How a Group Becomes Listed as Active

The first time that group information is forwarded for listing with the G.S.O. we list the group as pending (the 1990 General Service Conference recommended that the General Service Office delay processing new A.A. group information forms for 30 days to allow the local A.A. structure to participate in the process) and assign a Group Service Number. It is a unique number different from that of any other A.A. group. The number is never reassigned, even if the group is disbanded. After the 30-day period has passed the status of the group changes from pending to Active.

How a Group Becomes Active Unknown

G.S.O. does not have G.S.R./Contact with a viable address (This usually occurs due to return mail.) The group remains active however until some one from the area advises us to inactivate the group.

How a Group Becomes Listed as Inactive

When the Group Service Representative (G.S.R.), or the main contact for a group advises G.S.O. that their group is no longer holding meetings, G.S.O. inactivates the group as requested.

If a person other than the G.S.R. or group contact advises G.S.O. that the group is no longer holding meetings, the procedure is as follows:

If the group has a contact, we will send the G.S.R./Contact a letter asking the group to verify that they are no longer holding meetings.

The group has 30 to 35 days to respond. If G.S.O. does not hear from them. the group is inactivated. Should G.S.O. hear that the group is holding meetings the group remains in an active status.

If the group has no contact (active unknown) and G.S.O. is advised that the group is inactive, we inactivate the group.

The decision to continue a group as "active" or to list a group as "inactive" results, on the one hand, from up-to-date input by groups and areas, or, on the other hand, ": is a consequence of a group or area not providing requested information for group update.

Most areas depend on their District Committee members (D.C.M.s) to annually check the information contained on the Group Information Sheets that are sent out to the areas by G.S.O. and asks them to make sure the information is correct and. updated. An additional objective of the D.C.M. is to encourage participation in the registration process by Group Service Representatives.