GSR Orientation

GSR OrientationDave HoustonNWTA 66 Alternate DelegateThis presentation was done by Former area 66 person named Jim in conjunction with a power point created by area 57 Oklahoma on Service Work as a whole

Oh, my GAWD .. I just got elected by my home group to be the GSR. What exactly does a GSR do ? What does GSR stand for ?? What do I need to do NOW ???!!! HELP !!!

G.S.R. stands for General Service Representative. Our G.S.R. pamphlet statesMay be the most important job in A.A.You can read about the position in that pamphlet and in our Service Manual.

You, as GSR, are the link between your group and A.A. as a whole. Each group is different -- as to what they expect from their GSR but generally the GSR goes to District & Area Meetings to relay the voice of your group to the District & Area.The GSR then brings the information -- given at District & Area Meetings -- back to the group to keep the group informed.Its just 2-way communicationGSRs should attend all local District Meetings, Area 66 Assemblies, Workshops & Mini-Forums.

What are the requirements for a GSR ?

Usually prospective GSRs have at least two years of continuous sobrietyTime available for District Meetings, Area Assemblies and WorkshopsHave the confidence of the Group and an ability to listen to all points of viewEncountered situations in which the Twelve Traditions have been called upon to solve problemsGENERAL SERVICEREPRESENTATIVEAttends Home Group Meetings RegularlySits in as member of Group Steering Committee Regularly reports to Group on all service meetings and service activitiesAssists Group in conducting Group Inventory Group Duties of the GSRAttends District Meetings regularlyEncourages Financial Contributions to District, Area & HeadquartersReturns Group Registration info to GSO & Area RegistrarGroup Duties of the GSRReports to District on their Groups activities - shares with other GSRsAttends all Assemblies and participates in preparation for General Service ConferenceHome Groups Voice in AA as a whole

District Duties of the GSRForms available: www.elptx.com/aanwtx or from Your DCM.

First update your Group Contact infoExisting GroupChange

New GroupFirst Time RegistrationOOPS !What if you have been elected GSR . and you dont have all of those requirements?

Relax like most of AA, this is suggestion onlyIf your group has entrusted you with the position, then my suggestion is that you keep an open mind and give it your best. Honest, Open-Minded & WillingNow I can handle that !

Since Ive now gotten a service position outside of my group . Are there like any spiritual tools that Im gonna to need to do service work?

Because my biggest fear about doing service work is .That Im getting myself into a WHOLE LOT of the kind of stuff that sometimes happens at our Group Conscience Meetings . All that fighting and stuff I dont like that at all.If thats what this is all about Im NOT INTERESTED !!!

Okay, Okay . I want to talk nowI want to know what to do when you hear someone (like an old-timer in your group) say really negative things about Service Work, Districts or the Area ?

You mean - LIKE THIS ?

Dont know why anyone would want to do Service Work at the District or Area

All they EVER do isargue for HOURS about coffee.

YES . Exactly like that !!!

That question can probably be most graciously answered by just IGNORING IT. (And you might want to avoid talking about coffee.)AND You may want to say a little prayer for that person also that hopefully someday that resentment will go away. Perhaps that person had a bad experience with service work. Im always sad to hear when that happens. First of all . We all know the Ultimate Authority in everything we do in AA and for AA . is the God of our Understanding.

Remember YOU are not in charge.

In fact the best spiritual tool for any job in AA is . from Tradition 4 in the Twelve & Twelve Remember?RULE 62 Dont take yourself too seriously !!!

Raccoons Anonymous