Ready to Carry the Message Beyond Your Home Group
You got sober in a meeting room. Someone carried the message to you. Now you’re ready to help make sure AA is there for the next person who walks through that door — not just in your home group, but across Santa Cruz County. That’s what General Service is. It’s Step 12 in action at the level where decisions are made about how AA works, how meetings are supported, and how our message reaches people who haven’t found us yet.
Join Us at the Next Committee Meeting
Next Meeting: Second Wednesday every month
New GSR Orientation: 6:45 PM (come early if it’s your first time)
General Meeting: 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Location: Mid-County Senior Center, Santa Cruz
Format: Hybrid (in-person + online)
Get Directions to Mid-County Senior Center →
View Full Meeting Schedule & Add to Calendar →
You’re welcome to attend as an observer. No commitment required. Just come and see what it’s about.
What Does a General Service Representative (GSR) Actually Do?
As a GSR, you are your home group’s voice in the larger decisions that shape AA. You link your group to the rest of the fellowship. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Attend a monthly district meeting (second Wednesday, about 2 hours) and bring back information to share at your group’s business meeting.
- Carry your group’s conscience — their ideas, concerns, and votes — to the district and area level.
- Help your group stay connected to AA as a whole: new literature, policy updates, upcoming events, and service opportunities.
- Participate in electing delegates who represent our area at the annual General Service Conference in New York.
What you don’t need:
- Years of sobriety — willingness matters more than time.
- Knowledge of Robert’s Rules — you’ll learn as you go.
- Public speaking skills — the role is about listening and reporting, not performing.
“Like everything else in A.A., it works through a series of simple steps.” — The A.A. Service Manual
Download the GSR Orientation Manual (PDF) →
Read the General Service Representative Pamphlet (aa.org) →
How General Service Connects Your Group to All of AA
General Service is the structure that lets AA function beyond individual meetings. Here’s the chain that connects your home group to the worldwide fellowship:
- Your Home Group elects a GSR (that could be you).
- GSRs meet monthly at the District level to share group concerns and coordinate local service.
- Districts send representatives to the Area Assembly, where your voice joins others across California.
- Area Delegates carry that collective conscience to the annual General Service Conference, where the policies and direction of AA are decided.
This is how the group conscience works in practice. When your group has an opinion about how AA literature should be written, or how outreach should happen, or how funds should be used — General Service is the channel through which that voice is heard.
Read the Full A.A. Service Manual (aa.org) →
Ways to Get Involved
Just curious?
Attend an open committee meeting as an observer. No sign-up, no commitment. See how it works and decide if it’s for you.
Ready to represent your group?
Talk to your home group about becoming their GSR. Most groups vote on this at a business meeting. If your group doesn’t have a GSR right now, that’s an opportunity — many groups are looking for someone willing to step up.
Download the New GSR Orientation Manual →
Want to serve on a committee?
Our district has committees focused on specific areas of service. You don’t have to be a GSR to participate on most committees.
Explore Service Opportunities at AASC →
Want to support General Service financially?
Group contributions fund the work of General Service at the district, area, and national level. Contributions can be made by check (General Service, SCC, P.O. Box 854, Aptos, CA 95001-0854) or electronically through Zelle. Please include your group’s meeting name and ID.
Learn About 7th Tradition Contributions →
Questions? Reach Out.
We’d love to hear from you. Whether you have a question about the GSR role, want to know what to expect at a meeting, or just want to talk to someone about getting involved in service:
District Committee Member Chair (Ryan A.): d03.dcmc.ryana@gmail.com
General Service Treasurer: treasurersantacruzgenserv@gmail.com
DCM Coordinator (Andria): General.Andria@gmail.com
Not sure who to contact? Just email any of us. We’ll point you in the right direction.
General Service Resources
- New GSR Orientation Manual (PDF)
- A.A. Service Manual 2024–2026 (aa.org)
- General Service Representative Pamphlet (aa.org)
- Joint Safety Committee & Digital Safety Packet
- Self-Support: Where Money & Spirituality Mix (aa.org)