Greetings District 1.
DISTRICT INVENTORY
1. What is the basic purpose of the District Committee?
2. What additional activities can we engage in to carry the message ?
3. Considering the number of alcohlics in our district, are we reaching enough people ?
4. What has the District done lately to bring the A.A. message to the attention of professionals who can be helpful in reaching those who are in need of A.A. ?
5. Do we try to illustrate a good cross section of A.A. in our message carrying ?
6. Do new GSR's stick with us, or does our turnover and missed meetings seem excessive ?
7. How effective are we in communicating with all our groups ?
8. Do all A.A.'s know about district meetings and have the opportunity to attend ?
9. Has enough effort been made to explain, to all groups, the value and purpose of a G.S.R. ?
10. Do all G.S.R.'s have adequate opportunity to serve on committees ?
11. Are district officers picked with care and consideration ?
12. Do our groups carry their fair share of supporting the AREA and the General Service Office ?
13. How well are our groups informed about what is happening in A.A. worldwide ?
14. Are our District Meetings informative and enthusiastic ?
DISTRICT 1 INVENTORY
PIONEER FEBRUARY 15, 2012
OPENED AT 6:30 WITH THE SERENITY PRAYER
INTRODUCTIONS:
We have 135 groups district wide.
Moderator: Bonnie McC.
Questions:
1. To serve all the meetings within the district. To help them meet their needs. Some of the members of our group do not understand what district entails. One answer was a group of GSR's. Garage discussed the pyramid effect and the GSR's. Carrying the message to accomplish those things that individual groups cannot do alone. Nick asked his group what the primary purpose actually was. Also asked his group what District could do to help them reach the suffering alcoholic. If I make an announcement, thats all it is is an announcement. He handed out fliers, asking his group to take questions home and filling it out. Most members are just concerned about staying sober. It has to directly affect them in order for them to be concerned. Told his group that if they didn’t participate, it would be entirely his opinion, not a group consensus. To make sure the traditions are preserved and that each group is heard. “Look at the triangle on your coin” Service work is the third part of that triangle, that completes our recovery.
1.A workshop so far. District outreach, informing the groups. It has been limited. Our mission is to reach out to our groups. Workshops. They liked that there was dates for functions. Yet had no ideas for future workshops. Promote more online information. District would like to do four topics in four hours for next workshop. Hopefully a summer one and a winter one. The chairs are willing to come speak to your group. Would your group like that? If one GSR wants to set aside a time, she didnt have much input. She pushed the information during announcements of meetings. She tells them it is their opinions and responsibility as well. She has had more interest that way. One groups looked at what they could do to help and promote and make a difference at places where AA is not promoted. Promote the Pigeon more. Bridge that gap between the ones who come to district and the ones who just comes to meetings.
1.District 1 has 85 groups that are putting on about 135 meetings a week. Have to see it working to want it. They like action. A push and a prod. Whether a past Delegate or GSR. Conveying “If you want what I Have attitude/behaviors”. We as a district have more meetings than some towns. The alcoholics out there have the opportunities to see a meeting. Pamphlets. Now what about our smaller communities? Are they being taken care of. There has been issues with where they can be located, but the fact that they are replenished in the areas they regularly are, makes a differences. A group representative to take on some CPC and PI responsibility. PI did put directories into local hotels. The PI chair is vacant. It could use the help. Putting Grapevines in the library. 2 of them , so that they are able to take them. Even old ones would suffice. They do not display them, in our experience. Make the effort to just walk in there and ask. Whether or not they actually hand them out is not up to us. Just action. Get that information out there. Maybe inside the examining room. Going to look into that in Kasson. Do you think you are an alcoholic, or the questions brochure.
2.New Directories. We have to plant the seed. We have to reach out and making yourself available. WE are responsible. Offered to come speak with the clergy of their town. Waiting for a response.
3.Spanish speaking meeting? Where and When? Pioneer tried to have one. Worked out for about 2 ½ months. There are plenty of meetings in Rochester, for any demographic there is a meeting for an alcoholic to be comfortable in.
4.There are many of our groups that are not represented at our meetings. There are a lot of groups that are not getting any coverage. Maybe has to do with outreach. We do have a fair turnout. We are a larger district, and we hold our own, compared to other districts. We did have some out of town groups that were showing up at District. Not sure what happened that they stopped attending. 85 Groups, only about 16 GSR's attend. The district seems to have a core group, yet we do have turnaround. Seems like a GSR shows up for 1 or 2 meetings, then no representation.
Longevity and quality of sobriety seems to be in part credited to service work. It is intimidating to come to a meeting that you know no one. Then to go back to your group and try to explain something that neither of you understand. Maybe welcome the newcomer and be friendly, make them feel welcome and they may keep coming back. GSR's visiting groups to explain what a GSR's responsibilities were all about. Maybe take them or pick them up. Offers to bring people from their meetings to district with them. Approaching them and asking them to go with you. Let them shadow you. Inspire someone. Don t try to take it all on. Encourage others to help you.
1.Outreach is still needed. On a regular basis. Progress. It is attraction rather than promotion. But it does take the footwork. Are our GSR's being picked out of care and consideration or just the first person that speaks up. Cards used to be sent out simply stating what the topic was going to be. Something controversial is a stimulant. Cannon falls got a postcard a few years back and that is what motivated them. The buddy system has worked for this group. Do not assume that people know about this stuff.
1.A current GSR now explains what she does and why. Who helps you, the new GSR's the most?
Trusted Servant workshop. Attending and learning first hand. Introduced to a few people at the first District meeting. The GSR packet came via the mail. Service Sponsors have helped. The most important part is making sure that you have someone to guide you. Seek out your resources to learn. And when you have learned, now its time to mentor. Recovery Unity and Service Conference was helpful. Once you learn your position, your rotation is up. When district sends out the self support letter, maybe we could send out the importance of a GSR as well. New GSR is passing on the enthusiasm to his group. Fellowship is an important part of the attraction.
1.yes. Yes we have adequate opportunities. But do we make it available. Question from GSR, would you rather fill a seat or form a active committee? 2.As committee chairs, we have asked repeatedly for help. Joining a committee is a training post for someone who is unable to make the monthly commitment.
3. He has yet to have anyone criticize him for what he does. When you accept or get a position by default, are you capable of fulfilling your responsibilities?
4.12) Needing more outreach. More can be done.
Teaching instead of Preaching.
1.DCM brings us the information. What we do with it, is up to us. He hopes we utilize it and bring it to our groups.
2. Likes the rotation. The new concepts idea is good. Maybe a little too repetitive at district meetings. Would like to get out a little earlier. An opportunity to explain, and grow. Really pushing the service part. The enthusiasm is nice. Some things are getting passed with little discussion. Not a lot of involvement. More challenges, brainstorming..
3.how many people with the room are we reaching? Nurture your home group.
In Love and Service,
Bridget
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