Ask-It-Basket (FAQs about Intergroup)
What does Intergroup do?
Sea to Sky Intergroup exists to serve the needs of its member groups. We hold a monthly business meeting with Group Representatives where we share and discuss the health of our groups, ask for and receive support, and plan activities that benefit the personal recovery of members and groups in our area.
Intergroup's board members operate to provide recovery resources to its member groups – such as this website, a digital newsletter, recovery events, Zoom room licenses, and more.
Intergroup is not separate from the members and the member groups - it IS the members and the member groups! All are invited to attend the monthly business meeting and give feedback and input to the recovery activities of Intergroup.
Intergroup's board members operate to provide recovery resources to its member groups – such as this website, a digital newsletter, recovery events, Zoom room licenses, and more.
Intergroup is not separate from the members and the member groups - it IS the members and the member groups! All are invited to attend the monthly business meeting and give feedback and input to the recovery activities of Intergroup.
What happens at Intergroup meetings?
The Chair uses a standard agenda that covers attendee introductions, group reports, board/committee reports, business motions, and discussion intended for the good of the fellowship.
Business meetings are held on the last Saturday of each month (except December), and run from 10am-12pm PT. There is a 5 minute break in the middle for rest and fellowship.
Intergroup operates using our Twelve Traditions and our Bylaws. Attendees are encouraged to follow a simplified version of Robert's Rules of Order in order to keep the meeting on-track.
Business meetings are held on the last Saturday of each month (except December), and run from 10am-12pm PT. There is a 5 minute break in the middle for rest and fellowship.
Intergroup operates using our Twelve Traditions and our Bylaws. Attendees are encouraged to follow a simplified version of Robert's Rules of Order in order to keep the meeting on-track.
How is Intergroup funded?
Group meetings collect 7th Tradition contributions from members at each meeting. After covering their own expenses (room rental, Zoom, literature, etc), they send any surplus funds to Intergroup. Intergroup uses these funds to cover the cost of providing resources and services to member groups. Surplus funds at the Intergroup level are sent up to Region 1 and World Service.
How do I get involved?
There are a few ways members can get involved.
1) Attend our monthly business meeting as a guest. All members are invited to join us and see how Intergroup functions. Please feel free to ask us questions and give us feedback! Please note, only Group Reps and members of the Board have voting rights; guests cannot vote on motions.
2) Volunteer on a committee. Committees are created to fulfill service activities for member groups. Some committees are permanent while others are one-time-only projects.
3) Become a board member. Take a look at our unfilled positions on the Contact page of this website and review their service requirements at the bottom of this page. Positions are flexible, and no one is expected to be perfect.
1) Attend our monthly business meeting as a guest. All members are invited to join us and see how Intergroup functions. Please feel free to ask us questions and give us feedback! Please note, only Group Reps and members of the Board have voting rights; guests cannot vote on motions.
2) Volunteer on a committee. Committees are created to fulfill service activities for member groups. Some committees are permanent while others are one-time-only projects.
3) Become a board member. Take a look at our unfilled positions on the Contact page of this website and review their service requirements at the bottom of this page. Positions are flexible, and no one is expected to be perfect.
Service At Intergroup
Service is the backbone of IntergroupIf you are new to service positions...
Start by serving at your home group meeting in various positions (Meeting Chair, Speaker-Getter, Secretary, etc). These service roles tend to have a lower level of responsibility and are short-term. Talk to your group and ask what's available. Once you have served in a few positions at your member group... Consider serving as your meeting's Group Rep at Intergroup. In this role, you will learn the format of our business meetings and get to know what service at the Intergroup level looks like. Talk to your member group about volunteering for this service position. Once you've served as a Group Rep... Consider standing forward for an elected board position at Intergroup. Many positions exist that fulfill different member and group needs. You can read about the responsibilities of each role here. Joining the Intergroup Board is a great way to meet others and build support in your own program of recovery. No prior experience or skill is required – all that is needed is the willingness to serve and a drive to help make a difference, to the best of your ability. 
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Service positionsExecutive Board (2 year term)
Chair Vice Chair World Service Delegate Secretary Treasurer Regular Board (1 year term) Meeting Directory Coordinator Website Administrator Public Info & Professional Outreach (PIPO) Coordinator Retreats & Marathons Coordinator 12th Step Within Coordinator Assistant Treasurer Telephone Committee Coordinator Newsletter Editor Literature Coordinator Assistant Literature Coordinator Please note: position requirements are flexible; if you feel inspired to stand forward but do not meet the requirements, please put up your hand anyway. We are happy to support members serving on a temporary basis (pro tem) while they work towards fulfilling the requirements of a position.
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Information for Group Reps
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The role of Group Reps
Group Reps are representatives for their home group meeting. They attend our monthly business meeting to share information on the health of their group, learn from other groups, access Intergroup resources, and most importantly give their group members a voice in OA happenings at the Region and World Service levels. Member groups decide upon their own requirements for the position of Group Rep, including abstinence requirements and length of service term. For individuals new to this service position, Intergroup has this information folder which you may find helpful. Before the meeting Prepare a brief update about how your group is doing. You may wish to report on aspects such as:
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During the meeting
In the first hour of the meeting, group reps are asked to give their reports. When called upon, read out your report to us. For the rest of the meeting (which covers Board member reports and old/new business items), please take notes on anything you think is important for your meeting members to know; feel free to ask questions as they come up. A formal set of meeting minutes will be generated by the secretary and distributed via the Google Group mailing list. Learn about the Google Group here. After the meeting Report back to your group and share your notes. Please announce any vacancies in Intergroup board positions; volunteer positions on active committees may also be available. Let your group know that Intergroup exists to serve them and their concerns and input are our top priority; remind your group that you are their direct line of communication to Intergroup and beyond! |
OA's Service Structure
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How OA is organized
Individual members form groups, and groups provide support for individual OA members. Groups work together to form Service Bodies – in our case, Sea to Sky Intergroup. Sea to Sky Intergroup supports affiliated Groups by:
Several Intergroups work together to form Regions, and all Regions are part of World Service. In following with OA Tradition #2, "our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern." Read more about other service bodies and the World Service Organization at OA.org. |
In OA, the members have the most influence
OA’s “inverted pyramid” describes our unique service structure. Unlike a traditional business that has tiers of managers directing those “below” them, OA members and OA member groups have the most influence over what happens within OA. Their needs are communicated down through the pyramid to Sea to Sky Intergroup, Region 1, and the World Service Business Conference (WSBC) / Board of Trustees (BoT), and World Service (WS). Each service body is accountable to their members and member groups. Therefore the “higher” the position a trusted servant holds, the more people to whom the trusted servant is accountable. Sea to Sky Intergroup is accountable for helping to fulfill the needs of OA members and OA Group Meetings in our area. 
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Governance & Meeting Documents
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