Purpose

The purpose of the Intergroup Liaison Committee is to serve as a resource conduit between the Area 29 general service structure, the General Service Office, and the Intergroups in Area 29.

Duties and Responsibilities of Intergroup Liaison Chairperson

• is appointed by the Area Chairperson for a term of two years, beginning in January of the even-numbered years


• Attends the Area Assembly and Area Committee meetings


• Serves as a resource conduit among Area 29 general service structure, General Service Office, and Intergroups in Area 29


• Attends Intergroup meetings and functions as invited by Intergroups and as coordinated with the Delegate, Alternate Delegate, and Area Chairperson


• Chairs Intergroup Liaison Committee meetings and meets informally with Intergroup representatives at Area Assembly and Area Committee meetings


• Subscribes to newsletters from all Intergroups within Area 29, and mails Margenser to Intergroups


• Invites Intergroups to attend Area Assembly and Area Committee meetings and addresses such issues as the Assembly agrees to allow


• Partners with Area 29 Intergroups to organize and execute Intergroup Days of Sharing to facilitate communication and sharing of experience between Intergroups, Districts and Maryland General Service


• Prepares the annual Intergroup Liaison Committee budget request to be submitted to the Finance Committee in the fall of each year and is prepared with supporting documentation to answer any questions which may be asked during the budget approval process


• May attend service functions or events as listed on page 53 of this Handbook and request reimbursement as provided in the Area 29 Budget for this committee and approved by the Area Assembly each year


• May attend and participate in Intergroup/Central Office Seminar at least once during the two year term, as provided in the Area budget, and reports back to the Assembly and Intergroups in Area 29


• Forms a working committee of A.A. members to assist in carrying out the performance of these responsibilities

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.