Group administration
A business meeting brings the group’s practical work into the room.
In many A.A. groups, members use a separate business meeting to consider schedules, service elections, reports, finances, and other group matters.“In most groups, the chairperson or another officer calls the business meeting.”
Official A.A. FAQ
One group, two modes
Different purposes within the same autonomous group
Members gather around recovery.
Members share experience, strength, and hope about recovery from alcoholism.
Members consider the group’s practical work.
The group addresses matters that help its meetings and services continue.
The exact schedule, order of business, and participation or voting arrangements belong to the group’s own procedure.
Possible order of business
Matters that may come before the group
The official A.A. FAQ says the order of business may include:- OfficersElecting new officers
The group considers who will carry particular service responsibilities.
- ScheduleScheduling meetings
The group considers practical meeting schedules.
- FinancesReceiving and discussing reports
The treasurer’s periodic financial reports can be heard and discussed.
- ServiceHearing progress reports
The general service representative and other group servants may report on their work.
- Excess fundsConsidering how funds are apportioned
The group may consider local intergroup, GSO, area, and district treasuries.
Plain-language synthesis: A group may consider other matters and chooses its own order and method.
Who is in the room—and who decides?
The group defines its business-meeting procedure
The official FAQ describes a common rhythm, not a universal schedule.
That attendance choice belongs to the group.
This concerns the business meeting, not A.A. membership or open/closed recovery-meeting attendance.
Practical matters and A.A. principles
The work connects to the group that directs it
Business meetings are a setting for practical questions. Group conscience supplies direction; service positions define work; trusted servants carry responsibility and remain accountable.Continue through A.A.’s structure
Related sections
These are the established site controls assigned to this subject.
Read the source wording
Official context
Conference-approved publicationThe A.A. Group…Where It All Begins (PDF)The complete guide to business meetings, group conscience, group inventory, and common group roles.
Open official PDF ↗
Source record: Official A.A. business-meeting FAQ and The A.A. Group reviewed August 13, 2026. “May include,” “ordinarily,” and other qualifications are retained because groups choose their own procedures.