate at the General Service Conference due to contracting COVID and if you think GSO should be made aware by groups, districts and the Area writing letters to show our disappointment. It was agreed we should write something and I will try to put something together and present it by email for opinions and assistance in portraying the feelings of the District. The next District business meeting, August 20th,2022 will be held on Orcas Island at the Airport Center with the meeting beginning at 9:30 as usual. Those of us on Whidbey Island will need to catch the 7:25 am ferry to make it in time. Please arrive early and please let me know if you are coming so we know how many will need transportation on the other side. After the meeting your webmaster will host a gathering at his house which will be a potluck bring something if you can. You can call me, text me or email me |
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Every year Delegates from all around the US and Canada Meet in New York. Our Delegate Geene is holding a special Zoom meeting to discuss all the changes and updates.
For more information, including background discussions, click HERE. |
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We now have access to two documents that help explain good practices for working in the relationships of AA's to doctors and Doctors to AA. Click HERE for document one which covers topics AA Members would like to have highlighted and discussed. Please click HERE for document two that is a letter to your Health Care Provider describing the role of AA.
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2022 General Service Conference Report
The recommended presentation topics for the 73rd General Service Conference are:
Committee Recommended:
1. Presentation Topics:
1. How do A.A.s go to any lengths to Recover, Unify, and Serve?
2. Going Beyond Fear
3. How to Reach Anyone, Anywhere
2. Workshop Topic: Inform – The Warrantees – Our Promise to the Fellowship and the World.
Cooperation with the Professional Communities Passed
HIGHLIGHTS
7th Tradition - $10.26M, set another record, up 15.8% from $8.86M in 2019. (on-line contributions more than doubled)
Cost of services- %10.81 million, down 14.9% from $12.7M in 2019.
AAWS publishing gross-profits - $6.58M down 29.7% from $9.36M in 2019, used to cover $550K shortfall between 7th Tradition contributions and cost of services.
Self-Support covered 94.9% of the cost of services compared to 69.8% in 2019.
Grapevine Financial Highlights
Print subscriptions decreased by 4.5%, on-line and mobile app subscriptions increased by 7.7% Net loss $299K in 2020
La Vina magazine circulation decreased by 36.6%
Reserve Funds stands at 7.9 months of operations.
FLOOR MOTIONS:
#2: It was recommended that:
The A.A. Preamble be changed from:
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
To:
In Alcoholics Anonymous we share our experience, strength and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. PASSED
#3: It was recommended that:
The first sentence of the A.A. Preamble be revised with gender-neutral language by replacing the words “men and women” with the word “people” to read: “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.”
Revision:
The first sentence of the A.A. Preamble as it currently reads:
“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.”
Be revised to read:
“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.”
PASSED
#4: WITHDRAWN
#5: It was recommended that:
That the pamphlet "A.A. for the Native North American" be updated to include language that is both respectful and inclusive of all Indigenous peoples as well as add fresh stories and updating inaccuracies contained in the current pamphlet and that a draft pamphlet be brought back to the 2022 Conference Committee on Literature. Passed
#6: It was recommended that:
The Preamble revision described in the third floor action of the 71st GSC as the new revised A.A Preamble be presented to the General Service Board for approval. Passed
Procedurally a little hiccup.
Because there are two floor motions that passed both revising the Preamble. Then another one showing that the body confirmed changing the Preamble to “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.” But another floor motion that passed was not withdrawn. So the GSB has sent the information to the Grapevine for further discussion and decision. More will be revealed.
NOTE:
The above Advisory Actions were confirmed by the General Service board, at their annual meeting, which is usually held the Saturday immediately after the Conference. Since the Conference this year did not actually end until 2am Sunday morning, this meeting was held on Saturday May 1st, 2021.
Committee Recommended:
1. Presentation Topics:
1. How do A.A.s go to any lengths to Recover, Unify, and Serve?
2. Going Beyond Fear
3. How to Reach Anyone, Anywhere
2. Workshop Topic: Inform – The Warrantees – Our Promise to the Fellowship and the World.
Cooperation with the Professional Communities Passed
- That the trustees’ Committee on Cooperation with the Professional Community/Treatment and Accessibilities develop a pamphlet directed to mental health professionals. The committee requested that a progress report or draft pamphlet be brought to the 2022 Conference Committee Cooperation with the Professional Community. PASSED
- That the updated draft pamphlet “Members of the Clergy Ask About Alcoholics Anonymous” be approved with minor editorial changes and retitled “Faith Leaders Ask About Alcoholics Anonymous.” PASSED
- Revisions to A.A.W.S literature directed to members behind the walls and to replace the terms, “inmate” and “offender” with “persons in custody” PASSED
- The committee recommended that a Fifth Edition of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, be developed, including an update of stories to better reflect current membership, keeping in mind the 1995 Advisory Action that: “The first 164 pages of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, the Preface, the Forewords, ‘The Doctor’s Opinion,’ ‘Dr. Bob’s Nightmare,’ and the Appendices remain as is,” and that a progress report be brought back to the 2022 Conference Committee on Literature. PASSED
- The committee recommended that, pending its development, the draft Fifth Edition of the Big Book would include a new foreword, an updated preface and updates to expand on existing ideas in Appendices III and V. PASSED
- The committee recommended that a draft version of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous (Fourth Edition), be translated into plain and simple language and be developed in a way that is accessible and relatable to as wide of an audience as possible and that a progress report or draft be brought back to the 2022 Conference Committee on Literature. PASSED
- The committee recommended that the U.S./Canada General Service Structure recognize online groups and encourage their participation, listing those groups who ask to be listed within the group’s preferred district and area, with the default option being the location of the group’s primary contact. This supersedes the 1997 Advisory Action that designated online groups as “International Correspondence Meetings.”
- The committee recommended that the General Service Board form a committee to explore future possibilities for the participation of online groups in the U.S./Canada General Service structure.
- The committee recommended that the compilation and printing of the A.A. Directories (Canada, Eastern U.S. and Western U.S.) be discontinued PASSED
- The committee recommended that the following audio interviews with A.A. members who are in the Armed Forces, developed by the trustees’ Committee on Cooperation with the Professional Community/Treatment and Accessibilities, be approved and posted on G.S.O.’s A.A. website Male – Navy Captain, Female – Air Force pilot, Male – Army Combat Medic PASSED
HIGHLIGHTS
7th Tradition - $10.26M, set another record, up 15.8% from $8.86M in 2019. (on-line contributions more than doubled)
Cost of services- %10.81 million, down 14.9% from $12.7M in 2019.
AAWS publishing gross-profits - $6.58M down 29.7% from $9.36M in 2019, used to cover $550K shortfall between 7th Tradition contributions and cost of services.
Self-Support covered 94.9% of the cost of services compared to 69.8% in 2019.
Grapevine Financial Highlights
Print subscriptions decreased by 4.5%, on-line and mobile app subscriptions increased by 7.7% Net loss $299K in 2020
La Vina magazine circulation decreased by 36.6%
Reserve Funds stands at 7.9 months of operations.
FLOOR MOTIONS:
#2: It was recommended that:
The A.A. Preamble be changed from:
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
To:
In Alcoholics Anonymous we share our experience, strength and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. PASSED
#3: It was recommended that:
The first sentence of the A.A. Preamble be revised with gender-neutral language by replacing the words “men and women” with the word “people” to read: “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.”
Revision:
The first sentence of the A.A. Preamble as it currently reads:
“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.”
Be revised to read:
“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.”
PASSED
#4: WITHDRAWN
#5: It was recommended that:
That the pamphlet "A.A. for the Native North American" be updated to include language that is both respectful and inclusive of all Indigenous peoples as well as add fresh stories and updating inaccuracies contained in the current pamphlet and that a draft pamphlet be brought back to the 2022 Conference Committee on Literature. Passed
#6: It was recommended that:
The Preamble revision described in the third floor action of the 71st GSC as the new revised A.A Preamble be presented to the General Service Board for approval. Passed
Procedurally a little hiccup.
Because there are two floor motions that passed both revising the Preamble. Then another one showing that the body confirmed changing the Preamble to “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.” But another floor motion that passed was not withdrawn. So the GSB has sent the information to the Grapevine for further discussion and decision. More will be revealed.
NOTE:
The above Advisory Actions were confirmed by the General Service board, at their annual meeting, which is usually held the Saturday immediately after the Conference. Since the Conference this year did not actually end until 2am Sunday morning, this meeting was held on Saturday May 1st, 2021.
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Gerry M. led an informative and comprehensive overview of the different levels and area of service we can become part of in A.A. Whether it's at GSO or in our local meetings, there's always a service opportunity available. Click HERE for a link |
It's ON ... Online Meeting Schedules
Thanks to the hard work of some dedicated volunteers at Area 72, we now have our District 46 schedule updated and on the area website. Do we care? YES! This new system will allow us to make changes/additions/corrections almost in real time. It gives us the opportunity keep our schedules up to date.
Area 72 is having difficulty using this app to list all of our meetings so please refer to District 46's meeting page for the most current information.
The second aspect to the online system is that it hooks into an app, that you can download for Android or iPhone. It is "geo-aware" and allows you to see where and when the closest meeting at the nearest time is located. It also allows you to pull up information about that meeting. It then expands out to the general area or whatever time frame you want to search. And it WORKS. And it's FREE. And it's on NOW.
Check this link out for further information, or just click on the pic.
Attention Group Treasurers!
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For 7th Tradition Checks to Area 72, please write your group and group number on the check and address it to:
"Western Washington Area of A.A." Mail to: 1225 East Sunset Drive, Suite 145-745 Bellingham, WA 98226 If you do not know the group’s number, you can look it up HERE. Thank You! |
For 7th Tradition Checks to District 46, please write your group and/or group number on the check and address it to:
District 46 P.O. Box 484 Anacortes, WA. 98221 Thank You! |