1April 2022NOTE: These are Advisory Actions only. Detailsare contained in full Conference committeereports.CONFERENCE ADVISORY ACTIONS OF THE72nd GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCEThe following recommendations were approved by the 72nd General Service Conference:FLOOR ACTIONSIt was recommended that:1. The trustees’ Committee on Literature continue to make edits to the draft pamphlet “TheTwelve Steps Illustrated” with a new draft or progress report to be brought back to the2023 Conference Committee on Literature, keeping in mind: color, diverse expressions ofspirituality and accessible interpretation of meaning in the illustrations.2. The 2022 Membership Survey questionnaire receive final editorial review by the trustees’Public Information Committee after consulting with our professional survey methodologist,to address concerns raised by the 72nd General Service Conference related to the surveyquestions about Racial and Ethnic Background, and Employment Status.AGENDAIt was recommended that:3. The theme for the 2023 General Service Conference be: “A.A.’s Three Legacies – OurCommon Solution.”4. The presentation theme and topics for the 2023 General Service Conference be:Presentation Theme: “General Service – Our Mighty Purpose and Rhythm”Presentation Topics:1. “Our Common Perils and Common Solution”2. “Using A.A.'s Literature in Carrying the Message”3. “Fostering a Thriving Three Legacy Culture”25. The workshop topic for the 2023 General Service Conference be: “Practicing Our TwelveTraditions Across All Group Settings.”6. The General Service Board develop a status report on the progress and outcomes fromthe 2013-2015 Conference inventory and include a draft plan for another Conferenceinventory with considerations of its value, timeline and approach to be brought back to the2023 Conference Committee on Agenda.ARCHIVES*No recommendations*Members serve on this committee as a secondary committee assignment.COOPERATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITYNo recommendations.CORRECTIONSNo recommendations.FINANCENo recommendations.GRAPEVINE AND LA VIÑANo recommendations.INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS/REGIONAL FORUMS*No recommendations.*Members serve on this committee as a secondary committee assignment.LITERATUREIt was recommended that:7. The pamphlet “Questions and Answers on Sponsorship” be revised to add the followingtext regarding safety and A.A.:1. In the section "For the person wanting to be a sponsor" (p. 14) under the heading"What does a sponsor do and not do?":Stresses the importance of A.A. being a safe place for all members andencourages members to become familiar with service material available fromthe General Service Office such as "Safety in A.A. – Our Common Welfare.”2. In the section “for groups planning sponsorship activity” (p.23), under the heading“How does sponsorship help a group?” add a fourth paragraph:Sponsorship can also help a group to create a welcoming and secureenvironment. Safety is an issue affecting all members and it is important forgroups to remain accessible to all who are seeking recovery. Sponsorship canhelp keep the group focused on the common welfare.8. The booklet Living Sober be revised to add the following paragraph regarding safety andA.A. in chapter 29, page 76:“Of course, A.A. is a reflection of the larger society around us and problems found inthe outside world can also make their way into the rooms of A.A. But by keeping thefocus on our common welfare and primary purpose, groups can help provide a safeand secure environment for all their members.”9. The video animation of the pamphlet "The Twelve Concepts Illustrated" (currentlypublished by the General Service Board of A.A. Great Britain) be adapted and producedby the Publishing Department. The committee requested a progress report or rough cutbe brought back to the 2023 Conference Committee on Literature.10. The draft of the pamphlet “Young People and A.A.” be approved.11. The pamphlet “Twelve Traditions Illustrated” be updated with non-offensive,contemporary text and illustrations and that a progress report or draft pamphlet bebrought back to the 2023 Conference Committee on Literature.12. The updated pamphlet “Is A.A. for You?” be approved.13. The updated pamphlet “Is There an Alcoholic in Your Life?” be approved.14. The updated pamphlet “Frequently Asked Questions About A.A.” be approved.15. The updated pamphlet “This Is A.A.” be approved. POLICY/ADMISSIONSIt was recommended that:16. Rio D., alternate delegate, Area 79 British Columbia/Yukon Territory, be seated as aConference member at the 72nd General Service Conference because Bob K., Panel 71delegate for Area 79 is unable to attend.17. Christopher M., alternate delegate, Area 47 Central New York, be seated as aConference member at the 72nd General Service Conference because Todd D., Panel 71delegate for Area 47 is unable to attend.18. The “Process for Approving Observers to the Conference” be changed. The revisedprocess would allow the Policy/Admissions committee to approve routine admissions fromstructures outside the U.S. and Canada without having to poll the full Conference. As withthe current process, the trustees’ General Service Conference Committee and then theGeneral Service Board would first need to approve the request prior to forwarding it to thePolicy/Admissions Committee for their action.19. The committee recommended that the Scope of the Conference Committee onPolicy/Admissions which currently reads:Admissions function: Is responsible for reviewing all requests for admissions to theAnnual Meeting of the General Service Conference.Be revised to read:Admissions function: Is responsible for reviewing all requests for admissions to theAnnual Meeting of the General Service Conference; and for approving routinerequests for admissions from A.A. service structures outside of the U.S./Canadaservice structure to observe the Annual Meeting of the General Service Conference.And that the following be added to the Procedure of the Conference Committee onPolicy/Admissions:Procedure1. To approve routine requests from qualified representatives of other A.A. servicestructures to observe the Annual Meeting of the General Service Conference.20. The compilation of all Conference committee background be made availablesimultaneously in English, French and Spanish.521. The committee recommended that two persons from A.A. in Brazil, Maria Z. and AnaElisa L., Board of Trustees “Class B,” and one person from A.A. in Argentina, a trustee,be admitted to the 72nd General Service Conference as observers. (Note: This item waspassed pre-Conference using the Conference Polling process.)PUBLIC INFORMATIONIt was recommended that:22. The following revisions be made to the pamphlet “Understanding Anonymity.” Thequestion and answer that currently reads:Anonymity in the digital ageQ. I maintain an Internet website and a personal page on a social media site. I alsobelong to an online meeting. At what level should I protect my anonymity on theInternet?A. Publicly accessible aspects of the Internet such as websites featuring text,graphics, audio, and video can be considered the same as publishing or broadcasting.Unless password-protected, a website requires the same safeguards that we use atthe level of press, radio, and film. Simply put, this means that A.A.s do not identifythemselves as A.A. members using their full names and/or full-face photos.Be changed to:Anonymity in the digital ageQ. I maintain a website and social media pages. At what level should I protect myanonymity on the Internet?A. Publicly accessible aspects of the Internet such as websites featuring text,graphics, audio, and video can be considered the same as publishing or broadcasting.Unless password-protected, a website requires the same safeguards that we use atthe level of press, radio, and film/video. Simply put, this means that A.A.s do notidentify themselves as A.A. members using their full names and/or full-face photos.It is suggested that when A.A.s gather as A.A.s or as an A.A. group on social mediapages and other similar platforms that these pages are set to “private” rather than“public.”23. The following text be added to the pamphlet “Understanding Anonymity”:Q. Are virtual A.A. meetings considered “Public”?6A. These online gatherings are not streamed to the general public; however,information about the meeting is provided to A.A. members, potential members, andthe general public similar to in-person meetings.While some members feel comfortable using their full names and faces othermembers feel it is more aligned with Tradition 11 to use only their first name and lastinitial or turning their camera off. For safety purposes some groups have providedhelpful reminders in their group format that picture-taking or screen shots are not inkeeping with anonymity principles.24. The outdated “A.A. Fact File” be retired.25. The format changes, two new questions and six changed questions on a 2022membership survey questionnaire be approved.New questions12. Have you attended an A.A. meeting virtually (online or by phone)? (if yes, answerquestion 12b)12b. Do you prefer virtual meetings or in-person meetings?__In-person__Virtual__Both equally13. What attributes do you prefer or need in meetings you attend?__accessibility (such as no stairs, or served by public transportation)__held in a particular language (please list language)__other members similar to me (please describe how)__additional characteristics (please describe)Changed questions14. What is your age? ______years15. Which of these best describes you:__Male__Female__Prefer to describe16. Relationship status:__Single, never married__Married or Life Partner__Divorced__Separated__Widowed__Prefer to describe______________717. Racial and ethnic background (Check all that apply)__Asian__Black, or African American__Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin__Native American, Alaska Native, First Nations, or Indigenous__Pacific Islander or Hawaiian Native__White, Caucasian, or European American__Prefer to describe_______________18. What is your employment status now? (Check one only)__Employed full time__Employed part time__Unemployed and looking for work__Unemployed, not currently looking for work__Student__Retired__Homemaker19. If you are employed, what is your job? ________________________26. After a thorough review of the professional survey methodologist report detailing actionsto perform a sound membership survey, a 2022 A.A. Membership Survey be conductedwith a budgeted cost not to exceed $20,000. The process will include mailing, digitalback-end response and analysis, creation of message and distribution, including a “Howto video” for groups/members.REPORT AND CHARTERIt was recommended that:27. Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of The A.A. Service Manual be revised to correctinaccuracies and to provide clarity and consistency on the roles, responsibilities andrelationships between the General Service Office, AA Grapevine and A.A. WorldServices, Inc. (Note: Because 2023 is a printing year these changes would be reviewedby the A.A.W.S. Board, AA Grapevine Board and the General Service Board prior tobeing brought to the Conference Committee on Report and Charter. This process is inkeeping with the 2018 advisory action regarding review of The A.A. Service ManualCombined with Twelve Concepts for World Service.)28. Items 5 and 6 that relate to Regional Directories be removed from the Scope of theReport and Charter Composition, Scope and Procedure. (Note: Regional Directories areno longer being produced.)TREATMENT AND ACCESSIBILITIES8It was recommended that:29. The Long Form of Tradition Five be added to the pamphlet “The A.A. Group” on page 12in the section “What is an A.A. Group?” at its next printing.Note: As a result of the 2021-22 Equitable Distribution of Workload plan, this item wason the agenda of the Conference Committee on Treatment and Accessibilities.TRUSTEESIt was recommended that:30. The following slate of trustees of the General Service Board be elected at the annualmeeting of the members of the General Service Board on April 30, 2022, followingpresentation at the 2022 General Service Conference for disapproval if any:Class A Trustees Class B TrusteesMolly Anderson Cathi C.Linda Chezem, J.D. Jimmy D.Sr. Judith Ann Karam, C.S.A. Josh E.Hon Kerry Meyer Francis G.Al Mooney, M.D., FAAFP, FASAM Tom H.Andie Moss Reilly K.Kevin Prior, MBA, CFA, CPA Deborah K.Trish L.Mike L.Paz P.Marita H. R.Joyce S.Irma V.Carolyn W.31. The following slate of officers of the General Service Board be elected at the annualmeeting of the members of the General Service Board on April 30, 2022, followingpresentation at the 2022 General Service Conference for disapproval if any:Chairperson: Linda Chezem, J.D.First Vice-Chairperson: Jimmy D.Second Vice-Chairperson: Francis G.Treasurer: Kevin Prior, MBA, CFA, CPASecretary: Cathi C.Assistant Treasurer: Paul Konigstein*Assistant Secretary: Jeff W.*9*G.S.O. employees32. The following slate of directors be elected at the annual meeting of the members of theA.A. World Services Corporate Board on April 30, 2022, following presentation at the2022 General Service Conference for disapproval if any:Cathi C. Carolyn W.Vera F. John W.Deborah K. Bob W.*Clinton M. Jeff W.*Irma V.*G.S.O. employees33. The following slate of directors be elected at the annual meeting of the members of theAA Grapevine Corporate Board on April 30, 2022, following presentation at the 2022General Service Conference for disapproval if any:Molly Anderson Coree H.Chris C. Mike L.Josh E. Paz P.Cindy F. David S.Tom H.*AA Grapevine employee34. The “Suggested Procedure to Reorganize the General Service Board and the boards ofA.A.W.S., Inc. and AA Grapevine, Inc.” be approved as one acceptable pathway to awhole or partial reorganization of the Boards, understanding that, as provided by theConference Charter, the final process will be determined by whichever General ServiceConference might be considering reorganization.35. The trustees’ Literature Committee revise the pamphlet “Do You Think You're Different?”to update the stories to represent greater diversity and bring back a draft pamphlet orprogress report to the 2023 General Service Conference.Note: As a result of the 2021-22 Equitable Distribution of Workload plan, this item wason the agenda of the Conference Committee on Trustees.