This is the District 06 Beginners Guide to General Service.
Groups in Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) are organized into districts, districts belong to an Area, and ultimately the Areas are represented at the General Service Office (GSO) in New York City. District 6 falls in Area 83.
A district is simply a geographical area containing a balanced number of groups – right in terms of the committee member’s ability to keep in frequent touch with them, to learn their problems, and to find ways to contribute to their growth and well-being. For a map of District 6 see below.
The number of groups per district varies widely, from as few as five in a rural district to 90 or more in a metropolitan district. Population density and the geographic size of the district, which will affect the ability of the district committee member (D.C.M.) to communicate with the groups, would be key factors determining the number of groups a district will have.
District 06 Map
District 06 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm at the Bloordale United Church, 4258 Bloor St W, Etobicoke, ON M9C 1Z7.
District Positions
The General Services Representative (G.S.R.)
A GSR is the representative of the group at the District level. He or she links his or her group with A.A. as a whole and represents the voice of the group conscience. The GSR reports the group’s thoughts to the district committee member, who passes these on to the Area delegate, who passes them on to the GSO Conference. This communication is a two-way street, making the G.S.R. responsible for bringing back to the group Conference Actions that affect A.A. unity, health, and growth. Only when a G.S.R. keeps the group informed and communicates the group conscience, can the Conference truly act for A.A. as a whole.
Financial Support: Current experience indicates that many groups provide financial support for their general service representatives to attend service functions, as do some Districts.
Some GSR duties include:
G.S.R.s attend district monthly meetings and is a voting member of the Area assembly.
They usually serve on district steering committees.
They participate in district and area service meetings, and often help with the planning for area get-togethers and conventions at the district subcommittee levels.
G.S.R.s serve as the main contact with the General Service Office (G.S.O.), and they are listed in the A.A. directories as contacts for their group.
They are knowledgeable about material available from G.S.O.
They learn everything they can about the Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts.
Term and Method of Election
G.S.R.s serve for two years and the term frequently runs concurrently with those of committee members and the delegate. They represent their home group and are nominated and elected by group members
Alternate G.S.R.
An alternate should be elected at the same time, in case the G.S.R. is unable to attend all district and area meetings. Alternates should be encouraged to assist, participate, and share in the responsibilities of the G.S.R. attending district and area meetings when feasible, depending on local needs.
District 06 District Table Officers
The District Committee Member (D.C.M.)
The D.C.M. is an essential link between the group G.S.R. and the area delegate to the General Service Conference. As leader of the district committee, made up of all G.S.R.s in the district, the D.C.M. is exposed to the group conscience of that district. As a member of the area committee, he or she is able to pass on the district’s thinking to the delegate and the committee. (The pamphlet “Your D.C.M.,” available from the General Service Office, provides basic information on this service job.)
Contact: dcmd06@aamississauga.org
Alternate D.C.M.
The alternate is a backup for the D.C.M. If the D.C.M. resigns or is unable to serve for any reason, the alternate steps in. Usually, the alternate is elected at the same time as the D.C.M., by the same procedure. Alternate committee members should be encouraged to assist, participate, and share in the D.C.M.’s responsibilities at district and area meetings. The Alternate D.C.M. handles the ordering of the Grapevine Calendars.
Contact: acdmd06@aamississauga.org
Secretary/Treasurer (Combined position in District 06)
Secretary
Communicate information received from the D.C.M., Area Committee chairs, Delegate and other Districts or Intergroups to the district table in a timely manner.
Keeps up to date via Registrar, the email addresses and phone numbers for District 06 G.S.R.s and Committee Chairs, Area Committee Chairs and Delegate and Alternate Delegate, so as to keep the line of communication open and flowing.
Updates the district’s group roster as changes occur.
Prepares the agenda for the monthly district meeting.
Records and distributes the minutes of the district meeting no later than the first week of the next month following the district meeting, allowing 10 to 15 days for G.S.R.s to read the minutes for approval at the next District meeting.
Distributes to the Area 83 table officers once the minutes have been approved by the district and upon request by other D.C.M.s and Area Committee Chairs.
Act as a liaison between District 06 Committee Members and groups’ G.S.R.s.
Emails announcements and sharing from the district meeting to the district 1-2 days after the meeting.
Contact: secretaryd06@aamississauga.org
Treasurer
The secretary in D06 is also the Treasurer. The treasurer’s report is done monthly for the business meeting and may be sent out 1-2 days prior to the district business meeting.
The treasurer ensures the report is balanced with the actual bank information.
Deposits 7th tradition contributions to the Bank (Scotia bank) and keeps a contribution log. Most contributions are now done with Interac Etransfer.
Pays bills, mostly via Interac Etransfer. (ETF), and writes cheques if needed.
Recommends when to make prudent donations to the G.S.O. and Area.
Ensure our meeting room is booked 9 months in advance, sign and date the contract and write post dated cheques.
Attends the semi-annual Area Assembly.
Registrar/Webmaster (Combined position in District 06)
Registrar
Keep all district records up to date which includes district officers, G.S.R.s, A.G.S.R.s, group meeting locations and times, and committee chairs. phones, email address, updates the district secretary of any changes (3-4 hours a month).
Information for district officers and committee chairs sent to Area 83 secretary, G.S.R., A.G.S.R., group meeting locations and times sent to Area 83 registrar.
Update attendance list and take attendance at district meeting, give to district secretary when completed.
Attend monthly district meeting. Arrive early (1/2 hour) to take information about new members to the table.
Stand in for district secretary/treasurer at monthly meetings when necessary.
Attend semi-annual Area 83 assembly.
Update contact information email addresses for forwarding to district officers and committee chairs (3 to 4 hours at start of term), and periodically throughout the term.
Contact: registrard06@aamississauga.org
Other duties as assigned by district officers/table.
Webmaster
Some of the qualities most desirable in the individual who will fill the vacancy are:
To be experienced with software(s) used in creating and maintaining a web site.
The District 06 Webmaster holds primary authority and responsibility for the oversight of the District 06 Website. The primary duty is to maintain the website, in terms of additions, deletions, updates, email address forwarding for District 06 contacts and to track web site usage. The Webmaster shall assure the 12 Traditions and Concepts, particularly as they relate to anonymity.
Familiar with GSO guidelines and policies and the District 06 Web Site Guidelines are followed relating to the World Wide Web.
(https://www.aamississauga.org/files/guidelines/District06WebsiteGuidelinesAdopted19DEC2012.pdf)
(https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/smf-101_en.pdf);(http://aa.org/lang/en/en_pdfs/mg-18_internet.pdf
Contact: webmaster@aamississauga.org
District 06 Service Committees
Accessibility
Assist A.A. members who have a variety of challenges to accessing the A.A. message in A.A. meetings, twelfth step work and other A.A. service.
Inter district committee meeting on the third Sunday of each month at 11:00 am at the GTA A.A. Toronto Intergroup office. Please contact 416-487-5591 to confirm status of meeting.
Contact: access@aamississauga.org
Archives
Like any other A.A. service, the primary purpose of those involved in archival work is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous. Archives service work is more than mere custodial activity, it is the means by which we collect, preserve, and share the rich and meaningful heritage of our Fellowship, it is by the collection and the sharing of these important historical elements that our collective gratitude for Alcoholics Anonymous is deepened.
Inter district committee meeting on the second Friday of each month at 7:00 pm at the GTA A.A. Toronto Intergroup office. Please contact 416-487-5591 to confirm status of meeting.
Contact: archives@aamississauga.org
Cooperation with the Professional Community (C.P.C.)
Members of the C.P.C committees inform professionals and future professionals about A.A—what we are, where we are, what we can and cannot do. They attempt to establish better communication between A.A. and professionals, and to find simple effective ways of cooperating without affiliating.
Inter district committee meeting on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the GTA A.A. Toronto Intergroup office. Please contact 416-487-5591 to confirm status of meeting.
Contact: cpc@aamississauga.org
Corrections
The purpose of the Corrections Committee is to coordinate the work of individual A.A. members and groups who are interested in carrying the message of recovery to alcoholics behind the walls, and to set up the means of smoothing the way from the facility to the larger A.A. community through pre-release contacts.
Contact: corrections@aamississauga.org
Public Information
Like all of A.A., the primary purpose of members involved with Public Information service is to carry the A.A. message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Working together, members of local Public Information Committees convey information to the general public, including the media.
Inter district committee meeting on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 pm at the GTA A.A. Toronto Intergroup office. Please contact 416-487-5591 to confirm status of meeting.
Contact: publicinfo@aamississauga.org
Treatment
While A.A. is not affiliated with any form of alcoholism treatment, A.A. Treatment committees are essential in carrying the A.A. message to treatment facilities when asked, where the suffering alcoholic may be introduced to A.A. for the first time. Coordinates Bridging the Gap requests.
Inter district committee meeting on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm at the GTA A.A. Toronto Intergroup office. Please contact 416-487-5591 to confirm status of meeting.
Contact: treatment@aamississauga.org
Self Support
“Self-support begins with me, because I am part of us — the group. We pay our rent and utility bills, buy coffee, snacks and A.A. literature. We support our central office, our area committee, and our General Service Office. If it were not for those entities, many new people would never discover the miracles of A.A.
Inter district committee meeting on the fourth Thursday of every second month at 7:30 pm at the GTA A.A. Toronto Intergroup office. Please contact 416-487-5591 to confirm status of meeting.
Contact: selfsupport@aamississauga.org,
Grapevine publications include the monthly magazine in print and online; books and eBooks; various publications on the steps and traditions as well as CD’s.
There is also a Grapevine Website which is self-explanatory and very easy to use giving individual members the opportunity of exploring what A.A. Grapevine has to offer.
Upon request, the Chair sets up at a group, Info A.A. Day and special events.
Inter district committee meeting on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm at the GTA A.A. Toronto Intergroup office. Please contact 416-487-5591 to confirm status of meeting.
Contact: grapevine@aamississauga.org
Intergroup Liaison
The Intergroup Liaison will attend monthly meetings of GTA Intergroup on the last Tuesday of each month at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church 230 St. Clair Ave East Toronto at 8;00 PM and report back to District 06 monthly meetings
Dated: April 7, 2019