A trusted servant is a member volunteer who performs service for the SAA fellowship. Each meeting elects their own trusted servants according to group conscience. In accordance with the Twelve Traditions of SAA, trusted servants provide leadership for meetings, but they do not govern.
Trusted Service is widely regarded as a great way to strengthen recovery and “carry the message”. There are many opportunities to engage in trusted service, be it in your local meetings, as part of the Greater Charlotte Area Intergroup (GCAI), or as a member of the International Service Organization (ISO).
Groups are autonomous, which means they are self-governing through their group conscience. This means that each individual group decides which trusted service roles are necessary for their meetings. Therefore a group can have as few or as many trusted service roles as they deem necessary, and the position titles and responsibilities are decided by the group, and not by any outside organization.
The following is a list of service opportunities that may be available to SAA members. This list is not exhaustive; it is only meant to be a sample of possible opportunities. The role names and descriptions are only meant to offer suggestions of the possible service opportunities available; If you are interested in serving in any of these roles, discuss it with the appropriate member(s) in your group. You can also encourage your group to introduce new roles.
Secretary
A secretary serves as the group coordinator for the SAA meeting. The role of secretary can include many tasks, including responding to requests to the phone line, group email, or P.O. Box; taking minutes at business meetings, or making sure that the meeting site is opened, set up, and closed at the end of the meeting. The secretary can have many other responsibilities, but he or she should look for others within the group to take on service duties, as well.
Meeting Facilitator / Meeting Chair
The chair might be the trusted servant to ensure the meeting room is unlocked and set up according to the group conscience. The chair could be the member that brings the topic for the meeting. The chair can assign members to read the group opening and closing readings. The chair might have all the materials used to conduct the meeting or know how to access the meeting material that is stored at the meeting location.
Treasurer
A treasurer handles the financial affairs of the SAA meeting. The treasurer collects funds during the Seventh Tradition and maintains the checking account. The treasurer pays the rent on the meeting place, handles any additional expenses or reimbursements, and donates the remaining portion of the funds to the intergroup or ISO, as determined by the group conscience.
Literature Representative
The literature representative maintains the group library and purchases Sex Addicts Anonymous and other SAA literature for the group as needed. Literature may be sold at cost at the meeting. Many groups also provide meeting newcomers with SAA pamphlets at no cost in a newcomers’ packet.
Token (Chips) Distributor
The token distributor passes out tokens at the designated time in the meeting to celebrate the recovery progress of members.
Phone List Chair
The phone list chair manages existing and new numbers received by the group in accordance with the group conscience. Many groups designate this task to their Literature Rep instead of having a separate role for this.
Meeting Greeter / Newcomer Meeting Rep
The greeter welcomes all the members coming into the meeting. If a new person is present the greeter can make sure they are looking for an SAA meeting, help them find a seat, get them a copy of the book used during the meeting, introduce them to some other members, get them a welcome packet and let the chair know there is a newcomer present. Some meetings prefer to offer a separate “newcomer’s meeting” for newcomers. The greeter may be responsible for hosting these meetings or seeking volunteers to participate in them.
Intergroup Representative (GCAI Rep)
The intergroup representative represents the group at the local area intergroup meetings. See the section of this guide entitled “What Is an Intergroup?” for further details.
Group service representative (GSR)
The GSR serves as the primary contact person between the group and the International Service Organization (ISO) on matters relating to the ISO and the fellowship at large. We suggest that each member group elect an alternate GSR to serve in case the elected GSR cannot continue. Some groups chose to combine this role with the intergroup representative or vice versa. This position should be for the entire service year generally lining up with the annual Conference in October. The GSR or alternate would be expected to participate and represent the member group at area assembly events. One role of the GSRs is to elect an area delegate that will attend the annual conference of delegates.
Outreach Chair
The outreach chair coordinates the outreach activities within the group. Usually acts as a liaison between the group and outreach chair of the Intergroup.
Prisoner Outreach
Prisoner outreach is not a role specific to any meeting or group. Instead, it is a service opportunity offered by the SAA’s International Service Organization to anyone interested. For more information about Prisoner outreach, click here.