Area Standing Committees

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SECTION V: AREA STANDING COMMITTEES

The Area Standing Committees are designed to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous in specific ways to the still-suffering alcoholic. Some of the committees may do so through direct contact with the public, the professional community, the website, literature, or through the prison system. The Area Members elect a Committee Chair every 2 years. Some committees have only the Chair as the lone member, while others have many members on their committee. A number of committees have regularly scheduled meetings where members come together to discuss how they will go about fulfilling the duties of their committee. The majority of the committees, however, are looking for volunteers. If you are interested, check out the committee page on the website www.aa-semi.org or ask one of the officers at the Area Assembly meeting and they will be able to direct you.

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Accessibilities

area33accessibilitieschair@aa-semi.org

Our purpose is to seek out niches where we can provide to the Alcoholic with accessibility issues, every opportunity to gain access to the A.A. message of Recovery, Unity and Service. Interpreters for the Deaf, guidance for the blind, and  accommodation for the recovering Alcoholics with ambulatory issues.

The Accessibilities Committee is also in charge of the Deaf Access Committee, which funds ASL interpreters for those who need that service.

Help for anyone who encounters a barrier between them and the A.A. message, whether you are a veteran, or elderly, if the barrier is of the educational, psychological, ethnic, or physical.

Whatever kind of help is needed to access A.A. meetings or materials, contact Accessibilities.

  • Language assistance - In-home meetings and hospital visits - Adapted materials such as the Big Book in ASL DVD, CD audio format or in Braille
  • This committee meets at 10am on the same morning as Area 33 Assembly meetings. 
  • Currently meeting at 10am before Area Assembly meetings.
  • Location: Same as Area Assembly
  • Contact the Accessibilities Chair:  area33accessibilitieschair@aa-semi.org

Become a Fast Responder

Fast Responders are members of Alcoholics Anonymous who have signed up to carry the A.A. message of hope to A.A. members who are unable to attend meetings on their own due to accessibility issues.  These may include members who are in convalescent facilities, hospitals, or homebound.

Fast Responders often carry the A.A. message when and where no one else can.

It is vitally important that our primary purpose is practiced with ALL A.A. members, regardless of their impairment or accessibility issue.

If you are interested in providing this vital service, sign up to be Fast Responder TODAY!

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Archives

Preserves the history of AA in Area 33 by collecting all written records and by taping interviews with AA members.

Invites groups and districts to start archives and write histories; displays the archives at the March Round-Up, State Convention, Workshops, and as requested.

We need your help in updating the Archives; if you have information or materials regarding group (history form), District committee (history form) or even Area 33 Committee (history form) please submit it to the Archives Committee at one of the email addresses listed below, or mail in the form. Please print, complete and send the form to Area 33 General Service of Southeast Michigan, 24225 W. Nine Mile Rd. Suite 128, Southfield, MI 48033.

Archivist Bill T. - area33archivist@aa-semi.org

Visit our History Page

The Archives Committee's Business Meeting is held:

First Sat of the month at 11:00 AM
Area office, 24225 W. Nine Mile Rd., Suite 128, Southfield, MI. 48033
[MAP]

Contact the Archives Chair: area33archiveschair@aa-semi.org

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Corrections

The purpose of the Corrections Committee of General Service of Southeast Michigan-Area 33 is to carry the message of recovery from alcoholism to the still suffering inmate; be it man, woman, or child, whether confined in a federal or state prison, county jail, 3/4 house, youth home detention center, or newly released.

Our aim is to involve A.A. volunteers as chair people for meetings inside the facilities, as correspondents to inmates unable to attend meetings, and as community contacts for inmates upon their release. It is equally important that our A.A. volunteers visit outside A.A. groups at the local and district levels, as well as area and inter-group offices, thereby furthering our volunteer network, thus expanding our donation base of used and new literature which carries our A.A. message to those inside these facilities.

To continue our Twelfth Step work in carrying the message, we remain committed to ensuring the lines of communication between A.A. and the correctional facilities remain open so we may continue to share our experience & knowledge from the program, and to cooperate with the individual facilities to enable the A.A. message of hope to be present now and in the future.

The Corrections Committee's Business Meeting is held:

The third Saturday of the month at 10:00 AM

Area 33 Office, 24225 W. Nine Mile Rd., Suite 128, Southfield, MI. 48033 [MAP]

For more info, contact the Corrections Chair: area33correctionschair@aa-semi.org

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COOPERATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY (CPC)

Focuses on "cooperation, but not affiliation" with professionals in the community: Educators, Physicians, the Clergy, Court officials, and others who are often in contact with alcoholics.

Distributes the appropriate literature to the professional community as needed.

AA World Services offers AA literature online. AA Literature

The CPC Committee's Business Meeting is held:

At 10:00 AM before each Area Assembly

Location: Same as Area Assembly

Contact the CPC Chair: area33cpcchair@aa-semi.org

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Films

Maintains a collection of AA conference approved films and videos to be displayed at AA functions as requested.

To have the Films Committee visit your Group or District Workshop or other function contact, please send them an email.

The Films Committee's Business Meeting is held: email committee chair for details

Contact the Films Committee Chair: area33filmschair@aa-semi.org

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Finance

Area 33 is required to conform to I.R.S. Guidelines in order to preserve our tax-free status under 501(c3). The finance committee thought it would be helpful to provide monthly expense forms to facilitate financial accountability in the event we are ever audited.

Please fill out this form in duplicate and attach your receipt(s) to the form for the Treasurer in support of your request. At Area, give designated forms to Area treasurer and Duplicate to finance Chair. E-MAIL option-The form may also be filled out on your computer and e-mailed to the treasurer along w/ a scanned copy of your receipt at the below address. Please cc the Finance Chair.

The Finance Committee's Business Meeting is held:

On the 2nd Tuesday of each month ant 7pm, via Zoom.
Meeting#: 853 3015 1729
PW: 33

Contact the Finance Committee Chair: area33financechair@aa-semi.org

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Grapevine

Familiarizes AA members with the fellowship's "Meeting in Print" has order forms available and orders displays.
Sells Grapevine magazines, books tapes, and special items.

Collects old Grapevines for distribution in correctional facilities and treatment facilities. Invites members to contribute articles to the Grapevine. Provides a Grapevine Display at AA functions as requested. Encourages groups to elect a Grapevine representative (GVR) who attends the quarterly Statewide Grapevine Committee meeting in Lansing.

Back issues of Grapevine publications are available (50 back issues for $40.00 plus $6.00 postage and handling). Issues can be used for newcomers, corrections and treatment centers. Order from the address below.

P.O. Box 1980
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163-1980

The Grapevine Committee's Business Meeting is held:

No Meeting Times Scheduled
(Email grapevine chair for time and location of meeting)

Contact the Grapevine Committee Chair: area33grapevinechair@aa-semi.org

Liaisons for Area 33

Area 33 has several Liaison positions. A Liaison is a contact person, or representative, from a specified group or entity who keeps Area 33 up to date and informed as to their activities. Likewise, Liaisons inform their groups or committees of the events and news of Area 33. Intergroup/Central Office & YPAA liaisons are elected at the Area 33 Assembly.

A.A. of Greater Detroit Liaison 
A.A. of Oakland County Intergroup Liaison
Detroit & Wayne County Intergroup Office Liaison - Debbie B.
YPAA Liaison

The YPAA Liaison position encourages communication and collaboration amongst young people in A.A. throughout Area 33, as well as help with communication between Area 33 and the various YPAA entities throughout the Area, the State of Michigan, the Eastern Area, and across the country. YPAA entities refers to any young person’s group (YPG), young person’s conference/convention, or young person’s committee. This Liaison will keep the Area informed of any upcoming state, regional, or international YPAA conferences or conventions happening in or around Area 33. This Liaison position can help educate Area 33 and its members about what YPAA is and how a young person might get involved or find relatable fellowship in the program. It is highly suggested this position maintains or has access to an update list of young people’s meetings throughout the Area. Please contact area33ypaa@aa-semi.org.

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Literature

Displays current AA Conference approved books and pamphlets at the Area Assembly meeting, Area workshops, and other events as requested.

Keeps the Area informed of new publications, literature catalogs and price changes.

The Literature Committee provides display boards for events and tries to encourage people to learn about and read AA literature.

Members may order through the online store at: https//b2c.aaws.org or by calling 212-870-3312 or emailing orders@aa.org to place an order

The Literature Committee's Business Meeting is held:

At 10:00 AM before each Area Assembly

Location: Same as Area Assembly

Contact the Literature Committee Chair:  area33literaturechair@aa-semi.org

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March Round Up

The March Round Up is the largest convention in Area 33 and has A.A., Al-Anon & Alateen activities. These include main speakers, panels, workshops, alkathons, dances, and more. Numerous volunteers are needed to work on both the committee and for the weekend.

See flyer on homepage for March Round Up Committee's Business Meeting schedule.

Contact the March Round Up Chair: area33mruchair@aa-semi.org

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Public Information

This committee informs the general public about the AA Program through the use of media ( TV, Radio, and Press), placement of AA literature, public speaking, participation in programs within the community, schools, businesses, health, and church groups and organizations. Our primary purpose is to carry the AA message to our local communities.

If you would like to volunteer or get more information on the Public Information Committee, please send an email to area33publicinfochair@aa-semi.org

Email the PI Chair for time and location of meetings

Contact the Public Information Chair: area33publicinfochair@aa-semi.org

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Treatment Facilities

The treatment facilities committee coordinates the work of individual members and groups who are interested in carrying our message of recovery to alcoholics in treatment facilities, and to set up means of "bridging the gap" from the facility to an A.A. group in the community. The Treatment Committee is responsible for bringing a program into various treatment facilities called Bridging the Gap. The purpose of this program is to help the patient in treatment get to an A.A. meeting upon their release. Committee members answer the Bridging the Gap Hotline, help patients who do not have transportation available and they are often the first A.A. contact for a patient in treatment. As it states in the Bridging the Gap literature, it is a "first contact program." This program is made up of over 400 volunteers throughout the area who are willing to help alcoholics who are just getting out of treatment programs. This committee also strives to further the understanding of what A.A. does and does not do to hospital and treatment center staff. If you wish to volunteer, please contact
area33treatmentchair@aa-semi.org

The Treatment Committee's Business Meeting is held twice each month: In person at 10am before our Area Assembly and Online at 6pm on the 1st Wednesday of each month:  Link to Meeting Meeting ID: 822 1710 1128 Passcode: 33

Contact the Treatment Committee Chair:  area33treatmentchair@aa-semi.org

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Website

The Area 33 Website was created to provide a useful tool for conveying information about A.A. and Area 33 activities to alcoholics, the general public, and members of the professional community. The website contains information about current events, meetings lists, and committee information just to name a few. For those who are looking to talk to someone in A.A., there are numerous hotline numbers listed. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous is available on-line as well as other literature items. It takes several people to keep the website up and running. Website Committee Members do not need to have prior computer experience, just the willingness to learn. Persons with computer experience are always very welcome!

The Website Committee's Business Meeting is held: Second Tuesday of each month at 6pm using Google Meet 

Contact the Website Committee Chair: area33webchair@aa-semi.org