The AA service structure is described below. See the Circles of Love and Service pamphlet for an overview of AA service.

In North America, the Alcoholics Anonymous service structure is often depicted as an inverted triangle. At the bottom of the triangle are two corporate entities: A.A. World Services, Inc. and A.A. Grapevine, Inc. North America itself is partitioned into Regions, and each region is partitioned into geographical Areas, which are divided into Districts, and within each district — at the top of the triangle — are A.A. groups.

          

A District is a geographical division within an area. The district provides a means for A.A. groups to have a voice in matters affecting other groups and A.A. as a whole. District 24 is located in the middle of Area 30, as shown in the Area 30 District Map.

Each District has a District Committee composed of AA group representatives called General Service Representatives, or GSRs. Each group may elect a GSR to attend district meetings and Area assemblies to represent their group and vote their group’s conscience. A GSR is an A.A. group’s link to A.A. outside of the group.

The District Committee elects at least one representative -- a District Committee Member (DCM) to serve as an essential link between the District committee and the Area. As a member of the Area Committee, the DCM is able to pass on the District’s collective conscience to the Area Delegate who represents the Area’s conscience at the annual General Service Conference attended by delegates from all areas in the U.S.A. and Canada. For an overview of how the GSC operates: click here.

Massachussetts is comprised of two geographic areas: Eastern Mass (Area 30) and Western Mass (Area 31).

Each AA area may also have one or more Central Service or Intergroup offices to provide services to local AA groups. Massachusetts has the Eastern Massachussetts Central Service Office in Boston, the Worcester Area Intergroup Office in central Massachusetts, and the Western Massachussetts Intergroup Office in Holyoke. There is also a Berkshire Intergroup Office, a Cape Cod Intergroup Office, a Martha's Vineyard Intergroup and a Nantucket Intergroup.

There are a total of 93 Areas in North America. The A.A. Service Manual describes AA service in much greater detail. Area 30 has an Area 30 Service Handbook for its service volunteers.

For information about District 24 committee meetings [click here].