The Literature Committee's mission is to ensure that every aspect of the GreySheeters Anonymous program of recovery is presented in written form for our members, friends, professionals and the world at large. Our primary purpose is to help another compulsive eater gain and maintain GSA recovery and to carry this message to others.
The GSA World Service Conference Approved Literature (CAL) process ensures that GSA material is:
- Identifiably GSA in content according to GSA’s Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of Service;
- Responsive to identified needs of the fellowship;
- Factually accurate;
- Timely;
- Understandable to a broad-based audience.
All GSA Conference-Approved Literature carries the CAL seal:
Each literature project is unique. From concept to completion, it may sometimes take several years to produce a final document. Specific steps defined herewith may need to be repeated several times or taken simultaneously. The process may require the expertise of several writers and numerous drafts before a manuscript is approved.
The GSAWS Conference-Approved Literature (CAL) Process Summary
For the complete process, see the GSA Service Manual.
The process begins with the GreySheeters Anonymous World Service Conference (WSC) approval of a concept for development and ends with final document approval. Before the CAL seal is affixed, the manuscript needs approval from the combined members of the GSAWS Literature Committee and GSAWS Board of Trustees (BOT). Three or more negative votes from the GSAWS Literature Committee or Board of Trustees members on the same portion of the manuscript will necessitate a rewrite and further review until the Committee and BOT approve each portion.
Conceptual Approval
An idea or concept for recovery material may come from any GSA member, group, intergroup, or service arm or the Literature Committee itself. The Literature Committee considers each idea to determine if it meets the literature needs of the fellowship. If it does, the Literature Committee makes a motion to the GSA WSC to seek approval for a new or revised piece of literature.
Development
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Once an idea has approval, the GSAWS Literature Committee determines its preliminary scope and direction and assigns a Sponsoring Editor. The Sponsoring Editor then selects a writer or editor. In keeping with the spirit of anonymity, the full name of any individual member does not appear in GSA literature, nor is authorship acknowledged.
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The writer/editor then submits revised material to the GSAWS Literature Committee and the GSAWS Board of Trustees, who in turn give their suggested revisions.
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If member shares are needed, they are requested from the fellowship through World Service Office (WSO) publications (when they exist), greysheet.org web site announcements, and individual contact, so that the identified message of our program is adequately reflected in our literature.
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GSAWS Literature Committee members provide independent reviews of the initial draft(s) of the manuscript to ensure that GSA principles have been adhered to throughout. Their comments will be incorporated into the draft and once again reviewed by Committee members.
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The Sponsoring Editor and, if applicable, his or her assisting Editor(s), produce a final draft that is sent to all GSAWS Literature Committee members and the GSAWS BOT for approval.
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A working title will be given by the Sponsoring Editor. Throughout the development of a proposed CAL manuscript, Committee members are invited to suggest titles for the work in progress. The final title, agreed upon by the GSAWS Literature Committee, is approved at the same time as the final draft of the manuscript.
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After the manuscript is approved, then the presentation style is defined and estimated costs, including a marketing plan, are submitted first to the Finance Committee, and then by the Finance Committee to the GSAWS BOT for approval of printer, selling price and quantity.
Revisions
Revisions may be directed to the GSAWS Literature Committee for consideration from any GSA member, group, intergroup, or service arm. The GSAWS Literature Committee determines whether a current publication is in need of revision based on the expressed needs of our fellowship. The CAL process is used for the revision, assigning a Sponsoring Editor approved by the entire GSAWS Literature Committee and the GSAWS BOT.
Discontinuance
Before any piece of CAL is discontinued, it must meet the following criteria.
- The three- to five-year introductory period has not been completed.
- Low sales of the material reflect minimal interest by the membership.
- The content is covered by other CAL.
Once the GSAWS Literature Committee is satisfied that the above criteria have been fulfilled, they will make a motion to the WSC to discontinue the item.