GaL-AA Seeking Candidates for 2018 Elections

It’s that time of the year again—time for the GaL-AA spirit of rotation to inspire and excite your spirit of service for the LGBT+ AA community!

There are a few things we think you should know about service positions with GaL-AA. First, anyone can run for an executive committee position no matter where in the world you live. Second, we hold monthly business meetings electronically via Skype. Third, as per the GaL-AA by–laws, the executive committee shall have one (1) in-person, face-to-face meeting each year after the International AA Convention and then two (2) per year the year before and the year of the AA Convention. Therefore, it is the responsibility of each executive member to pay for any travel and other related expenses to and from the face-to-face meetings. If you need any further information please contact a member of the committee.

Available GaL-AA Executive Committee Positions:

Election Timeline:

12 October – 25 November 2017:Resume submissions accepted
30 November 2017:Slate of candidates announced and ballots distributed via email.
30 November – 21 December 2017:Online voting open
28 December 2017:Results announced
01 January 2018:New Officers assume responsibilities

Other Appointed Positions:

Do you want to be of service but the positions above don’t seem the right fit for you? Don’t worry, we have something for everyone! Also available are non-voting positions that are simply appointed by the board.

Help with Newsletter
Roundup Liaison(s)
Help with our website (design, PHP/Wordpress)

The GaL-AA Executive Committee looks forward to you joining our fellowship to help bring a message of experience, strength, and hope to our LGBT+ AA Community. For questions and submissions, please email elections@gal-aa.org.

For Your Reference:

Click to read the GaL-AA By-Laws on GaL-AA.org
GaL-AA Executive Committee Terms ending 31 December 2017
- Deputy Chair – Carol N.
- Secretary – Mark P.
- Advisor II – Eric W.
Any GaL-AA member may run for the Executive Committee by sending a service resume
Service resumes should outline an individual’s work within the fellowship and any specific talents that will contribute to GaL-AA’s mission
Click to read brief descriptions of responsibilities for each position, which are also provided below for your convenience

General Committee Member Responsibilities

(All members share these responsibilities)

Participate in all planning to ensure that GaL-AA serves the gay and lesbian members of Alcoholics Anonymous; works in the spirit of unity with AA as a whole and carry’s the message of recovery for the lesbian and gay alcoholic who still suffers.
Attend all meetings of the Executive Committee whether in person or via conference call or electronic media.
Encourage and support the participation of members, representatives and volunteers in all areas of GaL-AA service.
Maintain fiscal accountability for GaL-AA through the development of an annual budget, approval of the annual budget, raising funds as needed and monitoring the financial reports and the Treasurer’s reports.
Participate in periodic inventory of GaL-AA mission, services and goals; this inventory to take place in all odd-numbered years.
Participate in the oversight responsibility for the GaL-AA newsletter, GaL-AA website, all print materials, public information and media endeavors.
Agree to release full name and contact information while serving on the Executive Committee in keeping with the public corporate and fiduciary responsibilities.
Participate in the formulation and membership of standing committees and ad-hoc committees as determined by the Executive Committee.
At the time of rotation off the committee, each member will prepare and train the in-coming member to ensure an orderly transition to maintain the purpose and services of GaL-AA. This includes all documentation and verbal explanation of position responsibilities.
The Executive Committee will work within the Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous in all matters, reminding us to act as trusted servants; trust the process of the group conscience and remember to place principles before personalities.
GaL-AA shall endeavor to use the guidelines of Alcoholics Anonymous wherever possible. The General Service Office provides specific guidelines on most matters which are based on the experiences of other service groups. In addition, the GSO offers literature models for written information. Our goal is not to reinvent the wheel but to use the work of those who have come before us in service to the alcoholic.
Participate in other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee.

Deputy Chairperson

Preside over all meetings of the full Advisory Council, Executive Committee and General Membership in the event that the Chairperson is unable to do so.
Replace Chairperson in all identified roles and responsibilities in the event that the Chairperson is unable to execute the position.
In cooperation with the Chairperson, establish all agendas.
Oversee all literature (in print and on website) to insure accuracy and consistency of message.
Monitor all literature (written and on website) to ensure that it is within the decisions and recommendations of the Executive Committee.
In cooperation with the Chairperson, facilitate an ongoing process of setting goals, monitoring progress, involving volunteers and identifying needs or changes.
Serve as the primary liaison with AA-GSO, the AA Special Interest Groups, Box 459 and the LGBT+ international AA community. Maintain communication through letters of introduction, annual contacts and transmitting GaL-AA minutes, financial reports and informational materials.
Maintain responsibility for the election process, solicitation of nominees, slate of candidates and balloting. Deputy Chairperson will appoint one member of the Executive Committee to serve with the Deputy Chairperson in this task. The member is to be someone who is not a candidate in the election cycle.

Secretary

Prepare and distribute minutes for all GaL-AA Executive Committee meetings and General Membership meetings with attendance record. Document approval and/or corrections to minutes.
In cooperation with Chairperson, prepare and distribute meeting agendas and corresponding materials prior to each meeting of the Executive Committee.
Serve as custodian of corporate records including but not limited to by-laws, policies, rules of order, minutes, correspondence, committees, Manual of Policies and Practices, charter and archival materials.
Receive and review all GaL-AA correspondence; respond and/or redirect as appropriate.
Responsible for all GaL-AA Executive Committee correspondence.
Maintain a listing of all members of the Executive Committee.
Manage the post office box/corporate mailing address.
Receive donations via mail; deposit, document and send acknowledgments.
Maintain co-signatory authority on all bank accounts.
Maintain compliance with non-profit incorporation, in cooperation with Treasurer.
Maintain compliance with IRS status, in cooperation with Treasurer.

Advisor II

Maintain the primary role for Public Information, carrying the purpose and services of GaL-AA to the community.
Serve as primary liaison with conferences and roundups to cooperate in service to the alcoholic who still suffers.
Establish and maintain a model of public information for use at events to include booth display, staffing guidelines, presentations, signage and a system to sign up individuals, groups and round ups, etc.
Coordinate all representation of GaL-AA at roundups and other conferences to ensure that the format, materials and message are consistent with GaL-AA model.
Participate with the Deputy Chairperson and Technical Liaison in the development of GaL-AA literature for use in public information events, routine AA conventions, LGBT+ settings and the website.
Serve to orient new members of the Executive Committee who take office on January 1 in even numbered years.
Develop policies and procedures for GaL-AA work with the public.
Provide orientation to new members of the Executive Committee.