The following commentary was prepared by a past CNIA Delegate for the 1991 Election Assembly.

In a very short time we will be gathered together at the election assembly. This assembly will consist of the outgoing and incoming Panel District Committee Members and General Service Representatives. Some of you have either already been elected or are in the process of being elected by the districts and groups.

At this assembly you will have the privilege of carrying out one of your most important responsibilities to the group and district you represent and to AA as a whole. That is to participate in the election of the next Panel’s area officers and delegate who will serve CNIA for the next two years.

This is one of the few times we get to take the inventory of others and then act on it. This is basically what you are doing when considering how you will vote. I ask myself the following questions before I vote.

• Do they have the leadership qualifications described in Concept IX?
• Do they have the time available to give what is necessary to do the job? (All jobs are different, some very demanding.)
• What have they demonstrated in the past regarding willingness, dedication, promptness, commitment and reliability?
• Do they listen, are they teachable or do they already know everything?
• Are they a good example of the AA fellowship and sobriety?

As I look back over the last four years and take my own inventory (which I won’t publish), I have been one of your elected servants and it has been up to me to learn how to serve through reading, listening, and, of course, sharing. It has been up to the DCMs and GSRs to teach me what the area needs, doesn’t need and what it feels. Also, what it likes and what it dislikes.

It takes all of us working together to serve our area and the fellowship as a whole. It takes a commitment to participate.

An assembly would not go well with only half of the area officers present. At the same time, it doesn’t go well with only a quarter of the GSRs present, but thank God for those who are present.

The election assembly is the time and place for all Groups and Districts to speak and participate. The choice for leadership for the next two years is theirs.

There is a question I hear frequently: I don’t know if I should make myself available for election or not? For me the answer is simple.

IF I AM GRATEFUL, I AM AVAILABLE- THE REST CAN BE LEFT TO THE FELLOWSHIP AND GOD.