At the SA International Conference in Sacramento in January, the SA General Delegate Assembly reported on the results of a survey of SA groups on the question of whether the SA sobriety definition needed clarification. [See “Newark Motions Implemented” in Dec. 1998 Essay, p. 12, for background.]

Seven of 11 regions around the world used the same ballot in the survey; four used a ballot that was “very similar.” Of 11 regions, only four were asked what form clarification should take. Among groups in the U.S., participation ranged between 50 percent and 85 percent. Germany, a region with the largest SA membership outside the U.S., declined to participate. German members interpret the words “marriage” and “spouse” in the traditional way, i.e., a vowed and legal union between a man and a woman, and no poll was required to establish that, the German delegate reported.

The fundamental issue that prompted the survey—the interpretation of the words “marriage” and “spouse”—continues to be a topic of discussion among delegates and groups. Members disagree on the interpretation of the survey results, the Chair of the General Delegate Assembly reported. The Assembly decided to increase its teleconference meetings to every two months to address whether and how unity can be improved in the Fellowship, in addition to other business. “Unity will be a continuing topic of discussion until we have some sort of resolution,” the Delegate Chair said.

Delegate Resolution Regarding Mailing and Phone Lists

At the Sacramento conference, the General Delegate Assembly warned members of possible abuses of SA phone and mailing lists, which they said “are for recovery, making contact, and encouragement.” The assembly therefore passed the following resolution:

“Be it resolved that the General Delegate Assembly of Sexaholics Anonymous urges members who advocate positions or initiatives in the Fellowship to keep in mind the Twelfth Tradition admonition: principles before personalities.

“Please refrain from using membership address and phone lists to breach others’ privacy or to take others’ inventories. Rather, we urge members to use the service structure to express their views.”

Site Selection

The Site Selection Committee reports it is looking for a group or Intergroup to volunteer to host International conferences. Sites chosen to date are:

• 1999: Cleveland.
• 2000: Nashville.
• 2000: Detroit.
• 2001: Los Angeles.

The committee does not ask certain areas of the country to hold a conference, but selects a site from groups or Intergroups that submit a bid. Weather and travel conditions are special factors in the choice of a January site. Interested regions are asked to contact the committee c/o the SAICO.

Nominations Committee

At the beginning of every year, the Nominations Committee presents the General Delegate Assembly with a slate of candidates for the positions of sexaholic and non-sexaholic Trustee. Then the Committee reviews the applications, conducts teleconferences, and interviews candidates when necessary.

Fellowship input in the nominations process is desired. Sexaholic Trustees must have at least five years continuous sobriety and progressive victory over lust for consideration. Candidates are nominated by their Intergroup; applicants are asked to submit a resume of their service record in SA; all service will be considered.

A non-sexaholic Trustee must be nominated by an SA member and must be a friend of SA. A non-sexaholic Trustee also must be able to communicate SA’s stand on sexual sobriety clearly and unequivocally to non-sexaholics when necessary. A service resume, stressing areas in which knowledge of SA’s principles and program is demonstrated, should accompany the nomination letter. Service in any area will be considered. There are openings for both sexaholic and non-sexaholic Trustees every year.