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Ratio of Delegate to non-Delegate Conference Members – World Service Delegate’s vote
The General Service Board recommends revising our structure and updating our service manual and all other relevant service documents to align with our founders’ original intent, and our own long stated ideal that delegates comprise at least two-thirds of Conference members.
To help achieve this the Board further recommends that while continuing to welcome with gratitude the ongoing participation and valuable contributions of the World Service Delegates at Conference, we transition away from the two World Service Delegates continuing to have vote at Conference (to take effect after the current WSDs appointees rotate out, as they accepted their positions under the current arrangement).
WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND OR REASON FOR THE TOPIC?
When AA’s founders designed the AA service structure, they stipulated that at least two-thirds of Conference members should be delegates. In Australia we have expressed this as an ideal in our service manual but have never achieved it. The fellowships in the UK, USA / Canada and New Zealand all operate with a ratio of no less than two thirds majority of delegates. In the US Canadian structure “Trustees at Large” are members of the General Service Board and have a range of additional duties in addition to attending World Service meetings. In the UK and NZ World Service Delegates do not vote at Conference
This ratio issue has been a source of ongoing disunity within our fellowship for at least 31 years, with numerous topics coming before Conference and being referred to the Board. For example, in 1997, the Board acknowledged the issue and the necessity for action. There have also been topics asking for this issue to be addressed in 1982, 1999, 2000, 2001,2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017. These can be reviewed in the “Key Conference Resolutions” resource on the AA Members Website.
DO YOU HAVE A SUGGESTED SOLUTION?
In the topic. Currently we have up to 15 possible non delegate voting positions at Conference, these are: General Service Trustee x 2, Class A Trustees up to 4 (currently 2), Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern, North East, Central Region Trustees, World Service Delegates x 2 and GSO Manager.
We have 22 possible delegate seats available at Conference. If all non-delegate voting positions were filled it would require 30 delegates to meet the minimum 2/3 ratio. Based on current numbers, and the fellowship’s experience in establishing new areas, it is unlikely that there will be the required number of delegates for many years.
If the above proposal is accepted, it would reduce the total number of possible non area delegate voting positions at conference from 15 to 13. If the Topic relating to Class A Trustees was also accepted by Conference this would bring the number of possible non delegate votes at Conference down to 11, or exactly one third of possible votes at Conference.
HOW WILL THE ALCOHOLIC WHO STILL SUFFERS OR THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BENEFIT FROM THIS SUGGESTION?
- It will help resolve a long-standing source of disunity.
- It will demonstrate that we are committed to achieving our stated ideals.
- We will continue to benefit from the valuable contributions of our World Service Delegates.
- Area Delegates will be closer to having voting rights at Conference in “reasonable proportion” to their responsibility consistent with Concept 4. Our founders stipulated that the Delegates proportional vote at Conference should be no less than two thirds.
WHAT ARE THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS SUGGESTION?
None.
HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR GROUP, DISTRICT OR AREA TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT THIS TOPIC AND, IF SO, WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME?
Supported by the Board.
