WAMYPAA Statement of Purpose

A group of young people / young at heart,
being of maximum usefulness
in coordinating with fellow committees
for the primary purpose to stay sober,
and to carry the message to alcoholics with enthusiasm and earnestness.

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WAMYPAA Guidelines

                We, the members of the Western Area of Missouri Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (WAMYPAA), have adopted AA’s primary purpose; to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. WAMYPAA is a committee comprised of AA members, directly responsible to the young at heart within the districts of Area 39 of Western Missouri. WAMYPAA’s practical goals are derived from AA’s three legacies, striving to:

A.      Support recovery through the 12 steps of AA

B.      Promote unity among alcoholics of all ages.

C.      Encourage members to participate in AA’s service structure.

 

1.       Committee Operations & Responsibilities

§  WAMYPAA will consist of a chairperson and Alternate chairperson; any other officers deemed necessary to conduct business; and District Committee Representatives elected by their districts to serve on that particular committee; and any AA member wishing to serve on that committee

§  WAMYPAA shall hold an election for Committee Chairperson, Alternate Committee Chairperson, and any other officers deemed necessary to conduct business, following third legacy procedure as defined in the current AA Service Manual, at the Fall Assembly during even-numbered years. The Chairperson and Alternate elected within the committee will be presented to the Assembly by the Area Chairperson for consideration and approval. As WAMYPAA is not a standing committee, the chair will not carry a vote or submit a budget to the Area Treasurer.

§  Elected WAMYPAA Officers will serve two-year terms corresponding with the Area Assembly terms.

§  Elected WAMYPAA Officers with two consecutive absences, without prior notice given to the Chairperson or Area Chair, will result in them being removed from their position.

§  WAMYPAA will organize and set service goals focused on carrying the message and will be directly responsible to the Assembly. Any actions or major decisions affecting Western Area and/or Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole will require Assembly approval.

§  WAMYPAA will hold a quarterly meeting on Saturday of each Assembly weekend, and the Committee Chairperson will be responsible for giving a report at each Assembly on the activities of their committee. WAMYPAA committee members will not be reimbursed for overnight or travel expenses for attending the WAMYPAA committee meetings and/or Area Assembly.

2.       Committee Chairperson and Alternate Chairperson Qualifications and Responsibilities

§  A Committee Chairperson and Alternate Chairperson should have at least 2 years of continuous sobriety.

§  A Committee Chairperson will be responsible for projects involving carrying the message and helping corresponding district committees and district representatives get activities and work started at the district level to support and assist individual members and groups in the work for which their particular committee is responsible. In the event a district does not have a committee representative, the Committee Chairperson or Alternate Committee Chair will work directly with that district’s DCM.

§  The Alternate Committee Chairperson will assume the Chairperson’s duties when the chairperson is absent.

3.       Business and Voting Procedures

§  Voting members of WAMYPAA shall be anyone who is present at the committee meeting where the vote is taking place, and wishes to be a voting member of the committee.

§  A simple majority vote shall be sufficient to conduct usual committee business. A 2/3^rd ‘s majority shall be required to:

·         Remove a WAMYPAA officer who is not willingly resigning

·         Amend the WAMYPAA guidelines

§  A quorum for business will be those members present, providing notice of the meeting has been given.

§  When an agenda item has been discussed and is on the agenda for a vote:

·         There will be no discussion on the agenda item.

·         A vote will be taken.

·         After the initial vote on an item, unless the vote is unanimous, the minority opinion ONLY will be heard.

·         After all minority opinion ONLY has been heard, the Chair will ask if minority opinion has changed anyone’s vote. If it does change someone’s vote, there will be a revote. At this point the majority of votes will decide if the item passes or fails.

·         The agenda item may be put back on the agenda no less than 6 months after the date of vote for discussion only.

§  When an item has or is being discussed, and a motion has been made:

·         Discussion will cease.

·         The Chair will ask for a second on the motion. If no second, then discussion will continue.

·         The Chair will repeat the motion and a vote will be taken.

·         After the initial vote on an item, unless the vote is unanimous, the minority opinion ONLY will be heard.

·         After all minority opinion ONLY will be heard, the Chair will ask if minority opinion has changed anyone’s vote. If it does change someone’s vote, there will be a revote. At this point the majority of votes will decide if the item passes or fails.

4.       Guidelines and Amendments

§  Proposed amendments to these guidelines will be presented to the Chair in writing. The Chair will add the motion/item to the agenda for the next business meeting. After discussion, a vote will be taken.