How can I help? We are always looking for help: archiving and indexing documents and materials, updating and maintaining records of information regarding assemblies and those who have served on the Area 10 Committee, transcribing interviews of long-term AAs, preparing displays and announcements to be seen at State Assemblies and Conventions. The Archives Committee is looking for individuals with a passion for their sobriety, for preserving AA history in Colorado, or for being of service where service is needed. Efforts are underway to develop practices and procedures specific to the Area 10 Archives regarding research requests. Research requests, forms, and permission forms for interviews with long-term AAs are being developed and will be posted as soon as possible. In the meantime, we will follow as closely as possible the guidelines posted on the GSO website regarding access to the archives and confidentiality. …Thank you and I’ll see you in the Area 10 Archives!
Long-Term AA Interviews – Area 10 Archives is preserving the personal stories of long-term AA members in Colorado through interviews that ask questions aimed at recording impressions of what Colorado AA was like, what happened, and what we are now. The interviews do not reflect the individual’s story as much as their individual view of AA in Colorado. The transcripts are a partial picture of our history from the individuals’ perspectives. The full picture of our history is not contained in these documents. All interviews are transcribed and stored in a format that protects the anonymity of the person interviewed as well as anyone whose name might have been mentioned in the session. Interviews with long-term AA members are occasionally excerpted and shared at service meetings in such a way as to shed light on particular issues while preserving anonymity. The interviews are the intellectual property of Area 10 with express permission obtained from the interviewees for use by AA members authorized by the Area with delegated authority to use the materials for the purpose of assisting the Area in conducting its business. It is the responsibility of the Area Archives Coordinator to authorize access to these materials to AA members whose purpose is to serve the purpose of assisting the Area in conducting its business. The interview format was developed to get to the heart of how the Group’s message was in the past carried to the newcomer and how this may be different today, how we have handled disagreements on issues that could have a lasting impact on the community as a whole, how our approaches have changed in some cases over time, and the extent to which the Traditions and Concepts have guided our sorting process through these issues.
Form to pass the verbal interview
Group Histories – We also strive to maintain good information about the groups that make up Area 10. We have a group history form that can be filled out by any group that wishes to have their history available for others to see or by their own members to look back on and reflect.
District Archives Coordinator How can the Area Archives Committee serve Groups and Districts, specifically? We ask that all Districts send the Archives a copy of their District meeting minutes, which are filed in the District folder. Each time a District has an inventory, the inventory results can be sent to us as well. If the District has a workshop, please send us a flyer. We also like to be invited to attend service workshops sponsored by Districts or Groups so that we can carry the message of what we do for the members of our fellowship. Groups are welcome to send us their records. Some Districts are fortunate and have a filing cabinet and/or storage area within their District to store their own records. It remains the responsibility of a District Archives Coordinator to maintain the archives and records and for the Groups to contribute to those records.
From G.S.O. … “Like any other AA service, the primary purpose of
those involved in archival work is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous. Archival service work is more than merely a custodial activity; it is the means by which we can collect, preserve, and share the rich and meaningful heritage of our Fellowship.” From AA World Services, Archives, page 1, by permission of AA
World Services, Inc.
If you are interested in volunteering, or would like more information, please contact:
Monthly Meetings:
- Where:Meeting ID: 889 2604 0148. Password: 593945https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88926040148?pwd=cllyTGZMNWxJZFVpK1plYkR3WmFEZz09