Grassroots
Grassroots
The Area 79 Grassroots Committee
The Grassroots Committee is responsible for overseeing the production and distribution of Grassroots Forum, the BC/Yukon Area 79 Newsletter.
Committee Purpose
The Grassroots Forum is a newsletter by and for the members of Alcoholics Anonymous in BC/Yukon Area 79. It is compiled and edited by the Grassroots Chairperson with the assistance and input of the Grassroots Committee. This newsletter is a vehicle for communication within Area 79 with the aim of strengthening unity and participation. Grassroots is also the means of distribution of the minutes, financial statements and all reports from our Area Quarterlies and Assemblies. It is the aim of the Grassroots Forum to fulfill its purpose with the greatest possible consideration of fiscal prudence and to practice AA principles in all of its affairs.
More Information
- To assist the Grassroots Chair with recommendations for improvements to the Area Newsletter.
- To assist in encouraging the fellowship’s participation by submission of articles to be published.
- To become familiar with page 22 of the AA Service Manual (Area Newsletters or Bulletins).
- To assist in the development of changes to the Grassroots Newsletter requested by the fellowship within Area 79.
About the Grassroots Forum Newsletter
Publication Details
Grassroots Forum is published quarterly by the BC/Yukon Area 79 Service Committee. It carries news and information about groups and committees, minutes and financial statements from the Quarterlies and Assemblies, and reprinted material from AA literature, such as Box 459 and the AA Grapevine. It is the primary means of conveying information between the Area Service Committee and the DCMs and GSRs throughout Area 79.
How Grassroots is Distributed
- As a password protected, electronic document available for viewing or download from this website (see below, pdf format).
- Publication of a printed magazine which is distributed by mail. If you wish to subscribe to the printed version of the newsletter, please see the subscribing information below.
Job Description
Grassroots Committee Chair
The Grassroots Committee chair is an appointed position of the Area Service Committee. They are responsible for the production and distribution of Grassroots Forum, the BC/Yukon Area 79 Newsletter and the summary bulletin Grassroots Highlights.
“Newsletters or bulletins published by area committees or central offices/intergroups may include local A.A. news, information about groups and committees, and reprinted material from A.A. literature. As with most A.A. service activities, it has been found prudent to make a committee (rather than one or two individuals) responsible for the format, planning and content.”
The A.A. Service Manual pg ? reprinted with the permission of Alcoholics Anonymous®
Duties
- Produce the Grassroots Forum and Grassroots Highlights four times a year following quarterlies and assemblies.
- Maintain a subscription list and coordinate mailings (you will need to address and stuff approximately 150 envelopes four times a year).
- Issue statements for advertising and subscription renewal.
- Provide digital copies for posting on the Area 79 website.
- Send a digital copy of each edition to the Area Service Office conference desk.
- Coordinate with the area chair regarding distribution timeline when quarterly/assembly agendas are to be included for mailing.
- Send an email notification to subscribed mailing list, DCMs and GSRs.
- Duties common to all ASC members on the ASC page.
It is helpful to have volunteers to help you proofread, stuff envelopes and sort as required by your local post office. A reliable computer and access to a printer are a must. Your time-frame is every three months for publication, with each issue being completed 6 weeks following the Quarterly or Assembly, and promptly sent out via website and post. An issue of Grassroots typically takes two months from start to post office drop off.
Qualifications
- Have a computer or ready access to one.
- Desktop publishing ability.
- Organizational abilities.
- Understand what is and what is not AA or AA-related material.
- Time: Plan on 40-60 hours in addition to regular ASC duties over the 8 weeks following each Quarterly or Assembly to complete an edition. This is a substantial time commitment.
- Work schedule should be flexible to accommodate last-minute changes or scheduling conflicts, as well and printing and post office hours.
