Intergroup Pamphlet – Bill W.

This is service material printed by the General Service Office.
A.A. World Services, Inc. Box 459 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163

Intergroup – Central Office – Intergroup Associations

Bill W. helped write an Intergroup pamphlet, which was published by the Intergroup Committee of New Jersey in March 1949. On the back page of the pamphlet, Bill wrote:

“Every A.A. member wants every alcoholic in the world to have the chance that he has had. Every A.A. member wants unity for our movement. Every A.A. member wants the good opinion of medicine, religion and the general public. We know we must have these things or the new man may never get his chance.”

“The Intergroup associations are the best insurance we can have that our life lines to the hundreds of thousands yet to come will never break or tangle. Let us always be generous. Let us warmly support Intergroup.”

A.A co-founder Bill W., 1949

Dr. Bob

Dr. Bob was not only a supporter of the Intergroup/Central Office concept, he was an active participant in the Akron Central Committee. In “Dr Bob and the Good Old Timers,” his involvement was discussed in some detail by Dan K., an early Akron A.A.

“Doc used to play an important part in the Central Committee. That was the steering committee for the office. We’d meet the first Monday of every month and he always attended. There’d be a member from each group. During the meetings, sometimes, the words would fly like you were in a barroom.”

During one meeting Dr Bob stood up, hushed the crowd and said:

“Gentlemen, please. We’re still members of Alcoholics Anonymous. Let’s carry the principles of A.A. into these business meetings. You are servants of your group(s), here to take the ideas formulated by the committee. Let one man talk at a time, and let us conduct this business meeting as a service to the Lord and a service to our fellow members of Alcoholics Anonymous.”

Are Intergroups & Central Offices Part of Alcoholics Anonymous?

Traditionally, general service committees and Intergroup/Central Offices have performed different functions.

• Central Offices provide local services.

• General service committees maintain the link between A.A. groups and the General Service Board through the Conference.

These two structures often coexist in mutual cooperation and harmony.

At the time the Conference was started, several cities already had well-established Central Offices. Today, many more exist in the United States and Canada, supported by the groups they serve.

In contrast, the Conference structure provides communication within and between A.A. groups and the General Service Board on matters affecting A.A. as a whole. These include:

• Conference-approved literature

• Public information

• Cooperation with professionals

• Treatment and corrections work

• A.A. finances

• The A.A. Grapevine

• Election of trustees

Many areas benefit from having a liaison between the Intergroup/Central Office and the Area Committee. In some places the liaison has a vote; in others, only a voice.

Reprinted from The A.A. Service Manual 2003–2004, Pg S37.

What Is a Central Office?

A Central Office (or Intergroup) is an A.A. service office that involves partnership among groups in a community—just as A.A. groups are partnerships of individuals. It is established to carry out certain functions common to all groups, especially those best handled by a central point of service.

Its purpose is to aid the groups in their common mission: carrying the A.A. message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

Intergroup/Central Office Functions

A.A. experience shows that Central Offices are essential, especially in populous areas. More than 500 Intergroups/Central Offices operate worldwide, providing indispensable services such as:

• Answer inquiries from those seeking help—suffering alcoholics, sober alcoholics, meetings, groups, professionals, and the general public.

• Receive, arrange, and follow up Twelfth Step calls.

• Publish local A.A. meeting lists and maintain websites listing local meetings.

• Communicate with a newsletter.

• Act as an information exchange for local Groups, Areas, and Committees.

• Cooperate closely with GSO and local General Service Area Committees.

• Order, sell, and distribute A.A. Conference-approved literature.

Individual and Group Participation Helps Us “Carry the Message”

Intergroup/Central Office depends on local members and groups for support. This help comes through volunteer service and financial contributions.

Support keeps services available and effective.

Ways members and groups can participate:

• Visit Central Office – Drop in, introduce yourself, have a cup of coffee, and meet volunteers and staff.

• Volunteer at Central Office – Help answer hotline phones.

• 12 Step Volunteer – Be available to call suffering alcoholics who wish to get sober.

• Communicate with Central Office – Help keep meeting information up to date.

• Intergroup Rep – Represent your group at the monthly Intergroup meeting.

• Intergroup Committees – Public Information, Newsletter, Phone, Outreach, Special Events, and more.

7th Tradition Financial Contributions

“When we meet and defeat the temptation to take large gifts, we are only being prudent. But when we are generous with the hat, we give a token that we are grateful for our blessing and evidence that we are eager to share what we have found with those who still suffer.” —Bill W.

The Seventh Tradition states:
“Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.”

Intergroup/Central Office relies on contributions from groups and individuals.

• Groups contribute monthly.

• Individual A.A. members may contribute up to $2,000 yearly through birthday plans, personal contributions, and memorial gifts.

Support reflects gratitude for sobriety and willingness to help the alcoholic who still suffers.

I Am Responsible…

When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help,
I want the hand of A.A. always to be there.
And for that I am responsible.