In the spirit of the Al-Anon declaration, “Let it Begin with Me”, thank you for stepping forward to take on the essential service role of Group Rep. The GR service position is designed to maintain the integrity of the links of service between your group, district, Area and World Service.
Your service as Group Representative is a wonderful opportunity to grow in recovery.
As a Group Representative (GR), you are the link from your group to the Al-Anon service structure. As a trusted servant in Al-Anon, you carry your meeting’s “group conscience” to your district. In turn, your District Rep widens the circle of that connection by linking together the other GR’s in your District to the Area. Through our Area Delegate (whose term expires December 31, 2023) the voice and conscience of your Group is carried to the Al-Anon World Service Organization (WSO), most notably at Al-Anon’s annual meeting, the World Service Conference (WSC).
Every Al-Anon and Alateen member is encouraged to actively use and study the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual. It gives a clear and concise picture of the Al-Anon fellowship, its purpose and functions and how it helps us to resolve group problems and maintain unity. If your group does not have one, you may want to ask your literature coordinator to purchase one for you and one for the group, using the group’s treasury. This book will offer a blueprint for performing the tasks and work of Group Rep.
The 2018-2021 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual is also available for free as a downloadable PDF here: https://al-anon.org/for-members/members-resources/manuals-and-guidelines/service-manual/
This “Welcome Page” is supplemental to the Service Manual. It is customized with information about your Area and is intended to create a smooth transition into your role as GR.
What’s Expected of You as a Group Representative
Facts about Our New York South Area
The New York South Area (NYSA) is made up of 13 counties. The northernmost border begins in Ulster county. The Area covers all 5 boroughs of New York City and extends across Long Island.
Your Group resides in New York South Area #40
The current panel of Area Officers ( designated as Panel 60) serves a three year term which begins January 1, 2020 and ends December 31st, 2023
There is a map of the Area at this link:
Click here
When you arrive at the Area Guidelines page you will need to scroll down to pages 30 to 33 that will provide you with where districts reside and what the boundaries are for each district.
How Do I Get to the Assembly?
When we are not in quarantine most Area Assemblies take place at Iona College in New Rochelle. While we are not meeting in person we meet via Zoom. Please contact the Area Chairperson to get the link and password.
In person, Lots of people drive to the Assembly and it’s often possible to get a ride and share expenses. Carpooling is fun. It’s like a meeting on the way to Assembly!
There’s also a train to New Rochelle, and you can get a taxi to Iona College from the station.
Some districts offer to host the Assembly with light snacks and beverages, but it’s usually a good idea to bring your lunch. Also, remember to bring your Service Manual!
What to Expect at the Area Assembly
A brief review of the following activities will get you up to speed on the N.Y. South Area Assembly:
Area meetings are held quarterly (usually February, April, June and October)
Dates are posted on this Area website
The Area Chairperson guides the Assembly Agenda and distributes it to DR’s in advance; DRs forward Assembly documents to GR’s so they are oriented and prepared
Typically, Assembly meetings are held from 11am to 3pm: A Concepts Meeting and an Orientation Meeting for new GRs are each held from 10:15-10:45 am
Registration begins at 10:00 am. GR’s should plan to arrive early so they can be registered to vote
At the Assembly, reports are given by Area Officers and Coordinators; break-out sessions allow GRs to discuss questions relevant to their groups, the Area, and Al-Anon as a whole; motions are made and votes taken; Area budgets are reviewed and approved.
The Assembly is an opportunity to get to know your fellow GRs and form new friendships in service.
Progress Not Perfection
Do the best you can, ask for help from a service sponsor, and remember that the GR position will be what you make of it. You will never be judged or measured and you are not expected or required to be perfect. Instead, know that you are performing an invaluable service – while giving yourself the gifts that come with doing service in Al-Anon/Alateen.
Understanding Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) and NYC Intergroup
Information services like NYC Intergroup (and other local/regional boards) have a different objective than groups, districts, and Areas. The service they provide is rooted in Public Outreach and communication to their immediate vicinity. While not an official part of the Al-Anon service structure (page 171), AIS Liaisons sit on the Area World Service Committee (AWSC) and report to every Area Assembly. District Alternate Delegates (ADR) may sit on the boards of their local AIS.
For links to the various AIS websites throughout the New York South Area please use the tab "Area Information" at the top of this page.
Helpful Acronyms
Al-Anon members tend to speak in shorthand. Here’s a handy reference for you.
Groups, Districts, Area
GR-Group Representative
DR -District Representative
CMA - Current Mailing Address
Al-Anon World Service
WSO -World Service Office
AWSC -Area World Service Committee
WSC -World Service Conference
CAL- Conference Approved Literature
LDC-Literature Distribution Center
TEAM-Together Empowering Al-Anon Members
KBDM - Knowledge Based Decision Making
Al-Anon Information Service
AIS
AIS-Anon Information Service (aka “Intergroup” in NYC)
Alateen
AMIAS-Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service
Your service as Group Representative is a wonderful opportunity to grow in recovery.
As a Group Representative (GR), you are the link from your group to the Al-Anon service structure. As a trusted servant in Al-Anon, you carry your meeting’s “group conscience” to your district. In turn, your District Rep widens the circle of that connection by linking together the other GR’s in your District to the Area. Through our Area Delegate (whose term expires December 31, 2023) the voice and conscience of your Group is carried to the Al-Anon World Service Organization (WSO), most notably at Al-Anon’s annual meeting, the World Service Conference (WSC).
Every Al-Anon and Alateen member is encouraged to actively use and study the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual. It gives a clear and concise picture of the Al-Anon fellowship, its purpose and functions and how it helps us to resolve group problems and maintain unity. If your group does not have one, you may want to ask your literature coordinator to purchase one for you and one for the group, using the group’s treasury. This book will offer a blueprint for performing the tasks and work of Group Rep.
The 2018-2021 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual is also available for free as a downloadable PDF here: https://al-anon.org/for-members/members-resources/manuals-and-guidelines/service-manual/
This “Welcome Page” is supplemental to the Service Manual. It is customized with information about your Area and is intended to create a smooth transition into your role as GR.
What’s Expected of You as a Group Representative
- First order of business as a GR: Connect with your District Representative. If you are from a "dark" ( or non meeting) district consult with your Area Officers to find out who can be a resource for you. Be sure to get a name, phone number and email address. You will need a service sponsor.
- Update your Group Change Form, adding your name as Group Rep. This can be done at the Assembly with the Group Records Coordinator, or you can do it online at the WSO website: https://al-anon.org Member/Group Records
- Attend District Meetings (frequency is determined by your DR based on Guidelines)
- Vote on district-related issues
- Collect information from your DR and deliver it back to your Group
- Collect information from your Group and deliver it to your DR (and other GR’s in your District)
- Promote district-wide activities
- Attend Area Assembly Meetings (Quarterly)
- Vote on issues as the voice of your Group
- Report back to your group with information you received from the District, Area and WSO
Facts about Our New York South Area
The New York South Area (NYSA) is made up of 13 counties. The northernmost border begins in Ulster county. The Area covers all 5 boroughs of New York City and extends across Long Island.
Your Group resides in New York South Area #40
The current panel of Area Officers ( designated as Panel 60) serves a three year term which begins January 1, 2020 and ends December 31st, 2023
There is a map of the Area at this link:
Click here
When you arrive at the Area Guidelines page you will need to scroll down to pages 30 to 33 that will provide you with where districts reside and what the boundaries are for each district.
How Do I Get to the Assembly?
When we are not in quarantine most Area Assemblies take place at Iona College in New Rochelle. While we are not meeting in person we meet via Zoom. Please contact the Area Chairperson to get the link and password.
In person, Lots of people drive to the Assembly and it’s often possible to get a ride and share expenses. Carpooling is fun. It’s like a meeting on the way to Assembly!
There’s also a train to New Rochelle, and you can get a taxi to Iona College from the station.
Some districts offer to host the Assembly with light snacks and beverages, but it’s usually a good idea to bring your lunch. Also, remember to bring your Service Manual!
What to Expect at the Area Assembly
A brief review of the following activities will get you up to speed on the N.Y. South Area Assembly:
Area meetings are held quarterly (usually February, April, June and October)
Dates are posted on this Area website
The Area Chairperson guides the Assembly Agenda and distributes it to DR’s in advance; DRs forward Assembly documents to GR’s so they are oriented and prepared
Typically, Assembly meetings are held from 11am to 3pm: A Concepts Meeting and an Orientation Meeting for new GRs are each held from 10:15-10:45 am
Registration begins at 10:00 am. GR’s should plan to arrive early so they can be registered to vote
At the Assembly, reports are given by Area Officers and Coordinators; break-out sessions allow GRs to discuss questions relevant to their groups, the Area, and Al-Anon as a whole; motions are made and votes taken; Area budgets are reviewed and approved.
The Assembly is an opportunity to get to know your fellow GRs and form new friendships in service.
Progress Not Perfection
Do the best you can, ask for help from a service sponsor, and remember that the GR position will be what you make of it. You will never be judged or measured and you are not expected or required to be perfect. Instead, know that you are performing an invaluable service – while giving yourself the gifts that come with doing service in Al-Anon/Alateen.
Understanding Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) and NYC Intergroup
Information services like NYC Intergroup (and other local/regional boards) have a different objective than groups, districts, and Areas. The service they provide is rooted in Public Outreach and communication to their immediate vicinity. While not an official part of the Al-Anon service structure (page 171), AIS Liaisons sit on the Area World Service Committee (AWSC) and report to every Area Assembly. District Alternate Delegates (ADR) may sit on the boards of their local AIS.
For links to the various AIS websites throughout the New York South Area please use the tab "Area Information" at the top of this page.
Helpful Acronyms
Al-Anon members tend to speak in shorthand. Here’s a handy reference for you.
Groups, Districts, Area
GR-Group Representative
DR -District Representative
CMA - Current Mailing Address
Al-Anon World Service
WSO -World Service Office
AWSC -Area World Service Committee
WSC -World Service Conference
CAL- Conference Approved Literature
LDC-Literature Distribution Center
TEAM-Together Empowering Al-Anon Members
KBDM - Knowledge Based Decision Making
Al-Anon Information Service
AIS
AIS-Anon Information Service (aka “Intergroup” in NYC)
Alateen
AMIAS-Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service
Al-Anon DeclarationLet It Begin with Me* |
New York South Assembly Area
P.O. Box 30, Radio City Station New York, NY 10101 |