Standing committee
Grapevine / La Viña
Our meetings in print — in English and in Spanish.
What this committee does
Grapevine and La Viña are the international journals of Alcoholics Anonymous: Grapevine, our ‘meeting in print’ since 1944, and La Viña, its Spanish-language sister since 1996. Area 09’s Grapevine and La Viña chairs make the magazines known across the Area, encourage members to read, write for and subscribe to them, and use them in Twelfth Step work.
- Type
- Standing committee
- When we meet
- At the Area meeting break-out (usually the 2nd Sunday)
- Who serves
Alex L. · English
Ursula F. · Spanish
- Area committee guidelines
- Approved January 10, 2016
Its work in Area 09
- Increase awareness of Grapevine and La Viña in the districts and across the Area.
- Encourage members to write stories and letters, share photos and record their stories for the audio project.
- Grow Area 09’s Grapevine and La Viña subscriptions, including the Carry the Message gift-subscription project.
- Set up the Area’s Grapevine and La Viña displays at Assemblies, ASCs, Servathon, FORO, conventions and round-ups.
- Support Grapevine Representatives (GvRs) and La Viña Representatives (RLVs) in groups and districts, and host writing workshops.
- Celebrate La Viña’s anniversary with the Hispanic community each summer.
How to get involved
There is no formal committee roster: everyone present at an Assembly or ASC is the committee for that day, and anyone with a desire to serve may help. Groups elect GvRs and RLVs, who are always welcome. The chairs also visit groups, districts, conventions, PRAASA and regional forums on invitation.
How it is organized
An Area Grapevine Chair and an Area La Viña Chair, elected at the October ASC of odd-numbered years for two-year terms starting in January (two years of sobriety suggested; the La Viña Chair should speak and read Spanish). Chairs are encouraged to register with AA Grapevine, Inc.; outgoing chairs serve as service sponsors for the incoming ones. Separate budgets for Grapevine and La Viña are proposed in August and approved in January.
A little history
The Area 09 Archives keep earlier versions of this committee’s guidelines (1991–2015).
When we meet
Meets during the Area meeting break-out
The Area usually meets on the 2nd Sunday of the month (the calendar has each date), 9 AM–3 PM, in person and on Zoom; registration opens at 8 AM. Committees meet in break-out rooms during the meeting — ask at the registration table where yours is.
Area meetings: places, agendas and flyersComing up
Nothing scheduled right now.
Open the calendarWho serves
Panel 76Grapevine Chair
Alex L.
English
Own e-mail (not a service mailbox):
Who served in Panel 74
- Francine W. · Grapevine Chair
- Hector R. · La Viña Chair
First names and last initials only. The e-mail addresses belong to the service position, not the person, and pass to whoever serves next — except the one marked “own e-mail”, which is that servant's own address.
Guidelines & reports
Area committee guidelines
How this committee is organized in Area 09, as approved by the Assembly.
More copies in the document library (10)
Reports & records
Minutes, reports and flyers from the document library, newest first.
A.A. literature & service material
This service on aa.orgFrom the General Service Office (aa.org): guidelines, workbooks and pamphlets for this service, in English and Spanish. The codes help when ordering printed copies.
On aa.org1
Service material1
Frequently asked questions
Can our group send a contribution to Grapevine?
No. Grapevine does not accept contributions; it is supported by subscriptions and sales. Groups support it by subscribing, buying books and using the magazines in Twelfth Step work.
What does a GvR or RLV do?
A Grapevine or La Viña representative makes the magazine available to the home group and encourages members to read it, subscribe, write for it and use it in Twelfth Step work.
See something out of date? Tell the Web Servant: webmaster@msca09aa.org · edit the data file
Related committees & service
Literature
Let literature carry the message, too.
- Open seat · English
- Abel · Spanish
At the Area meeting break-out (usually the 2nd Sunday)
Convention Liaison
Brings General Service to conventions, round-ups and workshops.
- Cyndi B. · English
- Open seat · Spanish
At the Area meeting break-out (usually the 2nd Sunday)
Cooperation with the Elder Community
Carrying the message to the older alcoholic.
- Lisa Marie P. · English
- Jose F. · Spanish
Every 4th Thursday · 10:30–11:30 AM
Accessibilities
So that no barrier keeps an alcoholic from the A.A. message.
- Bob K. · English
- Open seat · Spanish
Every 2nd Thursday · 7:00–8:00 PM