July 19, 2026

• They need raffle baskets, donations of side salads, and volunteers for parking

• Area finances are under pressure, from lower than expected contributions and higher early-year expenses, including NERAASA (sp?) and delegate conference costs
• Area voted to increase the delegate's funding for the General Service Conference from $3,000 to $8,000, sending an additional $5,000 to the General Service Office (GSO). Area then borrowed $5,000 from its prudent reserve.
• Russell abstained from that vote because it was not brought back to the groups
• Area is asking for group contributions, intends to reduce spending, and will monitor finances through the year

• They want more GSRs to volunteer at the conference and to bring agenda items to the microphone. The topics they are asking people to speak on, pro or con, are a Twelve Step workbook, CPC (Cooperation with the Professional Community), and Grapevine contributions.
• The convention committee is searching for a new venue for 2027; they say costs at the current location are too high and are looking at alternatives with adequate meeting space. A membership survey will be distributed to gather feedback, and it will be passed on to you when it comes down.
• A motion to remove the chairperson's voting rights failed, 32 against
• Area is emphasizing transparency, trusted servant communication, keeping Fellowship Connection records current, and encouraging groups to participate in financial support. Fellowship Connection is the database DCMs use to see which meetings in the district are registered, which are not, and which are new. Area's records are falling behind.

• Registration for the conference is open. The registration form and pricing were passed around and will be sent with these notes.
• If you go, you must be in the auditorium and in your seat by 9:00 a.m. to be counted. If you are not counted at 9:00 a.m. you cannot vote for the rest of the day. You may leave after you are counted.
• Please go if you can. This is where you vote in the people who will either change things or not change things.

I motion that our district express concern regarding the process of the recent change to the upcoming Fifth Edition of the Big Book and request that the Area Committee and Delegate review the process by which the change was made, with particular attention to whether sufficient opportunity was provided for group conscience input.

Further, I motion that we recommend that future changes to A.A. literature, service materials, or other matters affecting the Fellowship and the A.A. message must be communicated to and discussed by the groups through their GSRs prior to delegates taking positions or casting votes whenever practicable, so that the group conscience remains the foundation of our service structure.

• The motion would hold the district to the same standard it is asking of Area. Getting twenty groups to agree on a topic for a workshop, for example, would be difficult, and we should think about whether we will practice what we preach.
• It runs against Concept Three, the Right of Decision. The spiritual principle of Concept Three is trust. A trusted servant who is in the room, who hears the arguments and the testimony, has the right to cast his vote accordingly even when the group has told him something else.
• The Conference vote was overwhelming, well over two thirds — roughly 122 in favor
• Other countries have already removed the word from the Big Book. This happens.
• The procedure they followed was in keeping with the Traditions and the Concepts

• A motion was made to send it directly to GSO: "I hear what you're saying, but it's like saying my vote doesn't count. How we vote matters. It's important that we make our voice heard, whether they pay attention or not."
• The motion to send it directly to GSO was seconded and passed.