Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous ® Fellowship-Wide Services, Inc. 2000 Annual Business Meeting July, 2000 SLAA Annual Business Meeting Minutes Summary held in Houston, Texas There were 35 delegates from Intergroups and groups in the U.S. (including 1 delegate that represented both Colorado and Puerto Vallarta and 1 from Germany), 9 Board of Trustees, the Journal editor, 2 observers (non-voting members), 2 FWS staff members (voting), and 2 volunteers (non-voting members from Texas and Germany). There were 47 voting members present and 50 attendees in total. In total, 23 agenda items were addressed by the Conference this year. 22 Motions were addressed and one item for discussion was handled. 4 motions were passed. 10 motions were defeated. Their originators withdrew 3 motions. 5 motions were returned to committees. 1 item for discussion was brainstormed. Agenda Item Motions Voted On 00o03/97-13 The regular schedule of the ABC/M be a 4-day schedule unless the needs of the Fellowship be otherwise. (39,0,2) This motion passes. 00o06/97-16 Delete the word Addicts from the name of the fellowship, so that the fellowship would be called Sex and Love Anonymous. (0, 42, 1) This motion was defeated. 00o09/97-19 Contact the owners of the Mediation Book Answers in the Heart and find a way to make it available to the membership. (0, 42, 2) This motion was defeated. 00o14/98-3 Upon next printing add the S.L.A.A. Twelve Traditions to the following Pamphlets: Questions Beginners Ask 40 Questions for Self Diagnosis Sponsorship Addiction and Recovery Anorexia Motion withdrawn by the originator 00o15/98-4 Upon next printing, revise the Anorexia Pamphlet per the following: Add S.L.A.A. Twelve Steps Remove the 7 vertical bars and the FWS Address and phone number on the last page. Space permitting, add the S.L.A.A. Preamble. Motion withdrawn by the originator 00o17A/98-6 Include in all SLAA publications a copy of the A.A. Steps and Traditions to accompany the S.L.A.A. Steps and Traditions Originator accepted the amended motion. This motion was returned to committees. 00o18A/98-7 I would like our Fellowship to have written out in either pamphlet form or in an updated version of our big book (SLAA Basic Text-added by Business Meeting Items editor) a full description of the Traditions and how to apply them to our program. There was a motion to reject 00o18/98-7 (39, 2, 3) The two persons who voted against this motion could live with the decision to pass this motion, thus, this motion was accepted. Therefore, 00o18/98-7 was rejected by the previous vote. 00o19/98-8 A typographical error was clarified. The motion should read: "Change the qualification for delegates to the ABM." It currently reads: "Whenever possible, a Delegate should have a minimum of six months of continuous sobriety prior to the date of submitting qualifications and continue to the date of the conference." We suggest replacing it with: "Whenever possible, a Delegate should have experienced six months of continuous sobriety and attended meetings for two years." This motion was returned to committees. 00o25/98-16 A typographical error was clarified. The motion reads; "Create and sell 2-month chips." (38, 1, 4) The person that voted against this motion could live with the decision to pass the motion. The motion passes. 00o32/99-04 Amend 60/40 Pamphlet so it no longer says that FWS provides free literature to new groups. The originator withdrew this motion. 00o33/99-05 I make a motion that Patrick Carnes’ book, Sexual Anorexia, be on the approved literature list. (6,35, 2) The six that voted for this motion were able to live with the decision to defeat this motion. This motion was defeated. 00o01/97-1 The motion now reads, "Offer a version of the SLAA Basic Text whose cover is more anonymous or text free." Note the specific implementation of this motion is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. 1st vote: (32, 10, 3) There was no minority opinion offered. This motion passed. 00o02/97-11 SLAA may continue to be involved in the Interfellowship Forum. The originator of this motion requested this motion be tabled. This motion was tabled, and returned to committee. 00o04A/97-14 To include in the Basic Text no less than (25%) 1 in 4 stories about love addiction and anorexia when next revised. There was a motion to reject this motion, after discussion, the 1st vote taken. (33, 9, 4) Minority opinion was heard and a 2nd vote taken. (29, 12, 5) There was no change in minority opinion and the motion to reject motion 00o04/97-14 was approved. As a result of this vote, 00o04/97-14 was taken off the agenda. 00o05/97-15 To add to the SLAA Preamble and SLAA publications the following statement or amended version maintaining the intention of the statement: "Participating in doing service within the SLAA community, recognizing that we can only keep for ourselves that which we give away to others." The Service Committee made a motion to amend the above motion to read: "Add to the SLAA Preamble and publications the following statement: "Our participation in service, recognizing that we can only keep for ourselves that which we give away to others." Discussion was heard and another friendly amendment was requested, to add "within the SLAA community" to the amendment. The amended motion would read: "Our participation in service within the SLAA community, recognizing that we can only keep for ourselves that which we give away to others." The friendly amendment was accepted. The vote on the amendment (40, 1, 5) and the motion to amend 00o05/97-15 passed. Next was a vote on the amended statement "Our participation in service within the SLAA community, recognizing that we can only keep for ourselves that which we give away to others." There was discussion and another friendly amendment offered to change the word "only" to "best" to read: "Our participation in service within the SLAA community, recognizing that we can best keep for ourselves that which we give away to others." There was a suggestion to table the motion because of the ongoing concerns regarding the content of the motion but not intent. The Service Committee (its originator) accepted to table the above amendment. The motion 00o05/97-15 was tabled and returned to committee. 00o07-/97-17 Remove reference to God, substituting Higher Power in prayers, literature, suggested meeting formats, etc. There was a suggestion for a friendly amendment to read: "That in the creation of new literature from this time forward, the CLC shall use the terms "higher power" or "God/Higher Power" where appropriate in the text of any new literature, excluding personal stories, the steps and traditions. Individual meetings shall be responsible for the use of the terms "higher power" or "God/Higher Power" in prayers or suggested meeting formats in accordance with their group conscience and Tradition 4. After discussion, there was a first vote (6, 31, 7). After minority opinion, the originator of the amended motion wished to table the amended motion but desired it to go back to the committee for wording. However, he did not realize that we would return to the original motion if the motion to amend were defeated. We continued the process by taking a 2nd vote (6, 31, 8). The motion to amend was rejected. 00o07-/97-17 Remove reference to God, substituting Higher Power in prayers, literature, suggested meeting formats, etc. After discussion, a 1st vote was taken (1, 39, 5). There was no minority opinion, so the motion was defeated. 00o08/97-18 Edit the page layout to remove the page/chapter headers for any future editions of the SLAA Basic Text. Discussion was held and a 1st vote taken (8, 33, 5). After hearing minority opinion, a 2nd vote was taken (16, 23, 8). Even though, the vote indicates the motion was defeated, it was decided that this did not indicate group conscience. The conference was asked to vote on whether this was group conscience with a simple majority needed). The vote was 10 yes and 34 no. This motion was referred back to committee. 00o10/97-22 To make a questionnaire of all SLAA groups. After discussion, a 1st vote was taken (0, 45, 1). The motion was defeated. 00o11/97-23 Remove voting member status from Journal Editor role. See By-law Article V, Section 2- "The voting body of the Conference shall be composed of delegate members and members of the Board of Trustees, senior staff as interpreted by the Board of Trustees, members of the FWS Administrative Staff and the Journal editor." After discussion, Rob K. offered a friendly amendment. He asked to amend the motion to read: "To change the By-Laws Article V Section to read "The voting body of the Conference shall be composed of delegate members and members of the Board of Trustees, senior staff as interpreted by the Board of Trustees, and members of the FWS Administrative Staff." After discussion on the amendment and acceptance of the friendly amendment, a 1st vote was taken (15, 24, 8). The minority opinion was heard and a 2nd vote taken (20, 19, 8). The minority opinion changed and the new minority opinion was heard and a 3rd vote taken (18, 25, 4). Although this motion was defeated, group conscience was challenged. A vote was taken as to whether the previous vote was group conscience, a simple majority needed. This vote was 31 yes and 14 no. Because this vote indicates the vote to defeat 00o11/97-22 was group conscience, the motion 00o11/97-23 stands as defeated. The motion was defeated. 00o13B/98-2 "Approve the text of Traditions 1 as submitted below, as the only Conference-Approved version of this (these) S.L.A.A. Traditions." Gaelen offered clarification as the originator of the motion. There was no further discussion. Motion: Approve the text of Tradition 1 to read: "Our welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon SLAA unity." The 1st vote was taken (39, 0, 6). There was no minority, therefore the motion passed. 00o13C/98-2 Approve the text of Tradition 3 to read: "The only requirement for SLAA membership is a desire to stop living out a pattern of sex and love addiction. Any two or more person gathering together for mutual aid in recovering from sex and love addiction may call themselves a SLAA group, provided that as a group they have no other affiliation." There was no discussion and a 1st vote was taken (39, 4, 2). Minority opinion was heard and a 2nd vote taken (2, 36, 6). The minority had changed with the second vote and a new minority opinion was heard. The 3rd vote was taken (5, 33, 7). The motion was defeated. Discussion/Brainstorm Held 00o12/98-1 Issue for Discussion, No Recommendation Required. There is an inherent discontinuity of service (process fracture) to the Fellowship (and participation at the ABM) in the selection of delegates to the ABC/M. What are the refinements to the process to encourage continuity and participation of seasoned delegates? Rima B. described the problem of "process fracture." The conference was then asked to identify the problem using the method described in the CSM. Problem Identification (5 minutes) 1-Impacts committees, but especially a small committee 2-Process adequate as is 3-Members can continue in committee 4-Match delegate end time with timing of the ABM, shift the delegate term so that they begin in July 5- Local level more involved in passing the torch to new delegate-6-yrs. rotation 6- have delegate-elect be a committee member 7- Local level to do more to get delegate involved in committee immediately 8- Disconnect between delegate who has expense limitations 9- Dealing with slip and qualifications of the delegate 10- Teleconferencing for ABM for departing delegates 11- Fundraising nationally to support a 2nd delegate 12- Create a delegate-at-large at conference level 13- most people not represented because of costs 14- People need to pursue a seat on the BOT All other items have been carried over for the 2001 ABM. The full text of the 2000 ABM minutes will be published in the SLAA Conference Newsletter. See your Delegate to the ABM or Intergroup to obtain a copy. The Conference Charter Committee SLAA_CCC@slaafws.org