"Our conference is stronger with the growing number of diverse voices."
Fellowship Group Voting
Latest Updates
- The Informational / Town Hall sessions in March have been completed; the agendas and recordings are available at link
- We invite you to join the May 17/18 Annual Business Conference (ABC) as a delegate to discuss the implementation plan of the Fellowship Group Voting or as an observer to listen to the discussion. Add registration link for ABC
- After the ABC, a letter will be sent to the fellowship with the start date of the four month voting period for the proposed new name “Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACAD”).
What is Fellowship Group Voting?
A fellowship group vote happens after the delegates at the Conference (ABC) have approved a motion to be voted on by all registered groups.
The next step is to implement the Fellowship Group Voting process, marking its first use in ACA which will provide a learning experience and an opportunity for fellowship and delegate engagement. This foundational implementation will allow for assessment, discussion, and potential refinement of the process. Any proposed substantive changes will be reviewed and approved by Conference delegates.
Why is this Important?
A Fellowship Group vote may happen when the delegates at the conference believe the change being considered is significant enough to require all registered groups to participate. This is in line with Tradition 2 and Concepts I and IV, especially as only 5% of all registered groups are currently represented by delegates at the Conference (ABC).
What are the groups voting on?
The 2024 Annual Business Conference Approved the following motion:
To submit to all ACA registered groups (meetings, intergroups, and regions) for approval, “to change the functional name of the fellowship to Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACAD), the top choice by the fellowship from the name study surveys.”
The survey reported 39 different names. Members were passionate about their “name” choices. It had been decided in collaboration with the Data Analysis Committee, that it was necessary to limit the choices when the goal is to get to a single choice that can be presented to the delegates to consider. Information on the other names, like Adult Children Anonymous can be found in the Name Study reports, and in the FAQ section.
Who is Voting?
WSO registered groups are invited to participate and vote in the “Fellowship Group Voting” process. The delegates at the 2024 Conference (ABC) have approved a motion to be submitted to all ACA registered groups (meetings, intergroups, and regions) for approval. This process is expected to be used in future years.
There will likely be other opportunities in the future such as changes to the foundational documents that might lead to future fellowship group votes. (e.g. changes to the Traditions, Concepts)
| Event | Start Dates | End Dates |
| Recommended the voting process to delegates at the Dec 7 QDM | Dec 7,2024 | Dec 8,2024 |
| Minority Opinion takes place at the February QDM regarding the Fellowship Group Voting process vote from the December 2024 QDM | Feb 1, 2025 | Feb 1, 2025 |
| Townhall/open meetings to discuss the process of Fellowship Group Voting process were scheduled late March and recorded | Mar 22/23 and Mar 29/30 | |
| Update on the Fellowship Group Voting Process and Implementation 2024-06 motion (Name Study) at the 2025 Conference (ABC) | May 17-18, 2025 | |
| Last day for groups to vote | TBD | TBD |
| Post the voting results | TBD | TBD |
| Review results at a future QDM/ABC | TBD | TBD |
Questions on Fellowship Group Voting?
Email: [email protected]
Town Halls March 22 & 23, 2025 - Fellowship Group Voting Process
Town Hall - Fellowship Group Voting Process Explained
Town Halls March 29 & 30, 2025 - Fellowship Group Voting -- and the Name Study
Town Hall - Fellowship Group Voting and the Name Study
February 2025 QDM Presentation & Minority Opinion Results
Minority Opinion
Minority Opinion was heard during the February QDM.
Voting Results Dec 2024 QDM for Fellowship Group Voting
Fellowship Group Voting Audio and Results
Fellowship Group Voting Audio Recording from the Dec QDM
Quorum was met and the Minority Opinion will be heard at the 1st February QDM.
Fellowship Group Voting - 2025 ABC Results (to be posted after 2025 ABC)
Learn about the Group Voting Process
Group Voting Process
- Emails were sent out to all WSO Registered Group Contacts with additional information. Link to the email.
- Town hall meetings will be held:
- To review the new voting process on march 22, 9 pm et and mar 23, 9 am et and
- Information on Informed Group Voting on the Fellowship Name Change” Motion on Mar 29, 9 pm ET and Mar 30, 9 am et
- The voting will start after the 2025 Annual Business Conference (ABC) for 4 months.
- The delegates at the 2025 ABC will need to discuss and determine the next steps required to finalize on how the results of this first fellowship group voting are to be implemented. Consideration and discussion for actions resulting from acceptance or rejection of the motion, including minority opinions.
How was the Fellowship Group Voting
process developed?
The Development of Fellowship Group Voting
The Board consulted with other 12 Step World Services who have done Fellowship Group Voting and adapted our ABC proposal process, https://acawso.org/bpc/ The Board brought forward a motion to approve this process at the Dec 7, 2024 QDM. The process was approved by the delegates at the December 2024 QDM by 79%.
The delegates heard the minority opinion at the Feb 1st 2025 QDM, and the motion was confirmed. A letter will be sent out to all registered groups and delegates on Feb 24th acknowledging this result.
The WSO Registered Groups will have 4 months at the start of the voting to hold group consciences and determine how their group wants to vote.
There will be town hall and Informational meetings with the fellowship and delegates to discuss and answer any remaining questions on the process in March 2025. An update will be provided on the voting process at the 2025 ABC. The voting will start after the 2025 ABC.
Information about the Name Study
How the Name Study Began
Motion from 2022 ABC that created the Name Study
Create an ad-hoc committee to explore changing the fellowships name, logo, acronym, and any other identifying marks to include dysfunctional families.
This group would meet for a year and then report results during the 2023 ABC committee reports. If the work results in a recommendation, it will appear on the 2023 ABC agenda. (If not ready by the 2023 ABC, then the report and potential recommendation will appear on the 2024 ABC agenda).
Frequently Asked Questions
All Closed Trick
What is group conscience and how does it work?
Group decisions that follow the Traditions and intent have a signature that we learn to recognize as a group conscience (BRB pg 490), The group members trust the collective decision-making process known as group conscience (BRB pg 492)
For more information on how to obtain a group conscience, see Group Voting and Substantial Unanimity- Twelfth Concept
What would happen if the motion to change the name passes?
The voting results and the proposed implementation planning will be added to an up and coming ABC/QDM.
What would happen if motion fails?
The voting results and next steps will be added to the 2025 ABC agenda.
How is fellowship Group Voting different from the ballot proposal voting?
A Fellowship Group vote happens when the delegates at the conference believe the change being considered is significant enough to require all registered groups to vote directly. The ballot proposal voting allows the fellowship to determine whether a proposal is added to the Annual Business Conference (ABC) agenda for discussion and voting by the delegates.
What if my group doesn’t agree with the proposed name?
If your group does not agree with the proposed name then your group would vote no and has the option to provide a brief answer on their reason. This will assist the delegates when discussing at an up and coming ABC/QDM.
Don’t we already have the proposed name on the website and literature?
Yes, we have different variations of the proposed name, “Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACAD)”. This motion would create consistency throughout our literature and website and replace the logo of “ACA” to “ACAD”.
Examples:
Website: “Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families World Service Organization”.
Literature: Adult Children of Alcoholics/ Dysfunctional Families , Adult Children of Alcoholics/ Dysfunctional Families World Service Organization, Inc.
Legal Name won’t change: Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization, Inc. (ACA WSO, ACA WSO, Inc)
Were other names considered other than “Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACAD)?
Yes, the survey reported 39 different names.Members were passionate about their “name” choices. A couple of groups requesting “Adult Children Anonymous” felt strongly their choice was not considered fairly but no one spoke on this concern at the 2024 ABC. It had been decided in collaboration with the Data Analysis Committee, that it was necessary to limit the choices when the goal is to get to a single choice that can be presented to the delegates to consider.
What about Adult Children Anonymous? Why was it not included on the 1st Survey
- Adult Children Anonymous was not included as a listed choice in the first survey because the purpose of the committee, as set out from the 2022 ABC delegates, was to communicate inclusion of dysfunctional families.
- The genesis of the name study was to address the problem that some adult children disqualified themselves after simply hearing the name because they came from a dysfunctional, but not a family with alcoholism. These adult children never made it to a meeting or the website where this notion might have been dispelled. Consequently, the study was undertaken to find a name that would communicate inclusion to someone from a dysfunctional but not an alcoholic family by simply hearing the name without any further explanation.
- The committee discussed the Adult Children Anonymous name 4 times over an 8+ month period with different members present at each discussion and the group conscience always came to the same conclusion. The addition of anonymous indicates it is a 12 step program, but the removal of all other descriptive information that might explain what adult children are, does not communicate inclusion of those coming from dysfunctional families or alcoholic families. Consequently, the potential newcomer would need to understand the adult child concept or do research on what adult child means in this context in order to truly understand the Adult Children Anonymous name. Name StudyWhat about Adult Children Anonymous? Why was it not included on the 1st Survey
- It is understandable some very much wanted Adult Children Anonymous because it preserved the ACA acronym and assumed the newcomer can just do some research on what an "adult child" means. However, the potential newcomers that already disqualify themselves have shown they don't do research such as check the literature or go to the website. This is because adult children tend to be rigid thinkers and have been quickly disqualifying themselves their whole lives.
- The purpose of the name study was to find a name that would communicate this inclusion to the potential new member, because if they don't disqualify themselves by hearing the name, that gives them the best chance to take the next step on their road to recovery.
- Each group conscience concluded that Adult Children Anonymous did not address the newcomer disqualification problem (described previously) nor did it meet the purpose set by the delegates to communicate inclusion. Consequently, Adult Children Anonymous was not included on the surveys. Name StudyWhat about Adult Children Anonymous? Why was it not included on the 1st Survey Name Study
- Adult Children Anonymous did receive some write in votes on the first survey, but they only amounted to 2.53% of all respondents.
- We Are Group of volunteers who gave our time to do our best to follow the traditions of the fellowship.
- We Cannot Please everyone. And some members have let us know that quite strongly. We ask everyone to show courtesy to the all of the Name Study Team that has diligently worked for the last 2 year.
What does the ACA literature say about the fellowship name?
Appendix C, Our Fellowship Name: “ACA is the original adult-child fellowship and the first to develop a Twelve Step program and specific literature addressing the effects of being raised in a dysfunctional home.” Read more, BRB pg 645-646,
Didn’t I already vote for the proposed name?
No. The Name Study was authorized to explore changing the ACA name, ABC Motion 2022-1. This committee conducted 2 surveys with 11,000 individual members representing 68 countries and 10 languages in the last 2 years. The groups have not voted on changing the name of the fellowship until now.
What is the impact to the fellowship?
From Name Study survey:
Implementation of a new name might take 5 years or more. Changing the name will incur both legal and publishing costs. The cost of implementing a name change is estimated to be $24,000 annually over the next 5 years, or $120,000 total. This would require approximately 26% of the available funds not already allocated to such areas as the prudent reserve, international literature fund, or replenishment of inventory.
Did WSO use a statistical 3rd party to screen for bias?
No, the Data Analysis Committee were consulted on the surveys. This committee was created from a previous ABC motion.
More FAQ's Coming Soon
