The Chairperson position for the GMTANA service area is essentially the facilitator, organizer, and steward of the Area Service Committee (ASC). The role is less about “being in charge” and more about making sure the area functions smoothly, fairly, and according to NA principles and procedure.  Clean time requirement for this position is 3 years.

Here’s the role in plain language:

Core Purpose

The Chairperson keeps the Area Service Committee organized, productive, and focused on carrying the NA message. They run meetings, maintain order, coordinate administrative functions, and help ensure continuity in service.

What the Chairperson Actually Does

Runs the Area Meetings

The Chairperson:

• Creates the meeting agenda
• Opens and conducts monthly ASC meetings
• Keeps discussions moving efficiently
• Recognizes who has the floor
• Calls votes and announces outcomes
• Maintains order and follows procedure
• Breaks tie votes when necessary

In practice, this means they act like a neutral meeting facilitator, not a boss.

Administrative Leadership

The Chairperson also helps manage the operational side of the area:

• Handles or directs correspondence
• Helps oversee records and archives
• Calls special meetings when needed
• Chairs Administrative Committee meetings
• Appoints temporary or ad-hoc positions when necessary
• Serves as a co-signer on the bank account

So they are partly a coordinator and partly a continuity/stability role.

Guardian of Process & Fairness

A major responsibility is protecting the integrity of the meeting:

• Enforcing decorum/rules
• Preventing disruptive or frivolous motions
• Remaining impartial and fair
• Ensuring everyone’s rights are respected
• Keeping business productive and on track

This is probably one of the hardest parts of the job emotionally.

Leadership Development

The guidelines also emphasize mentorship:

• Training the Vice Chair
• Supporting workshops/service learning days
• Conducting Area Inventories
• Helping the area evaluate itself and improve

That means the role is not just operational — it’s also about helping the service body grow healthier over time.

What Authority the Chairperson Has

The Chairperson has:

• Procedural authority (running meetings, ruling motions out of order)
• Organizational authority (calling meetings, appointing interim/ad-hoc positions)
• Very limited voting power (only in tie votes)

But the Chairperson does not unilaterally control the area. The ASC as a whole still makes decisions through motions and votes.

Skills That Matter Most

Someone successful in this role probably needs:

• Calmness under pressure
• Fairness/impartiality
• Ability to manage personalities and conflict
• Organization and follow-through
• Familiarity with NA traditions and procedure
• Ability to keep meetings moving without dominating them