Service Matters - November 2023

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