ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS / AREA 93 / DISTRICT 17

Monthly District Meeting /April 2, 2007

www.district17AA.org

 

 

Maureen called meeting to order at 6:28

A Moment of Silence followed by the serenity prayer

12 Concepts read by Michael

Attendance -

DCM – 1

Alt. DCM - 1

GSR’s – 13

Alt. GSR – 1

Area Secretary – Sharon G.

SFV Intergroup 2nd Alternate: Tom T.

New GSR’s – Tom C. from Wobllies, Tracee W. from Women’s Conscious Contact

Visitor – Gus Khan, WWA

 

Minutes from March were approved with one correction regarding the start time of meeting.

 

DCM Report –  Maureen

I attended the Pre-Conference Workshop and Area Assembly in Reseda on March 17th and 18th.   Michael and Karen gave wonderful presentations and Leslie and Ernie were timers.  We also had three new GSRs and one Alt. GSRs attend the Workshop and the Assembly.  It was nice to see GSRs from District 17 participate at an Area assembly.

Attending both days was the conference coordinator from NY GSO Rick W.  He also gave his pitch for an hour on Saturday night and it was great to hear his journey of recovery and what it’s like working for AAWS.  It’s interesting that 11 of the staff positions at AAWS rotate every two years.  So everyone has the opportunity to serve in all the staff positions. This is the spirit of rotation.

We discussed the same conference items as PRAASA and there was much information shared and discussed.  Most pertinent to our groups is lack of participation with service and contributions.  Only 43% of the groups contribute to the AA service structure.  Canada has a 97% rate of group contribution.  All felt this is a topic that must be brought to the attention of the groups and it should be on-going to make a change.  Brought up at PRAASA and again at the Pre-conference was how much each member could contribute annually to allow GSO not to rely on literature sales $6 per member is the rounded dollar amount.  In other words it costs them $6 in services for each member and they only receive $4 in contributions.  Also brought up at PRAASA and again by our delegate Debbie is the birthday program with GSO.  This is a great way to raise awareness about the need for contributions it’s also a great gift to give to a sober friend celebrating their birthday instead of flowers.

The new registration software in NY GSO which I understand will be compatible with the Areas data base should be live in April.  This will help clean up the list of groups.

The 2008 Pacific Regional Forum will be held in Spokane, WA

Also important is the item of Class B Trustees being eligible for Chair of the board.

The May assembly is in Lake Isabella and the August assembly will be held at the Performing Arts Center in Oxnard.

Also important is the agenda item of Class B Trustees serving as Chair of the board.  We will discuss this under new business.

Thank you all for allowing me to be of Service.

 

Alt DCM Report – Michael F.

Michael shared he felt  “sheer joy” to participate at the pre-conference area assembly as a presenter. He experienced a difference mode of communicating because he got “to bring information and  yourself and story at the same time”. It also motivated him to subscribe to The Grapevine.

 

Treasurer Report – Leslie C.

The treasurer’s report was read and approved with one minor correction to a meeting time. Still under discussion is what to do with the remaining book fund money.

 

Area Standing Committee Reports:

Archives – No Report

CPC/Treatment Facilities – Barry

At the Area Assembly, the committee discussed Bridging the Gap for parolees. It is coordinated 30 days prior to release date. There is parolee orientation in the 3 months prior to release. In Bridging the Gap, volunteers take parolees to 6 meetings. Spanish-speaking volunteers are needed. Also mentioned was the continuing conflict between B the G and H&I. H&I takes the meeting into the facility. B the G takes over when inmate is released to the outside. The Gold Coast district is working with a homeless center and is hoping to bring 2 panels a month there. A Gold Coast takes a panel to La Verne College. Announce at your meetings to get the message out to the professional and medical communities. Setting up tables at health fairs is a good way to reach out.

Finance - Maureen M.

No report.

Grapevine/La Vina – Karen A.

At the March Area Grapevine Committee Meeting, we decorated cans to take to our meetings as a way to get people interested in The Grapevine. We decided to celebrate the GV’s birthday at the next area assembly in Lake Isabella. Something many of us in General Service don’t know is that the  Service Manual suggests the Alternate GSR is the Grapevine Rep for a meeting.

Guidelines and Policies – Sharon G.

A  motion to terminate inactive officers take its first vote out of two at the next Area Assembly.

Literature/Audio Visual/Newsletter - No report

Public Information / Accessibility/ Website –  No report

Registration – Ernie

 Ernie distributed registration forms to update group information. Mark shared he passed out pamphlets to secretaries of meetings at Moorpark: “Inside AA”, “The AA Group” and donation forms.

SFV Liaison: Jeffrey – No report

H&I Liaison - Mark

Attended H&I monthly meeting. He said there isn’t anything new to report. “We’re all doing the same thing.”

SFV Inter-group Liaison - No report

Newcomer packets – Richard F. No report   

 

Old Business:

1.      Ad-hoc report Senior Centers/Libraries/Schools: Steve reported 19 books have been delivered (same as last meeting). What should we do with the $325 excess money collected for this project? Buy and distribute more books? Use on another project?

2.      Meeting Outreach – Form an ad hoc committee  - Voted to push to June meeting when the new registration software is up and running. It was clarified that the project is for reaching out to unrepresented meetings.

3.      Bus Bench copy suggestions – Maureen received suggestions from two meetings. She will be accepting suggestions until April 15th.

New Business:

1.      Conference Agenda Items – Option of Class B Trustee considered for Chair of the Board – Maureen presented the background material. This was followed by lively discussion. Some thought it didn’t matter because whoever sits as Chair was “divinely chosen”. Some felt a Class B Trustee should be Chair because he or she would better understand other alcoholics. However, on the other side, the issue of anonymity was brought up as being of paramount importance. It is a function of the Chair is the Trustee who signs all corporate documents which are available to the public, as well as make public appearances. A compromise has been reached by other AA boards, i.e. electing a Class-A Vice-Chair who would execute all public functions that conflict with anonymity. We voted on the motion as written: Yea – 6; Nay – 8. Some felt if the motion were to be amended with the provision, the outcome of the vote may change.

2.      SFV Intergroup Liaison position is open – Darrin will go to next meeting. Tom T., representing the Intergroup, volunteered, but some felt it would be a conflict of interest.

3.      Birthday Envelopes – Barry passed them out at his meeting and they were very well-received.

 

Good and Welfare: We sang “Happy Birthday” to Mark (3) and Karen (8).

           

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 with the responsibility declaration.

Next District meeting is Monday, May 7th..

 

Submitted and prepared by Karen A.

Thank you for allowing me to serve District 17.