Due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, WSO will hold its annual business conference (the ABC) and the Annual World Convention (AWC) on a fully virtual basis again this year. Although disappointed that we will not see each other in person, we are grateful that a virtual ABC/AWC enables all of us to come together for service and recovery. ABC and AWC dates will be determined soon. Once they are determined registration will re-open at acaworldconvention.org.
If you would like to review the highlights of last year’s ABC, you can see the minutes on our website at https://acawso.org/2021/07/14/minutes-from-the-2021-aca-annual-business-conference/.
Highlights of the 2021 ballot proposals that passed were:
- that the Literature Committee begin a revised edition of the Big Red Book with more inclusive language, new testimonials and updated content.
- drop a passage in the BRB that refers to the speaker’s dislike of gay people.
Many other proposals were referred to the Board, including proposals to sync page numbers in ebooks with hard copy books.
At the Convention, workshops included two on Boundaries, one on Reparenting, and one on Relationships in Recovery. Copies of the recordings can be accessed at https://adultchildren.org/2021-awc/.
For 2022, 13 ballot proposals have been sent to the membership for a vote on whether they should appear on the ABC agenda for discussion and vote. Votes from all ACA meetings are welcome. Voting will begin on February 15. Details are at https://acawso.org/category/ballot-prep/
All ACA meeting groups have the right to select a Delegate to represent their group at the ABC, not only to cast votes on ballot proposals and floor motions but to ask questions and raise concerns from their groups. Once selected, Delegates can register at the acawso.org website and receive training. For more information, see https://acawso.org/?s=Delegate.
WSO is working to make the meetings more accessible to our global fellowship by adjusting its hours to hold sessions accessible to all time zones. Several of the ballot proposals this year involve possible ways to restructure the ABC/AWC, in part to support participation from around the world.
Some other proposals involve literature. The Literature Committee welcomes submissions as well as suggestions, and reminds the fellowship that the ABC is not the only path to new or revised literature. Also, comments on any piece of literature, including the Loving Parent Guidebook, which was published in August of 2022 in “Fellowship Review” mode, are welcome. See the Literature page on the acawso.org website to submit a fellowship review comment.
WSO wants to thank the organizing committee based in San Francisco that worked so hard to create an in-person ABC/AWC this year. We are sad we will not see them in person, but will be sending virtual hugs.
Charlie H,
WSO Board Chair