Delegate's Report Archive

December, 2005

This I think will be my last official act as the panel 54 Delegate for Area 92. I would like to tell you how much gratitude I have and would like to pass this along if I can. Once upon a time in my road from one service position to another I had a reason to wonder how this all worked and if the General Service Office was really looking out for our (Group) best interests or had they somehow lost the interest of the groups had thus played lip service to us and did what they thought was best. That was the ultimate in contempt prior to investigation and an exercise in old behavior. Today I know just how silly that all was and just how this whole Conference thing or Bill grand scheme for group leadership works. So the gratitude I have has more meaning and I will try to explain how wide and deep my gratitude really goes. I don't know how it all happened but I was picked to chair my committee at the 55th Conference and that meant another trip to New York to watch how that piece of this big picture comes together. I watched as the deliberations took place in the Trustees committees and how the decisions were made on individual Agenda Items sent for consideration and possible inclusion in the final Conference Agenda. Each committee looked closely at each item and carefully considered the items taking time to listen to appointed committee members and committee delegate chairs, and reports from sub committees set up as needed to look closer at each item. General Service office staff is asked if they have comments and report on assignments that might have bearing on the item, and all the committee was given ample time to comment. If prudence suggested that more time might be needed before the conference was given the item it was given another year to gain additional information (like always we don't have to get in a hurry). In the case of items that require large expenditures, budgets are considered and those comments are made a part of the discussion at the conference. I saw nothing but love for the fellowship that they all serve and nothing but the kind of leadership that is described in the service manual. I turn now to watching you all continue to grow just like I did and will be there to help should you need me and I will try to keep my mouth shut and allow you to make your mistakes too just like I did. It is now my job to sit back watch the Area continue to grow and not try to influence your decisions, but to aid in your decisions with information that I have gained and willingly will pass on.

My thanks to Gene D who helped to make this a most memorable experience. To Jan P who was always there with kind thoughts and words of wisdom. To Fran P who gave me hope years ago and was also always there. Each of the past delegates from area 92 and Area 72 as well as friends have been there throughout the years.

Thank you all,
Mike, the crying Delegate.