Agenda - January 2025

The hybrid option for both virtual and physical attendance increases the right of participation for members of Area 41, by reducing barriers to participation. Well-known barriers include accessibility, accommodations, and remote communities. The hybrid platform would also support implementation of interpretation opportunities. Additionally, some voting members may not have the necessary financial support to attend in person. Allowing the option of virtual participation at Area assemblies helps ensure all voices are heard for our group conscience.

Virtual participation also provides an additional avenue for service work. E.g., a hybrid committee meeting may attract qualified servants who don’t have voting roles at Area business meetings.

Applicable traditions include Tradition 1 that states: “each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of us will surely die.” Hence our common welfare comes first. But individual welfare follows close afterward.

Also applicable is Tradition 3, which states, in part: “Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism.” In addition, Concept IV is applicable, stating, “At all responsible levels, we ought to maintain a tradition of ‘Right of Participation’ allowing a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility that each must discharge.” As GSRs are the voice of their groups and DCMs are the voice of their districts, they have a right of participation.

Area 41 previously assembled both online only, and hybrid (in person and online), in 2020 and 2021. Many Areas in the US and Canada offer hybrid assembly attendance.

The committee believes that most of the on-site support can be performed by existing servants receiving lodging assistance. The committee will work with the Finance Committee to offer additional lodging and transportation funding if needed.

It is anticipated that Area 41 would need two to three in person servants and one or two online servants, to operate the hybrid meeting.

Area 41 already owns the following equipment to be used: Three microphones and receiver, digital audio interface, and a wi-fi router. Area 41 equipment to be purchased immediately: noise isolator filter (estimated $38.99 before tax) and up to 10 webcams (bulk price estimated $38.00 before tax)–one for main room and up to 9 for those committee breakouts utilizing member laptops–for an estimated maximum initial investment of $449.37 after Lincoln, NE sales tax rate.

This proposal assumes that each committee will identify a member owned device that can be used to connect to the online breakout for that committee meeting. The number of committees using a laptop that would benefit from an external webcam for improved video and audio quality will be determined prior to any purchases. Committee breakouts could also use member devices such as a phone or tablet, without the need for an external webcam.

Equipment to be lent by A.A. members for one year period: projectors, second screen (if needed), small amp(s) for large breakout (such as GSR Workshop), power strips, extension cords, and other misc. cables. Area 41 currently utilizes the hotel’s house sound, with the current approved contract extending through 2026. If the Area would choose to meet in other types of facilities in the future, additional sound system equipment may need to be considered.

At the end of the period utilizing borrowed equipment, the hybrid meetings would continue with the Area purchasing additional necessary equipment. The proposed list of equipment for purchase is suggested to be considered at or before the fourth hybrid assembly. This would allow time to determine what the Area’s specific equipment needs are, to minimize any initial investment.

As the area becomes more /and more modernized, the need for a person to manage several different pieces of technology instead of just recording assemblies has become apparent. This position could take on tasks such as, but not limited to, making sure the projectors are working, managing the microphones/sound systems, ensuring the meetings are audio-recorded, assisting with slide sharing, assisting with logistics and/or hosting for online or hybrid meetings, etc. This position may be expanded according to the needs of the assembly.

The servant will ensure proper storage and adequate security of applicable equipment, and timely delivery and setup for area assemblies.

Area 41 Service Handbook references to amend include: update “Taper” to “Audio-Visual” in Paragraphs II.C.2, III.C.2.c.iii, IV.B, and IV.B.3; and remove “Taper” reference from Report and Charter Committee scope in Paragraph V.B.9.b.

Area 41 has an elected service position for a Workshop chair responsible for helping plan and support all 4-Corners Workshops, be a liaison to the Area 41 Reunion planning committee and sit on the Agenda committee, they are also responsible for finding a district to host the AA discussion meetings at Area Assemblies. This person is funded, a voting member and will serve on the regular rotation schedule. This person would be eligible to stand for a continued term in October.
The purpose of a 4-Corners Workshop is to take Area 41 to the four sections of the state (defined later) and give local members a chance to learn about Area 41 and to meet and get to know the Area 41 Committee members.

Background: The current name, “Reunion” may inadvertently give the impression that it is exclusive to those familiar with or previously connected to Area 41. This exclusivity may deter newcomers who are interested in service but may not know others involved in Area 41. Changing the name to “Delegate’s Report & Service Summit” could help convey that the event is inclusive and geared towards engaging individuals interested in service, regardless of prior connections. Emphasizing the event’s focus on the Delegate’s report and service opportunities may attract a broader audience and increase participation from new attendees.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In the Area 41 Service Handbook, Eighth Edition, 2024; Page 2, Section V. B. 3, the committee is named, Correctional Facilities Committee, yet it is referred to as Corrections in the Area 41 Nebraska News (newsletter). The General Service Board (GSB) service structure uses the name Corrections. The name change would mirror the GSB and reflect what Area 41 is doing in practice.

BACKGROUND: One reason people don’t come to Area is the cost. Some groups or Districts cannot afford to send and/or spend money on hotels 4x/year in order to participate. It is thought that, perhaps, if there were only two 2x business meetings per year, the cost would be inclusive to more groups and/or districts to attend. Then, the non-business assemblies may be attended at a lower cost, or virtually if needed. The FUNction ad hoc can say, based upon the scope of our committee, and what we do know, that it would improve our Area 41 participation if we allow our members to virtually join our committees.

But also, Area 41 needs to consider its current financials and what is fiscally responsible. Meeting space used to come free at hotels & hotel rooms were $70. Now, meeting space may cost between a few hundred to a thousand or more, and rooms have doubled. Some groups or Districts cannot afford to send at that current rate, and our business contracts are taking a much larger percentage of our total revenue. The ad hoc committee agrees that is a financial situation we are currently surviving, but is this really fiscally sustainable for our FUTURE?

The finance committee has been contacted and we will update if given any further impact statement.

BACKGROUND: Currently, we have not been able to afford moving our Area assemblies. Other Areas rotate their service days & look for smaller locations, such as schools, gyms, churches, etc. Perhaps this may allow for more participation and better unity throughout the Area. It would be nice to be able to eat at different restaurants around the state.

Also, Area 41 needs to consider its current financials and what is fiscally responsible. Meeting space used to come free at hotels & hotel rooms were $70. Now, meeting space may cost between a few hundred to a thousand or more, and rooms have doubled. Some groups or Districts cannot afford to send at that current rate, and our business contracts are taking a much larger percentage of our total revenue. The ad hoc committee agrees that is a financial situation we are currently surviving, but is this fiscally sustainable for our FUTURE?

The finance committee has been contacted and we will update if given any further impact statement.

BACKGROUND: We would suggest a temporary pause on 4-corners workshops to see if we have better unity as an area by getting many more people (hopefully 50+) in our area out to different and/or less traveled locales for an entire assembly, as opposed to 8 Area Officers and Chairs for a few hours. The pause would allow the opportunity to do a cost analysis to see if the money is better spent bringing the whole Area to visit.

BACKGROUND: The separation of GSR’s & DCM’s at Area 41 is a remnant of a time when GSR’s didn’t vote i.e. it is a structural leftover. If at any time a workshop is needed for only GSR’s or DCM's or Chair’s, the Area Chair can add it to the Agenda. The topics currently covered in the GSR workshops can be useful for all area positions. Multiple topics may give more people chances to participate in workshop planning. Area Chair and/or Agenda Committee will plan workshops or delegate workshop planning.

BACKGROUND: Currently, our budget only affords the opportunity to have our West Central Regional Trustee visit once per rotation, usually at our Elections. Having a guest visitor/presenter/speaker, from outside our Area or even Region, or even from the General Service Office or a Trustee, would provide broader service experience.

BACKGROUND: During the various workshops, surveys, and questions for information that were done by the FUNction ad hoc committee, one of the most popular ideas to the fellowship seemed to be a Saturday business meeting. It may or may not work for the schedule & ultimately the Area Chair has the responsibility of making sure everything works out. But, this voting item says..hey…we like this if it is possible.