General Service Structure Overview

General Service refers to AA services that operate beyond the local group level and support the Fellowship nationally and internationally.

The AA Group is the foundation of the Fellowship.

In AA’s early years, the rapid growth of groups created challenges as many groups formed independently after reading the Alcoholics Anonymous (“Big Book”) without direct contact with other members. From these experiences came the Twelve Traditions, later followed by the Twelve Concepts for World Service and the development of AA’s service structure.

Groups elect representatives to attend District meetings and Area Assemblies. Through this process, the voice of the group is carried forward into the wider Fellowship.

The AA Group Handbook provides more detail about how AA groups function. In addition to running meetings, groups may also support both local Central Services and national General Services.

Regions

Australia is divided into Regions, which are further subdivided into Areas and, in some cases, into Districts.

Districts

District committee meetings provide a forum where General Service Representatives (GSRs) share information, discuss service matters, and support cooperation between groups.

Districts help ensure that groups remain connected within the service structure and that their voice can be carried forward to Area Assemblies and the General Service Conference.

Areas

Area Assemblies bring together groups and districts within a region. Areas elect Delegates who represent them at the Australian General Service Conference.

Australian General Service Conference

The Australian General Service Conference serves as the collective group conscience of AA in Australia. It meets annually in November.

Through the Conference, AA groups participate in discussions and decisions affecting AA Australia as a whole.

General Service Board

The General Service Board (GSB) implements the decisions of Conference and oversees the administration of national services.

The Board includes:

• Regional Trustees
• Non-Alcoholic (Class A) Trustees
• General Service Trustees

General Service Office

The General Service Office supports the work of Conference and the Board. Its functions include:

• Providing administative services as required by the Board
• Publishing and supplying AA literature
• Providing information to Groups
• Cooperating with professionals and the wider community
• Liaising with AA worldwide

International Participation

Australia participates in World Service and Asia-Oceania meetings through elected Delegates to ensure AA in Australia is part of and supports the worldwide fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.

More about

• The World Service Structure
• The AA Fellowship in the Asia Oceania Region 

Self-Support: 7th Tradition

AA services are funded solely through voluntary member contributions and literature sales, in keeping with the principle that AA is self-support.

Service Structure Overview

General Service Structure can be visualised as…