As one progresses through the service structure, the opportunity to become Conference Delegate will arise. Especially if there is a glaring vacancy, it can be tempting to leap in. The desire to do service and benefit the fellowship should be lauded and encouraged, but not every job is right for every person at all times.
This is usually not wise. The decision must be taken with considerable thought and with consultation with past delegates.
Why?
Firstly, the job is very difficult. One is asked to form and express views and engage with the views of others on any aspect of AA operation, including all the way down to Sub-Committees to the Board. Unless one has the experience, one is not qualified.
Secondly, the job is very responsible; the work affects the fellowship in the long-term.
Thirdly, once you’ve done it, that’s it: you cannot do it again. The question is therefore whether it is better for the fellowship to take the job now or take the job in ten, twenty, thirty, or forty years’ time.
Here are the requirements I believe one should meet to become a Conference Delegate, and the requirements I myself met when I became Conference Delegate. Even having met the requirements, the job was tough—at least, the job is tough if one is to discharge one’s duties properly.
1. Perform all steering committee jobs at group level, more than once. This particularly includes treasurer, secretary, chair, and GSR. One should have thoroughly got the hang of these roles and experienced and solved enough problems satisfactorily to consider the impact on group operation of measures proposed at Conference.
2. Attend Intergroup as GSR for two rotations before taking on a role at Intergroup. It is important to understand the operation of Intergroup and observe proceedings before getting involved as an officer. This enables one to see what works and what doesn’t work before becoming one of the players with a ‘dog in the race’. I was a good Intergroup chair because I had seen both good and terrible Intergroup chairs for around twelve years before I took the role.
3. Perform at least two terms as Intergroup officer, one steering-committee and one outward-facing (so treasurer, secretary, chair, public information, armed services liaison, etc.) It can be helpful also have experience chairing Intergroup events committees or to be on the committee for local conventions.
4. Take the role of Region Representative. Again, it is ideal to observe the operation of Region for one term at least before taking on a role as officer. Once the role as Region Representative is up, perform at least two terms as Region officer, one steering-committee and one outward facing (so treasurer, secretary, chair, public information, armed services liaison, etc.) It can be helpful also have experience chairing Region events committees or to be on the committee for service workshops, etc.
5. As a Region officer, one should attend the relevant national meetings. This may involve taking a role on a national sub-committee. This is a further three years’ work.
6. Then comes the job of Alternate Delegate. This gives one the opportunity to run through the process of preparing for Conference on one or more occasions before becoming Conference Delegate. Of course, Alternates can have to step in if a Conference Delegate pulls out, so it’s possible to go from the frying pan into the fire first go (which is what happened to me), but starting as Alternate is nonetheless wise.
The above, I believe, are the requirements. The manuals for AA in GB are much lighter on requirements, but if one considers who will be better as a Delegate, someone without the above experience or someone with, the answer becomes clear. The role is there to benefit the fellowship, not the individual, although the individual benefits, and the individual must decide themselves whether they have acquired sufficient experience and whether now is the best phase of their life and in fact better than waiting a few years. I held back for about fifteen years after first being asked to become Delegate. A reminder: one has only one shot at this. Regions are very quick to vote people into such roles (as they are quick to vote people into any roles), so the support or endorsement of the Region is not necessarily an indication that one does indeed have the experience. Most people at Region have not been Conference Delegates and do not know from experience what is required.
There are also some personal considerations:
1. One should, of course, have completed the Steps, and have done so many years ago. A degree of durable emotional stability and stability in one’s relationship with the fellowship needs to be demonstrated. It is possible that the commitment will be for up to four or even five years (if one attends Alternate and becomes Conference Chair), and so a good four or five years of track record is sensible. No wobbles. No close calls.
2. One should have a thorough knowledge of the Traditions and Concepts. This means studying them thoroughly and then spending a good five to ten years applying them in practice in the fellowship and in one’s life. This cannot be short-circuited. One has to be patient to let situations arise to acquire sufficient experience. One will need to be able to spot and understanding how to apply the Traditions and Concepts in real time in Committee meetings and in the Plenary meeting at Conference. There’s no time to think or look something up. One has to be at the top of one’s game.
3. Desirable but not strictly necessary: corporate or management experience in the private or public sectors; involvement in higher-level decision-making; the skills involved in leadership (see Bill W’s essay on the leadership contained in his essays on the Twelve Concepts).
What an order!
Yes.
It’s a unique role, and a profound responsibility, not to be taken on quickly or lightly, even if there is pressure or there is a vacancy that the Region is having trouble filling. Best to leave the vacancy unfilled than to leap in, unprepared. There’s no room for personal ambition. If one is flattered by the prospect, don’t do it. If one is excited by the prospect, don’t do it.