Hi Friends, March is an important month as we will be having our first Assembly for the new 2 year term. The Assembly is the business meeting for our Area and is very important. If you can attend plan to do so. Sunday is the Assembly, Saturday is the Service Information Day with an Agenda full of service workshops, that will help inform you and ultimately "carry the message to the alcoholic that still suffers".
While not all Districts can afford to send all their Chairs to the Assembly, there are ways to reduce costs, so if your District can't afford to send you here are some tips.
1) Come for one day only, share the mileage with a couple of program friends or chairs from your District.
2) Staying the night ? Share your room with a service sponsee or friend or a couple of friends, lots of rooms have two queen size or double beds in them.
3) Ask around see if anyone is willing to share their room with you.
4) Ask around see if anyone has a spare spot in their car.
5) Even if your District is sending you for the weekend, and paying your way, why not bring a newcomer or service sponsee to introduce them to the Assembly.
I hope to meet you all at the Assembly and look forward to hearing how Self Support is going in your District.
Yesterday I did my first presentation at a District 6 Service Day and enjoyed meeting their District GSR's I was given great ideas on how to better explain the self support message.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have ideas for our Blog or need any assistance.
Yours in Service,
Sheree
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
February Self Support Tip - Is Your Presentation Ready ?
It is now a month into your new position as Self Support Chair, it is time to get your Self Support Presentation ready for action, (if you haven't done this already).
Once your presentation is ready ask the General Services Representative's (GSR's) if you visit their open and/or business meetings to talk about the importance and the history of AA being self supporting. You can also volunteer to set up a table at your District Service Day's, Round-ups, Birthdays and Conferences.
A self support presentation should focus on the need for money (dollars) and time
(service) and how without both of these our fellowship can not exist.
A presentation could include the history of Self Support, The Rockefeller Story, and information on how the Group, District and GSO spend the money forwarded on plus much more.
Keep your presentation brief (no more than 15 to 20 minutes), concise and practical, be ready to answer questions, remember questions are a sign of interest.
Add a little personal touch (not too much) something about how you came to be aware of the importance of being Self Supporting.
Read the comments section of Polls on our Blog, members have been kind enough to
leave behind their comments, read these comments they are importnat and may come up during or after your presentation. Remember to be mindful of the person who simply can't afford to dig a little deeper, respect this. Our goal is to educate our membership on our history and its current financial needs.
Some of the information you need is available on this Blog, more information can be obtained from a GSC approved pamphlet- Self Support - Where Money & Spirituality Mix, The Service Manual (starting at page S1). Visit the self support page on GSO's web site at www.aa.org
Have information available to leave behind such as flyers for their bulletin boards, addresses for our Area Treasurer, GSO and your local Intergroup. The pamphlet Self Support - Where money and spirituality mix is free, just call GSO and order some, while you’re calling, why not order Birthday envelopes for handing out as well.
I made up little kits that contain sample presentations. and other materials. If you haven't received your kit, email me your address and I will mail it to you. If you would like an electronic version of a Self Support presentation please email me, and....if you have an electronic version or your Self Support presentation please email it to me, to share with other Districts, as one of my goals is to create interaction between District Chairs, we all help each other.
My thanks to Debra, DCM, District 14 , she kindly scanned a bunch of flyers and articles for me, I now have electronic versions of the flyers which you can print off for your Districts, if you would like any of these please email me.
Remember to use the supplied presentations as examples, create your own, approve
it with your District Table and then enjoy your next 2 years as your District's Self Support Chairperson.
Already our Blog is becoming interactive between Area & District, so I thank you for taking the time to give me feedback and comments, it will help me as your Area Chairperson to know what you need and how I can support you in your role.
Keep coming back to the Blog as I am updating it all the time, as well, I have a new Poll coming up on the weekend, the final question supplied to me from our Delegate Dot.
At any time if I can be of assistance please don't hesitate to contact me.
In Love & Service,
Sheree
Area 83 Self Support Chairperson
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Sunday, January 7, 2007
January 6 2007 Area Committee Meeting - Report
My Name is Sheree, I am an alcoholic, and currently serving as your Self Support Chair (Area 83 International).
Thanks again for the opportunity to serve I am honored.
As the Area Self Support Chair I feel my role is to build awareness of the vital need for our fellowship to be self supporting, through money and time (service). To do this effectively I have decided to use one of my favorite forms of communication – The Internet. Information on the Internet can quickly shared, is easily accessible and I love using it.
url - http://www.area83selfsupport.blogspot.com/
I have created an Area 83 Self Support Blog. On it currently is an introduction to the Blog, How to use the Blog and information take from our service manual on the 3rd Legacy. I have included copies of the Blog with my report. The Blog includes an action tip for your Self Support Chair. If you don’t have a Self Support Chair please let me know and I will contact your Alternate DCM and ask them to fill this role.
Each month I will add a Self Support Tip or Idea, I have prepared 21 months of ideas already, I will then email the link out to the Area Committee , the District Self Support Chairs and anyone else who is interested.
For January I have introduced the Anniversary Plan, its history and how to send money to the General Service Office, I have also created a flyer that can be printed off and photocopied for the groups. The flyer can be obtained by emailing me at area83iamresponsible@yahoo.com, there are a few copies at the back and I have sent it to our Secretary to be included in the minutes. I hope that by doing this we can create conversation and action in the area of Self Support.
For Each District I have created a little package containing;
1. Welcome Letter
2. Copies of the Blog
3. Birthday Envelopes
4. Birthday Flyer
5. Pamphlet – Self Support – Where money and Spirituality Mix
6. Copies of Self Support Presentations from when I was District Chair (note these presentations where provided to me by other District Chairs and are meant to help you create your own presentation)
7. Guidelines Created by District 26 when I was Self Support Chair (these again are meant to help you create your own District Guidelines).
8. Misc. Flyers
I hope this information will be helpful in getting your Self Support Chair started. I can be reached for more information any time by emailing or calling me.
I am of course available for your service days, round-ups and conferences; I would be happy to attend or send my display for your local Self Support Chair to use.
And …send me your minutes I want to read what is happening in your Districts.
In Love of Service,
My Name is Sheree, I am an alcoholic, and currently serving as your Self Support Chair (Area 83 International).
Thanks again for the opportunity to serve I am honored.
As the Area Self Support Chair I feel my role is to build awareness of the vital need for our fellowship to be self supporting, through money and time (service). To do this effectively I have decided to use one of my favorite forms of communication – The Internet. Information on the Internet can quickly shared, is easily accessible and I love using it.
url - http://www.area83selfsupport.blogspot.com/
I have created an Area 83 Self Support Blog. On it currently is an introduction to the Blog, How to use the Blog and information take from our service manual on the 3rd Legacy. I have included copies of the Blog with my report. The Blog includes an action tip for your Self Support Chair. If you don’t have a Self Support Chair please let me know and I will contact your Alternate DCM and ask them to fill this role.
Each month I will add a Self Support Tip or Idea, I have prepared 21 months of ideas already, I will then email the link out to the Area Committee , the District Self Support Chairs and anyone else who is interested.
For January I have introduced the Anniversary Plan, its history and how to send money to the General Service Office, I have also created a flyer that can be printed off and photocopied for the groups. The flyer can be obtained by emailing me at area83iamresponsible@yahoo.com, there are a few copies at the back and I have sent it to our Secretary to be included in the minutes. I hope that by doing this we can create conversation and action in the area of Self Support.
For Each District I have created a little package containing;
1. Welcome Letter
2. Copies of the Blog
3. Birthday Envelopes
4. Birthday Flyer
5. Pamphlet – Self Support – Where money and Spirituality Mix
6. Copies of Self Support Presentations from when I was District Chair (note these presentations where provided to me by other District Chairs and are meant to help you create your own presentation)
7. Guidelines Created by District 26 when I was Self Support Chair (these again are meant to help you create your own District Guidelines).
8. Misc. Flyers
I hope this information will be helpful in getting your Self Support Chair started. I can be reached for more information any time by emailing or calling me.
I am of course available for your service days, round-ups and conferences; I would be happy to attend or send my display for your local Self Support Chair to use.
And …send me your minutes I want to read what is happening in your Districts.
In Love of Service,
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
January - Happy Birthday
As we start the new year, many of us will have the honour of celebrating another 365 days of sobriety.
Did you know ??????????
In 1956 the Conference approved a plan whereby older members would remind other members of their responsibility toward the General Service Office. It was named the Anniversary Fund Plan.
In 1961 The Finance Committee recommended the adoption or continued use of the so called Birthday Plan to provide "Supplementary" support of A.A.'s world services. Under the plan, individual members on their A.A. birthdays, can contribute one dollar for each year of sobriety. The plan went into effect immediately and A.A. members began contributing annually a sum equivalent to the number of years they had been sober.
In the same year, 1961, the desirability of an annual contribution of $3.00 per member was reaffirmed. In 1963 the conference again emphasized the $3.00 annual contribution, focusing on the nature of this contribution as an individual responsibility. And in 1973 the Conference recommended that the sum of $3.00 per year per member be changed to $3.65, thus making a sobriety contribution of a penny a day.
Members wishing to express gratitude for sobriety through individual contributions to their General Service Office might add to a base figure of $3.65, one dollar for each year they have enjoyed sobriety as a member of A.A.
Groups and Districts of course can celebrate in the same manner.
Please Make Cheques Payable to: General Service Board
(Please do not send cash, suggested Birthday Contribution; one dollar per year of sobriety. Some give more, but not to exceed $1,000.00 per year.)
Address: The General Service Office
Post Office Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York, N.Y. 10163-0459
Self Support Chairs - Tip
Order Birthday Envelopes for distribution to the GSR's. Photocopy the Happy Birthday Poster for Distribution to the groups. Talk about the Birthday Contribution.
Email me at area83iamresponsible@yahoo.ca for a copy of the Birthday Flyer, for your group or District.
Did you know ??????????
In 1956 the Conference approved a plan whereby older members would remind other members of their responsibility toward the General Service Office. It was named the Anniversary Fund Plan.
In 1961 The Finance Committee recommended the adoption or continued use of the so called Birthday Plan to provide "Supplementary" support of A.A.'s world services. Under the plan, individual members on their A.A. birthdays, can contribute one dollar for each year of sobriety. The plan went into effect immediately and A.A. members began contributing annually a sum equivalent to the number of years they had been sober.
In the same year, 1961, the desirability of an annual contribution of $3.00 per member was reaffirmed. In 1963 the conference again emphasized the $3.00 annual contribution, focusing on the nature of this contribution as an individual responsibility. And in 1973 the Conference recommended that the sum of $3.00 per year per member be changed to $3.65, thus making a sobriety contribution of a penny a day.
Members wishing to express gratitude for sobriety through individual contributions to their General Service Office might add to a base figure of $3.65, one dollar for each year they have enjoyed sobriety as a member of A.A.
Groups and Districts of course can celebrate in the same manner.
Please Make Cheques Payable to: General Service Board
(Please do not send cash, suggested Birthday Contribution; one dollar per year of sobriety. Some give more, but not to exceed $1,000.00 per year.)
Address: The General Service Office
Post Office Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York, N.Y. 10163-0459
Self Support Chairs - Tip
Order Birthday Envelopes for distribution to the GSR's. Photocopy the Happy Birthday Poster for Distribution to the groups. Talk about the Birthday Contribution.
Email me at area83iamresponsible@yahoo.ca for a copy of the Birthday Flyer, for your group or District.
Sunday, December 3, 2006
How to use this website and it's purpose
The 12 Months of Self Support
As your Area Self Support Chair I plan on communicating ideas each month that will help District Self Support Chairs generate awareness of Self Support. One of the ways I plan on doing this is by having a monthly Self Support idea/tip. These ideas will focus on service and or money and I hope they will generate conversation and your own ideas. Remember that I am your Self Support Chair, I welcome your ideas and feedback. I also intend to read the District Self Support reports and post ideas, challenges from your reports, so please send me your reports.
One of the things I look forward to is your comments, on the ideas, on how the ideas worked or didn't work and for your own ideas. I would like to build a community where we exchange ideas and tips.
Please bookmark this website and come back to it each month. I have prepared 2 years of ideas and each month will update it with a new idea.
We will meet in person at Assemblies and this will give us the chance to share even more.
A.A.'s Legacy of Service - By Bill W., Page S1 of the A.A., Service Manual
Our Twelfth Step - carrying the message - is the basic service that the A.A. Fellowship gives;
this is our principal aim and the main reason for our existence. Therefore, A.A., is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. WE must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven't been given the truth may die.
Hence, an A.A. service is anything whatever that helps us to reach a fellow sufferer - ranging all the way from the Twelveth Step itself to a ten-cent phone call and a cup of coffee, and to A.A.'s General Service Office for nation and international action. The sum total of all these services is our Third Legacy of Service. Service include meeting places, hospital cooperation, and intergroup offices; they mean pamplets books, and good publicity of almost every description. They call for committees, delegates, trustees, and conferences. And, not to be forgotten they need voluntary money contributions from within the Fellowship.
These services, whether performed by individuals, groups, areas, or A.A., as a whole, are utterly vital to our existence and growth. Nor can we make A.A. more simple by abolishing such services. We would only be asking for complication and confusion.
Concerning any given service, we therefore pose but one question: "Is this service really needed ?" If it is, then maintain it we most, or fail in our mission to those who need and seek A.A,............Continued on page S2, S3 of the A.A. Service Manual
As your Area Self Support Chair I plan on communicating ideas each month that will help District Self Support Chairs generate awareness of Self Support. One of the ways I plan on doing this is by having a monthly Self Support idea/tip. These ideas will focus on service and or money and I hope they will generate conversation and your own ideas. Remember that I am your Self Support Chair, I welcome your ideas and feedback. I also intend to read the District Self Support reports and post ideas, challenges from your reports, so please send me your reports.
One of the things I look forward to is your comments, on the ideas, on how the ideas worked or didn't work and for your own ideas. I would like to build a community where we exchange ideas and tips.
Please bookmark this website and come back to it each month. I have prepared 2 years of ideas and each month will update it with a new idea.
We will meet in person at Assemblies and this will give us the chance to share even more.
A.A.'s Legacy of Service - By Bill W., Page S1 of the A.A., Service Manual
Our Twelfth Step - carrying the message - is the basic service that the A.A. Fellowship gives;
this is our principal aim and the main reason for our existence. Therefore, A.A., is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. WE must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven't been given the truth may die.
Hence, an A.A. service is anything whatever that helps us to reach a fellow sufferer - ranging all the way from the Twelveth Step itself to a ten-cent phone call and a cup of coffee, and to A.A.'s General Service Office for nation and international action. The sum total of all these services is our Third Legacy of Service. Service include meeting places, hospital cooperation, and intergroup offices; they mean pamplets books, and good publicity of almost every description. They call for committees, delegates, trustees, and conferences. And, not to be forgotten they need voluntary money contributions from within the Fellowship.
These services, whether performed by individuals, groups, areas, or A.A., as a whole, are utterly vital to our existence and growth. Nor can we make A.A. more simple by abolishing such services. We would only be asking for complication and confusion.
Concerning any given service, we therefore pose but one question: "Is this service really needed ?" If it is, then maintain it we most, or fail in our mission to those who need and seek A.A,............Continued on page S2, S3 of the A.A. Service Manual
I am Responsible......
When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am repsonsible.
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