• A.A.W.S. – Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. The publishing arm of A.A. that publishes all of our literature.
  • Archives – A collection of A.A. records and memorabilia.
  • Area – A geographic division within a state or province made up of Districts, there are 93 Areas in the US and Canada. We are in Area 69.
  • Area Assembly – A periodic meeting with all representatives to discuss A.A. affairs of the Area.
  • Box 4-5-9 - The General Service Office publication that is produced quarterly and contains many articles of general interest to the entire fellowship. Since the GSR is the listed mail contact for the Group at GSO, they automatically receive a copy which should be read and then shared with your Group.
  • C.P.C. – Cooperation with the Professional Community. C.P.C. committees carry the message through conference approved literature to professionals who work with Alcoholics.
  • Corrections – Coordinates meetings within correctional facilities as well as carries the message to inmates and staff through conference approved literature.
  • DCM – District Committee Member – An experienced GSR elected by the GSRs of that District to represent the groups of the District at Area Assemblies. DCMs coordinate service activities within their Districts. The primary purpose of the DCM is to stimulate as many Groups as possible to be an active part of A.A. as a whole through representation and participation.
  • DCMC – District Committee Member Chairperson – The head of a group of District Committee for which the primary purpose is to perform service functions.
  • Delegate – An AA member of the Area Assembly who is elected every other year to represent the Area at the annual General Service Conference in New York.
  • District – A geographical division of AA groups within an Area. There are 13 Districts in our Area, Area 69.
  • GSO – General Service Office – Our AA Headquarters in New York City.
  • GSR – General Service Representative – An individual elected by an AA group to represent the group in AA General Service.
  • GSC – General Service Conference – An annual meeting of 93 Delegates from Areas in the US and Canada, Trustees and GSO representatives, to discuss and vote on approved agenda items.
  • GSB – General Service Board – A group of 21 Trustees who oversee the two non-profit corporations, AA World Services, Inc. and AA Grapevine, Inc. General Service - Applies to all kinds of activities within the conference structure, carried on by Area Committees, Assemblies, Delegates, Trustees and G.S.O staff. Usually, the service affects the Fellowship as a whole.
  • P.I. – Public Information committees carry the message through conference approved literature by working with the media.
  • PRAASA – Pacific Regional AA Service Assembly – A yearly meeting of all representatives held in different parts of the Pacific region of AA.
  • Pacific Regional Forum – A regional meeting with GSO and AA members.
  • Treatment and Accessibility – Standing chair position that carries the message through conference approved literature to treatment facilities. In addition, this position attempts to make the message available to those A.A.’s with various disabilities.
  • Trustees – Regional elected representatives to the GSB. There are 8 regions within the US & Canada.
  • Twelve Concepts of World Service – An interpretation of A.A.’s world service structure