welcome to the gssa grapevine worksho p janie c., chair dorman p., co-chair
DESCRIPTION
Welcome to the GSSA Grapevine Worksho p Janie C., Chair Dorman P., Co-chair. In this session we will: Review tools & resources available to Grapevine Reps (GVRs) at www.aagrapevine.org Discuss the duties of a GVR Offer suggestions for GVRs (both group and district) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Welcome to theGSSA Grapevine Workshop
Janie C., Chair Dorman P., Co-chair
In this session we will:
• Review tools & resources available to GrapevineReps (GVRs) at www.aagrapevine.org
• Discuss the duties of a GVR• Offer suggestions for GVRs (both group and district)• Consider other special activities and events to
encourage use of GV materials (i.e. Grape-a-thons, GV meetings)
www.aagrapevine.org
Resources and Information for Grapevine Representatives
Grapevine Homepage
Resources/GVR Tab
Resources/GVR Page
Grapevine News
Download the entire Grapevine News!
GRAPEVINE News
Service Opportunity
GVR Registration (or Change of Address)
You Will Receive…A Grapevine Representative Kit containing…–Who Writes the Grapevine? (flyer)– Catalog and order form– Subscription forms – Flyers about new Grapevine items– List of complimentary materials for
Grapevine displays– Password to the Grapevine bulletin
board
Grapenut Forum
Tools and Resources
Register/sign up Tab
Workbook/GV Guide
Workbook Table of Contents
What Do Grapevine Reps (GVRs) Do?
• Make sure that copies of the magazines are available and displayed at
meetings
• Announce the arrival of each new issue
• Share about articles in the magazines
• Encourage the group to buy subscriptions in the group’s name
GVRs may also…• Stock other Grapevine items on the literature
table• Announce the publication of new items and/or
special features on GV website• Encourage members to submit articles and
humor pieces• Initiate efforts to donate subscriptions to
hospitals, prisons, doctor’s offices, churches• Suggest a Grapevine topic meeting for the
group• Encourage the use of Grapevine subscriptions
as gifts• Refer members to the Digital Archive for
articles about AA history or discussion topics
Suggestions for Group GVRs
I. Encourage the Group to Subscribe:• Give an issue to the newcomer• Use a topic from the magazine for a
discussion meeting• Begin a meeting by reading an article• Use the magazine or GV items as
door prizes and raffles at special events
• Give a magazine instead of a card at anniversaries
• Share back issues
II. Ways to Announce the New Issue
• Describe the highlights of that month’s magazine• Read –a title or two from the Table of
Contents–the opening paragraph of an article–the Quotation of the Month–a short letter or part of a letter–a joke from “Ham on Wry”
III. Encourage Individuals to Subscribe
• Describe the contents of the magazine
• Mention the advantage of having an individual subscription:
o Convenience of having one’s own copy arrive in the mail every month
o Having an instant meeting whenever needed
• Provide envelopes addressed to the Grapevine along with order forms
Why Should I Be a Grapevine Rep?• Perform service for both AA members & the magazine, linking
it to those who might not otherwise read or be aware of it
• Engage in practical hands on work:– work at group level, giving information about the GV, sharing
stories from each issue, and encouraging use of each magazine as a tool of recovery
• Engage in active Twelfth Step work:– The magazine’s stories, readable style and pocket size are
useful to beginners in AA
• Gain opportunities for involvement in wider circles of service– Regional forums, area assemblies
• Encouraged to read the magazine every month!• Become more aware of AA history
GV has been a part of AA since the Fellowship was nine years old. Learning about the magazine is a good way to learn about AA history
District Grapevine Reps
What do District Grapevine Reps Do?– Serve as a link between group GVRs and the
area service structure– Encourage every group to have a Grapevine
Rep:• Encourage groups in the district to elect or appoint a
GVR• Chair the district GV Committee• Stay in contact with all GVRs in the district and share
ideas with them• Hold meetings for GVRs in the district• Make sure that GVRs have magazine flyers and order
forms• Keep the area GV chair up to date on progress in the
district• Send the new GVRs name, address and group to the
GV office, if the rep hasn’t already done so• Keep an up-to-date list of group GVRs in the district
Suggestions for District GVRs:
• Visit Groups (usually after contacting the group secretary or chair)
• Organize Special Grapevine Events (Grapeathons, workshops)
• Set up a GV display at district meetings/events
GV Handbook
Special GVR Activities and Events• Start a GV meeting or a meeting based on The Language
of the Heart• Spread the word via local AA newsletters or websites
(general AA newsletters or GV)– Stories from current issues, books, pamphlets, archives– Upcoming local events– “Coming Attractions” from each issue– News about GV website and new GV items– Brief excerpts of GV history– Discussion topics– Quotes of the month– Reprints of useful literature like the Traditions
Checklist– A list of “lost” GVRs to prompt GVRs to keep their
registration up-to-date
Special GVR Activities and Events (cont.)
• Encourage groups to give subscriptions to those
in need• Pass it on: share back issues• Work with other AA service
committees• Include the GV at AA events• Organize a Grape-a-thon or other
special event
Comp Material Request Form
Comp Material Request Form
Subscriptions & Product Resources
Questions? Feel free to contact us at [email protected]