The Executive Director presented the Board with background on a Staff recommendation to establish an Alateen Certification program for WSO Staff which would require successful completion of national background checks and professional training on legal requirements of WSO Staff members involved with Alateen.

The Board held an in‑depth discussion on what level of training is optimal for Staff representing the legal entity of AFG, Inc. considering the liability and financial risks. The Board agreed the WSO Staff should demonstrate the best possible standard going forward and approved a motion to authorize the WSO to establish an Al‑Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service recertification and training program (“WSO AMIAS Program”) for all WSO Staff members who may be required to work with teenagers in a capacity representing AFG, Inc., including voting members of the WSC Administrative Staff and WSO Staff whose roles involve guiding Areas within the WSC Structure as relates to Alateen. The WSO AMIAS Program shall minimally comply with the Minimum Safety and Behavior Requirements stipulated in the 2003 Alateen Motion from the Board of Trustees.

Each year in January, the BOT meets with the Regional Trustee and Trustee at Large candidates. For the second year, the “interview luncheon” was held at the WSO, allowing candidates to meet the BOT, to demonstrate their basic technology skills, and to tour the WSO. Each candidate shared a ten‑minute talk and presented a brief technology presentation. This was followed by a luncheon with the entire Board and all candidates, providing them an opportunity to mingle. Following lunch, five roundtable interviews panels were conducted providing the candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their assets and capabilities. The Board is responsible for ensuring that “This [Nominating] Committee aids the Trustees in discharging their prime obligation to see that all vacancies within the Board of Trustees or its Executive Committees are filled with those of the greatest possible competence, stability and industry” as stated on page 205 of the 2018‑2021 Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual version two (2) (P‑24/27). We sincerely appreciate the talents of all the candidates and applaud the courage of all who came forward.

The list of nominees to be presented to the World Service Conference for traditional approval of Regional Trustees, Trustees at Large, and Board Officers are:

Regional Trustee:

Diane B., US South Central (First three‑year term)
Cindy M., US Southwest (First three‑year term)

Trustee at Large:

Teri M. (Second three‑year term)
Jeryl W. (First three‑year term)

Board Officers:

Lynette K. Chairperson of the Board
Rosie M. Vice Chairperson
Cathy T. Treasurer

Executive Committee:

Debbie G. (Second one‑year term)
Karen W.-P. (Second one‑year term)
Terry F. (First one‑year term)

Chairperson of the Executive Committee:

Debbie G. (One‑year term)

Chairperson of the Executive Committee for Real Property Management (ECRPM):

Katherine R. (One‑year term)

Following Traditional approval, the Board may elect the nominees at the Annual Meeting following the WSC.

Once again, a special appointment process will be utilized for a member of the ECRPM. The Nominating Committee is asking for your help in finding a suitable candidate for an At‑Large member to serve on the ECRPM. The term will begin following the Annual Board Meeting in April 2020. Résumés are due to the WSO by March 15, 2020.

The Executive Committee Member Skills & Résumé Task Force presented their report to the Board in January. After this document was reviewed by the entire Board and suggested changes were implemented, a motion was approved to accept the revised At‑Large Executive Committee résumé as amended. This new résumé will be utilized for the upcoming applicants.

The ICC has met several times via web conferencing including, for the first time, its quarterly meeting which is held just prior to Board Week. Much discussion and work has revolved around preparation for the International Al‑Anon General Services Meeting (IAGSM) which will be held in October 2020 in London, England. The theme for the IAGSM will be “Practicing Universal Principles with 20|20 Vision.” The agenda is now close to completion, and the invitations to speakers and presenters will be issued shortly.

The Strategic Planning session opened with the Executive Director presenting an update on the 2019 Strategies and the milestones achieved—and there have been many. The Board has been given access to the 2019 Strategies in Asana, which is the program Staff are using to track Strategies’ progress. The Board will also be given access to the 2020 Strategies. Further discussion was held on revisiting the demand on Staff capacity and the importance of existing and critical WSO programs and services. Following these discussions, the Board presented the Staff with their top 2021 Objectives. This timely presentation allows Staff the opportunity to develop Strategies and evaluate the capabilities required to achieve them before bringing them to the Board for consideration and approval. The work continues.

The past practice of the Board has been to conduct Delegate calls two weeks following the posting of this letter. These calls were initiated to allow Delegates the opportunity to ask questions or solicit more clarification, if it was required, after reading the letter. It was also hoped that these calls may aide in forming closer relationships between the Trustees and Delegates by fostering communication and sharing of information. In this last quarter, we received 53 responses and 14 non‑responses to our calls.

The Delegate Questions included in the Chairperson of the Board (COB) Letter each quarter were intended to provide an avenue for the Trustees to receive input from the Delegates on matters pertaining to the Board’s work.

During the October Board meeting, a consensus was taken to ask the Delegates if they find the quarterly Delegate Questions useful. From the responses, we realized we have been delinquent in providing clarification on the intent of those questions. Following a lengthy discussion, the Board felt it was not beneficial to continue with the Delegate Questions each quarter and elected to end this practice. A motion was approved to eliminate the Delegate questions in the COB Letter. Thank you to everyone who provided the Board with so much valuable information through the years.

The Board and the WSO have experienced and continue to experience many great changes. Change is not always comfortable for everyone and can bring about mixed emotions and sometimes conflict, but without it we cannot grow. “Growth cannot occur without change, and our history as a fellowship is a long, continual series of changes.” from Many Voices, One Journey, (B‑31) page 391. I am so proud and grateful to all our members, trusted Volunteers, and our Staff who work tirelessly and who demonstrate their courage to change the things they can. I believe “Dreaming Big with 20|20 Vision” is much more than just a motto—it has become our reality.

In appreciation,

Gail G., Chairperson
Board of Trustees, Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.