Gamblers Anonymous Guidance Code
as of Louisville '10

Article I – Name

Article II – Guidance Code

Article III – Objects

1. – To contact compulsive gamblers no matter where they may be and help them overcome a gambling problem.
   
2. – To carry the message of Gamblers Anonymous to the compulsive gambler who still suffers, through the medium of personal contact, telephone, mail, newspapers, films, radio, television, houses of worship, charitable organizations, service clubs, and by whatever dignified method that is approved by the Board of Trustees within the framework of the Unity Program.
   
3. – To distribute Gamblers Anonymous literature to compulsive gamblers and to any person, organization or institution which desires some.
   
4. – To encourage interest and knowledge of the activities and program of Gamblers Anonymous with the peace officers, educational institutions, penal institutions, judges, probation officers, parole officers, doctors, newspapers, motion picture companies, radio broadcasting companies, television broadcasting companies, houses of worship, charitable organizations and service clubs of the world.

Article IV – Declaration

Principles for Recovery

1. We admitted we were powerless over gambling – that our lives had become unmanageable.
   
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to a normal way of thinking and living.
   
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of this Power of our own understanding.
   
4. Made a searching and fearless moral and financial inventory of ourselves.
   
5. Admitted to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature or our wrongs.
   
6. Were entirely ready to have these defects of character removed.
   
7. Humbly asked God (of our understanding) to remove our shortcomings.
   
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
   
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
   
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
    
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
    
12. Having made an effort to practice these principles in all our affairs, we tried to carry this message to other compulsive gamblers.

Principles to Maintain Unity

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon group unity.
   
2. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
   
3. The only requirement for Gamblers Anonymous membership is a desire to stop gambling.
   
4. Each group should be self-governing except in matters affecting other groups or Gamblers Anonymous as a whole.
   
5. Gamblers Anonymous has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the compulsive gambler who still suffers.
   
6. Gamblers Anonymous ought never endorse, finance or lend the Gamblers Anonymous name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
   
7. Every Gamblers Anonymous group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
   
8. Gamblers Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
   
9. Gamblers Anonymous as such ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
   
10. Gamblers Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the Gamblers Anonymous name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
    
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films and television.
    
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of the Gamblers Anonymous program, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Article V – Summary of Operations

Article VI – Members

Article VII – Groups

Section 2:
No new group will be qualified to vote on any issues affecting Gamblers Anonymous as a whole until they have conducted regular weekly meetings for a three (3) month period.

Section 3:
Each group is self-governing; however, by tradition each group should elect a SECRETARY- TREASURER (can be the same person), PRESSURE RELIEF GROUP CHAIRMAN, GROUP REPRESENTATIVE, PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE, who will assume the work load necessary to keep the group together and in operation. Their term of service will be decided by each individual group. However, inasmuch as the International Service Office (I.S.O.) Fiscal operating year is July 1st through June 30th, it is suggested that group trusted servants (group representatives excepted) be elected for a six (6) month period with their term of service starting on January 1st and July 1st. It is further suggested that no secretary, treasurer, group representative, pressure relief chairman, or public relations representative be elected that has not abstained from gambling for a least six (6) months, unless it is a brand new group. This suggestion is based on experience.

Section 4:
Abstinence from gambling and regular attendance of at least thirty-nine (39) Gamblers Anonymous meetings (exceptions can be made, via group conscience decisions, for medical reasons) in the prior 12 months is required for pinnings and for all successive anniversaries. Date of abstinence starts from your first meeting after your last bet.

Section 5:
All Gamblers Anonymous literature, books, and service pins should be purchased from Gamblers Anonymous through the International Service Office (I.S.O.) except when otherwise approved by the Board of Trustees.

Section 6:
Only members of Gamblers Anonymous may be trusted servants of groups or Intergroups.

Section 7:
Gamblers Anonymous approved literature is any publication or item that has been approved by the Board of Trustees and is sold or distributed by the International Service Office (I.S.O) and/or any Regional Service Office (R.S.O.). Foreign language translations of Gamblers Anonymous approved literature are deemed to be approved if the final product has followed the necessary steps outlined by the Board of Trustees.

Section 8:
Gamblers Anonymous appropriate literature is limited to local area member telephone lists, meeting and direction lists, flyers regarding events sponsored by the local rooms(s), Intergroup(s), surrounding area(s) or conference committees. Other appropriate material must be designated as such by the Board of Trustees.

Article VIII – Board of Trustees

Section 2:
Trustees shall be elected to office as outlined in Article XVIII.

Section 3:
The term of office of Trustees shall be for two (2) years starting on July 1st, of even years and including June 30 of the following even year. However, the term of office shall be extended until the newly elected Trustee has been submitted to the International Service Office (I.S.O.)

Section 4:
Any Trustee is automatically removed from office for gambling by his/her own admission. Current of past Trustees who return to gambling and subsequently come back to G.A. should not have a voice at the BOT meeting until they have 2 years of abstinence, the same qualification as becoming a Trustee. Gambling, for the compulsive gambler is defined as follows: Any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or “skill” constitutes gambling. Or he or she may be removed for other acts on his or her part, which are detrimental to Gamblers Anonymous as a whole, or for not attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Removal requires 2/3 vote for expulsion by the Board of Trustees at the next physical meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Section 5:
Any vacancies of the Board of Trustees shall be filled by a special election in the area where the vacancy has occurred. This temporary term to run until the following even year ending on June 30th.

Section 5A:
The election process explained in Article VIII, Section 5 above will also apply to a new geographical area that has just been approved by the Board of Trustees.

Section 6:
Two-thirds (2/3) or more members of the Board of Trustees present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum. Proxies shall be counted to determine the number present at any meeting for the purpose of a quorum.

Section 7:
The Board of Trustees primary function shall be to insure the most effective exchange of thoughts and ideas between all Gamblers Anonymous groups and to act for our Fellowship in an official and executive capacity on all matters affecting Gamblers Anonymous as a whole, except matter coming under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents or International Executive Secretary.

Section 8:
The Board of Trustees shall act as guardians of the Twelve Steps of RECOVERY and the Twelve Step UNITY PROGRAM and must be guided by these precepts in all their decisions.

Section 9:
To change the Twelve Steps of RECOVERY and the Twelve Step UNITY PROGRAM, it shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority by not less than the physical presence of 2/3 of the eligible voting members of the Board of Trustees at two (2) consecutive physical meetings.

Section 10:
The Board of Trustees shall nominate and elect an International Executive Secretary of the International Service Office (I.S.O) for a two (2) year term. The nominations and election will be during the Spring meeting of the odd years. The term of 2 years would be from July 1st through June 30th.

Section 11:
Trustees shall submit nominations for an International Executive Secretary to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees during the first session of the Board meeting where the election is to be held. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees will hold the election during the final session of the meeting.

Section 12:
The Board of Trustees shall act in an advisory capacity only in the operation of the International Service Office (I.S.O.). It is the intent of the duties entrusted to the Board of Regents of the International Service Office (I.S.O) that they should not enact any changes in the Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the International Service Office (I.S.O.) without the majority of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents.

Section 13:
The Board of Trustees unequivocally will have the sole right to add to, delete or change any word of the Twelve Steps of RECOVERY, the Twelve Step UNITY PROGRAM and the Twenty Questions. All Gamblers Anonymous literature or books must be first approved by the Board of Trustees before being published. No changes can be made in any Gamblers Anonymous literature by the International Service Office (I.S.O.) without the approval of the Board of Trustees. Changes can be made by the board of Trustees at two (2) consecutive physical meetings of the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees will have the right to approve the translation to a foreign language any audio, video or written approved Gamblers Anonymous literature it deems necessary to meet the needs of our entire International Fellowship.

Section 13A:
Procedures for translation of approved Gamblers Anonymous literature into other languages will be as follows:

1. Obtain approval of the Board of Trustees to translate the literature.
   
2. Translation must be as close to ‘Word for Word’ as possible.
   
3. Once the literature is translated, copies of each piece must be sent to the International Service Office.

Section 13C:
Proxies will only be valid if assigned to a specific Trustee by the Trustee giving the proxy.

Section 14:
The Board of Trustees can call for a vote of the groups at any time for any purpose which they desire. Voting procedure shall be followed in the manner provided for in Article XIX.

Section 15:
The Board of Trustee should suggest to the Board of Regents any changes in operation procedures of the International Service Office (I.S.O) they may desire.

Section 16:
It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to determine the date and place of our International Conferences.

Section 17:
It shall be the responsibility of the Chairman to prepare the agenda for the Board of Trustees meeting. Items may only be submitted to the Chairman through a current member or past member of the Board of Trustees and must be done so no later than sixty (60) days prior to the opening date of the meeting. The Chairman will confirm receipt of the item no later than forty- five (45) days prior to the opening date of the meeting.

Section 17A:
Only current and/or former members of the Board of Trustees and current members of the Board of Regents shall be permitted to speak at a Trustee meeting. Exceptions to this section shall be made for discussion on conference site selection and when a Gamblers Anonymous member authors an agenda item and wishes to speak on that item.

Section 18:
It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to acquaint all members of our Fellowship with the financial need of our International Service Office (I.S.O.), so that it may operate effectively to the best interest of all members.

Section 19:
The International Executive Secretary of our International Service Office (I.S.O.) shall not be eligible to be elected a Trustee or Regent while holding the office of International Executive Secretary of the International Service Office (I.S.O.).

Section 20:
No Trustee shall receive compensation from the International Service Office (I.S.O.) for his or her services rendered as a Trustee.

Section 21:
Any Trustee who misses two (2) consecutive Board meetings is automatically removed from the Board of Trustees, and the area in which he or she serves shall be duly notified to elect a new Trustee. A quick response meeting will count for attendance at the Board of Trustees meeting. Absentee ballots and proxies from Board of Trustees members from areas outside of the U.S.A. and Canada will count as attendance at the Board of Trustees physical meetings.

Section 22:
No member may belong to the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents at the same time.

Section 23:
A member of the Board of Trustee or Board of Regent may be a member of other committees outside Gamblers Anonymous concerning compulsive gambling.

Section 24:
The Board of Trustees or Chairman of the Board of Trustees may utilize qualified active Gamblers Anonymous members in specific assignments on committees who will be responsible to the Board of Trustees.

Section 25:
Upon the defeat of a motion, any similar motion may not be brought up for a vote for a period of two (2) years.

Section 26:
The Board of Trustees shall elect the members of the Board of Regents at the Spring Conference. The term of office shall be for a period of one (1) year commencing July 1 and ending June 30. The Trustees should seek the guidance of the meetings in their area prior to the election.

Article IX – Officers of the Board of Trustees

Section 2:
Upon election of a new Chairman and 1st and 2nd Co-Chairmen of the Board of Trustees, it will be their responsibility to fulfill votes and suggestions approved by the previous Board.

Section 3:
Board of Trustees meeting may be conducted by mail, however 20 or more votes are needed for a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum shall carry any measure voted upon except as provided for in Section 2 of Article XVI and Article XX.

Section 4:
The International Executive Secretary shall be responsible to send a copy of all minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting to all members of the Board of Trustees within fourteen (14) working days after each meeting.

Section 5:
A copy of the minutes of each Board of Trustees meeting shall be kept on file at the International Service Office (I.S.O.). Minutes of all Board meetings will be available for inspection by any member of our Fellowship during regular operating hours of the International Service Office (I.S.O.) and published in the next International Service Office (I.S.O.) Bulletin.

Section 6:
No officer of the Board of Trustees shall receive compensation for service rendered as an officer.

Section 7:
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees and both Co-Chairmen have a $7,500.00 per year expenditure total, approved by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and paid by the International Service Office (I.S.O.). The total combined annual expenditure cannot exceed $7,500.00. The International Service Office (I.S.O.) shall supply the Board of Trustees with a detailed accounting of said expenditures within sixty days of the close of the fiscal year.

Article X – Intergroup Guidelines

Section 2:
All groups in a geographical area should belong to the Intergroup, but no group can be expelled from an Intergroup without approval of the Board of Trustees.

Section 3:
Trusted servants to carry the workload of the Intergroup shall be elected in a manner selected by the groups comprising the Intergroup. However, it is suggested that the term of office be for the calendar year.

Section 4:
All Gamblers Anonymous literature, book and service pins should be purchased from Gamblers Anonymous through the International Service Office (I.S.O.), except when otherwise approved by the Board of Trustees.

Section 5:
Function of Intergroup:

1. To disseminate Gamblers Anonymous information and approved Gamblers Anonymous literature to any group or individual requesting same.
   
2. The Intergroup shall be answerable to those groups that it represents and the Board of Trustee where it affects Gamblers Anonymous as a whole.
   
3. The Intergroup shall, if it so desires, publish a bulletin or newsletter at regular intervals.
   
4. Any newly formed Gamblers Anonymous group shall be able to participate but not vote in the business portion of the Intergroup meeting until being in existence for a period of no less that three (3) months, assuming, of course, that the group meets all requirements of a Gamblers Anonymous group. A majority of the groups must be represented before a vote can take place.
   
5. Intergroup meetings should be held at least once per month and copies of the minutes should be forwarded to all member groups and the International Service Office (I.S.O.).
   
6. Each group shall have the right to elect representatives and alternates equal to the number of representative and alternates of any other group.
   
7. The order of business of the Intergroup shall be conducted by the trusted servants in accordance with the Guidance Code.
   
8. The Intergroup should be supported financial by the member groups.
   
9. The trusted servants of Intergroup are accountable for the responsible use, recordkeeping, reconciliation and reporting of all financial transactions, including but not limited to funds received, disbursed and generated through all Intergroup bank accounts used for any activity or event approved by or benefiting the Intergroup.
   
10. Trusted servant of the Intergroup should consist of a CHAIRMAN, ASSISTANT CHAIRMAN, TREASURER, PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE, RECORDING SECRETARY, PRESSURE RELIEF GROUP CHAIRMAN, and any other trusted servants deemed necessary by the Intergroup.
    
    1. Duties of the CHAIRMAN shall be to conduct the meeting in an orderly fashion, to prepare the agenda, with assistance of other trusted servants.
       
    2. Duties of the ASSISTANT CHAIRMAN should be to perform the Chairman’s duties when the Chairman is absent, keep an accurate record of group representatives and take the Intergroup attendance.
       
    3. Duties of the RECORDING SECRETARY shall be to take minutes of all meetings and notify all groups of meeting dates of Intergroup Open Meeting and changes, additions and deletions of any current group meeting, and mail the minutes to all parties as outlined in Paragraph E.
       
    4. Duties of the TREASURER are to collect, record and prepare for disbursement all funds collect form the group, to prepare monthly statement of finances, to see that pins and literature are available to groups upon request and should be one of two signature required on checks.
       
    5. Duties of the PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE shall be to disseminate information, inform Regional Service Office and International Service Office (I.S.O.) of any public relations effort, and by responsible for creating public relations activities in the Intergroup area within the framework of the Guidance Code.
       
    6. Duties of the PRESSURE RELIEF GROUP CHAIRMAN shall be to be responsible for educating the groups on pressure relief, maintaining updated forms and giving assistance to groups where needed.
       
11. The Intergroup should publish a meeting list for the area, and should send a copy to the International Service Office (I.S.O.) every time there is a revision.
    
12. Wherever possible, the Intergroup should hold the election for the Trustees that are to be selected from their area, and they should include other groups not members of the Intergroup who fall within the Trustees’ geographic area.
    
13. No trusted servant of the Intergroup shall receive compensation for service rendered as a trusted servant of the Intergroup.
    
14. All information posted on any Gamblers Anonymous Websites shall be in compliance with the 12 Steps of Recovery and the 12 Steps of Unity.
    
15. An Intergroup does not have the right to set stricter guidelines pertaining to the elections of Trustees other than those that are contained in the Guidance Code.

Article XI – Regional Service Office (R.S.O.)

Section 2:
Any collection of groups (or Intergroup) wanting an R.S.O. should first make their desires known to the Board of Trustees.

Section 3:
No group can be held answerable to a R.S.O., as each group is self-governing. However, in the interest of unity and efficiency, all groups should make every possible effort to become a part of and to cooperate with the R.S.O. and the International Service Office (I.S.O.).

Section 4:
Trusted servant to carry the workload of the R.S.O. shall be elected in the manner selected by the groups comprising the R.S.O.

Section 5:
Trusted servants are required to have abstained from gambling for at least two years.

Section 6:
All G.A. literature, books, and service pins should be purchased from Gamblers Anonymous through the I.S.O. except when otherwise approved by the Board of Trustees.

Section 7:
Suggested guidelines for the Regional Office: Any R.S.O. that is formed shall be an arm of the I.S.O., and:

1. Disseminate Gamblers Anonymous information and approved Gamblers Anonymous literature to any group or individual requesting same.
   
2. The R.S.O. should be confined to a geographical area, such as Northeast, Southeast, Middle Atlantic, etc.
3. The R.S.O. shall be answerable to those groups that it represents and to the Board of Trustees.
4. The R.S.O. shall, if it so desires, publish a bulletin or newsletter at regular intervals.
5. Any newly formed G.A. group shall be able to vote in the business portion of the R.S.O. meetings after being in existence for a period of not less than three (3) months.
6. R.S.O. meetings should be held at least once a month and copies of the minutes shall be forwarded to the I.S.O., Chairman of the Board of Trustees and all groups in the Regional area.
7. Each group shall have the right to elect a Regional Representative and Alternate.
8. The order of business of the Regional Offices shall be conducted by the trusted servants in accordance with the Guidance Code.
9. The trusted servants of the Regional Office should consist of a COORDINATOR, ASSISTANT COORDINATOR, TREASURER, PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE AND RECORDING SECRETARY. The Duties of the COORDINATOR shall be to conduct the meeting in an orderly fashion and to prepare the agenda.
   The ASSISTANT COORDINATOR should preside when the Coordinator is absent, and should keep an accurate record of Group Representatives and take the meeting attendance.
   The TREASURER shall keep a record of income and disbursements and have them available at all meetings.
   The RECORDING SECRETARY shall take minutes of all meetings and notify groups of meeting dates.
   PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVES shall disseminate information about Gamblers Anonymous to the media where no Intergroup exists and exchange results with other groups and the I.S.O.
   
10. The R.S.O. should be supported financially by the groups in the area that it represents.
11. The R.S.O. and the II.S.O. shall at all times adhere to the Guidance Code.
12. No trusted servant of a R.S.O. shall receive compensation for service rendered as a trusted servant of a R.S.O.

Article XII – Area Delegates

Article XIII – Board of Regents

Section 2:
Regents should be elected from the area within the Fellowship who are within reasonable traveling distance from the International Service Office (I.S.O.), so that they may be able to attend every meeting and be available on immediate notice for any emergency meetings which may become necessary.

Section 3:
The term of office of Regents shall be for one (1) year starting on July 1st and including June 30th of the following year.

Section 4:
Any Regent is automatically removed from office for gambling by his/her own admission. Gambling, for the compulsive gambler is defined as follows: Any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or “skill” constitutes gambling. Or he or she may be removed for other acts on his or her part that are detrimental to Gamblers Anonymous as a whole. Removal will require a two-thirds (2/3) vote for expulsion by the Board of Trustees at the next physical meeting.

Section 5:
The sole purpose of the Board of Regents is to supervise the operations of the International Service Office (I.S.O.) and see that it is operated effectively and efficiently.

Section 6:
Five (5) members of the Board of Regents shall constitute a quorum. Only a written proxy shall be counted in determining the number present for the purpose of a quorum.

Section 7:
Two (2) members of the Board of Regents may be non-members of Gamblers Anonymous if approved by the Board of Trustees.

Section 8:
It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Regents to annually employ a certified public accountant who is not a member of Gamblers Anonymous to examine the books and record of our International Service Office (I.S.O.) and to advise the Board of Trustees and International Executive Secretary of the results of the audit and the audit published in the next International Service Office (I.S.O.) Bulletin.

Section 9:
Expenditures by the Board of Regents should be limited to $2,500.00, except for approved Gamblers Anonymous literature. All expenditures other then these, if the Board of Trustees objects by a majority vote, no money should be spent for that particular item. Board of Trustees time to notify the Board of Regents is sixty (60) days.

Section 10:
On or before February 1st of each year any member of Gamblers Anonymous with at least 2 years of abstinence from gambling can submit their name to the I.S.O. to be included on the Board of Regents ballot. Previous service as Regent of the Corporation or as a Trustee of Gamblers Anonymous, total abstinence from gambling and home group of nominee shall be listed along side the name of each nominee. A biography not to exceed 200 words and phone number (both optional) would be included as an attachment to the ballot. Each recognized Gamblers Anonymous meeting should be contacted by their area Trustee(s) so that the groups at their option, have involvement in the voting process. Each Trustee based on guidance from their groups and their personal knowledge, will be able to select no more than nine (9) Regents from the ballot.

Section 11:
The annual election of the Regents shall be by written ballot. The International Executive Secretary shall prepare the ballot, listing thereon the names of all eligible members submitted. The International Executive Secretary shall mail the ballots to the Trustees on or before March 1st. of each year.
Each Trustee shall be entitled to vote one (1) ballot, which shall reflect the opinion of the fellowship they serve.
Each vote must appear on the official ballot and be signed by the Trustee, sealed and either mailed to the International Service Office (I.S.O.) or hand delivered to the Spring Board of Trustees meeting.
Sealed ballots will remain unopened in the “BALLOT” envelope, and will be handed to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees during the first session of the Trustee meeting of the Spring Conference. Absentee ballots will be sent to the International Service Office (I.S.O.) and must be received in the envelope market “BALLOT” no later than seven (7) days prior to the start of the Spring Trustees meeting. All ballots will be counted by three (3) former Trustees or former Regents prior to the end of the meeting. Any member who is a candidate shall be excluded from the ballot counting. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees will determine who will count the ballots.
After the counting of the ballots, each newly elected Board of Regents member will be asked by the International Executive Secretary to confirm their election. Any ties will be broken by a written vote at the Trustees meeting by the Trustees in attendance. The order that the nominees came in shall be kept by the International Executive Secretary. The results of said election shall be announced immediately after the counting and shall be published in the minutes of the Spring Trustees meeting.

Section 12:
The term of office of the newly-elected Regents shall be for (1) year, starting on July 1st and including June 30th of the following year.

Article XIV – Officers of Board of Regents

Section 2:
The officers shall be elected by the Board of Regents in a manner approved by the Board of Regents.

Section 3:
It will be the responsibility of the CHAIRMAN to hold meeting of the Board of Regents at least once a month.

Section 4:
The SECRETARY of the Board of Regents shall be responsible to deliver or mail a copy of all minutes of the Board of Regents to the Board of Trustees and the International Executive Secretary.

Section 5:
A copy of the minutes of each Board of Regents meeting shall be kept on file at the International Service Office (I.S.O.). Minutes of all Board meetings will be available for inspection by any member of our Fellowship during regular operating hours of the International Service Office (I.S.O.) and published in the International Service Office (I.S.O.) Bulletin.

Section 6:
No officer or member of the Board of Regents shall receive compensation from the International Service Office (I.S.O.) for service rendered as an officer.

Article XV - International Service Office (I.S.O.)

Section 2:
The operation of the International Service Office (I.S.O.) shall be the responsibility of the International Executive Secretary, who will be under the guidance of the Board of Regents and Board of Trustees. However, all business affairs of this office shall be under direct supervision of the Board of Regents.

Section 3:
The International Service Office (I.S.O.) must be operated at all times in the best interests and for the entire membership of Gamblers Anonymous.

Section 4:
Each group and/or Regional Office should make very effort to send monthly contributions to the International Service Office (I.S.O.) so that this very vital and important function of our Fellowship can continue to stabilize unity within Gamblers Anonymous and carry the message to the compulsive gambler who still suffers.

Section 5:
The Fiscal Business Year of the International Service Office (I.S.O.) shall be from July 1st through June 30th.

Article XVI – International Executive Secretary of I.S.O.

Section 2:
The International Executive Secretary is automatically removed from office for gambling by his/her own admission. Gambling, for the compulsive gambler is defined as follows: Any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or “skill” constitutes gambling, or other acts on his/her part that are detrimental to Gamblers Anonymous as a whole. Removal at any time, or breach of office must be by a majority of two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast with at least a quorum of the Board of Trustees voting. A registered letter (with a return receipt requested) addressed to the last known address of the International Executive Secretary by the chairman of the Board of Trustees, advising him/her of his/her dismissal, shall constitute legal procedure of his/her removal from office. In such an event, the Board of Trustees shall elect a new International Executive Secretary immediately upon receiving receipt of mailed registered letter. In the interim of the election of a new International Executive Secretary for any cause, the Chairman of the Board of Regents shall be the acting International Executive Secretary.

Section 3:
The International Executive Secretary shall be solely responsible for the efficient operation of the International Service Office (I.S.O.). He or she will be under the guidance of the Board of Trustees and under the direct supervision of the Board of Regents.

Section 4:
The International Executive Secretary may employ an office secretary and any other needed officer employee providing written approval is first obtained from the Board of Regents.

Section 5:
The International Executive Secretary will be solely responsible for collecting, banking and accounting of all funds of the International Service Office (I.S.O.).

Section 6:
The International Executive Secretary shall be responsible to publish a monthly Gamblers Anonymous Bulletin and mail copies of same to each group in our Fellowship. Number of copies sent to each group shall be set by the Board of Regents.

Section 7:
The International Executive Secretary shall be responsible to keep the door of the International Service Office (I.S.O.) open during the hours specified by the Board of Regents.

Section 8:
The International Executive Secretary shall attend all International Conferences and International Meetings of the Board of Trustees. His/her expenses to these meetings shall be paid by the International Service Office (I.S.O.).

Section 9:
The International Executive Secretary shall be the recording secretary of the Board of Trustees at all annual International Conferences and International Meetings of the Board of Trustees, and perform such other duties as required by them. The minutes of the Board of Trustees meetings shall be sent to all Trustees within fourteen (14) working days of the meetings.

Section 10:
The International Executive Secretary may be paid a monthly salary and/or receive a monthly expense account if approved by the Board or Regents.

Section 11:
The International Executive Secretary will be responsible for the reprinting of all approved Gamblers Anonymous literature and purchase of Gamblers Anonymous pins and keep sufficient quantity on hand at all times for the needs of our entire Fellowship.

Section 12:
The International Executive Secretary shall be responsible to mail receipts for donations made to the International Service Office (I.S.O.) and mail Gamblers Anonymous literature and /or Gamblers Anonymous pins within 5 business days donation or requisition is received in the International Service Office (I.S.O.).

Section 13:
The International Executive Secretary will be responsible for the safekeeping of all minutes of the Board of Trustees and Board of Regents and books and records of the International Service Office (I.S.O.).

Section 14:
The International Executive Secretary shall tally and inform all groups of results of voting within 60 days of the Lifeline Bulletin of the closing date of any International membership voting, including any voting by the Board of Trustees.

Article XVII – Area Location of Trustees

Section 2:
Due to anticipated growth of Gamblers Anonymous group in various parts of the world, the geographic locations of Trustees may change from time to time.

Section 2A:
To request a new geographical area the following information needs to be sent to the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

1. The number of Gamblers Anonymous meetings in the proposed geographical area.
2. The approximate number of Gamblers Anonymous members in the proposed geographical area.
3. The geographic size of the proposed area
4. The number of Trustee(s) requested for the proposed geographical area.

Section 3:
How can Board of Trustees members be elected in large geographical areas? Notify each group to send nominations to the International Service Office (I.S.O.) and International Service Office (I.S.O.) makes ballots and returns them to the groups. Each group has one vote in electing their Trustee.

Article XVIII – Election of Trustees

Section 2:
It shall be the responsibility of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees to immediately notify all areas of the number of Trustees eligible to be elected from their respective areas for the coming two (2) year period of July 1st even year – June 30th even year, as selected by the Board of Trustees.

Section 3:
Each area selected from which a Trustee or Trustees are to be elected shall hold their own individual area election prior to May 15th and elect a Trustee and/or Trustees if the area is represented by more than one Trustee.

Section 4:
Each area entitled to elect a Trustee or Trustees, on or before June 1st, shall notify the International Executive Secretary of the International Service Office (I.S.O.) of the Trustee and/or Trustees elected.

Section 5:
Election for Chairman of the Board of Trustees and any other officer of the Board of Trustees will take place at the first physical meeting in the odd year. Current trusted servants carry on until trusted servants are elected.

Article XIX – Voting

Section 2:
On any issue affecting Gamblers Anonymous as a whole, which necessitates a vote by the Board of Trustees and /or groups, the ballots will b returned in a sealed envelope to the International Executive Secretary of the International Service Office (I.S.O.), who will tally votes and notify each Trustee and group of the result of voting. This Section does not apply to the meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Section 3:
The word BALLOT must be printed or stamped on the lower left-hand corner of the sealed envelope containing the vote of any Trustee and/or group when sent to the International Service Office (I.S.O.).

Section 4:
All ballots must be opened and counted by the International Executive Secretary in the presence of at least five (5) members of the Board of Regents or Board of Trustees.

Section 5:
Institutional groups will not be allowed to vote on any issues, which affect groups other than their own.

Section 6:
Trustees and Regents may vote in person on any matter up for vote and also may vote by absentee ballot on pre-determined subjects providing ballot is signed by Trustee and/or Regent, sealed and opened at place of board of Trustees and /or Board of Regents meeting.

Article XX – Amendments

Section 2:
All approved amendments shall be immediately made a part of the Guidance Code and date of adoption shown.

Section 3:
An up-to-date permanent file of the Guidance Code shall be maintained by the International Executive Secretary of the International Service Office (I.S.O.) and a current copy (including all and any amendments or replacements) shall be made available during office hours for inspection by any member.

Section 4:
Any alterations of, additions to, or removal of any wording in the Guidance Code shall constitute an amendment.

Section 5:
The Guidance Code shall be reprinted, at least every other year, if any changes have been made. Copies shall be sent to all Gamblers Anonymous groups, each member of the Board of Trustees and each member of the Board of Regents.