Service Matters • May 2017
GSA YouTube attracts new members
The brainchild of Kathy P, the South West Intergroup's (SWIG) YouTube channel is having an amazing run. Kathy's expertise in her working life prompted a suggestion that SWIG post a steady stream of GSA qualifications on YouTube. Included with these qualifications are answers to questions as part of an outreach to those still sick and suffering compulsive eaters. The results have been more than rewarding. Now we have over 400 subscribers to the channel. Last month alone, the channel had 1500 views of the videos -- which are sound only!
The SWIG YouTube screen is entirely recognizable with the GSA logo and Can't Stop Eating? highlighted in bold yellow. We have text running on the screen with a list of twenty questions for the viewer as to whether or not they might qualify as one of us. The greysheet.org website address is always prominently displayed.
By group conscience, SWIG made decisions to monitor what is shared or not, to maintain the integrity of GSA and our precious weigh of life. The biggest reward has been reading shares on the Greynet or on private GSA-related groups on Facebook, where members talk about finding out about GSA through listening to these YouTube qualifications. Members have said that they were able to identify with the shares and get help to start from the GSA website, greysheet.org. SWIG are proud to be living their primary purpose, to stay abstinent and help other compulsive eaters to achieve abstinence.
The Board of Trustees are continuing to ensure the maintenance of copyright and trademark of GSA both nationally and internationally.
The Board of Trustees are partnering with the Conference Committee in preparation for GSA's 2018 World Services Conference.
The SWIG YouTube screen is entirely recognizable with the GSA logo and Can't Stop Eating? highlighted in bold yellow. We have text running on the screen with a list of twenty questions for the viewer as to whether or not they might qualify as one of us. The greysheet.org website address is always prominently displayed.
By group conscience, SWIG made decisions to monitor what is shared or not, to maintain the integrity of GSA and our precious weigh of life. The biggest reward has been reading shares on the Greynet or on private GSA-related groups on Facebook, where members talk about finding out about GSA through listening to these YouTube qualifications. Members have said that they were able to identify with the shares and get help to start from the GSA website, greysheet.org. SWIG are proud to be living their primary purpose, to stay abstinent and help other compulsive eaters to achieve abstinence.
GSA Europe is growing from strength to strength
The GSA Europe Intergroup is growing from strength to strength! Group Service Representatives (GSRs), Intergroup officers and GSA members from France, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, England, Ireland and Belgium gathered together face-to-face and on Skype for the latest GSA Europe Intergroup meeting held on Sunday, 26 March at the London Roundup. The agenda was full with updates from officers and GSRs. Highlights included reports that Slovenian group meeting bi-monthly in Ljubljana; GSA Europe English-speaking Skype meeting on Thursdays at 8pm GMT well attended; weekly Slovakian Skype meeting on Thursdays at 630pm GMT well attended; Slovakian group planning 1st Roundup 26 to 28 May in Bratislava. Further details available on greysheet.org under Events. Slovakian group inviting professionals from eating disorder treatment communities to attend; new Polish-speaking men’s phone meeting started on Saturdays at 8am Polish time. Contact gsaeurope@gmail.com for further information about the Polish men’s meeting. Polish group working on translating the Greysheet into Polish; Bulgarian group meeting weekly in Sofia on Tuesdays at 7pm local time. Bulgarian group advertising GSA to local eating disorder treatment centres and hospitals. New meeting started in Brighton, England on Thursday evenings at 6pm GMT – with 8 new members! New French speaking Skype meeting held on Monday’s at 10pm Paris time. French speaking meeting working with the recently translated French version of GSA Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Next GSA Europe Intergroup Retreat being held in Newmarket, England from 27 to 29 October. Spaces filling up fast. Email gsaeurope@gmail.com for further information and booking details. £100 for 2 nights’ accommodation and 6 enormous, delicious weighed and measured Greysheet meals (Friday supper to Sunday lunch). GSA Europe Intergroup agreed to send £300 to GSA World Services.
A Greysheeter travels to the Malibu Retreat – her story
“What a wonderful way to meet Greysheeters - at the Malibu Retreat! Yay!
I attended the Malibu Retreat in 2017 and 2016. The reason that I decided to go both times was to meet other Greysheeters far and wide. This is a "WE" program and I wanted to jump in and do what was suggested to me, and that is to get in the middle of the herd, and one of those ways is by going. My trip to Malibu,California in April 2017 was amazing! I travelled with two other Greysheeters from Houston, Texas. We arrived on the Friday and were welcomed with open arms and smiles all around.
We then had a weekend of yummy food that was prepared for us. No dishes to clean. That was the best part! We attended meetings, breakout sessions with specific topics to share on. People were opening up and sharing from the heart and for me this allowed me to open up as well. I felt that I was in a safe place to share my truth.
We had a blast. We did a morning walk to the beach, took pictures with lots of smiles. There was a talent show, with comedy, acting, singing and dancing. We were entertained, that was my favourite part. The trip was worth every penny. I got to meet other Greysheeters, exchange phone numbers to stay connected, learn from them and most of all have fun.
We are not a glum lot. Stephanie K, Houston, Texas.”
I attended the Malibu Retreat in 2017 and 2016. The reason that I decided to go both times was to meet other Greysheeters far and wide. This is a "WE" program and I wanted to jump in and do what was suggested to me, and that is to get in the middle of the herd, and one of those ways is by going. My trip to Malibu,California in April 2017 was amazing! I travelled with two other Greysheeters from Houston, Texas. We arrived on the Friday and were welcomed with open arms and smiles all around.
We then had a weekend of yummy food that was prepared for us. No dishes to clean. That was the best part! We attended meetings, breakout sessions with specific topics to share on. People were opening up and sharing from the heart and for me this allowed me to open up as well. I felt that I was in a safe place to share my truth.
We had a blast. We did a morning walk to the beach, took pictures with lots of smiles. There was a talent show, with comedy, acting, singing and dancing. We were entertained, that was my favourite part. The trip was worth every penny. I got to meet other Greysheeters, exchange phone numbers to stay connected, learn from them and most of all have fun.
We are not a glum lot. Stephanie K, Houston, Texas.”
Update from your GSA World Service Board of Trustees
GSA World Services are working to gather suggestions from members for improvements to the greysheet.org website. if you have any suggestions, we want to hear from you by end May. Please email your suggestions for improvements to sharonleighterry@gmail.comThe Board of Trustees are continuing to ensure the maintenance of copyright and trademark of GSA both nationally and internationally.
The Board of Trustees are partnering with the Conference Committee in preparation for GSA's 2018 World Services Conference.