GSR COMMITTEE - TERMS OF REFERENCE

PURPOSE: 

●      To function at the world level as the unified group conscience of ABA as a whole in all matters pertaining to ABA’s primary purpose: service to the still-suffering anorexic and bulimic.

●      To develop and maintain two-way communication between ABA Groups and the General Service Association (GSA) of ABA.  

●      To serve as a respectful and cooperative guide and director to the GSA in all matters of importance to the Fellowship of ABA as a whole. 

●      To work with the Treasurer of the GSA in ensuring that ABA remains fully self-supporting at every level.  

●      To adhere to ABA’s 12 Traditions in all matters.  

MEMBERSHIP:

●      Committee membership includes the duly elected General Service Representatives (GSRs) from all ABA Groups worldwide.

●      There shall be a mandatory requirement of 6 months of continuous sobriety to be a GSR or Alternate GSR.  

●       Duly elected Alternate GSRs from any Group may also participate in meetings, either alongside their GSRs or as a substitute for them. However, if both are present at a given meeting, they shall together count as one for purposes of quorum determination, and they shall together cast only one vote.

OFFICERS: 

The Committee shall elect, from among its members, by a two-thirds majority, the following officers, each for a one-year term, with the possibility of re- election for a maximum of four consecutive years:

Chairperson — will have maintained a minimum of 2 years of continuous sobriety in ABA at the time of election. Duties will include setting the agenda for all Committee meetings, chairing meetings, reporting to the GSA in writing at every GSA meeting, preparing a written report for the Annual General Meeting of the GSA, bringing matters from the GSA to the Committee as required, and bringing Committee decisions to the GSA for discussion and implementation. In the event of relapse in sobriety, the Chair will step down and be replaced by the Vice-Chair until the next election.  

Vice Chair — will meet the same sobriety requirement as the Chair. Duties will include assisting the Chair in the performance of his/her duties and replacing the Chair if they are unable to perform such duties at any given time. If the Vice Chair needs to permanently assume the Chair, a new Vice-Chair will be elected for the duration of the term.

Secretary — Duties will include maintaining an accurate list of Committee members and their contact information, distributing the agenda and any attachments to all members in advance of each meeting, keeping accurate minutes of all Committee meetings, receiving correspondence from Committee members and passing it on to the Chair.  

OPERATION:

●      Virtual meetings will be held once per month or at the call of the Chair.  

●      Minutes will be kept, distributed to members before the next meeting, and will be available for review by any ABA member or GSA Director.  

●      A quorum will consist of five of the Committee members. If lacking a quorum, the meeting may be held, but no voting on Motions will be permitted. Decisions on motions will be made whenever possible by consensus: The motion will be discussed until unanimity is reached, or until dissenting members agree to set aside their right to vote.  

●      If consensus cannot be reached within a reasonable period of time, a motion may be passed by a three-quarters majority, provided that this majority constitutes three quarters of the entire Committee membership.  

DUTIES:

Each Committee member will carry out the following activities:  

●      Function as Group contact person, keeping both the Committee Secretary and the GSA Operations Manager up to date on their contact information, as well as on all Group information (meeting times and locations, number of Home Group members etc.)  

●      Attend all scheduled GSR Committee Meetings or, if unable to attend a given meeting, notify the Secretary in advance unless the Alternate GSR will be present. Share all communications received from the GSA, e.g. notices of upcoming retreats and conferences, new literature available, new uses of technology in the service of the ABA Fellowship etc.  

●      Bring to the Committee, from their Group, matters of concern or interest to ABA as a whole, particularly in the area of world service outreach.  

●      Discuss in the Committee matters identified by the GSA as matters requiring attention by GSRs and the Group conscience of all ABA Groups.  

●      Relay to their Group Business Meetings all matters requiring discussion and arrival at a Group conscience decision.  

●      Faithfully represent their individual Group’s conscience on all matters of importance to ABA, thereby ensuring that the voice of their Group becomes part of the consensus at Committee meetings. 

●      Become well-versed in the 12 Traditions in order to help their Group when problems arise.  

• Remind their Group frequently of their need to be fully self-supporting—not only locally but at the worldwide level through regular contributions to the GSA, their “servant” delegated to implement world service endeavors at the direction of the Group.  

REMUNERATION:

Committee members will receive no remuneration for their work, but may be reimbursed for all reasonable, pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses incurred in carrying out their duties, e.g. telephone long-distance charges.  

Such reimbursement will be requested from and provided by their individual Groups. This Committee will have no financial resources of its own. If expenses arise which cannot rightfully be assigned to any one Group, the Committee Chair may approach the GSA to request financial support.

Date approved by Board: May 2011

Reviewed: 25 March 2025

Revised: