District 19 Area 11

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

 District 19

General Service Meeting 

April 28, 2026

  • Welcome (DCM): Initiated by the District Committee Member (DCM) or his/her Representative.Steve opened the meeting at 7.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Tradition III Steve: The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking
  • General Service Representative Introductions / Reports & Concerns (GSRs):
  1. PLEASE take this time to NOT ONLY introduce yourself, and your group, but tell us something positive about sobriety and your group.

Will:  Wednesday night big book meeting

Pat: Noon St. Therese meeting

Laurie:  Basics on the Green meeting

Carrie:  Light and Lively

Jeff:  D19 Answering Service Rep and GSR for Thursday night

Alexis:  Sunday night Speaker meeting

Darlene:  EMR Zoomers

Fred:  A11 Answering Service chair

Glenn:  Tuesday Northford  Speaker meeting

DAve:  Sunday Morning EMR

Dave: D19 Treasurer

Karen D19 Secretary

Steve: D19 DCM and Registrar

  • Review & Approval of Meeting Minutes (D19 Secretary)
  1. Current Month being Reviewed for Approval: March 2026:

Jeff: motion to accept, Will 2nd.  Unanimous acceptance

  • Old Business (DCM/ALL):
  1. Gratitude Breakfast
    1. Updated status: seed money given back plus a $400 donation.  Will be moved to Clinton, St. Mary church,  next year to accommodate more people.  Report  it was very nice, food was good, well put together, well attended
  1. Alternate District Committee Member Open Position: No new volunteers
  1. Service Day Update: Area chairs will be attending. Deposit money being delivered to the manager this Sunday. Food available for purchase and cookies for free.  A listing of openings will be available.  Question:  Do you want service committee members to bring tables?  Steve will verify table situation with the manager.  There is room in front of the screen for people to set up.  Tickets are free but there are 120 seats available(Steve is keeping 20 seats open for volunteers)
  • New Business
  1. Succession Planning for next District 19 Panel of Officers (Please do your research on what makes a person qualified for the officer positions. The District has a responsibility to elect the best possible candidate that possesses the qualifications and the experience needed to help the District move forward. 
  • We have a budget
  • We have a Service Day
  • We have the ad on the Twins Pine Diner placemat
  • The new schedule books

We reviewed the talking points on the talking points sheet(sent via email)

  • Reaching out directly helps get people to volunteer and once they come in the door they are usually interested in staying on .
  • It is generally assumed that you will train your successor and reach out to people in your meetings. As a GSR you should let people know what positions are open.
  • If we plan for a smooth transition, it makes it easier for the District to continue to function. When the panel changes sometimes people stop coming, it makes it difficult to continue with progress.
  • Ideally, we should have a GSR and alternate from each meeting and those should be filled first
  • Election procedures as outlined by AA and qualifications as outlined by AA were reviewed
  • It’s difficult to get volunteers for service. Some groups go without a GSR due to lack of interest.
  • Some people volunteer to give back and to learn and grow. Commitments keep us sober
  • Guilt can work!
  • Before the internet there was the 12X12 book. Not everyone reads things on line, some people still read books.
  1. Overcoming Complacency; this helps the newcomers and the long-timers build healthy relationships for service, handling resentments or with A.A., Spiritual Growth and the overall good of the District.  Please think about this one, as we move into the last half of this Panel and the future of the District.

**June 6th is the Spring Assembly**  GSR’s should be going to this to hear from the Delegate after the GSO meeting

  • Committee Reports (District Sub Committee Chairs): 
  1. Answering Service: Jeff: D19 had 0 phone calls in March
  2. Public Information: Diane: Ad placed on the placemat at Twin Pines
  3. Schedules: Dawn: Haggaman Library is opening again in May but we do not have an official word about when the meeting will start up there again.  Sunday night Women’s meeting permanently closed
  4. Correctional Facilities: Open
  5. Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC): Open
  6. Archives: Open
  7. Accessibility: Open
  8. Communications: Open
  9. Website: Open
  • Officer’s Reports 
  1. Treasurer: Dave H.: reviewed budget
  2. Alternate Treasurer: Frank: 
  3. Secretary: Karen: Nothing to update
  4. Registrar: Stephan V.:  Corrections were made to the sign in sheet, if there is anything not right, please let Steve know
  5. Alternate District Committee Member Open
  6. District Committee Member: Stephan V.
  • Calendar Look Ahead (DCM):
  1. District 19 May GSR Business Meeting: 26 May 2026
  2. District 19 Service Day: 17 May 2026
  3. Area Spring meeting June 6 virtual or in person at the Pitkin Center in Wethersfield
  4. District 19 June GSR Business Meeting: 30 June 2026
  5. District 19 Panel 3 Elections: 29 December 2026
  • Sick & Deceased (ALL)

Chuck in East Haven had a serious heart issue

Gary sick with cancer

Frank C. wife died

  • Anniversaries: Please tell the group if you or anyone from your group has/ is celebrating an AA Anniversary.  Anniversaries were
  • 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.
  • :Steve closed the meeting at 8:05

Respectfully submitted,

Karen W

D19 Recording Secretary

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