SERVICE WORKSHOP Area 84

Transcription

1 SERVICE WORKSHOP Area 84 Districts 2 & 8 September 6, 2014 The strength of our whole AA service structure starts with the group and with the general service representative (G.S.R.) the group elects. I cannot emphasize too strongly the G.S.R. s importance. - Bill W. on General Service and the GSR. Declaration of Unity : This we owe to A.A. s future; to place our common welfare first; to keep our fellowship united. For on A.A. unity depend our lives, and the lives of those to come. Version 1.19 final

2 2 DISTRICTS 2 & 8 GSR WORKSHOP TABLE OF CONTENTS Declaration of Unity Table of Contents 2,3 The Three Legacies Recovery, Unity and Service 4 The GSR Preamble 4 The Twelve Concepts 4 Purpose of Districts 2 & 8 GSR 5 Workshop Resource Materials 5 An A.A. Group ought to be ever mindful that: 5 The A.A. Group... Where it all Begins 6 My Responsibilities to My Home Group 6 The AA Group, Record Keeping Role & Responsibilities 7 General Service Rep (GSR) 7 Group Record 7 cover Districts 2 & 8 Sudbury Intergroup & Intergroup Rep (IGR) 7, 8 What It Looks Like Inside Districts 2 & 8 9 The District Committee Member (DCM) 9 Area Chair 10 General Service Office (GSO) GSO : a brief overview 10 General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous & A.A. World Services Incorporated (chart ) 11 How the A.A. Group Fits Into the Structure of the Conference (chart) 11 Self- Support The Seventh Tradition 12 How Can Groups Participate 12,13

3 3 Completing the Alcoholics Anonymous Group Information Change Form 13,14 Alcoholics Anonymous Group Information Change Form 15 Alcoholics Anonymous New Group Form 16 Where is My Area? 17 Area 84 (North Eastern Ontario): Alcoholics Anonymous 18 What is the difference between a meeting and a group? 19 The Spirit of Rotation 19 Suggestions for GSR at Home Group Meetings 19 Suggestions for GSR at District Meetings 19,20 Suggestions for GSR at Area Committees and Assemblies 20 The GSR s Voice and Vote at Area Assemblies 20 Plan of Action 21 What is an Informed Group Conscience? 22 Suggested Steps to Achieving an Informed Group Conscience 22 Area Assembly A Guide to Parliamentary Procedure at the Area Assembly Why Do We Need a Conference? 26,27 A Word About Commitment 27 Our Area 84 Committee Members 28 Sudbury District 29 Brief Definition of Terms and Service Committees ( Appendix 1 ) 30, 31 Responsibility Statement 32 Notes 33, 34

4 4 THE THREE LEGACIES - RECOVERY, UNITY AND SERVICE Recovery as outlined in the Twelve Steps, Unity as outlined in the Twelve Traditions, and Service as outlined in the AA Service Manual combined with Twelve Concepts for World Service. These are the Three Legacies of our AA experience. Our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern. Our Higher Power, as that Power may speak in our group conscience, is our sole Authority. World Service is the heart of our Third Legacy. Our District meetings are informative and educational. They are held so that the Committee Members, General Service Representatives ( GSRs) and all interested members may be better equipped to carry the message of World Service back to their home groups and individual members, thus giving a better understanding to our purpose, our hopes and our work. The General Service Representative Preamble GSRs are the link in the chain of communication between the group and the General Service Conference and the world of A.A. We realize the ultimate authority, a loving God as God may express Himself in our group conscience. Our job is to bring information to and from our groups, in order to reach an informed group conscience. In passing along this group conscience, we are helping to maintain the unity and strength so vital to our fellowship. Let us, therefore, have the patience and tolerance to listen to others share, the courage to speak up when we have something to share, and the wisdom to do what is right for our groups as a whole. By choosing its most qualified member as GSR, a group helps secure its own future and the future of A.A. as a whole. (P- 19, p1) The Twelve Concepts As the twelve Traditions are to the preservation and unity of Alcoholics Anonymous, so are the Twelve Concepts to General Service. They are a set of principles and practices intended to preserve service to A.A. and the still suffering alcoholic. They also protect the structure by which such service is made possible. (See - The Twelve Concepts for World Service in the back portion of The A.A. Service Manual.)

5 5 Purpose of Districts 2 & 8 Service Workshop Become comfortable and effective in service to our home group Share with others who have service experience and suggestions Have fun and learn how to : Keep group information up to date Give reports at home group and area assemblies Participate at district meetings and area assemblies Find contacts for answers to any service question Use our literature as an effective tool Share suggestions and concerns at our home group and service meetings Resource Materials used in Service Workshop A.A. General Service Conference approved literature : A.A. Service Manual combined with Twelve Concepts for World Service G.S.R. General Service Representative (pamphlet) The A.A. Group Where it all Begins (pamphlet) A.A. Traditions How it Developed (pamphlet) Self Support : Where Money and Spirituality Mix ( pamphlet ) An A.A. Group ought to be ever mindful that: Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group they have no other affiliation. Tradition Three long form Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having one primary purpose that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Tradition Five (long form) Unless there is approximate conformity to A.A. s Twelve Traditions, the group... can deteriorate and die. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Page 17

6 6 The A.A. Group... Where it all Begins Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole. Tradition 4 The final responsibility and the ultimate authority for A.A. world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship. Concept 1 What Trusted Servants (officers) Do We Need? It takes member participation to ensure that group service work is done. Most of us agree that A.A. ought never to be organized. However, the long form of the tradition states, least possible organization, which is different than no organization or chaos. Without endangering our commitment to preserve our spiritual and democratic fellowship, we can create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. Tradition 9 In A.A. groups, these trusted servants are sometimes called officers, and usually are chosen by the group for a limited term of service. Our leaders are trusted servants, they do not govern. Tradition 2 My Home Group Trusted Servants What additional Trusted Servants Does my Home Group Need? My Responsibilities to my Home Group be on time for meetings participate by listening attentively and sharing ( if I choose to share ) serve : help with setup, opening, greeting, coffee; cleanup attend business meetings

7 7 The A.A. Group Record Keeping Role/Responsibilities AA Group GSR (General Service Rep) GSO (General Service Office) Group Record General Service Rep (GSR) Provides group information to District, which is then passed on to Area 84 for the General Service Office (GSO). Group Record Information should include: Group Name GSO Service Number Intergroup Name - if applicable Intergroup Service Number if applicable Districts 2 & 8 Area 84 Meeting time(s), location and format, Group Secretary, GSR and Alternate GSR, and number of home group members, as well as contact names, number(s) and/or . Background : Sudbury Intergroup In 1980 there were about 30 groups in Sudbury including Parry Sound. The guidelines of the time suggested that if a district had more than 15 groups it should divide into separate districts. A committee was formed by then DCM Keith B. The key here was that in order for this change to take place it must be a unanimous vote. This took some time and in 1982 the city was divided and District 8 was added along with District 7, which was the French District - which has since folded. The dividing line is Notre Dame Avenue.

8 8 To avoid the necessities of having each district duplicating the work eg; CPC/PI, Treatment Facilities, Corrections etc Sudbury Intergroup was formed. It was decided that the " Sudbury and District Central Office Intergroup " would handle all things locally and the Districts would handle matters pertaining to GSO. After some time the districts declined in active participation by the groups due to a lack of work to be performed and it was decided to have the districts take on the committee responsibilities. Today we have two districts, two DCM's and two alternates but only one of each of the committees. The Purpose of Intergroup Today is: a) To maintain a central business office as a clearinghouse for AA activities in the Sudbury Area. b) To complement and co- operate with the General Service Office in the effective development of the AA program at the local group level in Sudbury area. c) to serve and function as the communication centre for the member groups with respect to matters of local Intergroup policy and interests. d) to conduct special events in accordance with and in the furtherance of these purposes. Responsibilities of Intergroup Rep: a) Shall be a member of the group he or she represents b) Should attend all meetings of Intergroup c) Shall communicate activities growth and current problems of Sudbury Intergroup to his / her group. d) Normally is expected to vote and act for his / her group at each Intergroup meeting without consulting the group on every issue. However, where a majority of Intergroup Reps feel that a group conscience direction is required on a motion, said motion shall be tabled until the following meeting where it shall be voted on. e) From time to time will be asked to recruit volunteers from his / her group for twelve step work at Intergroup Office. f) Can expect to perform any other services of this nature which relate to Sudbury Intergroup. g) Should be familiar with the Sudbury Intergroup Guidelines.

9 9 What It Looks Like Inside Districts 2 & 8 AA Group elects Intergroup Rep (IGR) elects General Service Representative (GSR) Intergroup Office DISTRICT elects DCM Communicates/ co- operates AREA elects DELEGATE General Service Office (GSO) The District Committee Member (DCM) Each District elects a District Committee Member (DCM) who conducts the district meetings, represents the conscience of the District as a voting member at the Area Assembly and is a member of the Area Committee. The primary purpose of the DCM is to facilitate District meetings, and stimulate as many groups as possible to be an active part of A.A. as a whole, through representation and participation. Also, they assist the efforts of the GSRs. Many Districts assign additional duties to their DCM and his or her Alternate.

10 10 Area Chair This individual has overall responsibility for the operations of the Area, including: facilitating the business meetings; appointing service committee members; setting the agenda for business meetings; updating Area Guidelines; attending certain regional functions; helping service committees as needed; attending district meetings when possible; appointing ad hoc committees to address specific issues as needed. General Service Office (GSO) GSO is currently located at 475 Riverside Drive at West 120th in the Morningside section of New York, overlooking the Hudson River on the 11 th Floor of a building on land donated by the Rockefeller Foundation The 12 staff must be sober & attending AA meetings to sit on one or more of 12 committees (the same as the District & Area - ie. Archives, Literature, Public Information, Co- operation with the Professional Committee, Corrections, Grapevine, Treatment Facilities) called staff assignments. An additional 80 staff members, most of whom are not alcoholic (some are but it is not a requirement) carry out other office functions GSO has 2 primary purposes: serve as a resource to better enable groups to carry the message and provide services individual groups cannot manage. GSO : oversees the publication and translation of all service information going out to the fellowship into Spanish & French oversees and distributes A.A. Conference- approved literature and service materials mails information to your group GSR or primary contact, such as GSR handbook, Box ( A.A. s quarterly newsletter ) summary of donations to GSO maintains the Fellowship New Vision (FNV) online database and tries to keep up- to- date names & addresses for all groups and service positions. It is accessible by the Area Registrar. Charts outlining the structure of the General Service Office & How the A.A. Group Fits Into the Structure of the Conference are on the following page :

11 11 The Structure of the General Service Office and A.A. World Services Incorporated How the A.A. Group Fits Into the Structure of the Conference (chart)

12 12 Self- Support The Seventh Tradition The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then, too, we view with much concern, those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money and authority. Tradition Seven - long form How can groups and individuals - participate? F- 3 SELF SUPPORT : WHERE MONEY AND SPIRITUALITY MIX To help support A.A. s essential services, the General Service Conference suggests that individual groups, through an informed group conscience, adopt a specific contribution plan tailored to meet the group s financial situation. Once the basic group expenses haves been taken care of, (for example: rent, refreshments, A.A. literature, Grapevine literature, local meeting lists, G.S.R. travel expenses to attend service functions) and a prudent reserve has been set aside to cover any emergency contingencies that might arise, the group may decide to further carry the message by sending money as per the following example ( These figures are from the above brochure/pamphlet and are suggested for Districts such as Sudbury which support 4 service entities - Intergroup, District, Area and GSO ) Intergroup 50% 10 District 10 % 40 Area 10% 30 GSO 30% 20 Suggested for Sudbury Though not costly, these service agencies are absolutely essential to our continued expansion to our survival as a Fellowship. Their costs are a collective obligation that rests squarely upon all of us. Our support of services actually amounts to recognition on our part that A.A. must everywhere function in full strength and that, under our Tradition of self- support, we are all going to foot the bill.

13 13 Birthday Envelopes : Means of generating funds for GSO people may wish to do so individually on their birthday - 1 dollar for every year of sobriety or a group may wish to do so on their anniversary Completing the Alcoholics Anonymous Group Information Change Form This form is to be completed whenever an existing group changes its name or meeting address, elects a new G.S.R. ; reports designation of a new second contact or reports a change of address and/or phone number for the GSR or second contact. Our Delegate Area Number is 84. In Sudbury check if you are District 2 or District 8 Group Service Number: This number will have been given to us by G.S.O. when we formed a new group and completed the Alcoholics Anonymous New Group Form. It is helpful to refer to this number when writing to G.S.O. and when sending contributions to District, Area and G.S.O. Number of Members: This is not our group attendance but rather the number of people who call the group their home group. One means GSO has to measure participation is donations per capita. Thus larger groups might well be expected to make larger GSO (District and area) donations. Group Name: A.A. Traditions suggest that a group NOT be named after a facility or person (living or deceased), and that the name of a group NOT imply affiliation with any sect, religion, organization or institution. Also: Group names must be unique within a city Group city is required information

14 14 Group names should be easy to distinguish from other groups. Similar names cause confusion Group names should end with the word Group. All group names entered into its records are subject to approval by A.A. World Services (G.S.O.). [In response to an inquiry A.A. WS advised : Some few names, such as Caduceus and Birds of a Feather, are reserved for special purpose groups. Caduceus, is for meetings of medical personnel. Birds of a Feather refers to meetings for pilots. GSO encourages members to read the form carefully and perhaps consult the A.A. Group pamphlet The AA Group: Where It All Begins regarding the naming of groups (p.17). ] Phone Type: Be sure to indicate if home, work, cell or fax. Address: We need the address of at least one contact who agrees to receive mail to keep in mail contact with them by our area and by GSO and A.A.WS. At least one contact who agrees to be listed with their phone number is required for the group to appear in the Canadian Directory. Listing in the directory is for Twelfth Step referral and/or for meeting information. The GSR (or other contact) name and telephone number will be included in the directory with the group s name, service number and district.

15 Alcoholics Anonymous Group Information Change Form 15

16 Alcoholics Anonymous New Group Form 16

17 17 Where is My Area? Many Areas follow the geographical boundaries of a province or state. Due to size or population, some are divided into more than one Area. Currently, there are 93 Areas in the U.S. and Canada. Ontario s Areas are divided into four: 83, 84, 85 and 86. Area 83 is South Eastern Ontario Area 85 is North Western Ontario Area 84 is North Eastern Ontario Area 86 is South Western Ontario An Area is subdivided into Districts of about 6 to 20 groups. Districts are assigned a number. Area 84 has 7 districts. Districts are established by Area Guidelines. Rev. 6/18/12 SM F-146

18 18 Area 84 (North Eastern Ontario) : Alcoholics Anonymous Phone numbers are for the Alcoholics Anonymous Help Line in each District. District 1 (Nipissing ) Includes Bear Island, Bonfield, Callander, Corbeil, Mattawa, North Bay, Sturgeon Falls, Temiskaming, and Verner District 2 (Sudbury West): Notre Dame is the boundary line District 3 (Algoma): Includes Bruce Mines, Chapleau, Desbarats, Dubreuilleville, Echo Bay, Goulais River, Richard's Landing, Sault Ste Marie, & Thessalon District 4 (Temiskaming- Cochrane): Includes Chapleau, Cochrane, Englehart, Fauquier, Fort Albany, Haileybury, Hearst, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Kirkland Lake, Larder Lake, Matheson, Moonbeam, Moose Factory, Moosonee, New Liskeard, Notre Dame Du Nord, Smooth Rock Falls, South Porcupine & Timmins. (Timmins) (Outside of Timmins) District 5 (Northshore): Includes Blind River, Cutler, Elliot Lake, Iron Bridge, & Massey District 6 (Manitoulin): Includes Birch Island, Espanola, Little Current, Silver Water, M Chigeeng & Wikwemikong. ( call is to Sudbury ) District 8 (Sudbury East): Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. (District 7 merged with District 8)

19 19 What is the difference between a meeting and a group? reference : THE AA GROUP WHERE IT ALL BEGINS ( PAGE 12 ) The Spirit of Rotation Traditionally, rotation of service positions keeps A.A. members from becoming frozen in office. It also ensures that group tasks, like nearly everything else in A.A., are passed around for all to share. Rotation insures that fresh ideas are brought to the task, and helps to bring us spiritual rewards more enduring than fame. And, in the spirit of Tradition Twelve, it ever reminds us to place principles before personalities. Terms are usually two years, but can be any length the Group designates. Before you rotate out of any A.A. office, be sure to help train your replacement. Suggestions for GSR at Home Group Meetings Guardian of the Traditions know where to find answers Give regular reports to your group regarding the District, Area and GSO Share information from GSO, such as literature price lists, Box 459 ( general newsletter). Box 459 was the original mailing address for AA ( GSO ) Explain issues to be voted on, and find out how the group wants you to vote on matters of importance to all A.A. Be the group contact for the area committee and GSO for A.A. directories, etc. Insure your group is offering all the sobriety tools available, including conference- approved pamphlets and books Seventh Tradition work with your group treasurer to develop contribution plans Be familiar with : A.A. Service Manual, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Circles of Love and Service, The A.A. Home Group (P- 16) pamphlet. Supply the DCM with up- to- date group information. Write down questions and comments from group members and bring to District Meetings and Area Assembly meetings Suggestions for GSR at District Meetings Meetings for Districts 2 & 8 are held on the first Wednesday of the month the month, unless otherwise notified, at 30, Ste- Anne Road. Workshops are held as required. Bring up issues or concerns from your group for discussion with other GSRs. Give a GSR report. Blank report forms are available on the next page of this workbook. Give group contributions to district treasurer and get a receipt.

20 20 Participate in planning district meetings. Host district meetings. Take information back to your group nobody else will! Bring a notebook and a planning calendar. Bring Group Change form. Know what your DCM responsibilities are. Call DCM to put items on agenda for district meetings. Bring group conscience to district meeting. If you are unable to attend the District Meeting, ensure that your report is ed to District Secretary and have Alternate GSR or other Group member attend in your place to ensure that the chain that carries the message is not broken. Suggestions for GSR at Area Committee Meetings and Assemblies Area meetings are held three times per year February, June and November. An Area Assembly is held in September. The assembly rotates between Sudbury, North Bay and the Sault each year. As well our delegate holds a spring sharing session in March. Vote on issues affecting Area 84 and A.A. as a whole. Area elections are held for all area executive and committee members in odd number years at the Area Assembly in September and they take office in January of the following year. Area 84 will hold its next election in September of All positions are for two years except for the following. They are : Archivist, Remote Communities and Webmaster. These positions are held for five- year terms. Bring notebook and calendar so that correct information and dates of future events get back to your group. Bring group conscience to assemblies. Understand the right of decision (Concept III) and right of participation (Concept IV). The GSR s Voice and Vote at Area Assemblies At the Fall Assembly the GSRs are both voting members and collectively form a majority of all the voting members. As such, they should make every effort to attend every assembly. All area matters that either have an effect on the area s finances, the conduct of area business, or a direct impact on all the groups are presented and ratified, rejected or revised by the assembly. We become informed about what is going on by attending area assemblies and discussing issues with others who are in a good position to have experience and information to share on most issues. In this way the assemblies meet their purpose of strengthening A.A. as a whole by carrying our message in the best way possible for our area. Again, participation by the GSR is the key link in this vital chain of necessary two- way communication between the members of their group and the larger structure of A.A.

21 21 Plan of Action As you grow in your GSR responsibility, your scope of the Fellowship will broaden, you will make many friends, and your sense of Gratitude will deepen. While all this might be new and confusing, stay with us and give us the opportunity to help you understand. You might be surprised to find that you will enjoy general service and feel that you are truly a part of the whole. It is an important and different kind of Twelfth- Step work. Things I want to get my hands on GSR Kit from GSO The A.A. Service Manual District Guidelines from your DCM Area Guidelines from the Area website the pamphlets listed on page 5 of this workbook People I want to meet My DCM District Committee Member My Area Delegate Other Area Officers including the alternate delegate, chairperson, treasurer, recording and mailing secretary My Area Registrar Service Sponsor ( the AA member who mentors & guides you in service Meetings I will attend District Meeting: Date Area Fall Assembly: Date Area Committee Meeting: Date Area 84 Convention: Date area84aa.org aa.org Websites Questions I want to get answered What I will share at my next Home Group meeting

22 22 What is an Informed Group Conscience? For our Group purpose there is but one ultimate authority a loving God as He may express Himself in our Group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern. Tradition 2 There are two ways: The competitive way permits the person with the loudest voice to push his ideas across, take a vote and come up with a majority decision. This is not an informed group conscience. In the cooperative way, group members come together in mutual trust to arrive at a group decision, not one individual s personal triumph. The group conscience is the collective conscience of the group membership and thus represents substantial unanimity on an issue before definitive action is taken. This implies that pertinent information has been studied and all views have been heard before the group votes. This reminds us that Concept One states The final responsibility for A.A. World Services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole fellowship. (BM- 31, p6) No one person or group should make our decisions for us, no matter how persuasive they may be. Suggested Steps to Achieving an Informed Group Conscience Gather Knowledge: The GSR or other chairperson of the group informs himself/herself about the topic to be discussed. Then: Present Topic/Issue: Present the information on the topic to the home group, giving enough background material so all participants are informed on both sides of the topic. The chairperson should be as unbiased as possible on the topic. Sharing: Ask each member to share in turn, being sure to allow all to share once before anyone shares a second time. Remember, this is not a general discussion meeting. It is a method of arriving at unanimity on a specific subject. Remember to carefully listen to any minority opinions. Consensus: Continue the process until substantial group unanimity is achieved. This is usually considered 2/3 of the participants. More than one sharing session may be needed. Remember, you are striving for a group conscience, not a popular vote. Be patient and practice A.A. principles as the process continues. RECAP: Once a group conscience is achieved, present a summary of their conscience to the group as a whole including minority opinion. Pass the group conscience and any minority opinion on to the appropriate person(s), be it the Delegate, Area Committee, or District. Not always understood, group conscience as expressed in Tradition Two is a powerful spiritual concept that makes it possible for people of diverse backgrounds and temperament to rise above personal ambition and unite in a common purpose; to stay sober and extend the hand of A.A. to the alcoholic who still suffers.

23 23 A Guide to Parliamentary Procedure at the Area Assembly In Northeast Ontario Area 84 the procedure we follow is very loosely based on Robert s Rules of Order but has been modified to meet our needs. (Every group is autonomous and that includes the area assembly). The main purpose is to conduct an orderly meeting smoothly and fairly. Generally the Assembly is informal but there are a couple of rules we do follow. At the beginning of the meeting the Chairperson will usually explain how they would like to proceed. Direct all your comments to the Chairperson Raise your hand & wait to be recognized by the Chairperson. When recognized by the Chairperson o Go to the microphone (if there is one); state your name, your service position and the name of the group you represent. o Speak as clearly and as briefly as possible. Your remarks must be pertinent to the business at hand or items you wish to bring to the floor. o Please share the time and only speak once on a topic. Request that all non- voting member sit back from the table to make it easier when counting votes It is important to understand what is being discussed and why the item is on the floor so, if you have a question or require clarification, raise your hand! A motion is the topic under discussion. Each motion must be disposed of (passed, defeated, tabled, referred to committee, or postponed indefinitely) before attending to any other business. Unanimous Consent In cases where there seems to be no opposition in routine business; or on questions of little importance; and in the presences of a quorum; you can save time by obtaining Unanimous Consent (General Consent) from the assembly. to correct or approve minutes to adjourn for lunch or take a 10- minute break to elect a lone nominee by acclamation to allow a speaker a few more minutes that prescribed time "If there is no objection, (we will adopt a motion to do such and such)." When no objection is heard, the chair states, "Since there is no objection... (such and such a motion is adopted)." If someone objects, the chair cheerfully proceeds with the traditional six (6) steps.

24 24 Step 1. A MOTION can be made from the floor by any voting member of the Assembly so long as there is no other issue already being considered. The wording used is I move. followed by the action the member wants taken. Step 2. SECOND (demonstrates more than one other voting members supports motion) If there is no second, the motion dies. Step 3. CHAIR RESTATES MOTION It has been moved and seconded that Step 4. DISCUSSION a) If every comment is favourable to the motion, the Chair may ask Is it the sense of the Assembly that the motion be adopted? If there is no opposition a vote should be taken. If there is opposition they need to start commenting to this fact. b) A reasonable opportunity is given for all to speak on the motion. o No- one should speak a second time on an issue until everyone else has a chance to speak c) As discussion dies, the Chair states: There being no further discussion we will vote on the motion on the floor <restate motion> d) CALLING THE QUESTION. After discussion has begun, any voting member may Call the Question. The Chair will ask for a vote on the Motion to Call the Question. If adopted, the Assembly will move to VOTE on the question, otherwise DISCUSSION resumes. Please remember that a reasonable opportunity should be given to all to speak before making a Motion to Call the Question. e) Not all MOTIONS result in a VOTE. Subsidiary (secondary) motions to the main (primary) motion require a second. The main Motion can be; 1. AMENDED. The amendment is discussed and voted on, or accepted by the originator as a friendly amendment. Discussion of the original motion resumes. 2. TABLED, or postponed, either definitely to a set time or place, or indefinitely with no set time or place. 3. REFERRED TO COMMITTEE either with or without instruction. Step 5. VOTE Chair can choose a show of hands or a count of votes if an item could be contentious. If it is difficult to determine the outcome from the show of hands, a count could be requested. The Chair will ask eligible members to respond either in favour of, opposed to, or abstain from the motion. A 2/3 (66.6%) vote is required to adopt a motion.

25 25 Step 6. ANNOUNCE RESULT Chair announces if the motion is approved or defeated. If a 2/3 majority is required, the count in favour or opposed is also announced. The Minority Opinion In Alcoholics Anonymous, once a vote has been taken on a motion, the minority party always has the opportunity to speak from the floor. If someone in the majority (the winning side) would like to change their vote after the minority has spoken, it becomes a motion to reconsider which needs to have a second. It is then open to further discussion (if the original motion was open to discussion) before a new vote on the original motion is taken. It is not amendable and requires the same type of vote (majority or 2/3 s) as the original motion. Step 7. MINORITY OPINION a) The Chair asks, Does anyone in the minority wish to speak? b) Only those who voted in the minority may speak, defined by the following criteria: 1. If a motion has passed, only those who voted against may speak. 2. If a motion has failed, only those that voted in favour may speak. 3. If a person abstained from voting, they do not speak. Step 8. MOTION TO RECONSIDER a) The Chair asks, After hearing from the minority, is there anyone who wishes to change their vote? OR Do I hear a Motion to Reconsider? b) This motion must be seconded and is then discussed. After reasonable discussion, the Chair will call for a vote. Only a simple majority (over 50%) is necessary to reconsider. c) If a Motion to reconsider is passed, resume DISCUSSION, then VOTE. There is no MINORITY OPINION after the second vote. Must Be Seconded Quick Reference Open for Discussion Can be Amended Vote Count Required to Pass May Be Reconsidered or Rescinded Main Motion ü ü ü Majority ü Amend Motion ü ü Majority ü Kill the Motion ü Majority ü Limit Debate ü ü 2/3 ü Close Discussion ü 2/3 ü Recess ü ü Majority Adjourn ü Majority Refer to Committee ü ü ü Majority ü Postpone to later date ü ü ü Majority ü Table ü Majority Postpone Indefinitely ü ü ü Majority ü

26 26 NOTICE OF MOTION A Notice of Motion is an item that amends the existing Northeast Ontario Area 84 Operating Procedures and can only be voted on at the Assembly which is held the last weekend in September. If there is a Notice of Motion on the Agenda, it is because that motion was submitted to the Chairperson at least 60 days prior to the Assembly per the Area Guidelines. This gives time to allow the item to be received by the DCM, forwarded to the GSR's in their District, discussed & voted on at your home group business meeting brought back to the District meeting voted on (in favour or opposed) for your DCM to bring to the Assembly and for the GSR to bring your group conscience vote at the Assembly ELECTIONS All Officers are to be elected by Third Legacy procedures per The Service Manual, Chapter Four. Special Services Committee Chairperson positions may be filled by a simple majority vote if agreed to by the body. The number of members in attendance stating they are eligible to vote will be compared to the Sign- In Sheets to get an accurate count. Assistance will be sought from non- voters to hand out and collect the Voting Slips. Why do we need a Conference? The late Bernard B. Smith, non- alcoholic, then chairman of our board of trustees, and one of the architects of the Conference structure, answered that question superbly in his opening talk at the 1954 meeting: "We may not need a General Service Conference to insure our own recovery. We do need it to insure the recovery of the alcoholic who still stumbles in the darkness one short block from this room. We need it to insure recovery of a child being born tonight, destined to alcoholism. We need it to provide, in keeping with our Twelfth Step, a permanent haven for all alcoholics who, in the ages ahead, can find in A.A. that rebirth which brought us back to life. "We need it because we, more than all others, are conscious of the devastating effects of the human urge for power and prestige which we must insure can never invade A.A. We need it to insure A.A. against government, while insulating it against anarchy; we need it to protect A.A. against disintegration while preventing over- integration. We need it so that Alcoholics Anonymous, and Alcoholics Anonymous alone, is the ultimate repository of its Twelve Steps, its Twelve Traditions, and all of its services. A.A. Service Manual combined with Twelve Concepts for World Service Edition page 30

27 27 "We need it to ensure that changes within A.A. come only as a response to the needs and wants of all A.A., and not of any few. We need it to insure that the doors of halls of A.A. never have locks on them, so that all people for all time who have an alcoholic problem may enter these halls unasked and feel welcome. We need it to insure that A.A. never asks of anyone who needs us what his or her race is, what his or her creed is, what his or her social position is." A Word about Commitment Commitment in terms of recovery, means recovering some of those basic principles we lost somewhere along the way, in pursuit of self. As members of the General Service Structure, those principles that we must now demonstrate as a Trusted Servant include willingness, self- sacrifice, honesty, consideration of others, thoughtfulness, love, tolerance and most of all, basic etiquette. Ask yourself the following questions. Do we show up when we say we will? Are we on time? Do we mark our A.A. commitments on the calendar and then work around them, or do we attend only if it doesn t interfere with our own pleasure? When we are unable to make an event in which the group should be represented, do we arrange for our alternate to be there? Do we keep our alternates well informed and involved? Do we attend as many service activities as possible in order to become better informed, or do we do the least possible required? Do we tend to our responsibilities cheerfully or portray them as a drag? Are we able to offer criticism lovingly and based on the application of our three legacies, or do we let personalities get in the way? All of these things are important when committing to service in A.A., but the bottom line is: are we giving in proportion to what has been given to us? Gratitude is an action word. It is something we show, not just something we talk about. If we give only a tenth of what has been given to us, we should all be shining examples of service and commitment in A.A.

28 28 Our Area 84 Committee Members Questions and/or comments can be sent to or Area Chairperson Gary Q areachair@area84aa.org Area Treasurer Richard P treasurer@area84aa.org Area Delegate Terry M delegate@area84aa.org Alternate Delegate Jim C alternate_delegate@area84aa.org Area Secretary Vacant secretary@area84aa.org Area Registrar Jim T registrar@area84aa.org Cooperation W/Professional Community & Public Information Chairperson (CPC&PI) Peter K cpc_pi_chair@area84aa.org Treatment Facilities Chairperson Vacant treatment_chair@area84aa.org Archivist Francyne G archivist@area84aa.org Remote Communities Workgroup Coordinator Vacant remote_com_chair@area84.org Area Webmaster France N webmaster@area84aa.org Grapevine Chairperson Jeff C grapevine_chair@area84aa.org Past Delegate Gail R pastdelegate@area84aa.org

29 29 Sudbury District District 2 ( Sudbury West ) DCM Alternate District 8 ( Sudbury East )DCM Alternate District Treasurer District Secretary Gaëtanne G Vacant Andrew F Vacant Joe M Bill J Cooperation W/Professional Community & Public Information Chairperson (CPC&PI) Peter B (acting chair ) Corrections Facilities Chairperson Treatment Facilities Chairperson Archivist District Website Administrator Grapevine Chairperson District 1 DCM North Bay District 3 DCM Algoma District 4 DCM Temiskaming Cochrane District 5 DCM North Shore District 6 DCM Manitoulin Duncan M Bonnie C Pauline J France N Richard L Mary D Bob M Glenn S Valerie W Henry ( Hank ) M

30 30 Brief Definition of Terms, Acronyms and Service Committees APPENDIX 1 Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Incorporated (A.A.WS) : One of the two operating corporations of the General Service Board; oversees the operations of the General Service Office and serves as the publishing company for conference- approved and service literature. Archives Committee Whenever a society or civilization perishes there is always one condition present; they forgot where they came from. Carl Sandburg Like any other A.A. service, the primary purpose of those involved in archival work is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous. Archives service work is more than mere custodial activity; it is the means by which we collect, preserve and share the rich and meaningful heritage of our Fellowship. It is by the collection and sharing of these important historical elements that our collective gratitude for Alcoholics Anonymous is deepened. Area: A geographical division within a state or province. A delegate to the General Service Office is elected from the Area Committee, especially the DCM s area, every two years. Normally there is one area to a state or province, except in heavily A.A.- populated places, where there may be two, three, or more areas in a state or province. Some areas include portions of more than one state or province. Ontario is comprised of 4 Areas: Area 83, Area 84, Area 85 and Area 86. Autonomous: Our Fourth Tradition states: Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole. This means that we have been given the courage to declare each A.A. group an individual entity, strictly reliant on its own conscience as a guide to action. In charting this enormous expanse of freedom, we found it necessary to post only two storm signals: A group ought not to do anything which would greatly injure A.A. as a whole; nor ought it affiliate itself with anything or anybody else. CPC- PI - Cooperation with The Professional Community and Public Information: In all of A.A., the primary purpose of members involved with public information service is to carry the A.A. message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Working together, members of local Public Information committees convey A.A. information to the general public, including the media. Conference- approved literature, videos, and films: Pamphlets, books, videos, and films, produced under the auspices of various Conference Committees that have reviewed and recommended to the Conference for its approval, and have been approved by the Conference. Correctional Facilities Committee: The purpose of a correctional facilities committee is to coordinate the work of individual A.A. members and groups who are interested in carrying our message of recovery to alcoholics behind the walls, and set up means of smoothing the way from the facility to the larger A.A. community through pre- release contacts.

31 31 District Committee Member ( DCM ): Also known as a District Chair. An experienced General Service Representative (GSR), elected by other GSRs to represent the groups of their district in District committee meetings and to coordinate service activities in the district. Delegate: The person elected every other year to represent the area at the General Service Conference held annually in New York, and to bring back the results of that meeting to the area. District: A division within the Area, represented by General Service Representatives and the District Committee Member. Area 84 in Northeastern Ontario currently has 7 districts. Why is Sudbury District 2 & 8? District 7, the Sudbury French District merged with District 8. General Service Conference ( GSC ): The annual meeting of delegates, trustees and General Service Office staff each year in New York. The General Service Conference is the method by which A.A. s collective group conscience can be heard. Grapevine - The A.A. Grapevine: International monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous. The A.A. Grapevine, Inc. is one of the two operating corporations of the General Service Board and is responsible for Grapevine operations and finances. General Service Office (GSO): The entity which provides services to groups in the U.S. and Canada and publishes A.A. literature. Meeting Types : ( This is a general guideline and is does not include all possible types of meetings. A meeting may have more than one type, for example : Open, Speaker Open : Anyone may attend. For example someone may come with you who cares about your well- being but who does not identify themselves as having a drinking problem Closed : Anyone who has a desire to stop drinking may attend Discussion : Those in attendance discuss their problems as related to alcohol Speaker : An AA member speaks about her/his journey, strengths and hopes Remote Communities: In 2000 the Delegate for Area 84 responded to calls to share the A.A. Program with our Northern neighbours. District 4 (Temiskaming- Cochrane) has undertaken the task of bringing the message of hope to suffering men and women who live where roads if any; many of these communities are accessible only by air or water - are seasonal at best, and the nearest Intergroup is over 1200 km away. In 2003, our Area ( Area 84 ) of Alcoholics Anonymous, unanimously agreed to increase both our financial and personal support to provide to those...that which was so freely given to us. Treatment Facilities Committee: Treatment Facilities Committees are formed to coordinate the work of individual A.A. members and groups who are interested in carrying our message of recovery to alcoholics in treatment facilities. Trustee: A member of the General Service Board. Of the 21 Trustees, 14 are alcoholic (Class B), and 7 are non- alcoholic (Class A).

32 32 RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that, I am responsible.

33 33 NOTES

34 34