SPECIAL CONVENTION ISSUE
Convention Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. When and where is the convention?
A. Sat. Sept. 11 and Sun. Sept. 12, 1999, Berkeley, CA. The business meeting is Sunday morning from 8:30 to 1:30 at the convention conference center, 2001 Dwight Way. Check out the full convention information page.
Q. Who can attend the Sunday morning business meeting?
A. Every member of SOS/LSR can attend. You do not have to be an elected delegate to attend the business meeting. Disregard earlier statements that only delegates could attend.
Q. Is the business meeting controversial?
A. No. It is consensual. The convention and the business meeting / Delegates' Assembly grew out of a nationwide SOS retreat at UU in the Pines in Florida in April 1997. The event has been fully publicized in the SOS International Newsletter, the "official voice" of the SOS International Clearinghouse. Jim Christopher, SOS founder and Executive Director of SOS Inc. will be present and will make a report. Although some of the issues at the meeting may be controversial, the meeting itself is not.
Q. What are the main issues that will come up at the business meeting?
A. The meeting will set its own agenda. However, there seems to be consensus that the meeting will begin with reports from the meetings, from the Clearinghouse, and from LifeRing Press. The purpose of the reports is to allow everyone to get a factual overview of our current situation. Discussion of current issues will follow. Among the important current issues that face us are four big ones, namely (1) name unification -- can we continue to use two names (SOS and LSR) or should we unite on one; (2) autonomy -- how can SOS develop from its current status as subcommittee of CSH into an independent organization; (3) democracy -- should SOS/LSR members have a vote in the organization's affairs, and if so, how should the organization be structured; (4) priorities -- where should we put our principal efforts in the coming year. Each of these issue areas is covered in more detail in this convention issue; click here. If you have other issues, don't hesitate to bring them.
Q. Are the decisions of the business meeting binding on the meetings, particularly meetings that are not represented?
A. No. The decisions of the business meeting are only an expression of the participants' opinions and may have a persuasive effect on the rest of the organization, but are not authoritative or binding in any way. The meeting will be the only face-to-face forum where participants can get informed on current issues and where we can express our views on them. No collective decision-making process exists in SOS at this time.
Q. Where can I get more background information so that I can be more informed on the issues?
A. Right here! A 12-page background information packet went out by mail to every known SOS meeting convenor at the end of June, 1999. All of it is online here, if you didn't get a copy. Additional background material has been added since that time; it also is posted here. See Index, below.
Q. If I am a delegate, what should I be prepared to do?
A. Be prepared to give a brief report on your meeting, its attendance, format, history, and any issues that you want the meeting to become aware of. Acquire as much background information as possible prior to the discussion.
Other background materials:
Report to the Membership on the Trademark Litigation
About LifeRing Secular Recovery (LSR)
Proposed Structure for LSR (First Draft)