GSR Workshop
At our Area Meeting on 10 January 2021, we will have a GSR Orientation Workshop at 10 AM, The following agenda summarizes what will be covered:
GSR ORIENTATION
Why Are We Here?
• Gain information on GSR responsibilities/service
• Tools, Communication Skills, Benefits of Service
What Is A GSR?
• The Group Service Representative (GSR) is the go-between each Narcotics Anonymous group and the various levels of service structure.
GSR
• GSR’s provide constant, active influence over discussions being carried on within our service structure.
• While GSR’s are elected by and accountable to the group, they are not merely group messengers.
• They are selected by their groups to serve as active members of the area service committee.
Alternate GSR
• Alternate GSR’s attend all the area service committee meetings (as non-voting participants) with their GSR’s so that they can see for themselves how the committee works.
• If a GSR cannot attend an area committee meeting, that group’s alternate GSR participates in the GSR’s place.
• Alternate GSR’s, along with other members, also serve on area subcommittees.
• Subcommittee experience gives alternate GSR’s added perspective on how area services are delivered. That perspective helps make them more effective area committee participants if their groups later elect them to serve as GSR.
Responsibilities
Participate in:
• Attend area service committee meetings
• Attend forums, workshops at both the area and regional levels
• Joining in the work of an area service subcommittee
Responsibilities: Guide to Local Service
• “As such, they are responsible to act in the best interests of NA as a whole, not solely as advocates of their own groups’ priorities.” Page 36
• GSR’s are elected to participate on behalf of the groups in the area committee and the region assembly. Page vii
Responsibilities: IP#2 The Group
• The GSR is the formal line of communication whose purpose is to represent the group conscience in matters affecting other groups or NA as a whole.
• Provide information to the group about developments in the worldwide NA fellowship and to share with the area any activities, strengths, or problems of the group.
• It is important that the GSR not break the chain of NA communication.
Responsibilities: Reporting to the Group
• Activities – Previous & Upcoming
• Literature – Purchase, Area Lit decisions
• H&I – Current
• PR – Current & Projected Plans
• Web – Address
• Policy – Current & Proposed
• Subcommittee Openings
• Issues at Area & Region
Tools
• Guide to Local Services (GLS)
• Consensus Based Decision Making
Traditions that support Area Service
• One – to maintain unity. As an area committee we are committed to communicate between the group down to world services, the needs of the addict.
• Two – group conscience of the group chooses effective leaders as trusted servants.
• Five – service committees free the group to carry the message to the individual addict.
• Nine – service boards and/or committees are formed to perform duties for groups & NA as a whole.
• Ten – Narcotics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues hence the NA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
• Eleven – Anonymity is maintained for individuals in the group by giving service committees the authority to perform services and duties that they cannot perform for individuals.
A printer friendly copy of the agenda and copies of the forms in both PDF format and fillable Microsoft Word and Excel formats are available for printing or download below.
PDF Copies of additional Informational Pamphlets (IP's) are available here
The H&I Handbook is available here
The PR Handbook is available here
Note: Microsoft Products and Adobe Acrobat PDF items are provided as a convenience and in accordance with our Traditions this should not be considered to be an endorsement of any Microsoft or Adobe Acrobat products.
Also, mention of Zoom or any other web service for virtual meetings should likewise not be construed as an endorsement of Zoom or any other such service.