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 2021 Board Week. You will also find updates from our Policy Chairperson, the Conference Leadership Team (CLT), and a Finance Update from our Treasurer.
Last year was an unprecedented year. One example of this is, thanks to your generosity, contributions exceeded literature sales! On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., we want to thank you for your financial support in 2020. The number of contributions received, which by the way was over $3 million, is overwhelming and beyond what we had imagined. We are truly grateful! (See the Financial Update for details.)
It is my pleasure to welcome the new Panel 61 Delegates as members of our largest representative group conscience, the World Service Conference (WSC). The Board and Executive Committee (EC) members, World Service Office (WSO) Staff, and Panel 59 and 60 Delegates wish you all success in your new role as Delegate. Due to continued pandemic related restrictions, the 2021 WSC will not be held face‑to‑face but instead will be held using a virtual/electronic format similar to last year. (See the CLT Update for more information.)
Last year the ‘Road Trip! You and Your Board Connect’ event had to be postponed. This year the ‘Road Trip! You and Your Board Connect’ event is planned to be held on October 23, 2021 in Cleveland, OH! Mark your calendars and come and join the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee members for a day of fun and connecting with each other. At the 2021 WSC, information will be presented regarding the 2021 Road Trip! along with information about how your Area can apply to host the 2022 Road Trip! We look forward to meeting you in Cleveland!
The Strategic Planning process is a year‑round process and it sometimes gets confusing as to where we are in the process. To aid the Board, the WSO Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) created a flowchart which includes all the steps of the Strategies development process. The flowchart shows the responsibilities of the Board, SLT, and Executive Committee and the timeline for each step. It helps us see where we are in the Strategies development process and more importantly, the steps for which we need to be preparing. For instance, at this past Board meeting, Board members discussed and prioritized Strategic Plan Objectives for 2022. The Objectives chosen by the Board will now be turned over to the SLT to create Strategies which they will present to the Board at the July 2021 Board meeting for approval.
Board members also received an update from SLT on the status of the 2020 and 2021 Strategies. In 2020, all but two of the Strategies were completed! (See chart below for a list of the completed strategies.) The two 2020 Strategies that will be ongoing into 2021 are upgrading the WSO online store and improving the availability of Conference Approved Literature (CAL) across structures.
Goal: Members ‑ Increase visibility of all Al‑Anon groups worldwide
- Improved trilingual focus by translating Annual Report and reducing translation backlog
- Launched recovery‑based AFG Inc. mobile app
Goal: Public ‑ Increase awareness of competition and AFG differentiation
- Received and analyzed competitive analysis results
- Established a process for ongoing protection of Al‑Anon’s trademarks & copyrights
Goal: Organization ‑ Increase international representation within our global structure and Conference
- Expanded connectivity with Electronic Meetings
The EMWG reported to the Board its continuing work on ways to incorporate electronic meetings as groups into the service structure. Any recommended changes will be presented at the 2021 WSC for consideration. Stay tuned for more information following the 2021 WSC.
The Board continued its discussion regarding communicating with the Delegates. The overwhelming feeling is that the Delegate calls are important and allow the Board members a chance to interact with the Delegates. The Board’s intention for the Delegate calls is to answer questions or provide clarification to items in the COB Letter. The Board will continue discussing how we communicate with Delegates and consider new ways of relaying information. More will be revealed!
Each year in January, the BOT meets with the Regional Trustee and Trustee at Large candidates. This year, the interviews were conducted virtually instead of face‑to‑face, over two days. Each candidate shared a ten-minute talk, presented a brief technology presentation, and participated in an interview with all of 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 205 of the 2018‑2021 Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual version two (2) (P‑24/27). Throughout the selection process, we as a Board keep our hearts and minds opened to the collective understanding and guidance of our Higher Power.
The list of nominees to be presented to the World Service Conference for traditional approval are:
Regional Trustee:
Tony S., Canada East, First three‑year term
Debbie P., Canada Central, First three‑year term
Linda R., US Southeast, First one‑year term
Trustee at Large:
Lynette K., Second three‑year term
Nancy S., Remaining two years of first three‑year term
Don B., First three‑year term
Kathi M., First three‑year term
Board Officers:
Lynette K., Chairperson of the Board
Marianne B., Vice Chairperson
Cindy M., Treasurer
Following Traditional approval, the Board may elect the nominees at the Annual Meeting following the WSC. The following résumés will be presented to all World Service Conference members for their information:
Executive Committee:
Debbie G., Third one‑year term
Terry F., Second one‑year term
David B., First one‑year term
Chairperson of the Executive Committee:
Debbie G., One‑year term
Executive Committee for Real Property Management (ECRPM)
Liz D., Remaining two‑years of three‑year term
Sandi C., Three‑year term
Chairperson of the Executive Committee for Real Property Management (ECRPM):
Liz D., One‑year term
We are grateful to all those willing to stand for service to fulfill our primary purpose.
Two weeks following the posting of this letter, the Trustees will begin contacting their assigned Delegates. As a reminder, the purpose of this call is to allow Trustees to offer clarification of information contained in this letter. If Delegates prefer not to be contacted, they can let the Trustee know when the initial contact is made.
This past year has been a year of many changes, challenges, and gifts. Al‑Anon members rose to the occasion to continue fulfilling our primary purpose of helping families and friends of alcoholics. I am grateful to be a part of this amazing program. I don’t know what lies ahead, but I look forward to 2021 and “Moving Forward with Unity, Courage, and Perseverance.”
With gratitude,
Lynette K.
Chairperson, Board of Trustees
Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.