Category: Meeting and Service Safety Ad-Hoc Committee

Committee contact:  [email protected]

Resources for Groups

• ZOOM Disruptions Suggestions For Meetings-2022 (updated to newest ZOOM security features)

• Zoom Guide Suggested For Meeting Set-ups-2020 (security protocols in document will update soon)

• Healthy Meeting Practices Lists
• October 2020 Town Hall Presentation On Safety
• June 2021 Panel Discussion On Domineering Behavior
• December 2021 Panel Discussion On Distracting Behavior 

About the MSSC

Floor Motion from the 2020 ABC:  Motion to create a committee to address fellowship safety for the immediate and continued purpose of providing guidance and resources to meetings transitioning between in-person and virtual meetings and addressing fellowship safety issues within all formats and venues during the current coronavirus pandemic and thereafter.

June 2020 Board Motion: In accordance with a 2020 Annual Business Conference motion, create an Ad Hoc Committee on Meeting and Service Safety, which initially will address safety issues related to virtual meeting environments during the coronavirus pandemic, and then develop a long-term strategy and potential resources to help the ACA fellowship effectively address other chronic safety issues. Unless extended by the WSO Board, the committee will expire May 1, 2022, following annual reports presented to the Board and ABC in April 2021 and 2022, and its tasks and agenda will include the following:

• Reestablish a Virtual/Online and Phone Subcommittee focused on issues related to electronic environments, with a goal of evaluating pandemic-related needs and drafting virtual and phone meeting safety guidelines;
• Hold organizational meetings and 1-2 online town halls to help assess fellowship safety needs;
• Fulfill all OPPM Committee organizational requirements, including drafting of a mission statement for board approval;
• Incorporate, coordinate and guide existing and prior safety-related initiatives, including the Addressing Predatory Safety and Virtual/Online Safety initiatives, into its mission;
• Communicate regularly with the board and any other WSO committees that might have a role in supporting meeting and service safety;
• Formulate proposed fellowship Norms of Conduct that provide practical guidance on applying ACA’s Traditions, Concepts, Commitment to Service, and any other rules governing WSO and other service bodies;
• Model and educate about healthy business meeting practices at all levels of service;
• Conduct training workshops on how meetings and service bodies can establish and protect safe meeting environments;
• Explore and propose additional tools and strategies to advance ACA meeting and service safety;
• Draft a long-term safety strategy for the fellowship, and present it to the board and ABC for consideration and possible action. 

Background: A floor motion at the 2020 ABC called for a new committee on fellowship safety, and WSO board members already had been developing a similar effort to give the fellowship additional tools and ESH for maintaining a safe, respectful environment in both meetings and service bodies. Recognizing the ABC’s specified focus on the proliferation of virtual meetings during the coronavirus pandemic, the Virtual/Online and Phone Subcommittee would address fellowship safety guidance and resources to meetings transitioning between in-person and virtual meeting. Further recognizing that safety concerns predated the pandemic, the ABC motion calls for continued long-term study, guidance and development of resources to help the fellowship support member safety in meeting and service environments. The motion is intended to address short-term and long-term safety needs.

Committee Mission Statement:
To address safety issues related to virtual meeting environments during the coronavirus pandemic, and develop a long-term strategy and potential resources to help the ACA fellowship effectively address other chronic safety issues.