In Alcoholics Anonymous we thrive on unity and collective decision-making, to ensure that our members have a voice in shaping the fellowship’s future. One of the most important ways this happens is through the General Service Conference (GSC) and the process of forming a group conscience at our local level. By discussing and sharing topics from the GSC, our AA groups contribute to the broader service structure while staying connected to the principles that guide our recovery.
A group conscience is the collective decision-making process of an AA group, grounded in the principles of AA’s Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts for World Service. It ensures that our voices are heard and that decisions are made with spiritual integrity rather than personal opinion. The process is not a simple majority vote; rather, it seeks to reach a substantial unanimity (typically two-thirds agreement) through multiple informed discussions.
The General Service Conference is the annual gathering of delegates, trustees, and members from around the world who talk about and make recommendations on a multitude of matters affecting the fellowship. Some of the topics are updates to literature, policies, public outreach, and other initiatives that help AA remain effective in carrying the message of recovery.
Every AA group has an opportunity to participate in this process by reviewing these topics, discussing them at our homegroup, and passing their conscience along through their General Service Representative (GSR) to our Delegate at Area 72.
How do we form a group conscience? We obtain the information that is provided to us by our Delegate either on the website or from our GSR. We familiarize ourselves with the information and topics and attend our homegroup business meeting to share our thoughts on the material, thus developing a group conscience. We all have a voice, we have open discussion, we refer to AA literature and service guidelines and maintain an atmosphere of respect and unity. Allow minority opinions to be heard and work toward a clear group conscience.
The groups GSR is then responsible to carry the groups decisions to the District and Area levels and after the conference and our Delegate returns, the GSR is tasked with reporting back to their group regarding the decisions that were made at the conference.
Engaging in group conscience discussions about GSC topics strengthens AA’s structure, ensuring that decisions reflect the fellowship’s collective experience rather than a select few. It also helps educate members about AA’s service structure and deepens our connection to the broader recovery community.
By participating in this process, every AA group fulfills its responsibility to preserve and carry AA’s message for future generations, ensuring that the fellowship continues to serve alcoholics in need.
In love and service,
Shu D. Webservant Panel 75
Shu D.
webservant@area72aa.org
