Standing committeeGAP
Guidelines & Policies
Helping the Area reach substantial unanimity — one motion at a time.
What this committee does
The Guidelines and Policy (GAP) Committee helps the Area achieve substantial unanimity in its important decisions by reducing conflict and providing clarity as the Area reaches an informed group conscience. It helps members and committees shape motions, checks them against the Area Guidelines and Bylaws, and keeps the record of what the Assembly decides.
- Type
- Standing committee
- When we meet
- At the Area meeting break-out (2nd Sunday)
- Who serves
Spencer D. · English
Its work in Area 09
- Help committees and members formulate motions for the Area, with background and any impact on the Guidelines and Bylaws — processing every motion without censorship or veto.
- Help the Area Secretary keep complete records of all motions and prepare updated copies of the Area Guidelines and Bylaws.
- Review each standing committee’s proposed guidelines before they go to the Assembly.
- Assist the Assembly with district-boundary questions, after the district has done its due diligence.
- Have at least one voting member at every ASC and Assembly; give minutes to the Web Servant; work with Archives to keep current Guidelines and Bylaws on file.
How to get involved
Five to seven voting members are ideal. Past Delegates, past Area Chairs, past trustees and directors, former G.S.O. staff, or anyone with the background and understanding are invited to serve, for up to two consecutive panels. Any member or committee can ask GAP for help with a motion. Meets during the committee break-out at ASCs and Assemblies and as needed.
How it is organized
A Chair and a Secretary elected within the committee by simple majority for two-year terms (officers serve one panel in office). Quorum: 50% of voting members. Three consecutive absences without good cause are considered a resignation. The Chair reports at ASCs and Assemblies and sends written recommendations to the Executive Committee.
How a motion moves: introduced at a first ASC (questions only) → discussed and voted by the ASC at the next meeting → if it passes and affects the whole Area, voted at the Assembly.
Third Legacy Procedure: two-thirds of the vote elects; after the 2nd ballot candidates under one-fifth withdraw, after the 3rd those under one-third; a 5th ballot needs a simple-majority motion; otherwise the choice goes “to the hat”.
When we meet
Meets during the Area meeting break-out
The Area meets on the 2nd Sunday of the month, 9 AM–3 PM, in person and on Zoom; registration opens at 8 AM. Committees meet in break-out rooms during the meeting — ask at the registration table where yours is.
Area meetings: places, agendas and flyersNext Area meeting
Oct 11 Sun ASC Hosted by District 5 8:00 AM–3:00 PM · Long BeachCommittee break-out during the meetingJoining online? Use the Area meeting's Zoom: during the committee session, online members join their committee's breakout room.
Who serves
Panel 76Who served in Panel 74
- Don S. · GAP Chair
First names and last initials only. The e-mail addresses belong to the service position, not the person, and pass to whoever serves next.
Guidelines & reports
Area committee guidelines
How this committee is organized in Area 09, as approved by the Assembly.
Earlier versions (1)
More copies in the document library (15)
A.A. literature & service material
From the General Service Office (aa.org): guidelines, workbooks and pamphlets for this service, in English and Spanish. The codes help when ordering printed copies.
Service material4
Frequently asked questions
I have an idea for the Area. How do I make a motion?
Write it down and contact the GAP chair — GAP helps you word it, checks it against the Guidelines and Bylaws, and adds background. You introduce it at an ASC; it is discussed and voted at the next ASC, and if needed goes on to the Assembly.
Can GAP refuse a motion?
No. GAP processes all motions without censorship or veto; it only adds clarity and background.
See something out of date? Tell the Web Servant: webmaster@msca09aa.org · edit the data file
Related committees & service
Area Chair
Runs the Area meetings and looks after a healthy Area structure.
- Eric G. · English
Area officer
Secretary
Keeps the record of the Area and gets the word out.
- Brian S. · English
Area officer
Archives
Collecting, preserving and sharing the history of A.A. in our Area.
- Todd W. · English
Every 3rd Saturday · 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Literature
Let literature carry the message, too.
- Dean C. · English
- Abel · Spanish
At the Area meeting break-out (2nd Sunday)