In answering this question, an area may want to consider the words of Bill W., writing about our Fellowship as a whole in the pamphlet, A.A. Tradition, How It Developed: “We wish to be just as inclusive as we can, never exclusive.”  In recognition of Concept IV and the right of participation, most areas do welcome any A.A. member to attend Assembly meetings.

An A.A. member attending an assembly meeting will likely have a GSR there from their home group in attendance as well, so the member already has a voice.  But perhaps the A.A. member’s home group does not have an elected GSR or perhaps the member feels only they can convey what’s on their mind to the body.  Each area is autonomous in how they handle such situations.  Some have an established conscience or guidelines, taking into account Concept V and respect for the minority opinion, so that the member’s request to speak is acknowledged and the meeting can still ge through its agenda.

Such proposals come from many places within the Fellowship: an individual A.A. member, a GSR, a district, an area, or one or more areas acting together.  Such proposals accepted for the Conference agenda typically are assigned to the appropriate Conference committee or committees, where they are explored in depth before coming to the full Conference body.  Delegates will have had access to extensive background documents and time to discuss specific proposals with their areas in advance of the Conference meeting.