Greetings Area 72,
First, I want to thank you all for such a great first newsletter of the new rotation. There were so many great articles. Great job to our area 72 ink slingers! I read the whole thing; part of my new job description. Also, spring is coming. That means PRAASA is right around the corner as are our Delegate Courtney’s Pre-Conferences and then the April Quarterly shortly after that. For those unfamiliar with PRAASA, it stands for the Pacific Region A.A. Service Assembly. Some history on PRAASA, it goes back to the 1960s shortly after the 1963 General Service Conference approved the multi-state grouping plan recommended by the 1962 Conference that organized the U.S. into six geographical Regions. Regional Trustees would be elected to the board as Class B Trustees. Shortly after that, this annual assembly was started to prepare the Delegates from the areas in the Pacific Region for the Conference, hence it’s in March or every year. Two years ago was my first PRAASA and I was like “meh.” After presenting last year and having such a great time, I couldn’t wait for this year, I’ve been all packed and ready for months.
Second, I am excited for the upcoming April Quarterly. I have the Agenda drafted and I am looking forward to hearing an update from the Newsletter ad hoc committee and continuing the discussion. As for the Conference, I am especially interested in the deadline date for Proposed Agenda Items for the 2026 Conference. Are they going to keep it at September 30 or move it into October? Either way, I expect we will want to revisit some alternatives at our July Quarterly as we digest Courtney’s report backs from the Conference. Anyway, I continue acclimating into the chair position and have had many conversations with many people since the Quarterly about the Quarterly, Robert’s Rules and serving in the chair position to the best of my capabilities.
Third, as for you fellow service nerds, come join me at Seattle Intergroup every first Sunday of the month at 11:00 am for the Service Manual Study where our past Delegates Astri T. and Alan F. lead us through the service manual line by line with robust discussion and Bob F. brings his homemade cookies. Also, come join me every Thursday night at 6:00 pm on zoom for the Pacific Region Service Nerds weekly service meeting. I have the privilege of serving on the committee with some other Area 72 servants and we have a great schedule. Every 1st Thursday an Alternate Delegate from the Pacific Region presents on the Tradition of the month, the 2nd Thursday a Delegate from the Pacific Region shares on the concept of the month, the 3rd Thursday we read the corresponding chapter in the new Service Manual (Month 3 = Chapter 3, and so on) and the 4th Thursday we have a special guest speaker on the Chapter we read form the previous week. For example, when we read the chapter on the General Service Office, we will have a staff member from the General Service Office join us and share their experience working at the office. And if there is a 5th Thursday, we have past Pacific Regional Trustees share their experience, strength and hope in service and on serving as a trustee. Our Past Pacific Regional Trustee Madeleine P. shared with us in January and former General Service Trustee Paul C. from Area 08 San Diego will join us the 5th Thursday in March. For those who have attended past PRAASAs, he is one of the more colorful panelists during the Past Trustee shares on Sunday morning.
And last and as always, please feel free to reach out as I am available to any Intergroup, District or Home Group to share on service and/or personal recovery, to facilitate group or district inventories, or assist in group resolution or just answer random fellowship and/or service-related questions. Just email me as I am always happy to be of service.
Derek S., Area Chair
