Intergroups in D.A.

Introduction

Debtors Anonymous functions in a bottom-up fashion. The group conscience of its members guides the direction of D.A. and the actions of its Board.  It is not practical for D.A. members and groups to sustain all the functions involved in carrying the message. Some activities must be centralized so we form Intergroups which connect groups by geographical area or medium such as phone or internet. 

What is an Intergroup?

Intergroups play an important role in D.A. An Intergroup is a gathering of D.A. members. An Intergroup represents and supports D.A. groups within a geographical area or medium such as phone or internet.The intergroup typically has one representative from each group or meeting in the region or medium, and these members are known as Intergroup Representatives (IR). Belonging to an Intergroup provides many benefits. Intergroups can: 

  • serve as a clearinghouse of information and provide experience, strength, and hope to new groups, or struggling groups.  
  • provide opportunities for cooperation on fellowship projects that are beyond the capacity of any one group.
  • provide assistance with Public Information to make individuals and organizations aware of the existence and purpose of D.A.
  • participate in the general service structure of D.A. Each Intergroup is eligible to send an Intergroup Service Representative (ISR) to the annual World Service Conference (WSC). 
  • welcome newcomers and direct them to D.A. groups and D.A. meetings.

Intergroup Service Roles

  • IR – Intergroup Representative This role represents individual D.A. groups in Intergroup meetings. Sometimes a group’s General Service Representative (GSR) also serves as the group’s IR. 
  • ISR – Intergroup Service Representative This role represents the Intergroup by serving as the link between Intergroup, WSC, the General Service Board and the GSO. The ISR can attend the World Service Conference,  carry the opinion of the Intergroup on world service matters to the Conference and share the results of the Conference deliberations with the Intergroup.
  • Intergroup Officers/Trusted Servants These suggested roles directly serve the Intergroup: 
    • Chairperson
    • Vice Chairperson
    • Secretary
    • Treasurer
    • Other positions commonly established in Intergroups
      • Public Information Chairperson
      • Special Events Chairperson
      • Webmaster
      • Literature Coordinator

Intergroup Meetings

Intergroup meetings can be found here. It is recommended to contact the Intergroup before attending a meeting.

How to join an Intergroup

If your D.A. meeting is thinking about joining an Intergroup, you can view the Intergroup meetings list  and see what Intergroups are in your timezone, geographical area, or medium. Have the meeting’s IR (or GSR) member contact the Intergroup to find out more information and confirm  when the intergroup meets, so that they can attend. The IR may make reports to the group in business meetings. (A suggested Business Meeting format is available here: Business Meeting Format.)

How to start an Intergroup 

To start an Intergroup, begin by reviewing the Intergroup Handbook and other resources below. Use the Intergroup meetings list to contact existing Intergroups for guidance and/or attend an Intergroup meeting. Reach out to other DA groups in your geographical area or medium to see if they would like to help form an Intergroup.

RAG (Regional Area Group)

In addition to Intergroups, another part of D.A.’s service structure is the RAG or Regional Area Group.

A RAG is a registered D.A. group, but does not send a representative to the Conference.

In a RAG,  GSRs and ISRs from a particular area meet with each other to discuss D.A. issues that affect D.A. as a whole or those that affect the area. If a Regional Area Group does not exist, the GSR may work with the area Intergroup, which coordinates activities and interests among groups in a close geographical area. As an area grows, groups prosper, and more GSRs and ISRs are elected, they may choose to form a GSR/ISR Regional Area Group (RAG).

Some communities have only one or two meetings, and therefore forming a GSR area group is impractical. It is recommended, however, that groups elect GSRs and intergroups elect ISRs, and no matter how few or how many meetings there are in the area, GSRs and ISRs can meet with each other and share their common work of carrying the GSR message. GSRs and ISRs can locate other groups in the area by using the searchable database.

Search the meetings list on the website:

Resources: