2024 Topic #013 Ratio of Delegate to non-delegate Conference Members

The General Service Board recommends revising the wording in our service manual and all other relevant service documents to align with our founders’ original intent.

The Board recommends that we make amendments to our Service Manual and other relevant service documents, including to the first paragraph under the heading “Who Conference Members Are” by replacing the words “more than two thirds” with “at least two thirds”. This would bring it into alignment with the original wording in the source documents written by our founders.

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 to ensure that there was a check on the accumulation of too much power.  In Australia we have stipulated that delegates should ideally be “more than two thirds”, setting a higher threshold in our service manual but never achieving 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. 

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, but simply changing the wording in our service manual relating to the delegate to non-delegate ratio at Conference (“more than two thirds”) to bring it in line with the original wording (“at least two thirds”).

HOW WILL THE ALCOHOLIC WHO STILL SUFFERS OR THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BENEFIT FROM THIS SUGGESTION?

It will bring us closer to resolving a long-standing source of disunity.

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.