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
NAATW 2021 Crowd-sourced Notes: Download the collaborative workshop report.
To view media from workshop presentations, click the Session title.
FRIDAY, September 17, 2021
AA’s Coming of Age with Technology
8:15pm || Presenter: Billy N.
How AA service has responded to technology across decades (1955 to present), from early resistance and gradual adoption to the rapid changes forced by COVID-19.
AA Around the World: Japan
9:00pm || Presenters: Yuzo M., Fuminobu A., Hiroyuki K.
How Japan AA pivoted to online virtual experiences for their General Service Conference, 45th Anniversary Convention and AOSM – Asia Oceanic Service Meeting.
SATURDAY, September 18, 2021
Now that We’ve Figured Out Virtual, Let’s Do Hybrid
11:15am || Presenters: Joyce C., Mike M., Tommy S., Laura S., Mike W.
Compare practical approaches for moving from virtual meetings to hybrid formats that support both in-room and online participation for various service entities, from home groups to Area Assemblies.
Lightning Talks: Converting Intergroup Landline to Web-based Phone System
12:45pm || Presenter: Cindy M.
Convert an intergroup landline into a web-based phone system that helps volunteers answer calls remotely and reliably.
Lightning Talks: Carrying the Message to Isolated Communities
12:45pm || Presenter: John E.
Use online meeting tools and practical tech support to carry the message into isolated communities and facilities.
Lightning Talks: Meeting Manager, Web-based Meeting Guide
12:45pm || Presenter: Jim B.
Build a local meeting-management tool that keeps web meeting information current during rapid schedule changes.
TIAA Forum Update and Status
1:45pm || Presenter: Ross D.
Introduce the TIAA Forum as an online community for sharing technology experience, asking questions, and supporting AA service between workshops.
Open-Source Software Projects Update
2:15pm || Presenters: Tim R., Brian W.
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 Open Source.
Technology Sharing Session
3:00pm || Presenter: NAATW Members Sharing Session
Share practical questions, solutions, and follow-up ideas about Meeting Guide, WordPress migration, meeting data, Seventh Tradition tools, rotation, and technology service.
PI (Public Information) Discovered
3:45pm || Presenter: Tim C., Jen W.
Revamp Public Information service for the digital age by focusing on clear public messaging, searchable web presence, and cooperation with local committees.
Let’s Talk Technology With GSO
4:45pm || Presenters: Tracey G., Patrick C., Lorna G., Beau B.
A panel of our General Service Office staff and AAWS Technology Chair will share and field questions about current and future AA technology initiatives, including digital products, communications work, infrastructure, and cybersecurity priorities.
SUNDAY, September 19, 2021
Fellowship to the Rescue: The Inside Story of the First Virtual General Service Conference
11:15am || Presenters: Beau B., Mike W., Matt C., Greg T.
A panel of our General Service Office staff and AAWS Technology Chair share how trusted servants and technical volunteers helped move the General Service Conference into a virtual format under urgent pandemic conditions.
The 12 Traditions in the Digital World
3:00pm || Presenter: Carrie B., Craig W., Billy N., Dee G.
Explore how the Twelve Traditions continue to guide online meetings, digital service, virtual home groups, and technology decisions.
Concept 12: Vital Principles for Effective Teamwork
4:00pm || Presenter: Buck R.
Apply our spiritual foundation of Concept Twelve’s Warranties to teamwork, authority, money, decision-making, and shared responsibility in AA service.
How Will Online Groups Have Their Voices Heard?
4:30pm || Presenters: Jeff B., Jennifer B., Gayle F.
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?
NAATW Members’ Meeting
The NAATW Steering Committee’s report back to the NAATW members.
Election of new NAATW Steering Committee members.
PRESENTER(S): All members
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)