Welcome to Intergroup - help for GSRs
This page is a reformatted version of the 'Welcome to Lincolnshire Intergroup' document available to all GSRs from the secretary. It also helps any member understand what goes on at an intergroup meeting.- - - - - - - - - - - -
Issue 3.1, May 2023
This documents briefly outlines Lincolnshire Intergroup and provides suggestions to new GSRs.
What Lincolnshire Intergroup does:
- Acts as a forum between AA groups in connection with the Lincolnshire area: intergroup.
- Co-ordinates and carries out service work in the Lincolnshire area that would be too wide in scope for an individual group, for example prison service, public information, telephone helpline.
- Receives voluntary contributions from groups, covers intergroup operating costs, holds a prudent reserve and passes any surplus to Midlands Region.
- Once a year passes the groups' responses to questions-for-conference on to Region and thereby on to conference.
Lincolnshire Intergroup does not:
- Become involved in matters within groups: intragroup. The internal workings and decisions of individual groups are a matter of group autonomy.
- Have any power to 'police' or punish members or individual groups.
- Carry out any of the activities that are part of an individual group's service structure.
Service positions at intergroup
There are a variety of executive and liaison officer positions at Lincolnshire intergroup. These may vary from time to time but follow recommendations given in the AA Conference-approved service literature. A list of vacancies, positions and contact details can be obtained from the intergroup secretary. Additionally, vacancies are communicated at and after every intergroup meeting. If you are curious about any of the service positions please speak to the secretary or the person currently in the role.
What to do as a new GSR
Make yourself known to the intergroup secretary secretary ASAP (secretary.lincolnshire@aamail.org) - and supply at least an email address and preferably also a phone number for future use. This means you will be on the distribution list for intergroup communications and will get the agenda for the next meeting.
What to expect at intergroup meetings
Intergroup meetings occur quarterly and follow a business meeting agenda circulated in advance. Intergroup meetings focus on intergroup activities but are friendly and welcoming. Venues for intergroup meetings vary, but most meetings start at 10:30am on Sundays and last less than two hours. Occasionally separate workshops are scheduled for after the main meeting, in which case this will be on the agenda. Questions-for-conference workshops are normally held after the main meeting in February. Decisions at intergroup are voted on by GSRs and intergroup officers.
Before an intergroup meeting:
- Send in your group report (if required) as per the 'request for reports' email from the secretary.
- Read through the agenda and the minutes of the last meeting.
- Inform your group you will be attending and ask if there is anything to raise with intergroup.
- Ask if any of your group members would like to come along as a visitor.
- What to bring to the meeting
- A copy of the agenda and a pen and paper to make notes. Money for Tradition Seven.
- Questions to raise: If your group has an issue or concern for intergroup to address, there is an opportunity on the sign-in sheet to tick a column to this affect. You will then be invited to raise this question under the 'Any Other Business' section of the agenda.
- Conference questions feedback: once a year - usually in Feb - conference questions feedback can be past to intergroup's region representatives, who will collate and pass on to Region and thus onto Conference. This will be highlighted on the agenda in advance.
- Tea and coffee is provided. Occasionally it may be recommended to bring your own lunch if there is a session after the main meeting - check the agenda.
What to do at the meeting:
- Arrive a little early, grab a tea or coffee, find a seat and have a chat!
- Enter onto the sign-in sheet your name, group, role and if you have a question for intergroup.
- If you are a new GSR, before or after the meeting, establish contact with the treasurer (Tradition Seven) and the secretary (to check contact details).
- Take any notes you feel are useful to take back to your group. However full minutes will be provided.
- Make use of the people at the meeting: contacts for speakers, sharing of experiences in group matters.
- If you are not sure of anything - just ask!
What to do after the meeting:
- Pass on information to your group if needed.
- Read through and check the minutes of the meeting once issued.
- Consider sharing the minutes and/or the intergroup newsletter with your group.
On an ongoing basis:
- Ensure that the General Service Office (GSO) is updated with any changes to meeting details. This can be most easily done on the main AA site, or by telephoning GSO.
- Pass on any fellowship communications that come your way via intergroup.
- Keep an eye out for suitable individuals that might benefit from service work at intergroup.
- Consider sending personal and group histories to the intergroup archivist.
- Check that someone in your group updates the telephone liaison officer with the 12-step list.
Further sources of information on intergroup and the GSR role
Attending intergroup meetings is the best source of up-to-date information on Lincolnshire activities. The following items of literature are also available from alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk:
- The AA Service Handbook for Great Britain
- The AA Structure Handbook for Great Britain
- Now that I'm a GSR
Also feel free to contact the intergroup secretary with any questions: secretary.lincolnshire@aamail.org.