What types of events are there?
What is the General Service Conference?
The annual meeting of Conference delegates and trustees held in New York City usually every April, is the culmination of the year's activities. The General Service Conference is the practical means by which the Group conscience of US/Canada AA can express itself in matters that concern the Fellowship as a whole. The existence of Conference is moreover a guarantee that the Fellowship will be able to function under all conditions. It is, in effect, the successor to the founders of AA, ensuring the continuity of the work within the framework of the Twelve Traditions.
The Conference comes closer to "government" than anything else in AA, but as Bill W. said: "Of course it cannot be too often said that while the Conference can issue orders to the General Service Office, it can never mandate or govern the Society of Alcoholics Anonymous which it serves. The Conference represents us but it can never rule us."
Each year, topics/questions are submitted to the Conference Steering Committee for inclusion in the Conference agenda. These items are sent to subcommittees delineated by topic, ie Finance, Literature, Grapevine etc. Submissions can be made by individual members, Groups, Districts, Areas, Regions or Board Trustees. This starts the process of individuals, Groups, Districts, Areas and Regions discussing the topics/questions, usually at regional forums, sharing sessions, and pre-conferences. Following the conference delegates will typically hold two Mini Conferences within their area to answer questions and explain decisions made at GSC. All actions adhere to the 12 Concepts of AA.
The annual meeting of Conference delegates and trustees held in New York City usually every April, is the culmination of the year's activities. The General Service Conference is the practical means by which the Group conscience of US/Canada AA can express itself in matters that concern the Fellowship as a whole. The existence of Conference is moreover a guarantee that the Fellowship will be able to function under all conditions. It is, in effect, the successor to the founders of AA, ensuring the continuity of the work within the framework of the Twelve Traditions.
The Conference comes closer to "government" than anything else in AA, but as Bill W. said: "Of course it cannot be too often said that while the Conference can issue orders to the General Service Office, it can never mandate or govern the Society of Alcoholics Anonymous which it serves. The Conference represents us but it can never rule us."
Each year, topics/questions are submitted to the Conference Steering Committee for inclusion in the Conference agenda. These items are sent to subcommittees delineated by topic, ie Finance, Literature, Grapevine etc. Submissions can be made by individual members, Groups, Districts, Areas, Regions or Board Trustees. This starts the process of individuals, Groups, Districts, Areas and Regions discussing the topics/questions, usually at regional forums, sharing sessions, and pre-conferences. Following the conference delegates will typically hold two Mini Conferences within their area to answer questions and explain decisions made at GSC. All actions adhere to the 12 Concepts of AA.
What are my Regional Events?
What is NERAASA?
NERAASA is the Northeast Regional Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly (NERAASA). The purpose of NERAASA is for General Service Representatives (GSR’s), District Committee Members (DCM’s), Area Officers, Area Committee Members, District Committee Members, and Intergroup/Central Office Representatives of the Northeast Region to discuss General Service Conference related issues and concerns affecting AA as a whole, as well as pertinent aspects of recovery, unity and service common to the areas of the Northeast Region. NERAASA is comprised of a weekend of Panel Presentations, Floor Discussions on Issues Affecting AA Today, Northeast Regional Trustee’s Report, Saturday Dinner followed by an AA Speaker Meeting. In addition, there are several Round Table Sharing Sessions throughout the weekend for the following representatives; District Committee Members, General Service Representatives, AA Literature, Archives, Cooperation With The Professional Community, Public Information,Treatment Facilities, Correctional Facilities, Grapevine, Area / District Chairpersons, Central Office/Intergroup, Area Delegates and Alternate Delegates, Area / District Registrars. It is scheduled for the last full weekend of February each year and is held in a different Delegate Area of the Northeast Region.
What is NERF?
As NERF is the North East Regional Forum. It is composed of 18 Areas covering MD, DC, DE, NJ, NY, PA, VT, MA, CT, RI, NH, and ME. Regional Forums originated in 1975 at the suggestion of Dr. Jack Norris, then Chair of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous. They were to be weekend sharing and informational sessions designed to help the General Service Board, A.A. World Services, Inc., the Grapevine Corporate Board, the Grapevine Staff, and the General Service Office Staff stay in touch with A.A. members, trusted servants and newcomers to service throughout the A.A. service structure.
What is NERAASA?
NERAASA is the Northeast Regional Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly (NERAASA). The purpose of NERAASA is for General Service Representatives (GSR’s), District Committee Members (DCM’s), Area Officers, Area Committee Members, District Committee Members, and Intergroup/Central Office Representatives of the Northeast Region to discuss General Service Conference related issues and concerns affecting AA as a whole, as well as pertinent aspects of recovery, unity and service common to the areas of the Northeast Region. NERAASA is comprised of a weekend of Panel Presentations, Floor Discussions on Issues Affecting AA Today, Northeast Regional Trustee’s Report, Saturday Dinner followed by an AA Speaker Meeting. In addition, there are several Round Table Sharing Sessions throughout the weekend for the following representatives; District Committee Members, General Service Representatives, AA Literature, Archives, Cooperation With The Professional Community, Public Information,Treatment Facilities, Correctional Facilities, Grapevine, Area / District Chairpersons, Central Office/Intergroup, Area Delegates and Alternate Delegates, Area / District Registrars. It is scheduled for the last full weekend of February each year and is held in a different Delegate Area of the Northeast Region.
What is NERF?
As NERF is the North East Regional Forum. It is composed of 18 Areas covering MD, DC, DE, NJ, NY, PA, VT, MA, CT, RI, NH, and ME. Regional Forums originated in 1975 at the suggestion of Dr. Jack Norris, then Chair of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous. They were to be weekend sharing and informational sessions designed to help the General Service Board, A.A. World Services, Inc., the Grapevine Corporate Board, the Grapevine Staff, and the General Service Office Staff stay in touch with A.A. members, trusted servants and newcomers to service throughout the A.A. service structure.
What are Area Events?
What is the pre-conference sharing session?
The pre-conference sharing session takes place before conference. It is a place where GSR can give their groups conscience to the Area Delegate about agenda items to be taken action on at the GSC.
What is a Mini Assembly?
Mini Assemblies take place following the GSC. They are when the delegate reports back to the Area about actions taken during the GSC. Often there are two mini assemblies (Mini I and Mini II) this is so GSRs are given two opportunities to give their groups voice to the delegate who will answer any questions.
What is an Area Assembly?
Area Assembly is held annually. It is where actions are taken about the structure of the Area. All GSRs should at least attend Assembly where voting is held to decide various service positions within the area including Area delegate who is our voice at GSC.Other voting takes place about structural actions within the Area including finance decisions and submission of Agenda items to GSC. The delegate will give a report as will all subcommittees and chairs. Usually include a service keynote speaker.
What is the pre-conference sharing session?
The pre-conference sharing session takes place before conference. It is a place where GSR can give their groups conscience to the Area Delegate about agenda items to be taken action on at the GSC.
What is a Mini Assembly?
Mini Assemblies take place following the GSC. They are when the delegate reports back to the Area about actions taken during the GSC. Often there are two mini assemblies (Mini I and Mini II) this is so GSRs are given two opportunities to give their groups voice to the delegate who will answer any questions.
What is an Area Assembly?
Area Assembly is held annually. It is where actions are taken about the structure of the Area. All GSRs should at least attend Assembly where voting is held to decide various service positions within the area including Area delegate who is our voice at GSC.Other voting takes place about structural actions within the Area including finance decisions and submission of Agenda items to GSC. The delegate will give a report as will all subcommittees and chairs. Usually include a service keynote speaker.
What are District Events?
District events include workshops, presentations, and speaker events. They are typically co-hosted by two districts in tandem. They can include Archives presentations or topic oriented speaker sessions. In many ways they foster cooperation at the area level and allow the sharing of experience, strength, and hope, from the local level to the area level. Attendance is always encouraged.
District events include workshops, presentations, and speaker events. They are typically co-hosted by two districts in tandem. They can include Archives presentations or topic oriented speaker sessions. In many ways they foster cooperation at the area level and allow the sharing of experience, strength, and hope, from the local level to the area level. Attendance is always encouraged.