Western Mass
Intergroup
WHY DOES OUR GROUP NEED AN INTERGROUP REPRESENTITIVE?
Western Mass Intergroup has no authority on its own account; Intergroup derives it from the participating groups. Though Intergroup has Trusted Servants that help make the best decision for the groups, local group representatives reflect the groups’ conscience in Intergroup’s operations. Western Mass Intergroup steering committee is set up to help handle the administrative activities of the Intergroup office. The steering committee holds regularly scheduled meetings and deals with general policy and plans. Periodically, the steering committee reports to group representatives any Intergroup problems and accomplishments. It is extremely important to keep a two way flow of information going between the Intergroup and groups.
As an Intergroup Representative we are able to hear the group’s conscience on issues concerning Western Mass Intergroup. The rep is a trusted servant and at times is asked to vote in the best interest of his/her group. The rep also carries the AA message back to the group and keeps its members informed on the AA information given from the service committee present at the monthly meeting. The rep is the groups’ voice to Intergroup.
A Brief Guide for Trusted Servants
Here’s how it works:
The I.G.R. is elected by his group. He/She attends the monthly Intergroup Meeting
(on the 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:30pm), which keeps a two-way flow of information between the Intergroup Office and the groups. He/She then attends the business meeting of his group and asks for suggestions, comments, and opinions to take to the next Intergroup Meeting.
The I.G.R. is the group’s link to those elected to maintain and operate the Intergroup Office.
The Intergroup Steering Committee is comprised of A.A. members elected by Intergroup Representatives, at the November Intergroup Meetings, to function in a capacity similar to the board of directors of a corporation. In this vein, the monthly Intergroup meeting may be compared to a shareholders meeting. It is at this meeting that each group’s wishes can be made known through its elected representative.
As an I.G.R., you can do a number of things to serve your group and Alcoholics Anonymous.
1 Attend the Intergroup Meetings.
2 Encourage your group to elect an Alternate Intergroup Representative who can attend the monthly meeting in case you can’t.
3 Keep your group informed.
4 Arrange with your group’s Secretary for a few minutes for you to report OBJECTIVELY and WITHOUT BIAS what Intergroup is doing so the group can render a Group Conscience when asked to do so.
5 Know the Bylaws of Intergroup.
6 The Intergroup operates under a set of guidelines called the Bylaws. There is a copy of the Bylaws in this packet. You should read it and be familiar with its provisions.
7 Sign up volunteers.
8 Recruit members of your group for Service on Intergroup committees or as Office Volunteers. Remember that “Service helps keeps you sober.”
9 Keep your group’s records current.
10 Make sure that your group’s information, as stated in the meeting schedule, is accurate. Report any errors to the Intergroup Office and be sure that the corrections are made.
11 Help keep Alcoholics Anonymous solvent.
12 Make the group’s Treasurer aware of where the Seventh Tradition money should go after the group’s expenses are met supporting all of the Area Services as your group conscience seems fit.
Like to Get Active and become an Intergroup Rep for your Home Group...
Then Just ask your group!
If you have any questions on how to get started give us a call at the office during normal business hours or e-mail us at the address below.
THANKS
