Delegate's Corner

The Area Delegate is your connection to the General Service Conference and serves as the voice of Area 03 at the Conference.  This page has a collection of communications from the Delegate, the General Service Conference, and the General Service Office.  It also serves as a place for the Delegate to pass along important information, news, and links.

Contact: delegate@area03.org

Welcome to Area 3 – Panel 76

Welcome to the Panel 76 rotation of Alcoholics Anonymous in Area 3. Whether you are new to AA, returning, or have been here for many years, you are welcome here.

To enhance communication, I asked our Tech Coordinator to set up a dedicated space for the Delegate on the Area website. I will do my best to keep it current, keeping in mind that my pipeline is bursting as I prepare for PRAASA (Pacific Region Alcoholics Service Assembly) and the 2026 General Service Conference.

The theme for 76th General Service Conference is "Humility in Action". I have been selected to serve on the 2026 Conference Committee on Corrections, and I look forward to my service.

The Presentations at the 2026 Conference are:
  • Restoration and Discovering Grace, Unity and Fellowship
  • Gossip vs Facts: Examining the Health of Our Own Communications
  • Finding Common Ground

Panel 76 invites us to find common ground in our shared purpose—to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. While our paths may look different, we are united by a common solution and guided by a Higher Power.

As we move forward together, I encourage everyone to come all the way in and sit all the way down. Stay open, stay connected, and remember that our strength lies in unity, respect, and love for one another.

Thank you for being part of Area 3 and for helping carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous.

I remain profoundly grateful for the opportunity the Area has provided me to continue serving both the Fellowship and the Administrative Committee. I hope to be guided by love and be steady in diligence by doing the work of an Area Officer. It is such a privilege, and I am committed to always doing my best for Alcoholics Anonymous.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of service, and I welcome any feedback you may have.

My upcoming schedule (for now!)

  • February 26-March 1: PRAASA
  • March 2-6: Distribute GSC Panel Topics to the Panel Chairs
  • March 7: Workshop District 14-141
  • March 14: Phoenix Fiesta del Tres Legados
  • April 10-11: Pre-Conference Assembly
  • April 26-May 2: General Service Conference
  • May 30: Post-Conference Assembly

    • With gratitude and in service,
    Larry S.
    Delegate Area 3 - Panel 76
    Conference Committee on Corrections


    News and Information Preliminary Agenda Topics for the General Service Conference:
    • This year 110 Proposed Agenda Items (PAI) were received by GSO prior to the September 30th deadline.
    • The final agenda topics with background information will be available to the Delegates by late February. I will send an email to the Area Panel Chairs when the topics are ready to be distributed to our Groups (March 2-6).
    Grapevine & Viña updates:
    • Carry the Message Subscriptions: As AA members we support the AA Grapevine/La Vina to be self-supporting by purchasing subscriptions. In addition to purchasing a personal subscription, the Carry the Message Project is an initiative by AA Grapevine, to help members share recovery resources with others. It allows individuals or groups to gift subscriptions of the AA Grapevine (English) or La Viña (Spanish) magazines to:
      • Alcoholics in correctional facilities
      • Hospitals and treatment centers
      • Members in remote or underserved areas
    • Intergroup / CSO sales of Grapevine and La Viña Subscriptions: The board approved a partnership allowing Intergroup, Central, and Area Offices to offer Grapevine and La Viña subscriptions, earning a 10% commission while improving member access. TBD on timing.
    Corrections
    • Sharing from Behind the Walls Newsletter: We are limiting our printing and mailing due to cost. We will continue providing physical copies in return letters to incarcerated members. If you would like to read it, digital versions are available on aa.org. Sharing from Behind the Walls | Alcoholics Anonymous
    Conference Inventory Implementation Committee:
    • The Inventory Committee met 2x a month Sept – Dec 2025. The committee will function as any other conference committee and provide recommendations accompanied by considerations to the 76th General Service Conference. The background will be provided like other agenda items.
    Literature:
    • Effective February 1, 2026, you will see a price increase of $3 per item for books and a 15% increase for all other literature items.
    • Plain Language Big Book is nearing its first year with 214,000+ print copies sold, 7,500 eBooks reported. The audiobook is moving forward, and a target launch in mid-2026 (cost estimated $10.5K)
    • 5th Edition Big Book: Aim to have a draft for the 76th GSC. New stories will be Committee Eyes Only. People who submitted will be notified if/when the Conference approves the book.
    • 4th Edition Spanish Big Book: Progress report will be provided at the 76th GSC, it’s getting close!
    • We are seeking stories of personal recovery from all members in the A.A. with ethnic or cultural ties to Asia https://www.aa.org/submit-story-asian-and-asian-american-alcoholic-alcoholic-pamphlet and from all transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, Two-Spirit, and gender non-conforming members. https://www.aa.org/submit-story-aa-for-the-transgender-alcoholic-pamphlet
      • Deadline for submissions: March 31, 2026
    Public Information:
    75th General Service Conference Final Report is available!
    • You can find all the reports from the different boards, trustees, staff, and information on the Conference Inventory online at aa.org and search "final conference report": Search Results for final conference reports
    Regional Forum:
    General Service Office Retrofit/Remodel:
    • The office shifted to remote operations on August 11, 2025, to support a planned retrofit, originally expected to conclude within 10–12 weeks. Construction was paused after asbestos was unexpectedly discovered. We will not be responsible for additional costs. The office will continue operating remotely and updates will be shared as timelines are confirmed.

    A Little About Money...
    AAWS/General Service Board Summary (YTD September 30, 2025)
    • Total operating revenue is $13,775,293 which is about 6% less than the budget of $14,608,870.
    • Total operating expenses before depreciation are $13,650,321, which is about 3% less than the budget of $14,059,309.
    • Operating surplus before depreciation is $124,971 compared to a budgeted surplus of $549,561.
    • Contributions are $7.08M which is 11% less than budgeted and significantly lower (13%) than 2024.
      Due to capital expenditures a 2.45M drawdown on the Reserve Fund was approved at the July 2025 board meeting (2.1M for retrofit and 350K for GVLV operations).
      • In December 2025, AAWS approved UP TO a $750K drawdown to pay outstanding bills, largely to our literature printing vendor.
      • The impact of the drawdown will leave the Reserve Fund between 4.5 to 5 months coverage for operating expenses versus a target range of 9 to 12 months.
    AAWS/General Service Board Financial Indicators Year to Date September 30, 2025


    Grapevine / La Viña Summary Year to Date September 30, 2025
    Numbers reflected below are based on the re-forecasted budget approved at the July board meeting.
    • Grapevine’s bottom line (GV Net Loss) (312K) has improved by 51% from this time last year. After the Q2 losses were reforecast at $300K.
    • Keep in mind our initial 2026 budget, expected a loss of $134,862.
    • App subscriptions grew 24% (17,057 vs 13,771), but print declined -8% (41,643 vs 45,492)
    • Subscription income is $31K higher than the reforecast and $51K higher than last year.
    • Total Gross Margin is $1.372M, which is an $111K improvement over last year and $32K higher than the reforecast.
    • Operating expenses (before depreciation) were $1.572M, $30K over reforecast but $227K lower than last year.
    • Total subscriptions are 192 above reforecast, but 563 lower than last year. As expected, digital and app subscriptions increased, while print subscriptions declined. (In Q3 we experienced a boost of 1,000 app subscriptions from the International Convention.)
    • GV Subscription income is above reforecast and higher than last year. This is primarily due to a prior price increase, as renewing subscribers are paying higher rates.
    • La Vina cost of service was $364K, $1K over budget, but $78K (18%) lower than the first nine months of 2024.
    • Year over year, La Viña subscriptions have grown and higher income from both subscriptions and content sales, while having reduced overall expenses.
      • Subscriptions for La Viña continue to do well with an average of 8,036. This is 1,050 higher than last year but is under forecast by 437.

    Grapevine Financial Indicators Year to Date September 30, 2025  


    Links

    Don't miss out...

    Area 03 Delegate Reports & Communications

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      General Service Conference Reports & Communications

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        General Service Office Reports & Communications

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