WAI is entirely funded by contributions and purchases from AA members and groups. You may contribute by phone, mail or online, as shown below. To contribute on a regular or monthly basis, see the "Faithful Fiver" page.

WAI Membership, Officers & Service Positions

WAI is overseen by two committees, a Steering Committee and a Delegates Committee which together comprise the membership of WAI. Both committees hold a meeting on the 2nd Thursday of each month, to which all interested A.A.s are invited and encouraged to attend (for directions: click here).

The Steering Committee — the officers of WAI — consists of a chairperson, secretary, treasurer and their alternates, the office manager, and four trustees. The Steering Committee oversees the daily operations and finances of WAI. The Delegates Committee consists of the intergroup delegates from local AA groups. The Delegates Committee votes on all matters beyond the scope of the Steering Committee. At the delegates committee meeting WAI service committee chairpersons give reports, and all attendees can ask questions or share ideas, information, or concerns.

WAI officers, staff, and service positions are listed here. For more information on WAI and its operations, see the document WAI Guidelines.

A.A. General Service Structure

A.A.'s general service structure is often depicted as an "inverted triangle", as shown below.


For AA General Service, North America is divided into Regions, with each region represented by a Regional Trustee on the General Service Board (GSB). Each region is divided into Areas, and each area is represented by an Area Delegate. Each area is further subdivided into Districts and each districts elects a District Committee Member (DCM) to represent the district at area meetings and assemblies.

At the top of the triangle are A.A. groups, with each represented by a General Service Representative (GSR) who can voice their group's conscience (and vote) at district meetings and area assemblies.

At the bottom of the triangle are two corporate entities: A.A. World Services Inc. (AAWS) and A.A. Grapevine Inc. (GV), which are governed by the GSB which, in turn, is governed by area delegates at the annual General Service Conference (GSC). The GSC itself has several boards and committees, as depicted in this GSC structure chart. A chart depicting entities and lines of communication within the AA general service structure is shown below.

AA Communications Flowchart

A.A. Intergroups & General Service

An A.A. Intergroup (also called a Central Office) is a committee or organization whose purpose is to serve A.A. groups at the local level. Intergroups often have a physical office and a 24-hour hotline and provide resources to support AA's primary purpose at the local level: to help the still sick and suffering alcoholic in collaboration with A.A. members and groups.

Intergroups and central offices have existed since the earliest days of A.A. and operate independently of A.A.’s General Service structure. Many intergroups are incorporated, nonprofit entities governed by charters or bylaws and elected officers and delegates, and may employ paid staff members.

Traditionally, general service committees and intergroups/central offices (IGCOs) have performed different functions. IGCOs provide local services; general service committees maintain the link between the A.A. groups and the A.A. General Service Board by means of the Conference. So these two separate but vital service structures coexist in many areas and function in mutual cooperation and harmony. The IGCO and AA general service structure are highlighted below.

Although an intergroup falls under the broader definition of AA "general service" (service beyond the group level), it is not to be confused with "General Service" — a shorthand reference to AA’s service structure. In Massachusetts and elsewhere, Intergroups and General Service entities (Areas, Districts) operate and exist independently. For more information on AA intergroups, see the Central or Intergroup Offices guidelines.

In addition to WAI, in Massachusetts' two areas, Eastern Mass (Area 30) and Western Mass (Area 31), are these intergroups and central offices:

• Eastern Mass Central Service Office
• Western Mass Intergroup Office
• Berkshire Intergroup Office
• Cape Cod Intergroup Office
• Martha's Vineyard Intergroup
• Nantucket Intergroup