Group or Meeting: Is There A Difference?
“Most A.A. members meet in A.A. groups as defined by the long form of our Third Tradition. However, some A.A. members hold A.A. meetings that differ from the common understanding of a group. These members simply gather at a set time and place for a meeting, perhaps for convenience or other special situations. The main difference between meetings and groups is that A.A. groups generally continue to exist outside the prescribed meeting hours, ready to provide Twelfth Step help when needed.
A.A. groups are encouraged to get listed with G.S.O., as well as with their local offices: area, district, intergroup or central office. A.A. meetings can be listed in local meeting lists.”
Quoted from “The A.A. Group…where it all begins” pamphlet (page 12-13). Follow the link to view in its entirety: https://statenislandaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/p-16_theaagroup.pdf
The Process of In-Person Group Formation
- Two or more A.A.s decide to form a PHYSICAL meeting
- The meeting time, location and format is decided; and the meeting is held regularly as scheduled
- The meeting submits a “New Group Request Form” to New York Inter-Group (N.Y.I.G.)
- N.Y.I.G. reviews the request; then, upon approval, will assign the group a New York Inter-Group Identification Number
- The group will be listed on N.Y.I.G.’s “Find An In-Person Meeting” webpage and in the Five-Boro Meeting List (hardcopy) (NY Intergroup is what feeds “The AA Meeting Guide” (a.k.a the Chair App)