Hi Arizona,
I know today is a day may of us have been waiting for: the end of the infamous 2020. I want to take a moment to ask all of us to reflect on the gifts of this year. Even in the middle of a pandemic, our groups welcomed newcomers, and our members all pulled together to keep our virtual doors open to better serve the families and friends of Alcoholics. I am writing today particularly to express my appreciation and admiration to all of you who participated in the Arizona survey. This survey was conceived by members of the World Service Conference’s Thought and Task Force in 2018 and 2019. We took it from there — from committee members who spent literally thousands of hours perfecting the survey to every single Arizona Al-Anon member who spent 10 or 15 minutes taking the survey, I got to watch you all come together in a bold and ambitious labor of love. One more time, I’m inspired by all of you who do what you can to make Al-Anon work.
Committee Chair Kathy M. and committee Vice-Chairs Clem C. and Sonya H. formed an executive sub-committee, driving the survey development. They met with the other committee members (Cecelia N., Hortencia B., Luly C., Magali L., Maria L., Teresa A. and Tom N.) twice weekly beginning in May. As the committee developed its plan, other needs came up. Our AIS chairs DRs, and GRs helped get the word out to our English- and Spanish-speaking communities. Dozens of members tested the survey while it was refined. Janet R., Debbie Y., Elaine S., Garth M., Betty R., Susan K., Peggy C., Maria C. and Maria O., as well as several committee members, offered aid to those who lacked technology or preferred to take the survey by phone. The committee asked for and received additional help from IT Coordinator Scott C., District 7 Representative Leticia S., EVIC Chair Marty M., SoAIS Chair Mike M. and Spanish Intergroup Chair Evelia V. Please know that Clem C., alone, has spent thousands of hours developing the online portion of the survey, with guidance by Scott C., writing code and developing the analysis spreadsheet, which is still in development, so we can extract data in the most meaningful ways.
I am thrilled by how each member thought outside the box and contributed to the success of this survey. We received more than 500 surveys, representing approximately 25% of our Arizona members. The committee is not going to rest just yet. The survey results and recommendations will be presented at AWSC in February and at the Spring Assembly in March. Before that happens all data from the surveys will be compiled, some using software and some by hand by the committee members. You will be hearing about topics, such as how you and your group receive information, how we communicate, how our members view and participate in service, and what some of the obstacles are that prevent our Area members from fulfilling their Al-Anon experience — all from the feedback you have provided.
For members who did not have the opportunity to tell us about your accomplishments and challenges, please know that there is always an opportunity to reach out to your Area trusted servants. We want to hear from you. My thanks to all who served. All your efforts will result in some recommendations that will improve the efforts of Arizona Al-Anon to help families of alcoholics.
Lots of love to every Arizona member,
Claudia M
Arizona Delegate
azdelegatepanel59@al-anon-az.org