There’s a lot to learn as a new General Service Representative (GSR). You don’t have to do it alone. Here are some of the most important resources available to you. You will need to register and login to access certain Area 72 materials.

Your District Committee Member (DCM)

Your DCM was once a GSR too! They’ve had an experience with General Service and Area 72, and are here to share that experience with you. They won’t have all the answers, but they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.

Area 72 Handbooks

The GSR Handbook (Spanish Version) is written specifically for you, to help you understand how your role as GSR fits into Area 72 and AA as a whole. The Area Handbook (Spanish Version) describes Area 72 in greater detail.

Area 72 GSR workshops

At GSR workshops, our Alternate Delegate will meet with you to show you the ropes of General Service. Ask your DCM to schedule a workshop for your district and neighboring districts, if there’s not yet one scheduled.

AA GSR kit

You can access a digital version of the GSR kit. It includes links to the AA Service Manual, most recent General Service Conference Final Report, and pamphlets and service materials of interest to GSRs and your groups.

Cool, right? Even cooler: you’ll receive a physical copy of the GSR kit mailed to you, once you complete the…

Group Information Change Form

The Group Information Change Form is how you notify Area 72 and the General Service Office (GSO) that you are the new GSR for your group – and don’t forget your Alternate GSR! It’s very important that you submit this form as soon as possible, so that Area 72 and GSO can send you information relevant to you and your group, including:

  • Conference and Assembly background material (more on these later)
  • Area 72 events, announcements, and the newsletter
  • a physical copy of the GSR kit
  • Box 459, the quarterly newsletter from GSO

Events for GSRs

Quick link to all events for GSRs. This list will continue to be updated.

There are two big events during the year, for which your participation is vital. They are the General Service Conference, and the Area 72 Assembly. Our Delegate will represent Area 72 at the General Service Conference – and YOU will represent your group at the Area 72 Assembly!

Pre-Conference and Delegate Report Back

The General Service Conference takes place at the end of April, in New York. Area Delegates, General Service Board Trustees, AAWS and Grapevine non-trustee directors, and GSO staff members will meet to conduct the business of Alcoholics Anonymous for the United States and Canada, guided by an informed group conscience. As GSR, you serve as the link between your group and the informed group conscience of AA as a whole.

Before the Conference, you will attend a pre-conference. Our Delegate will discuss the Conference Proposed Agenda Items with you, so that you can bring these items back to your group to facilitate an informed group conscience discussion. Once you’ve done that, you’ll share your group’s conscience with our Delegate, who will contribute to the informed group conscience at the General Service Conference and vote on agenda items. You will find pre-conference materials at the Delegate’s Corner.

After the Conference, you will attend a Delegate report back. Our Delegate will report on what took place at the conference: the results of each motion, pending projects, and ideas for how we can contribute in the coming year.

Area 72 Assembly

In October, we will have a big party – the Area 72 Assembly! GSRs, DCMs, Area trusted servants, and interested AA members will meet to conduct the business of Area 72, guided by an informed group conscience. As GSR, you will contribute to the informed group conscience of Area 72, vote on Area motions, and elect Area trusted servants.

Before the Assembly, you will attend a pre-assembly. Our Chair will present agenda items (i.e. motions and discussion topics), and discuss them with you so that you can facilitate an informed group conscience discussion with your group.

Resources to share with your group

  • AA literature – most (all?) of our literature is available for free in PDF form
  • AA newsletters – information for AA members and professionals working with alcoholics, and stories from people in custody in correctional facilities
  • Meeting Guide app – find meetings any time, any place
  • Grapevine and La Viña apps – access the monthly digital magazine, archives, and other content
  • AA Grapevine’s Podcast – interviews with AA members about their experience, strength and hope, in a casual “meeting after the meeting” manner
  • Our Primary Purpose – the official podcast from the General Service Office (GSO) of Alcoholics Anonymous for the U.S. and Canada

Questions?

For questions about General Service, your DCM is your main contact. You can email them at dcm#@area72aa.org (replace the # with your district number).

For questions about the Area 72 Website, contact the Area Webservant: webservant@area72aa.org