Service Matters • November 2020
Welcome to the November Issue of Service Matters!
Welcome to the November 2020 issue of Service Matters, your answer to the question, “What’s Up in GreySheet?” regarding all the work done for GSA as a whole to carry the message to compulsive eaters who still suffer.
Do you need a copy of the GreySheet Abstinence: Clarifications and Sponsor Guidelines?
Email your request to: greysheet@greysheet.org and we’ll happily send a copy to you.
Upcoming Meetings - all interested GreySheeters are Welcome!
1. Committees Connecting meeting ID: 663 470 166
Sunday, November 8, at 12:00 Noon ET
2. Concept 1 meeting ID: 791 453 380
Sunday, November 15, at 1:00pm ET
3. Tradition 1 meeting ID: 791 453 380
Sunday, November 22, at 1:00 pm ET.
Message from the Literature Committee
Dear GreySheeters,
For the past two years, six GSA members of the Literature Committee have worked tirelessly writing Living Abstinent. They have given their free time to do this badly needed service for our community.
In April, the first draft of the manuscript was made available to an on-line literature meeting in exchange for feedback and suggestions. The manuscript is now in its 3rd draft.
It has come to the attention of the Literature Committee and World Service that people have downloaded the 1st draft even though it clearly and explicitly says, “not to distribute it and that ….it is not for publication".
We are asking you to please stop sharing how to get this unpublished copy with other members if you do not attend that Literature Meeting on Thursday.
Thank you for your understanding. The final version will soon be available but you do need to be patient.
NMW
Sara S, Chair of the Literature Committee
November 2020 - Monthly Board of Trustees Column
Hi! My name is Rochelle. I am a compulsive eater. I weigh and measure three meals a day from the Cambridge GreySheet, write it down, commit to my sponsor or another qualified GreySheet sponsor and I don’t eat between meals no matter what. I am grateful to be abstinent with my food so I can I can be aware of my emotions and work on abstinence with my emotions. I have been in GreySheet since October 1994 and have 18 years of back to back GreySheet abstinence.
A dear GreySheeter surprised me when she asked me if I’d be interested in becoming a member of the GreySheet Board of Trustees! I’d never thought about it. I thought all the meetings were on Saturdays and as I observe the Jewish Sabbath I thought there’s no way I can participate! Well, I was wrong! Meetings are on SUNDAYS! So I sent a resume and what do you know? They accepted me! Now, as I am “retired” (though I say offer me a job and I may take it!) I have a new job: helping to keep the wheels of GreySheet oiled (measured and weighed a 1/2oz at a time) and working!
I did miss the Forum as it was on a Saturday but I’ve read over the great notes that Sandie transcribed for all of us and posted. Reading over the questions and comments was informative. The comments relating to the officers and that we, the members of GreySheet, shouldn’t be “governed” from the top down struck me. I definitely don’t feel that any decision discussed or made by the BOT is a law or directive. I truly feel that I am a trusted servant making sure that the BOT listens to the members and is working to keep the GreySheet organization operating to help compulsive eaters who are suffering to find a way out to a better, more productive, happier and sane, serene life.
I believe the GreySheet Abstinence: Clarifications and Sponsor Guidelines report is a helpful tool for my own abstinence as well as setting criteria for me and those I sponsor to follow. As may be true for many of us, after reading the document I realized that there are a few things that I have been doing with my food that my sponsor has “sanctioned” that I should not be doing! As with anything having to do with food, it’s not easy to make changes, especially when I’m comfortable and “like” something but if I want to stay abstinent according to Cambridge Abstinence, I have to make changes, and I am, One Day at a Time. ‘Cause I don’t want to eat NO MATTER WHAT!
Monthly Board of Trustees Liaison Highlights
October 18th, 2020
1. Integrity of the GreySheet Program
GSAWS will ask all GSA groups listing their meetings to identify whether they are open or closed in the new online registration form. This will allow GSA members to choose which kind of meeting to attend based on their level of comfort with the presence of non-members.
a. Closed: Attendance is limited to people who may have a problem with food.
b. Open: Anyone interested in GSA is welcome.
2. Website
The Website Committee has collected almost all the content needed from ISRs, Committees, and the Board of Trustees and is following up with the rest. We're also working on some great material for the newcomer pages.
Check out the new website: https://update.greysheet.org
3. Literature
Having received excellent feedback from some of the Board of Trustees, the Living Abstinent committee is now editing a third draft of the book to be submitted to the Literature Committee in November and the Board in December.
4. Public Information
The Public Information Committee continues to meet monthly to plan outreach to the public. Join us! PIC@greysheet.orgOnly 90 days of B2B GS abstinence is required and the willingness to share your experience, strength and hope in this daily reflections for GSers book-in-progress.
If interested in participating, email reflections@greysheet.org for guidelines and submit any time.
Notes from Concept 12 meeting: https://bit.ly/3224NrJ
Notes from September Committees Connecting meeting: https://bit.ly/3jbkkM9
Notes from Tradition 12 meeting: https://bit.ly/2GpPlhl
Notes from GSAWS Committee Chairs/ISRs Meeting Minutes: https://bit.ly/2HeoWDP
When anyone, anywhere realizes they have a problem with food,
I want them to think of the GreySheet solution,
for that I am responsible.