Full AA Members Glossary (Expanded)

Over the years, AA members have developed a set of words and phrases that can sometimes be confusing to newcomers.

This glossary explains some of the terms commonly heard at meetings, in AA literature, and within the General Service Structure of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Many of these terms relate to recovery, while others describe the service structure that connects AA groups across Australia.

A

AA

Alcoholics Anonymous, a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism.

Accessibility

Service work that helps ensure AA is available to alcoholics who may face barriers to attending meetings, such as disability, language differences, or geographic isolation.

Advisory Action

A decision made by the General Service Conference that directs or guides the work of AA services.

Area

A geographic region within the General Service Structure that brings together groups and districts to share experience and participate in wider service discussions.

Area Assembly

A meeting of AA members within an Area where the collective conscience of groups is expressed and trusted servants may be elected.

B

Big Book

A nickname for the book Alcoholics Anonymous, the main text of AA.

Bill W.

Bill Wilson, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

C

Class A Trustee

A non-alcoholic member of the General Service Board who brings professional experience and outside perspective to the Fellowship.

Conference

The General Service Conference, where Delegates from across Australia gather to share the collective conscience of AA groups.

Corrections

Service work that carries the AA message into prisons and other correctional facilities.

CSO (Central Service Office)

A local service office that may provide meeting lists, literature distribution, or helpline services. CSOs operate independently of the General Service Structure.

D

Delegate

An AA member elected by an Area to represent that Area at the General Service Conference.

Denial

The inability or unwillingness to recognise the seriousness of one’s drinking problem.

Detox

Short for detoxification — treatment that helps manage the physical withdrawal from alcohol.

District

A grouping of AA groups within an Area that work together to share experience and coordinate service activities.

Dr. Bob

Dr Robert Smith, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

F

Fellowship

The worldwide community of Alcoholics Anonymous.

G

General Service Board

The board responsible for overseeing AA Australia’s national service activities.

General Service Conference

The gathering where Delegates from across Australia meet with Trustees and service leaders to discuss matters affecting AA.

General Service Office (GSO)

The office that supports the work of the General Service Board and Conference.

General Service Structure

The system through which AA groups communicate and participate in decisions affecting the Fellowship.

Geographical

The belief that moving to a new place will solve one’s drinking problem.

Group Conscience

The collective decision-making process used by AA groups when discussing matters affecting the group.

GSR (Group Service Representative)

A member elected by an AA group to represent that group within the General Service Structure.

H

H&I (Hospitals and Institutions)

Service work that brings AA meetings or literature into hospitals, treatment centres, prisons, and other institutions.

I

Inventory

A process used by individuals, groups, or service bodies to examine how well they are fulfilling their purpose.

P

PI (Public Information)

Service work that helps inform the public about Alcoholics Anonymous.

PIPA (Public Information and Professional Awareness)

Service work that provides information about AA to professionals such as doctors, counsellors, and clergy.

Preamble

A short description of AA often read at the beginning of meetings.

Primary Purpose

AA’s primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.

Program

AA’s system of recovery based on the Twelve Steps.

R

Recovery

The process of living sober through the AA program.

Rehab

Short for rehabilitation centre.

Regional Trustee

A Trustee on the General Service Board who represents a geographic Region.

Remote Communities

Service work that helps bring AA meetings and resources to remote or isolated areas.

Rotation

The principle that service positions are held for limited terms so others may serve.

S

Service

Activities carried out by AA members to help the Fellowship function and carry the message.

Service Committee

A group of AA members who coordinate a specific area of service work.

Service Structure

The service structure of Alcoholics Anonymous is the system through which AA groups communicate with one another and participate in decisions affecting the Fellowship as a whole.

While each AA group is autonomous, the service structure allows groups to share experience and express their collective conscience on matters that affect AA beyond the local meeting.

In Australia, the General Service Structure connects groups, districts, areas, the General Service Conference, the General Service Board, and the General Service Office, helping ensure that AA services remain guided by the voice of the groups.

Sponsor

An experienced AA member who guides a newcomer through the Twelve Steps.

Slogans

Short sayings used in AA meetings such as “Easy does it” or “First things first.”

T

Terminally Unique

The belief that one’s situation is so different that AA’s program will not work for them.

Three Legacies of AA

Recovery, Unity, and Service.

Treatment Centres

Service work that brings AA into treatment facilities where alcoholics may be receiving professional help.

Trusted Servant

An AA member elected or appointed to carry out a service responsibility.

Twelve & Twelve

A nickname for the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

Twelve Concepts

The Twelve Concepts for World Service, which describe principles guiding AA’s service structure.

W

World Service Delegate

A Delegate elected by an Area to represent the Fellowship at international service meetings.

Y

Young People in AA (YPAA)

AA meetings and activities that focus on connecting younger members in recovery.