1. What is SENY? What is general service?

Short answer: It's how the 1,800 groups (and 57,000 AA members) of South Eastern New York (aka SENY) come together to make collective decisions and take on bigger service projects that are only possible when groups work together.


Longer answer: The United States & Canada are divided into 93 "Delegate Areas". SENY is the nickname for Area 49, an acronym for South Eastern New York. It is the connection through which groups can participate in AA's wider decision-making and service structure. Here are the main functions of the Area (expanded on in our Service Handbook & Bylaws):

  • Elect a Delegate who will represent our Area's conscience at the annual General Service Conference, where decisions are made that affect AA throughout the US & Canada.

  • Form a local decision-making structure so groups can collectively decide on matters that affect their Area, County, and District.

  • Carry out 12th Step work that wouldn't be practical for groups to take on by themselves.


For history buffs: Check out the written history of the Area and visit the SENY Digital Archives.

 

Here is the typical General Service structure for the US & Canada, And a map of Area 49.

AA General Service Conference Structure
AA SENY Map

2. How is this different from my Intergroup?

Intergroups are service entities that focus exclusively on local needs (e.g. maintaining meeting lists) and are not part of AA's larger decision-making/service structure. You'll notice they don't appear in the upside-down triangle pictured above.

The most confusing part is Intergroup falls within the broader definition of "general service" (service beyond the group level), not to be confused with "General Service", shorthand for AA's larger decision-making/service structure. Within SENY and many other places, Intergroups and General Service entities (Areas, Counties, Districts) coordinate with one another to divide up service responsibilities.

3. How does a group or individual participate?

For groups: Groups participate by electing a General Service Representative, commonly referred to as a GSR. If your group doesn't have a GSR already, consider bringing it up at your business meeting. If your group does have one, encourage them check out our GSR page. If your group doesn't have a GSR please still make sure your group is registered.

For individuals: There are literally hundreds of ways to do service, including but not limited to becoming a GSR. Browse through our Standing Committee pages to see if something jumps out at you.

 

Financially: AA groups within SENY are also encouraged to contribute financially to the Area, as well as the other service entities connected to their group (for example, their district, county, Intergroup, and GSO). 

Typically groups disburse any money beyond their prudent reserve on a quarterly or semi-annual basis, with a percentage of the group's choosing going to each service entity. If your group doesn't already do this, consider raising it at your business meeting. It may also be helpful to read over "Where Money & Spirituality Mix".

AA members are also permitted to contribute. In keeping with AA's tradition of self-support, we do not accept contributions from any individual or organization outside AA.

Contribute Here

4. How do I get in contact with Area officers and committee chairs?

To contact any of your SENY officers or chairs, use the buttons below or use the contact forms within the Standing Committees pages. For a breakdown of how these positions fit into Area 49's service structure, click here.

Officers

Delegate

Jo Ann M.

Alternate Delegate

Nisaa A.

Area Chair

Paola A.

Treasurer

Kimbley G.

Technology & Communications Officer

Ray W.

OTHER POSITIONS

5. Where can I find out more about county- and district-level general service?

To learn more about your county's general service meetings, check out their website or email your District Commitee Member Chairperson (DCMC, the overall chair of the county). Your DCMC should also be able to put you in touch with your District Committee Member (DCM, the chair of the district).

Links to all the county-level general service sites within SENY:

Email addresses of the District Committee Member Chairpersons (DCMCs) for each county: