1. MSIG Workshop The Role of the GSR
4th November 2017

2. Agenda Andrew D – Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Alan T The Role of the GSR
- The Informed Conscience Meeting
- Questions on presentation
Coffee
Charles R - The GSR and The Home Group
Brian P The GSR into Wider Service
General Sharing on the Topics

3. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
The Three Legacies
Recovery
The Big Book
The Twelve Steps
Unity
The Twelve Traditions
Service
The AA Service Manual
+ Twelve Concepts
(The Third Legacy Manual)
The AA Service Handbook for GB R

4. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
'Service'
“An A.A. service is anything whatever that helps us reach a fellow sufferer - ranging all the way from the Twelfth Step itself to a ten-cent phone call and a cup of coffee, and to A.A.’s General Service Office for national and international action. The sum total of all these services is our Third Legacy of Service.” (Bill Wilson – AA Service Manual (The ‘Third Legacy Manual”) – page S1)
(“Service does not need a job title” – GB Conference c2000))

5. The Role of the GSR What our literature tells us Alan T

6. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
Tradition 2
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

7. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
Tradition 9
AA, as such, ought never be organised; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

8. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
The Role of the GSR
Bill W said, “the strength of our whole structure starts with the Group and with the General Service Representative (G.S.R.) that the Group elects”.
cont)

9. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
…cont)
Working via the Intergroup the GSR is the Groups link with the General Service Conference, through which groups share experiences and voice AA's collective conscience.
The GSR ... has the job of linking his or her group with A.A. as a whole. The GSR represents the voice of the group conscience, reporting the groups' wishes to the committee member and to the delegate, who passes them on to the Conference and to the movement.
Cont….

10. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
….cont)
....This is a two-way street, allowing the GSR to bring back to the group the problems and remedies that affect AA unity, health and growth. To the extent that a GSR keeps the group informed, then expresses the group conscience, only to that extent can the Conference feel it is acting for AA as a whole.
From: AA Structure Handbook for Great Britain – p 80

12. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
The GSR
General Service Representative
(Worldwide since 1950)
Group Service Representative
(UK since 2004)

13. Responsibilities of a GSR
Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
Responsibilities of a GSR
Share Fellowship mail.. news with group
Keep members informed about local activities
May be contact for referral
Help group to solve problems
Keep GSO (General Service Office) up to date for directory
Vital link in chain between Group and Intergroup
... discuss IG agenda with group
Represent group conscience at Intergroup ...
Report back from Intergroup to group
cont...

14. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
cont
Attend all Intergroup meetings.
Encourage observers to attend Intergroup Meetings
Know the group so well that should unexpected matters come before the Intergroup meeting he or she will have a fair idea of the group's conscience
Groups should also elect an Alternate GSR to stand in at Intergroup in the absence of the GSR
From: AA Structure Handbook for Great Britain – p 81

15. Qualifications for a GSR
Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
Qualifications for a GSR
Groups should take due care in electing their GSR, giving particular regard to the following:

16. Qualifications for a GSR
Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
Qualifications for a GSR
Groups should take due care in electing their GSR, giving particular regard to the following:
…suggested at least two or three years continuous sobriety and preferably not hold any other group office (..GSR may be eligible for .. Regional rep or Conference delegate.)
The GSR should be a regular weekly attender at his or her group and be able to stand in for any other officer if necessary
Have a good knowledge of AA structure
Cont….

17. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
..cont.)
The GSR should:
Have a working knowledge of :
The Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
The AA Service Manual combined with The Twelve Concepts for World Service
Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age
The AA Service and Structure Handbooks for Great Britain
The pamphlet The AA Group
Be prepared to serve a minimum of two years
The AA Structure Handbook for Great Britain p 81

18. Can a GSR be an Intergroup Officer?

19. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
Alternate GSR
It is suggested that groups should elect and alternate representative who would attend meetings should the need arise
The AA Structure Handbook for Great Britain p 81

21. The Role of the GSR Reminder
Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
The Role of the GSR Reminder
....This is a two-way street, allowing the GSR to bring back to the group the problems and remedies that affect AA unity, health and growth. To the extent that a GSR keeps the group informed, then expresses the group conscience, only to that extent can the Conference feel it is acting for AA as a whole.

22. The Group Conscience and Communication
How you establish the Group Conscience
How do involve the Group?
How do you communicate with the Group?

23. The Group Conscience and Communication
You must have a group to start with
Difference between a meeting and a group
Informed Group Conscience

24. What is an Informed A.A. Group Conscience?
The group conscience is the collective conscience of the group membership and thus represents substantial unanimity on an issue before definitive action is taken. This is achieved by the group members through the sharing of full information, individual points of view, and the practice of A.A. principles. To be fully informed requires a willingness to listen to minority opinions with an open mind.
On sensitive issues, the group works slowly—discouraging formal motions until a clear sense of its collective view emerges. Placing principles before personalities, the membership is wary of dominant opinions. Its voice is heard when a well-informed group arrives at a decision. The result rests on more than a “yes” or “no” count—precisely because it is the spiritual expression of the group conscience. The term “informed group conscience” implies that pertinent information has been studied and all views have been heard before the group votes.
Pamphlet – The AA Group – First Edition

25. Group Conscience Meetings
Have a schedule (3-monthly?)
Announce dates in advance
Separate from normal meetings
Home group members only
Agenda in advance
Timed
Don’t rush to decisions
Know how to control discussion
Listen to the Minority – Ensure Everyone participates
Use electronic communication

26. How to conduct a discussion
See ‘Sharing Sessions’ S40 in ‘AA Service Manual’.
Have a chairman and timekeeper
Have a note taker
Contributions time limited – one to two minutes
Can only speak once until everyone who wishes to has spoken
Chairman ensures everyone is asked if they want to speak
Concept XII – continue discussions until substantial unanimity is reached – never less than two thirds majority for major decisions except in emergencies.

27. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
The GSR is NOT!
The Chief Officer of the Group
Responsible for conducting Business Meetings and Group Consciences

28. The Role of the GSR Final Reminder!
Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
The Role of the GSR Final Reminder!
Bill W said, “the strength of our whole structure starts with the Group and with the General Service Representative (G.S.R.) that the Group elects”.
cont)

29. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
The Role of the GSR
Working via the Intergroup the GSR is the Groups link with the General Service Conference, through which groups share experiences and voice AA's collective conscience. The GSR ... has the job of linking his or her group with A.A. as a whole. The GSR represents the voice of the group conscience, reporting the groups' wishes to the committee member and to the delegate, who passes them on to the Conference and to the movement.

30. Role of the GSR and AA Structure
March 19th 2009
Concept I
Final Responsibility and ultimate authority for A.A. ….. Services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.

31. END