March 5, 2008

 Dear A.A. Friends:

             The Area 44 Mini-Conference will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2008 in South Plainfield, New Jersey at South Plainfield High School, 200 Lake Street.  To assist with your preparation for this important assembly, please find enclosed several pieces of pertinent information.  The Mini-Conference is a meaningful and timely Area 44 function because it provides an opportunity for your group’s conscience to be expressed on A.A. issues and concerns.  The collective area conscience can then be carried to the General Service Conference by your delegate along with the 92 other delegates in the United States and Canada.

             The 58th General Service Conference will be held in New York City, New York from April 27 to May 3, 2008 and has as its theme, “Communication and Participation – The Key to Unity and Self-Support.”  An estimated 1,300,000 A.A. members in 58,000 groups across the United States and Canada are represented by 93 delegates at the General Service Conference, which results in Conference Advisory Actions and produces Conference-approved literature for A.A. as a whole.

             The Mini-Conference topics enclosed with this letter were taken from the Final General Service Conference Agenda.  Our Mini-Conference will consist of presentations by trusted servants within our area structure, as well as open forums for sharing on each of the enclosed topics.  During the month of March and prior to the Mini-Conference, your Area Delegate will be providing Pre-Conference Reports, including background information, on the agenda topics noted.  Refer to our website, www.nnjaa.org, for upcoming events to ascertain schedules and locations of Pre-Conference Reports.

             It is essential that your group’s General Service Representative (GSR) conduct a group conscience meeting to discuss these topics and questions. Your GSR will then bring your group’s conscience to the Mini-Conference to share with other groups in our Area.  If your group does not have a GSR, the group chairperson, another group officer or an interested group member may conduct the group conscience meeting and bring your group’s feedback to the Mini-Conference.

             In conducting your group conscience meeting, you may find it helpful to refer to A.A. literature, some of which are listed below:

            1.         A.A. Service Manual/12 Concepts for World Service
            2.         2007 Final Conference Report
            3.         A.A. Tradition and How It Developed
            4.         Twelve Traditions Illustrated
            5.         Twelve Concepts Illustrated
            6.         A.A. Comes of Age

            Your group’s voice and vote are important and valuable to A.A. as a whole.   Please read the Mini-Conference flyer at your group meetings.  Remember, the Mini-Conference is not just for GSR’s, but for any interested A.A. member.

            See you all at the Mini-Conference!
 

In love and service,

John M                     
Panel 57 Delegate