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The following are among the many service roles in A.C.A.
groups. They vary from one group to the next, so find out what's
available in yours. Whichever you choose, remember that
doing your best to always remain an active
member is the most important.
As an active member, I can perform the most important
role in the group: by coming to meetings as often as I can; by
participating in the group's activities as fully as I can, not
regularly choosing some but standing off from others; by openly
sharing in the discussion groups to the extent to which I am ready,
so that others and I myself can learn from my experiences; by
being considerate of other members, at all times respecting their
privacy and the group's traditions; and by helping out in other
service roles when and where I can.
Service Roles Usually Available from Week to Week
At any given meeting, I could also: help with setting up
(particularly if I'm able to arrive before the others), or
clearing up afterwards, I could help out with the
readings or make a point of greeting and welcoming
any obvious newcomers to the group ("Hi, I'm..."
is usually a good place to start), by offering to chair one
of the discussion groups (once I'm familiar with the procedure
and ground rules), by offering
suggestions for fellowship
after the meeting or at other appropriate times, or by simply
asking the chairperson or GSR if there's
anything else I can do to assist.
Service Roles Often Lasting for Several Weeks or Rotated Monthly
As the group's refreshment coordinator, (where the
group can do this), I could make coffee and/or set out other
refreshments in advance of the meeting, help or organize clean-up
afterwards, make or help out with purchases, and offer my
suggestions on new refreshments the group could provide for its
members (within its budget), recognizing any special needs that
some members might have.
As the chairperson for the newcomers'
orientation,
I could offer them a warm welcome to the program, provide them with
and introduce some basic literature, such as a newcomer's packet,
meeting list for my area and telephone list for my group, discuss
with them their reasons for coming (accepting in advance that not
all will yet be ready to share), discuss (speaking frankly from
my own experience), and answer questions about the characteristics, steps,
traditions and other basic program concepts, explain what happens
in the course of a typical meeting and accept that, after the
orientation, not all may choose to remain with the group or program.
I could also invite another group member to participate in the
orientation (particularly when there is only one newcomer, in order
to reduce the newcomer's feelings of anxiety), so that others can later
take on this activity as well.
As the group's librarian or literature coordinator,
I could set out the books and literature each week, check them
out to members, explaining any rules the group has in this regard,
collect and safeguard any deposits required (sometimes the
treasurer does this instead), put the documents securely away at
the close of the meeting, suggest new titles the group might wish
to purchase and list or organize the holdings it already has.
As the group chairperson,
I could, during my term, take responsibility for setting up and
leading meetings, remaining always an equal member, asking for
volunteers as required for the service roles above (and filling
in the holes for any who are missing), ensure the security of
the group's materials, funds (as required), and meeting rooms
during and after meetings, try my best follow the group's schedule
(and encourage members to do the same), ensuring that any special
events (speaker's meetings, Teddy
Bear nights, business meetings,
etc.), take place as required, and make a special point of greeting
newcomers. As the person the group relies on to hold those
meetings, I would also ensure I have the telephone numbers of
several other members just in case, due to unforeseen circumstances,
I am unable to attend a meeting I was scheduled to chair.
Service Roles Often Lasting Several Months or Longer
As the group's treasurer,
I could maintain the group's
finances, counting and recording the 7th tradition, maintaining
the group's bank account (ensuring that there are enough co-signers
specified and available so that the funds can be used properly
when required), provide regular reports on balances and expenditures
to the group during business meetings, so that sound plans can
be made to meet its needs, and ensure that all payments are
justified and properly recorded.
As the Group Service Representative
("GSR"), I could, always acting as
its "trusted servant",
be the link between my group, other groups and Inter-Groups or
other coordinating bodies, help review and decide matters affecting
A.C.A. as a whole within my area, participate in common
administrative matters, such as arranging group liability insurance
(where required) or rental arrangements for special events, help
organize inter-group events such as conferences, dances or other
entertainment, take the lead in meeting any administrative
requirements of my own group, such as maintaining good relations
with the group's landlord, helping ensure the group's service
needs are met, by encouraging members to participate as they are
ready and (when and as required), speaking to individual members or
the group as a whole on issues of significance to help it stay
together and maintain its course.
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