District 8 covers all A.A. groups within the geographical area that includes Barrie, Wasaga Beach, Craigleith, Collingwood, Shelburne, Alliston, Tottenham, Bradford, and the western shores of Lake Simcoe.
There are currently 38 registered A.A. groups within these boundaries.
The District 8 Executive Committee serves all groups within the district and is responsible for matters that affect the groups, the district, Area 86, and A.A. as a whole.
The district acts as a vital communication link between:
A.A.’s General Service Office (G.S.O.) in New York
The Area 86 Delegate
Area 86
And all the local groups
The District Committee Member (D.C.M.) represents the voice and vote of the groups at all Area 86 Assemblies and meetings.
Through this process, the concerns and ideas of individual groups can be heard at the area and general service levels — ensuring that A.A. continues to grow and serve according to group conscience.
District 8 also carries A.A.’s message of hope and recovery through its service committees, which focus on different areas of outreach:
Bridging the Gap – Offers a personal connection to A.A. for anyone coming from hospitals, detox centers, rehab facilities, or institutions into our local community.
Public Information (P.I.) – Shares information about A.A. with the general public.
Cooperation with the Professional Community (C.P.C.) – Provides information to professionals such as doctors, lawyers, counsellors, educators, and community leaders.
Grapevine Committee – Promotes The A.A. Grapevine magazine and related materials at district and group events.
Archives – Preserves the history of District 8 and its groups.
Treatment Committee – Carries A.A.’s message into treatment facilities within the district.
Each group in District 8 elects a General Service Representative (G.S.R.) who attends monthly District meetings and Area Assemblies.
The G.S.R. has two main responsibilities:
To represent their home group at District and Area meetings — sharing information, participating in discussions, and voting according to the group’s conscience.
To report back to their group — bringing information and updates from the District and Area meetings to their home group’s business meetings.