Alternate Conference Delegate

Alternate Delegate for Region to the General Service Conference

The General Service Conference (GSC) of AA Great Britain (AA GB) is held when Delegates from all Regions that make up the service structure in GB, which includes CER, come together every April in York, UK to review annual reports and discuss future matters. Conference therefore defines both the service structure of AA and is the annual meeting of its representatives.

Conference is the practical means by which the group conscience of AA can express itself and deal with questions that affect AA as a whole. The Conference structure was created when Bill W. and Dr. Bob wanted to retire from actively leading AA. They turned over to the fellowship the task of answering questions pertaining to the running of AA, in a format that is still used today.

Conference is the time when the General Service Board (GSB) of the AA Structure (the Trustees, employees and GSO Management) report to the fellowship about the previous year’s activities and is the Annual General Business Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous GB. Refer to the Process Map for more details, with the latest PDF and animated versions available on our website.

The role of the Alternate Delegate

An Alternate Delegate attends Conference in place of a full Delegate in case the Delegate cannot attend Conference. A Alternate Delegate may only attend Conference as such once, but the eligibility of an Alternate Delegate to attend later Conferences as a full Delegate will not be affected by previous attendance as an alternate.

Any attendance by an Alternate Delegate will count as part of the three-year term of the Delegate whose place is taken and may not have the effect of extending the term of the Delegate originally elected.

Quality of sobriety and service record should be the guiding principles when electing Delegates. It is recommended that Delegates and Alternate Delegates have a minimum of five years continuous sobriety. An elected Alternate Delegate becomes a full member of region.

Alternate Delegates are an important part of the Delegates Team and are involved in the year-round Conference process and in preparing for Conference.