Every effort should be made to identify Alternate Chairs for all Committees, who will be able to serve in the Chairperson’s absence and to provide some continuity on the Committee through rotation. Each Standing Committee Chair ought to create and maintain some sort of continuity folder that will allow an incoming Chair to benefit from their experience and activity. All Area 56 Standing Committee Chairs are expected to:

  • Act as guardians of AA’s Traditions and act in accordance in all matters.
  • Attend all Area Assemblies and Area Committee Meetings. All Area Committee chairs are encouraged to attend monthly Area Planning Meetings.
  • Hold regular committee meetings.
  • Contact districts and Intergroups to determine which services are already in place so as not to duplicate an outreach.
  • Provide written and oral detail of efforts made by the committee in the previous month at each Area meeting.
  • Conduct one workshop or similar event per year. Coordinate scheduling with other committees.
  • Maintain an updated workbook if such workbook is available.
  • Familiarize self and committee members with the A.A. Guidelines when such Guidelines are available.
  • Committee Chair and members construct a display that provides a visual display of the Committee’s purpose.
  • Increase awareness in the AA community of all committees and their respective purposes.
  • Recruit committee members.

The Area 56 Literature Committee

The mission of the Area 56 Literature Committee is to be informed about the content of literature items published by AAWS and in turn to inform groups, districts and area assembly members through displays and – 11 – other suitable methods of all available conference-approved literature, audiovisual material and other special items.

Duties of the Area 56 Literature Committee include:

  • Provide educational opportunities for area assembly members to learn more about the use of A.A. literature in carrying the message and enriching their own recovery.
  • Is familiar with proposed additions to and changes in Conference-approved literature and audiovisual material.
  • Stays familiar with the content of G.S.O.’s A.A. website, aa.org
  • Cooperate with other committees, districts and Intergroups in utilizing literature to help carry the message.
  • Keep a display copy of each item in the literature catalog and multiple copies of service pamphlets for free distribution. The committee may circulate copies of multimedia material with the purpose of raising awareness about content.
  • Provide a literature display to Area, State, District and group functions as requested.
  • Order literature for the Area as needed.

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The Area 56 Grapevine Committee

The mission of the Area 56 Grapevine Committee is to: 1) create enthusiasm for the Grapevine and La Viña in the Area by educating the fellowship about A.A.’s ―meeting in print; 2) increase awareness that each issue includes the Preamble, Steps, Traditions and articles on many topics and inspirational items; 3) ensure that the Grapevine and La Viña are included in the planning of workshops and presentations for area events.

Duties of the Area 56 Grapevine Committee include:

  • Have Grapevine/La Viña order forms and past issues available.
  • Maintain a display of materials available from A.A. Grapevine, Inc.
  • Encourage members to contribute articles to the Grapevine and/or La Viña. Maintain a supply of guidelines for contribution of articles for interested potential writers.
  • Promote Grapevine/La Viña subscriptions and submissions through distribution of past issues of Grapevine and/or La Viña magazines.

 

The Area 56 Public Information/Cooperation with the Professional Community Committee (PI/CPC)

The Mission of the Area 56 Public Information/Cooperation with the Professional Community Committee is to inform the general public about the AA program by using the media and by participating in programs upon request of schools, businesses, or other organizations. This is accomplished by focusing on “cooperation but not affiliation” with professionals in the community: educators, physicians, the clergy, court officials and others who often are in contact with active alcoholics.

Duties of the PI/CPC Committee include:

  • Visit with professionals in the community: educators, physicians, the clergy, court officials and others who often are in contact with active alcoholics.
  • Staff an A.A. Booth at health fairs in the community including literature specifically for the public and P.I. mailing labels from G.S.O. for those wishing more information. Following the event these labels are sent to G.S.O. who sends information packets to teach.
  • Speak at public information presentations as directed by the P.I./C.P.C. Chair.
  • Send letters and information as directed by the P.I./C.P.C. Chair.
  • Become familiar with the A.A. Guidelines on P.I./C.P.C.

The Area 56 Corrections Committee

The mission of the Area 56 Corrections Committee is to coordinate the work of individual A.A. members, Groups, Districts and Intergroups who are interested in carrying our message of recovery to alcoholics behind the walls, and to set up means of smoothing the way from the facility to the larger A.A. community through pre-release contacts.

Duties of the Corrections Committee include:

  • Organize and coordinate efforts in Area Correctional facilities not already taken care of by the local Intergroups and Districts.
  • Provide literature and books for correctional meetings if all other avenues of procurement have been exhausted.
  • Maintain contact with both Intergroups and Districts – via Liaisons where applicable –  for pre-release contacts such as through Bridging the Gap programs.

The Area 56 Treatment/Special Needs Committee

The mission of the Area 56 Treatment/Special Needs Committee is to explore, develop and offer resources to make the A.A. message and participation in our program available to everyone who reaches for it. This includes those in treatment and with special needs. These special needs group includes but is not limited to those who are blind, visually impaired, deaf or hearing impaired, utilize wheelchairs or other mobility aids, chronically ill or homebound and those who are developmentally disabled.

Duties of the Are 56 Treatment/Special Needs Committee Chair include:

  • Visit District and Groups meetings with information pertinent literature and presentations.
  • Attend as many meetings as possible and encourage any A.A. to attend the Treatment and Accessibilities Committee meeting.
  • Compile a list of all meetings that are wheelchair accessible and share that information with the preparers of all area meeting lists.
  • Compile a list of any A.A. members who speak A.S.L. and are willing to translate for any new hearing impaired A.A. members.
  • Compile a list of large-print A.A. literature to help carry the message to those requiring the large print.
  • Assist with covering events and distributing literature when needed as per the committee chair.
  • Take A.A. meetings into treatment facilities within the area with the approval of administration.
  • Help with temporary contact programs such as Bridging the Gap.
  • Distribute literature to Treatment Facilities where needed.

The Area 56 Archives Committee

The mission of the Area 56 Archives is to preserve the history of A.A. in Area 56.

Duties of Archivist

  • Collect, preserve and index all items, past or present, which were produced by, or pertain to Area 56 or any of the District or Groups comprising Area 56.
  • Electronically record interviews with early members
  • Record and preserve Group histories.
  • Encourage Groups and Districts to begin archives and write or electronically record histories.
  • Actively contact Groups and Districts to gather information obtained.
  • Pass all information to the Archivist.
  • Display the archives at the Mini-Conference and at other special events and as requested by Groups or Districts.

The Area 56 Group Services Committee

The mission of the Group Services Committee is to assist trusted servants, groups, and service entities by preparing and or providing information and materials relating to understanding the A.A. Service Structure and enthusiastic fulfillment of service commitments.

Duties of the Groups Services Committee include:

  • Inform new meetings of the privileges and responsibilities of being a registered A.A. Group.
  • Meet with older, established Groups who wish to know more about the A.A. service structure.
  • Conduct orientation classes for G.S.R.s and D.C.M.s prior to the Area Assembly meeting.
  • Maintain the Area 56 Handbook and Area Map
  •  Engage in outreach, and visits groups who send new G.S.R.s or who send contributions to the Area, in order to thank them for participating. 

The Area 56 Finance Committee

The mission of the Area 56 Finance Committee is to maintain the area Financial Policy and propose changes and additions when deemed necessary by the Finance Committee and/or the Area Officers. At a minimum, the Finance Committee consists of the Treasurer and Alternate Delegate/Area Chairperson.

Duties of the Finance Committee include:

  • Assist the Area Treasurer with financial activities and functions as needed.
  • Develop and track the annual Area Budget.
  • Act as stewards of the Area funds, meeting regularly to review the Treasurer’s records and Area financial activity.

The Area 56 Communications Committee

This Committee will provide crucial services in communicating with the fellowship in Area 56.

Duties of the Communications Committee include:

  • Developing and improving the Area website in accordance with G.S.O. guidelines
  • Maintaining Google Workspace for Area use
  • Keeping the website updated with
    • G.S.O. news
    • Area happenings
    • Anonymized versions of Assembly and Committee Minutes as provided by the Recording Secretary.
  • The Area 56 Web Site Administrator will follow the Internet Guidelines as provided by G.S.O. Some of these guidelines are:
    • Respects and protects the anonymity of individual A.A. members
    • Suggests that each Area officer and committee chair who wants an email address posted uses an email address which does not break their respective anonymity.
    • Respects the 12 traditions of A.A .
    • Adheres to copyright restrictions
  • Posts :
    • Contact information for Area 56 officers and committees
    • Map of Area 56 with its Districts delineated.
    • Links to GSO, Area map, and Region map
    • Information concerning Area 56 assemblies and meetings
    • Information concerning events sponsored by A.A. entities within and adjacent to Area 56
    • Links only* to A.A. web sites such as G.S.O., Cincinnati and Dayton Intergroups, other Areas in the East Central Region, and the Online A.A. Intergroup.   (*There may be minor exceptions such as map sites.)
    • Asks these listed sites to link with our Area 56 site.
    • Provides Disclaimer and/or Mandatory exit for Links.

The Area 56 Mini-Conference Committee

Chaired by Area Chairperson. The planning committee consists of the current Delegate, Treasurer, Registrar, and Hospitality Chair, along with any additional interested A.A. members from Area 56. Other current Area officers, standing committee chairs, and D.C.M.s are typically asked to serve as subcommittee chairs during the Mini-Conference itself. The planning committee typically meets from September – May each year, utilizing the Area 56 Mini-Conference Reference Guide as its operating manual.

The Area 56 Outreach Committee

Co-chaired by Area Registrar and Committee Chair. Responsible for visiting groups who send new GSRs or who send contributions to the Area, in order to thank them for participating. Also attends or arranges for attendance at Intergroup and District meetings on behalf of the Area.