DCM – District Committee Member
The district committee member is an essential link between the group GSR and the area delegate to the General Service Conference. As leader of the district committee, made of up all GSRs in the district, the DCM is exposed to the group conscience of that district. As a member of the area committee, he or she is able to pass on the district’s thinking to the delegate and the committee.
The DCM has usually served as a GSR and is elected by other GSRs to take responsibility for district activities. A DCM should have enough sobriety (4-5 years) to be eligible for election as delegate. He or she also needs to have the time and energy to serve the district well.
The DCM regularly attends all district meetings and area assemblies. They receive reports from the groups through GSRs and personal contact with groups, hold regular meetings of all GSRs in the district, assist the delegate in obtaining group information, keep GSRs informed about Conference activities, including providing delegate an opportunity to give a report back, or provide the report to the district when delegate is not available. The DCM also makes sure that the GSRs are acquainted with the AA Service Manual, the 12 Concepts for World Service and the GSO Bulletin Box 4-5-9, organizes workshops and/or sharing sessions on service activities, and brings traditions problems to the attention of the delegate.
Alternate DCM
The alternate is a backup for the DCM. If the DCM resigns or is unable to serve for any reason, the alternate steps in. Usually, the alternate is elected at the same time as the DCM, by the same procedure.
Secretary
The secretary records and distributes minutes of district meetings, keeps mailing lists up-to-date and sends out district mailings. The secretary should have a “reasonable period of sobriety”, which might mean 1-2 years of sobriety; computer literacy is also helpful. An effective secretary needs to have a sense of order, and the ability to capture the essentials of what is happening at the meeting.
Treasurer
The treasurer keeps financial records for the district and reports regularly to the district. In most cases, the treasurer is responsible for encouraging contribution support for district, area and GSO services. The treasurer should be a responsible person with a solid period of sobriety, which might mean 2-3 years of sobriety. The treasurer should be organized enough to keep good records, and some accounting or bookkeeping experience is useful.
Alternate Treasurer
The alternate is a backup for the treasurer. If the Treasurer resigns or is unable to serve for any reason, the alternate steps in. Usually, the alternate is elected at the same time as the treasurer, by the same procedure.
District Committee Chairs
District Committee chairs provide Conference Committee and Area standing committee updates to the districts and vice versa. Committee chairs should have at least 6 months of sobriety. District Committee Chairs should familiarize themselves with the committee kits produced by GSO and World Services.
Grapevine:
The District Grapevine Chair familiarizes members with the fellowship’s international journals, the AA Grapevine and La Vina. They participate in the Area Grapevine activities and announce the new publications.
Archives:
District Archives Committee Chair participates in the Area Archives Committee and works with the District and Area Archives chairs to maintain and/or update the District Archives.
Website:
Serves as a Liaison between other webmasters for Alaska Area 02 to ensure their websites reflect our current URL.
Corrections:
The District Corrections Chair participates in the Area Corrections activities. They keep groups’ Corrections representatives informed of local 12th step activities in correctional institutions and also support group reps in taking meetings into the prisons and jails. Also support Bridging the Gap activities.
Hotline:
Hotline Committee Chair manages the 12th Step list and the hotline information packets. This position coordinates the group hotline volunteers and manages phone hosting.
Schedules:
Schedules Committee Chair maintains and updates the MatSu Valley Meeting Schedule, providing fresh copies as needed.
CPC:
The District CPC Chair participates in the Area CPC activities. The CPC Committee Chair carries the AA message at professional meetings, seminars and more. They focus on cooperation with community professionals who are often in contact with active alcoholics.
PI aka Public Information:
The District PI Chair participates in the Area PI activities. The PI Committee Chair carries the AA message locally to the public, through PI programs when requested by schools, businesses, law enforcement. The PI Chair also uses or distributes PSAs in order to carry the message publicly.
Literature:
The District Literature Chair participates in the Area Literature activities. The Literature Committee Chair supports groups and group literature representatives in their access to AA Conference-approved literature, ordered through AA World Services and/the local Intergroup.
Treatment:
The District Treatment Chair participates in the Area Treatment activities. The District Treatment Committee Chair acts as a liaison between group treatment reps and the area. They work to help hospital and treatment center staff better understand AA and take tools into the alcoholic in treatment centers. They also support the Bridging the Gap program as needed.
