Can a district meeting be fun? Of course. Just ask one of the many folks who show up at the quarterly district meetings from all over our district. It’s always great to meet and see people that you don’t usually see. Lots of us look forward to seeing folks at each district meeting.
But it’s not all fun. There is a reason to have district meetings. The first to stay sober. Being involved in your own sobriety and growth is the key to maintaining it after you’ve given up drinking. And attending the district meeting is one of the best ways to learn about AA and how it works.
Below, you’ll find a general purpose statement for what you can hope to accomplish at the next district meeting.
Purpose:
District Business Meetings in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are multifaceted. They play a crucial role in the effective functioning of the AA service structure at the district level. Here are the key purposes of these meetings:
- Coordination and Communication: The meeting serves as a central point for coordination and communication among different AA groups within the district. It helps ensure that all groups are aligned with AA’s overall goals and principles and are informed about district-wide initiatives and decisions.
- Service and Support: It provides a platform for members, particularly Group Service Representatives (GSRs), to discuss and address the needs and challenges faced by individual groups. This can include sharing best practices, offering support, and discussing ways to improve the group experience for members.
- Decision-Making: The District Business Meeting is an essential decision-making body for matters at the district level. Decisions could relate to organizing district-wide events, managing finances, addressing common concerns among groups, or implementing strategies to reach out to more people who need help.
- Reporting and Accountability: The meeting allows various officers and committees within the district, such as the treasurer, secretary, and committee chairs, to report on their activities. This maintains transparency and accountability within the district.
- Planning and Organization: The meeting is vital in planning and organizing district-level events and activities, such as workshops, public information sessions, and participation in regional or national AA events.
- Fellowship and Unity: By bringing together representatives from various groups, the meeting fosters a sense of fellowship and unity. It reinforces the collective commitment to the primary purpose of AA, which is to help alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety.
- Leadership and Development: These meetings provide opportunities for members to develop leadership and organizational skills, which are beneficial for personal growth and for carrying the message of AA more effectively.
- Adherence to AA Principles: The meeting ensures that the district-level activities are consistent with AA’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the AA program.
Overall, the District Business Meeting is an essential mechanism to ensure that the AA district functions smoothly, effectively, and per the principles and traditions of AA, ultimately supporting the overarching goal of helping individuals recover from alcoholism.