Frequently Asked Questions
What is G.S.O.?
The General Service Office , Is located in New York city and is the central hub of Alcoholics Anonymous service work around the US and Canada, providing public service announcements and holding the annual General Service Conference. It also helps carry the message to other countries around the globe, translating literature into various languages and providing support through sharing our experience.
What is a G.S.R.?
General Service Representative, an AA member elected by their group to represent the group at the Area Assembly and to carry their group conscience to the District, the Area and the Conference. They also carry back Conference, Area and District actions to their group.
What is a D.C.M.?
District Committee Member, is elected by the G.S.R.s in a District to provide two way, line of communication between the District and the Area Committee, including the Area Delegate. They also share with groups about the responsibilities of general service work.
What is a D.C.M.C.?
A District Committee Member Chairperson (Unique to CNCA) is elected by G.S.R.s and D.C.M.s to help facilitate the chain of communication between the Area Committee, the District Committee and the group General Service Representatives. This person also facilitates the District Committee meetings, usually held monthly.
Is service work boring and stuffy?
There may be a bit of that, but it is more than made up for by a feeling of usefulness, and plenty of fun does happen.
What is the Area Assembly?
The Area Assembly is a meeting of G.S.R.'s and Area Committee members to discuss area business and to elect officers and a delegate to the General Service Conference, held in New York.
May anyone attend the Area Assembly?
All members of A.A. are encouraged to participate in the workshops and sharing sessions of the Assembly.
Where and when is the Assembly?
CNCA assemblies are held four times, from Del Norte County to Monterey County. See the AA Events Calendar
How does my District host an Area Assembly?
Districts interested in hosting an Area Assembly may want to visit an assembly planning meeting. There is an assembly Bid Form on this web site.
Who serves on the Area Committee?
The committee consists of D.C.M.C.s (District Committee Member Chairs) and D.C.M.s (District Committee Members) of each of the participating districts in the area, the elected area officers and committee chairpersons, the delegate and alternate delegate, committee chairpersons, i.e., Archives, BTG Interpretation/Translation, PICPC, Website, etc
Who is eligible to vote during Area Assemblies?
Basically, the area committee, made up of Delegate, Alternate Delegate, Chair, Treasurer, Registrar, Secretary, Assembly Coordinator and Literature Grapevine are the voting members. See Voting Procedures at Area Assemblies in the Service Manual for how they do it.
Where should my AA group send contibutions to in the Northern California Coastal Area?
California Northern Coastal Area
P.O. Box 884222
San Francisco, CA 94188-4222
Please place group name or service number or both on the check.You may contact the CNCA Registar, for your group information, through the Contact Us page.
What is a group inventory?
Many groups take an annual or biannual inventory on how well they are fulfilling their primary purpose. You may find out more about group inventories in the A.A. Group Pamphlet.
