National A.A. Technology Workshop

Organizing Charter and Principles

HomeOrganizing Charter and Principles

National AA Technology Workshop (NAATW) – Organizing Charter and Principles

Adopted 9/13/2026

Name

The name of this organization shall be the National A.A. Technology Workshop (NAATW).

Purpose

NAATW exists as a community of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) members who share experience, strength, and hope in applying technology to service the Fellowship’s primary purpose: to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

The Steering Committee and the annual workshop operate in accordance with A.A.’s Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of World Service and adhere to the NAATW Twelve Statements of Technology.

The purpose of the NAATW organization is to plan for and conduct an annual Workshop Event, as well as any associated supporting activities.

Membership

There are no dues or fees for membership. Membership in NAATW is open to any A.A. member who wishes to participate in the work of the Workshop or its committees.  

A voting member of NAATW is a registered attendee present at the Workshop Annual Member Meeting and any attendee, past or present, who attends an ad-hoc Workshop members meeting. 

Delegated Responsibility and Authority

Overall responsibility and operating authority for the NAATW organization and its activities, policies and procedures are delegated to the “NAATW Steering Committee”.

This Steering Committee is elected annually at the NAATW Annual Member Meeting by the voting members of NAATW.

Finance

There are no dues or fees for membership. NAATW operates through voluntary contributions, registration fees, and other income consistent with A.A. Traditions. 

NAATW will maintain a prudent reserve sufficient to cover approximately six months of ordinary operating expenses. The Steering Committee will review the amount annually to ensure it remains appropriate to the organization’s needs and financial stability.

Modification

Modifications to the NAATW Organizing Charter and Principles may be made by a two thirds (2/3) approval of the voting members at the NAATW Annual Member Meeting.

Dissolution

Should NAATW cease operation, any remaining funds will be distributed to A.A. service entities consistent with A.A. Tradition and the conscience of the Steering Committee at that time.

Term

A Workshop Period starts after the close of one Workshop Event and completes at the close of the following Workshop Event.

Steering committee

The Steering Committee (SC) serves as the principal group conscience between annual Workshops. It consists of elected officers and appointed members-at-large who carry out the business and planning of NAATW.

Composition

The SC shall include four elected officers—Chair, Alt-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer—and up to seven additional members.  Officers serve one-year terms and may be reaffirmed for a second year if the Steering Committee at large agrees that the continued service is in the best interest of NAATW.

The current size of the Steering Committee “roster” is determined by the SC and based on current needs. The number of Steering Committee Members should be, if possible, an odd number.

Vacancies

Mid-term vacancies may be filled by two thirds (2/3) vote of the Steering Committee.

Removal of Steering Committee Member

A member of the Steering Committee may be removed by a vote of at least three quarters (3/4) of the Steering Committee.

Meetings

The Steering Committee will hold regular meetings via conference call or other electronic format and may hold special meetings.

Decisions may be made when a quorum of at least fifty percent (50%) of the currently serving Steering Committee members is present at a meeting.

Regular Steering Committee meetings:

  • The Steering Committee meets at least quarterly and more often as necessary to conduct its business as called by the Chair.
  • A Steering Committee meeting may be cancelled without notice.

Special Steering Committee meetings:

  • A Special Steering Committee meeting may be called by the Chair providing a minimum of a three (3) week notice unless the Steering Committee unanimously waives notice.
  • Any two members may call a special meeting providing a sixty (60) day notice and a written purpose and agenda for the meeting. Notice for a special meeting is requested through the Steering Committee Secretary.
  • May be cancelled with unanimous agreement from the entire committee.

Nominations and Elections of Steering Committee Member

The Steering Committee Members will be elected at the annual NAATW Business Meeting in three sections.

  • Continuing Steering Committee Members.  The Steering Committee will present a slate of current Steering Committee Members for the upcoming term to the annual business meeting.
  • New Steering Committee Members.  Any remaining vacancies of the Steering Committee Roster will be filled, for each vacant position, at the annual business meeting by nomination and confirming plurality of voting members.
  • Slate of Officers.  The Steering Committee will propose a slate of four Officers for the upcoming term to the annual business meeting for disapproval, if any, by two thirds (2/3) vote of voting members.

Steering Committee Member, Positions and Subcommittees

The Steering Committee shall have at a minimum a Chair, Alt-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Other positions and subcommittees may be designated and defined as needed.

Each Steering Committee member:

  • Serve a maximum of five (5) successive Workshop Periods commitment.
  • Will be invited and is expected to participate with a vote in all steering committee meetings.
  • Technical and/or Non-Technical experience in conjunction with technology use in AA is preferred.
  • Service experience within the AA service structure. i.e. intergroup, conventions, conferences, and/or assemblies, would be helpful.

Chairperson:

  • Shall have served at least one prior Workshop Period on the Steering Committee, preferably in another officer role.
  • Shall chair Steering Committee meetings.
  • Shall chair the Annual Members meeting.
  • Is ultimately responsible for the Workshop program with input from applicable committees.
  • Coordinates opportunities for a positive Workshop experience.
  • Appoints standing committees chairpersons, to be ratified by the Steering Committee.
  • May form ad-hoc committees and appoint their chairpersons as needed.

Alt-Chairperson:

  • Service for at least one prior Workshop Period on the Steering Committee is preferred.
  • Convenes and conducts the monthly NAATW meetings in the absence of the Chair.
  • Assists the chairperson with carrying out duties and responsibilities.
  • Serves as host committee liaison.

Treasurer:

  • Service for at least one prior Workshop Period on the Steering Committee is preferred.
  • Produces all necessary annual, as well as, periodic financial reports for NAATW as a whole in a timely manner.
  • Tracks and allocates any funding for active Workshop committees.
  • Ensure that all Host committee expenses are consolidated in overall NAATW financial reporting.

Secretary:

  • Service for at least one prior Workshop Period on the Steering Committee is preferred.
  • Responsible for producing and keeping minutes of Steering Committee meetings.
  • Responsible for producing and keeping minutes of the Annual Members meeting.
  • Responsible for oversight of the NAATW mailing list and accompanying email service.