Amended 6/5/2007

BY-LAWS

OF SAN DIEGO AREA INTERGROUP

OF GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS

ARTICLE I

Name and Jurisdiction

Section 1.

This Fellowship shall be known as the San Diego Intergroup of Gamblers Anonymous.

Section 2.

This Fellowship shall consist of all active groups meeting in Area 3A (as defined by the International Service Office of Gamblers Anonymous (ISO)) that wish to participate.

ARTICLE II

Purpose

Section 1.

The specific and primary purposes for which the Fellowship is formed are as follows:

  1. To promote unity, growth and better communication regarding programs and events among the individual groups.
  2. To discuss mutual problems, successes and work with one another for the common good of all.
  3. To act as the liaison between the groups of Area 3A and the International Service Office (ISO) of Gamblers Anonymous.
  4. To act as a sounding board for considering changes in operational procedures, new ideas and programs.

ARTICLE III

Declaration

Section 1.

The San Diego Intergroup shall at all times be guided by and adhere to the By-Laws, Guidance Code, Recovery and Unity Programs of Gamblers Anonymous.

ARTICLE IV

Participation

Section 1.

All individual members of Gamblers Anonymous are encouraged to attend, participate and speak at Intergroup.

ARTICLE V

Meetings

Section 1.

Intergroup meetings should be held at least once per month at a time and place determined by a majority vote of Intergroup.

Section 2.

A majority of the groups (50% + 1) must be represented for a quorum to be declared and a vote can take place.

ARTICLE VI

Finances

Section 1.

There are no dues or fees for membership in Intergroup. It shall be self-supporting through voluntary contributions.

Section 2.

Any withdrawal of Intergroup funds shall require two (2) signatures. The authorized signatures are the Treasurer, Chairperson and Trustee(s).

Section 2A.

Any contracts entered into using Intergroup funds over $200 shall require two (2) signatures. The authorized signatures are the Treasurer, Chairperson and Trustee(s).

Section 3.

Other than normal monthly expenses, all other disbursements must be approved by Intergroup prior to their expenditure.

Section 4.

The Chairperson shall form a committee, excluding those with check signing rights, to conduct an annual audit of the finances.

Section 5.

As funds are available, Intergroup will pay for the following expenses for each area Trustees at National Conferences:

  1. Roundtrip Airfare.
  2. Up to two nights lodging immediately prior to the conference.
  3. Up to a conference “B” registration package, and.
  4. Up to $75.00 for ground transportation to and from the airport.

Section 6.

If funds are insufficient to full fund all Trustees, available funds will be divided equally among the Trustees, leaving a minimum of $750.00 in the Intergroup account.

ARTICLE VII

Group Representative

Section 1.

Each group shall be entitled to one elected Group Representative and one elected Alternative Group Representative.

Section 2.

The choice of an individual to serve as an elected Group Representative or Alternative Group Representative and the amount of clean time necessary to serve shall be up to the individual group.

ARTICLE VIII

Trusted Servants

Section 1.

The CHAIRPERSON, VICE-CHAIRPERSON, SECRETARY, TREASURER, PHONE LIST CHAIRPERSON, PRESSURE RELIEF GROUP CHAIRPERSON, PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIRPERSON, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES CHAIRPERSON, WORKSHOP CHAIRPERSON, TELEPHONE LIAISON, WEBMASTER AND BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON shall be the Trusted Servants of Intergroup. To be eligible for the position of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Treasurer, members must have abstained from gambling for at least three (3) years. For all other positions it is recommended that individuals have abstained from gambling for at least one year. Intergroup with a majority vote (50% + 1) can add a Trusted Servant position as deemed necessary.

Section 2.

Any member of Gamblers Anonymous can be a Trusted Servant.

Section 3.

The term of office shall be for one year. Elections for all Intergroup positions except Social Activities Chairperson shall be held in July of every year.Social Activities Chairperson shall be elected each January, with his/her term running through December of that same year.

Section 4.

Any person nominated for an office must accept the nomination prior to the election.

Section 5.

The election of Intergroup Trusted Servants will be conducted by written ballots.

Section 6.

If a Trusted Servant should admit to gambling the office he or she holds will be vacated.

Section 7.

If a Trusted Servant should miss three consecutive unexcused meetings the office he or she hold will be vacated.

Section 8.

A Trusted Servant shall hold only one Intergroup office at a time, but may serve an unlimited number of terms.

ARTICLE IX

Chairperson

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Chairperson shall be:

  1. To conduct monthly Intergroup meetings by Robert’s Rules of Order.
  2. To prepare the agenda.
  3. To fill in, or assign an individual to fill in, for any Trusted Servant(s) not present.

ARTICLE X

Vice-Chairman

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Vice-Chairman shall be:

  1. To perform the duties of Secretary or Chairperson when either the Secretary or Chairperson is absent.
  2. Any other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or Intergroup.

ARTICLE XI

Secretary

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Secretary shall be:

  1. To keep the minutes of the Intergroup meeting.
  2. To forward copies of the minutes and agenda to all members and groups.
  3. To handle correspondence between Intergroup and the International Service Office (ISO).
  4. To maintain a record book of Intergroup Minutes and keep them available for Group Representatives’ inspection.
  5. Any other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or Intergroup.

ARTICLE XII

Treasurer

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Treasurer shall be:

  1. To collect, record and prepare for disbursement all funds collected from the groups.
  2. To pay all bills and prepare a monthly statement.
  3. To maintain a record book of Intergroup Treasurer’s Reports and bank statements and keep same available for Group Representatives’ inspection.
  4. Any other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or Intergroup.

ARTICLE XIII

Literature Chairperson

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Literature Chairperson shall be:

  1. To order and maintain an adequate supply of approved GA literature from the International Service Office (ISO).
  2. To sell approved GA literature at each Intergroup meeting and remit funds to the Treasurer.
  3. Any other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or Intergroup.

ARTICLE XIV

Phone List Chairperson

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Phone List Chairperson shall be:

  1. To maintain and produce a monthly phone/meeting list for all members and meetings wishing to be included.
  2. To notify the ISO of upcoming birthdays on a monthly basis.
  3. Any other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or Intergroup.

ARTICLE XV

Pressure Relief Group Chairperson

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Pressure Relief Group Chairperson shall be:

  1. To educate the groups on pressure relief and give assistance to groups where needed.
  2. Any other duties as assigned by the chairperson or Intergroup.

ARTICLE XVI

Public Relations Chairperson

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Public Relations Chairperson shall be:

  1. To carry the message of Gamblers Anonymous to the compulsive gambler who still suffers through the medium of personal contact using telephone, mail, newspapers, films, radio, television, churches, charitable organizations, service clubs and whatever other dignified method approved by Intergroup within the framework of the Unity Program.
  2. To distribute Gamblers Anonymous literature to compulsive gamblers and to any person, organization or institution which desires it.
  3. To encourage interest and knowledge of activities and programs of Gamblers Anonymous with peace officers, parole officers, correctional institutions, doctors, newspapers, motion picture companies, radio and television broadcasting companies, churches, charitable organizations and service clubs.
  4. Any other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or Intergroup.

ARTICLE XVII

Social Activities Chairperson

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Social Activities Chairperson shall be:

  1. To coordinate and follow through on social functions as directed by Intergroup.
  2. To coordinate the annual GA picnic and Holiday Party.
  3. Any duties as assigned by the Chairperson or Intergroup.

ARTICLE XVIII

Workshop Chairperson

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Workshop Chairperson shall be:

  1. To coordinate and follow through on workshops as directed by Intergroup.
  2. Any other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or Intergroup.

ARTICLE XIX

Telephone Liaison

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Telephone Service Liaison shall be:

  1. To keep the telephone service advised of meeting schedules and locations.
  2. To keep the telephone service advised of hotline volunteer names and telephone numbers.
  3. To keep the answering service and Intergroup advised of any problems reported by Gamblers Anonymous members.
  4. To monitor costs from the answering service and to keep Intergroup informed as to the detail of monthly costs.
  5. Any other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or Intergroup.

ARTICLE XX

Webmaster

Section 1.

The duties of the Intergroup Webmaster shall be:

  1. To maintain the San Diego area website in a manner that represents the principles of Gamblers Anonymous.
  2. To keep a current list of meetings, locations and times of meetings on the website.
  3. To maintain a calendar based upon the information given at each month’s Intergroup meeting.
  4. To keep Intergroup advised of all business concerning the cost and operation of the website.
  5. Any other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or Intergroup.

ARTICLE XXI

Voting

Section 1.

Any changes to the San Diego Intergroup By-Laws shall require passage at two (2) consecutive meetings, by a majority vote (50% +1) at the first meeting and a 2/3-majority vote at the second meeting.

Section 2.

All motions, other than by-law changes, shall require a majority (50% +1) vote.

Section 3.

A majority (50% + 1) of the voting members shall constitute a quorum; a quorum must be reached before a vote can take place.

Section 4.

Discussion of items shall be limited to ten (10) minutes. After ten (10) minutes have elapsed a vote can be taken to determine if the discussion will continue for subsequent additional ten (10) minute segments.

Section 5.

Each group shall be entitled to one vote on all matters before Intergroup provided that elected Group Representative or elected Alternate Group Representative is present.

Section 6.

Trustees shall have one vote each in Intergroup matters.

Section 7.

Each elected Trusted Servant and Group Representative shall have one vote at Intergroup. No one (1) individual shall have more than one (1) vote.

Section 8.

Upon the vote on a motion, the same motion may not be brought up for a vote for a period of one (1) year.

ARTICLE XXII

Gam-Anon

Section 1.

Gam-Anon should be invited to participate in all social functions and the answering service.

Section 2.

Every attempt shall be made to coordinate Intergroup social activities with Gam-Anon.

Section 3.

Workshops may be co-sponsored and presented in conjunction with Gam-Anon members.

ARTICLE XXIII

Trustee Elections

Section 1.

Procedures for the election of Trustees shall be as follows:

  1. To be eligible for the position of Trustee you must be a member of Gamblers Anonymous and have completely abstained from gambling by your own admission for a period of two (2) years and have had regular attendance at Gamblers Anonymous meetings.
  2. The term of office of Trustee shall be for two (2) years starting on July 1st, of even years and concluding June 30th of the following even year.
  3. The election of Trustees will be in April of every even year.
  4. Any person nominated for Trustee must accept the nomination prior to the printing of ballots.
  5. The election of Trustees will be conducted by written ballot with each eligible GA member having one (1) vote. To be eligible to vote a member must have 30 days clean time when he or she casts their vote.
  6. The Trustee may not hold any Intergroup office or represent any individual group during their term as a Trustee.
  7. If a tie exists between 3rd and 4th place, a run off election shall be held with eligible GA members having one (1) vote.
  8. The Intergroup Secretary shall notify the International Service Office (ISO) of the election results by May 15.

Section 2.

Special Election procedures for the election of Area 3A National Trustees shall be as follows:

  1. In the event a Trustee is unable to complete his or her term of office, a Special Election may be held at the discretion of Intergroup that will follow the guidelines of section 1, except as follows:.
    1. The election will be held during the month following the closing of the nominations for the proposed Trustee.
    .

Section 3.

Mechanics of the Trustee(s) Election:

  1. The Group Secretary, per Intergroup guidelines, shall conduct the Trustee(s) Election at their individual meeting.
  2. At the April Intergroup meeting each Group Representative will be given an envelope with an ample supply of pre-printed ballots.
  3. The Secretary will announce the election at least one week prior to holding the election.
  4. The Secretary shall write the name of each member who voted at the meeting on the outside of the envelope and seal it.
  5. The Secretary or Group Representative shall bring the sealed envelope to the May Intergroup meeting. If a group’s ballots are not received by Intergroup before the predetermined time that the votes are to be counted, those ballots will be disqualified and not counted.
  6. At the May Intergroup Meeting, the Chairperson will ask for volunteers to serve on the Election Committee to count the votes. From the list of volunteers, three will be chosen at random to serve on the Committee.
  7. The Election Committee will count the votes and report the results to Intergroup.