- The geographical scope of any group PI activities is the immediate catchment area of the group
- All PI activities must be carried out with sensitivity to whether or not neighbouring groups are carrying out PI activities and where the boundaries are going to lie
- Any opportunities or leads outside the immediate catchment area are left to Intergroup and Regional PI officers and to the GSB and its subcommittees
- If groups spontaneously receive leads from outside the group’s immediate catchment area, these should be immediately passed on to the appropriate PI officer (of another group, Intergroup, Region, or of a national structure or committee)
- A group should not be seeking to generate such leads outside its immediate catchment area
- If a group’s PI activities do encroach onto other territory, this can damage the appearance of AA in the eyes of the outside organisation in question and damage the relations between such an organisation and the local AA structures
- It is important that PI officers be briefed on the above and that the key officers of the group be aware of these general principles, as they are the first line of guidance for service members in general
- If there is any doubt, or if PI officers are entering onto uncharted territory, it is wise to seek the advice of group or other members with relevant experience
- Treatment facilities tend to be dealt with by the Intergroup
- It would only be with the permission of the Intergroup PI officer that one would approach a treatment centre
- The same goes for other activities that are sometimes organised at Intergroup level (e.g. the organisation of schools talks across the borough)
- If anyone has any questions about such matters, the sponsor is usually the first port of call; if the sponsor is remote and is unfamiliar with local structures and practices, a local service sponsor or at least a local person to run practical matters past is needed