Chicagoland GA Intergroup - Intergroup Guidelines

An intergroup is a group of local groups which meet together to discuss mutual problems and work with one another for the common good of all.

All groups in a geographical area should belong to the intergroup, but no group can be expelled from an Intergroup without approval of the Board of Trustees.

Trusted servants to carry the workload of the Intergroup shall be elected in a manner selected by the groups comprising the Intergroup. However, it is suggested that the term of office be for the calendar year.

All Gamblers Anonymous literature, books and service pins should be purchased from Gamblers Anonymous through the International Service Office (I.S.O.), except when otherwise approved by the Board of Trustees.

Functions of the Intergroup:

1. To disseminate Gamblers Anonymous information and approved Gamblers Anonymous literature to any group or individual requesting same.

2. The Intergroup shall be answerable to those groups that it represents and the Board of Trustees where it affects Gamblers Anonymous as a whole.

3. The Intergroup shall, if it so desires, publish a bulletin or newsletter at regular intervals.

4. Any newly formed Gamblers Anonymous group shall be able to participate but not vote in the business portion of the Intergroup meetings until being in existence for a period of no less than three (3) months, assuming of course that the group meets all requirements of a Gamblers Anonymous group. A majority of the groups must be represented before a vote can take place.

5. Intergroup meetings should be held at least once per month and copies of the minutes should be forwarded to all member groups, other intergroups, the Regional Service Office and the International Service Office.

6. Each group shall have the right to elect representatives and alternates equal to the number of representatives and alternates of any other group.

7. The order of business of the Intergroup shall be conducted by trusted servants in accordance with the Guidance Code.

8. The Intergroup should be supported financially by the member groups.

9. Trusted servants of the Intergroup should consist of the following:

1. Duties of the Chairman is to conduct the meeting in an orderly fashion, to prepare the agenda, with assistance of the other trusted servants.

2. Duties of the Assistance Chairman should be to perform the Chairman’s duties when the Chairman is absent, keep an accurate record of group representatives and take the Intergroup meeting attendance.

3. Duties of the Recording Secretary shall be to take minutes of all meetings and notify all groups of meeting dates of Intergroup Open Meeting and changes, additions and deletions of any current group meeting, and mail the minutes to all parties as outlined in Paragraph E.

4. Duties of the Treasurer are to collect, record and prepare for disbursement all funds collected from the groups, to prepare monthly statement of finances, to see that pins and literature are available to groups upon request and should be one of two signatures required on checks.

5. Duties of the Public Relations Representative shall be to disseminate information, inform Regional Service Office and International Service Office of any public relations efforts, and be responsible for creating public relations activities in the Intergroup area within the framework of the Guidance Code.

6. Duties of the Pressure Relief Group Chairman shall be to be responsible for educating the groups on pressure relief, maintaining updated forms and giving assistance to groups where needed.

10. The Intergroup should publish a meeting list for the area and should send copies to the other Intergroups, the Regional Service Office and the International Service Office every time there is a revision.

11. Wherever possible, the Intergroup should hold the election for the Trustees that are to be selected from their area, and they should include other groups not members of the Intergroup who fall within the Trustees geographic area.

12. No trusted servant of the Intergroup shall receive compensation for service rendered as a trusted servant of the Intergroup.

Chicagoland GA Intergroup meetings are held monthly at 7:30 PM on the second Monday of every month.