Corrections Committee Chairperson Job Description
Follows the guidelines as outlined in the Correctional Facilities Workbook from GSO. Acts in an advisory capacity to the Corrections' District Chairpersons and DCMs on corrections work. Schedules and chairs four quarterly meetings with the districts to share information on AA meetings in correctional facilities. Helps to structure district corrections committees through training and assistance, particularly to those experiencing new growth. May be available to talk on committee work at GSR meetings. Coordinates sponsorship of corrections meetings and efforts to assist the "Corrections Bridge" program. Seeks to understand facility regulations and explains them to those who will be in direct contact with the groups. Coordinates Grapevine subscriptions to correctional facilities in the Area.
Area Corrections Committee
Who We Are
The Area 72 Corrections Committee has one purpose: To help AA members carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to the alcoholic who is confined in a correctional facility. If you are sober and have a desire to serve, we need your help!
When anyone anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that... I AM RESPONSIBLE.
What We Do
The single purpose of the Area 72 Corrections Committee is to facilitate AA members in carrying the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to the alcoholic who is confined in a correctional facility.
The activities of this committee are based on, and governed by, the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. Our primary activities are:
- We coordinate with District Chairpersons, Correctional Facility Contact persons, and AA volunteers to take AA meetings into correctional facilities.
- We help to provide AA conference approved literature, Grapevines, and La Vinas for inmates incarcerated in the following:
- Washington State Correction Facilities and Prisons
- Federal Prisons located in the State of Washington
- Juvenile lock down Facilities
- We encourage correspondence contacts for inmates. This provides an opportunity for AA volunteers to correspond with inmates in our state and across the nation.
- We encourage the Bridge Program regarding contact of volunteers and alcoholic ex-offenders, which will help support them find a meeting and merge into the mainstream AA community upon their release.
- We support statewide activities and assemblies at local AA community events by setting up an information table with all appropriate Corrections materials, whenever possible.
How Can You Help
The Corrections Committee needs all types of volunteers. We need people to attend meetings in the facilities, people to help spread the word about this type of service work, and people to help us collect and organize the literature that we bring into the facilities. It is okay if you have never been to jail yourself! You can still help us. You can still carry AA’s message of hope to an alcoholic who is incarcerated. Let’s face it: many of us who have never been arrested just never got caught!
This type of service work does not require much time. Due to its nature, very often it can be done at your convenience. Yet it is still a very rewarding type of service work.
Information on Getting Clearance to Enter a Facility
Some facilities in Western Washington require that you receive clearance before you can enter for an AA meeting. We have District corrections committees that can share that information upon request. Check with your local DCM or local District Corrections Chair regarding what clearance is required.
AA Guidelines on Corrections published by GSO
Contact Email: corrections@area72aa.org