Version 4.5, 01/04/13

Transcription

1 UNITY SERVICE RECOVERY Version 4.5, 01/04/13

2 Contents Introduction... 3 Service: The Big Picture... 4 Your Intergroup... 5 Group Secretary Responsibilities / Group Registration... 6 Self Support / Your Meeting Place / Speakers... 7 Group Business... 8 Group Conscience... 9 Common Group Problems Open or Closed / Sharing / Attendance Slips Treasurer Responsibilities Seventh Tradition Distribution Intergroup Rep (IGR) General Service Rep (GSR Hospitals and Institutions Rep (HIR) Coffee Maker Literature Greeter Raffle Person Chip Person Grapevine Representative (GvR) Premises Inspector Intergroup Service Opportunities Glossary Your Group Checklist Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13 2

3 Introduction This booklet has been published by the Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous as an aid to A.A. groups in the area. Each section conveys experience, observations and suggestions. Your group is autonomous, as per the Fourth Tradition, so we have provided space in each section for your group to customize this booklet. You may use this space to document local requirements and suggestions for each service commitment, which may enhance the stability of the group as its officers and members change. The entire structure of A.A. depends upon the participation and conscience of the individual groups, and how each of these groups conducts its affairs has a ripple effect on A.A. everywhere. Thus, we are ever individually conscious of our responsibility for our own sobriety and, as a group, for carrying the A.A. message to the suffering alcoholic who reaches out to us for help. (From The A.A. Group, page 11). I am responsible whenever anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible. According to our founder, Bill Wilson, service is vital: Our Twelfth Step carrying the message is the basic service that AA s Fellowship gives; this is our principal aim and the main reason for our existence. Therefore, AA is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. We must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven t been given the truth will die. Hence, an AA service is anything whatever that helps us to reach a fellow sufferer ranging all the way from the Twelfth Step itself to a ten-cent phone call and a cup of coffee, and to AA s General Service Headquarters for national and international action. The sum total of all these services is our Third Legacy. Services include meeting places, clubs, hospitals and Intergroup offices; mean pamphlets, books and good publicity of almost every description. They require committees, delegates, trustees and conferences. And, not to be forgotten, they need voluntary money contributions. These services, whether performed by individuals, groups, areas or AA as a whole, are utterly vital to our existence and growth. Nor can we make AA simple by abolishing such services. We would only be asking for complication and confusion. Concerning any given service, we therefore pose but one question: Is this service really needed? If it is, then maintain it we must, or fail in our mission to those who seek AA. Copyright 1969 Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Individual groups have many ways of making sure that the necessary services are performed with a minimum of organization. (From The A.A. Group, page 20) It is anticipated that this guide will be updated periodically. To that end, if you or your group have any suggestions or experiences you would like to share for possible inclusion in this booklet, please send them in writing to: Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, 1821 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94109, or by to aa@aasf.org. In addition, the Intergroup s Trusted Servant Workshop Committee presents Traditions workshops open to all. Contact them at tsw@aasf.org. Thank you for your service! 3 Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13

4 Service: The Big Picture II n A.A., we define service as one alcoholic helping another. There are many opportunities for service in San Francisco and Marin. All of the organizations listed below work both n A.A., we define service as one alcoholic another. are there. many opportunities separately and collaboratively to make surehelping the hand of A.A. There is always for service in San Francisco and Marin. All of the organizations listed below work both These organizations do not govern; of A.A. invited to participate. separately and collaboratively to every make member sure the hand ofisa.a. is always there. There a detailed description of each of these opportunities in this booklet. These is organizations do not govern; every member of A.A. is invited to participate. There s a detailed description of each of these opportunities in this booklet. Service keeps us sober, and makes sure that the hand of A.A. is always available.. Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13 4

5 Your Intergroup T he Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, our Intergroup, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1947 to serve as the Intergroup and Central Office for multiple counties in Northern California. Intergroup provides and coordinates services and twelfth step opportunities that are impractical for the individual groups to do themselves. Over the years, as the Fellowship grew, several counties created their own independent Intergroup organizations. Today, the Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous continues to serve San Francisco and Marin. Within these two counties, there are more than 700 meetings a week and variety of service committees. As with General Service, the Intergroup is successful to the extent that local groups participate, both through Seventh Tradition contributions and through the service committees. Our Intergroup exists to help each of us better serve the suffering alcoholic. Guided by the spirit of rotation, everyone has a chance to participate and make a difference. Each A.A. Group listed in the published meeting schedule is automatically a member of Intergroup. Each Group has the right to elect an Intergroup Representative (IGR) and an optional Alternate IGR (AIGR) to attend the monthly membership meetings, to vote, and to participate on the Intergroup committees. Although Committee chairs must be Intergroup members, any member of the Fellowship can be on a committee. There is a service opportunity for every interest. This simple structure allows the Intergroup to provide service opportunities for more than several hundred members. 5 Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13

6 Group Secretary Responsibilities Congratulations! You have been given a position of trust and responsibility by your group. While the responsibilities of the Secretary vary from group to group, it is hoped that the following information and suggestions will help. The Group Secretary's responsibilities vary depending upon the meeting's format, the Group's conscience and local tradition. Each group has its own procedures, but the Secretary is generally expected to: Conduct the meeting according to the group's established traditions; Open and close the meeting on time; Asks a member to serve as chairperson for that week s meeting if separate from the speaker or secretary; Find a suitable speaker for each meeting, if necessary; Register with Central Office; Make A.A. related announcements at group level (upcoming events listed in The Point, Secretary s Monthly, The Buzz, etc.); Ensure that Central Office is informed of any meeting changes such as location, time or disbandment; Ensure that all service positions are filled and properly performed; Be sure the room is clean, vacant and locked after meeting; Additional responsibilities (if not assigned to another service commitment): Maintain group sponsor lists or member lists; Sign meeting attendance slips (unless the group has decided otherwise); Lead regular or special group business meetings (unless responsibility of GSR). Additionally, the Group Secretary often serves as an informal A.A. representative, especially to newcomers. When new people come into the fellowship, they often look to Group Secretaries as authorities. While anyone who stays sober in A.A. eventually learns differently, a wise secretary is always mindful of the unique opportunity for 12th Step work his or her position affords. The Group Secretary is responsible for registering with Central Office after he or she is elected. You may also want to confirm that your meeting is registered with General Service in New York. Group Registration CENTRAL OFFICE: Please register as the new Secretary of your group with the Central Office, and encourage the new Treasurer to do so as well. It is extremely helpful for the Central Office to have a current contact person on record for each A.A. meeting. Practical issues or questions sometime arise; it can also be very helpful in 12th Step work. Both the Group Secretary and Treasurer will be mailed complimentary copies of The Point, our local Intergroup newsletter. You may register online from a link on the home page or by calling Central Office during office hours. If your meeting is published in the meeting schedule, please report any changes in time or location promptly to the Central Office, otherwise people may show up looking for help at your empty meeting place. Meeting schedules are regularly updated. The aasf.org website is updated immediately when changes are submitted to Central Office. You can also submit temporary changes, such as meetings cancelled for the holidays, and the temporary change will be noted on the web version of the schedule. Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13 6

7 Group Secretary - continued GENERAL SERVICE: You can check to see if your group is registered with General Service in New York. If your group has an active General Service Representative (GSR), it probably is; if not, call the General Service Office in New York and inquire at All registered groups appear in the Western United States A.A. Directory, which serves as a link between A.A.s all over the world. Groups may register directly with the General Service Office in New York: Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY However, it is strongly recommended that you register through your local General Service by sending a representative (GSR) to your county's regular General Service meeting. When registering with New York, you'll need to supply the following information: meeting name, day, time, street address, mailing address and type of meeting; your GSR's name, address and phone number, or if your group has not yet elected a GSR, that of the Secretary or another member willing to serve as a contact. Your group will be issued a Group Service Number by the GSO in New York. All communication with GSO in New York should include this number. Self Support Your Meeting Place Tradition Seven states that A.A. is self-supporting through our own contributions. This includes paying group expenses and, if possible, making contributions to the Central Office and other A.A. service entities. It is a good idea to check with the group's Treasurer from time to time to ensure that all is well with the group's finances. You can also check the meeting contribution history online. Go to and find your meeting in the schedule. Click on the Location link to open a popup form with your group s details. Click the 7th Tradition link to view monthly contributions. If liability insurance is required, remember that A.A. has no master or umbrella policy. Most churches have policies that cover any meeting on the premises. If keys to your meeting place are necessary, ensure that all keys have changed hands after an election. This can best be done at a short meeting of all the outgoing and incoming trusted servants, right after the election. You, as new secretary, may want to call for this; 'lost' keys can be a major problem in the first few weeks after a new service committee has taken over. Learn about any special requirements in setting up the room: lighting, ventilation, heat, etc. Take note of the seating and table arrangement. Talk to the outgoing secretary and coffee maker / set up person. Don't assume the meeting will 'just happen'. Be responsible - remember the coffee maker or set up person may also be new to this commitment. As the groups trusted servant, you represent A.A. in the community where you meet. Disrespect shown to people or property will hurt our reputation, while a clean, quiet and orderly meeting will help to promote good will in the community. We all depend on that good will to secure meeting places. Speakers For speaker or speaker/discussion meetings, sometimes the group has a standing group conscience on the selection of speakers (sobriety time, etc.) - or even a special service commitment or committee for this purpose. But generally, this is an area where the Secretary exercises his or her experience, strength and hope! Many secretaries have found it helpful to ask a wide variety of A.A. s to speak at their meeting (race, gender, sexual orientation, length of sobriety, etc.) This can greatly enhance our singleness of purpose. (What else do we have in common?) Note: Some secretaries only ask members with a year or more of continuous sobriety to speak at meetings. It s up to your group conscience. 7 Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13

8 Group Secretary - continued Group Business Meetings It is wise to ask speakers at least a few days in advance. Many secretaries have found it beneficial to 'line up' speakers for a month or two in advance. (Do not be shy about asking anyone to speak at your meeting. Most A.A.s consider it a true privilege, and will say 'yes' if they possibly can.) If a speaker does not show up by a reasonable time before your meeting, ask one of the regular members to be available to fill in. Go over the meeting format with the speaker before the meeting. If your meeting has a speaker/discussion format, let the speaker know if they need to choose a topic, as well as how long to speak. Of course, you are not responsible for the content or quality of your speaker s share. Good secretaries do their best to ensure that speakers have solid sobriety, but even that is not guaranteed on any given day (for any of us). Being the secretary of a speaker meeting is an excellent way to learn to do your best, and then LET GO! Many groups in the San Francisco/Marin fellowship conduct regular business meetings. There is no official requirement in A.A. on this point. However, a regularly scheduled business meeting improves communication and can often strengthen the commitment of the group. Scheduled business meetings should be announced at least a week in advance. Business meetings are held before or after the regular meeting. The Conference approved pamphlet, The A.A. Group, which is one of the standard sources of information on all matters concerning the local group says, In most groups, the chairperson or another officer calls the business meeting, which ordinarily is held on a monthly or quarterly basis. We highly recommend the practice of holding a regular business meeting, even if all group affairs seem to be stable, and no one has any issues. Business meetings are an example of the Traditions in action. The business meeting provides an opportunity to: Discuss legitimate group business Hear a regular treasurer s report Hear a regular General Service and Intergroup report Provide a venue for the group conscience to form and evolve Encourage participation by all group members in the group conscience process Discuss hidden problems, issues or ideas among members Many groups have found that if the group does not provide a regular business meeting, it can become staid, inflexible, and unaware of it s own problems. Without a regular business meeting, when issues do come up, the secretary may feel compelled to deal with them in the regular meeting (during announcements, for example). Votes are taken, sometimes a debate is attempted and members may talk out of turn, etc. Very often, the secretary (who may be relatively new to A.A., and in any case unaccustomed to leading debate ), is utterly frustrated. Strong personalities often dominate. The most damaging result of attempting to vote on complex group problems or questions during the regular meeting is an incomplete and uninformed group conscience. Adequate time should be allocated for any issue about which there is disagreement. Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13 8

9 Group Secretary - continued Well-run business meetings can also have surprising spiritual value. In them we can learn patience and courtesy. We may also come to understand that we often don t know how we feel about an issue until we ve listened, thought, and listened again. A.A. was built on such discussion and debate; it is one of the reasons our fellowship survived and thrived. Individual A.A. groups should do no less. Some groups have their GSR lead group business meetings, backed up by the alternate GSR or group secretary. There are several reasons for this: The GSR is exposed on a regular basis to debate and the formation of group conscience. The GSR position is typically a 2-year commitment, and may provide the group with historical perspective. All these observations are only suggestions. There is a lot of diversity in our local A.A. groups, and local conditions and circumstances may well warrant variation from these suggestions. In any case, each group is autonomous, and can and should conduct its affairs as it sees fit, in conformance to the Fourth Tradition. But if your group seems to be merely uninformed or apathetic in this matter, do not hesitate to call for a group conscience on the question: should we, or should we not, hold regular business meetings? For more information, see the Resources and Information section at the end of this section or contact the Trusted Servants Workshop Committee at tsw@aasf.org. The Group Conscience Decision-making at the A.A. Group level sometimes causes tension. Who makes the decision? How, exactly, is the decision to be made? What are the rules? Is someone manipulating things in the background? Part of our anxiety about making decisions and seeking a group conscience in A.A. is precisely because there really are no rules. If a group decision needs to be made, we then have basically three choices in front of us: (a) dictate (or manipulate), (b) evade, or (c) seek an informed group conscience. The group conscience process, described numerous times in A.A. literature, is essentially a spiritual one. When we A.A.s do not see it as such, we end up dictating, manipulating or evading. Participating in a group conscience involves patience, courage to face the unknown or undefined, tolerance, articulation, forgiveness, tenacity and a whole host of other very fine qualities which most of us strive for in working our spiritual program. The passage below is taken from the pamphlet, The A.A. Group (pages 34-35): How does an informed group conscience differ from a group opinion or a majority vote? 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 is achieved by the group members through the sharing of full information, individual points of view, and the practice of A.A. principles. To be fully informed requires a willingness to listen to minority opinions with an open mind. 9 Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13

10 Group Secretary - continued On sensitive issues, the group works slowly discouraging formal motions until a clear sense of collective view emerges. Placing principles before personalities, the membership is wary of dominant opinions. Its voice is heard when a well-informed group arrives at a decision. The result rests on more than a yes or no count precisely because it is the spiritual expression of the group conscience. The term informed group conscience implies that pertinent information has been studied and enough time has been taken so that all views have been heard before the group votes. The difference between a group conscience and a majority vote, or group opinion, is that one or more of the elements described above is missing. And again, a note on procedure from The A.A. Group, page 37: Some groups have tried observing Robert s Rules of Order, only to find that many members are inexperienced in parliamentary procedures and feel too intimidated to speak up. Besides, there is the spiritual nature of our Fellowship, embodied in our Traditions and Concepts which give ample guidance. All this may leave a trusted servant, who is actually responsible for leading a group conscience, still perplexed on what, exactly, to do. The following suggestions may help a little (also, read the references in the Resources and Information section on the next page.) Always open a group conscience or business meeting with a moment of silence and/or a prayer of your choice. (This reminds the group that this is still A.A., not a free-for-all). Make a brief statement of the issue. Tell those present that each person will have the chance to speak. Remind people not to repeat a point already made and that it s okay to pass. Let each person speak. If discussion gets at all out-of-hand, the Secretary can gently remind everyone that, just as in a regular A.A. meeting, we need to speak one at a time (and hopefully from our own experience). If opinions are diverse, and a decision doesn t have to be made immediately, remind the group that it is recommended that group decisions be made slowly; debate can be carried forward to a future meeting. If the discussion becomes extremely repetitive, most members would welcome redirection from the Secretary. Now may be the time to recognize: THE GROUP CONSCIENCE SEEMS TO BE FORMING! Group Problems According to the pamphlet, The A.A. Group, Group problems are often evidence of a healthy, desirable diversity of opinion among the group members. They give us a chance, in the words of Step Twelve, to practice these principles in all our affairs. (ibid page 37) These wise words may seem very difficult to digest and accept when, as Secretary or other concerned group member, we are embroiled in a vexing group problem. Yet when we attempt to evade group problems, we not only do our groups a disservice, but forego a prime opportunity to grow personally. Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13 10

11 Group Secretary - continued Common Group Problems Common Problems In an effort to share group experience, listed below are some common problems experienced by A.A. Groups in San Francisco and Marin during the past few years, along with solutions or outcomes which have emerged from the group s conscience. An early morning meeting experienced almost daily disruptions from several attendees in early sobriety (or no sobriety). After taking a group conscience, the group voted to have a sentence added to the secretary s reading which reads, Also, in keeping with the First Tradition, any cross-talk, violence, threats of violence or disruptive behavior will be addressed through our group conscience. The group also felt it necessary to develop a local, commonly known procedure, to deal with disruptive behavior. This procedure provides guidelines for members to stop discussion at the meeting, confront the disruption, and call for a remedy. The process is as follows: when a disruption happens, the secretary or any member stands, stops the meeting and describes the disruption. Other members stand in support of stopping the disruption. The standing member asks the person to stop or leave the meeting for the day only. After the person stops and apologizes or leaves the meeting, the members sit down and the meeting resumes. Bringing the subject back to alcoholism, if an attendee s share starts getting heavily into addictions other than alcohol, the secretary may want to remind the individual that our group is primarily concerned with alcohol and that other addictions may be better addressed at meetings that are held for that purpose. Some meetings, especially those that have 30 or more people, have included in the Secretary s reading a statement which reads, Please keep your shares at a reasonable length so that as many people as possible may share or shares should be limited to two minutes, etc. A closed meeting was asked by one member to allow a non-alcoholic recovery professional from a foreign country to attend the meeting at a future date. An immediate vote showed a large majority in favor, however a few dissented. The secretary called for a business meeting to discuss it and seek a Group Conscience. At the business meeting it was clear that several members would be very uncomfortable with departing from their closed meeting format. As a result the proposal was abandoned. A group in our Fellowship uses the following language to address disruptions at the beginning of the meeting: By group conscience and in keeping with the First Tradition, anyone disrupting the meeting, either verbally or physically, will be asked to leave the meeting until such time as they can attend without creating further disruption. Group Inventory Group Inventory Groups interested in taking regular inventory will find a review of the Tenth Step helpful. Many groups periodically hold a group inventory which is a special meeting to evaluate how well they are fulfilling their primary purpose - helping alcoholics recover through A.A. s suggested Twelve Steps of recovery. Some groups take inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to these principles (The A.A. Group, page 29). The pamphlet then goes on to list 13 questions which some groups have found useful in conducting group inventories (see The A.A. Group, pages 29-30) 11 Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13

12 Group Secretary - continued Open or Closed A group inventory is to the A.A. group what a 10th Step is to the individual. Just as some alcoholics stay sober without practicing Step 10, so many groups go for years without a group inventory. But don t we like ourselves, and each other, a lot more after a nice house-cleaning? It is generally thought wise to ask a respected A.A. member who is not a regular at the meeting to serve as the facilitator. Meetings are designated by group conscience as either open or closed. Open meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous can be attended by anyone. Closed meetings of A.A. are for those who have a desire to stop drinking. Some suggest that in both types of A.A. meetings all who participate should confine their discussion to problems as they relate to alcohol and alcoholism. However, as with everything in A.A., this is a matter of group conscience and group custom. Indeed, many groups resemble therapy sessions in their approach to the Steps. This is, of course, their right. Sharing Resources and Information Some groups have found it useful to have in the format of the meeting a statement such as: Our group conscience requests that if you have had a drink or a non-prescription mind altering drug in the last twenty-four hours, please do not share at group level, but talk to someone after the meeting. The signing of attendance slips or court cards by the Group Secretary has become a common practice in local A.A., although some members and groups continue to object to the practice. If you or your group are struggling with the issue of signing court cards, please call the Central Office, and ask for a copy of, A.A. Guidelines on Cooperating with Court, D.W.I. and Similar Programs. This is an excellent source of information, history and experience on the subject, published by the General Service Office. Resources and Information The Intergroup Trusted Workshop Committee tsw@aaasf.org. The pamphlet The A.A. Group (available at the Central Office bookstore) The pamphlet A.A. Tradition: How it Developed. The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions Central Office: 1821 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA aa@aasf.org The General Service Office: Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY GSO, A.A. Guidelines on Cooperating with Court, D.W.I. and Similar Programs. The Point (our Central Office newsletter): Free to registered secretaries and treasurers. OLD-TIMERS! Long time members of your group can be an invaluable source of information and encouragement. The only bad question is the one you don't ask. Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13 12

13 Group Secretary - continued Your Group s Requirements or Practices Recommended Sobriety: Term of Service: SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS / PROCEDURES: ADDITIONAL NOTES: 13 Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13

14 Group Treasurer M ost groups in San Francisco and Marin request that prospective treasurers be sober for at least 2 years, have a personal checking account and be employed (or have a source of income). Terms vary from six months to two years. Many groups have found that two year terms for the treasurer work better. Treasurers are encouraged to register with Central Office. This may be done from a link on the home page or by calling Central Office at The following description is from the AAWS pamphlet The A.A. Group Treasurer: The position of group treasurer is one of the most responsible positions in any A.A. group. While there is no standard length of sobriety necessary for a member to take on the position of group treasurer, many groups suggest that the treasurer should have a reasonable period of sobriety (at least six months to a year or more). It is also suggested that group treasurers be well grounded in the Twelve Traditions and be familiar with the principles and practices of the group itself. When the basket is passed at an A.A. gathering, members make a very special contribution to the effective functioning and well-being of the Fellowship as a whole - a contribution that is not just a financial one. When members put whatever they can into the basket, this is a direct way of making sure the group will survive and continue to carry the A.A. message to newcomers and old-timers alike. But A.A. members not only put dollars and cents into the basket, they are also investing their support and trust. Responsibilities The general duties of a group treasurer can be summarized as follows (italicized text from The A.A. Group Treasurer): Collection: The traditional means of assuring that the group is self-supporting is to pass the basket. Since there are no dues or fees for A.A. membership, those members attending the meeting are asked to make a voluntary contribution to help cover the group's expenses. Typically, after the basket is passed, the group treasurer takes custody of the money collected. It is strongly suggested that the money be counted and recorded before leaving the premises. Safeguards:The group treasurer takes responsible precautions to safeguard the group's funds. While the group may or may not maintain a group checking account, it is an excellent idea for every group to maintain a standardized, clear bookkeeping record. Disbursement: The group treasurer is usually the person responsible for paying the group's routine bills and for keeping accurate records of the group's funds. The treasurer needs to be well informed about how the group's money is spent and should have addresses and mailing information for all of the A.A. service entities the group chooses to support. Mailing addresses for these entities are noted later in this section. Reporting: Most groups request a treasurer's report and all relevant documentation at regularly scheduled business meetings. This way, all group members can stay informed about the financial health of the group and make group conscience decisions about how the funds should be spent. (Note: If your group does not conduct regularly scheduled business meetings, ask around and find out why not. You may want to bring this to a vote of the group. If the group conscience is to not have regular business meetings, ask the group how often it would like the treasurer to report in the regular meeting.) Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13 14

15 Group Treasurer - continued More from Memo to an A.A. Group Treasurer: Money contributed at A.A. meetings belongs to the group, so that it may serve A.A. as a whole. Group funds are used in a number of ways throughout the Fellowship, always with the aim of making more and better Twelfth Step work possible. From A.A.'s earliest times members have been providing financial support to make sure that individual groups survive, that newcomers have a way of contacting A.A., and that accurate information about A.A. reaches prospective A.A. members. When an A.A. member puts money "in the basket" it helps to ensure that A.A. groups will be able to maintain a meeting place, that telephones will continue to be answered at Intergroups and Central Offices, that prisoners will get Big Books, Loners will get letters, newcomers will get pamphlets and meeting books, and that professionals interested in alcoholism will get answers to their questions about A.A. First, the group's basic needs are met, such as providing for rent, literature, insurance, and any other relevant expenses approved by the group conscience. Then the group can participate in the financial support of the Fellowship as a whole (by sending money to various A.A. service entities: Central Office (intergroup), San Francisco or Marin General Service (the district), California Northern Coastal Area 06 (our Area) and the General Service Office in NY. 7th Tradition Contributions These service entities do much of the work of A.A. and, like the group itself, need money to function and survive. These entities utilize contributions in a number of different ways, always with the aim of carrying the A.A. message. It has often been noted that while the cost of living continues to increase, the 'standard' A.A. meeting contribution is still 'the same old dollar'. Group treasurers have a responsibility to their group to ensure that funds are adequate to meet basic expenses. The treasurer is usually the only one who will know when a meeting is beginning to get into financial trouble, and should bring this to the attention of the group. The treasurer is also in a unique position to counsel his or her group on the Seventh Tradition. Groups need to know that they are not truly fulfilling the Seventh Tradition if the group is not contributing funds to the fellowship as a whole. The principle of self support in the Seventh Tradition speaks to A.A. groups, but each group should be aware that there is a minimal service structure (our local Intergroup, and the national General Service structure) that is carrying out certain A.A. functions which would be impractical for each group to do alone. (If A.A. members and A.A. groups do not support our local and world service structure, who will?) Hospitals and Institutions (H&I) Those who are confined may have no money to buy the A.A. literature carried in by the H&I workers, so the Pink Can - with your nickels, dimes and quarters - fills the void. One of the fears expressed early on in the implementation of the Pink Cans was that they would subtract from the support of the meetings. This should not happen if the A.A. group secretaries announce the importance of supporting your Group and the purpose of the Pink Cans. Also, the H&I Committee requests that the cans be passed after the baskets to avoid confusion. 15 Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13

16 Prudent Reserve from Memo to an A.A. Group Treasurer: Group Treasurer - continued 7th Tradition Distribution As co-founder Bill W. wrote in 1957, "Our spiritual way of life is safe for future generations if, as a society, we resist the temptation to receive money from the outside world. But this leaves us with a responsibility - one that every A.A. member ought to understand. We cannot skimp when the treasurer of our group passes the hat. Our groups, our areas, and A.A. as a whole will not function unless our services are sufficient and our bills paid." Most groups try to have a financial reserve which they can draw upon in the event of any unforeseen circumstances, such as an increase in the group's rent or the sudden need to purchase a new coffeepot. There is no predetermined amount for such a reserve, but most groups try to put aside enough money to cover at least one to three months' operating expenses. The group itself usually determines the actual size and scope of the prudent reserve. It is important, however, to remember that this reserve is not an operating account and is intended to cover extraordinary fluctuations in income or expenses. Each group determines how often contributions are made. Our local Central Office encourages groups to make monthly or quarterly contributions (as this helps to balance the cash flow) but understands that, especially with smaller groups, this is often impractical. Listed below are the A.A. Service entities which local A.A. groups customarily contribute to, along with local recommendations for percentage splits. Checks should be made payable to the names in bold type: 60% - The Central Office: 1821 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA (Money goes to pay for supplies and equipment, salaries for the special workers, Central Office/ Bookstore rent, printing the monthly newsletter and meeting schedules, website, funding San Francisco Teleservice and Public Information administrative costs, etc.) Contributions to Central office can be made at: IMPORTANT NOTE: Please identify your group as it s listed in the meeting schedule, along with When & Where information. The Central Office cannot use GSO numbers to identify groups (too many local groups are not registered with GSO). 30% - NY General Service Office: PO Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY Money pays for operation of the General Service Office (salaries, rent, etc.), the annual General Service Conference, Regional Forums, A.A.'s World Services, development of new literature, etc. Financial statements are available annually in the Conference Report. Make check payable to: General Service Board, and please include Group Service Number with contribution. 5% - SF General Service or Marin General Service: San Francisco: PO Box , San Francisco CA Marin: PO Box 9193, San Rafael, CA Money pays for small administrative costs associated with District meetings, etc. please include Group Service Number with donation. 5% - California Northern Coastal Area General Service (CNCA) PO Box , San Francisco, CA Money pays for Area assemblies, monthly committee meeting, Delegate's and Officers' travel, Archives, Public Information, Bridging the Gap, Records, Newsletter and other Area services. Financial statements in monthly newsletter, CNCA Comments. Please include Group Service Number with donation. MARIN COUNTY: In Marin, many groups use a slightly different practice in dividing their funds: 50% going to the Central Office (rather than 60%), with the extra 10% sent to Marin Teleservice, PO Box 2458, San Rafael, CA Money pays for Marin telephone switching company, committee administrative costs, etc. Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13 16

17 The pamphlet Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix (published by AAWS); Group Treasurer - continued Resources and Information The pamphlet The A.A. Group Treasurer (published by AAWS); The pamphlet A.A. Tradition - How it Developed (published by AAWS); The pamphlet The A.A. Group (published by AAWS); Group Meeting Reports, which includes a weekly Treasurers log. The Point (Local Intergroup newsletter) Publishes group contributions monthly, as well as occasional articles on the Seventh Tradition and related subjects. Central Office: Online contributions: Online Contribution History: then view your meeting detail. General Service Office: Past Group Treasurers are perhaps the best source of specific information regarding the treasury of your group. Your Group s Requirements or Practices OLD-TIMERS! Long time members of our group can be an invaluable source of information and encouragement. The only bad question is the one you don't ask. All of the publications listed above can be found in the bookstore at Central Office and/or at and Recommended Sobriety: Term of Service: Contribution frequency (monthly/quarterly/semi-annually): Amount of Prudent Reserve: SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS / ADDITIONAL NOTES: 17 Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13

18 Intergroup Representative E ach A.A. Group in San Francisco and Marin that is listed in the published meeting schedule is a member of Intergroup and may elect an Intergroup Representative (IGR) and an Alternate Intergroup Representative (Alt-IGR) to the Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, or Intergroup, a membership organization focusing on service. The Intergroup is a registered California nonprofit and has been serving the Fellowship in San Francisco and Marin since The IGR is the liaison between your Group and the Intergroup, and ensures that the voice of your group is heard. Intergroup meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Check the web calendar for specific dates, times, and locations: The local Intergroup is not part of the General Service structure, but it is modeled along the same lines. It is not a governing body, but an opportunity for all groups to work together to make sure the hand of A.A. is always there. Intergroup provides services to local Groups and members of the Fellowship that are beyond the scope of individual meetings. In addition the IGRs approve the annual budget and elect the Board, which deals with the administrative responsibilities associated with managing the nonprofit, including Central Office and its bookstore. Much of the Intergroup work is conducted through their many committees: Teleservice, PI/CPC (Public Information / Cooperation with the Professional Community, The Point Editorial Committee, Website, Access, The Buzz, Trusted Servants Workshop, Hospitality, 12th Step/Sunshine Club, and Fellowship. Although the committee chairs must be current IGRs, anyone can join a committee, As a matter of fact, 95% of committee members are from the Fellowship at large. It s recommended that IGRs and Alt-IGRs have at least one year of continuous sobriety. The IGR speaks for and votes on behalf of their Group at all regular, annual and special meetings. An IGR has traditionally served a two-year term, but, as of 2011, the length of service is determined by the individual group. IGRs can assist the Group when there is a change in trusted servants and advise Secretaries and Treasurers to register with Central Office. They report the activities of the Intergroup back to their group and, in return, give feedback from their group. IGRs carry the group conscience to Intergroup. They also encourage Secretaries to make sure that announcements and other information from The Point are disseminated. Resources and Information A.A. Guidelines: Central or Intergroup Offices ; Local pamphlet The Intergroup Representatives & Intercounty Representative: The Link between your Home Group and Intergroup; The A.A. Service Manual combined with Twelve Concepts for World Service; The Point, our monthly newsletter; The Buzz: our semi-monthly service newsletter. All the above are available at Central Office and/or online at and Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13 18

19 Intergroup Rep Recommended Sobriety: Term of Service: - continued Special Requirements: Your Group s Requirements or Practices Your Group s Requirements or Practices ADDITIONAL NOTES: 19 Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13

20 GSR General Service Representative T he General Service Representative (GSR) links the A.A. group to A.A. as a whole, keeping the group informed of problems and remedies that affect A.A. unity, health and growth. The GSR can pass information, in the form of group conscience, to the policy making General Service Conference. GSRs can also ensure their groups get services from the General Service Office. If a group does not have an active GSR, it is isolated from the rest of the Fellowship. It does not participate in the group conscience of A.A. as a whole. Bill W. said that GSR may be the most important job in A.A. His comments below are reprinted from the A.A. pamphlet GSR: an A.A. service is anything whatever that helps us reach a fellow sufferer ranging all the way from the Twelfth Step itself to a ten-cent phone call and a cup of coffee, and to A.A. s General Service Office for national and international action. The sum total of all these services is our Third Legacy of Service. (A.A. Service Manual, page S7) Whether performed by individuals or groups or areas or A.A. as a whole, these activities are vital to our existence and growth. Nor can we make A.A. more simple by abolishing such services. To do so would only be asking for complication and confusion. Among the most vital, yet probably least understood, group of services are those that help us function as a whole the work of the General Service Office (GSO) and the General Service Board (the trustees). Our worldwide unity and much of our growth since early times are directly traceable to them... The strength of our whole A.A. service structure starts with the group and with the general service representative (GSR) the group elects. I cannot emphasize too strongly the GSR s importance. Generally GSRs have two or more years of continuous sobriety in A.A. GSRs are elected every two years, along with an optional alternate. In San Francisco, the General Service committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month, and in Marin, on the third Monday. The new GSR will be given a GSR kit which contains the A.A. Service Manual/Twelve Concepts for World Service. (See the Monthly Service Meetings box on the current schedule for times and locations, call Central Office or visit their website: Resources and Information There is a diagram on the next page which illustrates A.A. s General Service Structure (the upside down triangle ). Website: A.A. pamphlet GSR A.A. pamphlet Circles of Love and Service A.A. pamphlet Your A.A. General Service Office A.A. Service Manual (combined with 12 Concepts for World Service) Box 459 (General Service Office Newsletter) Current GSRs can be an excellent source of information. Please feel free to attend the monthly district General Service meeting to see what it s like before taking the commitment. Further information can be obtained from the A.A. General Service Office, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y (212) See also: Group Secretary sections on Group Business Meetings & Group Conscience. All the above publications are available at Central Office and/or online at and Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13 20

21 GSR - continued The General Service Structure of Alcoholics Anonymous GROUPS GROUPS GROUPS GROUPS GROUPS GROUPS District (6) General Service (San Francisco) District (10) General Service (Marin) Area (6) General Service (California Northern Coastal General Service Conference (composed of all 93 Area Delegates, the Board and Staff of GSO, A.A.WS, the Grapevine, and the 21 Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13

22 GSR - continued Recommended Sobriety: Term of Service: Special Requirements: Your Group s Requirements or Practices REVIEW ITEMS FOR THE NEW GSR: Does this meeting conduct a regular business meeting? Who is responsible for calling / leading the business meeting? Is your group registered with the General Service Office? (See Group Registration, page 4) If so, what is the group s GSO number? ADDITIONAL NOTES: Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13 22

23 Hospital & Institution Committee Representative T he Hospital & Institution (H&I) Committee of Northern California is an organized committee of Alcoholics Anonymous with the purpose of carrying the message of A.A. to those who are confined in prisons, hospitals, and other institutions. Northern California H&I provides almost 42,000 meetings a year, servicing 22 major state and federal institutions and hundreds of local jails, hospitals, rehabs and other community facilities. Those who are confined have no money to buy the A.A. literature brought in by the H&I volunteers, so the Pink Can, with your pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars, covers this cost. In 1942, the highly respected Warden Clinton Duffy invited some local A.A. members to bring the first A.A. meeting into San Quentin Prison; by June of 1946, A.A. was invited into Folsom Prison and the organization we now know as H&I was born. Because of the increasing interest of A.A. members outside the San Francisco area to participate in prison work, the committee resolved to become an autonomous. H&I has been carrying the A.A. message of recovery to confined alcoholics for over 70 years, and is one of the oldest service committees of A.A.. They maintain strong and mutually beneficial relations with the Corrections and Treatment Committees of the A.A. General Service Board in New York, and are humbly grateful for the generous contributions, both financial and in service, of the A.A. members who make our mission possible. A San Francisco H&I Group Representative is elected by group conscience of the A.A. Group they are representing. Marin H&I currently does NOT offer this service position. Term: Two years Sobriety Requirement: 6 months continuous sobriety Responsibilities: Attending the H&I Monthly Business meeting to bring your group conscience and questions to the Committee Attending your A.A. Group s business meeting as the H&I Representative, reporting on H&I activities and issues, presenting the H&I financial statements and gathering questions and concerns to bring back to this Committee at the monthly meeting. Making brief weekly announcements to your group regarding the vital need for H&I volunteers, announcing any upcoming H&I activities and generally being available as an H&I resource point for your group members Having available the current list of H&I openings, which will be provided to you by the H&I Group Representative Coordinator. This position can be held in addition to other H&I volunteer positions, and is encouraged as an adjunct to those positions. Only in this way can we ensure that we re being directly responsible to those [we] serve (from Tradition Nine, 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous), and that ultimate authority reside[s] in the collective conscience of our whole fellowship (from Concept I of the 12 Concepts for World Service). More information available at 23 Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Intergroup for San Francisco and Marin revised 3/18/13