Global Main Purpose Group Meeting By-Laws

ARTICLE I

NAME: The Global Main Purpose Group of Alcoholics Anonymous

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE:

Global Main Purpose Group

TRADITION 5

“Each group has but one primary purpose -- to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers." To maintain our sobriety and to carry the A.A. message to alcoholics who still suffer.

How does Global Main Group fulfill our purpose?

By showing other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered as described in our Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

The men and women of The Global Main Purpose Group are here to serve the new comer by demonstrating that the 12 steps of recovery, as outlined in our Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, can solve their drinking problem, too.

ARTICLE III

TRADITION 3

MEMBERSHIP: The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

The Global Main Purpose Group

“Our membership ought to include all who suffer alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.”It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

ARTICLE IV

TRADITION 7

DUES AND COLLECTIONS: The group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

Distribution of contributions shall follow this schedule.

  • Prudent Reserve of $300 Disbursement at the end of each quarter

  • 10% to be distributed to District 16

  • 10% to be distributed to Area 11

  • 80% to be distributed to GSO

All forms of Seventh Tradition Collection will be in the form of electronic gathering.

ARTICLE V

BUSINESS MEETINGS

Business Meetings will occur on the first Tuesday of each quarter following the regular meeting, unless decided upon by the Home Group Members. Business Meeting dates and special meetings shall be announced at every meeting.

QUARTERLY shall mean the four divisions of the year (January-March, April-June, July-September, October-December).

ARTICLE VI

MEETING FORMAT

  • Global Main Purpose Group meeting is 60 minutes with an optional 15- minute question and answer period for a total of 75 minutes.

  • Facilitator(s) will share their unique experience with the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous to page 164 (unless decided otherwise by Home Group Members at a Group Conscience).

  • Script is provided, but each Chair may personalize the script to suit their personality. Script included in appendix.

  • The Facilitator(s) are recorded audio only. Recordings are posted on the Group website and Group FaceBook Page.

    • Website URL: www.mainpurposegroup.com

    • Private Facebook page: Main Purpose Group

  • Meeting schedule is Tuesday at 7 pm Eastern Standard time, unless otherwise decided by Home Group Members at a Group Conscience.

ARTICLE VIII

What do The Global Main Purpose Group AA members do?

“I am responsible . . . when anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help; I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that I am responsible.”

In short, when newcomers log into our virtual meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, we want A.A. to be there for them as it was for us— something we can do continuously only if we function as a group. But, for a group to function properly, all kinds of service must be performed. It is through the combined efforts and ongoing commitment of The Main Purpose Group Membership that:

  • A virtual meeting place is provided and maintained.

  • Speakers are arranged for the meetings.

  • Seventh Tradition contributions are collected, and properly allocated and spent.

  • A.A. Conference-approved literature is available for distribution in PDF formats.

  • Assistance in finding A.A. meetings is given to alcoholics.

  • Calls for help are answered.

  • Group problems are aired and resolved.

  • Continuing contact is sustained with the rest of A.A.—locally, through the intergroup (central office), district and area’s general service structure; and nationally and internationally, through the General Service Office in New York.

Global MPG Services Positions

Position: Group Chairperson

Service Duration: Two (2) years

Suggested Sobriety: Spiritual Awakening

Job Description:

Experience suggests that members who have held all group offices are the most effective Group Chairs. The Chairperson coordinates activities with other group officers – and with those members who assume responsibility for literature, coordinating individual meetings within the group and other vital functions. The more informed that Chairpersons are about A.A. as a whole, the better they function. By keeping Tradition One firmly in mind and by encouraging group members to become familiar with all A.A.’s Traditions, a healthy A.A. group will be assured.

The following are suggested duties of Group Chairpersons:

  • Maintain cordial relations between the group

  • Schedule and preside at periodic group business meetings.

  • In the absence of a meeting chairperson, open group meetings or assign the responsibility to other officers.

  • Substitute for other group officers when necessary.

  • Co-sign group checks if a bank account is maintained.

  • Call to the group’s attention announcements from the A.A. General Service Office, A.A. World Services.

Alternate required:

Position: Secretary Service

Duration: Two (2) years

Suggested Sobriety: Spiritual Awakening

Job Description

Group Secretaries, like Chairpersons, need to be good all-around group servants. A.A. experience suggests that Group Secretaries function most effectively with a background in other group offices.

The following duties are suggested:

  • Announce information about A.A. activities and events.

  • Maintain and update a STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL file of names and telephone numbers of group members (subject to each member’s and group conscience approval); and know which members are available for Twelfth-Step calls.

  • Maintain a record of members’ anniversaries (subject to group conscience). • Forward information to Group Media specialist for social media posting.

  • Inform the General Service Office and New York Inter-Group in writing of any changes of virtual address, meeting time and group officers.

  • Accept and assign calls for Twelfth-Step help (unless there is a Twelfth-Step Chairperson for this task).

  • Record business minutes and distribute

Alternate required

Position: Treasurer

Service Duration: Two (2) years

Suggested Sobriety: Two (2) Years

Job Description

The Treasurer is responsible for the Group’s finances consistent with Tradition Seven, “Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions”. Group funds, received through meeting collections, are used for fees, A.A. literature, meeting lists, and support of A. A. service entities, usually monthly or quarterly.

  • The following are suggested duties of group Treasurer:

  • Collect On-line financial donations

  • Maintain simple, accurate records of income and expenses as well as a online account where appropriate according to group conscience.

  • Pay Virtual hosting platform, Website hosting and URL fees

  • Report the group’s financial condition at business meetings.

  • Maintain a prudent reserve equivalent to three (3) months’ group expenses.

  • Subject to group conscience, disburse group funds in excess of a prudent reserve to A.A. service entities. A.A.’s General Service Conference pamphlet, “Self-Supporting Through Our Own Contributions” provides information on the suggested distribution of group funds.

Alternate required

Position: Group Service Representative (GSR) for District 16

Service Duration: Two (2) Years

Suggested Sobriety: Spiritual Awakening

Requirements: Familiarity with Steps, Traditions and Concepts

Job Description

The group General Service Representative (G.S.R.) is the group’s direct link with A.A.’s General Service Conference, through which U.S. and Canadian groups share their experience and express A.A.’s collective conscience. The G.S.R. position is through district and area committees.

Experience suggests that a history of group service helps in fulfilling G.S.R. responsibilities. An Alternate G.S.R. can share the function when necessary, at the group, district and area levels. The following are suggested duties of the G.S.R. and Alternate G.S.R.

  • Represent the group at district and area general service assemblies.

  • Keep the group members informed about A.A. General Service activities in the local area.

  • Assist groups with solving problems or answering questions related to A.A.’s Traditions.

  • Receive and share with groups all mail received from A.A. Service Structure entities.

Alternate required

Position: Media Specialist

Service Duration: Two (2) years

Suggested Sobriety: Spiritual Awakening

Requirements: Tech savvy

Job Description: Maintain and update MPG Facebook Page and Website. Post recording of speaker immediately on MPG Facebook page and website. Create speaker fliers, post on MPG Facebook page, website and other FB group pages. Post announcements and other pertinent information.

Website URL: www.mainpurposegroup.com

Facebook page: Main Purpose Group

Appendix 1

Script

Welcome to the Global Main Purpose Group of Alcoholics Anonymous.

My name is ……..and I am a grateful recovered alcoholic and member of this group. This is an open online of meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. We’re glad you’re all here especially newcomers. We meet Tuesdays at 7:00pm Eastern Standard Time. We TRY to carry the message as laid out in the first 164 pages of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

If you care to, please join me in the Serenity Prayer. God. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. The courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Thy Will Not mine be done. Amen.

Except for those who have been asked to read, everyone will remain muted at this time.

I've asked (a friend) _____________________ to read the AA preamble.

I've asked (a friend) _____________________ to read the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous from page 59 in the Big Book.

Are there any newcomers in their first year of sobriety who would like to say hello? Please raise your hand, located in the Participants or Reaction section, so I can call on you.

If you would like to become a member of this group —please use the chat function to message me directly.

If you are willing to sponsor and have had a spiritual awakening as a result of the 12 steps, please put a note in the chat.

The 7th Tradition states, “Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting declining outside contributions”. The Venmo Link will be posted several times in the Chat area.

Venmo Link: @global-MPG (9618 PIN or authentication code)

We ask that if you are on video you act as if you are in a meeting.

Please join me in the Set Aside Prayer to help us quiet our minds in the hope of a new experience.

Dear God, Please help me set aside everything I think I know about myself, my illness, the Big Book, the 12 Steps, everything I think I know about the program, the Fellowship, all spiritual terms, and especially about you GOD, so I may have an open mind and a new experience. Please help me see the Truth. Amen

Our speaker tonight will be sharing on their experience with the Big Book. The Speaker will end at 8pm. The meeting will continue with a 15-minute window to answer questions or to share. The meeting will end at 8:15.

******************************************************************

The speaker will be recorded audio only. Please remember if you wish to comment or ask a question, you may be recorded. Please help me welcome our speaker: Insert name and location ******************************************************************

Thank you so much for sharing with us tonight. Our next meeting is scheduled at 7pm Eastern, Tuesday. Our next Business meeting will be held: date and time.

Let’s open up the Q&A portion of the meeting from comments in the Chat section, which will be read in the order they come in. Or you can raise your hand, located in the Participants section to share.

{Remind speaker there may be messages for them in the chat area.}

Thank you all for joining us, we have a nice way of closing, after a moment of silence for the still sick and suffering alcoholic that does not know these zoom rooms exist or how to find us.

- Moment of Silence -

"Wee" version of the Serenity Prayer or silent meditation of your choice.