Assembly FAQ:
Questions and Answers --
Our District believes it is very important for groups to send their representatives to the Area Assembly. With that goal in mind, the District has made some “scholarship” funds available for groups that could not otherwise afford to send their GRs (Group Representatives). As your trusted web servant, I have compiled a lot of information on this page gathered from District, Area, and World Service sources that may be of some help or interest to your group as you think about sending your representative to Assembly. As always, "take what you like and leave the rest."
[Note: All updates for 2008 on this page are in brackets and bold type.]

If you feel that your group is either in need of funds, can donate to the scholarship fund, or just wants to find out more about Assembly, please read on…

What is the relation between our group and Assembly?
Why is it so important to send our GR to Assembly?
Where is Assembly this year, how much will it cost, and how does our GR register for it?
Should GRs pay part of their own way?
We have made every effort to be self-sufficient, but our group is small. What are our financial priorities if we don’t have enough in our treasury to meet all of our group’s expenses?
Does the District have any suggestions for how we can raise funds to send our GR to Assembly?
We have a large group with more than enough in our treasury. Can we help another group send someone to Assembly?
What is the District’s scholarship amount, and how do groups apply?
A special word to groups without a GR...
How do we update our group's contact information?

What is the relation between our group and Assembly?

Your Group Representative (GR) is the first link in the chain that connects each Al-Anon Family Groups (AFG) member to the World Services Office (WSO). While your GR represents you at the monthly District meeting, once a year for three days in September [now it is one day in the spring and three days in the fall - October for 2008] she or he may also represent you at the Northern California World Service Area (NCWSA) Assembly. [See this chart for further illustration.] In brief, Assembly is to the Area as your business meeting is to your group.

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Why is it so important to send our GR to Assembly?

Of all the people who attend, only the GRs get to vote. The reason for this is that your GR represents your voice, in accordance with Concept 1: The ultimate responsibility and authority for Al-Anon’s World Services belongs to the Al-Anon Groups. Therefore, GRs are the voting members at Assembly because the focus of AFG service is to put the groups in the driver’s seat with regards to business.
Also consider Concept 4: Participation is the key to harmony.

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Where is Assembly this year, how much will it cost, and how does our GR register for it?

The NCWSA is divided into northern, central, and southern sections, so during your GR’s three-year panel of service, s/he may go to an Assembly once in each section. For 2007, the northern section is hosting the Assembly in Sacramento. [For 2008, the Fall Assembly will be at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Burlingame, near the San Francisco airport.]

Pre-registration is $25. Rooms with tax are approximately $95/night. [For the 2008 Fall Assembly, that is $133/night with taxes and fees - plus parking at $5.50/night and rollaway beds if needed at $16.50/night.] Meals and mileage must also be included in your estimate.  (Our District suggests NCWSA guidelines for mileage, which is based on IRS business standards.  There is also usually one "expensive meal" where the entire District gets together, so calculate accordingly.)

[As of this writing, 8-7-08, the Fall 2008 Assembly registration form is not up on the NCWSA site, so I have made it available here. For those who haven't reserved a room yet, please note that the block of rooms negotiated at the lower price are almost gone; please don't wait to make your reservation.]

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Should GRs pay part of their own way?

It is service, not a vacation. No AFG member should ever be asked to pay out of their own pocket to do any kind of service. Please refer to our Conference Approved Literature re. the 7th Tradition and how such behavior could lead to issues of dominance.

Having said that, it is assumed that GRs will work with their groups in making every effort to find a room mate and a carpool as a reasonable cost-cutting measure. In the case of GRs who choose to room alone as a matter of individual preference, they may make up the cost difference out of their own pockets. (Individual contributions are considered to be donations. To assist in accurate record-keeping, the District suggests and requests that the expense be submitted with a note detailing the donated amount that has been covered by the individual.)

In cases where it is not simply a matter of preference, if a GR has medical or other compelling reasons for needing a room alone, individuals doing service should not feel pressured to explain themselves and should not be expected to pay their own way to do service.

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We have made every effort to be self-sufficient, but our group is small. What are our financial priorities if we don’t have enough in our treasury to meet all of our group’s expenses?

While each group is autonomous and needs to work out its own budget, here are some WSO Guidelines* --

Q. As a group, what are our financial priorities?
A. The immediate expenses for the group’s operation such as rent and the GR's  expenses should be met first. Remaining monies may be divided among the Al-Anon service arms, beginning with local and area structures. Another portion may be set aside for support of the WSO.

Q. Is it our group’s responsibility to reimburse its trusted servants for group-related travel and expenses?
A. Yes, most Al-Anon members agree that no one should be excluded from service because their personal resources are limited. It is ideal if the group is not dependent upon a member’s willingness to assume costs related to the group’s participation in the service structure. Travel expenses for trusted servants are the responsibility of the group.

*Taken from a WSO update to the group binder called Dollars and Sense.

Our District Rep wants to emphasize that sending percentages of your remaining monies to the District, Area, and World Services happens after ALL your group expenses are met and your prudent reserve is established. Meeting your GR’s expenses, including sending her or him to Assembly, is a top priority.
[GRs have lately been informed at the District meeting that the GR's expenses are considered to take priority over everything but rent, means that priority comes before literature, refreshments, etc. - and rent is not to be excessive. This is taken from the booklet that came with your most recent service manual entitled Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at Work, pp. 39-40.]

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Does the District have any suggestions for how we can raise funds to send our GR to Assembly?

Here are some solutions that other groups have tried, as shared at the District meeting --

• Budget for next year and set aside a designated amount from the 7th Tradition every month for the next Assembly.
• Pass a separate basket or can for Assembly expenses, which also helps raise awareness and participation at the group level.
• Cut costs by making every effort to find a room mate and carpool.
• Have a group-level fundraiser.
• Help plan and participate in a District fundraiser. Be aware that serving in this way is in itself a 7th Tradition contribution.

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We have a large group with more than enough in our treasury. Can we help another group send someone to Assembly?

Of course! Each group decides how to spend their treasury, and this is a worthy cause. You might decide to “fund a scholarship” to be administered at group level, or you may choose to send a check to the District’s scholarship fund. Please enclose a note and write “for scholarship” on the check.

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What is the District’s scholarship amount, and how do groups apply?

At our July 2007 District meeting we did not know how many groups might apply or how much they might need, or even exactly how much we have available for this project. A fundraiser for next year is desired, if anyone wants to volunteer! For 2007, it is “progress, not perfection” as we try this for the first time.

The District treasurer, Tina, would like to be informed of the amount you think you'll need before the Assembly pre-registration deadline. The need amount would be the amount you have calculated to budget for (discussed here), minus the amount that your group has been able to come up with through self-sufficiency (discussed here). Reimbursements for actual expenses would be made after Assembly upon submission of receipts, but the District needs to figure out ahead of time how many scholarships it will be able to support this year.

District 5’s goal is to have as many GRs attend as possible. The group treasurer is a trusted servant, and it is assumed that every group makes every attempt to maintain a prudent reserve and budget for GR expenses. It is understood that some groups with lower attendance and potentially high rents cannot achieve this goal. To them we offer the opportunity of a scholarship to help pay for registration, travel expenses, hotel costs (shared room) and meals. Should your group wish to apply, email your District treasurer, Tina. Depending on response, availability will be on a "first come, first served" basis.  [For 2008, the District is talking about prioritizing rather than "first come, first served."]

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A special word to groups without a GR...

If this FAQ has inspired anyone in your group to consider serving as your Group Representative, here are some resources for you to find out more about the position. First of all, AFG’s World Service member site has service guidelines that you can print out. Go here and type in the password, which is your group name followed by afg (for instance, sundaynightafg). From the Members page, click on Group Services, then Guidelines, then Group Representative (G-11). This will take you to a .pdf file that will give you an overview of what the position is like.

Any member is also always welcome to attend the District 5 AFG business meeting and find out more. It is held the first Tuesday of each month at 7 PM at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1300 St. Francis Road, Santa Rosa.

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How do we update our group's contact information?

The District maintains a contact list for all registered meetings. Please email any updates. This will help keep our records accurate and also make sure your group does not miss any important announcements. Please send the name (first name plus initial of last name), phone number, and email address of your GR and of your Alternate GR if you have one. Please also include any notes, such as prefer to be contacted by email, or preferred time to call.

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District Rep Report:
Hello all,
In May 2007 we had a lively discussion about whether Dual Members (AA members also in Al-Anon) should be allowed to do service above the group level. The reason we had the discussion is for GRs to be informed so when it is discussed again at Assembly in September, they can vote on whether they think that our Delegate should take that topic to the World Service Conference in April 2008.

Let me make it real clear that nothing will be changed for many years to come. The reason is that 75% of Al-Anon world wide would have to agree on the change. However, if we don’t discuss it, nothing is ever going to happen.

Also the only service Dual members cannot currently do in our District is DR (District Representative) or ADR (Alternate District Representative) - in other words, service positions that lead to service at the World Service Office (WSO).

I hope you all have healthy discussions at your meetings to help your GR have the necessary info when they represent you & vote on your behalf at Assembly.

Peace & Al-Anon hugs,
Erik

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Webmaster's Report:
Why you should care about Assembly --

This September at Assembly 2007, your Group Representative will vote on whether we want our Northern California Area delegate to bring up the topic of changing Al-Anon's
current dual member policy* at the next World Service Conference.

[Update: we will be voting on a similar motion involving the Area (NCWSA) level in 2008. The exact wording of the mtion that your GR will be voting on is as follows:

"The the NCWSA change our guideline so that Al-Anon/Alateen members who are also AA members may be in service beyond the group level including Group Representative to Assembly except for positions that 'could lead to membership in the World Service Conference (WSC)' such as a District Representative."]

The material that I presented to my group in my role as GR reflects my belief that whichever way the vote goes, I want my group to feel the importance of how their participation links them to AFG's worldwide fellowship.

In thinking of how ideas bubble up from the groups to the World Service level and then trickle down to Al-Anon’s worldwide fellowship so that the groups are the final authority, I am reminded of an eloquent article that I read in the January 2007 Forum. Nancy B., Colorado, wrote this about Concept 1 (The ultimate responsibility and authority for Al-Anon's World Services belongs to the Al-Anon groups) --

“I think first of each Al-Anon group like a fresh, bubbling spring in a mountain meadow… These tiny sources combine to make creeks and small streams. Just as streams combine into rivers, the districts form the Areas… when the Delegates gather together at the World Service Conference, it is like the rivers, merging into the united entity of the ocean…

Just as every stream and river is the sum total of the water that pours into it, our trusted servants represent all the people who elected them. They ARE us! How sad it would be if the loop were not closed with the trusted servant reporting back to his or her Area, district, or group. The authority of the group would not exist if the group did not participate in that important dialogue with its trusted servant."
(pp. 31-32)

I also think of Concept 4 (Participation is the key to harmony). Participation = take part. Participating in these discussions is a way that you take part in the overall Al-Anon symphony. My “harmony chart”, based in part on the presentation that Peter and Art B., San Jose, gave to our District, further illustrates these concepts.

[GRs, I am speaking as a fellow GR in this paragraph. We have recently been directed to quotes such as "use my best judgment" and "act freely without being hassled" when voting at Assembly, I believe that such advice has a specific purpose but also has the potential to be misconstrued. I do not believe it is meant to be an invitation to vote my personal opinion. It does not absolve me from my duty to find out my group's conscience and reflect that in my vote. In preparing to vote, I hope all the GRs in the District agree with the need to put self will aside and do the necessary footwork with their groups.
Groups, your GRs have strong opinions, and this is mine: Reason things out with your GRs so that they can carry your message.]

Love in Service,
Debbie C.

*The Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual outlines the current policy on dual members: “Because of the unique nature of both programs, Al-Anon/Alateen members who are also AA members do not hold office beyond the group level, as these positions could lead to membership in the World Service Conference (WSC). The need to focus on the Al-Anon program and the possibility of a conflict of interest at Assembly and world service levels led the WSC to its decision not to seat Al-Anon/Alateen members who are also members of AA. For these reasons AA members do not serve as Group Representatives (GRs), District Representatives (DRs), Area Coordinators, Newsletter Editors, Delegates and/or any of their alternates.” (2004-2006 edition, p. 70)

Member Share Topic - Dual Membership:
District 5's website and its newsletter, The Alagram, gratefully publish articles contributed by members from our District (read more about contributing here).
What follows are two member shares, one on each side of the dual membership issue that will probably be up for a vote at this Assembly. [New - third share, October 2008]
As always, the opinions expressed are strictly those of the contributor.

My preference is to allow "dual members" the same privileges and responsibilities as any other member of Al-Anon. This includes allowing dual members the same opportunities to serve in service positions at all levels. Reasons:

• "The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend."
• Excluding dual members from participation in the membership in any form that is allowed for all other members feels discriminatory and unfair to me.
• I do not think it is any of my business or the business of Al-Anon Family Groups to have to know any more information about an Al-Anon member (including membership in other 12-step programs) beyond the member's desire to seek out Al-Anon for mutual aid in seeking recovery & healing from the effects of the problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend.
• I do not agree with the reasons & justification I have read and heard for wanting to exclude dual members from certain service positions. For me to adopt any reasons I have heard so far would be based on fears of "what if" and a desire to control what is not mine to control... the very things I am working on recovering from in Al-Anon.

- A Grateful Al-Anon Member

At a recent District 5 meeting we discussed the restriction of Al-Anon members who also belong to AA not being allowed to serve above the group level. It has been a controversial topic for many years, and my opinions on it swing back and forth so much I’m nauseated. After the last discussion I asked for some guidance from my Higher Power because I was so confused.

I strongly believe that the wording of the Steps, Traditions and Concepts have deep spiritual significance, so maybe there’s a reason for denying members of AA service above the group level too. So, I got quiet and asked “What the heck is all this about?” (or words to that effect) and this is what came back to me:

Al-Anon in its aim for loving detachment from alcoholics is about maintaining boundaries (urghh, I hate that), and a large part of an alcoholic’s journey in AA is about “leveling of pride,” (page 25 Big Book*), avoidance of running the show (page 60 Big Book), and overcoming resentment. From my experience no greater resentment appears in an alcoholic’s mind than hearing the word “No.”

So it seemed to me for us both to work our programs well Al-Anons have to maintain our boundaries and continue to not allow Al-Anons who are also members of AA to serve above the group level, and those double winners (a nickname for dual members) have to hear “No” with love.

To all dual members I say I need you in Al-Anon as an Al-Anon member to help me stay sane, but if you want to serve family and friends of alcoholics above the group level, do it in AA. You can help them find sobriety where we can’t. That is the greatest service of all!

- Tina

*The “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous is not Al-Anon Family Groups’ Conference Approved Literature (CAL).

It isn’t hard to imagine some members’ eyes glazing over at the thought of a “boring” business meeting. But as my group’s representative (GR), I have found a lot of serious program and recovery at the monthly District meetings and the four Area Assemblies I have gone to during this 3-year panel of service.*

I have also witnessed some powderkegs,including the perennial Dual Member debate. The Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual outlines current AFG’s policy on dual members: “Because of the unique nature of both programs, Al-Anon/Alateen members who are also A.A. members do not hold office beyond the group level” (2006-2009 edition, p. 79).

In 2006 a motion was tabled that the GRs voted on in 2007, proposing that our Area’s delegate bring up changing this policy at the World Service Conference (WSC). The motion was voted down, but if it had passed the next step would have been to ask the WSO to take the issue to groups worldwide. Other people might be able to tell you what worldwide percentage would be required to make such a change. I don’t have it in my notes, but I did write down the quote from someone who popped up right after the vote to say, “It will continue to be discussed until we as an Area are in substantial unanimity.”

And so it was, for a motion was immediately made to change the Area guidelines so that dual members could serve at the Area level, except for positions that could lead to membership in the WSC. (This, by the way, is similar to the way our District currently operates, allowing dual members to serve above the group level except where it would lead to Area-level service.)

That series of events felt to me like not taking no for an answer. Evidently this has been going on for over 30 years, and each time it is brought to the WSC it is voted down about 80% to 20%. This year the Area-level motion was voted down by “substantial unanimity” at this fall’s Assembly (2/3 “no” votes). It was also pointed out that even if it had been approved, the motion would not have been able to go into effect because it was in conflict with several statements in the Area bylaws, such as one mentioning following the current policies of the World Service Conference. (Our District, by the way, gets around that conflict by stating in our bylaws that we “shall defer to, but not be bound by” various AFG guidelines.)

Upon hearing the conflict comments, someone immediately made another motion to change the bylaws. If the new motion is not withdrawn, this is what the next panel of GRs will be voting on. The motion’s initiator refused to do so when asked whether he could just have acceptance that the policy is the group conscience of 80% of those at the World Service level. A longtime Area trusted servant stated that “The issue is people not accepting the group conscience of Al-Anon as a whole. We have agreed as an Area to abide by the World Service Conference policies.” Well, not all agree, and so the debate continues.

Sometime during this discussion there was a District Rep who came up to the microphone and stated that to pass the motion would mean breaking with the WSO (the statement really applies to either of the above motions). That was short and sweet. To understand the implications of that, allow me to share a background story...

As a GR instructed to conduct thorough group conscience sessions for the 2006-2007 motion, something rather surprising came to my attention. Members who felt very strongly on both sides of the issue came up to me and expressed shock to find out that our District was not in line with World Services on this policy. Of course those on the pro-change side were also shocked that the WSO had the policy at all, but there was something else, something deeper going on. These were longtimers with a strong understanding of AFG’s service structure and of a certain fundamental. 

What they shared and the look in their eyes showed some sense of betrayal, which literally means breaking trust, and I realized that in a way that is what our District's policy was doing. When members shared the harm that breaking with the WSO in this matter had caused, I thought at some point we might want to revisit the issue. What individuals decide is between them and their Higher Power, but as a body it seems we might want to “keep our side of the street clean.” I felt it was worth sharing this with the Assembly, because putting that motion into effect might have caused the same unintended consequence at the Area level.

An essential part of what we as trusted servants are being entrusted to do is to preserve and keep the structure of Al-Anon intact. This is so fundamental you can read it over and over in conference-approved literature, the Forum, hear it on speaker CDs and at Assemblies, etc. etc. For instance, in another context at this Assembly the current WSO delegate stated, “We need to stay in unity with all groups and follow what the Al-Anon program advises.” (This sounded to me like a direct reference to Tradition 1, “Our common welfare should come first; personal progress depends upon unity.”)

CAL Guideline G-3, Cooperation between Al-Anon and A.A., relates this idea directly to the dual member policy: “Because of the separateness of the Al-Anon and A.A. fellowships as stated in Tradition Six, Al-Anon policy is that world service offices beyond the group level, such as Group Representative (GR), should not be filled by Al-Anon/A.A. members. The need to focus at all times on the Al-Anon interpretation of the program could produce a conflict of interest or erode the separate singleness of purpose of each of the fellowships at Assembly and world service levels.”

Preserving Al-Anon is like a “prime directive,” to put it in words of my own understanding, something we are entrusted to do beyond whatever our specific service task may be. The next Area motion would basically be proposing to break with the WSO in the same way our District already does, and I would personally oppose it for the same reason. There is more to the story about people sharing how they had been mislead, how it causes harm, and how I think we should revisit this issue and examine whether we are keeping our side of the street clean at the District level, but this particular share is about Area Assembly. These are not considerations about dual member policy “as we would have it,” which I don’t take a definite side on. They are instead considerations of AFG “as it is,” and the obligations entrusted to those who choose to serve.

For me, one of the most resonant parts of the long version of the Serenity Prayer is, “Taking this world as it is, not as I would have it.” It did seem to me that a lot of what continues to go on at Assembly are efforts trying to force solutions as some would have it, rather than accepting the fellowship as it is. There are of course plenty of arguments for wanting to make the change, and I hope those who have this desire in their hearts continue to go through the proper channels and bring up the delegate motion again as they said they would do.

I am not going to list “as we would have it” arguments for either side of the issue. I’m sure other people will be more than happy to do so. Send letters to the editor! For me, it all boils down to individual opinion, and as all our opinions are equal we could be arguing this for a thousand years. Whichever side is in the minority has Concept 5, “The rights of appeal and petition protect minorities and insure that they are heard.” AFG’s brochure The Concepts: Al-Anon’s Best-Kept Secret? even points out that “members with minority views actually have a duty to present a minority report to the Conference when they believe that a wrong decision could seriously effect Al-Anon.” I have heard it said, and it could be argued here, that this concept only guarantees the right to be heard. After that Tradition 1 takes effect. However, I have to admit I have a tendency to want to cheer on the underdog at Assembly.

Given that – plus the fact that our fellowship is “democratic in thought and action” and thus reminds me of the principles of free speech and the free interchange of ideas that our country is founded upon - I find myself rooting for the “change” side and wincing if at times they appear to alienate the majority. A theme of a recent WSC conference was “Building Bridges.” In contrast, it sometimes felt like the “change” initiators were burning bridges, or at least drawing up the bridge and pouring boiling oil on the heads of those knocking at the gate of their castle.

Hope I didn’t just lose you with that metaphor. Obviously it was exaggerated, to illustrate how each time this issue is discussed at Assembly the energy feels very fraught with tension. I believe that is because we all want connection (hence the “knocking at the gate” image) and feel bad when there is such a huge disconnect. Just my opinion, but scheduling that motion at the end of a tiring three days instead of earlier when we would have had time to come together and heal might not have been the best placement. It might have been nice to have more time for the group energy to reconnect before Assembly was over.

In the previous years of this panel, our District's GRs were asked to conduct thorough group conscience sessions around the dual member policy. With healing in mind, I tried to create a space where my group’s members felt safe expressing their opinions, some of which were very strong and divergent, by invoking out Concept 4, “Participation is the key to harmony,” and pointing out that our fellowship is composed of many voices with different opinions all singing together to make that harmony.

I cannot shake that “all together” idea. The two sides of this year's dual member motion were not reaching any kind of middle ground. In brief, the presenters based their position on "Let It Begin with Me," whereas the opposers felt it was a case of breaking with AFG as well as being against the Area by-laws. Might as well be comparing apples and oranges. In this instance as well as re. opinions on the dual member policy in general, I thought of the parable of the blind men and the elephant. You know, the one where a blind man feels the side of the elephant and thinks it’s a wall, another feels the tail and thinks it’s a rope, another feels the trunk and thinks it’s a snake, etc. Then they are all convinced they are right and the others are wrong, and none realize they are all a part of the same thing. In some mysterious way it felt to me like the two sides feel separate but are really grasping different ends of the same elephant. (Would that be "the elephant in the room"?)

What the answer to that might be is beyond my understanding. Fortunately, I don’t have to understand – that is what Higher Power is for! To be honest, there are good and bad arguments on both sides of the issue. To me, the best arguments on both sides are right. So it ends up like that old experiment – light is a wave or light is a particle – both theories are true, but both cannot exist at the same time and place. Depending on how you look at it, one point of view displaces the other. There are limits to our capacity, so we just keep trusting Higher Power and, hopefully, cheer each other on in harmony.

Love in Service,
Debbie C.

– Opinions expressed are those of the individuals. “Take what you liked and leave the rest.” Those with other points of view are happily encouraged to send in your shares!

*Quick review: Al-Anon Family Groups (AFG)’s service structure starts with Groups that are joined in geographical Districts, which make up larger Areas that together make up the World Service Conference. Your GR is your voice and vote not only at District meetings but also at the Area business meetings known as Assemblies, where among other things the GRs elect a Delegate to the WSC. Tradition 2 states, “For our group purpose there is but one authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants – they do not govern.” Every other level of AFG exists only to serve the groups, in accordance with Concept 1, “The ultimate responsibility and authority for Al-Anon’s World Services belongs to the Al-Anon Groups.”

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