What is intergroup?

When was Intergroup organized?

In 1957, five AA groups organized to encourage all AA groups to unite to celebrate a common anniversary and to coordinate twelve step calls.  The first meeting was held in July 1957, and thereafter met monthly.

In 1965, after the 30th Anniversary International Convention in Toronto, discussions began about forming a Central office to coordinate vital services which were difficult to deliver because of the scattered locations of the groups.  By joining together and forming a Central Office, they could serve the eastern half of the Metro Area. The Central office was finally opened in 1966, two years prior to the Minneapolis Intergroup Association.

This Central Office, the creation of the AA groups and individual members is "owned" by those groups and members.  It is not an autonomous AA entity.  Rather, it derives all its authority from AA groups and individual AA members in the area it serves.  This delegation of authority from the AA groups to the Central Office follows the second of the Twelve Traditions and the third of the Twelve Concepts of World Service.

In April 1993, Alcoholics Anonymous Saint Paul Area Intergroup Central Office Incorporated, was formally incorporated with the following bylaws, and in July 1993 was granted exempt status under section 501(c)(3) by the IRS.

On Tuesday, 15 September, 2009 after several years of work by members of the board the member groups approved new bylaws by unanimous vote.

On Tuesday, 20 October, 2009 the member groups approved these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation by unanimous vote.