AFG, Inc. Strategic Plan & Bylaws
Working within the framework of Al‑Anon’s Legacies, the Board, Executive Committee, and Senior World Service Office Staff have developed the AFG, Inc. Mission Statement, Envisioned Future, and Strategic Goals to assist the World Service Office in the work it carries out on behalf of Al‑Anon Family Groups.
As a non-profit organization, AFG, Inc. operates in accordance with its Bylaws, which represent the Board’s legal agreement with our members.
Letters from the Chairperson of the Board
Letters containing information about the most recent Board, Policy, and Finance Committee Meetings.
Chairperson of the Board Letter – Section View
Dear Al‑Anon and Alateen members:
The purpose of this Chairperson of the Board (COB) letter is to share with you some of the highlights from the July 2022 Board Week. You will also find updates from our Policy Chairperson, a finance update from our Treasurer, and a Conference Leadership Team (CLT) update.
The July 2022 Board Meeting was the first time the Board has met face‑to‑face in Virginia Beach since January 2020. Board members were excited to be at the World Service Office (WSO), especially those members who were at the WSO for the very first time. Board members and Executive Committee members had a meet‑and‑greet with the WSO Staff, where WSO Volunteers and Staff members each got an opportunity to introduce themselves. The meet‑and‑greet was followed by an ice cream social, giving Staff and Volunteers an opportunity to interact informally with each other.
The Board approved the Revised 2022 Budget. Even though expenses continue to be cut wherever possible, the Revised 2022 Budget has a $332,730 deficit. Although year to date literature sales are slightly above the YTD budget by $8,930, literature sales have still not returned to pre‑pandemic numbers. Year to date contributions are below budgeted expectations by $66,725. We continue to need contributions from you, our members, in order to meet the Revised Budget!
The Finance Committee recommended, and the Board approved, that all remaining Conference Approved Literature (CAL) sold as printed books be offered as ebooks. In August, WSO Staff will begin the work required to move forward with this approved recommendation. The work may take several months.
The ICC continues their work of planning for the 2022 International Al‑Anon General Services Meeting (IAGSM), which will take place in London, England, October 12‑15, 2022. The theme for the 2022 IAGSM is “Connecting Hearts and Minds Around the World.” To date, 18 service structures have registered for the 2022 IAGSM. In order to maximize the IAGSM flight expenses, some members of the ICC are planning to visit nearby and emerging structures that have not received visits in many years. International structures have struggled through the pandemic, and we recognize that their trusted servants and members could benefit from the direct contact.
After two years of Road Trip! being cancelled, I am pleased to announce that this year’s Road Trip! event will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022 in Cleveland, OH at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cleveland-Independence. Road Trip! is a great opportunity to meet and interact with the members of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee. Registration for this event will open on August 1, 2022.
More information can be found at:
https://al-anon.org/wso-events/road-trip-you-and-your-board-connect/
We can’t wait to see you in Cleveland!
Would your Area like to host the 2023 Road Trip! event? There is still time to submit an application. Area Delegates can find the information and requirements to apply to host the next Road Trip! event on AFG Connects. The deadline for submitting a bid to host the 2023 Road Trip! is September 23, 2022. As a reminder, the hosting city airport requirements have been simplified to provide a greater opportunity for Areas to host Road Trip!
In 2020 the Board passed two motions, one of which established a WSO Al‑Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS) training program, and the second of which required Trustees and Executive Committee members to become certified AMIAS through the WSO AMIAS Program. WSO AMIAS training, led by Sue P., Associate Director—Group Services, was provided to Trustees, Executive Committee members, WSO Conference Staff, and Group Services.
After a thoughtful discussion, the Board made the decision to meet virtually for January Board Week on a permanent basis. Some factors that came up during the discussion that helped the Board make this decision were that travel is often difficult in January because of weather, which can lead to Volunteers missing the meeting; fewer travel commitments might help attract more members to serve as WSO Volunteers; the January Trustee candidate interviews can be conducted virtually; and Board Members and Trustee candidates not traveling to the WSO will reduce costs.
The Board approved a recommendation from the Nominating Committee to change the nominating process for the selection of the At‑Large Executive Committee members to include a short interview conducted by the members of the Nominating Committee. This short interview will give the members of the Nominating Committee an opportunity to have more information on an At‑Large Executive Committee candidate before making its candidate recommendations to the Board at their January Board meeting. In order for the Nominating Committee to have time to conduct the short interview prior to the January Board meeting, the deadline for submitting a resume has also changed. Please alert members in your Area who are considering submitting a resume to be an At‑Large member of the Executive Committee that resumes are now due by November 15, 2022.
At the 2022 WSC, two Thought Forces, “Maintaining a Sustainable Future Using Abundant Thinking” and “Diversity Today,” and one Task Force, “Encourage Service Participation,” presented their work. After the presentations, Delegates were asked for their feedback regarding what the next steps should be for these Thought and Task Forces. Based on that feedback and additional discussions during the Board meeting, the Board decided that no additional Thought or Task Forces needed to be formed from the 2022 WSC. The discussions did lead to a Board decision to continue ongoing conversations regarding inclusivity and diversity. The work of the Maintaining a Sustainable Future Using Abundant Thinking Thought Force and the Encourage Service Participation Task Force is available to Delegates in the WSC AFG Connects Community. Thank you to everyone who served on the 2022
WSC Thought and Task Forces.
SLT presented updates on the 2022 Strategies to the Board. Additionally, SLT presented to the Board that they had identified, after thorough and thoughtful discussion, the need to either postpone or reduce the scope of the current Strategies. The adjustments to the Strategies are being made based on capacity of WSO Staff and resources.
The following Strategies will be reduced in scope:
- CAL Globally in All Languages
- Updated and Translated Guidelines
- Alateen Electronic Meetings
- Animations/Cartoons via Social Media
The following Strategies will be postponed:
- Electronic Payments from Al-Anon Family Groups
- Member Guidance Regarding Bequests
- Phase 2 of the Online Store Upgrade
In addition to their regular responsibilities, here are some of the special projects WSO Staff are working on:
- New Daily Reader (including translation)
- Translation of the Service Manual
- Electronic Meeting Transformation
- 2023 International Convention
- 2022 Road Trip!
- IAGSM in London
- First Longitudinal Study
It is amazing how much work is done by the Staff at the WSO. The back of each Quarterly Appeal Letter is a great place to see a more inclusive list of services provided by the WSO. Another resource is the Annual Report, which is the yearly update on what happens at the WSO. The Annual Report can be downloaded by clicking here: 2021 Annual Report.
WSO Staff and Volunteers always enjoy the opportunity to visit Areas, whether to share their Al‑Anon story, to give a workshop, or both. The Area Delegate or Area Chairperson has access to the WSO Staff & Volunteer Invitation Request Form, which is found on the home page of their AFG Connects Community. We welcome your invitation!
Based on Delegate feedback from the 2022 World Service Conference Mega Issue discussion, which centered around the Board implementing a skills‑based approach to selecting Trustees, the Board approved a recommendation from the Nominating Committee to adopt a skills‑based role description. The new Trustee role description will be put into use beginning with the 2023 Nominating Process. The role description will be posted to al‑anon.org after the August 15, 2022 deadline for submitting a Trustee resume to avoid confusion about what to submit for the 2022 Nominating Process, which is already underway.
This is a reminder that the deadline for submitting a Trustee resume is August 15, 2022! Please remind members in your Area with more than ten years in the program to consider being of service to the worldwide fellowship!
Thank you to all of you for everything you do to continue to support Al‑Anon Family Groups!
With gratitude,
Lynette K.
Chairperson, Board of Trustees
Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.