I. ASSEMBLY-VOTING MEMBERS

A. The Delegate

B. The Alternate Delegate

C. The Chairperson

D. The Area Secretary or Alternate Secretary

E. The Area Treasurer or Alternate Treasurer

F. District Committee Members

G. General Service Representatives

H. All Area Standing Committee Chairpersons

I. All past Area 64 Delegates

J. Assembly/Convention Committee Chairperson

II. ASSEMBLY MEETINGS (QUARTERLY)

A. the Assembly traditionally meets in January, April, July and October of each year.

B. The time and place of each meeting is generally selected by the Assembly no later than its previous meeting. The 4th Quarter Assembly Meeting (October), in each odd year, is held in the city of Nashville, Tennessee.

C. A quorum is the number of voting members present.

D. It is necessary for voting members to sign the Roll Book and be present at roll call to be eligible to vote at the business meeting.

E. The Area Assembly Business Meeting is a closed session and for A.A. Members only. (The A.A. Service Manual, Chapter IV ("Organizing an Assembly"). It is the group conscience of the Assembly that only voting members of the Assembly may participate in discussions at the business meeting. It is suggested that non-voting A.A. Members express their opinions through their G.S.R. or D.C.M.

F. A typical Assembly Agenda includes: Roll Call, Secretary’s Report. Treasurer's Report, Delegate's Report, Alternate Delegate's Report, Standing Committee Reports, Other Committee (including Ad Hoc Committees), Old Business, and New Business.

G. It is suggested that the concept of substantial unanimity (12th Concept, Warranty 4) be followed when any action of the Assembly calls for a vote. A simple majority vote should apply only to casual votes.

H. Starting with the Third Quarterly Area Assembly, the Area 64 Business Meeting will be a Non-smoking Meeting, with hourly breaks for the smoking members.

III. ASSEMBLY OFFICERS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES (The A.A. Service Manual, Chapter IV)

A. The Officers of the Assembly are:

1. The Chairperson

2. The Secretary (or Alternate)

3. The Treasurer (or Alternate)

B. Responsibilities of the Chairperson

1. The Chairperson’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

(a) The Business Meeting agenda and chairing the meeting in an orderly manner.

(b) Appointing special committees as needed.

C. Responsibilities of the Secretary

1. The Secretary's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

(a) Recording and publishing the Minutes of all Assembly meetings.

(b) Mailing of Assembly Minutes to the Assembly members.

(d) The Secretary is the custodian of all papers,

maps, tapes, and records of the Assembly (except

Financial records and records deposited in the Archives).

D. Responsibilities of the Treasurer

1. The Responsibilities of the Treasurer are, but are not limited to:

(a) Custody of all Assembly monies.

(b) Presents an annual budget subject to the approval of the Assembly.

* The Treasurer is bonded. (By Group Conscience taken at the First Quarterly Assembly, 1989.)

E. Responsibilities of the Alternates

The Alternate Secretary and Alternate Treasurer will assume responsibilities and voting privileges only in the absence of the Secretary or Treasurer. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Delegate assumes the Chairperson's responsibilities.

IV. ASSEMBLY - COMMITTEES

A. Standing Committees of the Assembly:

1. Correctional Facilities Committee

2. Treatment Facilities Committee

3. Public Information Committee

4. Grapevine Committee

5. Cooperation with the Professional Community Committee

6. Archives Committee

B. Each Assembly Standing Committee is composed of the chairpersons of each District Standing Committee and AA member's who are willing to participate. The Chairperson is elected by Group Conscience in January of each even year.

C. Responsibilities of each Standing Committee Chairperson include, but are not limited to: chairing meetings, holding elections, and reporting to each Quarterly Assembly.

D. Other Assembly Committees

1. The Budget & Finance Committee is composed of six (6) members and the Treasurer who serves as the Chairperson. Voting members of the Assembly and past Assembly Treasurer are eligible to serve. (Concept IV) All members are appointed by the Assembly Chairperson keeping in mind the spirit of rotation, to serve for one (1) year. The responsibilities of this committee include, but are not limited to the following:

(a) Prepares an annual budget to be presented to the Assembly by the Treasurer at the 4th Quarterly Assembly for the coming year.

(b) Reviews all capital expenditures and long term obligations and provides a financial feasibility report to the Assembly.

2. The Assembly/Convention Committee is composed of six (6) members. Four members are voting members of the Assembly. The additional two members may be past voting members of the Assembly who have assembly or convention experience (Concept IV). All committee members are appointed by the Assembly Chairperson. The Assembly/Convention Committee will elect one of their members as Chairperson (PROVIDING THAT PERSON HAS ASSEMBLY VOTING PRIVILEGES) who will remain a voting member of the Assembly for the duration of his/her two (2) year term as Chairperson. The responsibilities of the committee chairperson include, but are not limited to: chairing committee meetings, making the committee report to the Assembly, compiling and maintaining statistical record of all Area 64 Assemblies or Conventions for future committee reference. Three members will rotate off the committee in even years and three will rotate off in odd years. Each member will serve two years.

The bid city committee provides a proposed contract, in writing, from the facilities; a written proposed budget; and signed approval from their District Committee. After the Assembly/Convention Committee reports its approval of a host city, the final approval is made by majority vote of the State Assembly. The Assembly will advance One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1,250.00) to the Host City Convention Committee, or five hundred dollars ($500.00) to the Host City Assembly Committee which makes a complete accounting of all moneys received, from all sources, to the State Assembly/Convention Committee. The State Assembly/Convention Committee conducts an audit of the Host City Assembly or Convention Committee's finances and reports the same to the Quarterly Area Assembly meeting subsequent to the Area Convention. All residual moneys are returned to the Assembly Treasurer along with the Host committee's recommendation for disbursement.

3. The LIAISON Committee is composed of four voting members of the Assembly who are appointed by the Assembly Chairperson to serve for a term of two years. The Alternate Delegate and the Secretary co-chair this committee. Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

(a) Securing and/or maintaining a centrally local facility for the purpose of housing the Archives and other Assembly property.

(b) Serving as liaison between the Assembly and the facility and providing support and supervision for any special workers that may be employed (8th Tradition).

(c) Maintaining a current map of Area 64 showing all A.A. Districts and their geographical boundaries. This map is to be included in all publications of this Service manual.

V. ASSEMBLY PROPERTY

A. Assembly property, including but not limited to: typewriters, computers, printers, miscellaneous office equipment, the Archives and its containers, may be assigned to the appropriate Assembly officers or Committee Chairpersons, for use during their term of office. At the end of their respective terms of office, all Assembly property in their possession is to be turned over to their successors.

B. The location of such property is determined by the needs of the Assembly Officer or Committee Chairperson who assumes possession and responsibility for same. The assembly provides a centrally located facility to house the Archives, their containers and any other property deemed advisable by the Liaison Committee. (Concept III)

C. No Assembly property may be disposed of without the simple majority of the Assembly; all proceeds from the sale of Assembly property are to be returned to the Area Treasurer for deposit to the General Fund.

D. It is suggested that any trusted servant receiving possession of Assembly property, have a minimum of two years sobriety.

VI. ASSEMBLY - AREA COMMITTEE (The A.A. Service Manual-Chapter IV)

A. the Area Committee is composed of:

1. The Delegate

2. The Alternate Delegate

3. The Area Chairperson

4. The Area Secretary or Alternate

5. The Area Treasurer or Alternate

6. The District Committee Member from each District

7. The Area Standing Committee Chairpersons

8. The Assembly/Convention Committee Chairperson

B. The Area Committee convenes at the request of the Delegate, the Assembly Chairperson, or any three members of the Area Committee.

C. The Area Chairperson selects a place and time for all meetings and notifies each member ten (10) days prior to the meeting date.

D. The Area Chairperson conducts all business meetings. In the Chairperson's absence, the Delegate assumes these responsibilities.

VII. ASSEMBLY - FUNDING

A. Necessary funds must be available in order for the Assembly to fulfill its responsibilities to pay the necessary expenses of the Delegate as prescribed in The AA Service Manual (Chapter IV, "How the Committee Is Supported"); to provide for mailing and publishing expenses; and to provide other expenditures approved by the Assembly.

B. Each Tennessee group is asked to adopt a specific contribution plan, suitable to their particular situation, as suggested in the Conference approved pamphlet "Supporting the AA Support System". These contributions are not dues or levies but are voluntary contributions.

VIII. ASSEMBLY - ELECTIONS

A. At the 4th Quarter (October) meeting of each odd year, the Assembly conducts elections for the Delegate, Alternate Delegate, Area Chairperson, Area Secretary and Area Treasurer. Also elected are an Alternate Secretary and an Alternate Treasurer. These two alternates serve only in the absence or inability of the Area Secretary or the Area Treasurer to serve. It is suggested that the alternates assist the Secretary and the Treasurer with their responsibilities. The term of service is for two (2) years beginning January 1 of the next even year.

VIII. ASSEMBLY - ELECTIONS (CONT.)

B. The Chairperson cannot appoint nominating committees. All nominations for Area Secretary and Area Treasurer and their Alternates come from the floor.

C. Election of the Delegate, Alternate Delegate and Area Chairperson is outlined in The A.A. Service Manual -Third Legacy Procedure (Chapter I, "What is Third Legacy Procedure?").

D. All members present at the Assembly have voting privileges (Section I. &Section II, D.) Absentee voting or proxies are not valid.

E. ELECTION OF THE DELEGATE

1. The Chairperson will read that portion of The A.A. Service Manual (Chapters 1 & IV) which is applicable to balloting for Delegate to the General Service Conference and review the qualifications that make a good Delegate (Chapter V).

2. All duly elected District Committee Members the outgoing Secretary and Treasurer (provided they have past D.C.M. experience), the outgoing Alternate Delegate, and outgoing Area Chairperson (providing such Chairperson has never served as Area 64 Delegate) are candidates. Nominations from the floor will not be recognized.

3. The Delegate serves one (1) two (2) year term and can never again be a candidate for this office.

F. Election of the Alternate Delegate to the General Service Conference will also be in accordance with The A.A. Service Manual- Third Legacy Procedure (Chapters I & IV).

1. All duly elected District Committee Members, the outgoing Secretary and Treasurer

(provided they have past D.C.M. experience), and outgoing Area Chairperson (providing such Chairperson has never served as Area 64 Delegate) are candidates. Nominations from the floor will not be recognized.

2. Should the Delegate not be able to complete the term of service, the Alternate Delegate assumes the Delegate's responsibilities.

3. The outgoing Alternate Delegate is not eligible for consecutive re-election to the office of Alternate Delegate.

G. Election of Chairperson of the Assembly is also in accordance with The A.A. Service Manual - Third Legacy Procedure (Chapters I & IV). It is suggested that the candidate have at least six (6) years sobriety.

1. All duly elected District Committee Members, the outgoing Delegate (providing such Delegate has never served as Area Chairperson), the outgoing Alternate Delegate, the Area Secretary and the Area Treasurer, (providing such Secretary and Treasurer have past D.C.M. experience) are candidates. Nominations from the floor will not be recognized.

2. The Chairperson serves one (1) two (2) year term and can never again be a candidate for this office.

H. Election of the Secretary and Alternate Secretary will be by majority vote, and all members of the Assembly with two or more year’s sobriety are eligible for candidacy. The Alternate, in the event he or she is a non-voting member of the Assembly, is eligible for the position of Secretary. For the purpose of Assembly Officer elections only, the Alternate Secretary will have a vote. Nominations come from the floor. The first candidate to receive one half the total number of votes, plus one or more votes is elected. After the first ballot (assuming no candidate receives the necessary majority on the first ballot) all candidates except the top two candidates will be withdrawn automatically. (In case there are ties for second place, the top candidate and tied second place candidates remain). After the second ballot, if no candidate has a majority of the total vote and no election occurs by this time, the chairperson announces the choice will be made by lot (from the hat). Lots are then drawn by teller, and the first one "out of the hat" becomes the Secretary. This procedure is repeated to elect the Alternate Secretary.

I. Election of the Treasurer and Alternate Treasurer are also by majority vote, and all members of the Assembly with two or more years of sobriety are eligible for candidacy. The Alternate Treasurer, in the event he or she is a non-voting member of the Assembly, is eligible for the position of Treasurer. For the purpose of Assembly Officer elections only, the Alternate Treasurer will have a vote. Nominations come from the floor. The first candidate to receive one half the total number of votes, plus one or more votes is elected. After the first ballot (assuming no candidate receives the necessary majority on the first ballot) all candidates except the top two candidates will be withdrawn automatically. (In case there are ties for second place, the top candidate and tied second-place candidates remain). After the second ballot, if no candidate has a majority of the total vote and no election occurs by this time, the chairperson announces the choice will be made by lot (from the hat). Lots are then drawn by teller, and the first name drawn is elected.

J. The Assembly may remove the Delegate, Alternate Delegate, or any Assembly Officer from the duties of the office for just cause including, but not limited to, the breaking of the sobriety date. The removal is by secret ballot and requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority.

1. A meeting of the Area Committee will be called to act upon any removal of the Delegate, Alternate Delegate, or Assembly Officer. The Area Committee will report to the next Quarterly Assembly with its recommendation, including any minority report. The Assembly Chairperson will request the Assembly to act in: accordance with Section VIII of this Service Manual.

2. The Assembly conducts elections for the un-expired term of any office vacated in accordance with this Service Manual.

IX. DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

A. Each district and or new districts as shown in the Secretary's records will have one District Committee Member. It is suggested that the maximum number of groups a District Committee Member serves is fifteen (15). When the District exceeds fifteen

(15) Groups, the District should be divided into new districts. The groups in the District determine the geographic boundaries of the new districts. The designation of new District numbers is determined by the Assembly Chairperson and the DCM's involved.

B. The elected General Service Representative (GSR) from each group in the District and the District Committee Member (DCM) are members of the District Committee.

X. DISTRICT MEETINGS

A. Each District traditionally meets a minimum of four (4)

times each year.

1. In December

2. In March

3. In June

4. In September

B. Each District meets at a time and place of its own selection.

C. It is the responsibility of the District Committee Member to notify all Committee Members of the time and place of all District meetings and to chair all District meetings where feasible.

XI. DISTRICT STANDING COMMITTEES

A. The District has six (6) standing committees:

1. Correctional Facilities Committee

2. Treatment Facilities Committee

3. Public Information Committee

4. Grapevine Committee

5. Cooperation with the Professional Community Committee

6. Archives Committee

B. The District elects committee members from its membership and from among interested and qualified AA's in the District.

C. Each Standing Committee elects one of its members as Chairperson, and that Chairperson serves on the like Assembly Standing Committee.

XII. DISTRICT ELECTIONS

A. Each group in the District elects a GSR on or before September 1 of each odd year. The term of service is two (2) years beginning the next even year, January 1.

B. The elected GSR's of the District at the Districts September meeting in each odd year elect one of their members as the DCM. It is suggested that the procedures outlined in The AA Service Manual-Chapter III be followed. The term of service is two (2) years beginning the next even Year, January 1.

C The DCM notifies, in writing, the Assembly Chairperson and Assembly Secretary of the name and address of the new DCM as well as the name, address and groups represented by all new GSR's and any new group formed in the District and/or any inactive groups.

D. Each Group and/or District, at its discretion, can replace an elected GSR or DCM with an announced election, in compliance with The A.A. Service Manual (Chapter III), and in the spirit of the Fourth Tradition.

XIII. AMENDMENTS

A. All proposed amendments to this Service Manual are submitted in writing to the Area Chairperson with a copy to the Delegate not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the next Quarterly Assembly. A proposed amendment is submitted by a GSR only. Said amendment will have the submitting group's approval and be signed by the GSR and other group officers.

B. The Chairperson includes the proposed amendment, as submitted, on the Agenda for the next Quarterly Assembly meeting. A copy of each amendment will be included with the minutes of the previous Assembly. Copies will also be available at the registration table at the next Quarterly Assembly.

C. It is suggested that the proposed amendment be included on the agenda of the GSR/DCM meeting for discussion prior to the regular business meeting. (Concept XII, Warranty Four)

D. A two-thirds (2/3)-majority approval of the quorum constitutes the adoption of the amendment. (Concept II and Concept III)

E. A simple majority approval vote suggests that the proposed amendment be referred to an ad hoc committee for further study. It is further suggested that the ad hoc committee make its report at the DCM/GSR sharing session at the next Quarterly Assembly for discussion, prior to the Assembly business meeting. A final vote is taken at the business meeting.

XIII. AMENDMENTS (CONT.)

Adopted 1967 Corrected 1989

Amended 1969 Amended 1993

Amended 1974 Amended 1995

Amended 1978 Amended 1997

Corrected 1978 Amended 1999

Amended 1979 Amended 2001

Amended 1980

Amended 1981

Amended 1982

Corrected 1983

Service Manual adopted October 20, 1985