Conference Questions (2013) forum discussion (contd)

Committee No. 4 

Question 1: 

Would members share their experience on how they pass on or collect experiences and views on the Conference questions? What methods are the most successful in collecting responses from members of the Fellowship? 

Background

During the past 15 years of participation with the discussing and collecting of responses for Conference questions, I have observed the following:

The most effective place and time to discuss Conference questions is at the nearest point of entry for the newcomer (where the main business of AA is taking place) i.e. the individual group.

Many Groups however do not want to use meeting time discussing Conference questions.

Special meetings held to discuss Conference questions are poorly attended.

Many members regard Conference as something that happens in York in April and do not realise that conferring takes place at all “levels” and that all members can participate.

Probably less than 1 in 20 members participate. 

[See also: The Traditions, Preamble and Concepts]

Extracts:

“I think the answer to this question lies in educating ourselves and others as to the how and why of the AA service structure and the General Service Conference as it is explained in the Twelve Concepts For World Service and various pamphlets; activating the role of the GSR and activating collective responsibility for leadership at group level (Tradition Two, Concept IX).[see Concepts above]

“The strength of our whole A.A. service structure starts with the group and with the general service representative (G.S.R.) the group elects. I cannot emphasize too strongly the G.S.R.’s importance.” Bill W. (From the pamphlet “G.S.R. GENERAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB IN A.A.)

Circles of Love and Service pamphlet

Concept V: “…Throughout his political speculation De Toqueville insisted that the greatest danger to democracy would always be the ‘tyranny’ of apathetic, self-seeking, uninformed, or angry majorities. Only a truly dedicated citizenry, quite willing to protect and conserve minority rights and opinions, could, he thought, guarantee the existence of a free and democratic society. All around us in the world today we are witnessing the tyranny of majorities and the even worse tyranny of very small minorities invested with absolute power. De Toqueville would have neither, and we A.A.’s can heartily agree with him.”

If the majority of AA members at group level become a ‘tyranny’ of apathetic, uninformed, or misinformed majorities, then AA will be unprotected from an even worse tyranny of very small minorities invested with absolute power. If Conference delegates are uninformed or misinformed of the majority opinion at group level, then they can no longer claim to represent the AA group conscience. Without the overall AA group conscience being represented at the General Service Conference by conference delegates being connected to the majority of individual group consciences at group level, then grave errors may be made at the level of Conference. Committees throughout the structure are likely to become insular and perform acts of government because they will have little guidance from, or accountability to the AA group conscience. If AA groups are not connected to, and guided by, the ultimate authority of the overall collective AA group conscience represented by the General Service Conference, and also the overall collective AA group conscience within their intergroup, then their unguided and possibly uninformed or misinformed individual group consciences may become an even worse tyranny of very small minorities invested with absolute power, or in other words, group dictatorships or cults. If the majority of groups were to become detached from the central authority provided in the General Service Conference then AA would sooner, or later, break up like the Washingtonian Movement.

The GSR provides the most important communication link in AA, communicating authority and accountability between the General Service Conference, the intergroup assembly and the AA group conscience and vice versa; thus ensuring power in AA always resides with the collective conscience and democratic majority vote of AA members at group level. The GSR therefore safe guards AA from the greatest threat to democracy.

If your group does not have a GSR, or if your group’s GSR is not reporting the intergroup/ regional news and Conference recommendations frequently to the group members, then you are responsible to offer the quiet leadership in Tradition Two and Concept IX and report these yourself, perhaps consider taking responsibility to volunteer to be the group's GSR. You are also responsible prompt the GSR into reporting to the group if he is not doing his job. On occasions when the GSR is confronted with complaints about taking up meeting time from those who may be exhibiting the symptoms of being the greatest threat to democracy (the apathetic, self-seeking, uninformed, or angry) then it is your responsibility (along with others) to support the GSR in his role of doing perhaps, what is the most important job in A.A.”

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous) 

 See also AA Minority Report 2013