According to the Bylaws the duties of the Chair are as follows:
Chairperson: Executive Officer of the Intergroup, having general supervision of its property and affairs, shall;
a. Preside at Intergroup meetings and special meetings as called.
b. Serve as a Representative to Region 5 and a Delegate to World Service. (10/09)
c. Arrange for meeting rooms when necessary.
d. Serve as ex-officio member of all Committees.
e. Act as a liaison between Intergroups and outside business entities about official business if there are no designated liaisons as assigned by the Bylaws. (11/09)
f. Communicate with the World Service Office if there are questions about Tradition breaks, etc.
g. Be open and available to talk with members about complaints or dissatisfactions.
h. Assume such other powers and duties as are incidental to the Office.
i. Serve on the Executive Board.
So, what does this mean in terms of time and responsibilities. There is nothing I do daily as a chair. For our Intergroup, most of the activity is around the board meeting and Intergroup meeting. For the Board meeting I work with the Secretary on the agenda, getting the ideas from the previous Intergroup meeting to develop the monthly agenda. I preside over the board meeting and guide the conversations around the agenda. For the most part the board meetings last an hour. It is at the board meeting that we discuss what is to be on the agenda for the intergroup meeting. Yearly at the board meeting I work with the board and treasurer set the budget for the coming year. The budget is then approved at the monthly Intergroup meeting. I preside over the intergroup meeting, again guiding the conversations based on the agenda. I manage any voting that may occur based on Robert’s Rules of operation and overall group conscious etiquette. I respond to any members’ questions or concerns and utilize our Region 5 Trustee Liaison for any questions on traditions.For the Region, I attend Assembly meetings, (twice/year weekend travel) representing Intergroup at the Region. At Assembly I join two Region Committees that help conduct the work for the Region. That appointment is a yearly commitment and usually has monthly meetings and tasks.
For World Service, I am a Delegate representing my Intergroup at the world level. There is a yearly business conference that is five days and requires travel. At World Service you are required to join one Committee and served on the Committee for a year. The Committee meetings are monthly, and tasks are assigned to be completed by the next meeting.
This may all sound like a lot, but it is not overwhelming. There is so much help from what exists and can be reused from past Chairs and Members willing to help. The work is so rewarding to see the growth and strength in our Intergroup and to be part of it. My program and spiritual life has grown with this Service.