2021 Online Workshop

September 17-19, 2021

Theme: ‘AA and Technology in a Time of Change’

As we emerge from the pandemic: technology lessons learned, what worked, what didn’t and where we go from here

Flyer:

Click here to download the flyer.

Crowd-sourced Notes:

Click here to download the collaborative workshop report.

FAQ

All your questions are answered in the FAQ.

Birds of a Feather:

Birds of a Feather (BoF) sessions are informal meetings where attendees group together based on a shared interest or topic and carry out discussions without any pre-planned agenda.

Participants submitted a multitude of topics which were narrowed down to 4 via a vote. The four (4) chosen topics, in order of popularity, are listed below:

1. Anonymity in Social Media, Closed User Groups, and Open Forums (Breakout Room 4)

2. Digital 7th Tradition solutions (Breakout Room 2)

3. Persuading / Training AA groups to try the Hybrid format (Breakout Room 1)

4. Information on best practices for AA website SEO optimization (Breakout Room 3)

Full Program:

Click here for printable PDF (v3 / FINAL).

All times listed are Eastern US

Description	Speaker(s)
Friday, September 17, 2021 all times listed are Eastern US
7:00-8:00 pm – Tech Orientation During the event, a few different technologies will be available to communicate including Slack. A brief how-to will be offered during this time.	NAATW
8:00-8:15 pm – Introduction / Kickoff
8:15-9:00 pm – AA’s Coming of Age with Technology A history of AA service embracing and not embracing technology from 1955 to today.	Billy N.
9:00-9:45 pm – AA Around the World: Japan AAs adaptation of technology How Japan AA pivoted to online virtual experiences for their General Service Conference, 45th Anniversary Convention and AOSM – Asia Oceanic Service Meeting. Shared by the Japan AA General Service Board Chair, General Service Office GM, and Japan AA GSB Technology Committee member. * this session will be translated to English	Yuzo M. Fuminobu A. Hiroyuki K.
Saturday, September 18, 2021 all times listed are Eastern US
10:00-11:00 am – Tech Orientation During the event, a few different technologies will be available to communicate including Slack. A brief how-to will be offered during this time.	NAATW
11:00-11:15 am – Welcome and Announcements
11:15-12:45 pm – Now that We’ve Figured Out Virtual, Let’s Do Hybrid A sharing of experiences implementing hybrid (online and in-person) scaling from the home group to an area assembly.	Joyce C. Mike M. Tommy S. Laura S. Mike W.
12:45-1:30 pm – Lightening Talks Short presentations including: Converting the Intergroup landline to a web-based phone system, Technology to carry the message to institutions and isolated communities and Meeting Manager: Web-based Meeting Guide	Cindy M. John E. Jim B.
1:30-1:45 pm – Break
1:45-2:15 pm – TIAA Forum Update and Status An update on the TIAA Forum, where we are and what is in the pipeline.	Ross D.
2:15-3:00 pm – Open-Source Software Projects Update An update of open-source meeting management projects being developed by AA members in support of helping AA service entities make their meeting information available to Meeting Guide and on websites.	Tim R. Brian W.
3:00-3:30 pm – “Tech” Sharing Session Some additional Q&A and member-sharing time following the technical sessions. Let’s keep the conversation going!	All
3:30-3:45 pm – Break
3:45-4:45 pm – PI (Public Information) Discovered: Ensuring AA is found by those who need it Best practices for AA websites including SEO (how searches find your website), Google Business listings, and scrubbing documentation to protect anonymity.	Tim C. Jen W.
4:45-6:15 pm – Let’s Talk Technology with our General Service Office A panel of our General Service Office staff and AAWS Technology Chair will share and field questions about current and future AA technology initiatives..	Tracey G. Patrick C. Lorna G. Beau B.
6:15-6:45 pm – Break
6:45-7:45 pm – Birds of a Feather Sessions You will be polled on voting for your favorite member-submitted topics during the day. The top four topics and will be split into breakout sharing sessions you can join.	All
Sunday, September 19, 2021 *all times listed are Eastern US*
11:00-11:15 am – Welcome and Announcements
11:15-12:00 pm – Fellowship to the Rescue: The Inside Story of the First Virtual General Service Conference A panel of our General Service Office staff and AAWS Technology Chair will share and field questions about current and future AA technology initiatives.	Beau B. Mike W. Matt C. Greg T.
12:00-2:30 pm – NAATW Members’ Meeting The NAATW Steering Committee’s report back to the NAATW members. Election of new NAATW Steering Committee members.	All
2:30-2:45 pm – Sharing Session General sharing session to follow the conclusion of the member’s meeting. How was your weekend experience? Still have an unanswered question, here’s your chance.	All
2:45-3:00 pm – Break
3:00-4:00 pm – The 12 Traditions in the Digital World The different ways we can all take part in the weaving of the protective mantle that covers online AA.	Carrie B. Craig W. Billy N. Dee G.
4:00-4:30 pm – Concept 12: Vital Principles for Effective Teamwork Our spiritual foundation for AA’s world services, the Warranties provide us sound guidance on how to do the business of AA Service.	Buck R.
4:30-5:30 pm – How will Online Groups have their voices’ heard? A trending topic in our Fellowship, how can an online-only group with no physical address have a voice in AA’s General Service structure?	Jeff B. Jennifer B. Gayle F.
5:30-5:45 pm – Closing Remarks