Ballot Proposals, Voting, and the Delegate Role

Dear Fellow ACA,

Each April, the ACA World Service Organization (WSO) holds an Annual Business Conference (ABC).  In anticipation of this event, all registered groups within the fellowship have the opportunity to create proposals of global interest that may then be considered for inclusion on the ABC Agenda. All pertinent information is being mailed to group contacts, as well as being posted on the Ballot Prep Committee page and in the WSO publications. If your group has not yet received this Call for Proposals, you may request it at BPC@adultchildren.org.

Mark your calendars

• August 2019: Call for Proposals OPENED– groups can submit proposals for potential inclusion on the agenda at the ABC.
• Register to be a Delegate at www.acaworldconvention.org
• November 30, 2019: Call for Proposals CLOSES
• January 2020: Discuss how your group would like to meet to discuss and vote on the proposals (see suggestions below)
• January 15, 2020: A Ballot containing Proposals is sent to each group for review and voting on whether or not they should be discussed and voted on at the ABC.
• March 31, 2020: Deadline for voting (Ballots must be submitted to WSO)

If your group does not have a delegate, you are encouraged to explore this role by visiting this link.  Otherwise, the Group Secretary may assist.

The Proposal Process
If a member or members of your group express interest in submitting a proposal for the ABC, you can assist in crafting a proposal. You may begin by reviewing the proposal guidelines.

The Ballot Process
Before the Ballots are sent in January, discuss with your group how best to address them. Ballots are sent to the group contact listed with WSO. If you are not the contact person enquire as to whether or not they have been received.

Discussing and voting on ALL the proposals could take a lot of time. Although we would prefer to encourage all proposals be considered, should your group find discussion and voting too cumbersome they may choose to prioritize the Proposals, addressing their most important, first.

Here are some suggested strategies for managing the group voting process:

• Set aside time to discuss a few proposals during or after the meeting each week
• Use business meetings: Set an agenda item “Proposal Voting”
• Organize an additional meeting: Agree upon a separate time (and possibly place) for interested members to address the proposals.

The Agenda Items
The Proposals that merit a place on the ABC agenda will be announced by mid-April. You may want to review those proposals with your group to ensure you are voting your group’s conscience. Keep in mind additional information may be presented at the conference which your group has not discussed. Your role is to vote for the good of ACA as a whole.

Then, during the ABC, discuss and vote on the proposals, either in person or remote voting.

After The ABC
Report to your group the results of the conference voting and your impressions of the experience. This may be a written or oral report, depending on your group’s decision.

Please note:
Teleconference trainings on the Delegate role are offered in the month prior to the ABC. All registered delegates will receive notification of trainings; the schedule will be posted in March on the host website www.acaworldconvention.org.

Questions regarding proposals may be directed to the Ballot Prep Committee at bpc@adultchildren.org

Questions concerning Delegates may be directed to the Delegate Training Subcommittee at dtsc@acawso.org.

There is also a FAQ page on the delegate role at:  https://acawso.org/2018/10/31/delegate-training-faq/.

In service,
Chris W.
DTSC Chair