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The Conference and the Board should look into sticking to Article 18 of Articles of Association of GSB, returning the General Service Trustee Role back to what is its main function – being responsible to the Board for running the GSO from a business point of view and that’s it. AA recovery work and carrying the message issues work on behalf of the fellowship can then be done by trustees the membership selects to do them.
Return management group and the GSTs to the status of sub-committee reporting to the Board.
GSTs no longer on the Board as full members.
GSTs no longer vote at conference.
GSTs are self-nominating and not selected by the members like Regional Trustees are, they are supposed to be dedicated to this one job, and no more.
Because they have to be in Sydney allowing GSTs full Board memberships gives Eastern Region, Sydney over proportion of representation at Board level and conference.
Reducing this concentration of authority will be more equitable across the country and encourage people elsewhere to join services and not be run by Sydney.
Give people in other regions an equal chance to serve as trustee, not give Sydney a 3 times greater chance.
Reduce the numbers of Board members to delegates at conference.
WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND OR REASON FOR THE TOPIC?
I have been thinking about this for a while as we have no Trustee here at all.
Our founders wrote a lot about not concentrating too much authority in one place or group in AA. Over the years we have moved away from this in Australia and should level the playing field again. GSTs are in place to do the office job; they are selected by the GSB to do that. They have no mandate to be part of decisions for the rest of us, that should be left to people who are elected.
The service manual is clear on their duties. It has been allowed to expand over the years of work in AA and has made the Board too big and Sydney too influential.
We need to look at making our Board and service structure work for us in modern times not be caught in the past of always doing things the same way just because.
DO YOU HAVE A SUGGESTED SOLUTION?
GSTs are no longer board members but report to the board as Management Group.
GSTs no longer vote at conference.
GSTs are instructed by conference and the Board and carry out the running of GSO and its services.
This will also mean that the conference delegate ratio moves nearer in favor of the delegates again.
HOW WILL THE ALCOHOLIC WHO STILL SUFFERS OR THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BENEFIT FROM THIS SUGGESTION?
Service roles are not too big
Can be seen clearly who is responsible for what and to who
Conference moves back towards the delegate majority
Saves many $s by reducing board travel and accommodation
More people will join in service
More alcoholics can be helped
Alcoholics Anonymous starts to organise itself as a modern organisation that works for the members and distribution of the populations that we have in 2024.
WHAT ARE THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS SUGGESTION?
Money will be saved
HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR GROUP, DISTRICT OR AREA TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT THIS TOPIC AND, IF SO, WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME?
