Service

This page is dedicated to providing transparency regarding service in CPA, while providing a space for immediate access to up-to-date information about CPA’s Service Structure, opportunities for overseeing service bodies, and access to applications for open service positions.

All About Service in CPA

How do we engage in doing service while living with health challenges? This document supports us in honoring our responsibility for service and our responsibility for self-care.

All About Service in CPA

Service Bodies

Service bodies that support our CPA fellowship as a whole:

General Advisory Council (GAC)

The GAC is the service body where CPA meetings have a voice and a vote regarding any and all CPA business. The GAC is delegated by the World Service Conference (WSC) to make administrative decisions required in the interim of the WSC meetings. GAC Representatives (GR) from each registered meeting are encouraged to bring topics and concerns from their home meeting to the GAC for guidance and support. The GSVO staff give reports and participate in the meetings, however the business and concerns of the GRs are prioritized over reporting.

If you would like to apply to become a member of the GAC, or you would like to inquire about open positions, please refer to the link below to fill out the application. Then please email inquiry@chronicpainanonymous.org to let them know to look for your completed application:

General Advisory Council (GAC) Application

General Service Virtual Office (GSVO)

The GSVO manages literature creation, publication and sales; meeting registrations; the CPA website and social media presence; and oversees all professional contracts. It is the business office that provides services to the fellowship and spreads CPA’s message worldwide. The GAC and the CPA Service Board delegate daily administrative functions to the GSVO.

If you would like to apply to become a member of the GSVO, or you would like to inquire about open positions, please refer to the link below to fill out the application. Then please email inquiry@chronicpainanonymous.org to let them know to look for your completed application:

GSVO General Service Virtual Office Application

CPA Service Board of Trustees (CPASB)

The Service Board is composed of members of CPA and non-members who donate their time and talents to the fellowship. They oversee the health and growth of CPA under the guidance of the World Service Conference (WSC). They safeguard the CPA Traditions assuring the financial health of CPA according to the Twelve Concepts of Service.

If you would like to apply to become a member of the Service Board, please refer to the link below to fill out the application. Then please email inquiry@chronicpainanonymous.org to let them know to look for your completed application:

CPASB Application

During a fellowship Open Forum, an idea arose to have members of the fellowship attend CPA Service Board meetings to monitor the meeting. This requests has been implemented on a first come basis. In order to attend, the following form must be completed before the third Monday of the month. Up to three members per month will be notified via email. Meetings are held via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 4:30pm ET. Thank you for taking an interest in seeing what CPA Board Meetings are all about.

Please click the link below and fill out the form with your request.

Request to attend Chronic Pain Anonymous Service Board (CPASB) monthly meeting

CPA Service Structure Flow Chart

The 2020 World Service Conference approved a service chart that describes the relationships and lines of communication for the CPA fellowship.

CPA Service Structure Flow Chart

OPEN SERVICE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW

GAC

GAC Secretary Apprentice

Assists Secretary and is mentored to rotate into the position of Secretary. Attend monthly GAC meetings and takes minutes when the Secretary is unable to do so. The term of service for this position is two years.

They are required to have been a member in CPA for two years, and completed the CPA Twelve Steps. It is preferred to have previous service work experience in CPA. Basic computer skills, including email communication and word processing are essential. It is helpful to be organized and have the ability to pay attention to detail. The capacity to synthesize oral information and pick out the important details necessary for our records with good communication skills, willingness to learn, work, and ask for help from other members are all important to being a successful secretary.

Time commitment

2-4 hours a month

To Apply fill out this FORM

GSVO

Literature Committee Chairperson

Description

The Literature Committee Chairperson is responsible for leading the committee that creates and revises CPA literature. That entails holding the monthly meetings, sending out meeting agendas, maintaining master project list, scheduling drop-in literature sessions, etc.

Term of service

2 years

Suggested requirements to apply

2 years as a member of CPA
Completion of the CPA Twelve Steps
Previous service body committee work
Basic computer skills, including email communication and word processing
Familiarity with CPA literature

Suggested skills

Organized and detail oriented
Competency in Google Workspace
Competent editing skills
Willingness to learn, work, and ask for help from other members

Time commitment

16-18 hours a month

For more information contact literature@chronicpainanonymous.org or to apply, fill out this FORM

Meeting Registrar

The Meeting Registrar (MR) is responsible for the registration and administration of CPA meetings and maintains communication with said meetings to assist in establishing new meetings within the service structure. This person responds to new meeting requests, provides guidance and support when needed. They also reach out to existing meetings occasionally to provide a line of communication between meetings and the GSVO.

It is the MR’s responsibility to attend the monthly GAC meetings, WSC Planning Committee, Quarterly All GSVO Staff GSVO meetings, and the Unity committee as needed. They report to the Inquiry Coordinator for their report to the GAC and annual WSC. They work with the GAC President to manage meeting contact list, work with Webmaster to update website information regarding new and revised meeting information, maintain a folder of administrative documents on Google Workspace, and coordinate with the World Service Conference planning committee, specifically the Delegate Liaison. As is with all positions, they mentor and train their Apprentice Meeting Registrar

The term of service is two years. It is suggested that the applicant has been a member of CPA for two years, they have completed the CPA Twelve Steps, has a working knowledge of the CPA Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of Service, as well as the CPA Service Structure. It is helpful if they have previous service body committee experience and are comfortable leading committee meetings. It is recommended that they have advanced computer skills, including email communication and word processing. They are familiar with CPA literature and the varying types of CPA meeting platforms. Other suggested skills include being organized, detail oriented, collaborating and working well with others, with excellent communication skills, a willingness to learn, listen, and ask for help from other members.

Time commitment

2-3 hours a month

To apply, fill out this FORM

CPASB

History/Archives

The History/Archivist is responsible for assembling, cataloging, and preserving valuable historical CPA information. Maintain and oversee all documents in the History CPA File Room. They provide guidance on historical topics and preservation issues with support to the CPA Service Board on matters related to historical precedence. They maintain a folder of administrative documents on Google Workspace, attend monthly GAC meetings, WSC Planning Committee, and monthly CPASB meetings. They report at GAC and WSC. They keep an eye to projects of a historical nature and work closely with the GAC, GSVO and CPASB when warranted, and assists the CPASB with the Member Survey. As with other parallel service positions, they mentor and train their apprentice.

The term of service is two years. It is suggested that the applicant has been a member of CPA for two years, they have completed the CPA Twelve Steps, has a working knowledge of the CPA Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of Service, as well as the CPA Service Structure. It is helpful if they have previous service body committee experience and are comfortable leading committee meetings. It is recommended that they have advanced computer skills, including email communication and word processing, display competency in Google Workspace, able to carry out independent research, as well as having an interest in CPA history.

Time commitment

2-5 hours a month

To apply, fill out this FORM