Information for GSRs

Information for Group Service Representatives (“GSR”)
To be chosen to represent a group is to be given the opportunity to take part in AA’s Third Legacy,
that of service, and to have the chance to become a trusted servant. The GSR should have at least two years’ continuous sobriety and should serve for a minimum of two years.

What is a GSR’s responsibility
The role is described in more detail on page 109 of the AA Structure Handbook 2023. Some key responsibilities are:

• Share with their group all Fellowship mail, communication and news item
• Keep members informed about local service activities.
• They may be contacts for referral to carry the AA message.
• They can help see that up-to-date group information for the AA directory is sent promptly to GSO.
• The GSR is the vital link in the chain of two-way communication between the group and intergroup. Each represents their group at intergroup service assemblies, sharing experiences with neighbouring GSRs in workshops and sharing sessions.
• Represent and express the group’s conscience at all intergroup meetings. The GSR should faithfully express the group’s opinions whatever their feelings may be, thus putting principles before personalities.
• Following intergroup, report back to the group.
• The GSR has a responsibility to attend all such meetings and, if this is impossible, to brief thoroughly an alternate, chosen by the group to stand in.
• Encourage observers to attend intergroup in order to foster their interest in the Fellowship and sponsor other members into Service.
• Only GSRs and members of the intergroup committee are entitled to vote at intergroup meetings.
• It is the GSR’s responsibility to know the group so well, that should unexpected matters come before the intergroup meeting, he or she will have a fair idea of group’s conscience.

The GSR at Intergroup

• Remind your group when the quarterly intergroup meetings are taking place, so you can discuss the agenda items with your group. Intergroup meeting dates can be found in this MKIG microsite.
• Complete your group’s quarterly report, ensuring it is completed and sent to the intergroup secretary on time.
• Take notes at intergroup! Having a good record of what was said, so you can report back to your group with a good knowledge of the intergroup meeting and any follow up actions required, without having to wait for the minutes to be sent to you.
• Take back any required literature from intergroup to your group.

GSR Quarterly Report (Template – Please feel free to copy and paste this to a Word document to complete)

1. Name of meeting
2. Day / Time of meeting
3. GSR Name
4. Group positions (What positions do you have, are there any vacant positions?)
5. Group Member
   numbers
6. Finances (Is the group self-supporting?)
7. Is there any allocation of funds to Intergroup this quarter?
8. Any other group business to report or mention at intergroup?

If you are new to taking up the GSR role, please contact the intergroup secretary and pass on your email address and contact details. You can be added to the MK Intergroup WhatsApp group, if you wish, and you will be kept informed by email of meeting dates, deadlines for reports, agendas, minutes and any other relevant service information relating to MK Intergroup. Email: secretary.mkeynes@aamail.org. When rotating out of a GSR role, please ensure you handover to the new GSR, show them these pages and also ask them to contact the Secretary with their details.

This service brings benefits and an added breadth to a “society of alcoholics in action”. You will see a broader spectrum of the AA Fellowship, meet members from many different groups and have more opportunities to carry AA’s message to the still suffering alcoholic.

Regularly check these pages to keep your groups updated on the service happening in our area.