Article X – Intergroup Guidelines

Section 1:

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.

Section 2:

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.

Section 3:

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.

Section 4:

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.

Section 5:

Functions of Intergroup:

1. To disseminate Gamblers Anonymous information and disseminate or sell 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 meeting until being in existence for a period of no less than three (3) months, assuming, of course, that the group meets all Guidance Code – November 2025 requirements of a Gamblers Anonymous group. It is the responsibility of each group to send a representative to their local Intergroup meeting in order to ensure that their group has input on every vote and that the majority of groups are represented.

5. Intergroup meetings should be held at least once per month and copies of the minutes should be forwarded to all member groups and the International Service Office (I.S.O.).

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

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

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

9. The trusted servants of Intergroup are accountable for the responsible use, recordkeeping, reconciliation, and reporting of all financial transactions, including but not limited to funds received, disbursed and generated through all Intergroup bank accounts used for any activity or event approved by or benefiting the Intergroup.

10. Trusted servants of the Intergroup should consist of a CHAIRMAN, ASSISTANT CHAIRMAN, TREASURER, PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE, RECORDING SECRETARY, PRESSURE RELIEF GROUP CHAIRMAN, and any other trusted servants deemed necessary by the Intergroup.

  • Duties of the CHAIRMAN shall be to conduct the meeting in an orderly fashion, to prepare the agenda, with assistance of other trusted servants.

  • Duties of the ASSISTANT 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 attendance.

  • Duties of the RECORDING SECRETARY shall be to take minutes of all meetings and notify all groups of meeting dates of Intergroup Open Meetings and changes, additions and deletions of any current group meeting, and mail the minutes to all parties as outlined in Paragraph 5.

  • 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.

  • Duties of the PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE shall be to disseminate information, inform Regional Service Office and International Service Office (I.S.O.) of any public relations effort, and be responsible for creating public relations activities in the Intergroup area within the framework of the Guidance Code.

  • 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.

11. The Intergroup should publish a meeting list for the area and should send a copy to the International Service Office (I.S.O.) every time there is a revision.

12. 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.

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

14. All information posted on any Gamblers Anonymous Websites shall be in compliance with the 12 Steps of Recovery and the 12 Steps of Unity.

15. An Intergroup does not have the right to set stricter requirements and responsibilities, pertaining to the election of Trustees, other than those which are contained in either the Guidance Code or the Responsibilities of International Trustees of Gamblers Anonymous, as listed in the Gamblers Anonymous Information Packet.