Introduction to Service

The groups are the powerhouse of Alcoholics Anonymous, and all related service committees, boards and officers exist primarily to serve them. Thus, the aim of Intergroup is to support the groups in the common purpose of carrying the AA message to the still suffering alcoholic and, by using their combined strength and unity, to develop and maintain good relations with all organisations in the community.

This booklet contains descriptions of the Chelsea Intergroup Service Committee positions, and an outline of the role of Group Service Representative (GSR). In the tradition of AA, these are meant as guidelines and not rules. They are intended to be of assistance to any AA member interested in being involved in Intergroup service.

If you or anyone you know might be interested in pursuing this rewarding aspect of recovery, then you are invited to come along to any Intergroup meeting, held on the third Wednesday of each month (scheduled on even months for GSRs, odd months for the Service Committee) to ask questions and learn more. All meetings are held at St. Columbas Church of Scotland, Pont Street, London SW1, in the ground floor small room, from 19:30 to 21:00.  Your groups GSR can help you with details and questions or put you in touch with a Service Committee member.

The process of securing a Service Committee post starts by you asking your Group to nominate/sponsor you for the position in which you are interested, letting your GSR or a Service Committee member know of your interest and nomination, and coming along to the next full GSR Intergroup meeting, where you will be asked to give a brief verbal summary of your Recovery CV before a vote is taken.

Our Twelfth Step  ~  carrying the message  ~ is the basic service that the AA Fellowship gives; this is our principle aim and the main reason for our existence. Therefore, AA is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action.  We must carry the message,  else we ourselves can wither and those who haven't been given the truth may die. by Bill W.

-AA Service Manual, pg. 1

Updated 19.01.2021