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
The purpose of this Chairperson of the Board letter is to share with you some of the highlights from our 2022 World Service Conference (WSC), along with updates from the Board of Trustees’ Quarterly Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Board. You will also find updates from our outgoing and incoming Policy Chairperson, our outgoing and incoming Conference Leadership Team (CLT), and a finance update from our Treasurer.
Thank you to all of our members who have made and who continue to make contributions to the World Service Office (WSO). In keeping with our Seventh Tradition, we are a self‑supporting organization. Our two sources of income are contributions from Al‑Anon members and sales of our Conference Approved Literature. Please continue to support the WSO with your contributions and with literature purchases through the Online Store, from your Literature Distribution Center, or from your group. (See the Finance Update attached to this letter for more financial information.)
After two years of holding the World Service Conference virtually, the 62nd WSC was held April 26‑30, 2022, at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, NY. The theme of the Conference, “Enhancing Our Recovery through Abundance, Unity, and Understanding,” was our spiritual compass guiding us throughout the week. It was amazing to finally be able to meet the Delegates in person! Conference members were able to do all the things we can’t do when we meet virtually, such as share hugs, have one on one conversations, have meals together, and make heart‑level connections with each other.
I am excited and honored to share with you a truly pioneering decision that was made at this year’s WSC. In true Al‑Anon style, we “made our circle bigger.” One of the first orders of business was for the Conference to pass the motion to make the Global Electronic Area (GEA) part of the WSC Conference Structure and allow their Delegate, Ozzie A., to become a voting member, joining the Panel 62 Delegates. After the vote was taken, Ozzie was welcomed with a standing ovation and an abundance of Al‑Anon love. I felt honored to be part of the historic day. Based on the geographic location of the GEA Delegate, the GEA will participate as part of the Southeast Region during this panel for the purpose of electing a Regional Trustee and attending the Regional Delegates Meeting.
Another highlight of the 2022 WSC was the trip to Stepping Stones, which is the historic home of Bill and Lois Wilson, Cofounders of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al‑Anon Family Groups respectively. If you are not familiar with Al‑Anon’s history, it was on the second floor of the house at Stepping Stones where Lois and Anne wrote to the first 87 groups and started what was then known as the Clearing House. It is inspiring to think how far Al‑Anon Family Groups has come from that small office on the second floor.
Some other highlights from this year’s Conference Agenda are:
- Outgoing Panel 60 Delegate three‑minute talks
- Presentation on “Electronic Meetings Becoming Al‑Anon Family Groups”
- Open Policy Committee meeting Approval of changes to the “Public Outreach—Social Networking” section of the “Digest of Al‑Anon and Alateen Policies” section of the 2022‑2025 Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P‑24/27) v1
- Delegate‑led Thought and Task Force presentations, which included the Diversity Today Thought Force, the Encourage Service Participation Task Force, and the Maintaining a Sustainable Future Using Abundant Thinking Thought Force
(See the CLT Update and the Policy Update attached to this letter for more information.)
For a more detailed report of the 2022 World Service Conference, please look for the free online 2022 Conference Summary (P‑46), which is scheduled for posting in July. A printed version will be made available for purchase in September.
Five regions—US South Central, US Northeast, US Northwest, US Southeast, and US Southwest—began the process of nominating Regional Trustees by electing a chairperson and a co-chairperson for their respective Regional Committees on Trustees (RCT). While the processes for nominating a Regional Trustee and Trustee at Large are different, the deadline for Trustee resumes to be submitted to the WSO is August 15, 2022.
The Conference gave traditional approval, and during the Annual Meeting, the Board of Trustees, in their legal capacity, elected the following trusted servants:
Regional Trustees:
Jean L., US North Central Second three-year term
Sally K., Canada West First year of a remaining two-year term
Trustees at Large:
Ann Marie Z. First three-year term
Pennie K. First three-year term
Board Officers for 2022-2023:
Lynette K. Chairperson of the Board
Jean L. Vice Chairperson of the Board
Cindy M. Treasurer
The Board of Trustees, in its legal capacity, elected the following:
Executive Committee:
David B. Second one-year term
Jeffrey F. First one-year term
Carol M. First one-year term
Chairperson of the Executive Committee:
David B. One-year term
Chairperson of the Executive Committee for Real Property Management:
Elizabeth (Liz) D. One-year term
Mark your calendars for this year’s Road Trip! You and Your Board Connect event, which will be held in Cleveland, OH on October 29, 2022. This event gives Al‑Anon members an opportunity to interact with members of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee. Registration will open in August 2022, and space is limited. Be on the lookout for more details and registration information regarding the Cleveland Road Trip! Event. If your Area has never hosted a Road Trip! event, you can apply to be the next destination for Road Trip! in October 2023. Applications are due by September 23, 2022. Contact your Area Delegate for all the information on how to apply and information on airport and hotel requirements for the event.
Al‑Anon’s Seventh International Convention will be held June 29—July 2, 2023 in Albuquerque, NM. The Convention theme for the 2023 International Convention is “New Hopes, New Friends, Renewed Recovery.” This exciting event is an opportunity for Al‑Anon and Alateen members from all over the world to come together and celebrate recovery. Please save the date! The event will be here before you know it. Registration will open later this year. Stay tuned for more details!
The dates for the two remaining 2022 COB Letter Presentations are August 6 and November 12.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee, and the WSO Staff, I want to thank all of you who are dedicated to serving Al‑Anon Family Groups and helping us fulfill our primary purpose of helping families and friends of alcoholics.
In gratitude,
Lynette K.
Chairperson, Board of Trustees
Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.