Groups
Group service positions available:
- Scarborough Lunchie – GSR & Secretary
Position descriptions
Secretary
The group secretary plays a key role in making meetings happen. The secretary is usually the liaison between the group and the meeting facility. The secretary is responsible for opening and closing the facility at the proper times before and after each meeting, no matter what.
The secretary also works with the group treasurer to make sure that rent is paid in a timely manner. The secretary also ensures that the group has any necessary literature and supplies needed for the meetings. This might also involve working with the Group Service Representative (GSR) or Treasurer to buy literature from the Area Service Committee (ASC) or from the Fellowship Service Office (FSO).
Some groups have their own ‘Literature Representative’ and ‘Tea & Coffee Representatives’ as additional service positions.
The atmosphere of recovery in a meeting often depends on the meeting format and on the members chosen to lead, chair, or speak. In some places, the secretary arranges for a leader, speaker, or chairperson for the group’s meetings. In addition, the secretary and GSR often work together to plan or conduct the group conscience. The secretary can either take notes or lead group discussion in these cases.
Treasurer
The group treasurer handles the money that members contribute to the group. This involves keeping records, paying for group expenses (literature, rent, etc.), reporting group financial activity at group business meetings, and sending or delivering group contributions to other levels of service. The treasurer can play an important role in raising group awareness about the importance of self-support.
When selecting a treasurer, the group should look for members who are trustworthy, are financially responsible, and have good basic math skills. The group may also want to consider a treasurer who is willing and able to help members understand our shared responsibility for funding NA services. The treasurer provides accurate information to the group in business meetings to help members make good financial decisions. This trusted servant ensures that all group funds are used in line with our traditions and concepts, and according to the group conscience.
The Group Treasurer’s Workbook can help simplify record-keeping. Some groups have lost funds as a result of carelessness, misuse, and theft. This can often be avoided by selecting members with good organisational skills and a strong program of recovery.
Group Service Representative (GSR)
The GSR represents the group in ASC meetings. This trusted servant should attend the ASC regularly to report on the status of the group, including challenges the group faces or successes they experience. This helps the group develop a relationship of mutual support with other NA groups in the area. The GSR is the group liaison to the rest of the service community, carrying ideas and concerns from the group to local service bodies and helping keep the group informed about business at the area, region, and world services levels. The GSR carries the voice of the group to NA as a whole.
Literature Representative
The role of the Literature Representative is to manage the group’s literature, including books, pamphlets, and key tags. They are responsible for selling literature to interested members and ensuring stock is maintained. Orders can be placed through https://www.fso.com.au/.
Chairperson
The chairperson is the NA member who guides the recovery meeting according to the meeting format. The chairperson, often a different person each week or each month, often sets the tone for the rest of the meeting. Some groups invite members from other groups to chair their meetings. The chairperson’s tone helps establish a positive atmosphere of recovery. This might include keeping order in the meeting. Kindness and calmness go a long way in preserving the atmosphere of recovery. A chairperson who can be both loving and firm can keep the meeting focused on carrying the message of recovery.