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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the general service structure?
The general service structure is the men and women who give freely of their own time to help the still suffering alcoholic through a structured service entity. The structure is like an inverted triangle - the groups are at the top, narrowing down to the districts that service the groups, narrowing down again to the areas that serve the districts and finally the general service office at the bottom. | Back to the Top |
Just as the twelve steps help a member in their own personal recovery, so the twelve traditions help the groups and the twelve concepts help AA as a whole. The traditions and the concepts give a foundation for general service work. | Back to the Top | Members of Alcoholics Anonymous who wish to serve in the general service structure stand for election at the appropriate service meeting. The positions may involve serving at group level, at district level (covering one or more counties) or at area level (covering all of Utah). Some of these positions are listed below. More information can be found in the Area 69 Service Guidelines or in the GSO General Service Manual . | Back to the Top | A GSR is the General Service Representative for the group. He/she is a vital link in the chain of communication between the home group and AA as a whole. The GSR is the ears, eyes, and voice for the group. See the General Service Manual for more information. | Back to the Top | A DCM is a District Committee Member. Each DCM serves several groups (often 5 to 6 groups in Area 69). See the General Service Manual for more information. | Back to the Top | Each area of AA in the US and Canada has an elected delegate to represent that area. The delegate votes on behalf of his/her area at the General Service Conference. At an area assembly prior to the conference, the delegate is given the group conscience of the whole area to take to New York. | Back to the Top |
Once a year (in late April) the delegates from the service areas of AA meet in New York. In Area 69 there is a pre-conference assembly held to discuss the conference agenda items. There is also a post-conference assembly held when the area delegate reports back from the conference. | Back to the Top | Conference approved literature is usually books or pamphlets that have been approved by the delegates at a general service conference. It is published by AAWS. | Back to the Top |
No. Most AA literature is conference approved, especially literature meant for people outside of the fellowship (potential newcomers, professionals, etc.). Some material, such as The Grapevine magazine or service related materials, are not conference approved. | Back to the Top | GSO is the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is located in New York City and serves the US and Canada in matters relating to Alcoholics Anonymous. | Back to the Top | AAWS stands for Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. This is essentially the business side of AA in that the printing and sale of AA publications falls under AAWS. | Back to the Top |
The US and Canada are split up into 93 areas. Utah is Area 69 and is part of the Pacific Region. In Utah there are twelve districts. Eleven of these are on a geographic basis. District 12 is a Spanish speaking linguistic district. | Back to the Top |
There are no rules or regulations. However, each district and area has its own set of service guidelines. For AA as a whole, the GSO publishes an annual service manual. | Back to the Top | In AA we have three legacies - recovery, unity and service. Hence the third legacy is service. | Back to the Top |
There are several different types of service meetings. A group business meeting discusses the affairs of the home group. A district business meeting discusses the collective matters affecting all the groups within that district. The area meetings fall into three categories. At area committee meetings, the business of the area is discussed. Area workshops include an area committee meeting but also include a workshop on AA service. At the area assemblies AA's from all over Utah attend - GSR's, DCM's and area officers and chairs. The pre-conference assembly discusses the items on the general service conference agenda. At the post-conference assembly we hear our delegate report back from New York. The fall assembly is a chance to discuss other area related matters. On even numbered years this is the voting assembly to elect the next rotation of area officers and chairs. | Back to the Top |
Attendees are AA's serving in the general service structure. Each type of service meeting applies to different levels of the structure. However, anybody is welcome to attend these meetings. In fact, interested AA's are encouraged to attend to see the third legacy at work. If there is voting, members not holding a service position do not have a vote. | Back to the Top | Yes you can. In fact, you are encouraged to attend. No AA service meetings are held behind closed doors. Any member of AA can listen in on the meetings. You will probably have a voice but not a vote unless you have been elected to hold an appropriate service position. | Back to the Top |
There are standing committees assigned to different aspects of service work. Examples are the PI (Public Information) Committee which focuses on informing the general public about AA. Another is the Correctional Facilities Committee which concentrates on carrying the message of AA into jails and prisons. The bulk of the work is done by the committee members and local volunteers. From time to time the standing committees report back to the general service meeting for that district or area. | Back to the Top |
Volunteer at a local level to help a standing committee - e.g. volunteer to help man an information booth for the PI committee at a health fair. Attend a local GSR meeting as an interested AA and learn what needs are to be met in your local district. | Back to the Top |
Start by asking your home group GSR or read some AA literature on service work. There is a host of information on the AA sites on the web. The GSO website is www.AA.org and the Area 69 site is www.UtahAA.org | Back to the Top |
Area 69 holds new GSR orientation meetings, usually each spring. But you are encouraged to get a service sponsor. He/she can guide you along the path of service work. In addition Area 69 holds GSR & DCM orientaion prior to registration at Area Events, Assemblies, Area Committee meetings & Workshops to share service experience with those who choose to attend. | Back to the Top |
A "regular" sponsor helps a member work the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. A service sponsor helps a member understand the 12-traditions and the 12-concepts and how these apply in service. | Back to the Top |
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