The following forms should be used to update your group information or register a new group with Area 28 General Service. Send the forms to our Area 28 Registrar. We will register your group with the General Service Office allowing both records to be updated with one form, saving us both time.
Scan and email the form to Area 28 Registrar, [email protected] or snail mail it to Area 28 Registrar, 499 Broadway #225, Bangor, ME 04401OR simply email the information to the registrar, clearly identifying what group you are talking about.
- Use this form to change your meeting location, time, or GSR contact or additional contact information Group change form
- Use this form to register a new group or register a group that has been in existence but never received a group id number from GSO new group registration form
- This form is used to update the DCM and is here for convenience only; it has a very limited audience DCM Change Form
- To change your group online listing (or to post an event) write to [email protected]. NOTE: you still need to submit the change form to our Area28 Registrar or directly to New York.
Why Register Your Group With GSO?
Is Your Group Linked to A.A. As a Whole?
Most groups in the United States and Canada choose to be linked to A.A. as a whole by listing the group with the General Service Office (G.S.O.), as well as with the Area Assembly, district and local central/intergroup office.(1)
Groups listed with G.S.O. have either General Service Representatives (G.S.R.s), or group contacts, who act as channels for two-way information and shared experience. Once a group is listed with G.S.O., the group information is shared with the Area Assembly via the delegate. Group information may be first received by the Area, which then shares the information with G.S.O.
Whats the point? Each group linked to the local general service structure is automatically a part of the group conscience of A.A. in Canada and the U.S. through their G.S.R.s participation in district meetings and Area Assembly.
Each G.S.R. communicates his or her groups conscience on important matters of policy considered by the district and Area Assembly. During the Annual General Service Conference, the Areas groups are represented by their elected delegate. Groups in our listings are included in the confidential domestic directories(2) published annually, which provide contact information for traveling A.A. members.
New groups listed with the General Service Office are assigned an identifying service number (ID),(3) receive a Group Handbook (through their G.S.R. or group contact), and are included in mailings sent to all listed A.A. groups. For instance, groups receive our bimonthly newsletter Box 4-5-9 that keeps them informed on policies being considered by the Conference, changes to A.A. literature, and when and where their Regional Forum will be held (Forums are weekend gatherings where current experience is shared). Additionally, G.S.R.s or group contacts for listed groups receive registration details for each International Convention, held every five (5) years.
How? To participate in services provided by G.S.O. to A.A. groups, it is vital to furnish simple information to G.S.O. through the Alcoholics Anonymous New Group Form. To notify G.S.O. when group information changes, i.e. the group contact or G.S.R. moves or resigns, and a new G.S.R. or contact is elected; or, when there is a change in the groups location or meeting day(s) and time, please use the Alcoholics Anonymous Group Information Change Form. Group changes should also be given to the Area registrar/secretary, and to the District Committee Member (D.C.M.).
A New Group: When a new group forms, the members usually take time to decide on the name of the new group,(4) elect trusted servants, plan the time and format of meeting(s), and obtain A.A. literature from the nearby central/intergroup office.
A new group may first ask to be listed with the local district and Area, or through direct contact with G.S.O. Either way works well. When G.S.O. receives an Alcoholics Anonymous New Group Form, a copy is forwarded to the delegate of the Area where the group is located, so that the delegate may communicate the good news to the D.C.M. and Area registrar/secretary. Thirty (30) days after group information is sent to the delegate, the group is assigned an ID number for G.S.O.s records, and a Group Handbook is mailed to the G.S.R. or group contact.
Your District: Regardless of how new group information is received, the D.C.M. will make contact and welcome the group to general service.
Whether a group is new or has existed for years, the D.C.M. is the primary contact through the G.S.R. or group contact. Group representatives attend district meetings where they are kept up-to-date on A.A. activities and topics of interest. G.S.R.s attending district meetings are an excellent resource for addressing group problems and concerns. In matters affecting A.A. as a whole, a groups conscience is communicated to the Area Assembly by their G.S.R.
If you do not know how to contact your groups D.C.M., Area registrar/secretary, and delegate, staff members in the General Service Office can often provide that information.
G.S.O. staff members are always happy to hear from A.A. members and groups. G.S.O. has two primary purposes: 1) to serve as a resource to better enable groups to carry the A.A. message of experience, strength and hope to the still-suffering alcoholic; and, 2) to provide services to A.A. as a whole which individual groups cannot usually manage, such as the publication of A.A. literature. The A.A. group is the fundamental unit supporting A.A. recovery.
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(1) To participate fully, a group lists itself 1) with the general service structure (G.S.O., Area and District); and, 2) with the local intergroup/central office.
(2) Domestic directories are: Eastern U.S., Western U.S. and Canadian. Each group is identified by city or town, Area and district, group name, meeting day(s), and G.S.R.s or contacts name and phone number. Alternate G.S.R.s or contacts are also listed. Directories are widely used by traveling members, so only groups that provide a G.S.R. or contacts telephone number are listed.
(3) Once an ID number is assigned and becomes part of a groups record, the number remains with the group and is not usable by any other group.
(4) Guidelines for naming an A.A. group are based on group conscience as expressed through the Annual General Service Conference. The A.A. Group pamphlet, the basic guide for all groups in Canada and the U.S., suggests that a group avoid choosing a name that might suggest affiliation with any organization, club, political or religious institution. New groups are also advised to avoid names that refer to family, double trouble, alcohol and pills or the name of any actual person, living or dead. (The A.A. Group pamphlet is available at central or intergroup offices or through G.S.O.)
Rev.8/2/02 This is Service Material Available from http://www.aa.org
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Members of the Cooperation with the Professional Community Committee provide information about A.A. to those who have contact with alcoholics through their profession. This group includes health care professionals, educators, and members of the clergy, lawyers, social workers, union leaders and industrial managers, as well as those working in the field of alcoholism.
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The Area CPC Chair shall be available to visit and/or communicate with the Districts about working with professionals. This shall include helping establish and support District CPC Committees.
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The Area CPC Committee shall cooperate with and support the Area Public Information (PI), Area Corrections, Area Treatment and Area Bridging the Gap (BTG) Committees.
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The Area CPC Committee shall communicate through printed material(s), presentations and other means as appropriate.The Area Chair appoints the CPC Committee Chair following the Election Assembly in October and shall serve a two-year term beginning in January the following year.
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The Area CPC Committee consists of a Chairperson appointed by the Area Chair, a District Chair appointed by the Area Chair to sit on the committee, any District CPC Chairs and any AA member who desires to work with the Professional Community.
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The Area CPC Committee meets at each Area 28 Meeting (4 times per year), and at the Spring and Fall Assemblies. The CPC Chair may call for other meetings if a need arises. The Area CPC Chair should attend all committee meetings. In the event that the CPC Chair cannot attend a scheduled meeting then it is the responsibility of the CPC Chair to find a substitute for that meeting.
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Each member of the CPC Committee has a vote within the committee and a simple majority shall constitute a passing vote within the committee.
Area 28 CPC chair is Rudy St. P., who can be reached at [email protected]
The General Service Office has developed Guidelines for CPC.
There is also a CPC Workbook available online.
There is a wealth of CPC materials available from GSO. Go the the GSO website at http://www.aa.org/lang/en/catalog.cfm?origpage=244&product=102.
Since our guidelines suggest that speakers often come from other districts, setting up programs can be challenging. As part of a joint initiative with Public Information, the area28 contact and coordinator to help arrange speakers is Mike L who can be reached at [email protected].If you have a request for a school speaker or are trying to arrange a program for students or for professionals, please feel free to contact him for assistance.
A major CPC initiative is trying to reach out to health care professionals through a Sponsor Your Health Care Professional program and packet. For a powerpoint presentation about this initiative see Info on Sponsor Your Healthcare Professional Packets.
Materials included in the Sponsor Your Healthcare Professional packet and available on this website: A Healthcare Professional Looks at AA, Note to Professional and Note to the AA member.
Doing presentations is an important part of CPC and PI work. Here are some Notes on Doing Presentations from the CPC Workbook and a model/sample/template presentation adapted for Area 28 in a PDF file for presentations.
Anonymity is a major issue in doing both Public Information and Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC) work. The AA Pamphlet, Understanding Anonymity is an important resource and here is an excellent recent article on anonymity.
The following forms should be used to update your group information or register a new group with Area 28 General Service. Send the forms to our Area 28 Registrar. We will register your group with the General Service Office allowing both records to be updated with one form, saving us both time.
Scan and email the form to Area 28 Registrar, [email protected] or snail mail it to Area 28 Registrar, 499 Broadway #225, Bangor, ME 04401OR simply email the information to the registrar, clearly identifying what group you are talking about.
- Use this form to change your meeting location, time, or GSR contact or additional contact information Group change form
- Use this form to register a new group or register a group that has been in existence but never received a group id number from GSO new group registration form
- This form is used to update the DCM and is here for convenience only; it has a very limited audience DCM Change Form
- To change your group online listing (or to post an event) write to [email protected]. NOTE: you still need to submit the change form to our Area28 Registrar or directly to New York.
Why Register Your Group With GSO?
Is Your Group Linked to A.A. As a Whole?
Most groups in the United States and Canada choose to be linked to A.A. as a whole by listing the group with the General Service Office (G.S.O.), as well as with the Area Assembly, district and local central/intergroup office.(1)
Groups listed with G.S.O. have either General Service Representatives (G.S.R.s), or group contacts, who act as channels for two-way information and shared experience. Once a group is listed with G.S.O., the group information is shared with the Area Assembly via the delegate. Group information may be first received by the Area, which then shares the information with G.S.O.
Whats the point? Each group linked to the local general service structure is automatically a part of the group conscience of A.A. in Canada and the U.S. through their G.S.R.s participation in district meetings and Area Assembly.
Each G.S.R. communicates his or her groups conscience on important matters of policy considered by the district and Area Assembly. During the Annual General Service Conference, the Areas groups are represented by their elected delegate. Groups in our listings are included in the confidential domestic directories(2) published annually, which provide contact information for traveling A.A. members.
New groups listed with the General Service Office are assigned an identifying service number (ID),(3) receive a Group Handbook (through their G.S.R. or group contact), and are included in mailings sent to all listed A.A. groups. For instance, groups receive our bimonthly newsletter Box 4-5-9 that keeps them informed on policies being considered by the Conference, changes to A.A. literature, and when and where their Regional Forum will be held (Forums are weekend gatherings where current experience is shared). Additionally, G.S.R.s or group contacts for listed groups receive registration details for each International Convention, held every five (5) years.
How? To participate in services provided by G.S.O. to A.A. groups, it is vital to furnish simple information to G.S.O. through the Alcoholics Anonymous New Group Form. To notify G.S.O. when group information changes, i.e. the group contact or G.S.R. moves or resigns, and a new G.S.R. or contact is elected; or, when there is a change in the groups location or meeting day(s) and time, please use the Alcoholics Anonymous Group Information Change Form. Group changes should also be given to the Area registrar/secretary, and to the District Committee Member (D.C.M.).
A New Group: When a new group forms, the members usually take time to decide on the name of the new group,(4) elect trusted servants, plan the time and format of meeting(s), and obtain A.A. literature from the nearby central/intergroup office.
A new group may first ask to be listed with the local district and Area, or through direct contact with G.S.O. Either way works well. When G.S.O. receives an Alcoholics Anonymous New Group Form, a copy is forwarded to the delegate of the Area where the group is located, so that the delegate may communicate the good news to the D.C.M. and Area registrar/secretary. Thirty (30) days after group information is sent to the delegate, the group is assigned an ID number for G.S.O.s records, and a Group Handbook is mailed to the G.S.R. or group contact.
Your District: Regardless of how new group information is received, the D.C.M. will make contact and welcome the group to general service.
Whether a group is new or has existed for years, the D.C.M. is the primary contact through the G.S.R. or group contact. Group representatives attend district meetings where they are kept up-to-date on A.A. activities and topics of interest. G.S.R.s attending district meetings are an excellent resource for addressing group problems and concerns. In matters affecting A.A. as a whole, a groups conscience is communicated to the Area Assembly by their G.S.R.
If you do not know how to contact your groups D.C.M., Area registrar/secretary, and delegate, staff members in the General Service Office can often provide that information.
G.S.O. staff members are always happy to hear from A.A. members and groups. G.S.O. has two primary purposes: 1) to serve as a resource to better enable groups to carry the A.A. message of experience, strength and hope to the still-suffering alcoholic; and, 2) to provide services to A.A. as a whole which individual groups cannot usually manage, such as the publication of A.A. literature. The A.A. group is the fundamental unit supporting A.A. recovery.
______________________
(1) To participate fully, a group lists itself 1) with the general service structure (G.S.O., Area and District); and, 2) with the local intergroup/central office.
(2) Domestic directories are: Eastern U.S., Western U.S. and Canadian. Each group is identified by city or town, Area and district, group name, meeting day(s), and G.S.R.s or contacts name and phone number. Alternate G.S.R.s or contacts are also listed. Directories are widely used by traveling members, so only groups that provide a G.S.R. or contacts telephone number are listed.
(3) Once an ID number is assigned and becomes part of a groups record, the number remains with the group and is not usable by any other group.
(4) Guidelines for naming an A.A. group are based on group conscience as expressed through the Annual General Service Conference. The A.A. Group pamphlet, the basic guide for all groups in Canada and the U.S., suggests that a group avoid choosing a name that might suggest affiliation with any organization, club, political or religious institution. New groups are also advised to avoid names that refer to family, double trouble, alcohol and pills or the name of any actual person, living or dead. (The A.A. Group pamphlet is available at central or intergroup offices or through G.S.O.)
Rev.8/2/02 This is Service Material Available from http://www.aa.org
The Winter 2016 Boomerang is available for download.
To give us feedback on this site or general information about the site, please email [email protected]
To contact the chair of the Public Information Committee, Mike L, please email [email protected]
To contact the chair of Area 28, Gene W, please email [email protected]
Our non-electronic address is:
Maine-New Brunswick Area 28 General Service
499 Broadway #225
Bangor, ME 04401
The Portland Central Service Office (CSO) performs many valuable services including keeping the online meeting lists current and listing events from throughout the Area. To submit an event go to http://www.csoaamaine.org/submitevent.htm
To submit an online meeting list change go to http://www.csoaamaine.org/meetingchange.htm. NOTE: you still need to submit the meeting list change form to our Area28 Registrar or directly to New York. Click here for a link to the forms.
Click here to contact other area servants
Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting,
declining outside contributions.
Long form of Tradition 7
The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.
Suggested Contribution Plan
We suggest that groups first pay your group bills and make sure you have literature on hand for the newcomer. Then subtract off your prudent reserve (for some groups this is nothing at all, they trust their membership to see them through, others hold back 2-3 months rent). The balance is sent to four (4) service entities.
Area 28 recommends that groups contribute to:
- your Central or Intergroup Office
- General Service Office
- Area 28 ME & NB
- your local district
Contribution Addresses
GSO payable to General Service Board, mail to:
General Service Office
P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
Maine-New Brunswick Area 28 General Service, mail to:
Area 28 Treasurer
499 Broadway #225
Bangor, ME 04401
Portland Central Service Office, mail to
CSO
47 Portland Street
Portland, Maine 04101
Downeast Intergroup, mail to
Treasurer:
Downeast Intergroup
P.O. Box 1633
Ellsworth Maine 04605
Local District –
Look up your districts address here
For Further Information Please visit our GSO Web site:
Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting,
declining outside contributions.
Long form of Tradition 7
The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.
Suggested Contribution Plan
We suggest that groups first pay your group bills and make sure you have literature on hand for the newcomer. Then subtract off your prudent reserve (for some groups this is nothing at all, they trust their membership to see them through, others hold back 2-3 months rent). The balance is sent to four (4) service entities.
Area 28 recommends that groups contribute to:
- your Central or Intergroup Office
- General Service Office
- Area 28 ME & NB
- your local district
Contribution Addresses
GSO payable to General Service Board, mail to:
General Service Office
P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
Maine-New Brunswick Area 28 General Service, mail to:
Area 28 Treasurer
499 Broadway #225
Bangor, ME 04401
Portland Central Service Office, mail to
CSO
47 Portland Street
Portland, Maine 04101
Downeast Intergroup, mail to
Treasurer:
Downeast Intergroup
P.O. Box 1633
Ellsworth Maine 04605
Local District
Look up your districts address here
For Further Information Please visit our GSO Web site:
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The purpose of the Area 28 Treatment Facilities Committee is to coordinate the work of the individual AA members and groups that are interested in carrying the message of recovery to alcoholics in treatment facilities.
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Any interested member can be on the committee in addition to the District Chair assigned by the Area Chair.
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Each member of the committee has a vote within the committee.
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The voting members are the Area Treatment Facilities Chair, the appointed District Chair, any district Treatment Facility chairs, and any interested AA members.
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Votes will be determined by a simple majority.
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The Treatment Facilities committee will always refer to the GSO guidelines / workbook to assist their committee.
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The treatment Committee chair will meet the newly appointed chair at the end of the chairs two year term to transfer all paper work and update the new chair on what the committee has been doing.
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The Treatment Facilities Committee will cooperate with other committees in every way to assist in the development of their purpose.
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The committee shall meet at all Area committee meetings and Assemblies. The chair may call a special meeting at anytime.
See the General Service Office Guidelines for Treatment Facilities Committees.
There is also a Treatment Facilities Workbook.
Area 28 Treatment chair is Anne D., who can be reached at [email protected]
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.
Suggestions for anyone who might have a drinking problem
- If you would like to speak to someone, please call our 24 Hour Hotline:
1-800-737-6237 or 207-774-4335 - Read more information to explore what AA is and how AA can help.
- Attend an AA meeting. Call the AA 24 Hour Hotline:
1-800-737-6237 or 207-774-4335 to get help OR
Select here to read online schedules for meetings in Maine New Brunswick
If you are a family member or friend of someone who has a drinking problem
- Read more information to explore what AA is and how AA can help.
- Al-Anon is an organization by and for family members and friends.
Contact A l-Anon Family Groups
Contact the Maine Area Al-Anon Family Groups site
If you are a professional or need to refer someone to AA
- Read more how AA members can help.
- If you are in Maine you can contact specific committees, including: Members of the clergy, medical professions, or legal professions, Correctional Facilities, Treatment Facilities, and general inquiries.
- If you are anywhere outside Maine and are a health care professional, correctional or treatment facility professional, media/news professional, employee assistance professional, educator, member of the clergy, counselor, social worker or student contact our General Service Office and they will direct your inquiry accordingly.