WAI relies on AA member and group contributions and literature sales for its operating funds. No money is accepted from outside sources.

You may contribute by phone, via a check or money order, or 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 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 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 the A.A. groups, 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 chart.

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.

Aside from WAI, within Massachusetts' two areas — Eastern Mass (Area 30) and Western Mass (Area 31) — are other local 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

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