The World Service Conference (WSC) is the business meeting of Underearners Anonymous, a Fellowship that follows the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts. It is where Group Service Representatives (GSRs) from UA Meeting Groups and Intergroups, and the UA Trustees gather to discuss and vote on important issues affecting UA as a whole.
How Can My Voice Be Heard?
How Members & Groups Participate in the World Service Conference
As a 12 Step Fellowship, Underearner’s Anonymous operates on the concept of the Upside-down Triangle. The power rests with the members and participation is the stewardship of UA.
Members’ voices are traditionally conveyed by their General Service Representative.
What Is a Topic for Consideration?
A Topic for Consideration is a suggested course of action offered to the Fellowship as a whole by a group or individual. Topics for Consideration are proposed paths forward. Topics for Considerations may also be opportunities for members to be involved in concrete action at a World Service level.
They could be, for example:
a. a suggestion for literature like a Daily Reader.
b. a suggestion for procedure like “Chairs may not make motions”.
c. a suggestion for a new service like a phone app or newsletter.
The topics must be something that can be addressed at a World Service level. They are not:
a. to be directed at specific groups or individuals.
b. for complaining. See if you can turn it around to a positive action.
c. a demand. A specific request may be made, however, decisions are made by group conscience.
How a Topic Makes It to the World Service Conference
a. A group’s General Service Representative or an individual fills out a form linked above.
b. Those responses are put into a table for World Service Conference-approved and Trustee Committees to view. No personal or group information is visible in the table.
c. The appropriate Committees take the topics and create actionable motions. Sometimes topics from different groups are similar or overlap so a motion may include pieces from different submissions.
d. The Committees vote on the motions to prioritize them. Each Committee submits their motions for the WSC agenda. The GSR Committee submits their top 5 or 6 motions (depending on their complexity) after receiving feedback from their groups.
How Can Your Group Be Heard?
a. Does your group or meeting have a General Service Representative (GSR)? It is the GSR that submits your ideas using the form, Topics for Consideration. You may fill out the form individually by using this link, however, the message is strengthened by having a GSR represent your group conscience vote.
b. There is no one right way to come up with your group’s ideas, suggestion or topics. This is an opportunity for service, collaboration and collective action. Your group can dedicate a monthly business meeting to a discussion of ideas or create a working group or committee that meets outside of the meeting and brings ideas back to the group. However it is done, this gives you, the UA member, and your group a voice in how this fellowship is run.
c. Once your group has voted on the ideas, suggestions or topics that you would like to have addressed, your GSR will fill out the Topics for Consideration form and advocate for it in the GSR Committee meetings. If you do not have a GSR, a member may be designated to fill out the form. While all members are welcomed to attend GSR Committee meetings, only GSRs or GSR Alternates may speak and vote.
How Members & Groups Participate in the World Service Conference