A GSR, or GENERAL
SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE is the essential link between the
fellowship and GSO in New York. By accepting this commitment you
have taken a step into an area of service that in my opinion is the
essence of AA.
Your home group has
entrusted you to speak and act on their behalf. You have certain
responsibilities as their GSR to relay information to and from the
group conscience. You will be asked to regularly attend DISTRICT
meetings and AREA assemblies. At these levels you have a
vote that represents your group's feeling on matters of AA business.
This business ranges from critical changes in our service materials
(i.e. Big Book new editions, literature, etc) to electing
representatives to carry our concerns along to the GENERAL
SERVICE CONFERENCE in New York each year. That elected official
is called a DELEGATE. The Delegate represents an Area. The
Delegate is present at all Area Assemblies and available by phone
and email and regularly schedules visits to individual districts to
give a CONFERENCE REPORT on the goings on in New York.
As GSR you represent a group
that resides in a DISTRICT. Your District is a geographical
area of many square miles and has a number. If you are meeting with
me, you are in DISTRICT #17. Our district is comprised
of nearly 25 groups. We are one of many Districts that belong to an
even greater geographical AREA. Our Area is a couple
hundred square miles. AA has ninety-three Areas in the US and
Canada. Our District resides in AREA 74, in AA's
Service Structure.
District Meetings are
Chaired (or Run) by a DCM, or DISTRICT COMMITTEE
MEMBER. This person sets the agenda for and holds all regular
district meetings.
At most every meeting you
will hear read the 12 Concepts Short Form. This can be found
in the A.A. SERVICE MANUAL combined with TWELVE CONCEPTS FOR
WORLD SERVICE. This and other service materials pertinent to
your position as GSR will be included in a new GSR Welcome
Packet. You will receive this either at the next AREA ASSEMBLY
or in the mail from GRAND CENTRAL STATION (the New York address for
GSO).
At your first Area Assembly
you will be asked to attend the NEW GSR ORIENTATION given to
each of us, who are new to service, by our Area Alternate Delegate.
Ask many questions. This is your opportunity to ask even the most
basic level questions from "what the heck have I gotten myself
into?" to "what is a general service conference report" to "when's
lunch?"
Read the materials given to
you. Learn the most you can. Give of yourself freely. You are the "GUARDIAN
OF THE TRADITIONS" for your home group. Read them. Study them.
Our entire service structure relies very heavily on tradition two.
Most of all, you have been
given an opportunity to serve the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous
who, when you reached out for help, our arms were open wide. Welcome
to service, please feel free to really enjoy yourself. You are in
for the ride of your life.