A.A. News, Events and Announcements

     FAQ  (Frequently Asked Questions)

We will attempt to post answers the A.A. related questions you ask us. Please feel free to email the Web Editor with your A.A. related question.  Posted answers will omit names, so you need not feel embarrassed about asking.

For previously posted FAQs:  [ Click to view Archives ]

Does A.A. Monitor Attendance for Court Programs?

While some members might attend A.A. meetings by referral from a court program, the court-ordered "proof of attendance" at meetings is not part of A.A.’s procedure.

Each A.A. group is autonomous and has the right to choose whether or not to sign court slips. In some areas the attendees report on themselves, at the request of the referring agency, and thus alleviate breaking A.A. members’ anonymity.

Therefore, A.A. groups might cooperate in different ways. There is no set A.A. procedure. The nature and extent of any group’s involvement in this process is entirely up to the individual A.A. group.

Groups who do elect to cooperate will typically have the A.A. group's meeting secretary sign or initial the prospective member's "proof of attendance" slip, which is furnished by the court to such individuals.

A.A. is not affiliated with any outside enterprises, including the court system, and therefore does not furnish such attendance slips.

How Do We Form a New A.A. Group?

When forming a new group, it's important to for the group to be connected to A.A. as a whole, so we recommend, as a first step you follow the guidelines set forth by this A.A. literature:

1)   The A.A. Group — This valuable guide tells how to set up the group – everything from naming it, setting up its service structure, selecting officers and meeting type, etc. – and ensuring that A.A. principles are observed in the group's formation and activities.
2)   The A.A. Service Manual — The chapter called "The Group and Its GSR" tells how the GSR helps unify your group with A.A. as a whole. Just as with our recovery -- none of us could do it alone -- the group cannot thrive if it is isolated from the rest of A.A.

How Does Our New Group "Get Connected?"

While your new group is finalizing the process of choosing a group name, service structure, officers, meeting time and location, District 22 highly suggests these steps, to get your group information out there and connect your group:

• Elect a General Service Representative (GSR) -- The GSR's job is ensure your group is linked to A.A. as a whole -- starting with communicating your new group's information to A.A. entities: GSO, District 22, the Area and our local Intergroup.
  
  
• Your GSR Contacts the District 22 DCM -- It's our local DCM's job to help new groups get off to a smooth start, and he/she can save you a lot of time.
  
  The DCM will help your GSR complete the "A.A. New Group Form," and then the DCM will send your group's information both to the the Area (Area 07 in our case) and to GSO (New York). This will get your group listed in U.S. and area A.A. directories, and your GSR will receive regular GSO mailings.
      Email the DCM
  
  
• Your GSR Contacts Local Intergroup -- Our local Intergroup publishes the A.A. Meeting Schedule for the Western Slope.
  
  While initially it is the GSR's job, when a group first forms, to ensure Intergroup gets your group's information, your group's Intergroup representative (if you're already elected one) can do this as well.
      Email Intergroup