IN THIS ISSUE . I want the hand of A.A. always to be there - BC/Yukon Area 79
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January 2021 Volume 41 No. 1
“... I want the hand of A.A. always to be there...
... and for that, I am responsible.”
IN THIS ISSUE
~
A Word from Our Delegate, Meet Your GSC, Pre-Registration for the April Pre-Conference, Minutes
of the January Quarterly, GSC Reports, From the Archives, DCM Reports, Financial Reports, Group
Contributions, Committee Report-backs, Letter from the Editor, Ask-it Basket
Moving?
what you get...
The full version Grassroots Forum includes complete Quarterly/Assembly minutes, in the
neighbourhood of 50 pages, while Grassroots Highlights is a four page document outlining
the Highlights. Both are included in this subscription price.
S UBS CRI P TI ON FO RM
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T h e su b scr ip t io n fo r m i s a l s o a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e a t:
h t t p s: / / w w w.b c y u k o n a a .o r g /n e w s /g r a s s r o ot s f or um _f or m _01. php
NAME:
Be sure to let us
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EMAIL: or email address!
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1 Year Subscription $10.00
Grassroots Chair: Alex P.
2 Year Subscription $20.00 Phone: 604-764-2873
This is a RENEWAL Subscription Email:
Please make cheque or money order payable to: BC/YUKON AREA 79 grassroots@bcyukonaa.org
Grassroots Forum Subscriptions, Attn: Treasurer
P.O. Box 42114, Vancouver, B.C. V5S 4R5
BC/Yukon Area 79
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Please specify funds are SPECIFICALLY for a Grassroots Forum Subscription.
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Thank you for supporting Grassroots Forum!!
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Grassroots FORUM Statement of Purpose
The Grassroots Forum is a newsletter by and for the members of Alcoholics Anonymous in BC/Yukon Area
79. It is compiled and edited by the Grassroots Chairperson with the assistance and input of the Grassroots
Committee. This newsletter is a vehicle for communication within Area 79 with the aim of strengthening
unity and participation. Grassroots is also the means of distribution of the minutes, financial statements and all
reports from our Area Quarterlies and Assemblies. It is the aim of the Grassroots Forum to fulfill its purpose
with the greatest possible consideration of fiscal prudence and to practise A.A. principles in all of its affairs.
Grassroots Forum is a newsletter published quarterly by the BC/Yukon Area 79 General Service Committee. Opinions expressed are
not to be attributed to that of the Committee, Grassroots Forum, or Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole.
Canadian Publications Sales Agreement #40014567
2
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
WRAASA - February 26-27, 2021 - Virtual
April Pre-Conference Assembly - April 9-11, 2021 - Virtual
General Service Conference - April 18-24, 2021 - Virtual
July Quarterly - July 9-11, 2021 - District 54, Smithers, B.C.
October Voting Assembly - Oct 22-24, 2021 - District 70, Vernon, B.C.
Grassroots Team
Table of Contents This issue was made possible by the incredible
members on the Grassroots Team:
Wayne P. District 68, Spencer P. District 32,
A Word from Our Delegate 4 Wendy L. District 26, Maire O. District 10,
Paul T. District 71, and Lori W. District 54.
Meet Your GSC 6
Pre-Registration for the It was also made possible by the incredible
contribution of content by:
April Pre-Conference 9 Secretary Carol H., the entire GSC, and the
Minutes of the January Quarterly 10 Recorder/Reporters and DCMs who submitted
their written reports for this issue.
Letter from the Editor 12
GSC Reports 13 And last but certainly not least, past Grassroots
Chair and current Treasurer Monica McG., who
From the Archives 20 walked me through this entire process and who
DCM Reports 21 I absolutely couldn’t have done it without.
Financial Reports 31
Group Contributions 34 Want to know when Grassroots is on
the website?
Committee Report Backs 40
Ask It Basket 45 Email grassroots@bcyukonaa.org -
We’ll add you to the mailing list.
~*ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT IN GRASSROOTS *~
Full Page - $100 / Half Page - $50 / Quarter Page - $25
3
A Word from Our Delegate
Greetings and welcome to all the new General Service Representatives (GSRs), District Committee Members (DCMs) and General
Service Committee Members (GSCs) who will be serving A.A. as a whole as well as the BC/Yukon Area 79 for the Panel 71 (2021-
2022) term. This is an overview of what to expect and how to prepare for our Area 79 Pre-Conference Assembly, to be held April
9-11, 2021, on a virtual platform.
After our Pre-Conference Assembly it will be my privilege to carry your voice to the 71st General Service Conference, being
held on a virtual platform April 18-24, 2021, in New York. In Concept I: “The final responsibility and the ultimate authority for
A.A. World Services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole fellowship.” In Area 79 our Pre-Conference
Assembly is one of the ways we practise Concept I. Since it would be impossible for everyone to personally attend the Conference,
we delegate that responsibility. I am humbled by your trust in allowing me to serve as your Panel 71 Delegate.
All GSRs, DCMs and GSCs have a username and password that enables them to log in to the Trusted Servant Site (TSS) which is
part of the Area 79 website: www.bcyukonaa.org. If you are already serving in one of these positions and do not yet have access
to your login information, please contact Caleb W., our Website Chair, by email at website@bcyukonaa.org. You will need this to
access the synopsis and background material for each of the committees.
We in Area 79 mirror the General Service Conference Committees at our Pre-Conference. As a result, we will have 12 committees
and those committees are: 1) Agenda, chaired by Carol H., 2) Archives, chaired by Chia W., 3) Corrections, chaired by Pauline D.,
4) Cooperation with the Professional Community, chaired by Diane O., 5) Finance, chaired by Monica M., 6) Grapevine, chaired by
Drew W., 7) International Conventions and Regional Forums, chaired by Kimberlea M., 8) Literature, chaired by Rio D., 9) Policy
& Admissions, chaired by Christina M., 10) Public Information, chaired by Dan F., 11) Report and Charter, chaired Caleb W., and
12) Treatment and Accessibilities, chaired by Alex P.
Some DCMs have been reassigned for the 2021 and 2022 Pre-Conference Assemblies. Please see the Pre-Conference DCM
Committee assignment list. This list can be requested from our Alt. Chair, Drew W., altchair@bcyukonaa.org
Here is the timeline:
• GSO provides the background material to conference members via a secure “dashboard” on approximately February 15,
2021. (This is usually about 800-1,200 pages)
• I will get the full information to each of the GSC committee chairs upon receipt. The GSC committee chairs will synopsize
(or summarize) the background material into four pages per committee. We will have a GSC meeting on February 24, 2021, to
review the synopsized material.
• Following the meeting on February 24 we will organize the synopsized background material for all 12 committees into a
single document approximately 50 pages in length.
• The background material and the synopsized material will be posted to the TTS by approximately March 2 for all GSRs and
DCMs to access.
• This provides GSRs and DCMs five to six weeks to discuss these items in your groups and your districts so that you can
come to the Pre-Conference Assembly prepared to carry the voice of your groups and districts to the collective group conscience
that will take place.
• After the Conference I will be available to come to your community by virtual platform to report to you what happened
at the 71st General Service Conference. I am excited to report that there are already a few districts that have scheduled Delegate
Reports. Please get in touch with me if you would like to schedule one.
In the meantime, please take advantage of the Pre-Conference Committee Assignment Pre-Registration that is currently in effect
from January 1, 2021 to April 1, 2021. These requests for pre-registration can be submitted to Drew W., the Area 79 Alternate
Chair: altchair@bcyukonaa.org.
A note to GSRs: It is important that your group provide feedback on agenda items for your DCM’s committee as well as the
committee you’ve been assigned to. This ensures that your DCM brings the conscience of your district. This is critical to the
Conference process.
Thank you in advance for helping prepare me to take your voice to the 71st General Service Conference. If you have any questions
or concerns, please do not hesitate to email or call. Never in a million years would I have dreamed sobriety would have brought me
such a trusted and rewarding responsibility.
In Love and Service,
Bob K.
delegate@bcyukonaa.org | tel: (604) 740-7755
4
CORRECTIONS
CORNER
Presented by District 43 Corrections
Monthly Workshops to highlight this
Needed area of Twelfth Step work.
Last Sunday of Every Month, 6 p.m. (PST) / 9 p.m. (EST)
Zoom 240 916 8319 Password 122820
Guest Speakers Followed by Q & A
Do you know
HTML, CSS, PHP,
Javascript, MySQL
The Web Team is looking
for a developer!
email
website@bcyukonaa.org
5
MEET YOUR PANEL 71 GSC
Meet: Your Cooperation with the Professional Community Meet: Your Treasurer, Monica McG.
Chair, Diane O.
Hello Friends, my name is Monica and I am an alcoholic,
My name is Diane and I’m an alcoholic. It’s an honour and privileged to serve as your Treasurer on Panel 71. I sobered
a privilege to be appointed to serve as your Cooperation with up in Williams Lake in 1986 and have lived in Victoria since
the Professional Community Chair for Panel 71. I love being 1989. The fact I am alive and still in the program is entirely,
of service to Alcoholics Anonymous! I have a full and useful in my opinion, due to service. At just over two years in the
life today because of the vital program of recovery, strong program I went travelling on my own for several months in the
sponsorship and service. South Pacific in areas with little to no A.A. Fortunately, I kept
I live in the Okanagan and I’m a mother of two children. in touch with my sponsor and was able to stay away from the
Most of my life I have ridden horses. As a teenager and into first drink. I was grateful for the Grapevines she’d suggested
my adult years I was involved in showing horses. I own a I bring along. They were reread many times. It also helped
business that manufactures specialty goods relating to the that I had planned my return to coincide with the International
shows. I love to ski, run, golf, paddleboard and cycle. The Convention being held in Seattle in 1990. It blew my mind –
outdoors is so incredible! the energy, fun, love and caring were overwhelming.
I look forward to the next two years serving in this new I moved to Victoria shortly after and didn’t like the
service position and meeting most of you along the way. meetings at all. They were different than what I had grown to
love in the Cariboo. People didn’t seem friendly. I never saw
Meet: Your Registrar, Kimberlea M. the same people. In other words, I was telling myself I didn’t
belong in A.A. in my new hometown. I found myself telling
Hi, my name is Kimberlea, I live in Port Moody with my my sponsor I didn’t have time to go to meetings. My new job
two youngest children, Nic and Summer, and our pets, Prince was too important. I was travelling a lot with work so couldn’t
the dog and Cheeseball the hamster. I am a busy business commit to a homegroup. The litany goes on. She suggested I
owner who enjoys fitness, hiking and cooking in my spare volunteer to make coffee for a group. I did. I had the key. No
time. I entered sobriety in Burnaby in 2016, and when I’m not one could get into the meeting room unless I was there. That
on a virtual meeting I can be found in the rooms in Coquitlam responsibility led me to fabulous new friendships, a rekindled
and East Vancouver. I fell in love with service after attending love for A.A. and gratitude for service. In other words, it saved
my first assembly in Chilliwack as a GSR and have been my life.
involved in various levels of service since. I’m excited to be Every service responsibility I have had since has initially
your Panel 71 Registrar and look forward to getting to know terrified me and then helped me grow in ways I didn’t know
each of you along the way. would enrich my life. I am grateful.
This program has enabled me to be comfortable in my own
Meet: Your Website Chair, Caleb W. skin most days and pursue my love of travel. Most recently
I was in Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. I’m hoping to head for the
Hi, my name is Caleb, and I am an alcoholic currently Galapagos Islands once we can travel again. In the meantime,
serving as the Website Chair for Panel 71. I grew up in I’m going to the pool several times a week so I can truly enjoy
Kamloops and moved to Cloverdale in 2004. I thought I would the diving there.
share three things I love about service. First are the places I What a beautiful life this program offers us! I am truly
have been able to visit. I have travelled and attended service blessed.
functions in many places such as Kamloops and Regina, and I
had tickets to go to Detroit before COVID-19 grounded those Meet: Your Public Information Chair, Dan F.
plans. Second are fellow alcoholics I have met. Every meeting
and every service event is full of more like-minded individuals Hello trusted servants, my name is Dan and I’m an
and every relationship enhances my sobriety. Third are the alcoholic. It’s funny how our stories are all different, yet we
people I have been able to help. Dr. Bob says in his Big Book share similarities in how our alcoholism got us to the rooms
story that every person he helps is insurance against a future of Alcoholics Anonymous. When I went to my first meeting,
slip. I strongly believe this is true and that is why I first got I must have looked scared and bewildered because some guy
into service. I work in the software industry and am thankful outside the building said “Yup, you are in the right place!”.
that I can help our diverse area through an extension of my Was it that obvious? I don’t know what my body language was
vocation. One of my most memorable experiences was zip- saying but somehow he knew I was searching for the meeting.
lining in Mexico. I remember our guide telling us before our I hadn’t even found the room yet!
first ride: “Just hold on tight and don’t close your eyes because I was very uneasy and tried to hide in the back of that
you’ll miss the beauty around you!”. That wisdom can apply to very small room, but by the end of the meeting I knew that I
our program; I do not want to miss any of what is in store for had found a safe place and a group of folks who shared my
Panel 71! problem and knew what they were talking about. I was very
6reluctant to go to a meeting in the first place but after that one I I really started to feel a part of and maybe that I belong here.
went to six that week. It wasn’t until I got into general service as a GSR and went
As I grew in my recovery my homegroup members to my first assembly that I got the service bug. I felt the energy
encouraged me into service and I became the GSR for the and love in the room. I went on to serve as DCM and got a
Miracle Group in Kamloops in 2017. From my professional service sponsor to help me gain more understanding of the
life I knew how to create agendas and run business meetings Traditions and the Concepts. Our district hosted the January
but I had no idea what A.A. looked like outside of the group. Quarterly. To see others get the service bug was so exciting.
My eyes were opened wide as I started to attend the South- I was encouraged to continue my service journey to the
Central Mini Assembly and the Area 79 BC/Yukon Quarterlies area level. With more than just a little fear and reluctance, I
and Assemblies. I caught the service bug in a big way and it is put my name forward and was appointed as your Treatment
my honour to have this opportunity to serve you, your groups, and Accessibilities Chair. Then when the Registrar’s position
districts and intergroups as the Public Information Chair. became vacant in the second year of Panel 69, I volunteered to
Outside of work and A.A. you can usually find me doing do the position.
some sort of recreation or leisure activity. In the summer I love This year I put my name forward again and I am very
spending time on the lake, basking in the sun, playing golf or grateful to be serving as your Secretary.
fishing. In the winter I enjoy curling and waiting for the snow Each position in service is giving me the opportunity to
to melt so I can swing the clubs. I welcome all of you to Panel enrich my understanding of Alcoholics Anonymous and to be a
71. Service has kept me sober and I hope it keeps you sober part of a wonderful fellowship which offers continued personal
too! growth. I am very grateful to my sponsor and service sponsor
and the fellowship for the love and support I receive and am
Meet: Your Archives Chair, Chia W. able to pass on.
Hello everyone, my name is Chie (Chia) Watanabe-Scott. Meet: Your Alternate Chair / Grapevine Chair, Drew W.
I was born in Fukushima, Japan, and I sobered up in Tokyo
in 1999. I was a dry drunk for a while. When I met my friend My name is Drew and I am an alcoholic. I live in East
from the US, everything changed. On September 11, 2001, Vancouver and my homegroup is Live and Let Live, Thursdays
she came to visit Japan. She attended the Tohoku (Northern at 8pm on Zoom — come join us!
Honshu island region) Roundup where I shared a room I started my general service journey in 2013 when a huge
with her. We bonded quickly and I became her friend. The resentment I had against my outgoing GSR prompted me to
following year, I stayed at her home for a week and took put my hand up for the job so that I could “show him how to
the 12 Steps through the Big Book. This was my first time do it the right way.” Whoa, holy ego, eh? I have to say that
taking the Steps since I had been sober and it was an amazing resentment was the best blessing ever! I had no idea how
experience for me. When I prayed the Step Three prayer with much general service would impact my life. I’ve learned so
her, I finally met the power greater than myself. many lessons along the way in my service journey. One of the
I came to Vancouver in 2009 as an ESL student and I fell biggest bonuses is that I now have friends that I’ve met all
in love with my boyfriend. A couple of years later he became over this beautiful province and country.
my husband. I was elected as a GSR for the Keep it Simple When I’m not doing service work, I’m fully engaged in
Group in Vancouver in 2012-14 and it was a great experience my recovery and sponsor other queer and trans folks in our
for me. However, I was not quite sure what the GSR job was. fellowship. I have a busy professional life working in my small
Then I met my service sponsor at the International Convention business. Fun fact — just last month I adopted a new rescue
in Atlanta in 2015 — she was on the podium. I had seen her pup who is full of energy. I love going on trail walks and hikes
many times at the area meeting but had never talked to her. I with my partner and our dogs. Being in the forest helps me
witnessed that she helped many people. I realized that this was connect to my HP.
what I really wanted. Afterwards, I asked her to be my service I’m thrilled to be your Alternate Chair for this rotation.
sponsor, and she’s been my service sponsor since then. Service has taught me a lot about how to work with others and
Since living in Vancouver, I have met newcomers with helped me get closer to my HP by asking to help me remove
different backgrounds. I’ve seen that some people felt my own character defects that are blocking me. I look forward
excluded and did not see them again. I really hope they are to meeting you all as we trudge the Road of Happy Destiny
doing okay and come back to our meetings. Because of that, together carrying our life saving message to our fellowship.
I really want the hand of A.A. to be there. I would like to
contribute my time and abilities to A.A. service. Panel 71 is a Meet: Your Remote Connections Chair, Christina M.
fantastic team. I’m looking forward to working with them.
Hi, my name is Christina and I am an alcoholic. These
Meet: Your Secretary, Carol H. words changed my life on April 11, 2011, and I’ve never
looked back.
Hello everyone, I am Carol, I am an alcoholic. Broken and beaten, I learned to live a life with purpose. My
I came quietly in the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor helped guide me through the 12 Steps and clean my
in 1992, a fragile and broken person, barely able to speak. vessel of past wrongs, thoughts and behaviours — she brought
Through the help of my sponsor and others, I was gradually me to God.
able to find my voice even though it was still difficult to speak. My homegroup is where I learned to be of service: washing
7cups, becoming a GSR, etc. — service brought me to the CPC Committee appeared at my workplace to help us with
fellowship I craved. our clients. One of the women from A.A. told her story and
I fell in love with Alcoholics Anonymous through service I completely identified with her. The seed was planted and
work. I can get out of the way and help carry the message to very soon after their visit I attended my first A.A. meeting. I
the still suffering alcoholic. Service work teaches me patience, shudder to think where I would be today if those women had
kindness and unity. This is where I became a woman of not taken the time to be of service and in doing so carried the
substance. message to me. I have always felt a sense of responsibility to
“Service irons out the wrinkles in my soul” — heard shared give back what was so kindly given to me in those early days.
After a few years of continuous sobriety, I became the GSR
Meet: Your Alternate Delegate / Literature Chair, Rio D. for my group and I’ll never forget an old-timer saying to me:
“You are in for one hell of a ride”. The rest is history really;
Hello friends, my name is Rio and I am an alcoholic. I’ve been in service ever since and loved every minute of it.
Currently I have the honour of serving as your Panel 71 More recently I was your Archives Chair for Panel 69. I had
Alternate Delegate and Literature Chair. no idea how much I would appreciate and love the history of
My service journey started with driving a long-timer in my A.A. When I think back on my first assignment and how I was
homegroup to our weekly meeting. After a few months this entrusted with an Archives Kit containing a Big Book signed
woman then handed over a suitcase that reeked of smoke and by Bill W., words fail me to express the feelings that I had that
was filled with old bank statements, receipts and a cheque book day.
and said, “It’s time for you to be group treasurer.” I was more This year I was thrilled to be appointed as your Corrections
scared of saying no to her than the job. Chair for Panel 71. Corrections has always been a passion of
I then served in various intergroup positions and as a GSR. mine. I have been fortunate enough to be able to attend many
It was after moving to a small community with no meetings meetings on the inside. Personally, I can’t think of a better
that I started up a new group. This is when I once again place to be than at an A.A. meeting behind the walls. I’m
became a GSR and got more involved with district and area so grateful every day for the service positions that keep me
service. My very small homegroup was the heartbeat of my humble and connected while providing me with tremendous
recovery, and service to that group became my passion. growth.
Being a GSR gave my recovery purpose. It was definitely
the power of attraction for me. The message of service I Meet: Your Chair, Rodney S.
heard loud and clear is that service kept them sober, kept
them connected and was a journey of self-discovery not to My name is Rodney and I live in New West with my wife
be missed. These people in service had what I wanted. I got and two dogs. I sobered up in Montreal back in 1997 after
to attend more area events and so enjoyed being of service several attempts to sober up in St. Catharines, Ontario. During
in District 56 as Alt. DCM and then as DCM. In Panel 67, I my time in St. Catharines I became a GSR and really took
was appointed to the Area 79 General Service Committee as to it. When I finally got sober, I was 6 months sober when
PubIic Information Chair and then last rotation as your Panel I got voluntold to be GSR of my new group in Montreal. I
69 Chair. got involved with an enthusiastic group that were on fire for
Going to different groups, districts, areas, countries and A.A. and wanted to spread it around. It was very exciting.
seeing how they do things and what I can bring back to my Throughout the years I have kept plugged in to A.A. through
group, district and area is so exciting to me. general service and I am thrilled to be serving Area 79 as your
I heard my service sponsor say that anyone could be of Chairperson. What a ride.
service if you were willing and have the time. That the goal
was to communicate about service with enthusiasm. That Meet: Your Treatment & Accessibilities / Grassroots Chair:
the most important thing was to get as many of our members Alex P.
participating as possible.
I enjoy northern living, long-distance trail running, and Hello friends, my name is Alex, I am an alcoholic and
paddle boarding and do it all with my four-legged bestie named truly stoked to be serving as your Panel 71 Treatment and
“Cole”. If you ever find yourself up this way, please reach out Accessibilities / Grassroots Chair.
and say hello. I live in Vancouver, where I grew up (twice). I sobered up
So, if you are new, coming back or just still excited about here in February 2015 after a dry January (and a very messy
service in Area 79, welcome. I look forward to walking beside Feb. 1-9), when I stumbled into the rooms absolutely petrified
many of you on our Panel 71 service journey. of how powerless I was. When I first got here I couldn’t be
in a room without a purpose. I could sit in my chair through
Meet: Your Corrections Chair, Pauline D. a meeting, but after, when everyone was milling about and
chatting, it felt like another party I didn’t know how to be at.
Hello All. But when I was about six months sober, my homegroup gave
My early years of drinking were in England, Liverpool to be me a set of keys and responsibility for setting up the meeting,
exact. I emigrated to Canada in the 1970s where I eventually and that gave me a purpose for being in the room before I sat
managed to find Alcoholics Anonymous or, more to the in my chair, and the spiritual experience of service began. I
point, Alcoholics Anonymous found me. My first exposure got to know my group members and began to be part of. I was
to this life-saving program was when two members of the keen but it took a long time to make friends, so if I wanted to
8go to a roundup or other event, I’d volunteer so I didn’t have I have a teenage son. I am an amateur swimmer and cyclist,
to spend it all sitting alone. Through my sobriety, putting my expert casual stroller. I am currently reading the Lord of the
hand up for service has been my way of experiencing the vast Rings for the umpteenth time and firmly believe I would be a
offerings of this incredible program outside of the 60 minutes Hobbit if I lived in Middle Earth, which tells you everything
spent in the chair. And through it, I found my community (of else you need to know about me.
absolute keeners!) — I don’t know where my recovery would It is one of the great blessings of my life to be in service
be without it. with you all, and I look forward to getting to know you and
I am a non-binary trans person; I use they/them pronouns. getting to learn from you this Panel.
ATTENTION
Pre-Conference Committee Registrations are happening now!!!
Committee Are you a GSR, Alt GSR or
Registration
Alt DCM?
Registration is open to
General Service Planning on attending our
Representatives (GSR’s),
Alternate GSR’s and Virtual BC/Yukon April
Alternate District Committee
Members (Alternate DCM’s) Pre-Conference Assembly?
Deadline to pre-register is April 1st 2021
This is available for the
Pre -Conference assembly please email
ONLY held April 9-11 2021
the Area 79 Alternate Chair at
Assignment Method
altchair@bcyukonaa.org
• Your BC/Yukon Alternate
Chair will assign you to a Please include in the email your:
committee on a random
basis. Full Name, District and Service Position
• By registering early, you will All trusted servants will have access to the full
have access to the background material for their assigned committees
background information through the login side of our bcyukonaa.org website.
from your committee to
(This information can be emailed. It is still confidential for A.A.
bring to your group.
members only and may not be posted to public websites)
• This process is to have
A note to GSR’s: It is important that your group provide
equal participation from
feedback on Agenda items for your DCM’s committee as
our fellowship on each
well as the committee you’ve been assigned to. This
committee. This assists our
ensures that your DCM brings the conscience of your
Delegate to take an
district. This is critical to the conference process.
informed Area Conscience
to to the conference.
9
1Minutes of the BC/Yukon Area 79
January Quarterly
January 8-9, 2021 - held virtually using Zoom
Friday, January 8, 2021 by single groups or areas a trusteeship was created first called
the Alcoholic Foundation. This foundation was later renamed
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm. the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous as it is still
Moment of Silence. known today.
Opening Comments: Chair – Rodney S.
Area 79 Service Orientation – Bob K. and Rio D. So, by the late 1940s we have a Trusteeship: our founding
members and the groups of Alcoholics Anonymous. Confidence
Website Overview – Website Chair: Caleb W. (to be ratified) and in unity grew as the trusteeship carried out services such as the
Web team developer – Stefan L. translation of our literature into other languages, publishing of
a national magazine, a uniform public information policy, and
Area Committee Meeting (General Service Committee and various other vital services. It became clear very quickly that the
District Committee Members) Chair: Drew W. hard work carried out by this trusteeship and the world services
being provided was doing a great deal for A.A.’s general welfare.
General Service Representatives, Alternate GSRs, Alternate However, it appeared that the groups and individual members at
DCMs and guests – Chair: Monica Mc. Topic: What does a GSR the time seemed to be unaware of how important these services
do? Panelists: Gerry F., Maureen M. and Scott H. had become. Content with their own recovery responsibilities and
groups, it seemed that the membership at the time was content to
Saturday, January 9, 2021 let “God protect A.A.”.
Meeting called to order at 9:00 am. The trusteeship of the Alcoholic Foundation had concerns of
Anonymity Statement – Rodney S. its own, that involving the Fellowship as a whole by way of
Moment of Silence followed by the Declaration of Unity – a conference of representatives would cause contention and
Rodney S. confusion. They had already seen this type of result when other
Housekeeping Issues – Rodney S. ideas had attempted to be brought to fruition.
Reading of the 12 Traditions (Short Form) – Andrew E. –
DCM District 66 In 1948 one of the inevitabilities of life occurred. Dr. Bob became
ill and it became apparent that he would not recover. This posed a
Concept 1 Presentation – Joanne C. – DCM District 43 problem as our co-founders had become the “sole link” between
the growing Fellowship of groups and the trusteeship that was
Concept One – The final responsibility and the ultimate authority virtually unknown to them. Our co-founders were not going
for A.A. world services should always reside in the collective to live forever, and the groups would need a new link to the
conscience of our whole fellowship. Ttrusteeship responsible for the design and maintenance of its
special services.
What does this concept mean to us today? You might even
be asking what does this mean for you? The quarterly event Our World Service responsibilities had to be transferred from
we are all at this weekend is the right place for us to begin to our founding members to a Conference of Representatives now
understand that this authority and responsibility belongs to all known as the General Service Conference. Operating closely with
of us. We are all right now as individual members part of that the principle of our Tradition Two: For our group purpose there
collective conscience. Each of us a small part of a greater whole. is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as he may express
As representatives of your groups, making up your respected himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted
districts we will all participate in the unified voice of Area 79. servants; they do not govern.
A voice that our chosen Delegate Bob will carry. Where will
he carry it? Well, Concept One helps us to understand that very Written originally in 1945 was put to the test in 1951 at the first
question and history of how it came into existence. experimental General Service Conference. Could our Delegates
carry a group conscience? Would our Trustees listen? By 1955
In the late 1930s our founding members Doctor Bob and Bill W. at the International Convention it was clear that the practice of
began working on the creation of a World Service structure for Tradition Two was working and that our groups by virtue of
Alcoholics Anonymous. To create and maintain special services the General Service Conference could and would take on the
for A.A. as a whole, that could not be performed and maintained responsibility of A.A. world services.
10The collective conscience that you will participate in as a as to what to do with it. It all depends on contributions and
representative of your group is vital to our A.A. world services expenses.
via our Delegate to the General Service Conference. Guided
by the spiritual principles of our 12 steps and 12 traditions we Q. Are Special Events contributions shown in Note 4 composed
participate in this responsibility to ensure the continued existence of the Seventh Tradition from Quarterlies and Assemblies?
of A.A. So that the suffering Alcoholic who seeks a solution to A. Special Events contributions are funds that come in from
their dilemma finds the Fellowship at their destination. things like roundups, where the roundup committee has excess
funds after expenses and elect to send it to Area. The Seventh
Thank you Tradition collected at Quarterlies and Assemblies is shown
under the financial breakdown for each Assembly. In the current
Introduction of Guests and Past Trusted Servants financial statement, they are shown under Note 5.
Gerry F. Panel 38 Area 91 Delegate; Western Canada Q. What is our ample operating funds for financial reserve and
Regional Trustee in May 1992 ample operating funds?
Maureen P. Panel 53 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate A. By a motion, the Fellowship voted that our operating funds
Connie M. Panel 55 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate are based on our previous year using three months’ operating
Trish L. Panel 57 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate; currently expenses. Since covid in 2020, our prudent reserve would be very
Trustee-at-Large Canada May 2019 short. The Fellowship chose to keep $40,00.00 for 2021 for our
Scott H. Panel 61 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate; prudent reserve.
Trustee-at-Large Canada April 2015/19
Carolyn W. Panel 63 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate, currently Q. Is literature at a net surplus because we cannot go into the
Non-Trustee Director AAWS April 2018 correctional facilities?
Jennifer K. Panel 65 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate A. Yes, we cannot take any literature into any facilities at this
Jade F. Panel 67 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate time due to covid.
Gail P. Panel 69 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate
Q. Was the Delegate seating sent as a contribution instead of not
Introduction of new GSRs, DCMs and Alternates travelling?
Welcomed by Bob K., Delegate, and Rio D., Alternate Delegate A. It was motioned that Area 79 will contribute the full cost of
seating the Delegate based on the previous-year expenses. GSO
Reading of Business Procedures – Rodney S. will get back to us with the full amount of seating the Delegate
this month. We will be forwarding the full cost of seating the
MOTION to approve the minutes of July 2020 Quarterly held Delegate.
online, as printed in the July 2020 issue of Grassroots, by Bob
L., DCM District 42, seconded by Andrew E., DCM District 66. Q. Is there a budget set up for Zoom and do we follow any policy
Carried for Zoom meetings?
A. Yes, it is part of the office expenses, we have set money aside.
Service Resumes and Ratification of Appointed Positions We are very aware of observing Zoom policies.
Archives –s Chie W.S.
Corrections – Pauline D. MOTION to accept the Treasurer’s Report by Brendan M., DCM
Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC) – Diane O. District 41. Seconded: by Sean Mc., DCM District 50. Carried
Public Information (P.I.) – Dan F.
Remote Connections – Christina M. Delegate’s Report – Bob K. (This report is printed separately in
Treatment/Accessibilities/Grassroots – Alex P. this issue of Grassroots)
Website – Caleb W.
District Roll Call, General Service Committee Reports &
MOTION To ratify appointed positions by Rod M., DCM Ask-it Basket responses
District 64. Seconded by: Michael J., DCM District 36. Carried All reports are printed separately in this issue of Grassroots.
Chairperson’s Report: Rodney S. (This report is printed Committee Meetings:
separately in this issue of Grassroots) Archives: chaired by Chie W.S.
No questions. Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC): chaired by
Diane O.
Treasurer’s Report & Financial Statements: Monica Mc. Corrections: chaired by Pauline D.
(These are printed separately in this issue of Grassroots) Finance: chaired by Monica Mc.
Grapevine: chaired by Drew W.
Q. At the last Voting Assembly there was some talk about sending Literature: chaired by Rio D.
the surplus to GSO. Are there any other options on what to do Public Information (P.I.): chaired by Dan F.
with the surplus, can it be used in our Area? Treatment & Accessibilities & Grassroots: chaired by Alex P.
A. There is no guarantee as to what our expenses will be at the Remote Connections: chaired by Christina M.
end of the year. If there is a surplus it will be up to the Fellowship Website: chaired by Caleb W.
11Sharing Session: Present and share on the new video “Your
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
General Service Office (G.S.O.), the Grapevine and the
General Service Structure” Presented by Jade F-H, Panel 67
Delegate. Well, one down, 7 to go!
Q. Is this video ready to be shown?
A. Hopefully soon What a task this has been, although personally I
Q. Is the old video available to see? can say I’ve enjoyed the creative challenge enormously.
A. Yes, you can view the video in Jade’s 2017 Delegate Report Stepping into a publishing role is easily the most
on our website unexpected place service in Alcoholics Anonymous has
taken me, and I laugh with joy each time I think of how
District Roll Call, General Service Committee Reports wonderful this life can be.
& Ask-it Basket (continued) We don’t do anything alone, and this is certainly
the case with Grassroots. There is an incredible team
Old Business: behind this issue and I am endlessly grateful for the work
None they’ve put in to make this happen. If you want to join in,
please contact me!
New Business: Something that has been in my mind in the
April Pre-Conference Committee Assignments – Bob K. creation of this issue is accessibility. Who isn’t able
to access the information in these pages? I hope that
Committee Meeting Report-backs all of you reading this will check in with your fellows,
All reports printed separately in this issue of Grassroots. and contact me about barriers or suggestions to better
access.
Ask-it Basket – 13 questions were received. Four were answered I want to congratulate all incoming trusted
at the Quarterly, due to time constraints. All Ask-it Basket servants on their new positions and welcome my Panel
questions and answers are printed in this edition of Grassroots. 71 Area 79 General Service fellows to a new rotation.
First-Timers’ sharing In Love and Service, Your Grassroots Chair, Alex P.
Closing Remarks by Guests:
Maureen P. Panel 53 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
Trish L. Panel 57 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate; currently
Trustee-at-Large Canada May 2019
Scott H. Panel 61 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate, &
Trustee-at-Large Canada April 2015/19 BC YUKON AREA 79 PANEL 71 VOLUME 1
Carolyn W. Panel 63 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate; currently T HE I NTER - COM
Non-Trustee Director AAWS April 2018
Jade F. Panel 67 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate
Gail P. Panel 69 Area 79 BC/Yukon Delegate Area 79 Public Information and Cooperation with the Professional
Community Quarterly Newsletter for January 2021
MOTION to adjourn by Joanne C., DCM District 43, at 6:00 pm What’s in this issue? WHAT IS THE INTER-COM?
Looking for a meeting………page 1 The Inter-Com is our newsletter, by us, for us. This
Close with the Responsibility Statement followed by the District 62 P.I. report………..page 2 newsletter is for the exclusive use of A.A. members
who wish to exchange information about Public
Serenity Prayer. What is P.I.?.......................page 2 Information (P.I.) and cooperation with the Professional
What is CPC……………………..page 3 Community (CPC) work within Area 79. The Inter-Com
is a quarterly publication – January, April, July, and
Attendance Inter-Com submissions…….page 3 October.
GSC: 14 Welcome to PI and CPC It is a fantastic opportunity for districts, specifically P.I.
GSRs: 131 Committee DCMs…………….page 3 and CPC committees, to share experience, strengths
Alt GSRs: 24 and hope – new ways to reach the public and
cooperate with the professional community – how and
DCMs: 35 what you are doing in your district.
Alt DCMs: 14
Visitors: 87 LOOKING FOR A MEETING?
Total: 305 You can find a meeting almost anywhere by
downloading the Meeting Guide app onto your
7th Tradition: $1,250.00 smartphone.
Please Contact us: A reminder to groups to keep the Registrar
Dan F. – Public Information (registrar@bcyukonaa.org) informed of any changes to
Email: pi@bcyukonaa.org the date, time and format (virtual or face-to-face) so
778-538-0466 that she can advise GSO (owns & updates the app).
Diane O. – Cooperation with the GSRs can find the group change form on our webpage
Professional Community at www.bcyukonaa.org under service materials.
Email: cpc@bcyukonaa.org
250-833-8091
12General Service Committee Reports
Rodney S., Chair come July. For now, and unless things change dramatically, the
chair@bcyukonaa.org Pre-Conference Assembly will be held online. We are hoping that
things open up enough to meet in Smithers in July and Vernon in
My name is Rodney and I am an alcoholic. I’m really October. Only time will tell.
proud and totally apprehensive to be serving as your Panel 71 Yours in love and service,
Chairperson. Rodney S.
Since we last met at the October Voting Assembly I have
been a busy person. As your past treasurer I helped transition our Bob K., Delegate
new treasurer Monica into the treasurer position. I have passed delegate@bcyukonaa.org
on all that I know to our new treasurer. If we ever get back to
in-person quarterlies, there will be a few more things to go over. I Hello friends, my name is Bob K. and I am an alcoholic.
believe we are in good hands with Monica. I am humbled by this opportunity to serve as your Panel 71
I have also had the pleasure of working with Rio Delegate.
as she passes on the mantle of Chair to me. Rio has done an Greetings and a warm welcome to the GSRs and their
excellent job in breaching new frontiers with having to move our Alternates, the DCMs and their Alternates, the General Service
quarterlies and assemblies online. This has added or created the Committee, guests and of course all that are here for their first
need for a tech team to help manage the online meetings. To that Area 79 Quarterly. Panel 71 will all work together for the next
end we have formed a tech team led by Andrea P. with Jon, Gerry two years (2021-2022) at ensuring the message of hope reaches
and Doug, supported by Paul T., Richard H. and Rio D. the suffering alcoholic and that Area 79 stays connected to A.A.
I put together the agenda for this quarterly with far too as a whole.
many mistakes and I apologize for that. I did my best to correct We are so resilient in A.A. to have the courage and
them all as quickly as possible. Regardless, the content of the dedication to step from our comfort zones and explore technology
weekend should prove to be stimulating and informative. that can be used to share our life-saving program with those in
I am really proud of the work we have done so far. need during these uncertain times. For that I thank you.
Myself, together with a selection committee, selected our seven Since our elections in October 2020, I have been able to
new committee chairs which have just been ratified. I believe we wrap up my Alt. Delegate/Literature responsibilities and pass the
have put together a good committee and we are looking forward reins over to our Alt.Delegate Rio D. We are in good hands with
to serving Area 79 throughout this panel. Rio.
As it stands right now all travel to in-person events is From the bottom of my heart I would like to take this
currently not being considered by the GSC. I for one hope that opportunity to thank our Panel 69 Delegate Gail P. for the many
ends soon. Consequently, the number of requests we are getting transitions she has done with me. Gail has kept me in line at
for support at roundups, workshops, group conscience and other times even though at times that was the furthest thing from my
travel-like assignments are minimal. So far, we have two virtual mind. Upon reflection I have come to believe I wouldn’t be here
assignments planned for the new year. I was asked, last minute, today as your Panel 71 Delegate without her. I also need to give
to give a 10 minute talk at District 43’s New Year’s Eve online thanks to my service sponsor Tony L. He listened with an open
party. mind to my nonsense at times and would quite often comment,
This pandemic has had an enormous effect on our “That’s delusional, Bob”, kick me in the ass and remind me why
society and how we function. Technology has left many of us in we are all here, to take me back to the basics.
the dust looking for what limited in-person meetings there are. I have continued to pinch myself most every day as
With in-person meetings being limited to 50 people you must I receive messages of congratulations from past and current
arrive pretty early at some meetings if you wish to get a seat. delegates within our US/Canada A.A. service structure. In
Otherwise you are turned away. December I received the Delegates’ Communication Kit with
I want to encourage each district to continue the suggested readings that include the A.A. Service Manual and
enthusiasm for A.A. as best you can in these trying times. Put on 12 Concepts for World Service, A.A. Comes of Age, and recent
virtual events, invite your GSC to attend and we will be very glad Conference Reports.
to take part in whatever you come up with. Let’s not let Covid Shortly afterwards, I was informed that I have been
destroy our enthusiasm and love for A.A. service. assigned to the Conference Committee on Policy and Admissions
Given that, I can’t help but wonder if your GSC should and I have upcoming meetings with the entire Committee to
consider organizing some online events. So far what has been discuss a member from India that has requested to attend the 71st
done in the past has gone over well. Things like the forums that General Service Conference.
just happened as well as the Archives workshop that was put On January 5, I was connected to the secure AAWS
on were well attended. Feel free to comment on that in your dashboard and have started navigating through the variety of
evaluation form after this quarterly. We hope everyone will one items available. This is keeping me updated with the most current
fill out so we can serve you better going forward. information available.
I am truly hoping that we will be able to meet in person I have also been attending the Western Regional
13Delegates meeting that is chaired by our Western Regional (TSS) which is part of the Area 79 website: www.bcyukonaa.
Trustee, Irma V., who shared information regarding the slump in org . If you are currently serving in one of these positions and do
AAWS Inc. and Grapevine Inc. Literature sales and contributions not yet have access to your login information, please see Caleb,
are up with AAWS but unfortunately Grapevine is suffering our Website chair, for help. He can be reached at website@
because they do not accept financial contributions and operate bcyukonaa.org. You will need this information to access the
solely on the sale of publications, subscriptions and various other background material and synopsis under the Delegate tab.
items. They could use our help during these uncertain times. Ask This timeline information will be also available in the
Our Grapevine Chair, Drew, how can we help. upcoming edition of Grassroots.
I and the four Western Regional Delegates, along So, hang on everyone, you’re in for a ride.
with our Western Regional Trustee and our Trustee-at-Large Thank you so much for the trust and support you have
Canada, have also been attending the 2021 WRAASA committee given me to serve as your Panel 71 Delegate.
meetings. WRAASA will take place Feb.26-27, 2021, hosted In Love and Service
by Area 91, Saskatchewan. Registration is now open and I Bob K.
encourage you, your A.A. friends and sponsees to show our Area
79 support. Registration is free and they will accept contributions Rio D., Alternate Delegate / Literature Chair
online during the event to help cover costs. The main theme and altdelegate@bcyukonaa.org
workshop items are based on the upcoming theme of the 71st
General Service Conference (A.A. in a Time of Change). Happy New Year to all! My name is Rio and I am
I also attend virtual meetings with the Pacific Regional an alcoholic grateful to be serving as your Area 79 Panel 71
Delegates and as many of you know, Area 79 is an honorary Alternate Delegate & Literature Committee Chair. Thank you,
member of their region. I have been invited to attend PRAASA Bob, for the transition into this position. Rodney, you are doing
(Pacific Region Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly) a great job as our new Chair and I know our BC/Yukon area is in
being held on March 5-7, 2021. It is hosted by Area 93 Central good hands.
California and of course like most everything on a virtual First, literature highlights from GSO.
platform. Subtitled versions in Spanish and French of the updated
As I mentioned in the service orientation last evening video “Your General Service Office, Grapevine Office and
I will be attending the 71st General Service Conference as your the General Service Structure,” are yet to be completed and
Area 79 Delegate, on April 18-24. I will be taking the Area 79 subsequently distributed. How great that we got to see some of
conscience with me. For that to happen, I will need your help. this this afternoon.
We have lots to do to prepare for our upcoming April Pre- A new gift book titled “A Visual History of Alcoholics
Conference coming up on April 9-11. So let me give you a Anonymous” is available for pre-order with a $1.00 off discount
rundown of what to expect and when. until Jan 31.
On or about Feb. 15 the 93 Delegates of our US/ Living Sober is now available as an audio book.
Canada A.A. service structure will receive the entire conference The new, and very improved, A.A. Online Bookstore
committee agenda items and full background material; this is went live September 9 and is much more user friendly. There is a
usually 700 to 1000 pages. With help I will reassign some of the 15% discount on all orders over $100 until Jan 31st. Don’t forget
committee agenda items from overloaded committees to less busy to go there and order “Our Great Responsibility” and get a FREE
committees. copy of Alcoholics Anonymous Facsimile First Printing of the
I will get this information out to our committee chairs as First Edition. This offer ends at the end of this month.
soon as possible. They will have from Feb.17 to Feb.21 or so to I am so fortunate to have DCMs Elton from District
synopsize (or summarize) their specific committee agenda items 24, Michael from District 36 and Tim from District 75 to work
into four pages each. We will have a GSC meeting on Feb.24 and with over the next two years on the Area Literature Committee.
review the material. We have met three times so far. At our second meeting we really
Following that meeting we will organize the synopsized enjoyed having the webmaster Karen of Area 8, San Diego,
background material for all 12 committees into a single document attend. She showed and discussed the use of the Glide app to
approximately 50 pages in length. get digital literature out to the fellowship. More will be revealed
The full background material and the synopsized in our committee report-back this weekend. We have 15 DCC
material will be posted to the trusted servant site on our Area 79 Literature Chairs in our area and I look forward to meeting and
website during the first week of March for all GSRs and DCMs working with you all.
to access. This gives the GSRs and DCMs 5 to 6 weeks to discuss The Panel 71 Finance Committee consists of myself,
the items with their groups and districts so you can come to the Rodney, Monica and Drew. We met last Wednesday for the first
Pre-Conference Assembly prepared to carry the voice of your time and it is going to be wonderful to work with these trusted
group and district to gather the group conscience. servants during this rotation.
After the General Service Conference I will be available It was a privilege to work on the Tech Team for our
to come to your districts online and report to you what happened. recent Western US/Canada Virtual Forum on December 19.
Please get in touch with me at delegate@bcyukonaa.org if you Thanks to all the tech team volunteers here at this Quarterly
would like to schedule a visit. for their hours of preparation for this event and to all of you,
All GSRs, DCMs and the GSC have a user name and new to service in Area 79. Welcome to your BC/Yukon service
password that enables them to log into the trusted servant site family. My first virtual Area 79 travel assignment is January 30 in
14District 62 where I will be facilitating a Sponsorship Workshop. be discussing how members in Area 79 can support the AA
In closing I want to extend a warm welcome to all of Grapevine. Unlike AAWS, it is only through literature sales and
you new Area 79 trusted servants in this current Panel 71 rotation. subscriptions that the Grapevine can receive your support as they
If all the acronyms, terms and lingo sounds confusing, you are do not accept financial contributions.
not alone. It is for all of us when we attend our first service event. In December the Grapevine had a free shipping offer
Also, a heartfelt thank you to all that have served so humbly in on all literature sales. I combined that offer with the bulk-order
Panel 69. My service journey has been lifted to new heights by offer of an additional 10% off the Grapevine literature purchase.
your unconditional love and unwavering support. This also gave us our inventory purchase at 2020 pricing rates
Thank you for listening and allowing me to serve. before the inventory prices were increased in 2021. I believe this
With much appreciation and gratitude, inventory will serve us for most of the rotation (depending on
Rio D. what happens with in-person travel assignments and quarterlies
and assemblies).
Drew W., Alternate Chair I look forward to growing in humility as I serve you in
altchair@bcyukonaa.org Panel 71.
Thank you for my big sober life,
Hello friends, My name is Drew and I am a grateful Drew W.
alcoholic, privileged to serve as your BC/Yukon Area 79
Alternate Chair and Grapevine Chair. I hope everyone had a safe, Monica McG., Treasurer
healthy and serene holiday season. treasurer@bcyukonaa.org
Since our last meeting I have been busy learning all the
facets of my new role. Good morning everyone, my name is Monica and I am
I want to thank outgoing Panel 69 Alternate Chair an alcoholic, honoured to serve Area 79 as Treasurer for Panel 71.
and Grapevine chair Brenda M. for your thoroughness in our Since we last met in Oct., I completed my term as Remote
transition. And to our incoming secretary Carol H., I wish you the Connections and Grassroots Chair on Panel 69 and started the
best in your new role as secretary for Panel 71. orientation of the new chairs, Christina and Alex. Both roles are
Ahead of our quarterly this weekend, I have attended in competent hands. Their enthusiasm and energy is contagious.
several tech team meetings to help prepare for this event. I’ve For Grassroots, the Forum grew to 52 pages, thanks to the
met several times with our tech team host Andrea regarding the submissions from the DCMs and the GSC members. 122 copies
registration processes. A special thank you to Rio D. and Paul T. were mailed. This is 65 fewer than the first mailing I did two
for helping us learn the ropes. It is a very involved process and years ago as our Registrars have done a great job of getting email
I’m so grateful for all the legwork that was done in Panel 69 to contacts for more of the groups.
set us up for success in Panel 71. Our new tech team, consisting 976 emails were sent to DCMs and GSRs notifying them
of Andrea, Doug, Gerry and Jon, have been instrumental in it was on the website. All but 19 were successfully delivered, an
helping us provide a streamlined event for you this weekend. astonishing 98.1% accuracy rate with only four invalid emails.
Thank you, tech team! Thank you, Registrars and DCMs. More exciting still is, within a
I have had fun reviewing our quarterly and assembly week, the email had been opened 1,618 times. Thank you all for
feedback processes. The evaluation forms have been modified passing it on to your members.
to include more opportunities to hear your feedback. This form For Remote Connections, I had the privilege in Nov.
can be found in the housekeeping chat this weekend. I plan of telling my story to the Alaska-wide phone-in meeting. It was
on sending all attendees a copy of the link to the email you’ve strange to be speaking to 16 people and have no form of feedback
registered with once the quarterly closes. Your Panel 71 team is while I was speaking. I am in awe of members who have gained
really looking forward to hearing your feedback so that we can and maintained sobriety primarily through phone-in meetings.
continue to improve these events to better serve Area 79. Nov. 16, there was an Inter-area Remote Communities
In December, a letter was sent out by Grapevine Chair meeting with members from Alaska to Newfoundland.
Kathi F. informing the fellowship of the financial status of the Fortunately, Christina, our new Remote Connections chair, was
Grapevine. able to join us.
“As of October 2020, the AA Grapevine has estimated a Nov. 18, we held a Remote Connections meeting with
loss of just over $300,000; and the cost of AA La Viña (above the the district chairs to introduce Christina as the new chair and
income it receives from subscription sales) is just over $250,000. discuss the implications of the change in name from Remote
Due to the cancellation of the Detroit International Convention Communities to Remote Connections. Not many districts
and the long-term closings of AA meetings and Intergroup/ participated but there was a lively discussion with those that did.
Central Offices, AAGV has experienced a significant reduction Rodney, the Panel 69 Treasurer, now our Chair, has
in its book sales this year. There has also been a significant been very patient showing me the Area financial systems as
reduction in La Viña magazine subscriptions… We are trying well as helping me get Windows going on my Mac so I can use
our best. With your support, we can turn this around if we stay Quickbooks, the software used by the Area.
focused and diligent.” The Area Finance Committee meets monthly. It is
Like so many groups, districts, intergroup offices, composed of our Chair, Rodney, Alternate Chair, Drew, and
and our own publishing department in AAWS, many entities Alternate Delegate, Rio. We had the first meeting of Panel 71 on
in alcoholics anonymous are suffering financially. Grapevine Wednesday and reviewed the year-end report.
is no exception. In our committee work this weekend, we will As many of you know, I live in Victoria and the Area
15You can also read
