Facilitated by Jason V.

Question 1: What is the purpose of the district committee and are we fulfilling that purpose?

Shared thoughts:

1. Our purpose is to be the connection between the groups and AA, serving the groups, and helping to bring the message.
2. To stay sober and help others to do the same, to facilitate this.
3. To serve our district, be of service.  We are not completely fulfilling our purpose as it’s a tall order.
4. We are a conduit from district to the groups.

Question 2: Are we reaching enough people in our district and what can we do better to serve the groups? All cultures, Special needs?

Shared thoughts:

1. We do try to empower each group to the best of our abilities.  We are a resource and are available.
2. There are so many hidden communities in our area; when we see them we need to make ourselves known and available.
3. With regards to people struggling with means, possibly a childcare available meeting.
4. Albertville Camels has a babysitter available.        Also, remember to reach out to our elderly members.

Question 3: Are we being fiscally responsible and good custodians of the monies entrusted to us?

Shared thoughts:

1. Yes and no. We are responsible but should be spending more on getting people to conventions and out into the community.
2. We are responsible but could spend more on remote communities.

Question 4: Are we serving the GSRs well? How can we improve?

Shared thoughts:

1. As a new GSR I feel well equipped with the tools to help.
2. GSRs ARE the group. We could recruit from groups that have no GSR.
3. We have talked about getting out to the groups and making ourselves known and available.
4. As a first meeting tonight GSR I do not feel well prepared.
5. GSR’s have been given GSR packets and all available AA resources, please speak up if you have not received this information.

Question 5: Are we using the tools available to help our district service? What have you found helpful?

Shared thoughts:

1. The Technology Chair has done a great job making all the information easily accessible.
2. Please continue sharing any and all information with our Technology Chair. Shared information can be found at district14area36.org.
3. Please see our GSR Advocate, we have one just to help GSRs with any questions.
4. GSR Advocate will continue to work and catch any GSRs that are not totally “plugged in”.

Question 6: How do we improve our district meeting?

Shared thoughts:

1. Improve our time management, shorten our meeting time.
2. GSRs would like a short list of the exact information they should be bringing to their groups from each district meeting.
3. Check our district website under “new to service”, this is a great resource.

Question 7: How can our District Officers and Chairs improve? Suggestions?

Shared thoughts:

1. The District Secretary could get the meeting minutes out earlier so groups had faster access to bullet points from the meeting.

Question 8: What would you suggest we emphasize in our group outreach?

Shared thoughts:

1. We need to help the groups understand we are not soliciting money.
2. We need to help the groups understand we work for them, hence the upside down triangle.
3. We suggest each group has a GSR. We can help our sponsees get into district service work.
4. Wondering if some groups might be afraid of losing their autonomy by “joining” the district.

Question 9: What additional activities can we engage in to carry the message? How do we get more volunteer support?

Shared thoughts:

1. Sponsors can really help to get people involved here. 

Question 10: How do we carry the message to the professionals in our community and what segment should we target?

Shared thoughts:

1. Would like to see county attorneys and police officers well equipped to get people pointed to AA.
2. What communities should we NOT target? Let’s get all of them schools, businesses, etc.
3. We should target legal, medical, and education systems.
4. We should get pamphlets out to hospitals etc.
5. We can get information to employers through their safety directors.

Question 11:Your opinion on a district workshop? Yes, No, Ideas?

Shared thoughts:

1. GSR workshop is being discussed for January 2023.
2. Let’s open the workshop up to everyone to learn about chairs, officers, and GSR roles. A District information workshop.
3. Examples like sponsorship and initial sobriety are being done in other districts.
4. These are good ideas. Would also like to see what it’s like to start a meeting, including getting a GSR.
5. Community outreach workshop.
6. Workshops take a lot of work, planning, and people.

Question 12: All groups do not have a GSR. Why and how can we help?

Shared thoughts:

1. Some groups will never have a GSR but it’s our job to educate groups on who we are and how we serve them.
2. Currently 28 groups of our 49 in the district have a GSR.

We’re glad you’re here! Start by reading Service Basics for information about getting involved in Area 36 service.

Are you a professional looking for more information about Alcoholics Anonymous in southern Minnesota? Read For Professionals for information and resources.

AA members share their experience with anyone seeking help with a drinking problem; they give person-to-person service or “sponsorship” to the alcoholic coming to AA from any source. The AA program, set forth in the Twelve Steps, offers the alcoholic a way to develop a satisfying life without alcohol. This program is discussed at AA group meetings.

People who have never been to an actual AA meeting can have misconceptions about how they work due to portrayals they may have seen in the movies or on television.

Open AA meetings, which anyone can attend, are usually “speaker meetings,” at which a member of AA will tell their story—what it was like, what happened, and what it’s like now. Most AA meetings, however, are closed meetings for members only.

A typical AA meeting is a topic discussion meeting. The person leading the meeting chooses a topic and members to take turns sharing their experience on the topic. Some AA meetings are designated for a specific purpose, such as 12-step study groups or beginners’ meetings designed to teach newcomers about the basics of the program.