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To say that the Conference was exhilarating and exhausting, intense and informative, stressful and satisfying all at once, along with fun and fellowship doesn’t seem to cover it all! Yet, that is exactly how I would describe the privilege of having done service for Region 5 at this year’s World Service Business Conference.

Though having attended 2 other Conferences, one in the mid 90’s in Los Angeles and one in 2000 in Albuquerque, I do not recall the level of participation in the process that I had the opportunity of doing this year. We were sent to Conference well prepared by the World Service Office with a download of materials (400+ pages) to review of agendas, proposals, reports, glossary of parliamentary procedure of terms, workshops and OA meetings to attend throughout the week of Conference. Upon arrival we received a binder of all of those materials to assist us through the week of meetings. The entire week was well organized and there were so many Delegates, Trustees, Chairpersons and volunteers to assist answering any questions that we had.

Each Delegate participated on a committee and I had requested to be on the Bylaws Committee. The committee was then divided into subcommittees. Though I have very little knowledge of technology, I felt comfortable working with those who do have the expertise and I could assist by being the secretary of the group. This subcommittee will be working throughout the next year on ways to improve accessibility to the World Service, Inc Bylaws and Policies by way of developing an index of terms and links to quickly find information in the Bylaws and Policies, rather than, as it is now, viewing a pdf and scrolling through pages and pages to find pertinent information. The first step is for the subcommittee’s chairperson to contact the WSO Webmaster to determine feasibility. Our first subcommittee meeting will be on June 3, 2023.

Additionally, I was asked to serve on the Reference Subcommittee of the Bylaws Committee. This subcommittee provides a forum of discussion of New Business motions and Bylaws amendments. Its primary purpose is to provide problem-solving opportunities before the item is brought to, or returned to the Conference floor. (excerpt from “Reference Subcommittee Guidelines”). We met from early morning, through lunch time, dinner time and into the late evening hours between Business Sessions. After listening to makers of the original motions, and those members submitting amendments to those motions during or before Conference, questions are asked of those members proposing amendments by members of the Reference subcommittee, as well as non-reference subcommittee members for a period of time. Once all have been heard, the Reference subcommittee then begins a caucus of discussion to establish a consensus with all parties who have proposed an amendment/motion, to help with proper wording and eliminate duplication where similar motions are presented. I really enjoyed the work of this process, as it was more than just “word-smithing”. It embodied principles over personalities for the greater good of OA as a whole. Members from all Regions around the world were on this subcommittee to offer their input and perspective as it relates to global and diverse issues affecting everyone’s recovery. No final decision is made by this subcommittee; rather, that final outcome depends on the votes of Delegates when it returns to the Conference floor.

The two and a half days of Business Sessions were a true study in Principles over Personalities. Not all of the Proposals that were intended to be on the Conference floor for a vote made it there. Consideration for which ones, due to time constraints, needing to be heard were given priority. For me, the most impressive decision of all made by the entire body took place on the last day at the very end of the Conference. Two Bylaws proposals affecting Countries outside of the United States and Canadian Regions, involving National Service Boards, Intergroups and their geographic and Virtual Regions was on the floor to be voted. A motion was made to extend the closing of the Conference by 30 minutes so that more time could be given to hear Pros and Cons and to ask more questions about these concerns.

Members wanted more information to understand the issues in order to make an informed vote on behalf of those Countries on the other side of the planet! To me, that is Program in action, to extend the Hand and Heart of OA – for this I am responsible.

– Yours gratefully in service, Diane A.

It was my privilege to attend this conference as a delegate representing the Chicago West Intergroup Farout (CHI-WIF) and Region 5. Much work was accomplished by and for the members and for OA as a whole. The theme and focus of this conference was “Concepts of Service: The Heart of Fellowship”. In attendance were a total of 176 delegates representing 14 different countries, including Italy, Greece, Israel, Iran, Brazil, Columbia, Spain, Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Also being represented were several Virtual intergroups, including Young Peoples, Men’s, and Footsteps.

Much emphasis was given to the topics of Unity and Inclusiveness, and delegates were reminded that our discussions and our voting should be “for the good of OA as a whole”, to benefit all current and future members. As a new delegate, I appreciated the camaraderie and support we all received, as it was confusing and stressful at times to understand the proposals and motions and even the whole process. The other thing I appreciated and found so helpful as a first time attendee was being assigned a Mentor for the week, someone who has attended WSBC & wants to help the “newbies”. My mentor was from the Philadelphia PA area and she was great, explaining what was happening and what things meant, always doing it with humor and gentleness. She reminded me several times that I was supposed to be confused with it all and to just relax and do my best. We shared a few meals and down time together, and we are still in contact. This was another example of how “together we can do what we cannot do alone” in OA.

The conference process was amazing and so well organized. We would start each business session with the Serenity Prayer, and delegates from outside the U.S were invited to say the prayer in their own language. A touching moment for me with this was when the 2 delegates from Russia and the Ukraine stood in front of the whole assembly, held hands, and said this prayer in their own languages, then hugged each other. Beautiful! Then we got to the work of dealing with and voting on all the many proposals and motions included in our 462-page delegate binder. Parliamentary procedures were used throughout all the sessions, with pros and cons presented for each motion, as well as opportunities for questions. Everything was also timed and strictly adhered to. The chair of the Board of Trustees presided at all sessions, with support from all the trustees on the dais and a professional parliamentarian to make sure we followed protocol. At times, there was some tension and disagreement and strong opinions voiced with some of the proposals, but cooler heads prevailed after we paused to say the Serenity Prayer or the 3rd Step Prayer.

PROPOSALS/VOTING (there were several more than cited here)
1) A new book “Diverse Voices: A Common Solution” about recovery of underrepresented OA members was presented for publication. MOTION ADOPTED.

2) A second new book “Sponsorship in OA: Guiding Others into Recovery” was proposed to replace 2 sponsorship pamphlets. MOTION DEFEATED. Committee will review/rewrite and may be proposed next year.

3) Proposal to not use acronyms on all future official communications to service bodies, to avoid confusion in language translation. MOTION ADOPTED.

4) Proposal to change wording & definitions of open & closed and special-focus meetings in policy manuals. Motion was split into 2 motions, then wording “Specific” was added to “Focus” & “Topic” meetings, and “Meetings with Visitors” and “Meetings without Visitors” be used to define current “Open & Closed” meetings. BOTH MOTIONS ADOPTED.

5) Proposal to increase maximum member contribution per year from $5000 to $7500. MOTION ADOPTED.

6) Two Proposals to give OA Conference Approval to Alcoholics Anonymous literature. First one included just the AA Big Book & the AA 12/12. Second proposal included all AA Conference-approved literature. FIRST MOTION FAILED. SECOND MOTION PASSED.

COMMITTEES

Delegates were also assigned to committees, to work on issues & goals “for the good of OA as a whole”, that they developed in this conference. Committees will meet during the year and submit their work for review to the Board of Trustees for consideration at next year’s World Service Business Conference. I was assigned to the 12th Step Within committee (TSW) on a subcommittee that will review materials in the Documents Library of OA.org website and encourage members to use our website. Other TSW committee goals: to encourage intergroups to develop a 12 Step Within committee to grow service through workshops & sponsor banks; to develop greater awareness & encouragement of OA’s International 12 Step Within Day on 12/12 through flyers & workshops.

WORKSHOPS

The Conference also included several workshops, mainly focusing on the theme of Service. Presenters from Israel and St.Louis stressed the importance of service to keep OA strong and united, especially since we are a global organization. They shared ideas on how to do this, such as workshops, visits to other meeting, and inviting sponsees to step up.

TRUSTEES

All Conference delegates were introduced to and given the duty of voting in new Trustees for the Board. 10 open positions, with 6 candidates vying. All 6 candidates were voted in by the body of delegates present.

A 7th Step collection was also collected from the delegates, totalling $2477.75.

On the last day of the Conference, all “Green Dots” were brought to the front of the ballroom and introduced and congratulated for attending. We removed our dots & were warmly cheered by the veteran delegates. We survived!

– Report respectfully submitted by Evelyn S.

Early on I really struggled with a concept of a Higher Power. Not having a religious background, I came in as a total spiritual novice. Nothing felt familiar. I had thrown up some foxhole prayers to something in my darkest days but never felt I got a response.

I just couldn’t do the traditional God relationship thing. Thank goodness for “as we understand God”.

But I did realize early on that I needed something outside myself to help me recover. At first it was my sponsor and the group. But they weren’t always available and they are human.

Eventually I developed a concept of a personal Higher Power. She is my Higher Power. I have no idea what else she is concerned about, if anything. When I ask, she infuses me with willingness, strength and the ability to do the next right thing, abstain and be useful. My life is wonderful with her help.

I have to leave it there. It’s ok that I don’t know all the answers or specifics. She and the fellowship help me stay sane and abstinent and I say thank you every single day.

Anonymous