FAQs
What do GSRs do?
The General Service Representative is an A.A. member selected by the group to voice the group’s opinion in discussion at the District and Area level.
The GSR participates in the election of the District’s DCM and also elects the Area Delegate and officers of the Assembly.
What is an Area?
A geographical division within a state or province; there are seven areas in the state of California; each area is represented by an Area Delegate at the Conference in New York.
What is an Area Assembly?
A periodic meeting of GSRs, DCMs, DCMCs, Chairpersons of Standing Committees, Area Officers, Delegate and alternates to facilitate and conduct A.A. service work and business affairs. The Area Assembly is the mainspring of the General Service Structure, the democratic voice of the movement expressing itself (A.A. Service Manual p S36). The Area Assembly is the primary service meeting of the Area and conducts or helps coordinate A.A. services and the business for the Area.
What meetings are mandatory for GSRs?
GSRs are required to go to their district meetings and the Area Assembly meetings. District meetings are held every month. Area Assemblies occur four times a year, every quarter (fall, winter, spring and summer).
What is a District?
A geographical division within an Area. Currently, in Southern California, there are 34 Districts. A General Service Representative (GSR) represents groups within the district.
What is a DCMC?
A DCMC is a District Committee Member Chairperson. A large District in a city or county may hold regular meetings led by a DCMC, who services as the link between the district and the area. Within this large district, there are many district subdivisions, as needed, to adequately serve the groups. Each of these is called a local district and is served by a DCM who may hold regular meetings of GSRs. The DCMC votes in the election of Area Delegate and officers.
What does GSO mean?
General Service Office in New York is often referred to as our “A.A. Headquarters”.
What is a delegate?
A geographical division within a state or province; there are seven areas in the state of California; each area is represented by an Area Delegate at the Conference in New York.
What is a DCM?
The District Committee Member is an experienced GSR, elected by the GSRs of the District, to represent the groups of the District at Area committee meetings and Area Assemblies. The DCM coordinates service activities in the District. The DCM votes in the election of the Area Delegate and officers.
Frequently Used Terms
AREA – A geographical division within a state or province; there are seven areas in the state of California; each area is represented by an Area Delegate at the Conference in New York.
AREA ASSEMBLY – A periodic meeting of GSRs, DCMs, DCMCs, Chairpersons of Standing Committees, Area Officers, Delegate and alternates to discuss AA affairs of the area. The Assembly is a basic unit of the General Service Structure and conducts or helps coordinate AA business for the Area.
DELEGATE – An AA member of the Assembly who is elected every other year to represent the Area at the annual General Service Conference in New York. SCAA elects its Delegates at the Fall Assembly meeting of the “even” year. The Delegate is responsible for reporting back to the Area on the Conference.
DISTRICT – A geographical division within an Area. Currently in Southern California there are 37 Districts. A General Service Representative (GSR) represents groups within the district.
DCM – The District Committee Member is and experienced GSR elected by the GSRs of the District to represent the groups of the District at Area committee meetings and Area Assemblies. DCM coordinates service activities in the District. The DCM votes in the election of the Area Delegate and officers.
GSR – The General Service Representative is an AA member selected by the group to voice the group’s opinion in discussion at the District and Area level. The GSR participates in the election of the District’s DCM and also elects the Area Delegate and officers of the Assembly.
GSO – General Service Office in New York often referred to as our “AA Headquarters”
DCMC (District Committee Member Chairperson) – A large District in a city or county may hold regular meetings led by a DCMC, who serves as the link between the district and the area. Within this large district, there are many district subdivisions as needed to adequately serve the groups. Each of these is called a local district and is served by a DCM who may hold regular meetings of GSRs. The DCMC votes in the election of Area Delegate and officers.