2023 GreySheet Round-Up in New York City

The 2023 GreySheet Roundup in New York was a shot in the arm of abstinence that only a 1.5 day conference can offer. The first day, Saturday, was full of hugs from and breakout chats with fellow GreySheeters who hadn’t seen each other since before the COVID-19 lockdown.

Although some GreySheeters had lost their abstinence during the pandemic, they hadn’t given up on reclaiming it by immersing themselves in meetings all day long.

After all, that’s what a GreySheet Round-Up is for: to bolster your commitment to weighing and measuring three meals a day off the glorious GreySheet.

There were plenty of GreySheeters with long term abstinence in attendance proving to newcomers that relapse is not a requirement.

Most surprising was the number of fellows who had traveled to attend the Roundup. GreySheeters from as far away as Texas, the Pacific Northwest and even France wouldn’t miss the Roundup for anything in the world because ‘Don’t Eat No Matter What’ is not a message that can be heard anywhere else except a GreySheet event.

One could argue that lots of people who are overweight or underweight need GreySheet Abstinence but the slogan is: GreySheet Abstinence is not for people who need it. It’s for people who want it and do it!

That’s what makes each and every GreySheeter so precious.

We are not a dime a dozen so when we lose one GreySheeter, the pain is felt throughout the fellowship. And when we gain a GreySheeter, the joy is felt throughout the fellowship.

The GreySheet Roundup is where we go to count our blessings for yet another year weighing and measuring our meals off the GreySheet one day at a time.

An Anonymous GreySheeter

Board of Trustees Column

I am a Class B Non-Compulsive Eater member of the GSA Board of Trustees. I was one of the three members officially elected as part of the World Service zoom meeting in October 2023.

When I was asked to consider the role, I was not familiar with the Grey Sheet Anonymous organization. Thus, through my time spent researching and speaking to members, I resonated with the experience, strength, and hope that the program provides.

I am actually a member of another 12-step program where I hold various service positions. Through this, I have learned the importance of service and giving back while also understanding that those around me have a unique voice that deserves to be heard.

Being a Board Member gives me an opportunity to represent these new voices, a different perspective, as well as my professional and personal experiences - all to serve others.

Thank you for letting me represent you and to be a part of your journey. I will do my absolute best to serve the GSA organization as well as promote GSA's mission statement.

Ania S.
Ridgefield, CT

2023 GreySheet Round-Up in New York City

The 2023 GreySheet Roundup in New York was a shot in the arm of abstinence that only a 1.5 day conference can offer. The first day, Saturday, was full of hugs from and breakout chats with fellow GreySheeters who hadn’t seen each other since before the COVID-19 lockdown.

Although some GreySheeters had lost their abstinence during the pandemic, they hadn’t given up on reclaiming it by immersing themselves in meetings all day long.

After all, that’s what a GreySheet Round-Up is for: to bolster your commitment to weighing and measuring three meals a day off the glorious GreySheet.

There were plenty of GreySheeters with long term abstinence in attendance proving to newcomers that relapse is not a requirement.

Most surprising was the number of fellows who had traveled to attend the Roundup. GreySheeters from as far away as Texas, the Pacific Northwest and even France wouldn’t miss the Roundup for anything in the world because ‘Don’t Eat No Matter What’ is not a message that can be heard anywhere else except a GreySheet event.

One could argue that lots of people who are overweight or underweight need GreySheet Abstinence but the slogan is: GreySheet Abstinence is not for people who need it. It’s for people who want it and do it!

That’s what makes each and every GreySheeter so precious.

We are not a dime a dozen so when we lose one GreySheeter, the pain is felt throughout the fellowship. And when we gain a GreySheeter, the joy is felt throughout the fellowship.

The GreySheet Roundup is where we go to count our blessings for yet another year weighing and measuring our meals off the GreySheet one day at a time.

An Anonymous GreySheeter

Board of Trustees Column

I am a Class B Non-Compulsive Eater member of the GSA Board of Trustees. I was one of the three members officially elected as part of the World Service zoom meeting in October 2023.

When I was asked to consider the role, I was not familiar with the Grey Sheet Anonymous organization. Thus, through my time spent researching and speaking to members, I resonated with the experience, strength, and hope that the program provides.

I am actually a member of another 12-step program where I hold various service positions. Through this, I have learned the importance of service and giving back while also understanding that those around me have a unique voice that deserves to be heard.

Being a Board Member gives me an opportunity to represent these new voices, a different perspective, as well as my professional and personal experiences - all to serve others.

Thank you for letting me represent you and to be a part of your journey. I will do my absolute best to serve the GSA organization as well as promote GSA's mission statement.

Ania S.
Ridgefield, CT

GSA Podcast Retrospective

Season’s Greetings to Everyone,

During the holiday, the conversation around weigh loss is often dominated by fad diets & quick fixes. But amidst this sea of fleeting promises, the GreySheet Podcast stands as a beacon of sustainable change. Launched two and a half years ago, the podcast has guided countless individuals toward a healthier, happier relationship with food, their bodies, and spirituality.

At the heart of the GreySheet philosophy lies a simple yet profound concept: consistency, where we weigh and measure our food without exception. On each episode, we reflect on a particular topic sharing experiences, strengths, and hopes. The podcast's hosts, Carla from Utah, Eileen from Taos, New Mexico, Miguel from Madrid, Spain, and Joey from Long Island, New York, provide a supportive and encouraging environment, offering practical tips and unwavering accountability.

Let’s get a glimpse of what four GreySheeters learned from the collaboration.

The Podcast Committee is a labor of love, the product of a few of us GreySheeters and the guests we invite, also GreySheeters, having a conversation about GreySheet topics. With these episodes, we hope to offer another way to introduce compulsive eaters to GS abstinence, as well as to discuss together different topics of interest to recovering people with this disease. We meet once or twice a month to come up with topics and guests who represent the broad range of our fellowship worldwide. We would love to have people write to us and suggest new topics to tackle and explore.

Working on the podcast with the team has been an incredibly enriching experience, fostering creativity and collaboration that have made each episode a joy to produce and that has enriched my personal recovery. I am optimistic that our efforts will positively impact food addicts worldwide, providing them valuable insights, support, and a sense of community on their journey to recovery.

The podcast embodies the spirit of GreySheet. My journey with GreySheet has been one of ups and downs, but I became stronger and more committed to helping others. The passion and dedication of the guest speaker/s and the group are contagious, inspiring listeners to embrace their journeys with self-compassion and determination. The GreySheet Podcast is more than just a weight loss program; it's a movement for sustainable change. It's a testament to the power of community, consistency, and support. As we often say, “GreySheet is not a diet; it's a new way of life.”

The GreySheet food plan is not a temporary fix; it's a lifestyle shift. We learn to weigh and measure our food without exception and lear how to live life on life’s terms. The plan centers on three meals a day, eliminating the need for unhealthy snacks and mindless grazing. GreySheet's success lies in its emphasis on community and support. Regular meetings provide a platform to share our experiences, celebrate triumphs, and overcome challenges. The podcast serves as a virtual meeting place, where listeners can connect with fellow GreySheeters and draw inspiration from their stories.

If you want to hear more about the GreySheet Podcast, email us at Podcast@GreySheet.org.

Board of Trustees Column

World Service Conference 2023 Review

Our 8^th annual meeting of the World Service Conference went off without a hitch on Sunday October 22^nd thanks to the hard work of many dedicated trusted servants. For the first time, we offered Spanish and Hebrew simultaneous interpretation.

61 delegates registered for the meeting, representing the board, nine of our ten intergroups, and 33 of our 145 groups. 55 delegates participated in debating and voting on 11 new resolutions, three amendments, three new board trustees, and other annual business. All proposals passed with at least a two thirds majority (substantial unanimity) so now our challenge will be to implement them!

Some of the new resolutions were significant changes: we created two new intergroups — La Comunidad Hispana for Spanish speaking groups and Southern Central to serve the Midwest US as well as the Southern US. We adopted job descriptions for Intergroup Service Representatives, board trustees and board liaisons to intergroups and committees, and we approved the board publishing guidance to groups on accepting donated meeting facilities like rooms, zoom accounts, and phone conference lines. We adopted the use of the new GSA Preamble using the word, “people” instead of “men and women” at the World Service level.

Other adopted resolutions include Rules of Order for World Service Conference committee meetings, policies for video and audio recordings of World Service meetings, and policies on procuring goods and services and avoiding conflicts of interest.

You can see the Summary of Votes and the Minutes of the meeting in Spanish and English!

GSA World Services is more and more an established organization with clear expectations for how we work together to safeguard the donations of our members and to carry the message to the next compulsive eater. After all, our vision for World Service, “Whenever anyone, anywhere realizes they have a problem with food, they think of the GreySheet solution,” is quite an ambitious goal. We need to be standing on solid ground as we strive to achieve it.

I am always amazed at the multitude of ways GreySheeters Anonymous members first heard about our solution — we are the best-kept solution in food addiction recovery! One day we won’t have to marvel at how someone found GreySheet because everyone will have heard of us. GreySheet will then be an option for anyone suffering as we suffered. The GreySheet miracle will be available to all who want it.

If you are interested in hearing more about how we will be implementing these resolutions, come to Committees Connecting every month from December to April to hear from your board and committees — and offer your suggestions.

Together we DENMW!

2023 GreySheeters Anonymous World Service Conference Summary

The World Service Conference (WSC) of GreySheeters Anonymous (GSA) is a business meeting where delegates from all over the world gather to make decisions on proposals that began when one compulsive eater shared an idea they thought would make our fellowship stronger and it grew from there. The 8th WSC was held on Sunday, October 22, 2023, via Zoom.

The WSC began with a welcome from the Conference Chair, followed by a roll call of credentialed delegates by the Conference Committee Chair. 55 delegates participated, with 11 dedicated volunteers to ensure the flow of the conference. The delegates debated 16 proposals, voted on them, and passed all of them.

The World Service Conference of GSA has become, for nearly every practical purpose, the active voice and the effective conscience of our whole society in its world affairs.

Overall, the 8th WSC was a productive and successful event. The delegates made many important decisions about the future of GSA World Services. They also heard from GSA members from all over the world about the impact that GSA has had on their lives.

New GSA Literature

It’s always exciting when the Literature Committee launches something new. This week, we are so proud to introduce you to our latest pamphlet, “Tips for Dining Out and Traveling in Abstinence.” You can get your copy from the GSA website. If you are in the US, you will want to download the letter size pdf. In Europe and other areas, download the A4 version.

For those of you who have been waiting patiently for the completion of this pamphlet, thank you! The subcommittees of the Literature Committee are very careful to get everything just right. We know that GSA members will be reading our books and pamphlets for a long, long time. For that reason, each of our offerings go through an extensive writing and editing process before we are ready to give it to you—our beloved community.

It is up to each Intergroup how they want to distribute the printed pamphlets. For example, here in Paris, we are giving each registrant of the Paris Round Up a copy. Then we are asking one euro for each additional copy, for those who want extras to share with other GreySheeters. That money will go to the venue that is hosting our Round Up.

Every time we have new literature to launch to the Fellowship, we will announce it here.

Thank you for supporting us with your 7th tradition donations so that we can keep producing GSA conference approved literature for you. And thank you to Terry M and her subcommittee for making this happen.

NMW,
Sara S.
Managing Editor, Literature Committee

Board of Trustees Column

I was one of three members officially elected to the GSA Board of Trustees on the World Service zoom meeting. The opportunity to represent the voice of grey sheeters for the next few years is such a privilege and an honor for me.

I hail from the Watertown GSA meetings, and I’ve been abstinent and doing service on those four meetings since 4/30/2005.

When I first agreed to consider participating in GSA administration, many people thought I was crazy! I had always remained on the outskirts of any managerial role, and I eschewed any controversy. Watertown meetings have never even had a GSR (group service representative), and yet somehow, here I am now on the Board.

Finding a voice and representing others is of utmost importance to me because it empowers individuals from all groups to express their perspectives, ideas, and emotions. By speaking up and advocating for others, we can bring about positive change, minimize any growing resentment, promote diversity, and ensure inclusivity. It is crucial to amplify voices that have been quiet for whatever reason to foster a more equitable and comprehensive community.

I am blessed to have found this community…this is the solution for me, and I will go to any lengths to make this program accessible to sick and suffering compulsive eaters both in this program, and to those who have not yet discovered it.

We are the lucky ones. Thank you for letting me represent you.

Barbara L.
Boston

New GSA Literature

It’s always exciting when the Literature Committee launches something new. This week, we are so proud to introduce you to our latest pamphlet, “Tips for Dining Out and Traveling in Abstinence.” You can get your copy from the GSA website. If you are in the US, you will want to download the letter size pdf. In Europe and other areas, download the A4 version.

For those of you who have been waiting patiently for the completion of this pamphlet, thank you! The subcommittees of the Literature Committee are very careful to get everything just right. We know that GSA members will be reading our books and pamphlets for a long, long time. For that reason, each of our offerings go through an extensive writing and editing process before we are ready to give it to you—our beloved community.

It is up to each Intergroup how they want to distribute the printed pamphlets. For example, here in Paris, we are giving each registrant of the Paris Round Up a copy. Then we are asking one euro for each additional copy, for those who want extras to share with other GreySheeters. That money will go to the venue that is hosting our Round Up.

Every time we have new literature to launch to the Fellowship, we will announce it here.

Thank you for supporting us with your 7th tradition donations so that we can keep producing GSA conference approved literature for you. And thank you to Terry M and her subcommittee for making this happen.

NMW,
Sara S.
Managing Editor, Literature Committee

Board of Trustees Column

How GSA Came to Be

I am Marvin A. I have been abstinent since 03/17/1992. I was in Grey Sheet for about 90 days and lost 110 lbs. I started looking around in the meetings for literature and started talking to older members who were in the GreySheet rooms before me. Asked where the literature was. I was told they did not have any. I was told that at one time we were a part of Overeaters Anonymous. I was also told that they no longer used food plans. OA said, get spiritual first and deal with the eating disorder second.

That’s when I realized that the GreySheet meetings in NYC were renegade. I did not know about any other place in the United States or the world. So, in 1994, a few GreySheeters and I met up in a meeting at 86^th and Amsterdam Ave. to create a survey. We created a committee that day. I did not want to be the Chairperson of that committee. The members told me I had to be. I took the commitment, and we worked on a survey to bring to the NYC roundup that year. People took the survey.

One of the survey questions was “Do we want to be an Intergroup under Overeaters Anonymous?” The majority agreed.

At that time, I lived in New Jersey, so we sent a letter to Overeaters Anonymous World Service, Inc. in California asking to create an Intergroup for GreySheet. OA sent a letter back stating it was against several of their traditions. We were denied the Intergroup status.

That's how GSA was born. We are now called GreySheeters Anonymous. So, Service does Matter. April of this year marked the 25^th year of GSA, Inc.

Presently, I am doing service as a trustee on the World Service Board. I am also on the NYC Round-Up Committee and The Men’s Spiritual Retreat Committee.

I have stayed away from high level-service commitments for at least 10 years. I have been doing service like this for 3 decades. Hopefully I can bring something in the years going forward.

This is the first part of my story. I am grateful to be abstinent. It’s the most Spiritual thing I can do. Within a day, three times a day I weigh and measure my food.

Thank you all for allowing me to do service.

Marvin A.
NMW

Board of Trustees

Secretary

The GSA Secretary records the minutes of the monthly Board of Trustees and the Chairs/ISRs meetings as well as the minutes of the World Service Conference.

Assistant Secretary

The GSA Assistant Secretary supports the secretary and manages GSAWS records in the GSAWS Google Drive.

Trustees: Iceland, Europe

Represent your area on the Board of Trustees. Ensure that your community is heard.

Board Requirements: Five years abstinence. Three-year term. 2-4 hours a month. Chair@greysheet.org or Nominating@greysheet.org

Communication Committee

GSAWS Facebook Admins

• Duties: Moderate the GSA World Services Facebook group to ensure posts meet criteria and that only existing GSA members join the group. Current trusted servant will train.
• Abstinence: 1 year.
• Term: 1 year.
• Time required: Few minutes daily.
• InternalFacebook@greysheet.org

Service Matters Publisher

• Duties: Receives newsletter content in Word from Communication Committee by last day of the month. Copies, pastes, and formats in MailChimp Service Matters template. Posts same content into website blog. Publishes MailChimp newsletter by 7th of the next month. Current trusted servant will train.
• Time Required: 3+ hours a month.
• Abstinence: 1 year. Term: 1 year.
• Communication@greysheet.org

Service Matters Subscription Manager

• Duties: Once a quarter, receive a spreadsheet of new trusted servants to subscribe to Service Matters from the registrar. Load the new subscribers into MailChimp.
• Abstinence: 1 year.
• Term: 1 year. 1-2 hours a quarter.
• Communication@greysheet.org

Area Contacts List Coordinator

• Duties: Add new contacts to the online list quarterly. Annually email all contacts to verify that they respond within 24 hours.
• Time Required: 2-3 hours a month.
• Abstinence: 1 year.
• Term: 1 year.
• Communication@greysheet.org

Start-Up Sponsor Team

Want to get newcomers started in their GreySheet abstinence and help them get connected? The Start Up Sponsor Team needs more women living in North America, especially those available during the day. Training and mentoring provided.

• Duties: Respond to Coordinator’s WhatsApp text within two hours with your availability; start off your share of newcomers.
• Abstinence: 1 year.
• Term: 1 year.
• SUS@greysheet.org

2023 GreySheeters Anonymous World Service Conference Meeting

October 22nd, 2023

9:30am to 2:30pm ET, via Zoom

Registration for our 8th World Service Conference meeting will open the first week in March 2023. It is a very powerful time for the growth of GreySheeters Anonymous. The World Service conference committees are working diligently on guidelines and policies to support our fellowship. 

If you are an ISR or represent a group as a GSR, please consider registering as a delegate for our World Service Conference meeting so your group will have input on the proposals presented at the WSC.  All of the information will be in the link below. We will update the information regularly! There will also be delegate training as we get closer.

https://greysheet.org/world-service-conference/upcoming-conference

We have made some exciting changes for 2023. World Service Specialists, i.e. the Service Matters Coordinator, can be voting members at the World Service Conference. The total number of registrants will determine the number of specialists spaces available. Those elected by the board or a committee as a specialist should register as well. 

We are working diligently as a committee and would welcome 1 or 2 new members. 

This will be our third Zoom WSC meeting! It is very exciting to see your fellow abstinent service-mongers and communicate the information to your groups or intergroups!

SAVE the DATE and we’ll see you then!

Spotlight on the Phone Bridge

What is the Phone Bridge?

The GSA phone bridge is a place where members gather in a virtual “room” on the telephone to share their experience, strength, and hope as it relates to GreySheet abstinence. There are over 75 meetings per week, many times throughout each day.

The topics vary and include: Beginners Meetings, Relapse and Recovery Meetings, Qualification Meetings, Big Book Meetings, 12 & 12 Meetings, As Bill Sees It Meetings, Came to Believe Meetings, Step Meetings and Traditions Meetings. Come and join us! (Standard long-distance charges will apply.)

Two members share their experience, strength, and hope.

The phone bridge became my lifeline. I got struck abstinent my first time around, losing 70 pounds. I came into program on compensation from work, got my job back, and was placed on an evening shift to work. I couldn’t make live meetings. I relapsed thinking I could do the program by myself. My way didn’t work.

I prayed and by God’s grace and mercy the phone bridge was available. I surrendered and made a 1am meeting every day. I met my sponsor who called me on an abstinent call; l never looked back. I began to be of service, I understood what it was like to feel as if I were in an outpost. I started doing service because I know the Phone Bridge saved my life. I am humbled and willing to help others that can only make meetings by phone.

EW, GSR for a GSA 12 steps + 12 traditions Meeting

First and foremost, the Phone Bridge saved my life. I was too embarrassed to attend face to face meetings because of relapses. One day I ran into a member from GSA, and she told me about the Phone Bridge. I dialed in, was able to get a sponsor, surrender to being a compulsive eater, and was confident enough to attend phone bridge and face to face meetings.

I am forever grateful for the Phone Bridge and give back through service. Our primary purpose is to carry the message to the compulsive eater who still suffers. Lastly, “When anyone, anywhere, realizes they have a problem with food, I want them to think of the GreySheet solution. For that, I am responsible.”

S.J., Phone Bridge Intergroup ISR

The Phone Bridge meeting schedule, as well as the form to request the phone number and access code, are all available on the GSA website. (Select “Telephone” under “Meeting Type” in the search box.).

Board of Trustees

Secretary

The GSA Secretary records the minutes of the monthly Board of Trustees and the Chairs/ISRs meetings as well as the minutes of the World Service Conference.

Assistant Secretary

The GSA Assistant Secretary supports the secretary and manages GSAWS records in the GSAWS Google Drive.

Trustees: Iceland, Europe

Represent your area on the Board of Trustees. Ensure that your community is heard.

Board Requirements: Five years abstinence. Three-year term. 2-4 hours a month. Chair@greysheet.org or Nominating@greysheet.org

World Services Specialist

Receptionist

• Duties: Return calls and emails from public, including potential new members, and from existing members. Refer members to appropriate service entity. Calls within two hours. Emails same day. Volume 25-50 calls and emails a month.
• Requirements: Five years abstinence.
• Time Required: One-year term. 3-4 hours a week.
• Chair@greysheet.org

Public Information Committee

Social Media Manager

• THIS IS A PAID POSITION.
• Duties: Manage our social media presence by working with the Public Information Committee to create posts to carry the message to the public. Publish posts on agreed schedule analyze the impact.
• Requirements: Proven experience managing social media for not-for-profit organizations. If a member of GreySheeters Anonymous, Abstinence: 1 year.
• Term: 1 year. 2-3 hours/month.
• PIC@greysheet.org

Communication Committee

GSAWS Facebook Admins

• Duties: Moderate the GSA World Services Facebook group to ensure posts meet criteria and that only existing GSA members join the group. Current trusted servant will train.
• Abstinence: 1 year. Term: 1 year.
• Time required: Few minutes daily.
• InternalFacebook@greysheet.org

Service Matters Publisher

• Duties: Receives newsletter content in Word from Communication Committee by last day of the month. Copies, pastes, and formats in MailChimp Service Matters template. Posts same content into website blog. Publishes MailChimp newsletter by 7th of the next month. Current trusted servant will train.
• Time Required: 2-3 hours a month.
• Abstinence: 1 year. Term: 1 year.
• Communication@greysheet.org

Service Matters Subscription Manager

• Duties: Once a quarter, receive a spreadsheet of new trusted servants to subscribe to Service Matters from the registrar. Load the new subscribers into MailChimp.
• Requirements: Abstinence: 1 year.
• Term: 1 year. 1-2 hours a quarter.
• Communication@greysheet.org

GSA Phone List Validator

• Duties: Call current subscribers to verify information annually. Provide updated information to the GSA Phone List Coordinator. Current trusted servant will train and support.
• Requirements: Abstinence: 1 year.
• Term:1 year. 2-3 hours a month.
• PhoneList@greysheet.org

Area Contacts List Coordinator

• Duties: Add new contacts to the online list quarterly. Annually email all contacts to verify that they respond within 24 hours.
• Time Required: 2-3 hours a month.
• Abstinence: 1 year. Term: 1 year.
• Communication@greysheet.org

Start-Up Sponsor Team

• Want to get newcomers started in their GreySheet abstinence and help them get connected? The Start Up Sponsor Team needs more women living in North America, especially those available during the day.
• Training and mentoring provided. Requires responding to Coordinator’s WhatsApp text within two hours with your availability and starting off your share of newcomers.
• Abstinence: 1 year. Term: 1 year.
• SUS@greysheet.org

2023 GreySheeters Anonymous World Service Conference Meeting

October 22nd, 2023

9:30am to 2:30pm ET, via Zoom

Registration for our 8th World Service Conference meeting will open the first week in March 2023. It is a very powerful time for the growth of GreySheeters Anonymous. The World Service conference committees are working diligently on guidelines and policies to support our fellowship. 

If you are an ISR or represent a group as a GSR, please consider registering as a delegate for our World Service Conference meeting so your group will have input on the proposals presented at the WSC.  All of the information will be in the link below. We will update the information regularly! There will also be delegate training as we get closer.

https://greysheet.org/world-service-conference/upcoming-conference

We have made some exciting changes for 2023. World Service Specialists, i.e. the Service Matters Coordinator, can be voting members at the World Service Conference. The total number of registrants will determine the number of specialists spaces available. Those elected by the board or a committee as a specialist should register as well. 

We are working diligently as a committee and would welcome 1 or 2 new members. 

This will be our third Zoom WSC meeting! It is very exciting to see your fellow abstinent service-mongers and communicate the information to your groups or intergroups!

SAVE the DATE and we’ll see you then!

Board of Trustees Column

In 2019, Mary M., the previous chair of the Board of Trustees, initiated the quarterly Town Halls as requested by the World Service Conference in 2016. To quote the minutes of that conference meeting, “that GSAWS continue to listen to the members of the fellowship by use of regular sharing sessions or some other formal means so that the members have a means of expressing their thoughts and feelings directly.” The Board of Trustees organizes the 90-minute Town Halls on the last Sunday of January, April, and July at 1100am EST on Zoom. The World Service Conference meeting in October serves the purpose in the fourth quarter.

The first 20 minutes of every Town Hall is for any member of GSA to bring any question, suggestion, or concern that has to do with GSA as a whole to the attention of GSA World Services. If it relates to personal recovery, group decisions, or intergroup operations, we refer you to your sponsor, the group conscience, or your autonomous intergroup. But if it relates to the services that GSA World Services provides to individuals, groups, and intergroup, then we refer it to the Board of Trustees, one of the ten World Service Conference committees, or one of the World Service Specialists who volunteer to do so much of the work.

After this “open mic” time, we have the topic of the quarter. This quarter was the question, How does my participation in our GreySheet census, GreySheet Counts, contribute to our primary purpose?” The census closes on Saturday August 6th and our participation is down by 25% from 2018. Have you counted yourself in yet?

In 2018, 848 people completed the census and we believe we missed about 150 members who could not complete online forms in English. This year, we made the form available in English, Spanish, Icelandic, and Hebrew and we believe more GSA members are comfortable with computers since 2018. Yet one week before the census closes, only 618 people have participated.

How does your participation contribute to our primary purpose? Newcomers to GreySheeters Anonymous want to know, “Is it really possible for me to do this radical, extreme program?” In 2018, we could confidently say, “Yes! There are ~1,000 GreySheeters Anonymous members around the world – some right in your town – who are doing it today.”

Newcomers want to know, “Is it really possible to do this radical, extreme program for more than a few months?” In 2018, we could confidently say, “Yes! The average amount of abstinence for those who get one year is eleven years.”

Your World Service Conference committees want to know, “What services can we provide that will help those who have never heard of GreySheet find us?” The questions on the census about how we first found GreySheet and which social media we use will help those committees.

Your intergroups want to know, “Where are the members in our intergroup area so we can help connect them in groups and events to share our experience, strength, and hope.” The question on the census about where we are help those intergroups.

All of your groups, intergroups, and committees need more people to help do the work that helps us carry the message. Questions on the census give us the opportunity to opt into the GSA Phone List, the Area Contacts List, Service Matters, GSA Facebook Group and many other services and ways of connecting.

Without your participation in our census, we can’t be sure we are being as effective as we could be in our primary purpose – carry the GreySheet message to the next compulsive eater. Please consider completing the census by Saturday August 6th and watch this space for the results in September.

Grainne M., Chair, Board of Trustees

Census Update

Thank you all for your participation in the Census as of 7/7/2023. That’s 3 months into the Census, and the Census closes August 6! Here are some of the data so far.

• USA GreySheet Population down from 665 in 2018 to 347 in 2023
• 347 English speakers (living in the US in 38 states)
• 76 Spanish speakers (in 12 countries)
• 53 GreySheeters from the European Intergroup
• 13 GreySheeters from the Israeli Intergroup
• 10 GreySheeters from the Icelandic Intergroup
• 5 GreySheeters from the AAAIG
• 157 GreySheeters from Intergroups outside the USA
• Abstinence dates in the
  • 1970s: 1
  • 1980s: 13
  • 1990s: 48
  • 2000s: 65
  • 2010s: 93
  • 2020-2022: 93
  • 2023: 93

We want you to be counted too! We are not only trying to find out how many GreySheeters there are but also, where we are, our abstinent time, and how we each heard about GSA. Also, as part of the Census, everyone can sign up for the password-protected phone list and volunteer as an area contact. If you have not yet done so, please respond to the Census at www.greysheet.org/world-services/greysheet-counts-census. It only takes five minutes and is available in English, Spanish, Icelandic, and Hebrew languages.

Here is a suggestion: fill out the census together in GreySheet meetings, intergroup meetings, committee meetings, roundups, retreats, etc.

With these results, GreySheeters Anonymous will appear to be less successful than we know it to be. If you know people with abstinence dates in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, please check with them that they have considered participating in the census. Deadline August 6^th.

Questions?

Email GreySheetCounts@greysheet.org

Board of Trustees

Secretary

The GSA Secretary records the minutes of the monthly Board of Trustees and the Chairs/ISRs meetings as well as the minutes of the World Service Conference.

Assistant Secretary

The GSA Assistant Secretary supports the secretary and manages GSAWS records in the GSAWS Google Drive.

Trustees: Iceland, Europe

Represent your area on the Board of Trustees. Ensure that your community is heard.

Board Requirements: Five years abstinence. Three-year term. 2-4 hours a month. Chair@greysheet.org or Nominating@greysheet.org

Communication Committee

GSAWS Facebook Admins

• Duties: Moderate the GSA World Services Facebook group to ensure posts meet criteria and that only existing GSA members join the group. Current trusted servant will train.
• Abstinence: 1 year. Term: 1 year.
• Time required: Few minutes daily.
• InternalFacebook@greysheet.org

Service Matters Publisher

• Duties: Receives newsletter content in Word from Communication Committee by last day of the month. Copies, pastes, and formats in MailChimp Service Matters template. Posts same content into website blog. Publishes MailChimp newsletter by 7th of the next month. Current trusted servant will train.
• Time Required: 2-3 hours a month.
• Abstinence: 1 year. Term: 1 year.
• Communication@greysheet.org

Area Contacts List Coordinator

• Duties: Add new contacts to the online list quarterly. Annually email all contacts to verify that they respond within 24 hours.
• Time Required: 2-3 hours a month.
• Abstinence: 1 year. Term: 1 year.
• Communication@greysheet.org

Start-Up Sponsor Team

• Want to get newcomers started in their GreySheet abstinence and help them get connected? The Start Up Sponsor Team needs more women living in North America, especially those available during the day.
• Training and mentoring provided. Requires responding to Coordinator’s WhatsApp text within two hours with your availability and starting off your share of newcomers.
• Abstinence: 1 year. Term: 1 year.
• SUS@greysheet.org

2023 GreySheeters Anonymous World Service Conference Meeting

October 22nd, 2023

9:30am to 2:30pm ET, via Zoom

Registration for our 8th World Service Conference meeting will open the first week in March 2023. It is a very powerful time for the growth of GreySheeters Anonymous. The World Service conference committees are working diligently on guidelines and policies to support our fellowship. 

If you are an ISR or represent a group as a GSR, please consider registering as a delegate for our World Service Conference meeting so your group will have input on the proposals presented at the WSC.  All of the information will be in the link below. We will update the information regularly! There will also be delegate training as we get closer.

https://greysheet.org/world-service-conference/upcoming-conference

We have made some exciting changes for 2023. World Service Specialists, i.e. the Service Matters Coordinator, can be voting members at the World Service Conference. The total number of registrants will determine the number of specialists spaces available. Those elected by the board or a committee as a specialist should register as well. 

We are working diligently as a committee and would welcome 1 or 2 new members. 

This will be our third Zoom WSC meeting! It is very exciting to see your fellow abstinent service-mongers and communicate the information to your groups or intergroups!

SAVE the DATE and we’ll see you then!

Board of Trustees Column

My name is Joyce S. and I’m a compulsive overeater. On March 24, I celebrated 26 years of back-to-back abstinence. This is truly a miracle in my life, and I could not have done it without the fellowship of GSA.

One of the reasons the GSA solution works for me while diets fail is that I have the love and support of people who came before me. Now I strive to carry message to the next compulsive eater by doing service. I was the treasurer of my group in Kansas City for many years, and now I’m the treasurer of GSAWS. I’m also the Board liaison on the finance committee, and I’m the reporting treasurer of the phone bridge.

The greatest gift of providing service is that it brings me into contact with many members of the fellowship that I wouldn’t have otherwise known. One of the reasons GSA works is that we’re no longer isolated and alone. We need each other, and providing service has helped me out of the isolation of the disease. I also have the peace of knowing that I’m in some small way helping to spread the message to someone else in need. Doing service keeps me accountable and reinforces abstinence. I must be abstinent to sponsor and hold service positions. I’m less likely to break abstinence if I’m going to let other people down.

There are plenty of opportunities for service. I’ve focused on using my accounting background, but in the future, I hope to do service in other areas. At the World Service level, there are some projects that are short-term and temporary, and there are openings for ongoing committee work. The Board is currently looking for someone to serve as Secretary, Assistant Secretary and we need trustees from Europe and Iceland.

At the group level, we do service by showing up and sharing, but also by serving as booker, leader, qualifier, and timer. On an individual level, we provide service by simply listen to each other, sponsoring, and accepting phone calls. If you’re new to GSA, reach out through service. It works if you work it.

Joyce S.

Census Update

The Census closes on August 6. We have a little over one month left. Please spread the word at all your meetings and keep encouraging people to participate! It takes only five minutes. It’s available in English, Spanish, Hebrew and Icelandic.

We know many places have more GreySheeters than are represented by the entries thus far. For example, only twenty-seven people from England have registered, only ten for Israel, and only ninety-five from New York. We know there are many more GreySheeters in these places.

It seems the majority of those filling out the census are new to GreySheet with under a year of abstinence. For some reason the mid-timers and long-timers seem to not be filling out the Census and we want to count everyone. The Census will help us know where to direct our attention for outreach and how much abstinence we have collectively.

We want you to be counted too!! We need your name, abstinence date, and location. Please respond to the Census at www.greysheet.org/world-services/greysheet-counts-census if you have not yet done so.

Questions?

Email GreySheetCounts@greysheet.org

2023 GreySheeters Anonymous World Service Conference Meeting

October 22nd, 2023

9:30am to 2:30pm ET, via Zoom

Registration for our 8th World Service Conference meeting will open the first week in March 2023. It is a very powerful time for the growth of GreySheeters Anonymous. The World Service conference committees are working diligently on guidelines and policies to support our fellowship. 

If you are an ISR or represent a group as a GSR, please consider registering as a delegate for our World Service Conference meeting so your group will have input on the proposals presented at the WSC.  All of the information will be in the link below. We will update the information regularly! There will also be delegate training as we get closer.

https://greysheet.org/world-service-conference/upcoming-conference

We have made some exciting changes for 2023. World Service Specialists, i.e. the Service Matters Coordinator, can be voting members at the World Service Conference. The total number of registrants will determine the number of specialists spaces available. Those elected by the board or a committee as a specialist should register as well. 

We are working diligently as a committee and would welcome 1 or 2 new members. 

This will be our third Zoom WSC meeting! It is very exciting to see your fellow abstinent service-mongers and communicate the information to your groups or intergroups!

SAVE the DATE and we’ll see you then!