How many A.A. Inter-Groups are there?
Currently there are nearly 700 Inter-Groups or Central Offices registered with A.A.’s General Service Office; 514 are located in the United States and Canada.
When was New York Inter-Group founded?
June, 1946.
Who started New York Inter-Group?
Twenty three of the groups that were in existence in 1946 founded New York Inter-Group. The founding groups were from: Brooklyn, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County, The Bronx and Westchester County.
Is New York Inter-Group incorporated?
Yes, New York Inter-Group is incorporated pursuant to the Membership Corporation Laws of the state of New York.
How can I find out more about New York Inter-Group’s service structure?
New York Inter-Group’s service structure is explained in its by-laws, which are operating guidelines required by the laws of the state of New York for incorporated not-for-profit organizations. The detailed by-laws were last revised in 1995 and last amended in 2019. Group delegates at a quarterly meeting must approve revisions and amendments to Inter-Group’s by-laws. Copies of Inter-Group’s by-laws are available at the quarterly delegates meeting and in the Inter-Group office.
The by-laws may be amended at any time by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present at any regular meeting of the delegates, provided a copy of the proposed amendment was submitted to each Inter-Group Delegate and Alternate Inter-Group Delegate at least thirty days before the meeting considering action on the proposed amendment.
What’s an Area Forum?
Area Forums, meetings of group Inter-Group Delegates and other members sponsored by New York Inter-Group are held regularly for each New York City Borough and Westchester County. Area Representatives serving on Inter-Group’s Steering Committee preside at the meetings usually held bi-monthly. The Forums provide opportunity for group representatives to remain informed about Inter-Group activities in between the more formal quarterly Delegates’ meetings. They also provide a means by which Area Representatives can keep informed about group concerns as they relate to Inter-Group. Area Representatives inform Inter-Group about Area concerns at monthly Steering Committee meetings.
What service opportunities are available at New York Inter-Group?
Answering Inter-Group’s phones via remote call-forwarding at home, Chairing meetings in institutions (rehabs, detoxes, shelters or prisons), speaking about alcoholism and the A.A. program to non-A.A. groups (Public Information), packing A.A. literature for distribution at institutional meetings and serving on the Steering, 12 Step Service, Archives, CTFC, or Website Committees.
Service opportunities are also available on the annual Bill W. Dinner Committee and the annual Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee Literature Fund Dinner/Dance Committee.
How do I become a New York Inter-Group remote call-forwarding volunteer?
Please call visit the Be of Service link if you would like to answer phone calls. There is available an orientation over the phone with a veteran volunteer and also a handbook and volunteer resources will be emailed to you.
Are there any requirements for becoming a New York Inter-Group remote call-forwarding volunteer?
One year of continuous sobriety is required to answer New York Inter-Group’s telephones.
How much of a commitment do I have to make to answer Inter-Group’s phones?
There is no commitment required. After orientation members wishing to answer phones in the Inter-Group office have the opportunity to sign-up for phone answering shift(s). There are several daily phone-answering shifts in the office: 9:00am to 11:00am, 11:00am-1:00pm, 1:00pm-3:00pm, 3:00pm-5:00pm, 5:00pm-7:00pm, 7:00pm-10:00pm, and 10:00pm-2:00am. A cell-phone may be used to receive calls at your home; so long as the area code is within the United States (Including Alaska and Hawaii).
Remote call-forwarding shifts are scheduled by other call-forwarding volunteers, called Captains. There is a call-forwarding Captain for each shift each day and night of the week. Captains schedule call-forwarding volunteers for service, monthly, in advance.
Why doesn’t New York Inter-Group have a 24-hour phone answering service?
Inter-Group will have a 24-hour phone answering service when there are enough A.A. member volunteers to perform the service.
How can I become involved in carrying the A.A. message to detoxes, rehabs, shelters and prisons?
Attend a monthly Inter-Group Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee meeting online on the third Thursday of the month. The following is a schedule of the local monthly Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee meetings: CTFC Info Session Calendar
What does it mean for a group to “adopt” an institutional A.A. meeting?
When an A.A. group “adopts” an institutional meeting the group assumes responsibility for taking the meeting to the detox, rehab, outpatient program or shelter. Usually through a “Group Corrections & Treatment Facilities Representative”, group members carry the A.A. message to those in the institution who may be still- suffering alcoholics. Attend a monthly Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee info session meeting online to learn more about group adoption of institutional meetings and for a list of institutional meetings available for adoption.
What is the Bill W. Dinner?
The Bill W. Dinner is an annual celebration of the sobriety anniversary of A.A. co-founder, Bill W. Proceeds of the event benefit New York Inter-Group. The Dinner was started by several of Bill’s friends who were accustomed to celebrating Bill’s anniversary by taking him to dinner. Hearing that the newly formed New York Inter-Group needed financial support, Bill’s friends suggested an annual dinner in his honor to benefit New York Inter-Group. Bill agreed and spoke at the dinner every year until illness prevented his participation. Bill’s wife, Lois, also participated in the event annually until her death in 1988. For more information, contact New York Inter-Group at (212) 647-1647.
How can I become involved in service with New York Inter-Group’s Bill W. Dinner Committee?
Contact New York Inter-Group at (212) 647-1647 or use the Bill W be of service form. You may also email the Chair of the Bill W. Dinner Committee at [email protected].
Who chooses the Chair of the Bill W. Dinner?
Responsibility for Chairing the Bill W. Dinner rotates annually among the five New York City Boroughs and Westchester County. Each year, usually in December, the Area Forum responsible for the Dinner in the following year nominates a candidate to Chair. Nominations must be ratified by the Steering Committee and by Inter-Group Delegates (group representatives) at a quarterly meeting.
What is the process for choosing Bill W. Dinner speakers?
Any A.A. member can nominate a speaker for the Bill W. Dinner. Members of the Speaker Selection Committee will schedule meetings at which they will hear each candidate speak. The Committee will then vote for their choice of three speakers. The Speaker Selection Committee’s choices are subject to ratification by New York Inter-Group’s Steering Committee and by group representatives at the September Quarterly Delegates meeting.
Nominees must be a member of an A.A. group located in one of the five New York City Boroughs or in Westchester County. The closing date for nominating a speaker for the 2024 Bill W. Dinner is August 3, 2024. Use this Bill W Nomination Form or mail a PDF Form to the New York Inter-Group office.
What events take place on the evening of the Bill W. Dinner besides dinner?
Dinner is served at 7:00pm. A three-speaker Open meeting starts at 8:30pm; ending at 10:00pm. Dancing and starts at 10:00pm; and ends at 12:00am.
If I serve on the Bill W. Dinner Hospitality Committee, will I receive a free Dinner ticket?
No volunteer or Steering Committee Member receives a free Bill W. Dinner ticket for performing A.A. service. However we really appreciate all who do service to make this event happen.
Is there a dress code for the Bill W. Dinner?
There is no dress code for the Bill W. Dinner. Our experience is that most people wear semi-formal to formal evening clothes. 2019 included a masquerade theme.
Can I buy Bill W. Dinner tickets at the door?
No. Our contract with the space requires that we provide their Catering Department guaranteed quantities of dinners to be served beginning three days prior to the event date.
Can I buy tickets on the day of the Bill W. Dinner?
Tickets will not be available for purchase the day of the event.
What’s the cost of tickets for the Bill W. Dinner?
Tickets are $225 per seat, with tables seating 10-12.
What’s the cost of tickets for the Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee Literature Fund Dinner/Dance?
Tickets are $110 each.
How do I go about buying tickets to the Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee Literature Fund Dinner?
Tickets can be purchased at the Inter-Group office weekdays between 9:00am and 5:00pm, online or by mail by sending your check to the Inter-Group office. Make checks payable to New York Inter-Group and include name, address (with apartment number), and zip code and telephone number. The ticket(s) and a receipt will be mailed to you. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Can I buy tickets to the CTFC Dinner/Dance at the door?
No. Our contract with the restaurant requires that we provide an attendance quantity guarantee several days prior to the event.
How can I become involved in service with the Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee Literature Fund Dinner/Dance?
Use the Be of Service form on the website. You can also email [email protected].
What is Inter-Group’s Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee Literature Fund?
The Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee Literature Fund is made up of contributions received from groups and individual members designated by the donors to pay for A.A. pamphlets and books, to be distributed by the Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee at institutional meetings. The net proceeds of the annual Literature Fund Dinner/Dance are also put into this fund.
Can groups and members contribute to the Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee Literature Fund directly?
Yes, make your check payable to New York Inter-Group and indicate in the reference section on the check or money order that the contribution is for the CTFC Literature Fund. Mail the check or money order to the New York Inter-Group office. You may also contribute using the contribution page of the website. Note: there are fees for online contributions and if the contributions are not made separately the entire amount is forwarded to the group contributions.
What’s The Big Meeting?
Annually in June, New York Inter-Group sponsors a three-speaker open meeting honoring the founding date (June 10th, 1935) of Alcoholics Anonymous. For information, please contact New York Inter-Group at (212) 647-1647 or email [email protected] for more information. New York Inter-Group sponsored its first Big Meeting in 1989.
How are The Big Meeting speakers chosen?
Any A.A. member can nominate a speaker for the Big Meeting. Members of the Speakers’ Committee will schedule meetings at which they will hear each candidate speak. The Committee will then vote for their choice of three speakers. The Speaker Committee’s choices are subject to ratification by New York Inter-Group’s Steering Committee and by group representatives at the June Quarterly Delegates meeting.
Nominees must be a member of an A.A. group located in one of the five New York City Boroughs or in Westchester County. Nomination forms will be available on the website and can be filled online or mailed to the New York Inter-Group office.
How is the Chair of The Big Meeting chosen?
Responsibility for chairing The Big Meeting rotates among members of groups in New York City’s five boroughs and Westchester County. Annually, usually in December, the responsible Area Forum nominates a candidate to Chair the event. Selection of a Big Meeting Chair is subject to ratification by the Steering Committee and by the membership at a Quarterly Inter-Group Delegates meeting.
How do I go about serving on New York Inter-Group’s Public Information Committee to speak to non-A.A. groups (schools and senior citizen centers)?
Use the Be of Service form on the website and check Public Information as the committee where you would like to do service. If you do not have access to the online form, phone the Inter-Group office. Local Public Information Committee chairpersons assign Public Information speaking commitments to schools and senior citizen centers. There is a Public Information Committee chairperson in each New York City Borough and in Westchester County. Email [email protected] for more information.
What are New York Inter-Group’s office hours?
The Inter-Group office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm except on holidays and during the annual literature room audit in the beginning of July.
What are the hours during which I can buy A.A. Conference approved literature at the New York Inter-Group office?
Inter-Group’s Literature Room is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There are no literature sales on holidays or the annual literature room audit the first week of July. You may also order using the online bookstore on the website. As of November 1, 2014, New York Inter-Group sells anniversary medallions. For more information email [email protected]
Do I have to go to the New York Inter-Group office in order to purchase literature?
No. Inter-Group will ship your order of literature via United Parcel Service; shipping costs along with New York State Sales Tax will be added to your order. You may do so using the online bookstore on the website. Literature orders cannot be shipped to Post Office Boxes.
Does New York Inter-Group accept credit cards for literature and medallion purchases?
Absolutely.
What are the sources of New York Inter-Group’s income?
New York Inter-Group receives most of its income from A.A. group contributions. Other income is derived from Anniversary Club and personal contributions, and literature sales.
What is the Anniversary Club?
The Anniversary Club is a way for individual A.A. members to support New York Inter-Group by contributing each year on their sobriety anniversary. The suggested contribution is $1.00 for each year of sobriety.
How can my home group keep informed about New York Inter-Group’s finances?
Detailed monthly financial statements and audited annual financial statements are distributed at quarterly Inter-Group Delegate meetings and are available anytime at the Inter-Group office.
What is the maximum annual amount an A.A. member can donate to New York Inter-Group?
Currently the maximum annual personal contribution from an individual A.A. member is $7,500. The maximum to a one-time-only bequest from an A.A. member is $10,000.
Are there limits on the amount of money an A.A. group or an A.A. event can donate to New York Inter-Group?
No.
How can my home group be kept informed about New York Inter-Group and its activities?
Groups with elected Inter-Group Delegates are informed by mail or email about all New York Inter-Group events. In addition, minutes of Inter-Group’s monthly Steering Committee meetings are emailed to Inter-Group Delegates. You may also sign up to be on the mailing list by using the mailing list form on the website
My home group does not receive information about New York Inter-Group’s activities. What should I do?
At your home group’s next business meeting suggest that an Inter-Group Delegate be elected. Once this is done, complete a Group Delegate sign up form. Your group’s Inter-Group Delegate will then be added to New York Inter-Group’s mailing list.
How can I find out when my group last provided Inter-Group with current group meeting, officer and Twelfth-Step contact information?
You can phone an Inter-Group staff member during office hours.
How often is New York Inter-Group’s Meeting Book published?
The Meeting Book is currently not in print. You may access the meeting list on the website or through the Meeting Guide app.
What other services does New York Inter-Group provide to Westchester County groups?
Inter-Group maintains a 914 area code phone number so that members and potential members can reach Alcoholics Anonymous without being charged for a long distance call, etc. The number, (914) 949-1200, is a remote call-forwarding number, which connects the caller directly to New York Inter-Group’s main phone number, (212) 647-1647.
How do I go about listing a new A.A. group in New York Inter-Group’s Meeting List?
Fill the new group form on this website.