For Members
What is intergroup ?
WHAT IS INTERGROUP ?
Intergroup Netherlands is a meeting where Intergroup Officers and GSRs (General Service Representatives) from AA meetings from all over the Netherlands meet to discuss affairs affecting AA as a whole, according to the 12 traditions of AA. Intergroup ensures that vital services such as english public information, literature orders, the helpline, this website, and many others, function properly. Intergroup also supports GSRs by answering questions.
Getting involved with Intergroup is an opportunity for every recovering alcoholic in AA to get involved with service at the national level, and help fellows beyond their local meetings!
For more details about AA at the European level (English AA Netherlands belongs to the AA Great Britain conference), and how AA Intergroups work, click here.
You can also download the powerpoint to learn more about the AA Structure:
WHO CAN ATTEND INTERGROUP MEETINGS ?
Anyone identifying as an alcoholic can join intergroup. There are no sobriety requirements to attend Intergroup meetings.
If you are a GSR (General Service Representative) of one or more meetings, your presence at Intergroup is strongly encouraged. If you are an officer of Intergroup, your presence is expected – in case of absence, you can appoint a fellow alcoholic to attend Intergroup for you.
WHEN & WHERE ARE INTERGROUP MEETINGS ?
Intergroup happens once every 3 months, towards the beginning of the month, and preferably on a Saturday or Sunday. Intergroup meetings therefore usually occur 4 times per year: January, April, July, October.
Intergroup meetings are face-to-face, without any hybrid option. Intergroup officers and GSRs take turns volunteering to organise the next intergroup meeting, in a city where AA meetings are held; Intergroup Netherlands tries to meet in a different city every time. Intergroup meetings are typically 1 to 4 hours long, and involve lunch breaks where attendees from all corners of the Netherlands can socialise.
To find out when and where the next intergroup is taking place, email the chair of intergroup at chair@aa-netherlands.org.
I AM A GSR (General Service Representative). WHAT ARE MY DUTIES TO MY (HOME)GROUP AND TO INTERGROUP ?
As a GSR (General Service Representative), you were probably elected at a business meeting of one (or more) AA meeting(s), often your local (home)group. GSRs act like a bridge between a specific AA meeting and Intergroup. GSRs also have a vote at Intergroup meetings. If you are a GSR of more than one meeting, you still only get one vote at Intergroup.
At the business meetings of your AA meeting, as GSR, you can summarise to other service members what was discussed at Intergroup and ask them questions from Intergroup or simply share information you learned at Intergroup meetings (news, events, …). You can also collect questions from AA members and bring them to Intergroup meetings.
Below, you can download a template, to learn how to report to your own AA local (home)group as a GSR:
At intergroup meetings, you will be asked to report very briefly (< 1 minute) how the AA meeting you represent is doing (for example: attendance, any news you want to share), and are allowed to vote in decisions that come up at the Intergroup meeting.
I WANT TO BECOME AN INTERGROUP OFFICER, WHAT DO I DO ?
You can come and attend an intergroup meeting. When service positions are available for a new officer, you can volunteer, and intergroup members will do a round of anonymous votes to decide. You can also read the description of each position below, and email the officers to ask questions.
HOW ELSE CAN I BECOME INVOLVED WITH INTERGROUP ?
You can attend Intergroup meetings and participate in discussions. There are no sobriety requirements for attending and participating in Intergroup meetings. If you are not a GSR nor an elected officer, you do not get a vote in decisions.
Each Intergroup officer can (and usually does) form a service team to help them carry out the duties of their position. You can email an officer, or talk to them at Intergroup meetings, to find out more about being of service!
Click on Intergroup Officers titles below, and find out more!
Chair
Length of service: 2 years
Requirement: at least 2 years sobriety
Next available: October 2027
Contact: chair@aa-netherlands.org
Description
The Chair has the responsibility of convening and conducting the meetings, approving the agenda and minutes before they are published.
The Chair will carry the executive authority of Intergroup but should account for any action taken at the next meeting.
Outside Intergroup meetings, Chair coordinates Intergroup activities, like through bringing people in contact with one another where needed.
Helpline Coordinator
Length of service: 2 years
Requirement: at least 2 years sobriety
Next Available: April 2027
Contact: help@aa-netherlands.org
Description
The Helpline Coordinator organizes and plans the shift amongst helpline responders. They use the online tool to program the shifts. The Helpline Coordinator ensures that responders have the information at hand to answer 12thstep calls. The Helpline Coordinator updates the planning monthly for the shifts.
Testimony from current service member
The Helpline coordinator is a wonderful service to do and very rewarding I found. When one gets used to the technology which is usually straight forward enough (usually!) It’s a great feeling to be an important part of the helpline team ensuring all shifts are covered, 14 in total and answering queries from the helpliners ( through our WhatsApp group) regarding meeting information, getting someone to there first, or maybe back again to meetings. I found the team spirit and cooperation between the service members most impressive and continually helped my own recovery and was a constant reminder to me of what our co- founders found so important to recovery: Stay humble, help others ,and be grateful in order to remain well myself…
Archivist
Length of service: 2 years
Requirement: at least 2 years sobriety
Next available: July 2027
Contact: archivist@aa-netherlands.org
Description
The Archivist serves as a repository for every aspect of the history of international A.A. in The Netherlands. They store in a safe location the items and memorabilia collected over the years, and digitalizes them when possible/necessary.
WebMaster (Available Now)
Length of service: 2 years
Requirement: at least 2 years of sobriety
Next available: July 2025
Contact: webmaster@aa-netherlands.org
Description
The primary purpose of the website is in providing the following information:
1. Meeting information for newcomers, visitors and local AA members
2. Announcements of AA-related events
3. Information for potential newcomers concerning self-diagnoses
The primary job of the Webmaster is to keep the website up-to-date. Changing the structure of the website, e.g., in response to new emerging needs, has a lower priority. The website is developed with a CMS (Content Management System). Maintaining the website does not require technical skills like knowledge of HTML.
Intergroup The Netherlands has a tradition of fully delegating direct authority and responsibility concerning maintenance and design to the Webmaster, where he/she usually only reports afterwards at Intergroup meetings. Naturally, the Webmaster is encouraged to check with Intergroup’s group conscience, prior to making any drastic changes.
Testimony from current service member
Being webmaster taught me how to be more assertive with making decisions, and how to manage the webteam. I also learned how to use wordpress. Depending on the week, I spent between 10 minutes to 1 hour per week at this service.
Internal Communications & Outreach officer
Length of service: 2+ years
Requirement: at least 2 years sobriety
Next available: April 2026
Contact: secretary@aa-netherlands.org
Description
The Internal Communications & Outreach officer creates the Intergroup newsletter four times per year, following each Intergroup meeting. The officer also holds a Newcomer information presentation at the beginning of each Intergroup meetings. The officer should also be available to provide presentations or workshops at the annual convention and local AA groups and meetings. The officer can also visit AA groups to promote intergroup and highlight the important of Group General Service Representatives (GSRs)
Testimony from current service member
This position usually takes 2-3 hours each newsletter, and 2 hours prepping and providing the IG Newcomer meeting presentation. When visiting groups, I would say you will need 3-4 hours per visit. I have developed and strengthened my skills of communication, social media, design, and presentation. The intergroup in general is a great way to refine a person’s teamwork and decision making capabilities. I have personally learned so much about the 12 traditions and concepts, which has deepened my sobriety and has kept me connected to 12-step service.
Secretary (Available Now)
Length of service: 2 years
Requirement: at least 2 years sobriety
Next available: July 2025
Contact: secretary@aa-netherlands.org
Description
The Secretary has the responsibility the Chair for preparing the agenda and minutes of meetings and for distributing these documents to the Groups well before meetings so that there is ample time to discuss the contents.
The Secretary deals with all correspondence, passing for example requests for speakers to outside organisations to the Public Information Officer or a suitable member.
The Secretary keeps in touch with the General Service Office making sure that it promptly has a copy of the minutes and notice of any change of officer.
The Secretary is also in charge of the reservation of Intergroup meeting locations.
Testimony from current service officer
The secretary position is a good opportunity to find out how AA helps alcoholics, as there is a close collaboration with the chair and frequent contact with other service members, GSR’s and individual members who have a whole range of questions. It is for example fulfilling to correspond with newcomers or foreign travelers.
Public Information Officer
Length of service: 2 years
Requirement: at least 2 years sobriety
Next available: April 2027
Contact: pi@aa-netherlands.org
Description
The Public Information Officer is responsible for ensuring that information about the AA message and programme of recovery is conveyed to outside organisations to the best possible advantage. The provision of a panel of members to comply with requests for speakers is an important part of this activity.
Convention Chair
Length of service: 1 year
Requirement: at least 2 years of sobriety
Next available: October 2025
Contact: convention-chair@aa-netherlands.org
Description
The Convention Chair coordinates the organization of the annual convention in August and supporting the other committee members. They organize and chair the meetings, held for that purpose. They are also the liaison between Intergroup and the Convention Committee.
They represent Intergroup within the Convention Committee.
Testimony from current service member
Chairing the convention is a big deal and it is exciting because it has a deadline and about 400 people attend the convention. And they all have opinions. Giving direction and letting go, waiting and having faith in the team, and the expansion of the team is a wonderful experience and directly traceable personal recovery.
It is estimated to take about 6 hours of work per week.
Three Continental Europe Representatives (1 Available Now)
There are to CER representatives elected.
Length of service: 3 years; after which cannot be re-elected for 1 year
Requirement: at least 3 years sobriety; should have good knowledge of the AA structure & publications
Next available: April 2026
Contact: cer@aa-netherlands.org
Description
A CER Representative is a liaison between Intergroup and Region Continental Europe Regional Representatives and alternates should be elected by their Intergroup as carefully as Group Service Representatives.
They should be chosen as a general rule from amongst serving GSRs but any member who has the necessary qualifications, even if not at the time serving as a GSR, may be elected.
Such a representative will attend all Intergroup meetings to report from the Region and to hear from the Intergroup their wishes to be expressed at the next Regional Meeting.
Testimony from current service members
The CER position taught me to learn the traditions better, to make reports, and to be more responsible. The time commitment includes attending intergroup every 3 months, and attending CER meetings every 3 months, 2 of them per year include traveling for two days to a different country
Host Nation Liaison Officer (Available now)
Length of service: undefined
Requirement: at least 2 years sobriety; should be involved or know Dutch AA; preferably knows Dutch
Next available: July 2025
Contact: chair@aa-netherlands.org
Description
HNLO is the liaison between Dutch-speaking and English-speaking AA in The Netherlands for matters common to both structure such as Conventions, get together events, PI, websites (information to be synchronized, look and feel).
Treasurer
Length of service: 2-3 years
Requirement: at least 2 years sobriety; preferably more
Next available: October 2027
Contact: treasurer@aa-netherlands.org
Description
The Treasurer has the responsibility for keeping a proper account of all Intergroup finances and ensuring that funds are available for its essential current requirements. An annual budget exercise should be carried out to ensure that appropriate prudent reserves are maintained.
The Treasurer reports to Intergroup against the budget. Surplus funds should always be transferred promptly to GSO, ideally via the Region Treasurer. The accounts should be open for inspection and presented to Intergroup at each meeting.
Group contributions should be clearly listed so that GSRs can confirm their group’s contributions have been received. This is a fundamental part of the audit trail. Having been audited or independently checked, annual accounts should be presented by the Treasurer to Intergroup for approval at the AGM.
Literature Officer
Length of service: 2 years
Requirement: at least 2 years sobriety
Next available: January 2027
Contact: literature@aa-netherlands.org
Description
The Literature Coordinator is responsible for managing the webshop and overseeing all aspects related to literature and distribution. Key responsibilities include: • Managing inventory: keeping stock records accurate and up to date • Processing sales and ensuring timely shipping of orders to customers • Purchasing books and materials from suppliers in the UK and USA
The Literature Officer provides financial and inventory report to Intergroup quarterly.
Testimony from current service officer
Serving as the Literature Coordinator has taught me to be more humble and structured.
Convention Treasurer
Length of service: 1 year
Requirement: at least 2 years sobriety
Next available: October 2025
Contact: –
Description
The Convention Treasurer is responsible for the financial structure of the convention. They make and guard the convention budget. The Convention Treasurer handles the financial processes.
They prepare the final financial report to Intergroup. They also represent Intergroup within the Convention Committee.
Young Person Liaison Officer
Length of service: 2 years
Requirement: at least 2 years; became sober before 30 years old
Next available: October 2026
Contact: young-people@aa-netherlands.org
Description
Testimony from current service member
AA Netherlands
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share
their experience, strength and hope with each other
that they may solve their common problem and
help others to recover from alcoholism.