How to be sure that your group is listed with NYIG and GSO
To register a group that is REOPENING with NYIG follow this link: https://www.nyintergroup.org/submit-meeting-reopening-app-update/
To register a NEW PHYSICAL MEETING with NYIG follow this link: https://www.nyintergroup.org/group-resources/forms/new-group-request-form/
To register a VIRTUAL MEETING with NYIG follow this link: https://www.nyintergroup.org/remote-meeting-listing/
To register a NEW meeting with SENY (GSO) follow this link: https://fred252.typeform.com/to/UhzLkg
To find out if your group is currently registered with SENY, please email the S.I.G.S. Secretary at Secretary@statenislandaa.org.
If you need help with the process of re-registering your group, please email us at TechHelp@statenislandaa.org. or you can complete the form below:
TechHelp Request
All other questions or issues concerning this process can be sent to WebAdmin@statenislandaa.org.
Quick Links to Information
A.A. Area 48: “Reopening: Ad Hoc Committee Report“
A.A. Area 48: “Hybrid Meetings: Ad Hoc Committee Report“
New York Intergroup Important Considerations Before Reopening Physical Meetings
“We at New York Inter-group know that many members are excited by the prospect of meeting in-person again. Specific guidelines have been and will continue to be set by government agencies (see the Center for Disease Control guidelines here, in addition to NYC.GOV guidelines regarding phases of reopening here). Also, the facilities in which we meet may also have their own guidelines. We urge groups to consult and follow these guidelines to protect our members, our fellowship as a whole, and others with whom we come in contact.“
From AA Comes of Age (pp. 287-288)
“The unity, the effectiveness, and even the survival of A.A. will always depend upon our continued willingness to give up some of our personal ambitions and desires for the common safety and welfare. Just as sacrifice means survival for the individual alcoholic, so does sacrifice mean unity and survival for the group and for A.A.’s entire fellowship.
Links to Information
- SENY (South East New York Area): https://www.aaseny.org/
- New York Intergroup: https://mailchi.mp/nyintergroup.org/reopeningsafely
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/index.html
- Government: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/travel-large-gatherings-and-quarantines
- Government: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/index.page
- GSO: Safety in AA: https://www.aa.org/assets/en_us/smf-209_en.pdf
- GSO: COVID Guidance: https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/update-on-covid-19-coronavirus
- Northern New Jersey Intergroup: https://www.nnjaa.org/covid-19_return.html
“The law of the land does not stop
at the doors of A.A.”-Anonymous AA member
- “This workshop is intended to provide you with information for your group, not to tell your group what to do.
- While there are no ‘musts’ in the A.A. program, there are legal musts in the larger community.
- We encourage each group to develop its own informed conscience.
- A service piece put out by GSO is titled Safety and AA our Common Welfare (SMF 209), it reminds us to talk about issues of safety before they arise; that safety is something each member attending an A.A. meeting can be mindful of and that common sense and experience suggest that A.A. membership does not grant immunity from local regulations; and, being at an A.A. meeting does not put anyone beyond the jurisdiction of government mandates.”
Questions to Consider (From NYIG website)
1. Does your group have a complete email/phone list to communicate with group members?
2. How will your group ensure the maximum number of people permitted in your meeting space?
3. How will your group ensure the appropriate social distance?
4. How will your group ensure face masks are worn?
5. Will your group require members to have temperature checks, for instance, at home, before the meeting?
6. How will your group sanitize contact surfaces before and after each meeting?
7. What if someone in your group needs to be tested for COVID 19? Will you keep a record of each attendee at each meeting so they may be informed while results are awaited? At what point may this list be destroyed?
8. What if contact tracing is necessary? How will your group help local health officials do contact tracing?
9. If passing a physical basket is impossible, how will your group collect Seventh Tradition contributions? Has an electronic account been set up?
10. How will physical materials (Steps and Traditions shades, meeting binders, literature, meeting and phone lists, anniversary coins, etc.) be handled? What about the set-up and breakdown of a meeting? Can physical meeting materials be replaced with virtual ones?
11. Will your group eliminate the distribution of coffee and food?
12. What will be your group’s policy if an attendee is openly sick (e.g., coughing and/or feverish)?
13. Does your group have insurance? If not, should your group get a policy?
CDC Recommendations
•Regulatory Awareness – Be aware of local or state regulatory agency policies related to group gatherings to determine if events can be held.
•Preparing for When Someone Gets Sick Designated COVID-19 Point of Contact •In accordance with state and local laws and regulations, CBOs should notify local health officials, staff, and potentially exposed stakeholders of any case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)external icon and other applicable laws and regulations.
•Advise those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home, self-monitor for symptoms, and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
•Restrooms •Consider limiting the number of people that use the restroom at one time to allow for social distancing. •Ensure that restrooms are cleaned and disinfected •Stock with supplies for handwashing, including soap, water, and disposable paper towels or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
•Communal Spaces – Social Distancing and Modifying Layouts (Have a plan)
•Food Service – There is no evidence that people can get COVID-19 from eating food. However, sharing utensils and congregating around food service areas may present risks. •If food is offered at any meeting or event, have individual, pre-packaged boxes or bags •Avoid sharing of foods and utensils. (spoons, sugar for coffee) •Use disposable food service items
•Shared Objects – 7th Tradition Basket, literature, books, readings, microphone
CDC Guidelines
Considerations for Community-Based Organizations
•Staying Home when Appropriate
•Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette •Masks •Adequate Supplies – hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol, paper towels, tissues, disinfectant wipes, masks (as feasible), and no-touch trash cans.
•Signs and Messages
•Maintaining Healthy Environments – Cleaning and Disinfection •Frequently touched surfaces (e.g., door handles, sink handles, drinking fountains, grab bars, hand railings) at least daily or between use as much as possible. Plan for and take these precautions when renting event space and ensure that other groups who may use your facilities take these precautions. •Clean and disinfect shared objects (e.g., microphones, office equipment, payment devices) between each use.
Government Guidelines
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/index.page
•Report a social distancing or face covering violation
•Social Gatherings: Are only permitted if 10 or fewer people are in attendance in Phase One regions, 25 or fewer people are in attendance in Phases Two and Three regions, and 50 or fewer people are in attendance in Phase Four regions.
•Masks & Face Coverings: Individuals must wear face coverings when they are in public and are within six feet of distance from other individuals.
Links for Practicing the 7th Tradition
•https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/SMF-223-FAQonVirtualBasket_en.pdf
Options for Virtual Baskets & How to Set Them Up:
•PayPal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlAo43FEj-I
•Square: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqnKxrMo_uQ
•Stripe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxJB0QPtcnk