District 19 Area 11

Branford, North Branford, Northford and East Haven Ct. Alcoholics Anonymous

 District 19

General Service Representative Meeting Minutes

26 August 2025

  1. Welcome (DCM):  Steve opened the meeting at 7pm

 

 

  1. General Service Representative Pre-Amble (ALL):

 

    1. We are the General Service Representatives. We are the link in the chain of communication for our groups with the General Service Conference and the world of A.A. We realize the ultimate authority is a loving God as he may express Himself in our Group Conscience. As trusted servants, our job is to bring information to our groups in order that they can reach an informed group conscience. In passing along this group conscience, we are helping to maintain unity and strength so vital to our fellowship. Let us, therefore, Have the patience and tolerance to listen while others share, The courage to speak up when we have something to share, And The wisdom to do what is right for our group and A.A. as a whole

 

  1. Serenity Prayer (ALL):

 

    1. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot Change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference

 

  1. Concept VIII (Stephan V):  The eighth concept of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) relates to the Trustees’ role in delegating executive functions to their service corporations. Specifically, it outlines how the General Service Board (Trustees) oversees AA World Services, Inc. and The AA Grapevine, Inc. The Trustees focus on overall policy and finance, while delegating the day-to-day operations to these service corporations. . 

 

  1. Tradition VIII (Stephan V):  Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
  2.  

Concept IX:  Diane offered to present in September

Tradition IX:  Dave offered to present in September

 

  1. General Service Representative Introductions / Reports & Concerns (GSRs):

 

    1. GSR Time for any AA questions/concerns or issues with their individual AA Group.  This is your time so please take advantage of it.

Diane Wednesday Old Timers Zoom: asked about rotation of service.  Because she comes from a small, zoom group with people from out of town the question was posed: How long should someone stay in position as there are a limited amount of people available to volunteer?  In the past the district did not have meetings in July and August and asked if that could be revisited.

 

Will Wednesday night Big Book:

Gene Friday night Step Study:  I went to a meeting out of state and they had a raffle during a meeting and when your number was called it was your turn to share

Pat:  Noon reflections Group

Dawn: Schedule chair person

Frank Saturday night East Haven:

Paul:  Alternate coffee maker for tonight

Kevin Thursday 8:30 Tabor

Darlene: EMR Zoom Meeting Branford

Fred:  A11 Answering Chair

Glen:  Tuesday Northford Speaker Meeting

  • Laurie: Basics on the Green:  Potluck Lunch this Friday, Hot Dog cookout September 14th raindate the 21st, 29th Anniversaries with coins

 

  1. Review & Approval of Meeting Minutes (D19 Secretary)

 

    1. Current Month being Reviewed for Approval: July 2025

Motion to accept:  Dawn, Gene seconded, unanimous approval

  1. Old Business (DCM/ALL): 

 

    1. Voting Items

None

 

  1. New Business (DCM/ALL)

 

  1. Sharing Session: 

 

            (1)  Why are you a GSR?

I was nominated and I accepted. 

I knew there were other people here who could help get the meeting on the app and get the word out.

Helps me stay sober.

They needed someone to do it.

Wanted to bring information back to home group.

I was asked

Group needed one and I was willing

I volunteered and I like this commitment

My sponsor told me to

 

 

 

 

            (2)  Why do you continue to serve?

Frank’s AMAZING dinner

 

Service keeps me sober

It’s important for us to be a link in the AA chain between GSO and our individual home groups

I am responsible

Honoring my commitment, be true to yourself

It’s important if you care about AA you should participate.  It’s one leg of the triangle.

Accountability

I like being here, I want to be here

 

What do you like about D19 GSR meetings?

Frank’s AMAZING dinner

 

It’s a reasonable amount of time compared to the old meetings in West Haven

It’s understandable

All the people who attend are really cool, I enjoy this group

AA family

I get information I wouldn’t get otherwise

 

What DON’T you like about GSR meetings?

Sharing sessions like this

 the day and time are challenging

Going off on tangents(4 people offered this comment)

 

No treasurers at the meetings.  They are welcome to attend, they do not have a vote

 

 

What do you want to on the agenda?:

                 What are your Joys or Concerns

 

D19 Vision: We have money to spend so how do we spend it?

Go back and ask at your meetings, what can we do to enhance what we do now?

Ad’s on placements on diners? On the radio? On podcasts?

Focus on the District filling PI and CPC and focus on spreading the information to professionals who come in contact with the sick and suffering.  There are three towns, we could have three different chairs.

 

 

 

  1.  Committee Reports (District Sub Committee Chairs)

 

    1. Answering Service: Jeff absent.  Fred:  This district is in really good shape
    2. Public Information: Diane: Nothing new
    3. Schedules: Dawn: Discussion about printing meeting books based on what groups want.  An ongoing concern is having meeting information up to date.  Information becomes obsolete quickly.  Steve:  The PDF is available and I have a call and email to the Area chair to get the PDF.  Discussion point:  the meeting information has always been challenging but there is always another meeting to go to on the list

 

    1. Registrar:  Stephan V. Met with Jean, the area Registrar.  He then combined meeting information to reflect more information on the sign in sheet and passed it around for everyone to check.  At the Area 11 level there is a notation regarding when each GSR 2 year term is up.  When the term is up the GSR does not have a vote and is relieved of their position.  However, if Group Conscience decides the GSR should continue, then the GSR should continue and vote. Steve will go to the meetings that appear to be closed and can let Jean know so the data base is as up to date as possible.
    2. Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC):  Open
    3. Archives: Open
    4. Accessibility: Open
    5. ALKI-LINE: Open
    6. Website: Open (Note:  There is an Area 11 Ad-Hoc Committee formed and is looking for volunteers)

 

  1.  Officer’s Reports

 

    1. District Committee Member: Stephan V.  presented the survey.  This will help us with a vision and purpose.  Taken from the GSO survey that is conducted every three years. 
    2. Alternate District Committee Member: Sharon H.  Reviewed upcoming meetings
    3. Secretary: Karen W. there are enough up to date surveys for each person and the second set of 20 is the one that went out in May.  Please let me know if you need/want copies

 

    1. Treasurer: Dave H.  Quiet month.  One donation from Roaming Gypsies.  Clarified that the month on the report says June but it is July.

 

  1. Calendar Look Ahead (DCM):

 

    1. September GSR D19 Meeting:  23 September 2025
    2. September CT AA Convention :  27 & 28 September 2025

 

 

 

October GSR D19 Meeting:  28 October 2025  There will only be coffee and dessert in October, Frank is tied up with something that night.

 

 

  1. Sick & Deceased (ALL) Steve Poole passed, Howard Budd passed, Carol from Madison passed

 

 

  1. Anniversaries:  Please tell the group if you or anyone from your group has or is celebrating an AA Anniversary.  Joyce celebrated 42 years, Paul T 44 years

 

  1. Responsibility Statement (DCM): – I am responsible when anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that, I am responsible.

 

  1. Closing

Meeting was adjourned at 8:22.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen W.

Loading