Report and Charter Committee Report - July 2026

Greetings Area 41,

Report and Charter meet four times since the April assembly. On April 19th, the Report and Charter met to prepare the background for the non-emergency floor action Agenda Item 2026-01-10 005 That past Delegates be granted lifetime voting privileges at Area Assemblies, effective immediately upon completion of their service term as Delegate. How to proceed was discussed then the background was prepared. The following is the background as submitted: Concept 4 – Voting representation in proportion to their responsibility that each must discharge. Past delegates are not a part of the Area 41 Committee and have no official role to discharge at Area (except chair First Timers Orientation or Chairperson). Page 29 in the Service Manual lists several ways that Delegates can participate - voting is not mentioned.

According to Tradition 2, our past delegates are to be an elder statesman (pg 135 in the Twelve & Twelve).

Tradition 9 (long form) states that, “Rotating leadership is best”.

Past delegates have the “right of participation” through their home group or any committee they currently serve on.

Is this just Area 41 past delegates, or any past delegates? As it is currently written, any past delegate can vote.

When voting on Area 41 agenda items, we use a simple majority (not substantial unanimity) to determine if an item passes. One vote can determine the outcome.

Concept VII – (note: this is a typo and should have been Concept XII)

1. Warranty One, we must recall we are protected from the calamities of too much authority by rotation.
2. Warranty Three, unqualified authority over others: voting representation equal to our responsibilities was created to protect us from absolute authority. At the end of the day, they are just drunks like the rest of us.

After research and discussion, committee members unanimously decided to take no action based on the fact this does not appear to fall in line with our traditions and concepts of AA.

On May 3rd Report and Charter met to discuss the final background that was to be published in the newsletter for Agenda Item 2026-01-10 005 That past Delegates be granted lifetime voting privileges at Area Assemblies, effective immediately upon completion of their service term as Delegate. None of the background that Report and Charter submitted was included in the final background to be published. The procedure for non-emergency floor items was read from the handbook. A member reported that a review of the past actions provided no additional information or guidance beyond what was in the handbook. Feedback that committee members had received from other fellows were discussed. The committee ultimately decided the next step was to email the Agenda Committee Chair asking for clarification on the procedure and why all of the background prepared by the Report and Charter Committee was removed.

The Report and Charter met on March 17th. The committee discussed an agenda item tracker that was built and shared with the committee to allow collaboration, and, as the name says, keep track of the items in Report and Charter. The agenda items voted on in April were discussed and the committee agreed to review and discuss via email. Next the committee discussed the response from the Agenda Committee Chair on Agenda Item 2026-01-10 005 That past Delegates be granted lifetime voting privileges at Area Assemblies, effective immediately upon completion of their service term as Delegate. The Report and Charter Committee Chair apologized for a typo in the submitted background and a misunderstanding with the Agenda Committee Chair that complicated this matter. There was much discussion including the lack of clarity on how this procedure works, the need for more education and possibly a workshop on this. A few past trusted servants were asked their opinion and the overall consensus was this is not the typical procedure. Concern was raised that not having the background from Report and Charter could negatively impact the ability to have a fully informed group conscience - especially members and groups that do not attend Area and rely on the newsletter. Multiple options were discussed. Ultimately, the committee agreed to move on and have a member read the background Report and Charter submitted at the microphone.

Next the committee discussed Agenda Item 2022-04-02 005 (n) That Area 41 make District Committee (DCM) reports available on the Area 41 website rather than printing them in the Newsletter. The printer has not responded with the numbers for bulk pricing changes. The committee then discussed the possibility of doing a trial run of newsletters without DCM reports to be printed along with the regular newsletters. A motion was made and approved to move forward with this agenda item as a trial run.

The Report and Charter Committee next met on June 14th. Feed back on the Agenda Item tracker was positive. Agenda Item 2022-04-02 005 (j) All documents distributed at or by Area 41 should have a revision date on them was tabled due to a member that had information to report not being present. Next Agenda Item 2022-04-02 005 (n) That Area 41 make District Committee (DCM) reports available on the Area 41 website rather than printing them in the Newsletter was discussed. The financial numbers from the printer were reviewed. Also discussed was how long of a trial run, how many newsletters should be printed, who should receive them, and what the next steps are. A member volunteered to polish up the financial numbers and send an email to the Treasurer for the Finance Committee to review, and the committee agreed. Another member volunteered to reach out to the Technology Chair and Webmaster to coordinate.

Report and Charter met yesterday with five in attendance. After an opening prayer and a review of the scope and procedures, the Registrar updated the committee on his work on Fellowship Connection. An update on the past actions was discussed. It was pointed out that several agenda items were missing that were resolved by taking no action. These have been gathered and will be reviewed by the committee for approval at the next committee meeting. Next the committee discussed agenda item 2022-04-02 005(j) All documents at or by Area 41 should have a revision date on them. The committee reviewed the research done by a member looking at the Traditions and Concepts along with the potential benefits and difficulties, what documents should be included and not driving by mandate. It was suggested this item can be placed under Suggested General Committee Procedures in the handbook. A motion was made to rewrite this agenda item and move out to the Area Body. The committee tabled this for a rewrite at the next committee meeting to allow for full committee participation.

Agenda Item 2022-04-02 005(n): Report and Charter (from FUNction Ad Hoc): That Area 41 make District Committee Member (DCM) reports available on the Area 41 website rather than printing them in the Newsletter was discussed next. There was discussion about what options were within our scope, if we should do a trial run, the need for the body to have a say, that this keeps coming up, ensuring access, and where the reports would be located on the website. This item was tabled pending consultation with the technology committee.

Next Agenda Item 2026-04-11 006 (Report & Charter and consult Technology & Communications): Review recent changes to Area 41 service material and documentation posted on www.area41.org without requiring logging into Member Services, and create a policy for what requires logging in vs being publicly available was discussed. First, the committee evaluated if it should be in our committee. After agreeing that policy matters are within our scope, the committee reviewed the past actions relating to the Technology Committee, and the items that are currently password protected. Questions were asked about what needs to be password protected, what can be public, and is there anything that is password protected that does not need to be? Further discussion and review is needed along with a joint meeting with the technology committee. This item was tabled and a member will reach out to the Tech committee to set up a meeting.

Agenda Item 2026-05-22 004 (Report & Charter): Allow for the option to vote electronically with virtual platforms during all area voting was briefly discussed next. Whether this is good and necessary was discussed along with the intent. Also asked was if this will create more complexity and delays and how to insure accuracy and verify voters. A report of potential

options was presented. This item was tabled for a lack of time and need for further research. Items tabled still in committee 2022-04-02 005 (n) That Area 41 make District Committee (DCM) reports available on the Area 41 website rather than printing them in the Newsletter.

Printed copies of the additional reports will only be printed as requested. 2022-04-02 005 (j) All documents distributed at or by Area 41 should have a revision date on them. Agenda Item 2026-05-22 004 Allow for the option to vote electronically with virtual platforms during all area voting. Agenda Item 2026-04-11 006 Review recent changes to Area 41 service material and documentation posted on www.area41.org without requiring logging into Member Services, and create a policy for what requires logging in vs being publicly available. Thank you for allowing me to serve.

Yours in service,
Zach I.
Area 41 Secretary