Staten Island General Service Handbook (Hereinafter referred to as SIGS)

Page) 3 – Statement of Operations and Activities
Page) 7 – Annual SIGS Events
Page) 7 – Storage Facility Details and Guidelines
Page) 8 – Right of Decision
Page) 8 – Right of Participation
Page) 8 – Right of Appeal
Page) 9 – General Service Representative – GSR
Page) 10 – District Committee Member – DCM
Page) 11 – District Committee Member Chair – DCMC
Page) 12 – Alternate District Committee Member Chair – DCMCA
Page) 12 – Recording Secretary
Page) 13 – Registrar
Page) 13 – Treasurer

STANDING COMMITTEE SERVICE POSITIONS

Page) 14 – Accessibilities/ Special Needs Chair
Page) 14 – Archives Chair
Page) 15 – Cooperation with the Professional Community Chair (C.P.C)
Page) 15 – Corrections Chair
Page) 15 – Grapevine / La Vina Chair
Page) 15- Intergroup Liaison
Page) 16 – Literature Chair
Page) 16 – Meeting List Chair
Page) 16 – Public Information Chair
Page) 17 – Service Sponsorship Chair
Page) 17 – Treatment Facilities Chair
Page) 17 – Web Admin
Page) 17 – Email Admin

SUB-COMMITTEE SERVICE POSITIONS
Page) 18 – Group Officers Workshop
Page) 18- Traditions Workshop
Page) 18 – Spring Fling
Page) 18 – BBQ / Picnic
Page) 18 – Share-A-Day
Page) 19 – Thanksgiving Marathon
Page) 19 – Spiritual Breakfast
Page) 19 – Holiday Marathon
Page) 19 – New Years Eve Marathon

Page) 19 – Handbook of Staten Island General Services
Page) 21 – Declaration of Unity
Page) 21 – I Am Responsible

Updated 2026

STATEMENT OF OPERATION AND ACTIVITIES:

Since the opening of the first Staten Island General Service (SIGS) meeting on May 1,1983, the approximately 100 groups registered (As of 2026 82 Groups), keep the doors open and hold Alcoholic Anonymous (A.A.) meetings every day of the week throughout the county of Richmond, offering our experience strength and hope to those suffering from the disease of alcoholism.

In the spirit of cooperation without any kind of affiliation with the judicial system, S.I.G.S. welcome to our (A.A.) meetings those individuals with judicial orders to attend meetings.

In cooperation with the professional community S.I.G.S. offer its presence to health fairs on request, by providing literature and non-professional open discussion about alcoholism. SIGS also welcomes medical students to attend their open meetings as a part of fulfilling their requirements.

In cooperation with Detoxification and Rehabilitation centers S.I.G.S. brings (A.A.) meetings, by providing literature and non-professional open discussion about alcoholism.

The name of the organization shall be Staten Island General Service of Alcoholics Anonymous, within the constituent part of South Eastern New York Committee (Hereinafter referred to as SENY,area 49) and Assembly of Alcoholics Anonymous. (Hereinafter referred to as S.I.G.S.).
The purpose of the organization is to serve the needs of the A.A. groups within its geographical area and to function as a constituent part of South Eastern New York Area of Alcoholics Anonymous, and function within the guidelines and spirit of the A.A. Service Manual, the A.A. Twelve Concepts for World Service, the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the General Warranties of the conference of Alcoholics Anonymous which state:
In all its proceedings, the General Service conference shall observe the spirit of the A.A. Tradition, taking great care that the conference never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve (25% of Annual Budget or bank minimum requirements, whichever is greater), be its prudent financial principle; that none of the conference members shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority over any of the others; that all important decisions be reached by discussion, vote and whenever possible, by substantial unanimity (⅔ Vote); that no conference action shall ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy; that though the conference may act for the service of Alcoholics Anonymous, it shall never perform any acts of government; and that, like the society of Alcoholics Anonymous which it serves, the conference itself will always remain democratic in thought and action.

The area served by S.I.G.S. is Richmond County, in the state of New York.

The Elected and Appointed members of S.I.G.S. shall be:

SIGS Officers
1) District Committee Member Chair (D.C.M.C.)
2) Alternate District Committee Member Chair (Alt. D.C.M.C.)
3) Secretary
4) Treasurer
5) Registrar
District Committee Members:
6) DCM 501
7) DCM 502
8) DCM 503
9) DCM 504
10) DCM 505
11) DCM 506 – Virtual
12) DCM 514 – Spanish
Standing Committee Chairs shall be:
13) Accessibility / Special Needs Chair
14) Archives Chair
15) Cooperation with the Professional Community Chair(CPC)
16) Corrections Chair
17) Grapevine / La Vina Chair
18) Intergroup Liaison
19) Literature Chair
20) Meeting List Chair
21) Public Information Chair (PI)
22) Service Sponsorship Chair
23) Treatment Facilities Chair
24) Web Admin

25)Email Admin

Standing Sub-Committee Chairs shall be:
25) Group Officers Workshop
26) Holiday Marathon
27) New Years Eve Marathon
28) Picnic / BBQ
29) Share-A-Day
30) Spring Fling
31) Spiritual Breakfast
32) Thanksgiving Day Marathon
33) Traditions WorkshopIn the event that a Sub-Committee Chair is vacant or vacated, the DCMC has the ability to appoint a new Chair, or cancel the event, if it’s within 4 months of said event.
General Service Representatives (G.S.R.)
(82 Groups) as of 12/2026

The County shall be divided into geographical districts, consisting of varying numbers of A.A. groups. Each district is entitled to be represented by a District Committee Member, elected by the General Service Representatives of the district. The D.C.M. shall serve as a link between the area and the county to the G.S.R. If the D.C.M. is not active in the area and county, the G.S.R.’s in the district may elect another on their own initiative or by request of the S.I.G.S. DCMC

The General Service Representatives are to be elected by their A.A. group to serve as a link between the group and A.A. as a whole. The G.S.R. represents the group conscience, reporting the group’s wishes to the committee members and to the delegate, who passes them on to the A.A. General Service Conference. The G.S.R.s shall represent their group at SENY assemblies and elect new committee members and delegates.

The county of Richmond, S.I.G.S. shall meet monthly, and the D.C.M.C. has the right to deem additional meetings or cancellations as needed. Every even numbered year, at the October meeting, SIGS shall elect its DCMC, Officers, and Standing Committee Chairs for a term to commence January 1 following the election. To remove an elected member during their term they must be voted out. Appointed members can be removed without a vote.

Every A.A. group in the South East Area of New York, Area 49, is entitled to choose a G.S.R. to be sent to the S.E.N.Y. Assemblies for the purpose of representing their group and elect new committee members. Unless otherwise amended in the Handbook, the area committee elections and officer qualifications shall be as outlined in “Chapter IV” of the A.A. Service Manual.

For a quorum to be held the DCMC or Alternate DCMC and Recording Secretary (or temporary appointed secretary) must be present. A quorum for a S.I.G.S. meeting shall consist of 2/3 of 18 S.I.G.S. members, (12 members) or greater, 3 of the 5 Officers with 1 being either the D.C.M.C. or Alt. D.C.M.C. present.

DISSOLUTION PROVISION
If for any reason the organization shall cease to function (exist), all monies, records, and other property held in its name shall become the property of South Eastern New York General Service Area 49 Committee and Assembly of A.A. In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of SIGS shall, after necessary expenses are met, thereof be distributed to such AA organizations as shall qualify under section (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws; or to a state or local government for a public purpose.

NON-INUREMENT PROVISION
No part of the net earnings of SIGS shall become beneficial or advantageous to any member or officer of SIGS, or any private individual, (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to, or for the organization). Nor shall any of the aforementioned be entitled to share in the distribution of any assets upon dissolution of the organization.

RESTRICTIVE LEGISLATION PROVISION
No substantial part of the activities of SIGS shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

The GSRs DCMs, and Standing Committee Chairs, (Excluding all Sub-Committee Chairs) of Richmond shall constitute the county General Service Meeting and shall elect all 5 SIGS Officer Positions.

Commitment Qualifications:

Qualification for DCMC is suggested, four years of sobriety…….
Qualification for DCM is suggested, four years of continuous sobriety…….
Qualification for SIGS Officers (Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar) is suggested four years of sobriety…….
Qualification for GSR is suggested, two years of continuous sobriety; or (If deemed necessary) group conscience.

ANNUAL SIGS EVENTS

The following is a list of events on the SIGS Calendar. If any event is without a Chairperson in place 4 months prior to the event, the DCMC may appoint a Chair, or may, by virtue of their position, cancel the event for that calendar year. In the event a Sub-Committee Chair position is vacated the Co-Chair will assume responsibilities of Chair. If the position of Cochair is vacant the DCMC may appoint a chair.

All these activities and events are 100% volunteer service. All SIGS events are funded by SIGS seed money* and voluntary contributions from A. A. groups and A. A. members.
*Seed money is a SIGS budgeted item to cover initial start-up expenses.

January/February – Traditions / Group Officers Workshop
March/April – Spring Fling
May/June – BBQ/Picnic
July/August – Traditions / Group Officers Workshop
September – Share-A-Day
November – Spiritual Breakfast
November – Thanksgiving Marathon
December 25th – Holiday Marathon
December 31st – New Years Eve Marathon
*All dates are suggested and may change depending on circumstances.

Storage Facility Details & Guidelines

SIGS maintains a storage unit to house all event related supplies & Staten Island archives.
This unit is paid annually (when paid annually discounts may apply)
Storage Unit contract should be updated to the current treasurer after each bi-annual election.
There should be a designated trusted servant along the Archives Chair of SIGS who have access to the unit. This servant should know they have to make themselves available when access is requested
An inventory will be maintained, with items being checked in and out at each visit. A record of who assumes responsibility, and date will be included. Whatever is used to maintain these records will be left in the unit. This record will be made available for review to any member of SIGS upon request

Right of Decision
As a traditional means of creating and maintaining a clearly defined working relationship between the groups and SIGS. It is suggested that we endow each of these elements of SIGS with a traditional “Right of Decision”. (1)

Right of Participation
Throughout our SIGS structure, we ought to maintain at all responsible levels a traditional “Right of Participation” taking care that SIGS members (excluding sub-committee chairs) shall be allowed a vote. (2)

Right of Appeal
Throughout SIGS, a traditional “Right of Appeal” ought to prevail, thus assuring us the minority opinion will be heard and that petitions for the redress of personal grievances will be carefully considered. (3)

(1,2, & 3) are taken from the SENY service manual. These principles should be practiced in business meetings, county meetings, Assemblies, and the Conference. (1) reflects concept 3. (2) reflects concept 4. (3) reflects concept 5. These 3 principles help to form an informed group conscience.

The Staten Island General Service Structure

Positions, suggested job duties and responsibility for the following:

General Service Representative (GSR) The GSR is the link that helps to create an informed group conscience by bringing information from the district, county, and area. The non-existent or inactive GSR deactivates the checks and balance system for group self-honesty. The active GSR ensures a connection between the group and the worldwide fellowship starting with group discussions that share the group’s experience and carries the groups voice within the county and area.

The GSR in a sense is the service sponsor of their group. They are as kind, nonjudgmental and willing to share as they would be with a newcomer. Group sponsorship is the best example of the relationship of the GSR to the group in matters of service and unity.

Because the GSR enjoys the trust of the group, they learn to listen and listen to learn. Their role is often reversed. They return to the group with the results of problems and solutions that could affect the unity, health and growth of A.A. How well the GSR does their job can be measured by their knowledge of the groups conscience and how they keep the group informed.

The active sponsorship experience is great for the GSR to have. It indicates the ability to reach out, carry the message, and working with others as suggested in chapter seven in the Big Book. The GSR needs to have courage, emotional maturity and thick skin to carry the message of service. Experience and A.A. History provides this confidence.

Qualifications:

GSRs must know they are available for a two-year rotation before accepting the commitment. the rotation usually starts the first of January.
In the absence of an active DCM, they contact other GSRs in their districts and activate the district committee as outlined in The A.A. Service Manual.
They are informed of the responsibilities before taking the commitment.
They are willing to act to the best of their conscience.
They must be able to take criticism and be willing to motivate and project positive ideas of the Traditions and Concepts.
The GSR is a messenger, an agent for A.A., and a communicator.