Regional Forums and Special Forums
Regional Forums originated in 1975 at the suggestion of the late Chair Emeritus of the General Service Board of Trustees, Dr. Jack Norris. They are weekend sharing sessions designed to improve communication and participation among A.A. service workers in a region, the General Service Board, A.A. World Services, Inc., the Grapevine Corporation Board, the Grapevine Staff, and the General Service Office Staff.
At the invitation of a region, four Regional Forums are held each year. Since the U.S./Canada service structure is composed of eight regions, a Regional Forum may be held in alternate years in a particular region on a rotating basis.
The location and agenda for a Regional Forum are decided jointly by the Regional Trustee, Area Delegates and G.S.O. The responsibility for direct contact with the hotel is assumed by a local A.A. Host Contact working with the Regional Forums Coordinator and Regional Trustee. The Regional Forums Coordinator at G.S.O. distributes registration forms and invitations to groups and service workers through the region and, working with the Host Contact and Regional Trustee, coordinates the details of the Forum.
A region may request a Special Forum which has fewer participants from the boards and staff over shorter time periods. Special Forums require the approval of the trustees' Committee on International Conventions/Regional Forums. They may be designed for remote, sparsely populated or urban areas. The Regional Forums Coordinator works closely with the Regional Trustee and Host Contact tailoring each agenda to local needs.
There is no registration fee for a Regional or Special Forum. The General Service Board covers the expenses of meeting rooms, transportation and hotel rooms for its board and staff personnel. In many places, area committees, districts and groups cover or defray the transportation and lodging expenses of the trusted servants representing them at a forum.
Forums are intended to be sharing sessions, thus no formal actions result. Forums provide unique opportunities to share valuable experience, ask questions and spark new ideas. Regional and Special Forums carry the A.A. message through service.
Regional Forums originated in 1975 at the suggestion of the late Chair Emeritus of the General Service Board of Trustees, Dr. Jack Norris. They are weekend sharing sessions designed to improve communication and participation among A.A. service workers in a region, the General Service Board, A.A. World Services, Inc., the Grapevine Corporation Board, the Grapevine Staff, and the General Service Office Staff.
At the invitation of a region, four Regional Forums are held each year. Since the U.S./Canada service structure is composed of eight regions, a Regional Forum may be held in alternate years in a particular region on a rotating basis.
The location and agenda for a Regional Forum are decided jointly by the Regional Trustee, Area Delegates and G.S.O. The responsibility for direct contact with the hotel is assumed by a local A.A. Host Contact working with the Regional Forums Coordinator and Regional Trustee. The Regional Forums Coordinator at G.S.O. distributes registration forms and invitations to groups and service workers through the region and, working with the Host Contact and Regional Trustee, coordinates the details of the Forum.
A region may request a Special Forum which has fewer participants from the boards and staff over shorter time periods. Special Forums require the approval of the trustees' Committee on International Conventions/Regional Forums. They may be designed for remote, sparsely populated or urban areas. The Regional Forums Coordinator works closely with the Regional Trustee and Host Contact tailoring each agenda to local needs.
There is no registration fee for a Regional or Special Forum. The General Service Board covers the expenses of meeting rooms, transportation and hotel rooms for its board and staff personnel. In many places, area committees, districts and groups cover or defray the transportation and lodging expenses of the trusted servants representing them at a forum.
Forums are intended to be sharing sessions, thus no formal actions result. Forums provide unique opportunities to share valuable experience, ask questions and spark new ideas. Regional and Special Forums carry the A.A. message through service.
