Western Michigan Area 34
General Service Assembly

Area 34 (Western Michigan) encompasses the 36 counties along Michigan’s west coast. This includes the 3 easternmost counties of our Upper Peninsula. The southernmost boundary borders Indiana, northward to Canada at Sault Ste. Marie. Area 34 covers approximately 22,000 square miles of varying population density. We touch upon three of the Great Lakes, enjoying 650 miles or so, of beautiful beaches. No salt, no sharks!! The groups are served by 17 active districts; 1 linguistic non-geographical Spanish district, and 11 standing committees.

Reprinted from the the A.A. Service Manual with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc. 

  • Area 34 Assembly meets monthly on the third Sunday except June & November. 
  • The Assembly rotates locations geographically throughout Western Michigan. 
  • Any A.A. member is welcome to attend the Area Assembly. 
  • We offer A.A. member attendance in person or virtually. 
  • Please check our Area 34 events calendar for the current flyer & details about the current Area Assembly. 

Listed below are the elected A.A. leaders that are the essential working parts of the Area Assembly. Descriptions below taken from: The A.A. Service Manual (reprinted with permission A.A. World Services, Inc.)

The GSR’s – The GSR is the link between the group and “A.A. as a whole.” This link becomes a channel through which news, information, opinions and ideas can flow back and forth. Importantly, this also gives the group a voice in the affairs of the Fellowship. The GSR is that voice. (Service Manual Page 7)

The DCM’s – The district committee member, or DCM, plays a vital role in general service. While the GSR is the voice of a group, the DCM is the voice of a district. A district needs a leader. The GSRs will look to the DCM for guidance on being GSRs and serving their groups. They will look to the DCM to lead on forming an agenda for district activities. They’ll want to be inspired and encouraged, but not told what to do. (Service Manual Page 13)

The Delegate: Area delegates can be elected or selected to participate as trusted servants and to provide important leadership in the Fellowship. Indeed, the areas look to their delegates to lead them on tackling current issues while helping the Fellowship look to the future and what might be best for A.A. as a whole. Considering the role that delegates play in the Conference, it should come as no surprise that much will be asked of them in time and effort. Delegates are charged with understanding the experiences, viewpoints and group conscience of their areas, while assuming responsibility for the U.S./Canada Conference as a whole. (Service Manual Page 32)

The Committee Chairs: An area committee usually has other officers who are responsible to the committee for special activities. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following committee chairs: • Public Information • Cooperation with the Professional Community • Correctional and Treatment Facilities • Literature • Grapevine and La Viña • Archives • Area Convention • Accessibilities/Remote Communities • Finance • Liaison (to Intergroup/Central Offices) • Translations • Technology (Service Manual Page 28)

The Past Delegates: A.A. has a wealth of experience in the form of past delegates that is sometimes integrated formally within the area structure and sometimes not. While the A.A. practice of rotation prevents delegates from succeeding themselves or from returning later as delegates, a role for past delegates can often be found that does not interfere with the responsibilities of the current delegate or area committee. (Service Manual Page 28)