Update For Policy-and-admissions – Apr 2025
Report for PAC – Policies & Admissions Committee – April 2025
Policy & Admissions Committee (PAC) Report April 2025
What We Do:
The Policy & Admissions Committee (PAC) assists new groups in registering and listing their A.A. meetings on the OIAA meeting directory. Our responsibilities include:
- Reviewing new meeting submission forms for completeness and compliance with directory listing guidelines.
- Ensuring that new meetings/groups retain a Traditions statement.
- Assisting new member groups in listing their Intergroup representatives at the time of registration.
- Helping meetings/groups regain their status for relisting in the OIAA directory or as Intergroup representatives if they have lapsed.
- Addressing complaints and answering questions regarding meetings/groups listed in the OIAA directory.
- Providing policy and guideline advisories to any interested parties.
What we did: Committee actions from to April 1 to April 30, 2025:
- New meeting submission forms reviewed: 92
- New meeting submission forms processed to listed completion: 42
- Meetings listed with an IGR: 4 (9.5% of April listings)
- Outstanding – waiting for reply: 23
- Declined listings: 4
- Sent to Steppers: 0
- Sent to PIC: 0
- Requested removal: 0
- Decided Not to List: 0
- Duplicates/Not a Listing/An Update/Hold/Spam/Already Listed: 23
- Complaints: 5
- OIAA policy/guideline advisory: 1
In recent months, we have observed recurring concerns around the handling of complaints—particularly those that challenge entrenched authority or originate from individuals perceived to be “outside the inner circle.” These concerns deserve careful reflection, not simply for the sake of resolution, but for what they may teach us about ourselves and our collective spiritual condition.
The Twelfth Concept of World Service offers six warranties, spiritual guarantees meant to protect the fellowship from misuse of power, financial mismanagement, autocratic behavior, or punitive actions. These include:
- We do not pursue authority, wealth, and power.
- We live by prudent financial principles.
- We are not dictators and are not placed in a position of unqualified authority over anyone.
- We seek substantial unanimity whenever possible.
- We are not personally punitive, nor do we incite public controversy.
- We are democratic in thought and action.
When complaints are dismissed without thoughtful discussion, or when Traditions are weaponized to silence concerns, we must pause and ask: Are we living these warranties? Are we staying rooted in selfless service, or are we becoming defensive, exclusive, or self-protective?
OIAA is not a policing body. But we are also not immune to the spiritual pitfalls of power and ego. Our response to conflict—particularly internal conflict—can and should reflect our shared values. We can neither become a court nor a clique.
Instead, let us commit to transparency, fairness, and inclusivity—not as legal obligations, but as spiritual principles that safeguard unity and trust. To do less is to risk making service unsafe for the very people we hope to attract and serve.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Beth D. and Jan BB, OIAA PAC
