Purpose

The purpose of the Area 29 Intergroup Liaison Committee is to respond to the needs of Greater Maryland Intergroups, and to promote communication and cooperation between Area 29 Maryland General Service and Greater Maryland Intergroups to enhance unity.

• The Committee’s objective is to facilitate the sharing of information among Intergroups. This committee is not a policy making committee and the committee members do not represent the voice of their Intergroups. The committee members share their experience, strength, and hope to promote unity among Intergroups and between the Intergroups and the Area.

• The Committee is comprised of a DCM and/or GSR Chair and Co-Chair, and any DCMs, GSRs, and A.A. members interested in working on the Committee’s projects which include organizing workshops, developing a webpage, and contacting Intergroups by calling, writing, emailing, and visiting Intergroup Offices and Intergroup Council meetings. The goal of these projects is improved communication between Intergroups and the Area.

• The Committee meets throughout the year at the Area Assembly meetings. There may be additional meetings and communications when the Committee is working on projects that require extra time.

• Based on the model of the annual Central Office/Intergroup/AAWS Seminar, the Committee is continuing to coordinate with Intergroups to provide statewide workshops for A.A. members interested in Intergroup and Area service work. Committee workshops provide an opportunity for A.A. members to interact with each other, establish contacts, share experience and information, and grow in strength through unity.

• In order to gain direct input from Intergroups in Committee meetings and communications, the Committee seeks an Area Liaison from each Intergroup to serve as a Committee member.

The Committee invites any interested A.A. member to participate and is always grateful to have A.A. members with Intergroup Council, AAWS Intergroup Seminar, and Intergroup Office Management experience.

Please join us on our quest to share experience and information to enhance unity.

Any questions regarding this information should be directed to the Intergroup Liaison Committee Chairman   

What We Do

Area 29's Intergroup Liaison Committee seeks to facilitate communication among Intergroups and between Intergroups and the Area in order to further unity among the various service arms of our Fellowship. The Intergroup Liaison Committee Chair has a vote at the Area 29 Assembly and Committee meetings.

What Our Conference-Approved Literature Says about Intergroups and Liaisons

Although local Intergroups operate independently of A.A.'s worldwide service structure, they are a vital part of our Fellowship. Reprinted from The AA Group (pamphlet), p 35 with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

Working with Local Intergroups and Central Offices

Traditionally, general service committees and Intergroup/Central Offices have performed different functions. Central offices provide local services; general service committees maintain the link between the A.A. Groups and the A.A. General Service Board by means of the Conference. So, these two separate but vital service structures co-exist in many areas in mutual cooperation and harmony. Reprinted from the A.A. Service Manual, 2007-2008 Edition, P. S38 with permission from A.A. World Services, Inc.

Many Areas find that a Liaison between the central office/intergoup and the area committee is very helpful in maintaining good relations and communication. In some areas, the Liaison has a vote at the assembly; in others, a voice but no vote. Page S39 More information on working together is available through G.S.O. and in the pamphlets "The A.A. Group and "Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix," as well as in the A.A. Guidelines on Intergroups/Central Offices.

More information on working together is available through G.S.O. and in the pamphlets "The A.A. Group and "Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix," as well as in the A.A. Guidelines on Intergroups/Central Offices.

The A.A. Guidelines herein are compiled from the shared experience of A.A. members throughout the U.S. and Canada. They also reflect guidance given through the Twelve Traditions and the General Service Conference. In keeping with our Tradition of autonomy except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole, most decisions are made by the group conscience of the members involved. The purpose of these Guidelines is to assist in reaching an informed group conscience.

Communication
Communication is the key to working together - Central Office or Intergroup Office and General Service Area Committee or the District Committee and the General Service Office of A.A. In 1990 the General Service Conference stressed the importance of communication and recommended that delegates establish and maintain contact with offices in their areas to share Conference Information and assure that central/intergroup offices have a voice in the Fellowship through their existing service structure.

Try to find out what is going on by getting together from time to time with corresponding committees in your area. It is important to share ideas and discuss activities so as to avoid duplication of effort. It is not important who does the work (the General Service Committee or the Central Office or Intergroup Committee in your area) but that the work gets done - that help is there for the next alcoholic who needs us and our Fellowship.

Central offices and general service area committees are complementary, rather than competitive, A.A. operations. Both exist to help insure A.A. unity and to fulfill A.A.'s primary purpose of carrying the message.

There is a great deal of work for intergroup or central office committees concerned with public information, cooperation with the professional community, correctional and treatment facilities.

In 1986, the first A.A.W.S./Intergroup/Central Office Seminar was held to discuss questions on literature distribution, pricing and discounts, and to share ways to work together. Seminars are now held each year.

For more complete information about Intergroups or Central Offices, please see the complete AA Guidelines.