By-laws
Young People’s Groups in Alcoholics Anonymous began appearing around 1945 in Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, and now they can be found all across North America. In 1958, a meeting of young AA’s from across the U.S. and Canada started what is now the International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (ICYPAA), and it has met on an annual basis ever since. At the 1960 AA Convention, Bill W. noted that the age of new members was much lower than when he and Dr. Bob founded AA 25 years earlier. In a letter to ICYPAA dated June 15, 1969, Bill wrote “…in recent years I have found nothing for greater inspiration than the knowledge that AA of tomorrow will be safe, and certainly magnificent, in the keeping of you who are the younger generation of AA today.”
PREAMBLE AND MISSION STATEMENT:
Fresno County Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (FCYPAA) is a
committee sprung out of our 5th and 9th Traditions having a primary
spiritual aim—that of carrying the AA message to the alcoholic who
still suffers. We have no governing body and we ought never to name
boards to govern but we shall always need to authorize workers to
serve our fellowship. Our hope is to unify young people in our area
by practicing the principles of AA through meetings, events, and
outreach animated by the spirit of service and the necessity of
“absolutely insisting on enjoying life!”
MEMBERSHIP OF FCYPAA:
Only admitted alcoholics may be members of FCYPAA
and all members of AA defined in our third Tradition are eligible
for membership.
ALL ELECTED SERVANTS SHALL SERVE ONE FULL COMMITTEE TERM. Failure to
attend two consecutive FCYPAA business meetings or a total of four FCYPAA
business meetings per term, without prior notice to the Chair or Co-Chair
shall be considered a resignation of committee position. Any break in
continuous sobriety is considered a resignation of committee position.
No society can function without able leadership in all its levels, and AA can be no exception. It must be said, though, that we AA’s sometimes cherish the thought that we can do without much personal leadership at all. We are apt to warp the traditional idea of “principles before personalities” around to such a point that there would be no “personality” in leadership whatever. This would imply rather faceless automatons trying to please everybody, regardless. At other times we are quite as apt to demand that AA’s leaders must necessarily be people of the most sterling judgment, morals, and inspirations; big doers, prime examples of all, and practically infallible.
Real leadership, of course, has to function in between these entirely imaginary poles of hoped-for excellence. “Our leaders do not drive by mandate, they lead by example.” In effect, we are saying to them, “Act for us, but don’t boss us.”
COMMITTEE POSITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. REGULAR POSITIONS
I. CHAIR:
Shall arrange for and announce the agenda for all FCYPAA meetings; open FCYPAA
meetings and maintain reasonable order during meetings; recognize members entitled
to the floor; state and put to a vote all motions properly made and seconded; announce
the results of all votes; affix his or her signature to necessary committee actions;
and be one of two signatures on the bank account. Suggested two years of continuous
sobriety and working knowledge of 12 steps and 12 traditions.
II. CO-CHAIR:
Shall work closely with the Chair, assist the Chair during discussion by keeping track
of those who wish to speak; and, in the event that any position is not filled, shall be
responsible for fulfilling the duties of that position and/or find someone to do so. If
Chairperson is absent, shall be responsible for Chairperson’s duties. If Chair position is
left vacant, shall automatically assume position, including being a signer on the bank account
until election can be held. Suggested 9 months of continuous sobriety and working knowledge of
12 steps and 12 traditions.
III. TREASURER:
Shall keep accurate financial records of all FCYPAA transactions; submit a written financial
statement at each FCYPAA meeting, have in possession at the FCYPAA meetings all current bank
statements, deposits, and checkbooks; be prepared to make deposits, and checkbooks; be prepared
to make deposits and disbursements as determined by the committee; and be one of two signatures
on the bank account. Suggested one year of continuous sobriety, a job, a bank account, and a
home address.
IV. CO-TREASURER:
Shall work closely with the Treasurer; and is one of two signatures on the bank account.
If Treasurer position is left vacant shall automatically assume position of Treasurer.
Suggested one year of continuous sobriety, a job, a bank account, and a home address.
V. SECRETARY:
Shall be responsible for note taking in the form of minutes. Maintain and update a current
phone list of committee members. Provides copies of the minutes/phone list upon request.
Suggested sobriety is one year.
VI. CO-SECRETARY:
In the absence of the Secretary, shall accept the full duties of the Secretary and shall
carry out various duties assigned by the Secretary. Shall automatically assume Secretary
position if left vacant. Suggested 6 months sobriety.
VII. OUTREACH:
Shall have the responsibility to outreach all FCYPAA functions within our area and other
YPAA committees. Shall distribute all committee flyers. Be willing to travel and make
announcements of committee events. Suggested 6 months sobriety.
VIII. CO-OUTREACH:
In the absence out the Outreach Chair, shall accept full duties of the Outreach Chair and
carry out various duties assigned by the Outreach Chair. Shall automatically assume Chair
position if left vacant. Suggested 3 months sobriety. Can have multiple co-chairs.
IX. EVENTS CHAIR:
Shall find locations and arrange events that promote unity and recovery among young people
in AA, regardless of age. All events shall include an AA meeting. Suggested one year of
continuous sobriety.
X. CO-EVENTS CHAIR:
Shall work closely with the Events Chair. In the absence of the Events Chair, shall accept
the duties of the Events Chair. Shall automatically assume position if Chair position is
left vacant. Suggested 6 months of continuous sobriety. Can have multiple co-chairs.
XI. SERVICE CHAIR:
Shall act as our representative or liaison between FCYPAA and the General Service Office,
our local Intergroup, Hospitals and Institutions, and PI/CPC. Obtain letters of support
from the Area and local Districts. Shall report all Area and District events to the committee.
Suggested sobriety one year with knowledge of out 12 Traditions and willingness to learn 12
Concepts for World Service.
XII. CO-SERVICE CHAIR:
Shall act as an alternate representative when the Service Chair cannot attend. Shall accept
and perform full duties of the Service chair in his or her absence. Shall automatically
assume Chair position if left vacant. Will work closely with Service chair to ensure tasks
are completed. Suggested sobriety one year with knowledge of our 12 Traditions and willingness
to learn 12 Concepts for World Service. Can have multiple co-chairs.
XIII. BY-LAWS CHAIR:
Shall be responsible for knowing procedures and aiding in efficient conduct of participants
during business meeting in accordance with the FCYPAA By-laws; organize sub-committee meetings
when By-law amendments are requested by any FCYPAA member; and have a copy of the current
By-laws at every FCYPAA business meeting. Suggested sobriety 1 year with knowledge of 12
traditions and willing to learn 12 concepts for World Service.
XIV. CO-BY-LAWS CHAIR:
Shall work closely with the By-laws Chair and attend sub-committee meetings. In the absence
of the By-laws Chair, shall accept the duties of the By-laws Chair. Shall automatically
assume Chair position if left vacant. Suggested sobriety 6 months with knowledge of 12
traditions.
XV. GRAPHICS CHAIR:
Shall design and produce printed or web-based FCYPAA materials that require graphics,
including, but not limited to event flyers. Suggested sobriety 6 months.
XVI. CO-GRAPHICS CHAIR:
Shall work closely with the Graphics Chair. In the absence of the Graphics Chair, shall
accept the full duties thereof. Shall automatically assume Chair position is left vacant.
Suggested sobriety 3 months. Can have multiple co-chairs.
XVII. PROGRAM CHAIR:
Shall fulfill A.A. meeting obligations at FCYPAA events, which may include finding speakers,
readers, etc; maintaining meeting formats and timeliness; fulfills meeting Secretary position
at Event meetings, or finds someone else to do so. Suggested sobriety 1 year.
XVIII. CO-PROGRAM CHAIR:
Shall assist program chair with responsibilities and shall accept full responsibilities of
Program Chair when Program Chair is absent. Shall automatically assume Chair position if
left vacant. Suggested sobriety 6 months. Can have multiple co-chairs.
XIX. PRAYER CHAIR:
To remind FCYPAA members of the primary element of our service work. Responsible for opening
and closing all committee meetings with a prayer. In the event that personalities start to
precede principles, has full authority to stop committee meeting for prayer. Suggested
sobriety 90 days.
XX. CO-PRAYER CHAIR:
Shall accept and perform duties of prayer chair when absent, and will research appropriate
prayers to guide our committee in an inclusive, never exclusive manner. Shall automatically
assume Chair position if left vacant. Suggested sobriety 30 days.
XXI. LITERATURE CHAIR:
Act as the caretaker of AA literature and making sure it is available at committee meetings
and all events. Expanded functions include caretaking archive material, including documents,
flyers, memorabilia of all FCYPAA events and all events attended by FCYPAA operating as a group
or committee, most notably WACYPAA, ACYPAA, ICYPAA, as well as other CYPAA committee events
around our state. 3 months suggested sobriety.
XXII. HOSPITALITY/COFFEE CHAIR:
Make arrangements and suggestions for FCYPAA events regarding refreshments. Including, but
not limited to soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, cookies, cake, and entrees when needed.
Regarding coffee, responsibility to insure coffee is available at all times. If coffee is
not available, or there is no access to a coffee maker, will make emergency run to nearest
coffee house location for sustenance. Responsibilities include procuring silverware, cups,
plates, bowls, etc. Will submit receipts or budget to treasurer prior to event. Suggested
sobriety 6 months.
XXIII. CO-HOSPITALITY/COFFEE CHAIR:
Will work closely with Hospitality chair in assessing and procuring materials needed. When
Hospitality chair is absent or not available, Co-chair is designated to coordinate procuring
supplies in timely and fiscally responsible manner. Shall automatically assume chair position
if left vacant. Suggested sobriety 3 months.
XXIV. UNITY CHAIR:
Is responsible for hosting activities and meeting to promote unity amongst FCYPAA committee
members. These activities can be anything that brings members closer together and enhances
the spiritual atmosphere and sense of community within our committee. 6 months suggested
sobriety.
XXV. CO-UNITY CHAIR:
Is responsible for hosting activities and meeting to promote unity amongst FCYPAA committee
members. These activities can be anything that brings members closer together and enhances
the spiritual atmosphere and sense of community within our committee. 6 months suggested
sobriety.
XXVI. WEBSITE CHAIR:
Responsible for creation and maintenance of FCYPAA website upon establishment. Duties
include submitting ideas for updates and changes to be voted upon by committee to ensure
proper adherence to principles embedded in our Traditions. 6 months suggested sobriety.
XXVII. ARCHIVES CHAIR:
Responsible for taking pictures at FCYPAA events and activities, collecting pictures
and flyers and compiling a scrapbook to present to FCYPAA at the end of the committee
term. Suggested sobriety 3 months.
B. CONFERENCE BID POSITIONS
I. BID PACKAGE CHAIR:
Shall coordinate the completion, production, and transportation of FCYPAA conference
bid packages in accordance with the group conscience and conference bidding requirements.
1 year suggested sobriety.
II. CO-BID PACKAGE CHAIR:
Shall work closely with the Bid Package Chair. In the absence of the
Bid Package Chair, shall accept the duties of the Bid Package Chair.
Shall assume Chair position if left vacant. 6 months suggested sobriety.
III. FACILITIES/SECURITY CHAIR:
During conference bid package preparation, shall obtain commitments from at
least two appropriate facilities large enough to accommodate the entire conference.
Responsibilities include contacting and obtaining security company estimates for
FCYPAA events and ACYPAA conference bids to be voted on by FCYPAA. 1 year suggested
sobriety.
A. When not operating as a bid-committee representative, Facilities chair will also act as a liaison between FCYPAA and facility or group (to include YPAA) that we hold our business meetings at.
IV. CO-FACILITIES CHAIR:
Shall work closely with the Facilities Chair. In the absence of the
Facilities Chair, shall accept the duties of the Chair. 6 months
suggested sobriety. Shall automatically assume Chair position if left
vacant.
ELECTIONS
FREQUENCY OF ELECTIONS:
I. Annual elections for FCYPAA committee positions shall be
conducted during the first regularly scheduled business meeting
following the ACYPAA conference.
II. No officer shall serve more than 1 consecutive term in the same position.
ROTATING LEADERSHIP:
I. FCYPAA committee position elections shall be conducted using the Third
Legacy Procedure as outlined in the AA Service Manual.
PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES:
A. FCYPAA shall follow the 12 traditions and the 12 concepts for World Service.
B. FCYPAA members shall not take any actions individually or collectively without the consent of FCYPAA on behalf of FCYPAA.
Funds spent in the spirit of FCYPAA for FCYPAA events and co-hosted events
shall be reimbursed to committee members.
All FCYPAA financial transactions shall be made through its bank account,
if and when it becomes necessary for FCYPAA to establish a bank account.
FCYPAA shall maintain a PO Box for all correspondence. The treasurer shall
make sure that all the fees are paid on the post office box. All correspondence
shall be collected by the secretary.
The post office box, bank accounts and FCYPAA material should not be used
for anything other than FCYPAA business.
Any amendments, deletions, or additions to the Bylaws shall be discussed in new
business and voted upon by a 2/3rds majority vote by members present
Two committee members at every event must count and sign off on
the monies collected before handing it over to the treasurer.
In case of an emergency when a vote cannot be called, the Chairperson has
the right of decision in the spirit of FCYPAA and the AA Service Manual.
Two committee members at every event must count and sign off on the monies
collected before handing it over to the treasurer.
MEETING PROCEDURES:
A. AGENDA SHALL FOLLOW THIS FORMAT:
Meeting Opening /Attendance
Approval of Minutes
7th Tradition
Committee Reports
Old Business
Open positions recognized and filled
New Business
Announcements from the floor
Closing Prayer
MINUTES:
The Secretary shall prepare minutes for each meeting, noting old business,
motions, actions and other important items.
Copies of minutes are to be made available to every FCYPAA member at each
meeting and upon request from any AA member.
Minutes are to be read, corrected as needed, and approved by majority vote.
Minority rights do not apply to this procedure.
The Chairperson shall conduct the meeting in such a manner as to allow
the Secretary to take the most accurate notes possible. The group will
honor all requests for clarification from the Secretary.
REPORTS:
All reports shall be concise and well prepared.
All reports shall be provided in writing to the Secretary by the end of
every regularly scheduled business meeting.
MOTIONS:
Any member, except the Chair, may make a motion by stating, “I make a motion.”
Motions must be seconded, discussed and voted upon. Automatically following vote,
minority opinion is voiced. If one of the majority wishes to reconsider, a second vote
must be taken.
Motions may be withdrawn or amended by the member making the motion anytime
prior to the vote, provided the member who seconded agrees.
In discussion of the motions, the member making the motion has the right to
speak first and last on that motion. The chair will always ask for further
discussion before giving the floor to the member who made the motion to speak last.
If a second vote needs to be taken due to minority opinion, minority rights no longer apply.
If any vote does not show substantial unanimity, the chair has the right to entertain
tabling the motion. If the motion is tabled it will be the priority in “Old Business”
at the next regularly scheduled business meeting.
DISCUSSION OF MOTIONS
I. LISTENING
A. Questions shall only be asked at the conclusion of any speakers remarks
The only member who may interrupt a speaker is the Chair.
The Chair may only interrupt a speaker for these reasons: Speaking off topic
Speaking too long
Repeating the previous points at lengths
II. TALKING:
Any member may make a procedural motion at any appropriate break in discussion
The chair will open discussion by asking, “Is there any discussion?”
The member making the motion has the right to speak first and last on that motion
The Chair will call on members or guests who raise their hands to speak
The Chair will always ask for further discussion before giving the
floor back to the member who made the motion.
If at any time the Chair decides the discussion has escalated beyond
his/her ability to keep track of raised hands, the Co-Chair will keep a
list of all the people wishing to speak and follow the list until the
Chair can keep track again.
Patience, Tolerance, Understanding, and Love are the “watchwords” so
discussions shall be concise, courteous and dignified.
At the conclusion of discussion, the Chair will ask the Secretary to repeat the motion on the table and a vote will be taken.
VOTING:
Each FCYPAA member has one vote. The Chair of FCYPAA can only vote to
break ties. The Chair may not make motions. All officers must vote.
Abstention voting is permitted.
All decision must be reached by a discussion with an informed group
conscience and possible, substantial unanimity.
Automatically following a vote, minority opinions can be voiced. If one of the majority wishes to reconsider his or her position after minority opinions have been voiced, a second vote must be taken.
APPENDIX
In the event a situation or condition is not covered here, the Chair
or any other member may suggest a method of proceeding which shall be
temporarily adopted for that specific meeting upon acceptance by a
majority of the members present.
The Chair of the meeting is responsible for being a guiding hand in
implemented these guidelines for procedure. Should a participant persist
on holding the floor, without adhering to the requirements of these procedures
or should a participant persist in interrupting or otherwise disrupt the meeting,
the Chair has a right to say, “Will you please come to order.” If the discussion
continues, the Chair should declare the meeting adjourned.
The 12 Steps, 12 Traditions and the 12 Concepts of World Service precede all procedures covered here. It is not the intention of FCYPAA to violate any tradition or AA principle.