Important FAQs:

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(Q)  If my meeting is raising GSR Funds, but we don't have a GSR, should we donate these funds to the NorCal GSR?

 

(A) Not necessarily. It might be better to continue hosting events, raise funds, and save them until your meeting can send a GSR to the DA World Service Conference (DA WSC), even if it takes a couple of years.  The events hosted by your meeting help strengthen your meetings and yield strong recovery, with members stepping up to serve at the Intergroup, GSR, ACM, and DA Board levels. This benefits not only your meeting and its members, but all of DA. Setting a vision for your meeting to send a GSR to the WSC, hosting events, and establishing regular accruals for the GSR strengthen everyone's recovery.

 

 

(Q)  If my meeting raises money to send our GSR to the World Service Conference, and we are a little short, can the NorCal GSR help us with funds?

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(A) The NorCal GSR receives donations from meetings that have a surplus after meeting their needs.  The surplus is divided as follows: 45% to NCDA Intergroup, 45% to the General Service Office, and 10% to the NorCal GSR. After the NorCal GSR has met its operating expenses, the remainder is available to assist meetings whose GSRs have attended 7 out of 11 GSR meetings. The amount that the NorCal GSR can contribute to a GSR varies each year.

 

(Q) If there has been a turnover in the GSR position and the outgoing GSR has regularly attended the GSR meeting, will the incoming GSR be eligible for GSR funds?

 

(A) Yes. We consider the donation going to the meeting, not the person.

 

(Q) If a meeting's GSR is requesting GSR funds, do they need to give the GSR Treasurer an Earning/Spending Plan?

 

(A) Yes. The GSR Treasurer has created an Excel spreadsheet that matches the WSC Registration packet with examples of expenses, and the spreadsheet is set up to calculate. Please talk to the GSR Treasurer, and they will help you with the spreadsheet.

 

(Q) If a meeting's GSR is requesting funds, does the NorCal GSR need to be updated on our fundraising efforts?

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(A) Yes. We don't know how much to fund each recipient until we know how much each recipient needs.

 

(Q) After the DA World Service Conference in August, if the GSR has money left over, should that go back to the meeting or the NorCal GSR?

 

(A) The funds should be refunded to the NorCal GSR, but not to exceed the amount provided to the GSR by the NorCal GSR.  These funds should be refunded to the NorCal GSR in September of that same year.

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(Q) If a meeting that once received NorCal GSR funds to send their GSR to the WSC is now abundant, would the NorCal GSR accept an additional donation in appreciation?

 

(A) Yes. Sometimes,10% of a meeting's surplus funds is quite a small amount, even when the meeting is abundant.  If a meeting is successful at the events it provides, it may find that it not only has the GSR funds for this year but is well on its way to funding next year as well. In this case, especially if the meeting has accepted funds from NorCal GSR in the past, they may want to donate some of their surplus GSR funds so that NorCal GSR can help send another meeting's GSR to the DA World Service.

 

(Q) Can individual DA and BDA members make contributions to the NorCal GSR?

 

(A) Yes. All contributions are greatly appreciated.

 

(Q) If a meeting is abundant in its GSR funds, should it skip hosting events because they don't need the funds?

 

(A) Not necessarily. Events hosted by meetings are one of the ways we carry the message and actively work Step 12. The benefits of hosting an event extend not only to the participants who attend but also to those who volunteer their time and effort.

 

(Q) If a meeting is new to hosting events and GSR fundraising, can the NorCal GSR provide assistance?

 

(A) Yes. Many of our GSRs are well-versed in hosting events. Have your GSR talk to the GSR Chair as early as September so that there is enough time for your meeting to meet its goals by June the following year.

 

(Q) Will the NorCal GSR do the fundraising for us?

 

(A) No. The NorCal GSR is there to support your meeting's event & GSR fundraising.

 

(Q) Is the GSR of a meeting expected to do all the fundraising for the meeting?

 

(A) No. The GSR can participate, but the meeting needs to have an Events Coordinator who is supported by the meeting to put on events such as Step Studies and Share Days with speakers.

 

(Q) What if a meeting is small and in a remote location? How can they do events, and can the NorCal GSR help us?

 

(A) The size of your meeting doesn't matter. The NorCal GSR can show you how to conduct a Phone Step Study for your meeting and receive donations electronically. They can show you how to use the NCDA Intergroup's services to get the word out about your event, and you may have participants from all over North America.

 

(Q) Can any meeting in Northern California get support in GSR Fundraising?

 

(A) Your meeting must be registered with debtorsanonymous.org, have a group number, and be in NCDA Intergroup's region (See the Meeting Page on this website).

 

(Q) Does the NorCal GSR offer any workshops on event planning and fundraising?

 

(A) While the NorCal GSR does not currently offer a specific workshop on event planning and fundraising, you're encouraged to reach out directly. Individual NorCal GSRs with event-planning experience may be able to share their experience, strength, and hope (ESH), along with helpful fundraising ideas.

 

You’re also welcome to attend NorCal Intergroup events—both in person and online—for inspiration and connection. Please see (The DA/BDA Community Events) for a list of current events.

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Questions about NorCal GSR? Email danorcalgsr@gmail.com