Panel 76 Concrete Actions
I recently had the privilege of attending an outstanding presentation regarding AA’s relationship with the legal community. The conversation, featuring Class A Trustee Judge Kerry Meyer and ABA Commission on Lawyers Assistance Program Chair Yvette Hourigan, Esq., was an eye-opener. It highlighted a critical need: we must ensure our message reaches legal professionals through direct, person-to-person contact—carrying the solution only we can provide.
This focus on active outreach brings me to our upcoming rotation. As we step into Panel 76, how will we measure our success?
For my own position, I define success by two metrics: the depth of our Area’s engagement in vital 12th Step work, and how well-informed we are regarding the General Service Conference agenda.
I invite all incoming Committee Chairs to adopt a similar mindset. Let’s move beyond checking boxes and measure our effectiveness by the concrete actions we take to help the still-suffering alcoholic. Here is a vision of what that success might look like:
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Public Information (PI): Tracking the active rotation of Public Service Announcements in local media.
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Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC): Counting the number of professionals (doctors, clergy, lawyers) who receive person-to-person contact.
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Archives: Ensuring our history is protected while actively using it to provide background support for new motions.
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Grapevine/Literature: Measuring success through new subscriptions sold and the distribution of new literature.
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Technology: Evaluating how effectively our tools facilitate the actual work of the Area.
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Corrections & Treatment: Focusing on the number of facilities with active meetings and one-on-one volunteer contact.
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Translation/Accessibility: Ensuring interpretation is available for all communications and that every barrier to entry is addressed.
We have significant work ahead. However, I am fully confident that our Panel 76 volunteers, with the help of the Fellowship and our Higher Power, are more than equal to the task.
