A New Year–A New Opportunity for Service

By Judy F.

As we all get ready to welcome in a new year you will see meetings getting ready for the rotation of leadership – which means new opportunities to be of service in your meetings and A.A. as a whole. I’m always amazed at this process of electing new meeting secretaries and people stepping up for the other service commitments in their meeting. One of two things are possible – no one wants to take on any commitment or you have more people step up for service positions than there are positions.

I don’t think people who have been secretaries or treasurers can stress enough the responsibilities that come with these two positions. First, a meeting secretary election should not be a popularity contest. It should be stressed that for the next 6 months (yes 6 months) you are responsible for that meeting. You select the leaders (certainly not as someone walks through the door and is a warm body); you get there early enough to make sure the hall is ready and your coffee person has been there early enough to get coffee going; if you use a particular book at your meeting they are set out for when the meeting begins; your not the first person out the door before making sure the hall is cleaned and ready for the next meeting; and did I mention this is generally a 6 month commitment?

As a group, remember, this individual will be representing your meeting. Do you care enough about your meeting to make sure the person you elect as secretary is ready for the responsibility. And what of the person who will be handling your 7 th tradition? Are they responsible enough to make sure your rent is paid every week and your prudent reserve is kept safe and you are meeting your other obligations for disbursement?

Your local central office has literature available to provide information on these service positions. A new booklet, Group Secretary Handbook, can help new secretaries who are not familiar with what their job entails. The handbook will explain each of the trusted service positions as well as explain the need for InterGroup and General Service Representatives. Your treasurer might find the literature piece, The AA Group Treasurer, handy as a guide when taking on this service position, as treasurer is considered to be the most responsible position in any A.A. group.

Make sure your group is represented in your local Central Office by sending an
InterGroup rep to the monthly InterGroup meeting at central office. Your representative is the link between your group and other groups in Santa Clarita as well as a link between your group and Central Office. Remember, Santa Clarita Valley Central Office is your Central Office. You have a say in what goes on at Central Office from how your 7th tradition contributions are spent to the literature and books we carry.

Your group should also be represented at the monthly district meeting for General
Service. By sending a GSR (General Service Representative) to these monthly and quarterly meetings you are linking your home group with the whole of A.A. As GSR you transmit ideas and opinions, as well as facts; through you, the group conscience becomes a part of “the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.” Visit Central Office and pick up the pamphlet G.S.R. General Service Representative – May Be The Most Important Job in A.A. Inform your group on the importance of this service commitment.

I started this article with the idea of a new year being right around the corner, which, for me, means another year is passing. I want to hold on to the gratitude I have felt all year for the opportunity to be of service here at central office as well as my involvement with General Service. Through these service positions the importance of the 12 traditions, especially traditions 8 and 9, have spoken to me this year. I have a much deeper appreciation of the A.A. Declaration of Unity – This we owe to A.A.’s future: to place our common welfare first; to keep our fellowship united. For on A.A. unity depend our lives; and the lives to come.