DISTRICT 09 Guidelines
revised September 17, 2023
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District 09 (the “District”) is an AA general service district within Mid-Southern California Area 09 (“Area 09”). The cities within the District are: Bermuda Dunes, Blythe, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Center, Desert Hot Springs, Eagle Mountain, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Mecca, North Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Thousand Palms, and Whitewater.
District 09 has four subdistricts: A) Palm Springs, North Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Whitewater; B) Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Thousand Palms, Bermuda Dunes, Indian Wells; C) Indio, LaQuinta, Mecca, Coachella; D) Eagle Mountain, Desert Center, Blythe.
Membership within the District consists of a number of groups that are each invited to have a General Service Representative (the “GSR”). While not required, having a GSR is strongly recommended.
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District meetings are hybrid and held the third Sunday of every month from 4-5pmPT, unless otherwise determined. The hybrid format makes it possible for all who want to attend to be able to do so. Prior to the District monthly meeting, it holds a GSR School from 3-4pmPT. This provides on opportunity for new GSRs to learn more about general service and feel comfortable asking questions.
District Meetings are comprised of GSRs, officers, committee chairs, committee members, liaisons, and any interested member of Alcoholics Anonymous.
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District officers are District Committee Member Chair, Alternate District Committee Member Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Registrar.
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We are the General Service Representatives. We are the link in the chain of communication for our groups with the General Service Conference and the world of A.A. We realize the ultimate authority is a loving God as he may express Himself in our Group Conscience. As trusted servants, our job is to bring information to our groups in order that they can reach an informed group conscience. In passing along this group conscience, we are helping to maintain the unity and strength so vital to our fellowship. Let us, therefore, have the patience and tolerance to listen while others share, the courage to speak up when we have something to share, and the wisdom to do what is right for our group and A.A. as a whole.
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The District does not cover expenses to Area 09 meetings, assemblies, and other Area 09 events. Members are encouraged to have their expenses covered by their respective groups.
If the budget allows, the District will provide a stipend of an amount to be determined for eligible District members to attend the Pacific Region of AA Service Assembly (PRAASA) and/or any Regional Forum held within the Pacific Region.
An eligible District member is one who has attended three (3) Area 09 Assemblies and at least five (5) Area 09 committee meetings.
Within thirty days after attending PRAASA and/or the Regional Forum, the District Member must submit receipts to the treasurer in order to be reimbursed.
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The GSR is an elected position within each group by the groups within the District.
It is suggested that the GSR have a minimum of two (2) years of sobriety.
Be familiar with the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts.
Be familiar with GSO website (www.aa.org) and Area 09 website (www.msca09aa.org).
The commitment is for 2 years.
GSRs are encouraged to attend Area 09 and District meetings, especially Assemblies where they are permitted to vote.
They are the direct contact between their groups, the District, the Area 09 and the General Service Office (“GSO”) in New York.
They are responsible for sharing group concerns with the District and keeping their groups informed about all things related to general service and AA as a whole.
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The chair of the monthly District meeting.
Plans the agenda.
Encourages meeting participation.
Encourages communication among the GSR groups, the District, and general service as a whole.
Attends monthly Area 09 meetings and reports to the Area 09 about events happening in the District.
Attends monthly District meetings and reports back to the District each month regarding Area 09 decisions and proposed motions.
Attends PRAASA and Regional Forums when possible.
Be familiar with the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts.
Be familiar with GSO website (www.aa.org) and Area 09 website (www.msca09aa.org).
Be familiar with the AA Service Manual.
Solid period of sobriety (minimum of 3-5 years).
The commitment is for 2 years.
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Provide back-up for the DCMC when the DCMC is unable to attend monthly District meetings and Area 09 meetings.
Visit meetings throughout the District.
Be familiar with the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts.
Be familiar with GSO website (www.aa.org) and Area 09 website (www.msca09aa.org).
Be familiar with the AA Service Manual.
Solid period of sobriety (minimum of 3-5 years).
The commitment is for 2 years.
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Attend meetings in the DCM’s sub-district area and discuss the responsibilities of general service work.
Attend monthly District meetings and monthly Area 09 meetings.
Attend the GSR School.
Assist GSRs in becoming acquainted with the AA Service Manual and other service material.
Regularly hold meetings of the GSRs in the DCM’s sub-district to answer questions and share information.
It is recommended that a DCM has been a GSR before taking this position
Be familiar with the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts.
Be familiar with GSO website (www.aa.org) and Area 09 website (www.msca09aa.org).
Solid period of sobriety (minimum of 3-5 years).
Be familiar with the AA Service Manual.
The commitment is for 2 years.
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Attend monthly District meetings and provide a detailed treasurers report.
A member of the District Audit Committee
Collect mail from the District’s PO Box.
Process group contributions and send out receipts.
Issue checks for operating expenses and other reimbursements.
Chair annual budget committee and prepare budget
Solid period of sobriety (minimum of 3-5 years).
Be familiar with the AA Service Manual.
Be familiar with the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts.
Be familiar with GSO website (www.aa.org) and Area 09 website (www.msca09aa.org).
The commitment is for 2 years.
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Attend monthly District meetings and record the minutes.
At least seven (7) days prior to a District meeting, send to all District members the upcoming meeting agenda, minutes from the prior meeting, and any additional material to be distributed. In addition, have hard copies available for those attending in person.
If no Registrar has been elected, the Secretary keeps an updated roster of District members, which may include their name, email, phone number, group affiliation (if relevant), District commitment (if relevant).
Solid period of sobriety (minimum of 3-5 years)
Be familiar with the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts.
Be familiar with GSO website (www.aa.org) and Area 09 website (www.msca09aa.org).
Be familiar with the AA Service Manual
The commitment is for 2 years.
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Attend monthly District meetings and provide a report on District activities for the prior month and any upcoming activity.
Attend Area 09 meetings.
Maintain and update group information (meeting location, times, etc.), advising the Area Registrar of all changes.
Record new group information and share it with the Area 09 Registrar.
With the assistance of the District DCMs, the Registrar updates the database update request from GSO on an annual basis.
Registers new GSRs and District officers with the Area Registrar.
Responsible for preparing and distribution of the District Eligibility Roster prior to the District Election, as required.
Solid period of sobriety (minimum of 3-5 years).
Be familiar with the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts.
Be familiar with GSO website (www.aa.org) and Area 09 website (www.msca09aa.org).
Be familiar with the AA Service Manual.
The commitment is for 2 years.
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Attend monthly District meetings and report on the activities of their respective committees.
Become familiar with the Service Manual.
Hold monthly committee meetings.
Actively participate in the work of the committee.
Solid period of sobriety (minimum of 3-5 years).
Be familiar with the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts.
Be familiar with GSO website (www.aa.org) and Area 09 website (www.msca09aa.org).
Be familiar with the AA Service Manual.
The commitment is for 2 years.
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Attend the monthly District meeting and report on activities of the Coachella Valley Central Office.
Attend the monthly Central Office meeting held the first Thursday of every month at 7pm and report on the activities of the District and general service generally.
Solid period of sobriety (minimum of 3-5 years).
Be familiar with the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts.
Be familiar with GSO website (www.aa.org) and Area 09 website (www.msca09aa.org).
Be familiar with the AA Service Manual.
The commitment is for 2 years
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District 09 will hold elections by Third Legacy Procedure for the DCMC, the DCMs, alternate DCMC, secretary, treasurer, and registrar at the October District meeting each odd year.
All members of the district shall be eligible for candidacy for election of district officers.
Nominations shall be made “from the floor”.
The terms of the officers shall be for two years beginning January 1 of the next even year.
The district shall conduct an election for the uncompleted term of any office vacated. If the vacancy occurs within the last four months of the term the district may choose to wait until the next regular election.
Removal Procedure • In the event any officer should be absent from three consecutive District meetings, without adequate cause for such absence, they may be asked to resign.
A loss or break in sobriety shall automatically terminate officer membership and eligibility to vote.
All GSRs, District Officers, District Committee Chairs participate as voting members of the District.
This District subscribes to the Third Legacy Procedure for voting, as described in the AA Service Manual, 2021-23, Appendix G pages 110-111.
Each member has one vote, as set forth in Concept 4 (See, AA Service Manual, 2021-23, Page C12 – C15)
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In order to ensure that District Members are aware of important matters affecting their groups, District 09, Area 09, and AA as a whole, it is strongly suggested that they attend three (3) Area 09 Assemblies and at least five (5) Area 09 committee meetings.
In addition, that they attend and participate in at least eight (8) District 09 meetings during the year.