NIAGARA INTERGROUP

PO Box 2841

Niagara Falls, NY 14302

AA Answering Service 285-5319

E-Mail us at Niagcountyaa@yahoo.com

Check WNY Meeting Schedule at www.ny-aa.org

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CHARTER OF THE NIAGARA INTERGROUP

REVISED MAY 15, 2005

ARTICLE I

GENERAL

Niagara Intergroup is a unified service body, of A.A. members, known as Intergroup Representatives, and chosen by their Groups, with the objective to serve all members and groups by offering assistance in structural arrangements as needed, meeting monthly to define needs.

Section 1.

MEMBERSHIP

Any local group within the Niagara environs need meet only a few requirements. Firstly, it must delegate a member to represent it on the Intergroup committee and an alternate. Secondly, the local group must not he situated within the confines of another Intergroup. Third, it must not be so far distant as to render service impractical. Fourth, Loss of sobriety by an Intergroup member will result in replacement.

Section 2.

TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS

All matters will be handled by the Intergroup committee composed of a Representative from each member group. Each Representative is to act of matters according to his group’s sentiments.

ARTICLE II

OFFICERS

The Intergroup Offices shall consist of a General Chairman, Vice Chairman. Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected by a simple majority of the Representatives making up the Intergroup.

Section I.

TERMS OF OFFICE

These shall be two years for General Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. Treasurer shall be for three years. The General Chairman may not succeed him/herself.

A.    The Vice Chairman assumes powers and duties of General Chairman if General Chairman is not present. In case of death, resignation or inability of the General Chairman to discharge the powers and duties of office, said duties should transfer the Vice General Chairman, who then ascends to the office of General Chairman for the remaining term of office.

B.    If the above situation arises; the Vice General Chairman should not be denied the right to succeed him/herself for a full term of office.

Section 2.

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

The General Chairman will appoint a nominating committee by the time of the September meeting each year. This committee will nominate qualified members for each office and will also ascertain their willingness to run for the office.

Each home group will also be permitted to name candidates for the offices.

At the October meeting the nominating committee will present its slate of candidates following which the General Chairman will entertain nominations from the floor. After each home group Representative has either passed or made additional nominations, the General Chairman will entertain a motion to close the nominations.

The total slate (candidates presented by both nominating committee and the group representatives) will be allowed one vote for each office at the November meeting.

Only those ballots containing the names of candidates listed on the official slate will be deemed valid, i.e. no write-in votes will be countenanced.

Terms of office run from January 1 to December 31.

Section 3.

QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS

All officers must be AA members of participating groups. The Chairman should have five years of continuous sobriety, the Secretary and Treasurer two years. And Representatives and alternates one year. It must he born in mind that these are not to be rigid rules: the quality of an individual’s sobriety must he considered.

ARTICLE III

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1.

GENERAL CHAIRMAN

A. Presides at all Intergroup meetings.

B. Is empowered to limit debate on motions or issues.

C. Is empowered to call special meetings, as he/she deems necessary

D. Nominates and secures ratification by the Intergroup committee the Chairman of the following standing committees:

1. Hospitality

2. Institutional Contacts

3. Communications Services

4. Public Information

                           5. Audit

E.  Cosigns checks

F.  Does not vote, except to break ties.

G.  In case of death, resignation or inability to discharge their individual duties, Chairman shall appoint a successor to complete the term of office for Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

H.  Chairperson is empowered to terminate at anytime an Intergroup Committee member that He/She nominated under Article III section ID

Section 2.

Vice General Chairman

Same qualifications as for Chairman under Article II, Section 3 of this charter.  Duties described are the same as for General Chairman as listed in Article III, Section 1, Paragraphs A-H and as outlined in Article II, Section 1, Paragraph A of this charter. 

Should the situation of death, resignation, or other unforeseen circumstances arise that make the General Chairman unable discharge the duties of the office, the Vice General Chairman moves into the General Chairman position, and appoints a replacement as outlined in Article II, Section 1, Paragraph A and Article III, Section 1, Paragraph G of this charter.

Section 3.

SECRETARY

1.  Records all reports and transaction of meetings (including sobriety date).

2.  Maintains membership and attendance records.

3.  Assists others in maintaining various rosters as 12 step personnel, PIC speakers. Etc.

4.  Cosigns checks.

5.  Purchasing of supplies for minute records.

6.  Handles all correspondence necessary.

7.  Assists General Chairman as requested.

(In the event of Secretary’s resignation, death, etc. General Chairman or General Vice

Chairman, (whichever serving presently) is to appoint a new Secretary.)

Section 4.

TREASURER

1.     Establishes and maintains a Bank Account.

2.    Maintains suitable Income and Expense records.

3.    Renders monthly financial reports. Noting any trends or problems.

4.    Is authorized to pay without further approval, invoices for all services already approved by the Intergroup such as telephone, newspaper and answering services.

5.    With Chairman’s approval, may pay for miscellaneous items of $50.00 or under.

6.    Any items over $50.00 must be approved by the Intergroup committee. General Chairman may pay an amount up to $50.00 where he/she deems necessary and no restriction as to what it is to be spent on.

7.        All checks and/or withdraws of $100.00 or more require two signatures.

ARTICLE IV

DUTIES OF COMMITTEES

Section 1.

HOSPITALITY

A. Reserves meeting space well in advance.

B.  Provides suitable refreshments.

C.  Locates new meeting quarters when needed.

Section 2.

INSTITUTIONS

A.  Establishes contacts with courts and other institutions, making known AA’s capabilities.

B.  Provides machinery to receive potential members from “A” above.

Section 3.

COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

A.  Organizes and oversees an answering service.

B.  Oversees newspaper ads and phone rental.

C.   Develop roster of 12 steppers and PlC personnel.

D.   Develop and maintain Niagara Intergroup Newsletter.

E.    Develop and maintain Niagara Intergroup Website (Guidelines see Attachment A to this Charter)

Section 4.

PUBLIC INFORMATION

A.  Provide required training for 12-step and PlC.

B.  Establish contacts with schools, civic and professional groups advising them of our Service.

C.  Develop roster of PlC personnel.

Section 5.

AUDIT

A.  Perform an audit of the Treasurer’s records at least once annually or more frequently as directed by the General Chairman.

B.  Audit other Intergroup activities as the General Chairman may direct.

ARTICLE V

AMENDMENTS

Section 1.

This charter may be amended by the following:

A.  Presenting changes in writing to the Intergroup committee for screening.

B.  If a simple majority does not favor it, it is dropped.

C.  If favored, the matter is carried by to the parent groups.

D.   At a convenient future meeting the Intergroup committee members vote their group’s sentiments. A two-thirds majority is required.

ARTICLE VI MAJOR ISSUES

It is expected that most of items coming up for consideration will be routine and can be handled by a committee Chairman, an Officer or by the Intergroup committee as a whole. On occasion, matters may arise that should be laid before the entire membership. Such matters are to be carried back to the local groups by the Representatives and the Groups opinion sought and the matter finally brought to a vote at a subsequent Intergroup committee meeting. A two-thirds majority is required. Over $50.00 is considered a major issue.

ARTICLE VII

CONTINUANCE

Section 1.

The Niagara Intergroup will continue in existence unless terminated by suitable group action described below.

Section 2.

A move to terminate the existence of the Intergroup shall be treated as a MAJOR ISSUE. See Article VI. If a decision for termination is made, the committee must instruct the Treasurer to terminate all contracts and meet all final obligations. He must also be instructed as to disposition of any residual assets.

ARTICLE VIII

MEETINGS

Meetings will be held on the third Sunday of the every month except during the months of July, August and December. The Chairman may choose alternate Sundays should certain Holidays interfere.

 ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

In order for a non-Intergroup member to speak at any Intergroup meeting, that person must request placement on the agenda for the next Intergroup meeting with the approval by the Intergroup members (General Service Representatives and other Official AA members will be permitted to speak).