The GSR Preamble
 
    We are the General Service Representatives.
We are the link in the chain of communication
for our groups with the General Service
Conference and the world of A.A.

    We realize the ultimate authority is a
loving God as he may express Himself in our
Group Conscience. As trusted servants, our
job is to bring information to our groups in
order that they can reach an informed group
conscience. In passing along this group
conscience, we are helping to maintain the
unity and strength so vital to our fellowship.

    Let us, therefore, have the patience and
tolerance to listen while others share, the
courage to speak up when we have something to
share, and the wisdom to do what is right for
our group and A.A. as a whole.

 
History:
 
     The GSR Preamble as stated above, got its
start here in Southern California and Area 9
in particular. During the time that Genevieve
L. was the Panel 24 (1974-75) Delegate of
California Mid-Southern Area 9, someone came
up with a Preamble to read at Area meetings
which was quite a strong directive to GSRs
making them the ultimate authority over
Alcoholics Anonymous.  Gene asked Goldene L.,
who was the Area Treasurer at the time, to
come up with something to soften this Preamble.
She did and she came up with the one they are
still using today.  Goldene L. would later go
on and serve as Area 9 Panel 28 (1978-79)
Delegate.
 
     The Central Intergroup Office of the
Desert, Palm Springs, California printed the
G.S.R. Preamble in its May 1988 issue of their
newsletter.  The GSO staff picks up on it and
ran short article and reprinted the preamble
in the August/September 1989 issue of Box 459. 
This preamble is being used in many of the
Areas throughout the United States and Canada
today.
 
(source: Goldene L. interview, March 2, 2004 & Box 459 )
 
Hope this helps
 
charles from california

- - - -

From: Cindy Miller <cm53@...>
(cm53 at earthlink.net)

Why is this called the Southern California
GSR Preamble? It was used here in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania at a District Meeting as recently
as 10 years ago.



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