The purpose of the Rock River Area Group Services (RRAGS) Committee is to be supportive of its member groups and their primary purpose.RRAGS accomplishes this task by linking the groups within the area, helping groups deal with their basic situations and needs, providing services as directed by its member groups, providing services within its communities, and by encouraging the growth of the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous.
II.HISTORY
In November of 1982 several groups in Rockford, Illinois, a group in Freeport, Illinois, and groups in Beloit, Janesville, FortAtkinson, and Milton, Wisconsin formed an area service committee known as Southern Wisconsin And Northern Illinois (SWANI).In March of 1983 the name was changed to Rock River Area General Services (RRAGS).In February of 1986 the name was changed to Rock River Area Group Services, thereby remaining RRAGS.
III.STRUCTURE
RRAGS is composed of Trusted Servants, Subcommittees, and a Convention Committee to fulfill the services directed by its member groups.
A.Trusted Servants of Area
Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Regional Committee Member (RCM), Regional Committee Member Alternate (RCMA), Treasurer, Treasurer Alternate, Secretary, Secretary Alternate, Literature Stockpile Person, Literature Stockpile Person Alternate, Subcommittee Chairpersons of the Area, Convention Chairperson.
B.Subcommittees of Area
Function, Literature Review, Public Relations, Hospitals and Institutions, Policy and Procedure, Convention , Digital Information, Newsletter.
Registration, Merchandise, Arts and Graphics, Hotels and Hospitality, Program, Convention Information, Funding and Entertainment, Serenity Keepers.
IV.MEETINGS
A.RRAGS will meet on the first Sunday of the month, unless otherwise directed by its member groups.
B.RRAGS will have an annual Inventory Audit each January, coordinated by the Area Vice-Chairperson.
C.Area Subcommittees will meet from Noon till 1:00pm, they are also free to meet any other times in order to maintain their function and responsibilities.
D.Area Committee meeting will start at 1:00pm and adjourn at 3:30pm, any business that is not completed will be priority at the next Area meeting.
E.Treasurers and Literature Stockpile Persons will be available from Noon till end of the Area meeting.
F.The Area will rotate among its member groups that can reserve a location for a year.These locations need to be reviewed in May and the Policy and Procedure Subcommittee will present the rotation for approval at the June Area meeting.
G.An alternative site will be chosen if the group's representative is not present at the Area meeting one month in advance of their group’s rotation to verify site.
H.Convention Committee and its Subcommittees will meet at least monthly and inform the Area of when and where they meet.
I.The Area and Convention Committee meetings are to be non-smoking.
J.Cellular phones and pagers are to be off or silent during Area and Convention Committee meetings.
V.AREA MEETING FORMAT
A.Open with a moment of silence and the “We” version of the Serenity Prayer.
B.Volunteer to read the Twelve Traditions of NA and volunteer to read Service Prayer.
C.Welcome newcomers to the Area meeting
D.Take roll call of Trusted Servants and GSRs.
E.Recognize new groups
F.Explain voting procedures
G.Review minutes from last Area meeting (requires ASC approval)
H.Chairperson’s Report
I.Vice-Chairperson’s Report
J.Secretaries’ Report
K.Treasurers’ Report (requires ASC approval, take Seventh Tradition)
L.Regional Committee Member’s Report
M.Function Subcommittee Report
N.Literature Review Subcommittee Report
O.Hospitals and Institutions Subcommittee Report
P.Public Relations Subcommittee Report
Q.Policy and Procedure Subcommittee Report
R.Literature Stockpile Persons’ Report
S.Convention Committee Report
T.Newsletter Subcommittee Report
U.Digital Information Subcommittee Report
V.Any Ad Hoc Committee Reports
W.10 minute break, followed by 15 minute open forum.
X.Old Business (pending business from last Area meeting, elections)
Y.New Business (group/new motions, concerns)
Z.Group Reports
AA.Announcements (next Area meeting site)
BB.Close with Twelfth Tradition of NA and group hug.
VI.MAILING ADDRESS, HELPLINE PHONE NUMBER AND WEBSITE ADDRESS
Rock River Area Group Services (RRAGS) of Narcotics Anonymous
The Area minutes will include the following:(see Example of minutes at end of packet)
A.Date / Place / Hosting group name
B.Attendance
C.Time meeting began
D.Trusted Servant reports
E.Subcommittee reports
F.Convention Committee report
G.General Description of Open Forum discussions
H.Old business
I.New business
J.Group reports
K.Next Area meeting site with map / flyer
L.Treasurer’s report is distributed at the Area meeting, but will be mailed as part of the minutes to those Groups or Trusted Servants not present.
M.Trusted Servants, Subcommittee Chairpersons, and GSRs are to have reports written legibly or typed on approved forms and given to the Secretary by the end of the Area meeting.
N.Minutes will be mailed to all Trusted Servants, Subcommittee Chairpersons, Group Service Representatives (GSRs), Convention Chairperson, Regional Service Committee and those requesting them within 20 days after the Area meeting.
VIII.ATTENDANCE
A.The Area meeting is open to any NA member.
B.All Trusted Servants, Subcommittee Chairpersons, and Convention Committee Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson are required to attend and report at the Area meeting.If unable to attend, they are to contact the Area Chairperson, Area Vice-Chairperson, or Area Delegates as to reason why unable to attend.
C.Failure to notify the Area of absences for two consecutive meetings is considered an act of resignation.
D.GSRs or Alternate GSRs should attend all Area meetings.
IX.MEMBERSHIP
To become a recognized member group of RRAGS, you must send a representative to ask for all privileges; voting and otherwise.The Group must be approved by a majority of RRAGS member groups.Voting privileges become effective at the following Area meeting, while introduction of a new group to the Area meeting schedule takes effect after 90 days of group activity.
X.PARTICIPATION / VOTING
A.Recognized Groups have voting privileges through their Group Service Representative.
B.Only GSRs or the Alternate, acting in place of the GSR, will have voting privileges, no matter what other positions they hold.
C.No Trusted Servant or Subcommittee Chairperson of the Area can have voting privileges.
D.GSRs, Subcommittee Chairpersons of the Area, Trusted Servants of the Area, and Convention Chairperson can make and second motions, with the exception of the Area Chairperson, who can only entertain motions.
E.In case of a tie vote the Area Chairperson may cast the deciding vote.
F.Any NA member present may bring up issues and / or participate in discussion at the Area meeting, once the Area Chairperson recognizes them.
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