InterGroup and Local Group Structure

GA Introduction to Service

What is a GA Intergroup?

When is GA Intergroup?

Can Anyone attend GA Intergroup?

What is a GSR?

Why Should Groups have a Business Meeting?


Introduction to Service:

The Twelve Unity Steps of Gamblers Anonymous guide our groups well in the conduct of their individual affairs, and they are the foundation for GA Services. They have steered us away from many pitfalls that could have meant our collapse. Our various service units serve, for example, they do not govern; we stay out of public debate; we neither endorse nor oppose any of the many causes that our members may feel strongly about; our approach to compulsive gambling is a non-professional one; we are fully self-supporting. The Unity Steps have provided our fellowship with essential guidance throughout its development, and they continue to be indispensible.

There are some concepts that, as a fellowship, need to be practically applied to our service structure at every level. The spiritual ideals of our Recovery Steps and Unity Steps provide the basis for these concepts. Through experience, we have found that our services are stabilized when we conscientiously apply these concepts, much as our Recovery Steps have stabilized our lives and our Unity Steps have stabilized and unified our groups.

  1. To fulfill our Fellowship's primary purpose, the GA groups have joined together to create a structure which develops, coordinates, and maintains services on behalf of Gamblers Anonymous as a whole.

  2. All members of a service body bear substantial responsibility for that body's decisions and should be allowed to fully participate in its decision-making processes.

  3. The final responsibility and authority for GA services rests with the Gamblers Anonymous groups.

  4. Our service structure depends on the integrity and effectiveness of our communications.

  5. The GA groups delegate to the service structure the authority necessary to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to it.

  6. All elements of our GA service structure have the responsibility to carefully consider all viewpoints in their decision-making processes.

  7. Effective leadership is highly valued in Gamblers Anonymous. Leadership qualities should be carefully considered when selecting trusted servants.

  8. Any member of a GA service body can petition that body for the redress of a personal grievance, without fear of reprisal.

  9. For each responsibility assigned to the service structure, a single point of decision and accountability should be clearly defined.

  10. Gamblers Anonymous funds are to be used to further our primary purpose, and must be managed responsibly.

  11. Group Conscience is the spiritual means by which we invite a loving God to influence our decisions.

  12. In keeping with the spiritual nature of Gamblers Anonymous, our structure should always be one of service, never of government.

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What is Intergroup?

Intergroup is a service structure of Gamblers Anonymous. It is a regularly scheduled meeting of representatives from each of the groups (called GSR's or Group Service Representatives) in the Southern Alberta Area of Gamblers Anonymous to discuss mutual problems and ideas. In addition to GSR's, there are also Committee and Sub-Committee members present.

This enables area groups to resolve problems and function better as well as keeping lines of communication open between the groups. Intergroup usually selects members to form various committees and sub-committees that will serve the needs of the area in carrying the message of Gamblers Anonymous. Some of the functions of Intergroup include public relations, pressure relief meeting assistance, telephone answering service, etc. The work of Intergroup is guided by the GA Recovery and Unity steps within the framework of the GA program.

Intergroup is responsible to those it serves and as such, does not govern. It serves. One purpose of it is to reduce the need for lengthy and frequent business meetings at the individual group level, and allow the groups to fulfill their primary purpose, carrying the message of recovery

If you are interested in finding out more about the various Intergroup positions, please visit our page on Intergroup Job Descriptions

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When is Intergroup?

The Southern Alberta Intergroup of Gamblers Anonymous usually meets the third Sunday of every month (except July and August) at St. John's Lutheran Church, located at 206 - 6a Street N.E. Intergroup meeting time is 7:00 PM and is held in a separate room from the regularly scheduled GA meeting.

The Northern Alberta Intergroup of Gamblers Anonymous usually meets on the first Sunday of every month at the Edmonton General Hospital located at 11111 Jasper Ave ROOM 2R 09 "R" Wing is beside the Rendez-Vous Cafeteria on the main floor.

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Can anybody attend Intergroup?

Anybody and everybody from Gamblers Anonymous is welcome, and encouraged, to attend and participate at Intergroup. As the GA Ninth Unity Step reminds us, our service boards and committees are directly responsible to those they serve. Many positions are available on committees and at the executive level; you do not need to be a GSR to participate. Obviously, some executive positions do have minimum clean time requirements.

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What is a GSR?

A GSR is a Group Service Representative. As the name implies, the individual is a representative of their respective GA home group in the role of, and spiritual principle of, service. A GSR has two responsibilities.

One of the responsibilities is to represent their GA group and their group's conscience at Intergroup. If their GA group, or an individual at their group, has a concern that needs to be taken to the Intergroup level, it is the GSR's responsibility to take that issue to the table at Intergroup. It is easy to become personally involved and make decisions based on personal feelings and opinions, but that takes away from the spiritual principles and responsibilities bestowed upon the individual when they were elected GSR at their group's business meeting.

The other responsibility is to take information back to their respective group. To act as an information Liaison, of sorts, between Intergroup and the GA group. Usually during a group's business meeting, a GSR will give a report as to what is happening at Intergroup. If there is an issue that needs to be voted on at an Intergroup level that may affect the group, a responsible GSR will take the issue back to the group, and at a business meeting get a group conscience on how to vote at the next Intergroup.

In some areas, an Alternate GSR is also elected and may, or may not also attend Intergroup. Some of the roles of an Alternate GSR is to be able to fill in for the GSR in the event the GSR will have to miss an Intergroup meeting, attend Intergroup with the GSR to learn about the service structure of GA, to help the GSR maintain group conscience at Intergroup, to fill the role of GSR when the GSR's term is expired.

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Why Should Individual GA Groups Have Business Meetings?

A group's business meeting provides many services to the group. The most important purpose of a business meeting is to keep the GA recovery meeting in tune with our primary purpose - to carry the message of hope and recovery to the compulsive gambler who is still suffering. By having regularly scheduled business meetings separate from the recovery meeting, the recovery meeting stays as an atmosphere of recovery and is not distracted by the internal politics of Gamblers Anonymous. There is perhaps nothing more distracting, fragmenting, and confusing for a newcomer at their first or second GA meeting than to have the meeting disrupted by an impromptu business meeting right in the middle of giving therapies. Or for the visitor who may be attending a GA meeting to find out what the GA program is all about.

Regularly scheduled business meetings, suggestively once a month, are usually held prior to, or after a recovery meeting. Issues such as electing a Chairperson for the coming month, positions within the group (i.e. Treasurer, GSR, Pressure Relief Chair, etc.) may be elected. Meeting format, supplies, group activities, as well as Intergroup reports and group conscience decisions are dealt with at this level. It also gives every home group member a place to come and give suggestions on what may work at a recovery meeting, or what is not working. This is the opportunity of every GA member to become involved with their group, at a business meeting.

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