Who/What is a Delegate or Alternate Delegate?
- Delegates are the representatives to the World Service Conference (WSC) who have the right to vote. (In other programs delegates who represent the groups are called “GSRs” or Group Service Representatives.)
- Delegates include:
- One or two elected and registered representatives from each A.R.T.S. Anonymous group (GSRs).
- Members of the Board of Trustees
Who does a Delegate or Alternate Delegate do?
- Delegates attend the annual World Service Conference (WSC) meetings, anticipated to be virtual for the time being, and stay in communication with World Services and the WSBC. Special meetings of the WSC may be called if necessary.
- Right now, we are in a temporary organizational stage, called Pre-Conference. It is important for delegates to attend the Pre-Conference meetings, as these are an opportunity to make the voice of the meetings heard as well as to make decisions about how the actual WSBC will run. This can really make a difference for the future of A.R.T.S. Anonymous!
- At the WSC meetings, delegates vote on issues affecting the entire Fellowship, such as electing Trustees, approving Literature, establishing Policies and Procedures, and any changes to important documents such as the Steps & Traditions.
- Delegates vote on public outreach efforts and give guidance to the Board of Trustees.
- Delegates may serve on Committees to tackle World Service concerns and responsibilities, leading to motions brought to the WSC.
- Delegates do not govern. However, the group conscience as expressed at the WSC is binding by program tradition, as long as it does not interfere with the legal requirements of A.R.T.S. Anonymous’ nonprofit corporation designation.
- Delegates represent their own A.R.T.S. Anonymous group (meeting) and consult with the members they represent about important issues. The meetings “delegate” responsibility to the Delegate/GSR to listen to the deliberations of the WSBC and make choices.
- Delegates bring back to the group the results of WSC proceedings and keep them informed of what is happening within the world-wide Fellowship.
- Alternate Delegates “stand in” for the Delegate when the Delegate is not available. When an Alternate is standing in for a Delegate, he or she does everything a Delegate do, including voting.
How do you become a Delegate or Alternate Delegate?
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- Delegates and Alternates must be elected by their group.
- The following motion was passed at the February 2022 Pre-Conference meeting: To allow A.R.T.S. Groups one Delegate to represent each meeting with an Alternate Delegate. If the meeting has more than five members who are present at the business meeting where the election occurs, the meeting may elect two Delegates and two Alternates.
- Alternates only vote at the WSC if the Delegate cannot. Of course, all who would like to may attend, but not all have a vote.
- Once the Delegates and Alternate Delegates are elected, please fill out the Delegate/Alternate Delegate Registration Form to let the A.R.T.S. World Service Office know who is representing the group. (One form for each Delegate/Alternate Delegate). This can be found on the A.R.T.S. Anonymous website (click here).
- It is essential that we have contact information, including phone number and email, for all Delegates and Alternates so we can inform them of upcoming meetings, and details and information for the WSC. World Services will send out meeting agendas for the Pre-Conference and the WSC, and information about issues that will be voted on at the WSC. (Delegates may also bring issues to the WSC, and we are establishing a procedure for that.)
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What does the WSC do?
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- Each group is autonomous unless their decisions affect other groups, or the entire Fellowship. Therefore, we have something called the World Service Conference (WSC), which has the responsibility to provide guidance to the meetings, the Board of Trustees, and issues affecting A.R.T.S. Anonymous as a whole.
- A.R.T.S. Anonymous follows the structure of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-Step programs, using the Twelve Traditions as the guide.
- The WSC does not govern. It is the embodiment of the group conscience of all the groups (meetings).
- Examples of things the WSC does (or might do)
- Elect Trustees
- Approve Literature (This is what is meant by Conference-approved Literature)
- Govern itself and set up its own Policies and Procedures. Determine the rules for Delegate selection. The WSC could elect its own Chair and Officers
- Work closely with the Board of Trustees to guide the operations of World Service Ask questions and propose solutions about financial decisions.
- Conduct Fellowship events such as workshops and art shares at the WSBC and at other times
- Work with the Board of Trustees on changes to the A.R.T.S. Anonymous Bylaws
- Create/revise/approve the foundational documents of ARTS (where permitted by copyright): Steps, Traditions, Concepts of Service, and/or the Conference Charter.
- Create and approve Outreach efforts and programs.
