Minutes for July 1st, 2025 at 9 pm ET
troy moderated the meeting
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 May minutes - APPROVED
Approve June minutes - APPROVED
Approve Treasurer's report (May & June) - APPROVED
Read and review Liaison report - READ
Op Applications
None
Old Business
None
New Business
Motion to approve the nominees as fully mandated SLAA Online Group Officers for mandate period July 2025 through June 2026 - APPROVED
Nominations received during May for the seven Officer posts:
Chairperson - troy
Co-Chairperson - No nominations received
Secretary - No nominations received
Liaison Officer - Anne
Webmaster - troy
Co-Webmaster - Lotus
Treasurer - Lotus
NOTE! No Officer posts contested - so no election held. All nominees are currently Acting Officers. This motion is to approve the nominees as fully mandated Oficers for mandate period July 2025 through June 2026
15 min Discussions of ABC/M Material in our GC BMs May-July.
From Agenda Third Version (items received up to June 8th 2025):
ITEM NUMBER MOTION/IFD DESCRIPTION PAGE
25o01/22-01 Literature IFD Discuss the proposed Second Edition of the Basic Text, “book” portion (everything except the personal stories). 6 - Item discussed at May GC BM
25o02/24-01 Literature IFD Discuss proposed new and revised personal stories for the Second Edition of the Basic Text 8 - Item discussed at May GC BM
25o03/23-06 Literature Motion Publish revisions to the pamphlet, “Anorexia: Sexual, Social, Emotional,” and update the corresponding anorexia Core Documents. 10 - Item discussed at June GC BM
25o04/20-04 Literature Motion Publish the book, “A Framework for Living: The Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous.” 11 - Item discussed at June GC BM
25o05/24-02 IFD Discuss proposed revisions to the “S.L.A.A. Preamble.” 12 - Item discussed at June GC BM
25o06/24-03 IFD Discuss proposed revisions to “The Twelve Recommended Guidelines for Dealing with the Media.” 14 - Item discussed at June GC BM
25o07/24-04 By-Laws Motion Update the F.W.S. Office address. 18
25o08/24-05 IFD Discuss proposed “Characteristics of Fantasy Addiction” and “Signs of Recovery from Fantasy Addiction.” 19
25o09/22-02 Literature Motion Publish the booklet, “Making the Most of Meetings.” 20
25o10/23-04 By-Laws Motion ARTICLE X: Specify what type of members may vote to approve indemnification. 21
25o11/24-06 By-Laws Motion ARTICLE X: indicate that FWS "Trustees" are "Directors" as defined by Texas law. 23
25o12/24-07 By-Laws Motion ARTICLE VI: indicate that FWS "Trustees" are "Directors" as defined by Texas law. 25
25o13/21-17 Motion Create the Conference Fantasy Addiction Committee (CFAC) 26
25o14/24-08 Literature IFD Discuss the proposed booklet, “Strengthening Sobriety Through Sponsorship” and retiring the current Sponsorship pamphlet. 27
25o15/23-12 Motion Group Conscience: To Print a 50th Anniversary Basic Text Second Edition Basic Text”. 31 - Item discussed at July GC BM
25o16/19-02 Motion That the ‘HOW Step and Sponsorship Guide’ be approved and published. 40
25o17/23-23 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. 42 - Item discussed at July GC BM
25n18/25-18 IFD This IFD seeks Conference approval of S.L.A.A. Hopes and Promises to become one of S.L.A.A.’s Core Documents. 44
25n19/25-19 By-Laws Motion Proposed change is to add a Section 5 under Article III. Membership. 45
25n20/25-20 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. 46
25n21/25-21 By-Laws Motion Article V – The Fellowship-Wide Services S.L.A.A. Conference Charter, Section 5 – Conference Delegates. 48
Links to the texts given during the meeting or in advance by request to the Office at slaaonline@yahoo.com
<@troy>
25o17/23-23 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. 42
this is controversial and likely unenforceable
the literature committee does not support this motion which could sabotage many literature projects
literature projects depend on many volunteer contributors ... often over several years
the extensive literature review procedures in themselves ensure quality
this motion would have a blocking effect and greatly reduce literature production
i personally would not support this motion
<+jules>
I agree. Doesn’t seem okay to me, or fair. Lots of people have less sobriety than two years but their stories are still important and worth sharing, and their input is valuable. We can learn a lot from each other in SLAA, regardless of how long we’ve been sober. Absolutely agree with you.
<@troy>
25o15/23-12 Motion Group Conscience: To Print a 50th Anniversary Basic Text Second Edition Basic Text”. 31
there is an ifd (item for discussion) re the 2nd ed basic text earlier on the agenda
i think this motion to print a 50th Anniversary Basic Text Second Edition Basic Text is here because some claim that the abc/m never actually approved a formal motion to print a new version
most members support printing a new version
some oppose any change
much discussion about how heavy editing and exactly what changes to be made
important that this motion is approved so that a 2nd edition basic text does not get blocked
i would approve this motion
<+jules>
Oh my, I didn’t know this. I support printing a new version and a 50th anniversary one but feel like this definitely should’ve been voted on properly, if it wasn’t. I think as long as the changes make the text more accessible and clear to read internationally, it’s a good thing. But I agree, not TOO much should change. Gotta keep the heart of the original text.
<@troy>
the current draft version up for ifd at the coming abc/m aims to do just that
the writing group has published an explanatory video describing intentions and process:
At this year’s Annual Business Meeting and Conference the proposed Second Edition of S.L.A.A.’s Basic Text will be discussed. With that in mind, the 50th Anniversary Basic Text Subcommittee (50BTS) — the team that edited the book — has created a video explaining the guidelines that were followed, the process, and examples of the work.
Click here to watch the video:
10 min Open Forum
Shortage of Ops discussed. Suggestion to reduce sobriety requirements for Ops to facilitate more Ops.
The formal way forward would be to submit a motion for the group conscience business meeting to slaaonline@yahoo.com proposing a reduction in the op sobriety requirement from current 3 months to for example 1 month. This can then be discussed and voted on for approval at a bm. Motions should be submitted at least two weeks before a bm to get on the agenda.
Serenity Prayer
Meeting adjourned