About Worcester Area Intergroup

A.A. General Service Structure

A.A.'s general service structure is often depicted as an "inverted triangle", as shown below.


For AA General Service, North America is divided into Regions, with each region represented by a Regional Trustee on the General Service Board (GSB). Each region is divided into Areas, and each area is represented by a Delegate at the annual General Service Conference. Areas are subdivided into Districts, and each district elects a District Committee Member (DCM) as a representative at area meetings and assemblies.

At the top of the triangle are A.A. groups, represented by a General Service Representative (GSR) at district meetings and area assemblies.

At the base of the triangle are two corporations: A.A. World Services Inc. (AAWS) and A.A. Grapevine Inc. (GV), collectively referred to as the General Service Office (GSO). The GSO is governed by the GSB, consisting of AAWS and GV directors and the trustees. The GSB, in turn, is loosely governed by the area delegates via the General Service Conference (GSC). The GSC itself has boards and committees, as depicted in this GSC structure chart. For an overview of how the GSC operates: click here.

Below is a chart of general service entities and the lines of communication.

AA Communications Flowchart

A.A. Intergroups & General Service

An A.A. Intergroup (also called a Central Office or Intergroup/Central Office — IGCO) is an entity whose purpose is to serve A.A. groups at the local level. Intergroups often have a physical office and a 24-hour hotline and provide resources to support AA's primary purpose at the local level: to help the still sick and suffering alcoholic in collaboration with A.A. members and groups. WAI delegates vote on local matters that affect groups in central MA, such as meeting schedules, whereas General Service Representatives (GSRs) vote on matters that affect the policy of service entities that oversee AA’s worldwide (GSO) operations located in New York.

An Intergroup Committee is mainly composed of Delegates from local AA groups. An AA group may elect a delegate to represent them at Intergroup committee meetings. An intergroup delegate is an A.A. group’s link to an Intergroup, equivalent to the GSRs who represent groups at District and Area assemblies. A district may also elect a delegate or District Liaison to serve as a link between the district and the intergroup. Similarly, an intergroup may elect an Area Liaison to represent the intergroup at area assemblies and committee meetings.

For an overview of A.A. general service, see the pamphlet Circles of Love and Service and for details, see the AA Service Manual. A.A. general service in eastern Massachusetts is documented in The Area 30 Handbook.

IGCOs have existed since the earliest days of A.A. and operate independently of A.A.’s General Service structure. Many IGCOs are incorporated, nonprofit entities governed by charters or bylaws and elected officers and delegates, and may employ paid staff members.

Traditionally, general service committees and IGCOs have performed different functions. IGCOs provide local services; general service committees provide a link between the A.A. groups and the A.A. General Service Board by means of the General Service Conference. So these two separate but vital A.A. service structures coexist and function in mutual cooperation and harmony. The IGCO and A.A. general service structures are depicted below.

Although IGCOs fall under the broader definition of AA "general service" (service beyond the group level), that is not to be confused with "General Service" — a formal reference to the A.A. service structure. In Massachusetts and elsewhere, IGCOs and General Service entities (Areas, Districts) operate and exist independently. For more information on IGCOs, see the Central or Intergroup Offices guidelines.

Massachusetts’ has two areas, Eastern Mass (Area 30) and Western Mass (Area 31).

The Intergroups/Central Offices serving different regions of Massachusetts are listed below.

Lastly, since 1963, Areas 30 and 31 have conducted an annual MA State Convention to foster unity, service, and recovery across Massachusetts, with participation from Al-Anon, Young People’s, and Intergroups/Central Offices.