Dcm???????

[Tazman53]

Well somehow it looks as though I may be becoming a DCM, I went to the AA web site and found the following:

District Committee Member (D.C.M.)
“The district committee member (D.C.M.) is an essential link between the group G.S.R. and the area delegate to the General Service Conference. As leader of the district committee, made up of all G.S.R.s in the district, the D.C.M. is exposed to the group conscience of that district. As a member of the area committee, he or she is able to pass on the district’s thinking to the delegate and the committee.”

– The A.A. Service Manual, p. S29

For information on General Service activities, contact your area committee or delegate.

I am worried that maybe I am being asked to do something I am not ready to do!!!! I have not been a GSR yet!!!

Any thing any one like to share on this?

[bballdad]

thats good taz

our dcm is a lady from my home group.She has 2 area committee meetings a year and 2 assemblies a year to go to.These are held 2 hours away and she has to stay in a motel.So,she is gone 4 weekends a year.
Our district meets monthly and she prepares the agenda and chairs the meetings.We rotate where we meet at each month.We operate under Robert Rules of Order,the traditons and concepts,so,she has done her homework and has grown a lot.It has really helped her.Good luck

[Tazman53]

Our district meets monthly and she prepares the agenda and chairs the meetings.

Is chairing the district meeting & preparing said agenda part of what all DCM's do?

[barb dwyer]

different dcm's have different jobs too don'e they? like one might be on literature, another on ... well, jail (they call it something else but I can't remember) another might man the twenty four hour hotline; one guy has the archives one heads the work and prep for the roundup...

ours meets once a month.

district, I mean.

if you've gotr a good bit of literature at your club - some clubs will put out a brochure about GSR and DCM and the TRaditions of the whole shebang.... I"ll run over and see if I can find it - there's a diagram of a 'tree' they all use... what job does what and all that.

[CarolD]

Hmm...
Around here one has to have been a GSR
for 2 years before becoming a DCM.

Maybe we are incorrect on this?
I don't know what others do.

[barb dwyer]

district chair - is an elected position within the district committees.

[barb dwyer]

carol - you're right about that - that is how it usually is.

unless someone is taking over for someone leaving and there's no one else - OR - unless it's a grapevine thing.
the garpevine DCM .. is a whole other thing as far as also having to be a GSR I ithink.

there's other branches of that tree (I went and can't get any pics to come up - but there *is* a brochure on both gsr and dcm) and some go between groups - do nothing else but liason between groups - and between different towns groups.... and link to district - you need to see that diagram. It's been months since I looked at it.

[Tazman53]

Hmm...
Around here one has to have been a GSR
for 2 years before becoming a DCM.

Maybe we are incorrect on this?
I don't know what others do.

LOL I don't know either, logically I would think I would have to have been a GSR prior to becoming a DCM!!!

unless someone is taking over for someone leaving and there's no one else - OR - unless it's a grapevine thing.
the garpevine DCM .. is a whole other thing as far as also having to be a GSR I ithink.

It was an old timer who was asking me if I would be willing to take it over for him, I would assume he can't find anyone else? I don't know!!! LOL He is supposed to call me today or tomorrow, I will ask him more about it.

[barb dwyer]

Tazzleazzle -
around here - there aren't enough members with the required year sobriety to HOLD all the possible positions in our district - remember me telling you that just cuz I'd quit gsr - they're still sending me the monthlyu newsletter?

they're like - we'll FIND You something- what do you want to do ????

maybe it's something similar.... you're close enough anyhow to two years sober - and finally - maybe that's not a requirement... but Carol is right - USUALLY - one has to have been a GSR first.

[Tazman53]

Good night!!! I finally found what I needed on the AA website, a DCM is elected by GSRs!!! LOL Well either he said DCM and meant GSR or he thought I was a GSR!!!! LOL

I hope he is talking GSR, that I feel I might be able to muddle my way through!!!!

[barb dwyer]

cool for you then!

[ananda]

I think the best source would be the Twelve Concepts. We just went through replacing a DCM and had to look up the "requirements" in the 12 concepts. They are till guidelines and there are always different circumstances to be considered.

The 12 concepts are really a terrific read. Especially on the minority opinion and on right of decision.

Good luck.

[barb dwyer]

thanks ananda -

I have been sitting here racking my brain trying to remember the title of that book!

that's the one with the diagram I was telling you about, Taz.

I didn't even KNOW there were so many Service opportunities...

[CarolD]

Group GSR 's also need to be voted in by Group Concious.

They are elected not ever appointed.

Tell him you are interested in running for your groups GSR
If indeed you are...
That's what I suggest.

[Sugah]

If you haven't already done it, Taz, you really should pick up a copy of the AA Service Manual. It goes into the 12 Concepts in detail, as well as describes the different levels in the service structure and the positions within each.

My husband is the DCM for our district. His duties include chairing the monthly district meetings, communicating with the home groups, collecting the district's group conscience and taking it to the area level so that our area delegate is informed and can go to the general service conference knowing what Western Pennsylvania thinks about the annual agenda items.

Our district requires 2 years minimum sobriety and suggests that the DCM have experience in home group service before taking the position. I have seen instances where those requirements had to be waived, as no one else was willing to serve. It's a vital position and requires commitment, though keep in mind the inverted pyramid: the DCM is lower than the GSR in the AA structure. It takes a good measure of humility to serve in that position!

Peace & Love,
Sugah

[Tazman53]

Thanks Sugah!! I printed out the GSR pamphlet and will check it out, the little I read helped me understand the position and how it relates to DCMs and others.

I have a feeling that he may have had the GSR and DCM backwards because he did say something about electing someone.

[bballdad]

Originally Posted by Tazman53

Is chairing the district meeting & preparing said agenda part of what all DCM's do?

Taz,I believe so but I am not sure about other districts.I`ll try and find a agenda and send it to you if you want to futher investigate.

[jimhere]

In our district the DCM prepares the agenda and facilitates the meeting.

[Tazman53]

Well........... I have not heard a thing, I am not going to push it, it may not be time for me to serve as a GSR or a DCM, and that is fine one way or the other.

Thanks to everyone, it got me to dig a bit and learn a bit which is not a bad thing at all.

[Signal30]

My hat goes off to the people who provide service work in the GSR, inter group, etc...

Me personality, right now my place in the fellowship is to work in the trenches. I don't even have two years yet and I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with positions that can be "politicky" in nature.

I keep it simple, and keep it basic. But who knows, maybe someday.


Tom

[Sugah]

Originally Posted by Signal30

I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with positions that can be "politicky" in nature.

It's only politicky when one leads with ones ego

Peace & Love,
Sugah

[Jfanagle]

Taz,

I have done GSR-District Treasurer-Alt DCM and DCM. All of these are 2 year commitments. I would suggest that you read the service manual. If you aren't tired it will help put you to sleep!! The long form of the concepts is a real barn burner.

Anyway, if you have the choice and I suspect you do, you may want to cut you teeth on GSR. Some Districts and Areas are huge as they are here in So Cal and there is a great deal of support for the novice in district service. There are more bodies than positions in most cases. It has always been my understanding, and I am pretty sure of my facts, that the appointment of a DCM is very irregular. Election at the district level takes place in our District meetings every October, with the new term beginning in the following January.

However, there are very weak or better said, undeveloped districts that need the willingness of any and all. I will not presume to pass judgment on your district’s needs.

You my friend have the heart and the desire. If your goal is service and you ask the universal mind for direction, I am taking all bets that it will be just fine. The Service Manual will in all seriousness answer many of your questions. This may be your opportunity to help build a stronger district structure than currently exists.

Go get'em Tiger

Jon

[Tazman53]

Thanks Jon and others, after reading you alls posts and some of the manuals it seems as though I would serve far better if I did a GSR position first. I have a funny feeling that the gentleman may have figured out that I was not "qualified" per say because he never called me. No big deal, if it is going to come GSR or what ever it will come.