Districts Without Borders: Welcoming all A.A. Groups (10-11-25)

The Get Into Action (GIA) Committee hosted a workshop, Districts Without Borders: Welcoming All A.A. Groups on Saturday, October 11, exploring how online groups can participate fully in A.A.’s service structure. The event brought together members from across the U.S. and beyond, including online districts, area committees, and the General Service Office (GSO). With live Spanish and ASL interpretation, the session highlighted A.A.’s growing global reach and commitment to accessibility.

Focused on connecting online groups to A.A.’s service structure, the workshop featured insights from the six online districts currently part of the U.S./Canada service structure represented by delegates at the General Service Conference. Presentations and discussions covered the importance of representation, the function of online districts, and the benefits of group participation in the broader A.A. network.

Participants explored challenges and opportunities around communication, awareness, and GSO support. The agenda also included presentations from GIA Committee members, District Committee Members (DCMs), and online district representatives, followed by Q&A sessions and open sharing. A GSO staff member outlined upcoming plans to update the A.A. Group Pamphlet to better reflect both online and in-person groups.

Presentations and more information coming soon! 

• Event Flyer (English and Spanish)

• Event Agenda

• Online Districts and Resources 

• Online District Profile Handout

• Why List Your Group with the NYGSO? (English and Spanish)

• GIA Fact Sheet (English and Spanish)

Presentation 1: Why Do We Have a Conference?

Tim D., GIA Committee Member, offered perspective on why the General Service Conference exists, highlighting its role in preserving A.A.’s unity, self-governance, and accountability to the groups it serves. 

Presentation 2: Connecting the Circle—The Importance of Belonging to the Whole

Kimberly L. GIA Committee Member spoke about the spiritual importance of belonging to the whole of A.A., reminding attendees that unity and participation link each group to the Fellowship’s collective well-being.

Presentation 3: The Responsibility Statement

Julia C., Alternate DCM for District 20/Area 48 (Northeast New York), spoke about the Responsibility Statement as a call to action for online groups, emphasizing accessibility, inclusion, and the shared duty to carry A.A.’s message everywhere.

Presentation 4: The Structure of Our District

Charlie C., DCM for District 14/Area 12 (Delaware) shared the experience of the district and how it integrates online and in-person groups, illustrating how service can thrive beyond geographic boundaries.

Presentation 5:  International Area Website Restrictions

Jo G., DCM, for District 25/Area 72 (Western Washington) described how her district became the first officially recognized online district, welcoming groups from multiple countries, and addressed international Area website restrictions that limit cross-border access and listings. Her “no borders” model inspired lively discussion on outreach, unity, and shared purpose.

Presentation 6:  DCMs Communicating with GSRs

Lonnie L., DCM, for District 25/Area 27 (Louisiana) spoke about how DCMs can maintain strong communication with GSRs and keep them connected to A.A.’s service structure. He emphasized that personal outreach—phone calls, follow-ups, and direct contact—helps every group feel heard and strengthens unity across both in-person and online districts.

Presentation 7:  What are the key things GSRs should do?

Kris M., DCM, for District 2/Area 14 (North Florida) discussed the key actions every GSR can take to keep their group informed and engaged—attending district meetings, sharing information, and building two-way communication. She emphasized that when GSRs stay active and curious, their groups stay connected to A.A. as a whole.

Presentation 8:  Listing a group with GSO

Darrell M., Registrar, for District 20/Area 48 (Northeast New York) explained the process of listing a group with the General Service Office and why it matters for visibility and participation. He outlined how proper registration ensures that online groups are recognized, reachable, and able to have a voice and vote within A.A.’s service structure.

Presentation 9:  Online District Guidelines

Jeff B., GIA Committee Member, presented the Online District Guidelines project—an ongoing effort to gather shared experience and best practices from online districts across the Fellowship. His presentation outlined how these guidelines can help new districts form, strengthen communication, and support broader participation in A.A.’s service structure.

Closing the Gap: How Do We Make the Voice of Every Online AA Group Count? (02-08-25)

Get into Action (GIA) organized a sharing session titled Closing the Gap: How Do We Make the Voice of Every Online AA Group Count? This specific topic will be addressed in a workshop at the upcoming 2025 General Service Conference in April (2024 Final Conference Report, page 36). 

Recognizing the challenges online groups face in making their voices heard among the Conference members, our intention for the session was to provide a platform for online groups to share their thoughts and suggestions on closing the communication gap. 

During the session, we heard the perspectives of online groups, along with insights they wished to have conveyed to the Conference. Participants discussed the challenges faced by online groups in engaging in service activities, underscored the need for improved representation and involvement in the General Service Conference, and stressed the importance of accessibility for these groups.

• View the Session Summary (ChatGPT)

• View the Session Summary (Zoom AI)

• View the Session Transcript

Responsibility Statement

I am responsible...

When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help,

I want the hand of A.A. always to be there.

And for that: I am responsible.