On Saturday January 19 and Sunday January 20, I was able to attend the California
Northern Interior Area (CNIA) 07 Winter Assembly held in Carmichael, CA.
Over 200 people from the 28 districts that make up Area 07 attended. The
majority of us were first year General Service Representatives (GSR), newly
elected Area officers, and newly appointed liaisons to a variety of service
committees. Much of our weekend was taken up with introductions, and helping
to familiarize people with the activities and possibilities for service within Area 07
and/or their home Districts, and, ultimately, the homegroups represented by
GSRs. All our discussions were guided by the principals contained within the CNIA
07 GSR Preamble which reads:
We are the General Services Representatives. We are the link in the chain of communication for our groups within the General Service Conference and the world of A.A
We realize that the ultimate authority in A.A is a loving God as He may express
Himself in our group conscience. As trusted servants, our job is to bring
information to our groups in order that the group can reach an informed group
conscience. Passing along this group conscience we are helping to maintain the
unity and strength so vital to our fellowship.
Let us, therefore, have the patience and tolerance to listen while others share, the
courage to speak up when we have something to share, and the wisdom to do
what is right for our groups and A.A as a whole.
Over the next few months I will be receiving notice of items that are going to be
put forward for consideration at the General Service Conference in New York this
April. It is my hope that our group will be able to have some discussions about
these items so that I will be able to pass along to our Area Delegate our group
conscience concerning any items we find relevant and important to our Step 2
Men’s group and our lives as members of A.A. It is through this process that our
group conscience helps to influence decisions that are made within the larger
body of A.A.
Thank you for allowing me to be of service!