The General Service Office of AA in Australia

The AA General Service Office (GSO) in Sydney is the practical service centre for Alcoholics Anonymous in Australia. It doesn’t govern the Fellowship. Its role is simply to serve — carrying out the work that keeps AA connected and able to reach the still-suffering alcoholic.

How the GSO is Funded

The GSO is supported by:

• Contributions from AA groups (though currently only about 36% contribute in any year, and fewer than 10% do so regularly)
• Literature sales
• Personal donations from members
• Donations through the Action Club and Birthday Club

What the GSO Does

The GSO has a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the General Service Conference each November
• Assisting the General Service Board and its committees
• Publishing and distributing AA literature
• Coordinating public information and professional cooperation
• Maintaining records of registered groups
• Supporting the formation of new groups
• Providing an information service for members and groups
• Liaising with AA offices around the world
• Publishing the quarterly newsletter AA Around Australia
• Managing national public liability insurance so groups can hold meetings
• Administering the national website and meetings list

The General Service Conference

Each November, staff help coordinate and participate in the annual General Service Conference. The Conference is the group conscience of AA in Australia.

Before, during and after the Conference, GSO staff:

• Process topics submitted by groups and areas
• Prepare and distribute the draft agenda
• Provide orientation and support to new delegates
• Organise the Agenda Committee meeting in June and teleconference in August
• Manage travel, venue and recording arrangements
• Take minutes, produce committee reports, and prepare the final Conference Report
• Work with the Board to implement Conference actions

The General Service Board

Staff also support the General Service Board, which meets three times a year (February, July, November).

They:

• Prepare reports and background material
• Serve as coordinators of Trustees’ committees
• Carry out instructions agreed at Board meetings

Public Information and Professionals

The GSO responds to enquiries from the public, professionals and the media. Staff may:

• Refer 12th Step calls to local Central Service Offices
• Provide information to journalists, radio and TV outlets and other social media sites
• Assist employers, schools, community organisations or health professionals seeking information on alcoholism and AA

Literature

Most AA literature is printed in Australia, with some specialised items imported from New York. Literature is distributed via Central Service Offices, District Offices, and in some cases, directly to groups and members.

Supporting Groups

The GSO also:

• Maintains the database of registered groups (with updates supplied by groups themselves)
• Provides complimentary literature packages to new groups
• Handles group enquiries by phone, email, and post — usually within a day
• Provides evidence of public liability insurance to groups so they can secure venues

International Links

The GSO maintains strong relationships with AA offices worldwide, fostering cooperation and shared learning.

AA Around Australia

The quarterly newsletter AA Around Australiais prepared by GSO staff. It provides updates on Conference and Board activities, shares public information ideas, and helps groups carry the message.

Other Daily Tasks

The GSO also manages:

• Literature orders, banking and accounting
• Website content and the national meetings list
• A steady flow of enquiries from members and the public, both locally and overseas

Putting It All Together

The General Service Office may be small, but it plays a vital role in keeping AA connected. From literature and records to Conference and international ties, the GSO serves AA in Australia quietly and consistently — always guided by the Fellowship itself.