Intergroup Purpose and Roles

1. Purpose of Intergroup

1.1 Australian Intergroup (“Intergroup”) acts as a communications and service center for all SLAA in – person groups in Australia and all virtual (phone or web) groups based in Australia. Intergroup’s activities are governed by its constitution, which is posted on the SLAA Australian web site, slaa.org.au.

Intergroup’s activities are governed by its constitution, which is posted on the SLAA Australian web site, slaa.org.au.

1.2 Its purpose in providing these services is to assist those groups to carry out Tradition Five: Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the sex and love addict who still suffers.

1.3 These services include, but are not limited to:

(a) Building unity among Australian SLAA groups;

(b) Creating a spirit of fellowship among sex and love addicts as a vehicle for recovery;

(d) Facilitating the planning and promotion of SLAA related events including conventions, workshops, socials, dinners, fund raisers, retreats and special events;

(e) Facilitating the exchange of information between Australian SLAA groups and Fellowship Wide Services.

1.4 Particular services currently provided by Intergroup include:

(a) providing literature to meetings;

(b) providing public liability insurance for meetings Australia-wide;

(c) maintaining SLAA’s Australian web site (slaa.org.au), which includes meeting lists, news and other resources fro members, and provides an introduction to SLAA for Australians who fear they may suffer from sex and love addiction and for professionals;

(d) Australian phoneline;

(e) acting as a liaison with the public and responds to media inquiries; and

(f) appointing and funding the organising committees for conventions and retreats.

1.5 In providing these services, Intergroup makes payments including:

(a) annual premium for public liability insurance;

(b) phoneline costs;

(d) repayable loans for meeting start-ups;

(e) capital for conventions; and

(f) annual donation to Fellowship-Wide Services (“FWS”). FWS produces literature; hosts SLAA’s international website; supports office positions and hosts a worldwide convention. In accordance with its Prudent Reserve Policy, Intergroup donates its surplus cash to FWS.

2. Duties of Intergroup Permanent Officers

(Clause 3.1 of the Australian Intergroup Constitution defines which Officers are permanent roles. These roles have voting rights at Intergroup)

Permanent officers must be resident in Australia and not be an officer of another intergroup.

2.1 Chair

(a) Chair all meetings of Intergroup.

(b) Request the Secretary to convene special meetings when required.

(d) Encourage meetings to appoint intergroup representatives.

(e) Act as bank account signatory.

2.2 Secretary

(a) Convene normal and special meetings of Intergroup in accordance with the Constitution.

(b) In consultation with the Chair, prepare and circulate the agenda for Intergroup meetings.

(d) Respond to correspondence on behalf of Intergroup, including e-mails address to secretary@slaa.org.au.

(e) Act as bank account signatory.

2.3 Treasurer

(a) Receive and bank donations from meetings.

(b) Obtain Intergroup authorization for expenses and arrange payment of these.

(d) Arrange SLAA Australia’s public liability insurance policy.

(e) Recommend to Intergroup donations to Fellowship Wide Services and other expenditure, in accordance with Intergroup’s Prudent Reserve Policy.

(f) Act as bank account signatory.

(g) Collect mail from Post Office box and distribute as appropriate.

2.4 Webmaster and Meeting List Manager

(a) Make the additions and alterations to the site in accordance with subpoints (I)-(vii);

(i) add news and events as requested;

(ii) add links to or copies of content posted on the websites of Fellowship Wide Services or other SLAA Intergroups;

(iii) on the Meetings Calendar make changes advised by meetings;

(iv) make changes requested by the Literature Person;

(v) editorial corrections – being minor changes or corrections – as required.

(vi) add minutes of Intergroup meetings

(vii) add any of the above subpoints to the email newsletter

(b) Make other content and format changes after approval by Sydney and Melbourne Intergroup.

2.5 Literature Person

(a) Receive and fill orders from meetings and individuals nationally.

(b) Maintain adequate stock of literature to meet demand ; order replacement stock from Fellowship Wide Services as required.

(d) Ensure online store store.slaa.org.au is updated as required

(e) Report monthly to Intergroup on literature issues including any updates to the online store.

2.6 Enquiries Person

(a) Monitor Intergroup’s phoneline and newcomers emails for incoming messages.

(b) Direct the message, for response, to a member who is unlkely to engage in inappropriate behaviour with the enquirer

2.7 Chair Public Information Committee

(a) Chairs meetings of the Public Information Committee.

(b) The role of the Committee is to develop policies for Intergroup’s interactions with the media and the professional community, and to:

The role of the Committee is to develop policies for Intergroup’s interactions with the media and the professional community, and to:

(i) act as a liaison with the public; respond to media inquiries;

(ii) develop and improves communication with the professional community seeking information about SLAA;

(iii) work with professionals who ask for help in establishing a SLAA group at their facility by acting as a liaison to the general membership;

(iv) dstribute information to other SLAA members who then might participate in professional programmes which are designed to reach other sex and love addicts.

3. Duties of other Intergroup Officers

(Clause 3.8 of the Australian Intergroup Constitution allows Intergroup to appoint other Officers that do not have voting rights at Intergroup)

Officers must be resident in Australia and not be an officer of another intergroup.

3.1 Hospitals and Institutions Co-ordinator

Maintain a contact list of sober SLAA members (actively working a program) to attend SLAA H&I sessions at treatment and other centres and confirm their availability for visits (or attendance via zoom) on specific dates.

At present the role applies to just one treatment centre in Sydney, but there is scope to do more nationwide – where treatment centres welcome speakers for SLAA H&I.

3.2 Conference Delegates

(a) each delegate member is elected for a term of two years and in addition to attending the Annual Business Conference, should serve the Fellowship-Wide Services Conference in its year-round business for such term.

(b) A delegate member should not normally serve for more than four consecutive years, respecting the tradition of rotation of leadership,

(c) The delegate member(s) should be selected for judgment, experience, stability, willingness and for faithful adherence to the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, Twelve Concepts,and Twelve Recommended Guidelines of S.L.A.A.

(d) Whenever possible, a delegate member should have a minimum of six months of continuous sobriety prior to the date of submitting qualifications and continuing to the date of the Conference.

(e) Delegate member(s) may be instructed as to the desires of Intergroup

(f) As participants, delegate member(s) shall not be bound by the wishes of Intergroup, but should not vote against these wishes unless situations arise at the Conference that make it necessary for the best interest of S.L.A.A. as a whole.

4. Group Representatives

4.1 Intergroup comprises the above officers and a representative of in – person groups in Australia and all virtual (phone or web) groups based in Australia.

4.2 The role of these group representatives includes:

(a) bringing to Intergroup matters of concern to their meeting as indicated by the meeting’s group conscience;

(b) providing guidance to Intergroup’s officers in their provision of services to meetings and the performance of their other duties; and

4.3 Through their performance of these duties, group representatives receive useful training which makes them more ready to act as Intergroup officers.