FORMAT OF GSR/DCM SCHOOL Area 22 Structure* God (as we understand him) 9,763 members Individual Members Groups 662 Registered Groups GSR (General Service Rep.) Districts 48 Districts in Area 22 DCM (District Committee Member) Area 22 93 Areas in US/Canada Area Delegate General Service Conf. 56,694 Groups in U.S. General Service Board Be Prepared Get notebook or binder (Area 22 supplies new DCMs with a notebook, tell us you are new) Become familiar with and keep with you: AA Service Manual Area 22 Handbook GSR Responsibility (Chapter 2, Pages S25 S30, AA Service Manual) You are now the connection your group has with all other groups in AA. This job can be fun and very rewarding expression of the love we have for the person who is still-suffering! Attendance at your Group s Consciences, District s Meetings and Area 22 Assemblies are vital. Do it with an open heart! You will learn how to give interesting reports to your home group. DCM Responsibility (Chapter 3, Pages S31 S35, AA Service Manual) The responsibility of the District Committee Member is the same as GSR with the addition of thinking in terms of a group of groups. DCMs serve on the Area 22 Committee. Seventh Tradition Pamphlet on Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix Pamphlet on the Group Treasurer AA Finance Guidelines Historical Background on Self-Support Green Card on Self-Support What to Expect at Area 22 Assemblies and DCM Conferences Area Assemblies and DCM Conferences are lively affairs. Making new like-minded sober friends involved in general service work. Standing Committee Reports (This is what is really going on!). Line up at microphone to share your group s conscience. Respect each other Don t repeat what has already been said. Limit sharing to two minutes. Don t go back to microphone until everyone has shared on specific topic. What Next? KEEP COMING BACK! Big Book Chapter 2 There is a Solution page 17 The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism. By practicing the 12 Steps we work together with our Home Group Members to help the person that comes to our group. As a GSR or DCM we work with other like minded AA members to help keep AA alive and well, cooperating to help the alcoholic we can t see or hasn t been born. Have fun and remember Rule #62. * Statistics taken from 2010 General Service Conference Report
AREA 22 STRUCTURE and PREPARATION This Presentation is to set the tone of Workshop BE ENTHUSIASTIC Explain the Six Warranties and why they are important! The Operating Principles of Area 22 Assembly (Adapted from Concept XII, Twelve Concepts for World Service, pg. 62). In all of its proceedings, the Area 22 Assembly shall observe the spirit of the A.A. Traditions. Great care shall be taken that the Assembly never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficiency of operating funds, plus an ample reserve, be its prudent guiding financial principle; that none of the Assembly members shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority over any of the others; that all important decisions be reached by discussion, vote, and whenever possible, by substantial unanimity. No Area 22 Assembly action shall ever be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy. Though the Assembly may act for the service of Alcoholics Anonymous, it shall never perform any acts of government. Like the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, which it serves, the Assembly itself shall always strive to maintain unity in thought and action. Steps, Traditions and Concepts The Twelve Steps Give the individual freedom (prevent suicide) The Twelve Traditions Allow the group to work together (prevent homicide) The Twelve Concepts Allows all the groups to work together (prevent genocide) Be Prepared Get a notebook or binder. Become familiar with and keep with you: Big Book Twelve and Twelve AA Service Manual and 12 Concepts for World Service Area 22 Handbook District Handbook (if your District has one) AA Comes of Age Become familiar with Summary of Area 22 Assembly Procedures Suggested Sub-Sections of Notebook District Area 22 Home Group/District/Area Rosters Committee Reports Reports Flyers New Agendas/Minutes Standing Committees DCM Hand Outs E-mails Area 22 Schedule Presentation 1
General Service Representative Responsibilities The General Service Representative; the link between our Home Group and A.A. as a whole. Length of service is 2 years (the rotation odd cycle / elections August even years) Length of sobriety suggested in the Service Manual is usually two continuous years. Pg. S26. If a GSR is unable to complete his or her term, an Alternate moves into the vacated position and completes the term. [It is always wise to have an Alternate.] Registering with the General Service Office Notify our Area 22 Registrar. If you have monthly District Meetings; you can give the forms to your DCM who can help you register. This can be done at www.aa.org. Use the New Group Form if your Home Group is not already a registered group or www.aa.org. Use a Change of Information Form if your Home Group is a registered group or www.aa.org. If you are not sure if your group is registered, check with your District Committee Member (DCM). Suggested Contributions (if you have a District up and running) (see Pamphlet - Self Support) 50% - Intergroup/Central Service Office Treasurer (see Appendix II Inter-groups in Area 22) 30% - General Service Office, PO Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163 10% - Area 22 Northern Indiana, 7 th Tradition, PO Box 719, Laporte, Indiana 45352 10% - District Treasurer Attend District Meetings and Area Assemblies How can you know what is happening at the District and Area level if you don t attend the meetings. Remember you carry information to and from the District and Area 22 and to and from your Home Group. Area 22 Assemblies I can t stress this enough! There is so much to learn at this function. There are workshops and every other year there is a Voting Assembly. Your vote controls who is doing what at the Area! If you don t think your vote counts, you need to attend a voting Assembly (October of even years) to see how one person s vote can make a difference. It is also important to ask for your group s financial support for you to attend the Area 22 Assemblies. (we are all in this together / shared responsibility to help the newcomer) How to give Reports to your Home Group Experience has taught me not to give a report during the regular A.A. meeting. It takes too much time. However, I will discuss (briefly) one of the topics of what the Group Business Meeting will be about to spark interest. Some Home Groups have a monthly business meeting. We begin and end with a prayer or service statement. Try to be to the point, clear and concise. No one wants a business meeting that lasts more than one hour. I find that one half hour or less works best. Highlight what is happening at the District and Area level. Are there any proposals that are coming up at the District or Area? Have copies of the District, Area and the General Service Office Treasurer s Reports for all to see. Have copies of the Area Handout and Box 459. Pick a topic from Box 459, if you have time to discuss it. Presentation 2
District Committee Member Responsibilities (be familiar with the GSR Responsibilities) The District Committee Member; the link between your District and A.A. as a whole. Length of service is 2 years (the rotation odd cycle / elections August even years) Length of sobriety suggested in the Service Manual is four - five years. (pg. S32) If a DCM is unable to complete his or her term, an Alternate moves into the vacated position and completes the term. [It is always wise to have an Alternate.] Registering with the General Service Office and Area 22 Notify the Area 22 Registrar that you have been elected (Service Manual pg. S35) Every District has a GSO Service Number (see Area 22 Roster) www.aa.org. If you are not sure if your group is registered, check with Area 22 Registrar. Hold District Meetings and attend all Area 22 Assemblies How can you know what is happening at the District and Area level if you don t attend the meetings. Remember you carry information to and from the District to Area 22. Area 22 Assemblies I can t stress this enough! There is so much to learn at this function. There are workshops about Service. Get involved in your Standing Committee to carry the message. (This is the work) It is important to ask for your district s financial support for you to attend the Area 22 Assemblies. (we are all in this together/shared responsibility to help the newcomer). How to Conduct District Meetings Keep the meetings positive (everyone knows the problem). Invigorate, encourage committees to be active. Have copies of the District, Area and the General Service Office Treasurer s Reports. Try to be to the point, clear and concise. Highlight what is happening at the District and Area level. The idea is for all groups in your district to share in support of the service structure. Begin and end with a prayer or service statement. Remember we do not need to have all the answers admit you don t know, find it. Presentation 3
Presentation of the Seventh Tradition (WHERE MONEY AND SPIRITUALITY MEET) Necessary literature: Copies of (FV19) Yellow packet with the following contents: Pamphlet on Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix Pamphlet on the Group Treasurer AA Finance Guidelines Historical Background on Self-Support Green Card on Self-Support Draw remarks primarily from the Self-Support Pamphlet Long form of 7th Tradition (page 3 of Pamphlet,; Self-Support) Carrying the message requires money (pp. 6-7); relate Ebby's expenses for the first 12th Step call, (phone call and subway toll). Five categories of expenses to be met before 7 th Tradition (page 7): 1) Rent 2) Refreshments 3) AA Literature 4) GSR Travel Expenses 5) Prudent Reserve Group conscience on making "split" for contributions (pp 12-13) All AA funding is for ONE PURPOSE, to carry the message to stillsuffering *Four separate entities; each group is autonomous: 50% - CSO / Intergroup *If No CSO % - CSO 30% - GSO 40% - GSO % - GSO 10% - Area 22 30% - Area 22 % - Area 22 10% - District 30% District % - District Hit highlights of Q and As (pp9-12), including such things as the improper use of the 7th Tradition money for such things as anniversary or other galas instead of a separate collection, 50/50 raffles "advertised" as AA raffles, 6th Tradition requirement that the AA name never be associated with outside fund raising, etc. We try to help groups be the keepers of all 12 Traditions. With Q and As from the participants, this can usually be done in a half hour. Discussions about fund raisers can lengthen the time considerably since these have become misunderstood. May you stay enlightened and have much fun and much success in helping your local groups learn more about carrying the message! Presentation 4
What to expect at Area 22 Assemblies Support The Area Assembly is here for us to be connected with AA as a whole. If you have questions, please ask. This is a resource available to help support our efforts: The Officers: Chairperson, Alternate Chairperson, Delegate, Alt. Delegate, Secretary, Alternate Secretary, Treasurer, Alternate Treasurer, Registrar, Alternate Registrar. The Standing Committee Chairpersons: Archives, Cooperation with the Professional Community, Corrections, Grapevine, Literature, Public Information, Treatment, Finance Committee, Special Needs About the Area Assemblies and DCM Conferences There are four Area 22 Assemblies per year. A fifth assembly called an Election Assembly is held in October of even numbered years. The Assemblies are held in February (Pre-Conference), May Weekend (Post-Conference), August and November Budget Assembly. There are also two DCM Conferences in March and October of each year. The February Pre-Conference Assembly Standing Committee Members are randomly assigned by draw from hat. We focus on providing the Delegate with group s conscience for GSC. What is the significance of Panel 61? The first panel was in 1951. There was a General Service Conference in New York where our Delegates attended. Knowing that the first panel was in 1951, we add the number of years since the first; therefore Panel 61 is 2011. The GSR/DCM School conducted to help new and experienced members. Presentation of Proposals to the Assembly for consideration The March DCM Conference In Even numbered years new GSRs and DCMs, Area Officers and Standing Committee Chairs are introduced. Standing Committees continue to work on preparation of Delegate. Presentation made on Area 22 Procedures (Robert s Rules of Order). Discussion of Proposals before the Assembly. The May Post-Conference Weekend Assembly The Delegate s report from the General Service Conference. Annual Service Weekend Workshops. Discussion and Vote on Proposals before the Assembly. The GSR/DCM School conducted to help new and experienced members. Service Workshop Presentations (coordinated by Alternate Delegate). The August Assembly Service Workshop with GSO Video(s). Standing Committee Reports. Presentation of Proposals to the Assembly for consideration Any Special Presentations. Presentation 5
The October DCM Conference The Finance Committee gives a brief presentation of proposed budget. Discussion of Proposals before the Assembly. The GSR/DCM School conducted to help new and experienced members. A Service Workshop is included from specific Committee. The October Voting Assembly (Even Year Elections) The Area Elections are conducted by The Third Legacy (Service Manual pg.22). The standing committee chairs are elected by simple majority. Refer to your service manual for the explanation of these terms or ask. This is the opportunity that all GSRs and DCMs in Area 22 have to get together and experience the Third Legacy in action. The GSR/DCM School conducted to help new and experienced members. Any special presentations. The November Budget Assembly Budget proposed to Area 22 Assembly for approval. Each committee chairperson is responsible to support requested budget. Assembly locations(which District) for the next year are decided. Standing Committee Reports. Discussion and Vote on Proposals before the Assembly. At all Area 22 Assemblies Welcome and reading. Role call of all Area 22 Assembly Members. Secretary s Report. Treasurer s Report. Committee Meetings and Reports. District Reports. Delegate s Report. Proposals (Presented/Discussed/Voted). Announcement of the next assembly. Close with the Responsibility Statement. Presentation 5
What Next? KEEP COMING BACK! The Big Book Chapter 2 There is a Solution page 17 The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism. WE ARE THE GUARDIANS OF THE TRADITIONS! By practicing the 12 Steps we work together with our Home Group Members to help the person that comes to our group. As a GSR or DCM we work with other like minded AA members to help keep AA alive and well, cooperating to help the alcoholic we can t see or hasn t yet been born. Have fun and remember Rule #62. KEEP THESE THOUGHTS IN MIND! Over 62,000 registered meetings in US/Canada and 27,000 contribute (43%) 662 groups in Area 22 and 209 groups contribute to our Area (31.7%) If every group in Area 22 was set up by the AA Group pamphlet we would have over 5,300 members in attendance at our assemblies. (662 GSRs, 48 DCMs, 4634 Standing Committee Representatives). Since 1955 we have been given the responsibility to keep AA alive! There are no bosses just Trusted Servants I am Responsible. We are the chosen (for whatever reason) Attraction, not Promotion. LOVE EXPANDS... FEAR CONSTRICTS Suggestions that have worked in other groups and districts TRY TO REMEMBER The results are in GOD S hands and the effort is in ours! Presentation 6