DCM Sharing - Regional Service Conference

Topic 1 -- What are some ways to get groups more active in the District and Area?

There is no attendance from club meetings. Discuss developing unity. Clubs prefer social activities. One started a unity picnic with AA presenters. They later added a Christmas party with same type of presenters. It took about 6 years, but it did improve participation.
One divided their district into 4 smaller sections and elected LCM (local committee members) to communicate with the groups. This is great for districts that are spread out. Unity picnic was also tried with limited success after only 3 years.
GSR's are not attending District -- same dilemma.
GSR's are appointed to a committee when they come in. Rather than scaring them away, it does seem to help.
DCM -- Call GSR's during the week prior to the District Meeting. Inform GSR's when elected what their job is and what the group expects.
A good secretary -- when she sends out minutes, she tells the GSR's, "There is big bizz going on in AA -- Come to the next District Meeting to see what it is."
District concentrates on who is there and not on who isn't there.
Rotate District Meetings locations and day of the week. We have good attendance usually.
One District got a committee together to visit all groups, presenting them with a card saying when and where the meeting is, etc. She developed a more current list of GSR's in formation, so she could contact them more easily. They asked groups if they could come back to the next business meeting to talk about General Service and sponsorship.
Sponsorship.

Topic 2 --Tradition IV -- How do groups determine their autonomy? Do groups discuss whether their actions affect other groups or AA as a whole?

A hospital meeting was using non-AA material. They finally had to tell them they would not put them or their lists and would not send in the sheets to GSO on that group.
Some groups are holding meetings in Minnesota, but are using an address n Fargo (which is another Area). GSO says they can be considered a group of the Area in which their address is, even if the meeting is held somewhere else.
Anyone who wants to show up and do work is welcome.
Some meetings in certain towns participate in a different District. As long as no one is harmed, it doesn't matter. Keep the peace and work together.
Other than AA speakers at meetings, don't list them on where and when.
Autonomy -- Is it affecting AA as a whole? District members given 1st choice to take service positions. Members of other Districts can if they write a letter of anonymity. Groups that don't follow will fade away.
Educate! Show them the guidelines.
Most problems are debatable. We all have opinions. Participate in a coherent example and hope they see it.

Topic 3 -- The right of participation. Do committee chairs vote in District meetings? Concept 10 -- Service responsibility matched by appropriate authority.

Committee chairs and Alternate DCM vote.
Committee chairs do not vote -- GSR's only! So they have informed group conscience.
GSR's only. Get GSR's there to vote if you're not happy.
Concept IV -- Committees have a tremendous responsibility and they deserve the right to participation -- committee chairs do vote!
Committee chairs and officers vote. GSR's used to come in a rig the votes before they started doing this. Depends on size of the District and the amount of participation. Need to educate GSR's and this is the District's responsibility.
Chairs do vote.
Committee Chairs do the work and have worked their way up through the ranks, so they have more experience to vote from.
Committees, Officers, and "Past" DCM's vote.
Everybody votes as well as past DCM's.
We want those who feel irrelevant to feel more "a part of" and get involved. Sponsorship! Have GSR's identify and participate with a committee.