Intergroup Area
An Intergroup Area is a geographic area where there are 2 - 20 active GSA meetings which cooperate at Area Intergroup meetings to address issues that affect GSA groups in the geographic area.
See What is a GSA Meeting or Group?
Area Intergroup Meeting
An Area Intergroup meeting consists of elected General Service Representatives (GSRs) who provide service to the GSA groups in the Intergroup Area by helping those GSA groups to carry the message.
See What is an Intergroup Area?
Representation
Each GSA group has one vote at Area Intergroup meetings via their elected GSR. Each GSA meeting entrusts their GSR with the Right of Decision, i.e., to act on her conscience after having listened and participated in discussion at the Area Intergroup meetings.
See What is a GSR?
Participation
All GSA members are welcome to attend Area Intergroup meetings. They may participate in discussions but do not participate in votes. These meetings may be live or via phone conference.Schedule
Area Intergroup meetings are held as often as needed, but at least twice a year. The recommended time is in spring and autumn.Spring
Spring meeting has two functions:- To elect two Area Delegates to attend the World Service Conference. They elect a primary and a secondary delegate in case the primary delegate is unable to attend the conference.
- See What is an Area Delegate?
- To prepare for the World Service Conference by considering the issues that will be raised at the conference.
Autumn
- Autumn meeting is held soon after the World Service Conference.
- The Area Delegate gives her report on the World Service Conference and the work that is being carried out by the World Service Board and its committees.
Area Delegate
Each Intergroup Area sends one Area Delegate to the World Service Conference. This is the reason to elect a primary and a secondary delegate - to ensure that at least one person represents the Intergroup Area at the World Service Conference.Eligibility
It is important that each Intergroup Area send a dedicated Area Delegate to the World Service Conference. Members of the GSA World Service Board are not eligible to be elected as Intergroup Area Delegates since they already have a seat and a role at the Conference. Those eligible to be elected as Intergroup Area Delegates include:- Primary GSRs
- Secondary GSRs
- Other members of GSA who are active in service
Term Limits
For an Intergroup Area Delegate, the term limit is two years. An Area Delegate may serve a maximum of three consecutive terms.Agenda
The meeting agenda should include the date, time, and location of the Area Intergroup meetings and should be sent to all primary and secondary GSRs at least two weeks in advance.Seventh Tradition Donations
GSA meetings are encouraged to donate to the Area Intergroup for its expenses such as meeting space, copies, and postage.Area Delegate Travel Expenses
- The Area Intergroup may also use its donated funds to cover the reasonable travel expenses of the Area Delegate so that she may attend Area meetings to report on the activities of the World Service Conference and World Service Board as well as to get their input on the issues to be discussed at the Conference.
- Annual World Service Conference
GSR Travel Expenses
GSA meetings may cover the reasonable travel expenses of the GSR to attend Area Intergroup meetings.Intergroup Officers
In addition to electing primary and secondary Intergroup Area delegates, each Area Intergroup will also elect an Intergroup Area Treasurer and Secretary. The Area Delegate chairs the meetings of the Intergroup. The terms of office for the Treasurer and Secretary are also two years and the requirement for service is three years of back-to-back GreySheet abstinence.Agenda
Area Intergroup meeting- Open the meeting with the Serenity Prayer.
- Participants introduce themselves.
- Volunteers read the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
- The Intergroup Secretary reads the minutes of the last Intergroup meeting.
- The Intergroup Chair (Area Delegate) facilitates discussion of the items on the Agenda.
- Attendees raise any other business.
- The Intergroup Chair reviews all the agreed upon Action Items, the responsible people, and the due date. She also reminds GSRs to report the outcome of the Intergroup meeting to their local meeting.
- The attendees decide the Agenda for the next meeting. They also choose a meeting place, date and time.
- The Area Intergroup may choose to discuss a particular topic at each of their meetings in addition to conducting the business of the Intergroup Area.
Suggested Area Intergroup topics
- The AA Twelve Traditions and any deviations from the Traditions in meetings
- One of the AA Twelve Concepts of Service
- One of the AA Twelve Traditions
- The role of a GSR and / or Area Delegate
- The Seventh Tradition donations at GSA meetings
- Financial contributions from GSA meetings to Area Intergroup and to World Service Conference
- The Shades of Grey newsletter - contributions from GSA meetings and Area Intergroups
- International news about GSA around the world
- Fourth step inventory for the Area Intergroup
- Service roles in Area Intergroup and GSA meetings - the joy of service
- Strengthening GSA meetings in the Intergroup Area
- Cooperation with other Twelve Step fellowships in the Intergroup Area
- Literature: Introduction to AA books and reading materials
- Public relations: Introducing GSA to the public and to professionals in the Intergroup Area
- Using the media to carry the message
- Visits to public institutions, professionals; priests, police, health institutions, healthcare, doctors, psychologists, schools, shelters and halfway houses.
- Organization and preparation for workshops in the Intergroup Area for the GSA membership. Suggested workshop topics:
- Sponsor/sponsee relationship
- Step work
- GSA and AA slogans
- The AA Twelve Traditions
- The AA Twelve Concepts of Service
- AA and GSA Literature
- The Twelfth Step
- Higher Power
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