neveah moderated the meeting

neveah took the minutes  

Serenity Prayer

*Our Code of Ethics: 

To keep each of our meetings safe and productive, we:

Communicate our views honestly and respectfully on issues raised, especially controversial ones. We do not raise our voices, stoop to sarcasm, cuss, or try to bully others into our way of thinking.

Are tolerant when we differ. We share our meeting time fairly so that each of us has an equal opportunity to comment.

Are willing to put our egos aside when our opinions do not win favor with others. We are able to let go, trust our group conscience, and strive for the “unity and harmony that our Fellowship requires for the successful accomplishment of its primary purpose. Our service structure exists to support us” (per concept 6, from our draft ‘Framework for Living’) and works for the greater good.

Encourage one another by doing our part to maintain a safe and supportive atmosphere.

These points have proved to be our blueprint for success. We ask your cooperation in continuing these traditions as we work together in the coming months. Thank you for contributing your time and talents. Your Twelfth Step work is deeply appreciated!

(*used with permission from the Conference Literature Committee) (04/05/22)

Rules of Order:

Robert's Rules of Order are to be used in biz Meetings (3/11/99). Also: Please note how Robert’s rules of order are to be used: “In the interest of tackling all of the items on this agenda and allowing everyone the opportunity to speak on the extremely important topics, suggest the following format in this meeting: Each topic under New Business will begin with a motion being made: That motion will then either be seconded or set aside. Upon the motion being seconded, discussion will begin. During discussion, only friendly amendments will be accepted to the motion. An amendment will be considered a friendly amendment if the original provider of the motion concurs with the amendment. Everyone will be allowed one share on each motion presented. Each share will be limited to 3 minutes in length. The end of discussion will be the point at which a vote is taken. A vote was taken on following this format and the Motion passed. (2/15/07)

Announcements

None

Approve July agenda - APPROVED

Approve June minutes - APPROVED

Approve Treasurer's report - APPROVED

Read and review Liaison report - READ

Op Applications

None

Old Business

None

New Business

15 min Discussions of ABC/M Material in our GC BMs May-July.

From Agenda Second Version (containing even the new Motions and IFDs for 2026):

(NOTE! The Agenda Third Version - which will even include Motions based on IFDs that were discussed at the previous ABM, and any newer Motions or IFDs not in the Second Version - was due out June 22 but has not yet been released.)  

ITEM NUMBER     MOTION/IFD     DESCRIPTION     PAGE

26o01/19-02 Motion That the ‘HOW Step and Sponsorship Guide’ be approved and published. 6  (Discussed at May GC BM)

26o02/23-23 Motion That Authors/Writers of Literature submitted for Conference Approval or review by IFD, must confirm along with their literature submission that they meet a sobriety requirement of 2 continuous years of self defined sobriety, along with the definition of their self defined sobriety. 8 (Discussed at June GC BM)

26o03/25-18 IFD This IFD seeks Conference discussion on whether to approve S.L.A.A. Hopes and Promises to become one of S.L.A.A.’s Core Documents. 10 (Discussed at June GC BM)

26o04/25-19 By-Laws Motion Proposed change is to add a Section 5 under Article III. Membership. 13 

26o05/25-20 By-Laws Motion The general business sessions of the Annual Business Conference, called the Annual Business Meeting, shall be the Annual Business Meeting of the Corporation. 14 

26o06/25-21 By-Laws Motion Article V – The Fellowship-Wide Services S.L.A.A. Conference Charter, Section 5 – Conference Delegates. 16 

26o07/25-22 IFD This IFD seeks Conference discussion of "How should an Intergroup be Defined or Limited? 23 

26o08/25-23 IFD Current Contribution Limits 24 

26o09/25-24 Motion Conference Service Manual - Eliminate Conference Committee Conflict Resolution Process 26 

26o10/25-25 IFD Conference Service Manual Review Process Revision 27

26o11/24-02 Motion: Core Document Motion: proposed revisions to the “S.L.A.A. Preamble.” 30 

26o12/24-03 Bylaws Motion Motion: revision to "The 12 Recommended Guidelines for Dealing With The Media" 32 

26n13/26-01 IFD Structure and authority of the Conference Charter Committee (CCC) 37 

26n14/26-02 IFD Revise the Conference Service Manual (CSM), Conference Committee Conflict Resolution Process (CRP). 40 

26n15/26-03 Literature IFD “Recovery from Sex and Love Addiction for Nonbelievers" as a resource for S.L.A.A. members--especially those who do not believe in a traditional religious deity. 43 

26n16/26-04 IFD To discuss codifying that Motions/IFDs may not be used to comment on or provide feedback on another Motion/IFD (i.e., Literature) on the same ABM agenda. 44 

26n17/26-05 Literature IFD This IFD seeks Conference discussion of the draft document: “Sex and Love Addiction 46 — Two Threads in the Same Fabric.” 

Links to the texts given during the meeting or in advance by request to the Office at slaaonline@yahoo.com

Discussion:

<@troy> we have already discussed the first few items.

from email from troy with own short comments on items: 

From Agenda Second Version (containing even the new Motions and IFDs for 2026): 

ITEM NUMBER MOTION/IFD DESCRIPTION PAGE

26o01/19-02 Motion That the ‘HOW Step and Sponsorship Guide’ be approved and published. 6 (Discussed at May GC BM) 

- troy: I support this motion. 

26o02/23-23 Motion That Authors/Writers of Literature submitted for Conference Approval or review by IFD, must confirm along with their literature submission that they meet a sobriety requirement of 2 continuous years of self defined sobriety, along with the definition of their self defined sobriety. 8 (Discussed at June GC BM) 

- troy: I do not support this motion. I support that all willing members be able to contribute to the formation of new literature. It is the texts themselves that should receive review and finally conference approval. 

26o03/25-18 IFD This IFD seeks Conference discussion on whether to approve S.L.A.A. Hopes and Promises to become one of S.L.A.A.’s Core Documents. 10 (Discussed at June GC BM) 

- troy: My impression is that this has a long way to go. I am far from convinced that all the edits to the existing document are improvements - and I do not have strong feelings that the hopes and promises need to be in the core documents. The Daytona promises - which some groups use - was up for conference approval some years ago I believe - but did not become conference-approved lit. Despite some shortcomings, I personally like and am familiar with the Daytona promises - and if anything gets conference approved – I would support it being a basically unchanged Daytona version ... just my take! 

26o04/25-19 By-Laws Motion Proposed change is to add a Section 5 under Article III. Membership. 13 

- troy: I support this motion. 

26o05/25-20 By-Laws Motion The general business sessions of the Annual Business Conference, called the Annual Business Meeting, shall be the Annual Business Meeting of the Corporation. 14 

- troy: I support this motion. 

26o06/25-21 By-Laws Motion Article V – The Fellowship-Wide Services S.L.A.A. Conference Charter, Section 5 – Conference Delegates. 16 

- troy: I support this motion. 

26o07/25-22 IFD This IFD seeks Conference discussion of "How should an Intergroup be Defined or Limited? 

- troy: Although the current texts are outdated, I personally would support changes that encourage increased trusted service participation at ABM level rather than decrease or limit it. 

26o08/25-23 IFD Current Contribution Limits 24 - troy: I support this ifd. 

26o09/25-24 Motion Conference Service Manual - Eliminate Conference Committee Conflict Resolution Process 26 

 - troy: I do not know enough to have a strong opinion on this motion. My thought is that if the Conference Committee Conflict Resolution Process has historically been of positive assistance in conflict resolution, it would be unfortunate to delete it. 

26o10/25-25 IFD Conference Service Manual Review Process Revision 27 

- troy: In general, I trust and support committees and the trusted servants in them who step up and do the work. I do not in general support increasing the ability of other individual members to change/hinder/bypass committee work. 

26o11/24-02 Motion: Core Document Motion: proposed revisions to the “S.L.A.A. Preamble.” 30 

- troy: I support this motion. 

26n13/26-01 IFD Structure and authority of the Conference Charter Committee (CCC) 37 

- troy: In general, I trust and support committees and the trusted servants in them who step up and do the work. I do not in general support increased restrictions on them. 

26n14/26-02 IFD Revise the Conference Service Manual (CSM), Conference Committee Conflict Resolution Process (CRP). 40 

- troy: In general, I trust and support committees and the trusted servants in them who step up and do the work. I do not in general support increased restrictions on them. 

26n15/26-03 Literature IFD “Recovery from Sex and Love Addiction for Nonbelievers" as a resource for S.L.A.A. members--especially those who do not believe in a traditional religious deity. 43 

- troy: I do not have a strong opinion on this ifd. In general, I support every individual’s possibility to freely interpret “God as we understood God” in their own way. 

26n16/26-04 IFD To discuss codifying that Motions/IFDs may not be used to comment on or provide feedback on another Motion/IFD (i.e., Literature) on the same ABM agenda. 44 

- troy: I support recommendations/guidelines rather than codified rules to discourage such possible misuse of procedure. 

26n17/26-05 Literature IFD This IFD seeks Conference discussion of the draft document: “Sex and Love Addiction  — Two Threads in the Same Fabric.” 46

- troy: I support this document initiative. 

 <@neveah> I just wanted to comment on the IFD 26o07/25-22 that seeks conference discussion of "How should an Intergroup be Defined or Limited?" 

what I have gathered from my conversations with fellows in the program over the past several years when this motion was first submitted is that there is some bias towards virtual intergroups (Like us!) in that they shouldn't be allowed the same kind of representation as in person intergroups when it comes to the ABM. I disagree with limiting intergroup representation based on intergroups being virtual/online. I feel that it would be discriminatory in nature, and as a member of SLAAOnline for the past 13 years or so, I know we have been sending delegates/observers yearly for a long time - so I feel strongly that intergroup representation at ABM should not be limited if an intergroup is virtual, on many reasons, including presedence.

<@troy> - for info - here is the ifd in question:

26o07/25-22 Item For Discussion: 

How should an Intergroup be defined or limited? 

Intent: As the Fellowship evolves, Intergroups are also forming in virtual spaces, some of which may grow rapidly and span broad or undefined areas. This raises important questions for the Fellowship: Should guidelines be established to prevent Intergroups from forming solely around non-geographic criteria such as virtual space or shared recovery themes? Should geographic footprint remain the primary basis for defining an Intergroup? If non-geographic Intergroups (such as virtual Intergroups) are recognized, what principles should guide their formation and scope? How can SLAA maintain clarity, accountability, and unity in its service structure as different Intergroup models emerge? How should representation be considered when Intergroups vary significantly in size, reach, and rate of growth? What guidelines, if any, are needed to ensure that no single Intergroup model disproportionately shapes Fellowship decision-making? The intent of this discussion is to explore whether reaffirming geography as a primary organizing principle supports a more balanced and sustainable service structure, while still allowing for accessibility and growth in virtual spaces. 

<@troy> more info:  there will likely be more important motions and ifds in the 3rd agenda - hopefully to be published soon - such as the 2nd ed basic text.

10 min Open Forum

<@troy> great to see many members here at the gc bm. it makes a difference and helps us listen for hp's will for our group. service and participation is really rewarding! 

<@troy> wish also to plug for trad 7 as it is month 7! all contributions make a difference - both for the existence of our own group and enabling us to support slaa fws - fellowship-wide services' essential work. 

<@troy> recover as you can, give as you can, serve as you can.

Serenity Prayer

Meeting adjourned