22.
Would
Conference consider reverting to the original meaning of the term
‘GSR’, i.e. ‘General Service Representative’?
Background
The term ‘GSR’ in the UK service structure stands for ‘Group Service Representative’. However, the term originally stood for ‘General Service Representative’. The word ‘general’ intends a more expansive and important role for the GSR; instead of the current role, which is largely concerned with organising service within the Home Group, and which is inward‐looking. A general service rep is someone who plays an integral role in weaving together the ‘grass roots’ of AA into an effective group conscience. The current, inward-looking role of the GSR is ineffective – Intergroups seem distant from Regional Assemblies, which in turn appear distant from the General Service Conference, which is supposed to be the active voice and effective conscience of our whole Fellowship.
Background
The term ‘GSR’ in the UK service structure stands for ‘Group Service Representative’. However, the term originally stood for ‘General Service Representative’. The word ‘general’ intends a more expansive and important role for the GSR; instead of the current role, which is largely concerned with organising service within the Home Group, and which is inward‐looking. A general service rep is someone who plays an integral role in weaving together the ‘grass roots’ of AA into an effective group conscience. The current, inward-looking role of the GSR is ineffective – Intergroups seem distant from Regional Assemblies, which in turn appear distant from the General Service Conference, which is supposed to be the active voice and effective conscience of our whole Fellowship.
The
World Service Manual states that the General Service Representative
represents the voice of the group conscience, and that the GSR has
the job of linking their group with AA as a whole, reporting the
group’s thoughts to the (Conference) Delegate. It goes on to say
that only when the GSR communicates the group conscience can the
Conference truly act for AA as a whole. The World Service Manual
states that the qualifications of a GSR should include activity in a
group, Intergroup or other service, i.e. doing service at Intergroup
is background work to being a GSR. The GSR’s real and substantive
role is seen to be one that includes participation at meetings where
the Delegates are elected. In this way the role of the General
Service Representative
is seen to link the grass roots of AA to the General Service
Conference, which really would make it the ‘most important job in
AA’.
Terms
of Reference No. 7 Group Service Representative is used in the
Service Handbook approved at Conference 2013. Also cost implications.
Comment:
Anything which introduces even a modicum of democracy into the
running of AA would be helpful. Do you even know who your conference
delegate is? No. Nor do we!
Cheers
The
Fellas (Friends
of Alcoholics Anonymous)
PS
For AA Minority Report 2013 click here
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