Technology and Communications Committee Agenda - January 2026

1. Opening

• Serenity Prayer
• Welcome
• Introductions
• Establish / update contact list
  (Area 41 Service Handbook, Section VI – Suggested General Committee Procedures)

2. Committee Orientation & Structure / Old Business

a. Select Committee Secretary

• Select a volunteer committee secretary for the rotation
• Read shorthand October meeting notes
• Ask for approval of October minutes
  (Area 41 Service Handbook, Section VI.B–C)

b. Acknowledge Prior Rotation

• Thank the outgoing Technology & Communications Chair for her service and for establishing the committee during the previous rotation
  (Area 41 Service Handbook, Section VI.H–J – continuity and documentation transfer)

c. Review Position Purpose and Responsibilities

• Review assigned Service Positions overseen by this committee:
  • Webmaster
  • A/V Servant
• Invite brief reports, if any
  (Area 41 Service Handbook, Section IV.B; Section V.A)

d. Purpose and Scope of the Technology & Communications Committee
Maintain clarity on committee scope as defined by the Area ((Area 41 Service Handbook, Section V.B.11):

• Maintain the Area 41 website in accordance with Website Guidelines
• Support the technological needs of Area 41 groups, districts, and committees
• Assist with the technological aspects of Area assemblies

e. Relationship to Area Assembly, Area Chair, and Other Committees

• Committee serves as a support and research body
• Final authority rests with the Area Assembly
  (Area 41 Service Handbook, Sections I–IV)

f. Committee Composition

• Chairperson
• Assigned DCMs
• Assigned Service Positions
• All interested Area 41 A.A. members
  (Area 41 Service Handbook, Section V.A.1)

3. Committee Procedures - Agenda Items

- How agenda items are assigned (Area 41 Service Handbook, Section VIII.B.5)

- How items are resolved or remain in committee (Area 41 Service Handbook, Section VIII.C)

The committee must report the status of an item in committee at every subsequent Area 41 Business Meeting. The status should be one of the following: 

A. Tabled waiting for: 

i. Clarification 

ii. Additional background material 

iii. Further discussion 

B. Resolved: 

i. Outside of Committee Scope

ii. Approved Within Committee Scope 

iii. Take No Action 

iv. Recommend to the Area 41 Committee (moved forward to the voting
agenda at the next Area 41 Business Meeting) 

4. Discussion of Assigned Agenda Items

Old Business / Continuing Items:

Email Subscriptions (2022-10-09 014 re. Email Subscription Service through Website)

     The committee reviewed limited feedback, with about half of respondents expressing interest in an email subscription option. While there is no practical way to restrict who requests a member login, offering protected content for logged-in users could be valuable. Member logins could also enable individuals to set their own email preferences.
    We have tabled this topic to gather more input—potentially through a survey of incoming servants—to better understand what information members wish to receive and how.

Equipment Purchases (2023-04-15 08b (Tech confer with Finance):

Create guidelines and answer Traditions questions for future Area 41 purchases of electronic equipment) 

     As mentioned in my last report, we will address the area equipment needed for hybrid assemblies first. We’ll begin by focusing on guidelines related to this equipment–owned by Area 41 to support assemblies–and will then address the broader issue of equipment purchases. A subcommittee of five members is identified and will meet this week to fine-tune an agenda item with our recommended hybrid equipment purchase. Most of our discussion centered on identifying the most essential tools to support hybrid assemblies effectively. 

Other Topics in Committee:

• Development of committee guidelines
  • Committee Guidelines and Website Guidelines:
    • Develop Technology & Communications Committee guidelines (consensus to date would be for these guidelines to be a committee document, not an area document, and to keep Website Guidelines separate). 
    • Review and revise Website Guidelines (area document) if needed. 
    • Ensure that items b., c., & d. from previous Website Committee scope are captured in future committee guidelines. 
    • Proposed general order/organization from previous conversations is as follows (which follows the structure of the revised committee scope):
      • Purpose - WHY 
      • 1. Website
        • Refer to Website Guidelines (which outline website content requirements) 
        • Redundancy 
        • Platform 
        • Job Description 
      • 2. Area Meetings
        • Hybrid/Online 
        • Other technology for use at Area? 
      • 3. Other Area Technology
        • Videoconferencing 
        • Apps/Other
          

Use of Area 41 Gmail accounts/Google Workspace: Ongoing discussion to clarify whether this practice is an operational responsibility within committee scope or whether it may warrant a recommendation to the Area Assembly for group conscience consideration, consistent with the Area 41 Service Handbook (Section VI.F)

How do we tackle the historical bookkeeping of past actions and prevent rework?

Community Support: Ongoing discussion regarding technological support of Area 41 Districts (and Intergroups) outside of Area Assemblies. 

New Agenda Items

2026-01-10 007 Agenda Item: Tech & Comm (and consult with Finance)– Purchase of Additional Hybrid Meeting Equipment

Area 41 will purchase additional equipment to support hybrid meetings and events, which allow for both virtual and in-person participation, in an amount up to $2,500 including tax. 

Proposed Equipment: 

• Two projectors 
• One laptop 
• One small amplifier 
• Six additional webcams with tripods 
• Cases for audio equipment storage and transport 

The AV Servant will be responsible for oversight, management, and storage of this equipment. 

BACKGROUND:

Per Agenda Item 2021-07-10 017, passed in January 2025: “The hybrid meetings will utilize some borrowed equipment from A.A. members for a period of one year… At the end of this period, the hybrid meetings would continue with the Area purchasing additional necessary equipment.”

This proposed purchase aligns with Area 41’s ongoing commitment to reduce barriers to participation, particularly for members who are unable to travel due to distance, health, accessibility needs, or financial considerations. It also supports the Area’s continued efforts to improve accessibility and inclusivity in service participation.

Applicable Traditions and Concepts include:

Tradition One: “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.” Providing a hybrid option strengthens unity and ensures members throughout the Area can stay connected to service and the group conscience process.

Tradition Three: “The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.” Hybrid access broadens participation by removing logistical barriers, allowing anyone with the desire to serve to take part in the Area’s business and service structure.

Concept IV: “At all responsible levels, we ought to maintain a tradition of ‘Right of Participation.’” By expanding our hybrid capability to be entirely self-supported, we help ensure that GSRs, DCMs, and trusted servants—regardless of geographic or financial limitations—can fully exercise their right to participate in the Area’s group conscience.

Since April 2025, hybrid assemblies have been successfully held.

Existing Equipment: 

Area 41 already owned the following equipment: three microphones and receiver, digital audio interface, and a Wi-Fi router.

Equipment Purchased Since January 2025: 

Noise isolator filter, six webcams, and three cables ($322.49 total).

Member-Donated Equipment Since January 2025: 

Audio mixer, projector stands, projector screens, receiver and wireless microphone set, all-in-one computer with wireless keyboard and mouse, tripods, ethernet switch, and various cables, extension cords, and surge protectors (estimated $1,200 value). All donated items are now Area property.

Estimated Cost Breakdown for Remaining Needed Equipment (amounts include shipping and tax where applicable): 

Two projectors - $1,499.98 

One laptop - $224.14 

One small amplifier - $61.05 

Six additional webcams with tripods - $318.42 

Cases for audio equipment storage/transport - up to $325 

Area 41 currently utilizes the hotel’s house sound, with the approved contract extending through 2028. If the Area chooses to meet in other types of facilities in the future, additional sound system equipment may need to be considered.

5. Planning & Next Steps

- Assign action items

- Identify responsible members

- Determine timelines

6. Schedule

- Set next meeting date and format → monthly cadence vs. quarterly

7. Closing

- Announcements

- Gratitude for service

- Serenity Prayer