Standing Committees of the S-Anon Board of Trustees

“The S-Anon Board of Trustees is authorized by the Bylaws of the S-Anon Family Groups to create the following Standing Committees: Executive, Finance, Literature, International Conventions, World Service Conference, Public Information and Outreach, Archives, S-Ateen, and other committees deemed necessary to carry on special work*. All members of all committees take as their first duty the obligation to adhere to their best understanding of the S-Anon Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Service in all actions taken on behalf of S-Anon.

“Tradition Four provides for autonomy, except where the outcome of the autonomy negatively affects S-Anon as a whole. Thus, the work done by BOT committees is done independently, but final review and approval of the committee work rests with the BOT.” [Taken from page 46 of the S-Anon/S-Ateen Service Manual.]

*In July 2009, the Board of Trustees voted to create a new committee, the Policy Study and Service Communications Committee.

Terms of Office for Standing Committee Chairs and Members

In general, Committee Chairs serve a term of 3 years and may serve one additional consecutive 3-year term. Term length for volunteer S-Anon members of Standing Committees is not limited by the S-Anon Bylaws. Additional information regarding committee membership is outlined below.

Purpose and Duties of Standing Committees

The purpose and duties of the Standing Committees that currently exist are detailed below. If you would like to serve on, or have questions about, a specific committee, the appropriate contact information is outlined below.

Executive Committee

Finance Committee

Literature Committee

International Conventions Committee

World Service Conference Committee

Public Information and Outreach Committee

S-Ateen Committee

Policy Study and Service Communications Committee

Archives Committee

Executive Committee

Mission and Responsibilities

The purpose of the Executive Committee is to administer the World Service Office (WSO). The Board of Trustees (BOT), which sets WSO policy, has given the Executive Committee the legal authority to make decisions regarding the daily affairs of the WSO and to ensure that the WSO is adhering to BOT policy. Members of the Executive Committee carry out the following activities:

Administer the daily operations of the WSO with the support of the Board of Trustees.
Meet monthly, or as needed, by conference call or in person.
Support the Executive Director using the members’ experiences, both personal and professional.
Update the job descriptions of the Executive Director and employees as WSO operational changes require.

Committee Membership

The Executive Committee is composed of the Officers of the BOT: the Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary. It also includes the Executive Director of the World Service Office. The Executive Committee is chaired by the BOT Chairperson. Only the Officers of the BOT serve on this committee; it is not open for additional members.

If you would like to talk with someone about serving as an Officer of the BOT, or you simply have questions about this committee, please email ExecutiveCommittee@sanon.org.

Finance Committee

Mission and Responsibilities

The Finance Committee provides stewardship of the funds received by S-Anon’s World Service Office (WSO). Members of the Finance Committee carry out the following activities:

Serve as stewards of WSO funds.
Assist the Treasurer in carrying out assigned responsibilities.
Meet monthly by conference call.
Review WSO financial results and key trends.
Evaluate WSO unbudgeted/unusual expenditures.
Develop the WSO annual operating budget for presentation to BOT.
Review/assist with annual WSO audits.
Work with the Treasurer and WSO staff to develop and implement sound financial procedures and systems.

Committee Membership

The Finance Committee is composed of the S-Anon Treasurer, who serves as a Trustee and an Officer of the Board of Trustees, and additional volunteer S-Anon members. Some background in Accounting or other financial processes is helpful, but not necessary.

If you would like to talk with someone about serving on this committee, or you simply have questions about this committee, please email FinanceCommittee@sanon.org.

Literature Committee

Mission and Responsibilities

The purpose of the Literature Committee is to assure that every aspect of the S-Anon program of recovery is presented in adequate, comprehensive, and consistent written material. Literature includes books, pamphlets, leaflets, and other material that is reviewed and approved for distribution through the WSO to our members, friends, professionals, and to the world at large, via the S-Anon Web Site.

Members of the Literature Committee carry out the following activities:

Make recommendations to the BOT on the short- and long-range literature needs of S-Anon.
Prepare and publish literature as authorized by the BOT.
Recommend and carry out procedures whereby written material is reviewed and prepared for Conference Approval.
Manage and update S-Anon Web site content.
Ensure the protection of S-Anon’s copyrights.
Obtain needed permissions to use quotes from sources outside of S-Anon Conference Approved Literature, as necessary.
Review and approve suggestions for minor changes to previously approved literature.

Committee Membership

The Literature Committee consists of a Chairperson, who serves as a Trustee-at-Large on the Board of Trustees, eight editors, the editor of the S-Anews (the S-Anon quarterly newsletter), and a webmaster. In addition, approximately 25 “readers” distributed across all regions serve by independently reviewing any literature that is being developed or revised and giving comments to the sponsoring editor.

If you would like to talk with someone about serving on this committee, or you simply have questions about this committee, please email LiteratureCommittee@sanon.org.

International Conventions Committee

Mission and Responsibilities

The International Conventions Committee provides guidance to international convention planning committees in an effort to ensure that the international conventions will proceed in accordance with the S-Anon Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts. Members of the International Conventions Committee carry out the following activities:

Assist and support international convention planning committees via telephone, mail, e-mail, and site visits, if necessary.
Review the program for upcoming conventions with a subcommittee of other BOT members, considering content and suggested speakers and providing feedback as appropriate.
Participate in debriefing meetings at the conclusion of S-Anon International Conventions.
Serve as an S-Anon representative to the SA/S-Anon International Conventions Site Selection Committee and coordinate the activities of S-Anon members of that committee.
Maintain and update the S-Anon Convention Guidelines and make that document available to international convention planning committees.

Committee Membership

The International Conventions Committee consists of a Chairperson, who serves as a Trustee-at-Large on the Board of Trustees, S-Anon members of the SA/S-Anon International Convention Site Selection Committee (a joint committee of SA and S-Anon members), and additional volunteer members of S-Anon.

If you would like to talk with someone about serving on this committee, or you simply have questions about this committee, please email ConventionCommittee@sanon.org.

World Service Conference Committee

Mission and Responsibilities

The World Service Conference Committee is responsible for all aspects of the annual S-Anon World Service Conference (WSC). Members of the World Service Conference Committee carry out the following activities:

Make arrangements for the WSC date, time, and meeting facilities.
Ensure that the WSC proceedings are recorded.
Ensure that each Area of the S-Anon Fellowship is informed about the World Service Conference, invited to participate and register a delegate to represent their Area, and provided a format for submitting motions to the Conference.
Develop the agenda for the annual World Service Conference.
Work collaboratively with the World Service Office staff in coordinating all details, mailings, and registrations.
Appoint a Chairperson and Secretary for the Conference and coordinate all services needed.
After the Conference, create a summary of the Conference proceedings and disseminate the summary to the Fellowship.

Committee Membership

The World Service Conference Committee is made up of a Chairperson, who serves as a Trustee-at-Large on the Board of Trustees, and volunteer S-Anon members.

If you would like to talk with someone about serving on this committee, or you simply have questions about this committee, please email WSCCommittee@sanon.org.

Public Information and Outreach Committee

Mission and Responsibilities

The Public Information and Outreach Committee acts as a liaison between S-Anon and the general population. The Committee’s goal is to increase awareness of the S-Anon program using S-Anon Conference Approved Literature, posters, and the S-Anon Web Site. The Committee serves as a resource for helping professionals, the families and friends of sexaholics, and individuals affected by sexaholism. Members of the Public Information and Outreach Committee carry out the following activities:

Develop tools and recommend activities designed to communicate with individuals and organizations to increase awareness of the S-Anon program.
Upon request, provide ideas, guidance, and support to individuals, groups, and Information Services Groups (Intergroups) in their efforts to facilitate outreach in their local area.
Reach out to the helping professional community by raising awareness of the S-Anon program and providing answers to specific questions using Conference Approved material for guidance.
Generate goodwill and facilitate the exchange of information between professional organizations and others with whom we must have contact to carry the S-Anon message of hope.

Committee Membership

The Public Information and Outreach Committee consists of a Chairperson, who serves as a Trustee-at-Large on the Board of Trustees, and other volunteer S-Anon members.

This committee is currently inactive, since no one is currently serving as Chairperson. If you would like to talk with someone about Chairing this committee, or you simply have questions about this committee, please contact the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees by sending an email to ExecutiveCommittee@sanon.org.

S-Ateen Committee

Mission and Responsibilities

The S-Ateen Committee provides information, guidance, and support to anyone seeking an S-Ateen group through the World Service Office. Members of the S-Ateen Committee carry out the following activities:

Correspond with inquirers seeking an S-Ateen group through the World Service Office.
Upon request, provide information on how to start new groups.
Provide guidance and support to S-Anon/S-Ateen members willing to sponsor and start a local S-Ateen meeting.
Refer individual teenagers seeking help to the nearest S-Anon/S-Ateen group.
Review new projects and proposed literature from an S-Ateen point of view, and share experience, strength, and hope with regard to any problems affecting S-Ateen as a whole.
Participate in drafting new S-Ateen literature.

Committee Membership

The S-Ateen Committee consists of a Chairperson, who serves as a Trustee-at-Large on the Board of Trustees, and other volunteer S-Anon members.

This committee is currently inactive, since no one is currently serving as Chairperson. If you would like to talk with someone about Chairing this committee, or you simply have questions about this committee, please contact the Secretary of the Board of Trustees by sending an email to ExecutiveCommittee@sanon.org.

Policy Study and Service Communications Committee

Mission and Responsibilities

The Policy Study and Service Communications Committee creates and reviews service materials, studies and discusses policy issues that affect S-Anon as a whole, and makes policy recommendations to the full Board. The Committee considers issues and materials with an eye toward the impact on the entire fellowship of S-Anon, and in light of our Concepts and Traditions. Members of the Policy Study and Service Communications Committee carry out the following activities:

Facilitate BOT discussion of policy issues and make recommendations to the full Board on Traditions- and Concepts-related matters and policies affecting S-Anon as a whole.
Review service tools (such as forms and possibly surveys) for adherence to existing policy and the 12 Traditions and Concepts.
Review and approve service materials (e.g., appeal letters, WSO updates).
Assure that all communications published are well written and professional in content and appearance.

Committee Membership

The Policy Study and Service Communications Committee consists of a Chairperson, who serves as a Trustee-at-Large on the Board of Trustees, and other volunteer S-Anon members.

If you would like to talk with someone about serving on this committee, or you simply have questions about this committee, please email PolicyCommittee@sanon.org.

Archives Committee

Mission and Responsibilities

The purpose of the Archives Committee is to preserve and organize historical S-Anon and S-Ateen material, making it available to the fellowship. Members of the Archives Committee carry out the following activities:

Assist the World Service Office in organizing and maintaining files of historical material.
Ensure that archival material that is only available on tape or CD is transcribed to make it more accessible to the S-Anon Fellowship.
Inspire a love for and create interest in the history of S-Anon and S-Ateen.
Make information available to the fellowship. Assist and inform the serious researcher, within the framework of the S-Anon Traditions.

Committee Membership

The Archives Committee consists of a Chairperson, who serves as a Trustee-at-Large on the Board of Trustees, and other volunteer S-Anon members.

If you would like to talk with someone about serving on this committee, or you simply have questions about this committee, please email ArchivesCommittee@sanon.org.

This page was last modified on 5/3/13.