Intergroup Liaison Committee | Service Maps | Statement of Purpose
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.”
The
AA Group (pamphlet), p 35
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.
Page S38
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.
What
Does an Intergroup (Central Office) Do?
 An Intergroup or Central office is a vital A.A.
service office that represents a partnership among groups in a
community - just as A.A. groups themselves are a partnership of
individuals. These offices are established to carry out common
functions that are best handled by a centralized office, and it is
usually maintained, supervised, and supported by these groups for their
common interest. The office exists to aid the groups in carrying the
A.A. message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Methods and goals vary
from one area to another, but generally the intergroup or central
office responsibility is to:
10. Cooperate with
local, district and area committees. (Some intergroups elect members to
serve as area liaisons and welcome their participation in intergroup
meetings.) Pages 35 - 36
The
A.A. Guidelines below 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.
Reports are available from G.S.O.
Page 4
Wouldn't one INTERGROUP pamphlet with the complete
A.A.W.S. Intergroup information and suggestions be helpful?
Any questions regarding this information should be directed to
the Intergroup Liaison Committee Chairman.
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