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 highlights from the January 2023 Board Week. You will also find updates from our Policy Chairperson, a Finance Update from our Treasurer, and a Conference Leadership Team (CLT) update.
It is my pleasure to welcome the new Panel 63 Delegates as members of the World Service Conference (WSC). The Board of Trustees and Executive Committee (EC) members, World Service Office (WSO) Staff, and Panel 61 and 62 Delegates wish you all the best in your new role as Delegate. I look forward to seeing all of you in Virginia Beach in April for the 63rd WSC. (See the CLT update for more information.)
The Board of Trustees would like to extend a big thank you for your continued financial support! Contributions for 2022 exceeded budgeted expectations and became the highest contribution year in Al‑Anon’s history! The World Service Office (WSO) would not be able to continue providing services without your financial support. Literature sales for 2022 fell just below budgeted expectations. With expenses falling below budget for the year, we ended 2022 with a smaller deficit than budgeted. (See the Financial Update for details.)
At the January meeting the Board approved the 2023 preliminary budget. I am happy to announce that for 2023 we have a balanced budget! This budget will be presented to the WSC members in April. Look for details from your Delegate once they return from Conference.
The 2023 Al-Anon International Convention will be held June 29-July 2, 2023 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The theme for the 2023 International Convention is “New Hopes, New Friends, Renewed Recovery.” Registration fees prior to May 10, 2023 are $200 US and after May 10, 2023 are $225 US.
The 2023 International Convention registration includes access to the following events:
- Party in the Plaza (Thursday night)
- International Big Meeting, including the Language of Love Parade (Friday morning)
- Family Big Meeting (Saturday night)
- Spiritual Big Meeting (Sunday morning)
- Your choice of many sessions throughout the event
Available add‑ons, for an additional fee:
- Day of Connecting (all day Thursday): Speakers and workshops celebrating service, the third leg in our recovery. $55 US, including lunch.
- Trailblazers Breakfast on Route 66! (Saturday morning): A speaker meeting celebrating trailblazers throughout Al‑Anon’s history, including those still trailblazing today. $75 US, including breakfast.
For more information, go to:
https://al-anon.org/wso-events/2023-al-anon-international-convention/
For the first time, the 2023 International Convention is offering virtual attendance. The registration fee for virtual participation is $145 and includes access to:
- All three Big Meetings
- A slate of sessions (two on Friday and four on Saturday)
- The International Convention event app to connect with members attending in-person and virtually around
the world.
To register for virtual participation in the 2023 International Convention go to:
The EFWG is a work group of the Board charged with fostering generative, visionary oriented discussions. They bring forward discussion topics and questions that will help the Board generate new thoughts, ideas, challenges, and opportunities. The EFWG presented the following topics for Board discussion: Board development, abundance, and collegiate recovery programs. The Work Group shared several interesting articles with the Board to guide the discussion. These discussions help the Board expand our thinking as we fulfill our fiduciary responsibility to AFG, Inc.
At the October 2022 Board meeting, the Board had a thoughtful discussion about topics for Delegate‑led Thought and Task Forces. Some of the ideas taken into consideration were topics being discussed by members on various AFG Connects communities, topics that are important to the work of the Board, and topics that would provide useful information to our members. I am happy to announce that the Board has formed three Delegate‑led Thought and Task Forces that will present at the 2024 WSC. They are:
- Task Force: Personal and Service Sponsorship
- Task Force: Revitalizing Alateen
- Thought Force: Eliminating Regional Trustees
The work of these Thought and Task Forces will be presented at the 2024 WSC. I look forward to hearing the reports from each one.
To help us perform at an optimal level, the Board performs a self‑evaluation after each Board meeting. The self‑evaluation is a survey consisting of several questions which we answer on a scale of one to six, with one being “not at all like us” and six being “very much like us.” Some of the topics on the survey relate to oversight, direction setting, relationship with the ED, and how effectively we are using our Board meeting time. The results of each survey are discussed at the next Board meeting, focusing on areas where, according to the results, the Board could make improvement. As with any good inventory, we also discuss some of the things that we are doing well. The Board will continue to complete these evaluations to help us become a better Board.
After a thoughtful discussion taking into consideration the Board’s role of setting direction for AFG, Inc., the Board approved the 2023 WSO Projects Landscape presented by the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT). 2023 will be another busy year for the Staff at the World Service Office (WSO). In addition to the ongoing operations work performed every day at the WSO, below are some of the projects for the year:
- 2023 International Convention and Day of Connecting
- Collaborating to improve Conference Approved Literature globally
- Improvements to the Online Store
- Transforming electronic groups
- Alateen electronic group feasibility
- Regular structure meetings with international structures
- Zonal meetings
- Alateen Recertification
- Road Trip! planning
- Al-Anon Family Groups Mobile App refresh
- Refining the ebook strategy to reflect international needs
At the July 2022 Board meeting, the Nominating Committee recommended, and the Board approved, the Nominating Committee conducting a short interview of each Executive Committee candidate. The interviews were conducted in January just prior to the January Board meeting. Each interview consisted of a five‑minute talk and interview questions with the Nominating Committee members.
Also in January, the Board of Trustees met with the Regional Trustee and Trustee at Large candidates. The interviews were conducted virtually over two days. Each candidate shared a ten‑minute talk, presented a brief technology presentation, and participated in an interview with all the current Board members. 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 210 of the 2022‑2025 Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P‑24/27) v2. Throughout the selection process, we as a Board keep our hearts and minds open to the collective understanding and guidance of our Higher Power.
The list of nominees to be presented to the World Service Conference (WSC) for traditional approval are:
Regional Trustee:
Cindy M., US Southwest, second three‑year term
Diane B., US South Central, second three‑year term
Trustee at Large:
Jeri W., second three‑year term
Jayme C., first three‑year term
Board Officers:
Jeri W., Chairperson of the Board
Lynette K., Vice Chairperson
Ann Marie Z., Treasurer
Following traditional approval, the Board may elect the nominees at the Annual Meeting following the WSC. The following resumes will be presented to all World Service Conference members for their information:
Executive Committee:
David B., third one‑year term
Carol M., second one‑year term
Norm W., first one‑year term
Chairperson of the Executive Committee:
David B., one‑year term
Executive Committee for Real Property Management (ECRPM):
Richard S., three‑year term
Chairperson of the Executive Committee for Real Property Management (ECRPM):
Sandi C., one‑year term
We are grateful to all those willing to stand for service to fulfill our primary purpose of helping friends and families of alcoholics.
I will close with a thought about this year’s WSC theme, which is “Love, Laugh, and Grow Together.” The theme reminds me that I am never alone on this Al‑Anon journey, to not take things so seriously sometimes, and that there is always room for improvement. I look forward to what my Higher Power has in store for me!
With gratitude,
Lynette K.
Chairperson, Board of Trustees
Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.