Attached are copies of two documents: (1)
The A.A. Guidelines
for the Internet, (2)
The A.A. Internet FAQ's
(click on the links to view both documents)
The currently serving MSCA Conference Delegate is Joe B. He is
now in the first year of a two-year commitment as Delegate. He
has recently been assigned the topic “A.A. and the Internet” for
the Pacific Regional Forum, which meets late in August in
Spokane, WA.
Joe has requested that the MSCA website reach out to the
fellowship asking for opinions about the value of the Internet
to A.A. Suggestions for ways to improve the website are also
welcome. Listed below are a few key words and questions that may
inspire your response and opinions:
1. Anonymity – As anonymity is the “spiritual foundation of all
our Traditions,” is the MSCA website practicing anonymity at all
times? Are you satisfied with the present level of protecting
our anonymity.
2. Reaching Out – Is the MSCA website doing an adequate job of
reaching out to the Area fellowship, or should we be more
pro-active? If we should be more pro-active, what specific
suggestions do you have?
3. The A.A. Way – Is the website meeting A.A.’s spiritual
considerations for personal and intimate sharing, encouraging
and including the spiritual nature of “one drunk talking to
another”?
4. Website content – Is the content displayed on the website
useful and appropriate? What way might it be improved? The good
news about website technology is that today’s decisions can be
reviewed, revised, abandoned or expanded.
5. General Service Office (GSO) – Is there value to have the GSO
in New York available to you at your fingertips via www.aa.org?
How about the Grapevine and La Vina via www.aagrapevine.org? Is
there value to access from GSO’s website, a list of over 90
other websites covering differing areas of the U.S. and Canada?
Do you utilize GSO and/or Grapevine websites?
6. Is the MSCA Website user friendly – Is it easy or difficult
to navigate. Is the information current or stale? Would you like
to see the information updated more frequently? What additional
information would you like to see? What information would you
like discarded or archived?
You can access the MSCA website with this address:
msca09aa.org
From the home page, click On Line Forum, and then click
Current
and Past Topics. You now have four options to select from: (1)
View previously posted opinions on this topic; (2) Email your
opinion on this topic; (3) Email your suggestion for improving
this forum; (4) Return to Area 9 home page.
BACKGROUND
General Service Conference
Each year, 93 Area Delegates from United States and Canada along
with 21 Trustees and some General Service Office Staff members
meet in New York for a week in April to deliberate on matters
pertaining to Alcoholics Anonymous. Every Area Delegate is
assigned to a Committee for the duration of their 2 year
commitment. Joe B., the Delegate for Area #9 (MSCA), has been
assigned to the Corrections Committee. His attention will be
focused on the work of this committee for the next 2 years.
Regional Forums.
Regional Forums originated in 1975 at the suggestion of Dr. Jack
N. then Chair of the General Service Board of Alcoholics
Anonymous. They were to be weekend sharing and informational
sessions designed to help the General Service Board, A.A. World
Services, Inc., the Grapevine Corporate Board, the Grapevine
Staff, and the General Service Office Staff stay in touch with
A.A. members, trusted servants and newcomers to service
throughout the A.A. service structure..
The Pacific Region of A.A. consists of 15 delegate areas in 9
western states including Alaska and Hawaii. Regional Forums are
conducted every 2 years. The 2008 Pacific Region Forum will be
held in Spokane, WA in late August. The 15 delegates for the
pacific region have received their Topic assignments. Joe B.,
the current serving Conference Delegate for Area #9 MSCA, has
been assigned the topic of, "A.A. and the Internet". |