Welcome to the GSSA Grapevine Worksho p Janie C., Chair Dorman P., Co-chair

1. Welcome to the GSSA Grapevine Workshop Janie C., Chair Dorman P., Co-chair

2. In this session we will: • Review tools & resources available to Grapevine • Reps (GVRs) at www.aagrapevine.org • Discuss the duties of a GVR • Offer suggestions for GVRs (both group and district) • Consider other special activities and events to • encourage use of GV materials (i.e. Grape-a-thons, • GV meetings)

3. Resources and Information for • Grapevine Representatives www.aagrapevine.org

4. Grapevine Homepage

5. Resources/GVR Tab

6. Resources/GVR Page

7. Grapevine News

8. Download the entire Grapevine News!

9. GRAPEVINE News

10. Service Opportunity

11. GVR Registration (or Change of Address)

12. You Will Receive… A Grapevine Representative Kit containing… • Who Writes the Grapevine? (flyer) • Catalog and order form • Subscription forms • Flyers about new Grapevine items • List of complimentary materials for Grapevine displays • Password to the Grapevine bulletin board

13. Grapenut Forum

14. Tools and Resources

15. Register/sign up Tab

16. Workbook/GV Guide

17. Workbook Table of Contents

18. What Do Grapevine Reps (GVRs) Do? • Make sure that copies of the magazines are available and displayed at meetings • Announce the arrival of each new issue • Share about articles in the magazines • Encourage the group to buy subscriptions in the group’s name

19. GVRs may also… • Stock other Grapevine items on the literature table • Announce the publication of new items and/or special features on GV website • Encourage members to submit articles and humor pieces • Initiate efforts to donate subscriptions to hospitals, prisons, doctor’s offices, churches • Suggest a Grapevine topic meeting for the group • Encourage the use of Grapevine subscriptions as gifts • Refer members to the Digital Archive for articles about AA history or discussion topics

20. Suggestions for Group GVRs I. Encourage the Group to Subscribe: • Give an issue to the newcomer • Use a topic from the magazine for a discussion meeting • Begin a meeting by reading an article • Use the magazine or GV items as door prizes and raffles at special events • Give a magazine instead of a card at anniversaries • Share back issues

21. II. Ways to Announce the New Issue • Describe the highlights of that month’s magazine • Read • a title or two from the Table of Contents • the opening paragraph of an article • the Quotation of the Month • a short letter or part of a letter • a joke from “Ham on Wry”

22. III. Encourage Individuals to Subscribe • Describe the contents of the magazine • Mentionthe advantage of having an individual subscription: • Convenience of having one’s own copy arrive in the mail every month • Having an instant meeting whenever needed • Provide envelopes addressed to the Grapevine along with order forms

23. Why Should I Be a Grapevine Rep? • Perform service for both AA members & the magazine, linking it to those who might not otherwise read or be aware of it • Engage in practical hands on work: • work at group level, giving information about the GV, sharing stories from each issue, and encouraging use of each magazine as a tool of recovery • Engage in active Twelfth Step work: • The magazine’s stories, readable style and pocket size are useful to beginners in AA • Gain opportunities for involvement in wider circles of service • Regional forums, area assemblies • Encouraged to read the magazine every month! • Become more aware of AA history GV has been a part of AA since the Fellowship was nine years old. Learning about the magazine is a good way to learn about AA history

24. District Grapevine Reps

25. What do District Grapevine Reps Do? • Serve as a link between group GVRs and the area service structure • Encourage every group to have a Grapevine Rep: • Encourage groups in the district to elect or appoint a GVR • Chair the district GV Committee • Stay in contact with all GVRs in the district and share ideas with them • Hold meetings for GVRs in the district • Make sure that GVRs have magazine flyers and order forms • Keep the area GV chair up to date on progress in the district • Send the new GVRs name, address and group to the GV office, if the rep hasn’t already done so • Keep an up-to-date list of group GVRs in the district

26. Suggestions for District GVRs: • Visit Groups (usually after contacting the group secretary or chair) • Organize Special Grapevine Events (Grapeathons, workshops) • Set up a GV display at district meetings/events

27. GV Handbook

28. Special GVR Activities and Events • Start a GV meeting or a meeting based on The Language of the Heart • Spread the word via local AA newsletters or websites (general AA newsletters or GV) • Stories from current issues, books, pamphlets, archives • Upcoming local events • “Coming Attractions” from each issue • News about GV website and new GV items • Brief excerpts of GV history • Discussion topics • Quotes of the month • Reprints of useful literature like the Traditions Checklist • A list of “lost” GVRs to prompt GVRs to keep their registration up-to-date

29. Special GVR Activities and Events (cont.) • Encourage groups to give subscriptions to those in need • Pass it on: share back issues • Work with other AA service committees • Include the GV at AA events • Organize a Grape-a-thon or other special event

30. Comp Material Request Form

31. Comp Material Request Form

32. Subscriptions & Product Resources

33. Questions? Feel free to contact us at grapevine@aageorgia.org