An IGR in Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) stands for an Intergroup Representative. An IGR is an elected trusted servant who acts as a two-way communication link between an individual A.A. local home group and their regional Intergroup, Central Office and OIAA*.
Alternate Intergroup Representative is a backup or substitute delegate chosen by a local or online fellowship group to represent the group when the primary Intergroup Representative (IGR) is unable to attend meetings or assemblies.
OIAA* is a non-profit fellowship organization where members make all fundamental decisions, and the Board of Directors makes all other policy decisions to maintain effective operations. Members vote quarterly at meetings called Member Assemblies. Members include IGRs or Alt-IGRs (Alternate IGRs), committee chairs, and board members. Questions and proposed motions are published by the board one month in advance to allow IGRs and others time to learn about the issues at hand. Members vote on certain policies, including the election of officers and trustees, budget approval, adoption and amendment of bylaws and guidelines, approval of a new standing board committee, dissolution of the board and standing committees, or dissolution of the organization. IGRs may also participate in OIAA service committees and/or encourage other members of their group to participate in OIAA committees. (For more details on these responsibilities, see the OIAA Guidelines, sections 1.2.1 Member Voting Rights and Responsibilities and 1.3 Intergroup Representatives (IGR).)
An Intergroup Representative:
Representing the Group: Attends local Intergroup meetings to voice their home group's opinions, participate in discussions, and cast votes on local service matters or budgets.
Reporting Back: Updates their home group on local A.A. events, volunteer needs, hotline updates, and central office finances.
Supporting 12th Step Work: Encourages group participation in local recovery facility commitments, hotlines, and carrying the A.A. message locally.
Approve yearly budgets and monthly treasurer's reports.
Participate in the nomination and election of intergroup officers.
Help their replacement (Alternate IGR) get used to the job as IGR when they rotate out of office.
An Alternate IGR:
Voting Stand-in: Attends regional or online intergroup assemblies and casts votes on behalf of the home group if the main IGR is absent.
Communication Link: Helps relay service opportunities, updates, and news back and forth between the local intergroup board and the home meeting group.
Shadowing and Training: Learns the responsibilities of the position over time, making it easier to transition into the primary IGR role later.
We all do. Each group has a voice on the issues and decisions that are happening in Alcoholics Anonymous to help the still-suffering and the recovering alcoholic. An IGR helps the Intergroup decide how they use money contributed by the AA groups. Our group support is desperately needed to make sure the Intergroup gives us the services we need. Our group's involvement is encouraged. We want to improve participation in order to improve our local fellowship. "When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that I am responsible.".
Besides the General Service Representative (GSR) and other group positions, each group selects an IGR and an alternate. The IGR and the alternate should be active, committed members of that group. It is suggested they have at least one year of sobriety.
OIAA holds workshops every month (3rd Sunday - 12:30am (EST)) to help inform those interested in becoming an IGR or Alternate IGR. The following is a OIAA flyer with all the relevant information for the training workshop.
For those interested in knowing more about getting involved with OIAA as a group representative the following handbook is an excellent resource for IGR & Alternate IGRs.
A central office (or Intergroup) is an AA. Service office that involves a partnership among groups in a community - just as A.A. Groups themselves are partnerships of individuals. A Central Office is established to carry out certain functions common to all the groups - functions which are best handled by a centralized office - and it is usually maintained, supervised, and supported by these groups in their common purpose of carrying the A.A. Message to the alcoholic who still suffers. (excerpt from "AA Guidelines-Central or Intergroup Offices' publication)
The intergroup Committee is made up of Intergroup Representatives (IGRs) from all the groups that choose to participate. A chairperson, secretary, and treasurer, who are elected by Intergroup Reps at an annual Intergroup meeting, act as officers of the Intergroup Committee. Each of them is also a member of the Intergroup advisory board, along with the rotating-out chairperson and treasurer, who serve as board president and member at large, respectively. At present, an office manager and volunteers handle the normal day-to-day business. The groups, as represented by their IGRs, have the ultimate responsibility.
Here is the link on the OIAA website which shares the various committees available. Check it out! You might see one that catches your interest.st.