WAI is an incorporated, 501(c)3 entity offering services to A.A. members and groups, such as distributing meeting lists and A.A. literature, and staffing an office and telephone hotline. WAI offers assistance to alcoholics, professionals, and others affected by alcoholism. WAI operations are guided by AA's twelve traditions and by AA's twelve concepts for world service.

WAI is entirely supported by contributions from A.A. groups and members and literature and merchandise sales. No money is accepted from outside sources.

For additional information about WAI, see the following:

• WAI Guidelines
• AA Group Contributions to WAI
• A.A. Guidelines for Central or Intergroup Offices

WAI provides services and resources to the still-sick alcoholic and local AA community, including:

» 24-hour hotline (HALTline)

» AA meeting lists (Printed Lists and Online Listing)

» An office open to the public (WAI Office Hours)

» An inventory of materials (Bookstore, Order Form)

» A calendar of local AA events (Online Calendar)

» A website and newsletter (The Beacon)

» AA service volunteers (Service Volunteers)

» A confidential 12th step call list (Signup Form)

Supporting WAI

WAI is funded entirely by AA member and group contributions and literature sales.

To contribute to WAI you may call the office, mail in a check or money order, or contribute online, as shown below. To contribute to WAI on a regular 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 meet on the 2nd Thursday each month. All interested A.A.s and intergroup delegates are invited and encouraged to attend the monthly WAI committee meetings (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, with email links, 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. The general service structure partitions North America 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 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 the A.A. groups, each represented by a General Service Representative (GSR) who can voice their group's conscience (and may vote) at district and area committee meetings and area assemblies.

At the bottom 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 is composed of various boards and committees. For a chart depicting the GSC structure: click here.

For official information on A.A. general service see the AA Service Manual, and see the Area 30 Handbook for A.A. service information specific to eastern Massachusetts.

A.A. Intergroups

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, either directly or by collaborating 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.

An Intergroup Committee is mainly composed of Delegates from local AA groups. An AA group may elect a delegate to represent them at Intergroup committee meetings. An intergroup delegate is an A.A. group’s link to an Intergroup, equivalent to the GSRs who represent groups at District and Area assemblies. A district may also elect a delegate or Intergroup Liaison to serve as a link between the district and the intergroup. Similarly, an intergroup may elect an Area Liaison to represent the intergroup at area assemblies and committee meetings.

In addition to WAI, within Massachusetts' two areas—Eastern Mass (Area 30) and Western Mass (Area 31)—are other A.A. intergroups, as follows:

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

For further information see the GSO document Central or Intergroup Offices.