Grapevine Committee

As Bill W. expressed it in 1946, "The Grapevine will be the voice of the Alcoholics Anonymous movement. Its editors and staff will be primarily accountable to the AA movement as a whole. . . . Within the bounds of friendliness and good taste, the Grapevine will enjoy perfect freedom of speech on all matters directly pertaining to Alcoholics Anonymous. . . . Like the Alcoholics Anonymous movement it is to mirror, there will be but one central purpose: The Grapevine will try to carry the AA message to alcoholics and practice the AA principles in all its affairs."

If you are interested in becoming an active member of the Grapevine Committee or are interested in information about what we do, please feel free to email us.

COMPOSITION:

The District 5 Grapevine Committee shall be composed of a Chairperson, Alternate Chairperson, and if required a Secretary/Treasurer. All are elected within the Committee by the Committee members and the Chairperson shall be presented to the District 5 body for approval. All members are from District 5 AA Groups or meetings and there can be more than one member per group. All members should have at least 90 days sobriety and approval of their sponsor to participate. The Chairperson is funded for one nights lodging at the South Florida Area 15 Assembly plus $30. for the assembly banquet, if needed, if available.

SCOPE:

The Committee offers a forum for the District 5 Groups and meetings to share their experience in carrying the AA message about the Grapevine Magazine, LaVina, and the other materials published by the Grapevine, Inc. Collects and maintains old issues of Grapevine Magazine and LaVinas, donated by the Groups and meetings to be prepared for the Corrections Committee to redistribute to inmates, to be given to the Archives Committee for records keeping, or to be used by the Treatment Committee  at the facilities visited by its members. Copies of the magazines are also taken to Quarterly assemblies for the Area Grapevine/LaVina swap which is held Quarterly, time permitting, after the Committee meeting. This Committee also, sometimes sponsors Valentine and Halloween dances with any proceeds distributed to the District 5 General Service treasurer.

PROCEDURE:

The Committee holds monthly meetings where Grapevine/LaVina experience is shared. Makes a report both oral and written of District activates on a monthly basis. Attends all District 5 and Area 15 business meetings pertaining to Grapevine/LaVina.  Communicates with the Grapevine/LaVina Committee at Area 15. Presents an oral and written report of District Activities to the Area Committee for their minutes at the quarterly Area 15 assembly.  Prepares a written and oral report for the District 5 body of activities throughout the Area districts as soon after the Area quarterly as possible.  The Committee displays at District 5 Banquets and dinners, special events, and if a group requests the Grapevine travelling display.  The Chairperson is responsible for submitting the annual budget for the Grapevine/LaVina Committee by the District 5 Business meeting in October of each year.