Intergroup and Central Office

GREATER VICTORIA INTERGROUP ASSOCIATION CENTRAL OFFICE

INTERGROUP REPRESENTATIVE MEETING

**No ZOOM Meeting on January 4 – In Person ONLY**
Hybrid Meeting on 1st Thursday of the month @ 7:30PM

Where: Esquimalt Recreation Centre – Craigflower Room, 527 Frazer St, Victoria (Map)
(Go through main entrance walk to the end and turn left. Last meeting room on the left)

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 879 6105 3780
Passcode: 404767

What: Encourages participation from all groups through their intergroup or alternate intergroup representative. This is an opportunity for groups to connect and exchange information with our fellowship. The Steering Committee members report their last month’s activities and seek the fellowships input on upcoming items.

WHAT IS INTERGROUP CENTRAL OFFICE

“An Intergroup or Central office is a vital service that represents a partnership among groups in a community-just as AA groups themselves are partnerships of individuals. A Central Office is established to carry out common functions that are best handled by a centralized office, and it is maintained, supervised, and supported by these groups in their general interest. It exists to aid the group in their common purpose of carrying the AA message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” – A.A. Guidelines

HOW DO WE FULFILL THE BASIC SERVICES AND NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY

  1. Respond to phone or walk in requests for help from alcoholics and, when appropriate, arrange for A.A volunteers (listed with the office) to meet and accompany them to an A.A meeting. (12th Step calls)
  2. Maintain A.A listings in local phone directories, handle phone mail and email inquiries, keep group banking mail and route them to local groups. We make sure our 24hr helpline is answered.
  3. Publish, print, distribute and post our monthly meeting directories.
  4. Stock and sell A.A literature & lend out speaker cd’s.
  5. Serve as a communication centre for participating groups – issuing a monthly In Touch newsletter to keep groups informed about one another and AA workshops, events etc.
  6. Coordinate the efforts of intergroup committees and the chair people of the Steering committee.
  7. Through P.I. and C.P.C committees, handle requests for information about A.A from local news media, arrange local radio or TV programs about A.A through Conference approved PSA’s and furnish speakers for schools and non A.A organizations.
  8. Co-operate with our 5 Districts and Area 79 committees. Maintain communication and “cooperation but not affiliation” with the community and helping professionals in the field of alcoholism.
  9. Maintain our website with helpful links, information, pamphlets, an up to date newsletter and meeting directory, maintain/update the meetingguide app
  10. Sell 24 hr, monthly and yearly anniversary medallions.
  11. Maintain a centrally located office where services and volunteers and volunteer opportunities through am/pm office shifts, TAS; Telephone Answering Service, PI, CPC and committee meetings can be coordinated.
  12. Keep up to date group information.
  13. Facilitating meeting space for home groups, workshops and a variety of committees.
  14. Liaison between 5 Districts, BC Yukon Area 79 and General Service Office in New York & other Intergoups.
  15. Hire an office manager to coordinate the office during business hours. During and after office hours our service is also maintained by AA volunteer members.

STEERING COMMITTEE

The Steering Committee are the trusted servants elected by the intergroup body to take care of the daily running of central office. They meet once a month before the Intergroup Representatives Meeting

The steering committee consists of:

Chair, Co Chair, Treasurer, PI chair (Public Information), CPC chair (Cooperation with the Professional Community), TAS chair (Telephone Answering Service), Literature chair, 1 Year Member-at-large, 2 Year Member-at-Large, Web Chair, Central Office Manager

The intergroup AGM (Annual General Meeting) is held in November of each year, one hour earlier than regular intergroup meetings. Motions can be brought forward by an Intergroup Representative at any meeting. Motions that affect our constitution can only be brought forward at the AGM. 

STAFFING

We have one full time paid office manager as well as volunteers to respond to 12 step calls and other telephone and email inquiries. The office manager works as a paid employee not as an AA member. 

Tradition 8 states: “Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional; but our service centers may employ special workers.” 

Some decisions regarding service can be made by the office managers, but housekeeping items are decided by the steering committee.  The office manager reports to both the Steering Committee and the Intergroup body. If it is felt that a plan would affect AA groups in the Victoria area as a whole, the policies and plans are discussed and voted on by the intergroup reps or their alternates at the monthly meetings. The steering committee members do not vote, unless needed in accordance with our constitution.

What is the origin of AA’s Statement of Responsibility?

Also known as “The Responsibility Pledge of Alcoholics Anonymous,” the Responsibility Declaration was first introduced in July 1965 at the 30th Anniversary International Convention in Toronto, Canada. It was written by Al S., an editor of The AA Grapevine magazine. The theme of the convention was “Responsibility.” The recitation of this pledge was part of the keynote presentation during the conventions “big meeting.”

We would like to extend the invitation to all members of our fellowship to come see us at your Central Office.