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Words of Encouragement
The Seventy-Fourth Annual Meeting of the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous – “Connecting with Love, Unity and Service” makes interesting reading.
The Greetings from the North Florida, Conference Delegate Chair are words of encouragement for own Area Delegates, Trustees, Board members and staff and especially those have voting rights at our National Conference on Friday 8th to Sunday 10th November 2024.
“Greetings
Welcome everyone to the 74th General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous!
I am honored to serve as the Area 14, North Florida, Panel 73 Delegate, and your Conference Delegate Chair. I am an alcoholic, and my name is Mary.
Rare Experience
Being a delegate and participating here is an experience shared by so few. To gather as our founders have and to be the voice of our area members, who have seen us worthy of this honor I am both proud and humbled. A paradox like so many others in our program.
I would like to imagine Bill and Bob looking around this room today and having their hearts filled with gratitude and joy at all we have become. What we have accomplished as a Fellowship and our united vision for what we can become for the future of A.A.
The theme for this 74th General Service Conference is “Connecting with Love, Unity, and Service.” There is no doubt that every person in this room today shares a profound love for the Fellowship and program of Alcoholics Anonymous, as we give so freely of our time and talents to ensure its good health and endurance.
Unity Essential
Bill tells us that “Without unity, the heart of A.A. would cease to beat,” page 125, As Bill Sees It. While we dedicate ourselves to the business of the future of A.A. may we be united in the goal of providing a way out for the alcoholic who may not have even had their first drink yet. May the doors of our meeting rooms stay open for generations to come.
And as we serve our Fellowship this week, we will discuss and decide the Agenda Items of this Conference. May we do this with open minds, open hearts, and open mouths. We may agree, and we may disagree, but let us always do so agreeably. Let all voices be heard in a spirit of unity and love.
Use Your Voice
Do not be afraid to have a different view than the delegate sitting next to you, you may have the vital point we have all failed to see. Do not leave wishing you had said something that you did not. Our area members have given us their collective voice, it is our responsibility to them to use that voice.
As a returning second year delegate I can assure you 74s that you are in for the ride of your life. I can promise an exhilarating, sometimes overwhelming experience. Do not miss a thing. You will make lifelong friends and share in this very special engagement that few will understand. An elder statesmen and past delegate told me this experience will change you in ways you will not be able to explain to someone who has not been here. I have found this to be true. For myself it has been a spiritual experience so profound I feel it is second only to finding sobriety itself.
Be mindful
As we begin this week-long journey together be always mindful of why we are here. We are here for our Homegroup members, our districts, and our areas. We are here to ensure the program of Alcoholics Anonymous stays strong and true to the sobriety that we all enjoy. And that the healing life we have found be made available to all who seek it for many meetings to come. That the hand of A.A. be available to anyone, anywhere who reaches out for help, and for that we are all responsible.
Connecting with Love, Unity and Service.
North Florida, Conference Delegate Chair”
The above quote from The Seventy-Fourth Annual Meeting of the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous – “Connecting withLove, Unity and Service”
FROM: The Seventy-Fourth Annual Meeting of the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous – “Connecting withLove, Unity and Service” <LINK>
