Elected Service Positions
This Progress Not Perfection group was established based on the ACA publication, Guidelines for New Meetings.
Progress Not Perfection has voted to have a 6 month term for elected Officers and service positions. Service rotation gives group members the opportunity to give back what has been freely given to them. If no other persons stand for a position, and the existing elected servant is willing to stay in that role, they can be elected to successive terms. Our meeting is autonomous and can modify, change, or delete these guidelines as the group majority sees fit.
Our Second Tradition reminds us that our real authority in ACA meetings and service work is “a loving God as expressed in our group conscience.” Our leaders – chairpersons, secretaries, treasurer, group representatives, and the like – are not in charge. No one is in charge of ACA. We do elect trusted servants directly responsible to those they serve. They have no power. They serve the fellowship from the motives of compassion, love, and humility.
Bi-annual Elections for Officers and Other Service Positions
Secretary (Officer) - Suggested requirement of 1 year in ACA
Registers meeting with the Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization (ACA WSO) office.
Sends meeting information changes (new location, new officer, etc.) to ACA WSO and the Intergroup.
Opens and closes the meeting, unless this is delegated to another trusted servant.
Ensures the meeting room is set up and cleaned up.
Welcomes newcomers. Greets newcomers before meetings, talks with them after the meeting, and provides New Member Packets accordingly, unless otherwise delegated.
Responsible for the unity and safety of the meeting:
Prepares the Agenda and conducts business meetings.
Limits time of sharing by timer or other means when necessary.
Helps ensure “no crosstalk” rule.
Announces service opportunities at least one (1) week in advance of the opening and facilitate the election process for new or established service jobs.
Presents the Secretary’s Report/Announcements during the meeting.
Fills in or helps find temporary replacements for other services positions as needed.
Treasurer (Officer) - Suggested requirement of 1 year in ACA
Collects and records Seventh Tradition donations.
Pays meeting expenses including Zoom monthly subscription fee, domain registration and communication expenses.
Reimburses members who present receipts for literature, chips, etc.
Keeps a “prudent reserve” (usually one month’s normal meeting expenses).
After all expenses are paid, while maintaining a prudent reserve, and as approved by a group conscience, sends the excess funds to the local ACA Intergroup and/or World Service Organization to continue their work: telephone information, meeting directories, literature, events, etc.
Sends Seventh Tradition donations to the local ACA intergroup, region, and World Service Organization offices
(60% to Intergroup/Region; 40% to WSO).
Gives the financial status of the meeting to the members of the meeting as designated by the meeting format (weekly, monthly, etc.).
Related publications:
Suggested ACA Banking/Accounting Procedures
Delegate - Suggested requirement of 1 year in ACA
An ABC Delegate is an elected representative of a meeting or a WSO service body that is registered with WSO. Groups are autonomous and can decide for themselves who their delegate shall be, although it is highly recommended that the delegate have been a regular meeting attendee for at least a year and will be able to attend one of the Delegate Training sessions.
Delegates participate in the discussion and voting at the ABC as part of presenting the views of the group they represent. In addition to representing their group at the ABC, a delegate can serve in other ways.
In January, before the ABC, a delegate may assist their group by shepherding the Ballot process for the submitted proposals.
After the ABC, delegates can offer their insights, as well as their experience, strength and hope by participating in ABC surveys.
They may also be expected to provide a written report to their group.
A delegate may also be inspired to volunteer for a WSO Committee.
They may also offer their insights to a first-time delegate the following year.
Delegates who travel to an ABC may receive partial or full reimbursement from the group they represent, depending on the financial resources of that group.
Any member of the fellowship can attend the ABC. However, an individual group may have only one registered delegate. An exception is that two individuals may share the position of voting delegate for their group as long as they are both registered and have indicated how they will share their responsibilities, e.g., person A will cover the first day and person B will cover the second day.
Related publication:
2024 Delegate Guidebook
Service Coordinator - Suggested requirement of 1 year in ACA
Provides training on weekly meeting service positions for members wanting to participate in service.
Ensures service positions for meetings are filled.
Maintains the Service Roster
Answers questions about service.
Announces service positions needed for future meetings.
Assists with meeting security as needed and requested by the Tech Host and Chairperson.