The World Service Conference (WSC) is S-Anon’s annual business meeting where representatives from throughout S-Anon convene to make decisions on matters affecting our fellowship as a whole. Some frequently asked questions about the WSC are outlined below.  For more information about the World Service Conference, refer to Part 3 of the S-Anon/S-Ateen Service Manual, or contact the World Service Conference Committee Chairperson at [email protected].

View the World Service Conference Charter, a document that outlines the relationship of the World Service Conference to S-Anon.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the World Service Conference held?

Who can attend?

Which form of parliamentary procedure is used to conduct the meetings?

What is discussed?

Who can make a motion?

What motions are being considered this year?

What has the World Service Conference done in previous years?

Q. When is the World Service Conference held?

A. The World Service Conference typically occurs the Friday afternoon before the summer S-Anon Convention.

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Q. Who can attend?

A. Though only members of the World Service Conference (Board of Trustees, Delegates and Executive Director of the S-Anon World Service Office) are permitted to participate in the discussion and vote on motions, anyone from the S-Anon fellowship may attend the meeting as an observer to watch the proceedings.

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Q. Which form of parliamentary procedure is used to conduct the meetings?

Parliamentary procedure is a set of rules for conduct at meetings that allows everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusion.  During the meetings of the World Service Conference, the latest edition of Robert’s Rule of Order is recognized as the parliamentary authority.  Read an overview of Robert’s Rule of Order.

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Q. What is discussed?

A. In addition to reports from the Board of Trustees and its committees, the Delegates and others, members of the World Service Conference discuss and vote on motions that are submitted by members of the fellowship well in advance of the WSC meeting and considered by S-Anon groups throughout North America.  The latest edition of Robert’s Rule of Order is recognized as the authority governing the meetings of the World Service Conference.  Read an overview of Robert’s Rule of Order.

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Q. Who can make a motion?

A. Any member of S-Anon can make a motion on any topic that affects S-Anon as a whole. Motions must be submitted via a member of the World Service Conference, preferably a Delegate. If there is no Delegate, the motion is submitted via a Regional Trustee, and if there is no Regional Trustee, then the motion is submitted via any other World Service Conference member.

If you are interested in submitting a motion but aren’t sure how to contact a member of the World Service Conference, please contact the World Service Office. The motion form must be completed and submitted to the World Service Conference Committee no later than February 1 in order to be considered at the World Service Conference that July. Anyone considering submitting a motion is encouraged to work with his/her Delegate or Trustee to ensure that the motion is in order.  The latest edition of Robert’s Rule of Order is recognized as the authority governing the meetings of the World Service Conference.  Read an overview of Robert’s Rule of Order.

Download the motion form.

View a sample of well written motion.

To read more about how to submit a motion and how motions are considered, refer to Part 3 (Fellowship-Wide Decision-Making) of the S-Anon/S-Ateen Service Manual.

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Q. What motions are being considered this year?

A. Motion 1

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Q. What has the World Service Conference done in past years?

A. To view minutes from past World Service Conferences, click on the links below.

2022 | 2021 | 2020 |20192018 | 20172016 2015 | 20142013

20122011 | 2010 | 20092008 | 20072006 | 2005 | 2004

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