Area 54 NE Ohio General Service

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Suggested Helpful AA Literature

The A.A. Service Manual Combined with Twelve Concepts for World Service Includes the Conference structure, the Conference Charter and General Service Board Bylaws. The Twelve Concepts, as set forth by Bill W., are principles of service that have emerged from A.A.'s service accomplishments.

GSR May Be the Most Important Job in A.A. A pamphlet outlining the responsibilities of the General Service Representative. It provides suggestions for a Group when electing a GSR.

The DCM A pamphlet outlining the responsibilities of the District Committee Member.

Your General Service Office A pamphlet describing the services and operation of GSO.

Circles of Love and Service This pamphlet outlines A.A.’s service structure in color diagrams.

Problems Other Than Alcohol Excerpts from a A.A. Grapevine article by co-founder Bill W., representing principles reaffirmed by the General Service Conference of 1969, 1970 and 1972.

Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix A pamphlet that suggests ways of supporting service entities.

The A.A. Group, Where it all begins This pamphlet explains how an A.A. Group works most effectively, how new Groups can be started, and how each Group is linked to A.A. as a whole.

The Twelve Concepts Illustrated A fully illustrated guide of the Twelve Concepts for World Service in action.

The Twelve Traditions Illustrated A fully illustrated guide of the Twelve Traditions explaining the origins, the spirit and the practical applications of the Traditions.

Committment to Service

<> Commitment, in terms of recovery, means restoring some of the basic principles many of us were taught as children, but we lost somewhere in our self-centeredness. As Trusted Servants of the General Service structure the principles that we must now practice include willingness, self sacrifice, honesty, consideration of others, thoughtfulness, love, tolerance and, most of all, basic etiquette.

» 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 plans?
» Do we arrange for our alternate to attend events when we are unable?
» 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 to being committed to service in A.A., but the bottom line is: are we giving back 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.

Continuance

It is our sincerest wish that this guideline has informed and motivated you to continue to stay active in General Service and to attend additional meetings in your Area and District. Some of these meetings may seem confusing, frustrating, long and boring, but it should not be too hard for us to remember just how strange and confusing some of those first A.A. meetings were that we attended in those early days of sobriety. Keeping this in mind may make it easier.

You may not know any of the people there, or fully understand what is being discussed, possibly just as it was at your first A.A. meeting. But similarly, everyone there was once also a newcomer and knows what it feels like. Talk to people, ask questions, and find out how to get information.

You’ll find that people involved in service are a friendly group and will take the time to share and explain this most valuable legacy of service with newer members. Service takes every bit as much time and energy as learning and living the Twelve Steps of our program of recovery. To be willing to share with members not currently in service what the Third Legacy provides our Fellowship and communities that we live in is one true measure of our society’s wonderful movement.

The organizational method of Region, Area, District and Group may seem complicated and overly structured at first, but it is in accordance with our Tradition Nine, of "least possible organization." The test of time has shown that our service structure allows for the best operation of our Fellowship’s General Services.

Finally, and most importantly; it is through a loving God and the collective conscience of our Fellowship that our society arrives at the ultimate authority to guide Alcoholics Anonymous.

Service Leadership

Concept IX: Good service leaders, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them, are at all levels indispensable for our future functioning and safety. The primary world service leadership once exercised by the founders of A.A. must necessarily be assumed by the Trustees of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Leadership starts with informed group members and GSRs, many of whom go on to become DCMs, Area Service Committee Chairs, Area Officers, Delegates and Trustees. In order to fulfill the responsibility that our group has given us we must become as knowledgeable as possible. If we keep an open mind and a willingness to learn we soon find that we are the ones that benefit.

Service Sponsorship

Sponsorship in A.A. is basically the same, whether in helping another individual's recovery or in service to a group. It can be defined as one alcoholic who has made some progress in recovery and/or performance or service, sharing this experience with another alcoholic who is just starting the journey. Both types of service spring from the spiritual aspects of the program.

Individuals may feel that they have more to offer in one area than in another. It is the service sponsor's responsibility to present the various aspects of service: setting up a meeting, working on committees; participating in conferences, etc. In this matter, it is important for the service sponsor to help individuals understand the distinction between serving the needs of the Fellowship and meeting the personal needs of another group member.

The service sponsor begins by encouraging the member to become active in their home group ---- coffee, literature, cleanup, attending business meetings or intergroup meetings, etc. The service sponsor should keep in mind that all members will not have the desire or qualifications to move beyond certain levels and, thus, the service sponsor might help find tasks appropriate to individuals' skills and interests. Whatever level of service one performs, all are toward the same end ---- sharing the overall responsibilities of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Eventually, the service sponsor encourages the individual member interested in this form of service to attend district meetings and to read about the history and structure of Alcoholics Anonymous. At this point, the individual beginning this work should begin to understand the responsibilities of service work, as well as feel the satisfaction of yet another form of Twelfth Step work. Such individuals should be encouraged to take an active part in district activities and consider being elected to alternate positions in the district so as to learn about the responsibilities of various jobs in the service structure.

During this process it is important for the individual to continue to learn about the three Legacies---Unity, Recovery and Service, and to understand that the principle of rotation not only allows them to move on in service, but also gives newer members the privilege of serving. Rotation also allows them to understand that no one should hold on to a position of trust long enough to feel a proprietary interest and thereby discourage newcomers from service.

Now, through knowledge and experience, the newer member is aware that service is our most important product after sobriety. With this knowledge, the individual is able to share their vision with others and ensure the future of Alcoholics Anonymous.