Western Kentucky Intergroup Structure

Where as the Alcoholics Anonymous Groups in Western Kentucky consider it desirable that cooperative action be taken in carrying the A.A. message to the still suffering alcoholic:

 

BE IT RESOLVED, that there be established a not for profit Entity named Western Kentucky Intergroup, and that the following Structure be adopted to administer the operation of this office.

 

ARTICLE I

 

INTERGROUP  COMMITTEE

 

Section 1.

 

The Intergroup Representative Committee, herein referred to as the Intergroup Committee, shall be composed of one (1) representative from each participating A.A. Group. This member is referred to as the A.A. Intergroup Representative. The representatives are the main channel of information between the Intergroup Committee and the groups. These representatives reflect the groups’ conscience in the service office operations. The selection of the A.A. Intergroup Representative shall follow the suggestion in the A.A. Service Manual and the A.A. Guidelines pertaining to Intergroup Offices. It is desirable that the member chosen have a least one (1) year of current continuous sobriety at the time of selection. The Groups also should select an Alternate Representative to act in the absence of the designated Representative.

 

Section 2.

 

Intergroup Officers shall be defined as follows:  Intergroup Chairperson, Alternate Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Intergroup Coordinator.

 

Intergroup Committee shall be defined as all elected Intergroup Representatives and Standing Committee Chairpersons.

 

Standing Committees shall consist of: Archives, Grapevine, Cooperation with Professional Community, Corrections, Public Information, Special Needs, and Treatment Facilities.

 

Section 3.

 

Intergroup meetings shall be held in the month before the Area meeting, with the day, time and location to be determined by the Intergroup Committee. All Intergroup Representatives will be notified with meeting information. The meetings may be subject to change due to inclement weather or other circumstances, at the discretion of the Intergroup Committee Officers herein referred to as the Intergroup Steering Committee.

 

Section 4.

 

Only members of Alcoholics Anonymous may attend intergroup meetings. Exceptions may be made by approval of the Intergroup Committee conscience prior to the meeting at which a guest’s presence is requested. Concerns of A.A. members shall be heard only through the Representative or Alternate. Each participating A.A. Group shall have one (1) vote in the proceedings, which will be cast by the Representative or the designated Alternate.

 

Section 5.

 

The Intergroup Committee is concerned with all matters affecting A.A. as a whole and within the

Intergroup service area. The Committee shall be responsible for reviewing all actions of the Steering Committee and to amend or rescind any action that does not meet with the approval of the Intergroup Committee’s conscience as a whole.

 

Section 6.

 

The Representatives present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum, except in the case of an amendment, alteration, repeal, or addition to these Bylaws; such action to require an affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of participating Groups with Intergroup Representatives.

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

INTERGROUP STEERING COMMITTEE

 

Section 1.

 

The Intergroup Steering Committee shall be composed of five (5) members: Chairperson, Alternate Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Intergroup Coordinator.  It is suggested for election as a member of the Steering Committee that the candidate have one (1) year of previous service as an Intergroup Representative and three (3) years of continuous sobriety.  The Intergroup Steering Committee may decide additional qualifications.

 

Section 2.

 

The Intergroup Coordinator shall be appointed by the Intergroup Chairperson and approved by the Intergroup Committee by a vote at any regularly scheduled meeting of the Intergroup.  This being a position of managing and executing the day-to-day business of the Intergroup and not one of policy making, the term of office is limited only by his/her performance and the will of the Intergroup Steering Committee.

 

Section 3.

 

In the event that a member of the Steering Committee fails to attend two (2) consecutive Steering Committee meetings, except for due cause, it will be assumed that he/she has resigned and the Intergroup Committee will be asked to elect another member to complete the unexpired term.

 

Section 4.

 

The election of the Intergroup Committee Officers shall be conducted during the December Intergroup Committee meeting of odd numbered years. The election of Officers shall be accomplished in the following manner: the Secretary shall compile a list of Intergroup Representatives, past and current. The eligible Intergroup Representatives shall be polled as to their willingness to stand for elections. The vote for each office, including all alternates, shall be by secret ballot using the Third Legacy procedure. This procedure will be found in the current A.A. Service Manual. Those eligible to vote are both the outgoing and incoming Intergroup Representatives or their Alternate.

 

Section 5.

 

The term of an Intergroup Committee Officer (with the exception of the Intergroup Coordinator) shall be for a period of two (2) years.  Members may succeed themselves for one (1) two-year term.  Following service for two (2) consecutive terms, Intergroup Committee Officers, may not be re-elected until a period of one (1) year has passed.

 

Section 6.

 

By tradition, elections for Intergroup Representatives are held by the A.A. Groups and both the outgoing Representative and newly elected Representative may attend the December Intergroup Committee meeting together. Elections for new officers for the Intergroup Committee shall take place during the meeting in December of odd years, with terms of service to begin January of the following year.

 

Section 7.

 

In the event of removal of an Intergroup Committee Officer for any reason, the Intergroup Committee will elect a successor to complete the unexpired term. Serving an unexpired term will not make an Officer ineligible to stand for re-election for that office the following December. Said Officer, if not currently serving as an Intergroup Committee Officer, will be eligible to stand for (2) two full terms.

 

Section 8.

 

Any three (3) members of the Steering Committee present at a properly convened Steering Committee meeting shall constitute a quorum.

 

Section 9.

 

The Intergroup Committee Officers are responsible for the general operation of the Intergroup business and coordination of matters affecting A.A. as a whole, in the Western Kentucky Intergroup area.  The actions and policies of the Intergroup Committee Officers are subject to the approval of the Intergroup Committee. The Chairperson shall appoint Ad-hoc committees to handle specific assignments, as the need arises.

 

Section 10.

 

The presiding Chairperson of the Steering Committee shall not have a vote in the proceedings of the Steering Committee and the Intergroup Committee, except in cases of a tie vote, when he/she may cast the deciding vote.

 

 

Standing Committee Chairpersons shall be appointed by Intergroup Chairperson with the approval of the attending Intergroup Representatives. Standing Committee Chairpersons shall be limited to one vote in Intergroup Committee business meeting voting matters.

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

Section 1.

 

The Chairman, Treasurer, Manager/Coordinator and two (2) intergroup representatives of the Intergroup Committee shall constitute the Finance Committee. The IGR’s shall be drawn from the hat. It shall be the Finance Committee’s responsibility to conform to the current Financial Guidelines of Western Kentucky Intergroup.

 

Section 2.

 

The Finance Committee recommends and provides ways and means for the financing of the Intergroup Office. The Committee is responsible for auditing of all intergroup accounts at least once a year and performs all other normal services the committee should assume..

 

Section 3.

 

Three (3) voting members of the Finance Committee must be present in order to have a quorum for any Finance Committee meeting.

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

 

INTERGROUP MANAGER/COORDINATOR

 

Section 1.

 

The Intergroup Manager/Coordinator is charged with the overall detailed day-to-day operation and supervision of the Intergroup Office, under the general direction of the Intergroup Committee.

 

ARTICLE V

 

AFFILIATED GROUPS

 

Section 1.

 

The term “Group” used herein shall mean any A.A. Group in the designated area, which subscribes to the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous and a mutual undertaking of cooperation. Regular contributions to the Intergroup Office based upon the Group conscience are needed, but not required for affiliation.

 

Section 2.

 

A.A. Groups may become affiliated by notifying the Intergroup Manager/Coordinator, in writing the name of their Intergroup Representative, and information desired for a listing in the Schedule of Meetings publication, and by initiating a regular contribution, if possible.

 

 

 ARTICLE VI

 

DESIGNATED AREA

 

Section 1.

 

Where the term area is used in these Bylaws, it shall mean Districts 2, 26, 31, 33, 34 and those Groups located in Kentucky which desire to become affiliated with the Western Kentucky Intergroup Area.

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

TRADITIONS

 

Section 1.

 

The Twelve Traditions, Twelve Concepts and Warranties of Alcoholics Anonymous shall be a part of these Bylaws in reference thereto as though fully incorporated herein.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1.

 

These Bylaws may be amended, altered, repealed, or additions made hereto by an affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of participating Groups with Intergroup Representatives present; such action to be taken at any regular meeting of Intergroup Representatives, following recommendation by the Intergroup Committee and upon providing the Intergroup Representatives (30) days advance notice prior to the Intergroup Committee meeting at which the vote will be taken.

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

APPROVAL AND EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Section 1.

 

These Bylaws will be submitted to the Intergroup Committee and, upon approval of a two-thirds majority of attending Intergroup Representatives, will become effective on the date approved.

 

Section 2.

 

The Intergroup Chairman and the Secretary, prior to publication, will attest to the correctness of these Bylaws.

 

Section 3.

 

Upon approval of these Bylaws, previously adopted Bylaws and any amendments thereto in conflict with these Bylaws are considered null and void.