Chairperson of the Board Letter
phone: 757.563.1600
fax: 757.563.1656
January 2022 Chairperson of the Board Letter Dear Al‑Anon and Alateen members:
al-anon.org
wso@al-anon.org
The purpose of this Chairperson of the Board (COB) letter is to share with you some highlights from the January 2022 Board Week. You will also find updates from our Policy Chairperson, a Finance update from our Treasurer, and a Conference Leadership Team (CLT) update.
The Board of Trustees (BOT) would like to extend a big thank you for your continued financial support! Contri‑ butions for 2021 exceeded budgeted expectations by just over $79,000. Literature sales for 2021 fell below budgeted expectations. Although expenses fell below budget for the year, we ended 2021 with a budget deficit. (See the Financial Update for details.)
It is my pleasure to welcome the new Panel 62 Delegates as members of the World Service Conference (WSC). The Board and Executive Committee (EC) members, World Service Office (WSO) Staff, and Panel 60 and 61 Dele‑ gates wish you all the best in your new role as Delegate. I remain hopeful that we will be meeting in person at the WSC in New York in April and look forward to seeing all of you there! (See the CLT update for more information.)
Road Trip! You and Your Board Connect:
Last year the Road Trip! You and Your Board Connect event was not held due to the COVID pandemic. I am pleased to announce that the 2022 Road Trip! You and Your Board Connect event is being planned to be held on October 29, 2022, in Cleveland, OH! Mark your calendars and come join the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee members for a day of fun and connecting with each other. More information regarding the 2022 Road Trip! will be presented at the 2022 WSC in April, along with information about how your Area can apply to host the 2023 Road Trip! We look forward to meeting you in Cleveland! Another exciting announcement regarding Road Trip!: the Board voted to end the trial period and make Road Trip! a permanent event. Board and Executive Com‑ mittee members look forward to continuing to participate in the Road Trip! events.
Strategic Plan Update:
The Strategic Plan refresh work that was started at the July 2021 Board meeting has finally come to completion. The updated Strategic Plan consists of a mission and vision statement and new domains and goal statements. I am excited to present to you the Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Strategic Plan!
Mission: Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. is a spiritually-based organization that helps the families and friends of alcoholics connect and support each other through barrier-free meetings, information, and shared experiences.
Vision: Families and friends of alcoholics find hope and encouragement to live joyful, serene lives. Domains and Goal Statements:
Members: AFG, Inc. connects and supports the friends and families of alcoholics.
Recovery & Service Tools: AFG, Inc. develops and publishes materials to share the collective experience of the families and friends of alcoholics.
Awareness: AFG, Inc. builds public and professional awareness of the Al‑Anon program. Financial Sustainability: AFG, Inc. encourages membership and organizational self-support by aligning resource allocation with its core purpose and strategic priorities.
Global Engagement: AFG, Inc. invests in each new generation of trusted servants to preserve our legacy and improve our structure and operations to meet the needs of the global landscape.
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., 1600 Corporate Landing Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617
The Strategic Plan also includes new Strategic Objectives (what we are going to do to accomplish the goal) and new Strategies (how we are going to accomplish the objective). The ongoing 2021 Strategies and the proposed 2022 Strategies have been placed into the new Strategic Plan domains. Additionally, the Strategic Plan develop‑ ment process will be improved to include more generative discussion among the Board, Executive Committee, and Strategic Leadership Team (SLT). I want to thank the members of the SLT for your facilitation of the refresh discussions and work aligning Strategies with the new Strategic Plan domains. Job well done!
International Coordination Committee (ICC):
Three WSO Staff members of the ICC attended the Central American Zonal meeting (RECACSA), which was held virtually in December. Their attendance allowed connections to be made and conversations to be started. WSO Staff will continue to reach out to the Structures involved and serve as a resource. Planning for the International Al-Anon General Services Meeting (IAGSM) being held in London, England, October 12-15, 2022 is in full swing. The agenda items have been set and the Invitation Letter has been sent to all IAGSM Delegates. Currently an in-person event is being planned, but options are being explored for any possible COVID-related changes.
Envisioned Future Work Group (EFWG):
The EFWG is a work group of the Board charged with fostering generative, visionary, oriented discussions. They bring discussion topics and questions to the Board that will help us generate new thoughts, ideas, challeng‑ es, and opportunities. The EFWG presented an article discussing the organization and formation of committee structures for nonprofit organizations. They also presented several thought-provoking questions that guided our discussion and helped expand Board members’ thinking around the possibilities of how we do our work. We will continue these discussions at future Board meetings.
Nominating:
Each year in January, the BOT meets 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 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 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:
Jean L., US North Central, second three-year term
Sally K., Canada West, first year of a remaining two-year term
Trustee at Large:
Ann Marie Z., first three-year term
Pennie K., first three-year term
Board Officers:
Lynette K., Chairperson of the Board
Jean L., Vice Chairperson
Cindy M., 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., second one-year term
Jeffrey F., first one-year term
Carol M., first one-year term
Chairperson of the Executive Committee:
David B., one-year term
Executive Committee for Real Property Management (ECRPM):
Sue 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.
I have been thinking about the 2022 WSC theme, “Enhancing Our Recovery Through Abundance, Unity, and Understanding.” The theme seems to be challenging me to become a better person (enhance my recovery) by expanding my thinking around three principles (abundance, unity, understanding) that I probably don’t consider enough. I am looking forward to the opportunities my Higher Power will give me throughout the year to enhance my recovery by practicing these principles. I am grateful to be on this journey of Al‑Anon recovery.
With gratitude,
Lynette K.
Chairperson, Board of Trustees
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.