A Service Sponsor along with other AA trusted servants and district officers are great resources and support.
- You know your group best. What will interest them about general service is what gets YOU excited, brings joy to you and interests you. Make it Fun!
- Have snacks and candy available for your sharing sessions.
- Plan ahead. Ask lots of questions and be knowable about your topics.
- In person, hybrid or remote meetings can all have a group sharing session and obtain an informed group conscience. The same principals apply with whichever format you will be using.
- Tradition 2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.
Learn by example: Get a service sponsor and connect with your DCM and previous GSR. Listen to their suggestions. Attend other Districts agenda topic workshops– there are currently several upcoming workshops. Attend other local meetings sharing sessions. The point is to get familiar with what’s involved and being prepared. You will learn so much by just showing up, listening and participating.
- Plan how much time you will need to start this process with your group in order to be ready for the Pre Conference assembly on April 1-2. Register for PRAASA held virtually March 3-5. You will hear valuable information and the GSR Roundtable will be sure to be discussing agenda topics.
How to Get Group Feedback on Selected Agenda Topics: As early as possible, start sharing enthusiastically with your group about the pre conference assembly where you will be reporting the groups feedback to the delegate. A warm sincere approach will engage your group, and they will want to support you. Amazing!
Get a group conscience at a regular business meeting of how your group wants to handle the sharing sessions of agenda topics. The most common method is to hold these sharing sessions before or after regular group meetings.
It should be made clear that these are not business meetings and that no meeting business will be discussed. Allow at least 45-60 minutes for each session. It is best to plan no more than one topic per sharing session. Sessions scheduled prior to a regular meeting can end 15 minutes before the start of the meeting to allow time for fellowship and refreshments.
Gather Support: Meet with the Alternate GSR to select the agenda topics that you think your group would be interested in for the group discussion.
A seasoned group might want to help in this selection. It is helpful to choose at least one topic from the TRUSTEES conference committee that our delegate, Jennifer Eric Lee serves on.
Keeping this in mind, there are many lively topics your group may wish to discuss. Meet with group members individually and let them know you value their opinions.
Pass around a clip board at group level inviting all group members to sign up to participate and supply their phone numbers & emails. They can be called and reminded the day prior and is extremely helpful in assuring good attendance. Announce the date scheduled for the sharing sessions at meetings for one month prior to the date.
Prepare Your Group: Once a date & time is in place for the sharing session, you will need to prepare your group on the agenda topics to be discussed. Make copies of the chosen agenda topics and summaries with any background information, related AA pamphlets or service material and Grapevine.
Your job as GSR is to simplify and condense the topics so that your group understands what they are being asked. Be organized and knowledgeable. Read everything you can about your topics.
The CNCA officer’s prepare Agenda Topic Summaries which will be available around March 1st and is worth waiting for. These summaries breakdown a. agenda topic, b. historical context; why it’s on the agenda and c. what the delegate needs to know.
Depending on the topic, background information may be necessary for your group to be fully informed. Your DCM can help supply you with what your group needs.
Sharing Session Guidelines: Explain how you will facilitate, what the parameters will be, and that the GSR does not share their own opinion. However, they may participate while attending another meeting’s sharing session. Share that your job is not to lead the discussion but to facilitate “to make easier”. Except for some initial recap or possible questions, your group will be prepared to jump right into the discussion. Be sure your group understands that latecomers will be discouraged from joining in.
The Sharing Session: Smile, be warm and inviting and enjoy the process. Let your gratitude show. You will set the tone.
Prepare the Room: Arrange the chairs in a circle, and away from where the regular meeting is set up. Right before starting, close the doors. Post a sign stating “sharing session in progress” and indicate end time.
Taking Notes and Timekeeping: The alternate GSR or a volunteer AA member can be the note-taker and gather the essence of the discussion.
As facilitator, you may also wish to take notes and serve as timekeeper, reminding members to keep their shares under 2 minutes.
Facilitate, don’t lead: Remind your group that an effective group conscience is a spiritual expression, and can be achieved when all the present members have studied the pertinent information, and all views have been expressed.
A short recap of the procedures and of the agenda topic may be followed by any clarification questions from the group. Once the session has begun, questions should be discouraged.
A moment of silence along with your groups choice of prayer may help the group focus on its objective.
Starting around the circle, participants begin to share on the topic. Continue around the circle until all members have had a chance to share before anyone speaks for a second time. The group continues around the circle until the topic has been fully explored.
This allows all members, whether vocal or reticent, to have a voice. Everyone should be encouraged to speak, especially the shy one in the corner. Often an informed group conscience will emerge, but if not, minority opinions should be respected. The point is that you will have a clear idea of what your group thinks, and so will they.
Did I Hear You Correctly? Briefly summarize what has been said at the closing of the session and ask them if they agree with your understanding.
Tell The Whole Group: After the sharing session, make an announcement at the regular meeting to inform the group what was discussed and what the group conscience was. Some members may not be able to attend the sharing session, but let them know you value all opinions. Members may share their comments with the GSR (written and/or verbal).
Share with the Delegate: Now for the best part!!! Share your group’s conscience at the Pre conference assembly by “going to the mic” and voicing it. Be sure your report is written so you will be prepared and concise. The pre-conference Assembly, in Richmond this year, is always a lot of fun, attend in person if you can, but you may also deliver your groups’ conscience by using the form on the CNCA06.org website OR in an email to the delegate. delegate@cnca06.org
Pre Conference Assembly Richmond April 1-2
- Remember, you do not have to do this alone. Ask for help. Do what’s in front of you and keep breathing. Be prepared as best as possible and leave the rest up to your HP.
- Again – Have Fun with it!!!