About MAICO

MAICO’s mission is to help A.A. groups within its service area (south central Wisconsin) carry the A.A. message. MAICO helps coordinate and facilitate communication and cooperation among individual A.A. groups, area 12-step and other committees, and components of the A.A. service structure. MAICO provides needed services that are beyond the scope and ability of any individual A.A. group, and is at all times responsible to the groups it serves.

The term MAICO is an acronym for Madison Area Intergroup Central Office. “A central office (or
intergroup) is an A.A. service office that involves partnership among groups in a community—just as A.A. groups themselves are a partnership of individuals. It is established to carry out certain functions common to all groups—functions which are best handled by a centralized office—and is usually maintained, supervised and supported by these groups in their general interest. It exists to aid the groups in their common purpose of carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. There are more than 500 central/intergroup offices functioning throughout the world, performing vital A.A. services.” (From A.A. Guidelines for Central or Intergroup Offices, reprinted with permission.)

4	A 24-hour phone service providing 12-Step referrals and meeting information.
4	Conference-approved literature
4	A clearing house for information about the A.A. Fellowship
4	Facilitation and support of the service work of local 12-Step committees (e.g., Public Information, Bridging the Gap, Corrections, Treatment)
4	A newsletter
4	A directory of area meetings with periodic updates to that directory
4	Other services requested by individual groups within the service area

Finally, MAICO provides area groups an opportunity and the means to communicate and cooperate with one another. Such communication and cooperation are the key ingredients in working together to carry the A.A. message.

The MAICO office is located in Suite 104 of 2000 Engel Street, Madison, WI. 53713. Office hours are Monday and Tuesday, 11:00am to 8:00pm, Wednesday through Friday, 11:00am to 6:00pm, Saturday, Noon to 2:00pm. In accordance with the Eighth Tradition (Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.”), MAICO employs Diane B. as its office manager. Diane does a great job of running the office smoothly and efficiently.

MAICO depends on group and individual contributions to operate. Office space must be leased, telephone and answering services paid for, the office manager compensated for her work, office supplies and literature purchased, etc. Contributions are also needed to support the printing of the newsletter (its production is donated by the MAICO Steering Committee, and reader input is always welcomed) and the printing of the meeting directory (again, production of the directory is donated by the MAICO Steering Committee).

MAICO keeps track of group and individual contributions by means of a computerized spreadsheet. Any group in the service area that has had contact with the MAICO office is assigned a group number. Ideally, a group’s contacts (treasurer and secretary), GSR and MAICO Rep are also recorded in the spreadsheet. Contributions are entered into the Peachtree when they are deposited into MAICO’s bank account. The MAICO treasurer runs a monthly financial report that is submitted to the MAICO Steering Committee for approval at its monthly meeting. The report is available to all A.A.’s, who may stop by the MAICO Office during business hours to review it.

MAICO operates on a calendar fiscal-year (January to December). It is overseen by a steering committee that is directly responsible to groups within the service area. The MAICO Steering Committee consists of seven members whose specific purpose is to watch over and guide the activities of MAICO. The MAICO Steering Committee meets the second Tuesday if every month at 6:00pm in the MAICO office. Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings. Because the MAICO reps elect the Steering Committee members, all groups are encouraged to appoint a MAICO rep. The MAICO reps meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm in the MAICO Office. If you have further questions about MAICO and what it does, or if you want to get involved in service work through MAICO, call the MAICO office at 608-222-8989, 11:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday.