Chicago Convention Business Meeting Report
The following is a synopsis of minutes taken at the Chicago Convention Business Meeting, July 13, 1991, by David M., and approved by Jean P., who chaired the meeting:
On the question of whether the fellowship should have one or two annual conferences, it is the recommendation of Harvey A. of Nashville, who was tasked with studying the issue, that no change be implemented. Harvey reported that since tensions can easily develop between meetings, more frequent conferences are helpful.
Regarding the fate of the International Group Conscience Committee, Jeff R. of New York reported that on July 6, five IGC members met by phone to discuss the issue. They agreed that the IGC was so limited in scope and authority as to make it superfluous as a service body. That meeting in person would have helped the procedure a lot. In addition, several members recommended that SA create a service structure for the fellowship as a whole and that the fellowship create this on its own, in accordance with the 12 Traditions. The five members also recommended that the current IGC Committee be discontinued.
New Business
In the light of Roy K.’s resignation from the Central Office, Harvey A. proposed the setting up of an interim committee to oversee the C.O. and Essay. The committee would be selected on the basis of volunteers from various regions of the country and international areas with at least two years of sobriety as SA understands it. The committee would be composed of not more than nine members and not less than seven. It would be an interim committee only and would cease to exist one month after the international conference in San Diego. A vote was taken and the motion passed overwhelmingly. [This committee was set up before the conference ended. It is chaired by Betsy T., of Washington, D.C., and it has met several times by phone since the convention to complete C.O.-related business.—Ed.]
A motion was made by Armando of New York that a Study Committee be formed to prepare a proposal for an SA General Service Board and to offer the proposal for consideration at the San Diego Conference in January 1992. According to the motion and a friendly amendment, this committee would be comprised of seven or nine volunteer members from various regions of the country and international areas with at least two years of SA sexual sobriety. In an ensuing discussion, it was stressed that this would only start the GSB process for study. Questions arose regarding continuity, how Roy K.’s proposals will be considered, and the need of the fellowship for a GSB. It was stated that we could learn from AA’s experience, strength and hope. A vote was taken and this motion also carried overwhelmingly. [This committee also was set up. It is chaired by Jean P. of South Bend.—Ed.]
Bill T. moved that “this conference recommends that address lists not be provided by conferences.” This motion also passed.
New Editor
Included in the responsibilities Roy K. handed over to the fellowship is the editorship of the Essay newsletter and Box 300 supplement. I have agreed to serve in this capacity… My name is Lawrence M. I’m from Northern Virginia, and my SA sobriety date is April 4, 1987. I served on the SA Literature Committee and on the IGC Committee. I also have professional editing experience. I’m very grateful to have this further opportunity to serve the fellowship, and I welcome your suggestions and comments on the newsletters.
