Brisbane Central Service Office

Purpose & Functions of CSO Brisbane Inc.

CSO Brisbane exists to serve the groups that created it. As it's constitution states: "The Purpose of the CSO is: To assist in the expansion and development of AA in Queensland, m accordance with the Traditions and Concepts of AA. To co-ordinate the activities of AA Groups and Committees to give adequate and fitting expression to the collective group conscience."

The Functions of the CSO are:

The 12-Step Phone, Supporting AA Groups, Communicating with AA, Liaising with Outside Organisations, Having the right People and Place; being Financially Responsible, and Publishing Information.

1. 12-Step Direct Help. Carrying the message to the still-suffering alcoholic through the 12-Step Phone Help Line, Volunteer Roster and Contact List co-ordinated by the hone Committee.

2. Support AA Groups. Supporting and serving groups & members through maintaining the Qld Meetings List and responding to requests for advice and information.

3. Communicate within AA. Providing access, awareness & information to & from the District, Area, Region, National and International service structure using a Contact Database, and Calendar of Events.

4. Liaise with Outside Agencies. Co-operating with & providing public information and AA speakers for Professionals, Government, Schools, Treatment Facilities (TF) an other Community Organisations using the Contact Database, PI/CPC committee and TF Committee

5. Officers / Positions. Having the best available people in the right positions for the Steering Committee, Volunteers and Office Manager through rotation, succession, job descriptions, policies & procedures, training and performance reviews.

6. Office & Equipment. Providing an attractive meeting place for net comers, CSO workers, committees, & other visitors through maintenance, cleaning, renovations and b_ providing a Reception Area, Committee Meeting Place, and also photocopying & other secretarial services.

7. Financial Responsibility. Being self-supporting and financially responsible with donations from & literature sales to groups & members, Accounting for monies in & out, with regular reporting through the Treasurer & Auditor to Steering Committee and GR's.

8. File & Publish Info. Facilitating informed & up-to-date Groups, Individual Members & the Public using the CSO News, Your Pathfinder Magazine, E-mail Announcement; and Archives.

9. Literature. Keeping adequate stock of conference-approved literature and other non-literature items for sale to members, groups and the public.

CSO Representatives (CSO Reps / GR's)

CSO Representatives are members elected by their groups to represent them to the CSO. Brisbane “CSO Reps” meetings are held quarterly including the AGM in November each year. The meeting allows the Steering Committee to report to the CSO Reps so they can inform their groups what si going on in the CSO. It also provides a forum for CSO Reps to express their groups’ views to the CSO by raising, discussing & voting on issues. Any group that is registered with the CSO may vote at a CSO Reps meeting.

Steering Committee

The CSO Steering Committee controls, manages and administers the CSO and its assets, subject to CSO Reps decisions. The SC may interpret the meaning of the Constitution, and any matter relating to CSO on which it is silent. SC meets at least monthly to do its work and every SC member is allowed to vote. The Steering Committee also manages sub-committees for the AA Helpline, Treatment facilities, Public Information, Your Pathfinder Magazine and Fundraising. Steering Committee members are elected to the SC from amoung the CSO Reps for 2 years. While elected they cannot be a GR. The SC elects from their numbers, a Chair and Deputy Chair and Treasurer. The employed Office Manager is the Secretary of the CSO.