The Chair
The Chair
The Area 79 Chair
What Does the Chair Do?
The area chairperson is responsible for organizing meetings of the Area 79 Committee (Area Quarterlies and Assemblies ), chairing the meetings of the Area Service Committee (ASC) and for ensuring that the business of the area is carried out. The chairperson, more than any other officer, keeps the delegate informed about what is going on in the area, and makes sure that Area Committee members are aware of what goes on in World Services.
Alternate Chair
The Alternate Chair is elected to the Area 79 General Service Committee at the same time as the Chair, and assists the Chair in their responsibilities. In Area 79, the Alternate Chair also sits as the Grapevine Chair.
Area Business Meetings
UPCOMING
BC/YUKON
AREA 79
EVENT
Job Descriptions
Area Chair
The chairperson is responsible for the smooth running of area assemblies and quarterlies, consulting with the Area Service Committee before setting the date and time, making sure that all GSRs & DCMs are notified, consulting with officers and committee members on the program, and chairing the assembly meetings. The chairperson, more than any other officer, keeps the delegate informed about what is going on in the area, and supports the Delegate in ensuring members are aware of what goes on in world services.
Duties
- Setting and distributing the agendas for, and chairing, all Area Service Committee (ASC) meetings (11-12 per year), held monthly in Vancouver and at quarterlies and assemblies.
- Setting and distributing the agendas for, and chairing, the quarterly and assembly meetings (four per year).
- Coordinating with venues on room rentals, floor plans and logistics for quarterlies and assemblies, and liaising with local host committees to ensure events run smoothly.
- Setting up and coordinating online meetings for hybrid assembly and quarterly meetings, working closely with the AV and tech teams to ensure reliable access and audio/video for all participants.
- Managing recurring payments and subscriptions for many area digital services – including email hosting, productivity software & online storage, and virtual meeting software.
- Organizing the ASC inventory in the first year of the panel by finding a date everyone can meet, and selecting a facilitator and scribe.
- Ensuring the effectiveness of the Area Service Committee positions in covering the needs of Area 79, making adjustments if necessary.
- Determining a selection committee for the appointed positions on the Area Service Committee, chairing that meeting and making those appointments.
- Appointing subcommittees as the need arises.
- Administration of the budget, as well as chairing the ASC’s finance committee.
- Coordinating all Area 79 Area Service Committee travel with the exception of the delegate reports.
- Appointment of a chair for WRAASA or Regional Forums when they are hosted by Area 79.
- Ensuring clear and effective communication among groups, districts and the area.
- Duties common to all ASC members on the ASC page.
Qualifications
The chairperson should have a solid period of sobriety (minimum three to five years), and experience in group, central office, institutional and/or area affairs. Area chairpersons need a sound understanding and appreciation of the Steps, the Traditions and the Concepts, along with a good fund of experience gained through applying these guides successfully to local problems. Communication skills, leadership qualities and sensitivity to the wishes of the local area are also important.
This position is a very heavy time commitment and requires strong organizational skills, including basic computer knowledge (email, spreadsheets and word processing, online meeting technology, cloud storage). Consultation with family and employers is essential before allowing one’s name to stand, due to the amount of time spent away from home and the necessity of time away from work in order to travel.
Alternate Chair
As it says in Chapter 5 of the A.A. Service Manual, “Qualifications of alternates are generally the same as the qualifications for the positions they may be called upon to assume.”
The Area 79 Alternate Chair is usually appointed to the Grapevine Committee Chair also.
Duties
- Responsible for making sure all materials required for registration are in place for the host district at quarterlies and assemblies.
- Assign district committee members (DCMs) to committees.
- Oversee setup at quarterlies and assemblies.
- Prepare roll call lists and facilitate the district and area report call-ups.
- Prepare an Agenda and Chair the area committee meeting.
- Organize accommodations for the Area Service Committee (ASC) for assemblies and quarterlies.
- Prepare the feedback forms for assemblies and quarterlies and provide results to the ASC and the fellowship.
- The Alternate Chairperson assigns several specific duties which may vary from term to term.
- For several terms, the alternate chair has also served as Grapevine chair. (There is a separate job description for this position.) The Area 79 chairperson decides whether one person covers both assignments, and this may vary from term to term.
- Duties common to all ASC members on the ASC page.
- To reasonably stay informed with all matters that affect the Area Service Committee, so that in the event the Chairperson cannot carry out their responsibilities, the Alternate Chair will be ready to assume those responsibilities either temporarily of for the remainder of the panel.
Qualifications
The alternate chairperson should have a solid period of sobriety (minimum three to five years), and experience in group, central office, institutional and/or area affairs. Alternate chairpersons need a sound understanding and appreciation of the Steps, the Traditions and the Concepts, along with a good fund of experience gained through applying these guides successfully to local problems. Communication skills, leadership qualities and sensitivity to the wishes of the local area are also important.
