District 17 / Area 93 Alcoholics Anonymous

Monday District Meeting December 4, 2006

Amended 1/12/07

www.district17aa.org

 

6:30 Jeff J called meeting to order

A moment of silence followed by serenity prayer

12 concepts read by Maureen

14 GSR’s in attendance-1DCM- 1 Alt DCM

 

Minutes from November were approved as submitted

 

DCM Report - Jeff J .Jeff said he was very grateful to serve as DCM for Dist 17 ; he is confident we will continue to grow in numbers and it is his hope that we realize the more initiative we take in touching our surrounding community, the more support we’ll receive from our groups.  Ours is to make an effort in our district to make 12th step work possible by making AA attractive and available where people who need it can reach out and get it...placing Big Books in libraries or manning a table at a new parolee orientation, a flyer in a laundry mat, a PSA on a bus bench or on TV. Jeff said in the beginning of the service manual you can read how Bill and Bob relied heavily on the public media to propagate AAs  message of hope.  Ours is to also plug into the service structure via Area 93..to ready our delegate to represent us in NY; to gain insight through committee work at the Area level; to implement it in our own district; to learn about what’s going on in AA locally, regionally, and nationally so we can bring our groups informative and interesting reports if wanted. Those who are moving on keep this in mind as you select your new GSR’S. Remember from this pool of servants a Delegate is elected; Jeff said that is his little message of hope for those who remain in service. He said he had never been more proud of our district than at this past Area Assembly in Tehachapi! Turnout was impressive ; held our Area 93 election the following day; lots of you returned to vote in our new panel of officers. The elected officers are as follows: Debbie J/ Delegate; Alberto E/ Alt-Delegate; Jeff J/ Chairman; Sharon G/ Secretary; Ken S./Registrar; Val H./ Treasurer. Jeff said he emailed/brought copies of Area Committee Meeting; Please let him know if there is anything that needs clarification; he said he will be busy in this upcoming year with his new commitment; not sure to what extent able to come to meetings; but will be available by email; also in constant touch with Maureen as she adjusts to her new position. Jeff said the honor to serve has been mine.

 

Alt DCM Report-Maureen  Maureen said she attended the Area Assembly and elections in quaint Tehachapi ( famous for the train loop which allows the railroad to travel through the steep grade of the mountains); she said it was exciting to be a part of the Area elections and see two members of Dist 17 become Area officers; Jeff/ chairman and Sharon/ secretary. We had 18 representatives from Dist 17.  The regional trustee Madeline P. From Pocatello, Idaho ran the elections and she was full of interesting tidbits about AAWS. Since the conference in April and the message being carried about low contributions to General Office there has been a 13% increase in contributions. This is from groups that were already sending contributions/ Still only 43% of the groups send to NY. This creates a dangerous situation as in the past when contributions were low NY would increase literature & book fees; but there are outside enterprises publishing literature; selling it for less than NY; this takes away our ability to be self supporting and the power of the purse. Maureen said stories are available to download from the audio portion of the grapevine; you can download those to your MP3 players. There are the digital archives portion which has every issue ever published; many articles by Bill W. And the

magazine itself which make great holiday gifts to your sponsor or sponsees. New revised pamphlets- Too Young and The AA Group; the new design will begin to be available as current supplies are exhausted.

 

Treasurer Report: Richard W. Richard said we spent $ 75 on rent which is paid for Nov, Dec and Jan; we have $ 1542.92 in our account.

 

Area Standing Committee Reports:

Archives: Robert K. -Robert says it is an ongoing process They are transferring audio from tape to digital . He mentioned there is an AA meeting in Oxnard at the depository on Saturday @ 10:00 a.m.

 

CPC/ Treatment Facilities:Barry -He said it was difficult to hear what was going on in Tehachapi a lot of what was said was covered in last Area’s assembly; no new ideas Arturo asked what we were doing in dist 17 ; he said we were involved in distributing Big Books to Libraries; participating with parolee orientation; link that’s missing for parolees; where do they go?       He said he would fill us in. Jeff J said Art made honorable mention to our Dist 17 for CPC work Hal S. from Dist 1 is helping to hold down the fort . Jeff said he has someone who is interested in new parolee project. Jeffery K said he was in contact with Hal S also- he will keep us posted.

 

Finance: Jeff J- He said we have funds available for Jeanine for PRASSA- it will be brought to the ACM in December-Jeanine was PRASSA ‘06 Chairman and needs to be there to attend the business meeting in 2007. The budget for 2007 was voted on and passed in Tehachapi.

 

Grapevine/ La Viņa: Nina and Karen- Karen said we had a craft; took staples out of copies of Grapevine and sewed them to give to prisons. Karen said Lori ( who was the chair) made a Grapevine can to pass around at meetings; when it hits $ 18 dollars ; they raffle off and the winner gets a free subscription to the Grapevine for one year. The Grapevine also makes a wonderful gift for your sponsor, sponsee. DCM! ( Madeline P. From Idaho who is Pacific Regional Trustee) was on our committee. . It was a lot of fun!

 

Guidelines and Policies: Richard W-He said the Spanish translation was on hold for now; they held a second vote for 2 day assembly- approved for all Area Committee Members. Had a discussion on who would take place of current chair? Jeff J said it was disorganized at first ; this panel is very orderly and has done a great job; Richard W said we could get the guidelines & policies online There is a discussion to post the Area Guidelines on the web.

 

Literature/Audio Visual /Newsletter: Mark V- He said John the chair gave a description of what audio visual does; they go to prisons- show films; nice to hear we have this resource- he will come to your group- host an event; let groups know what is available. Jeff said  Dist 1 hosted a movie matinee meeting. Robert was hungry to get this info out ;Sharon said John did conventions. Archives has a permanent display contact; web contact info:  Danny G DCM 08 www. AA Area 93.org.

 

Public Information / Accessibility/ Website: Maureen -Laurie chaired the meeting; which is her last as chair. They discussed Bus Bench project; many had questions about advertising and public information; anyone who is still unclear should go to the AAWS website and under Public Information read explanation of what AA is and is’t. Laurie also reminded us that we are an anonymous society, not a secret society; looks forward to hearing the story of a newcomer who woke up on a bus bench and was able to contact Central Office and find AA. Anthony expressed interest in being part of  accessibilities sub- committee and possibly

contacting the Brail Institute to find out if they would be interested in Brail BB as well as local community colleges. These are now available for $ 6. A guest from Arizona shared w/ us the importance of Accessibilities and the need for greater awareness for those returning from the war. Other districts were placing lists of open meetings or directories with Hotels, Red Cross and local hospitals.

 

Public Information / Accessibility/ Website: Maureen (cont.)

Others were attending health fairs; setting up AA tables; distributing literature and directories. There was discussion of what can be linked from Area 93 Web Site to other sites. Susan P. Read from the Guidelines and Policies. Only links to Central Office- they link to conventions- they are not part of the General Service structure. Local events can be posted but not linked. Area 93 links to AAWS, Grapevine and local Central Office.

 

Registration: Ernie- He said it was a good meeting went around and talked to a new guy who was taking the commitment- usual ideas were kicked around bring more groups into the fold- they said goodbye to Peggy thanked her for her service.( Jeff J said Eddy D  is going to be okay- he had an operation- went to the archives the next week as a passenger with Peggy).

 

SFV Liaison: Larry-maybe an open position put our website in directory for GSR.

 

H&I Liaison: No Representative- Jeff said we could use a Liaison; Again meetings are Monday at St Innocence Church 5657 Lindley every 3nd Monday.

 

Newcomer Packets: Richard F- No Report

 

Old Business:

1. Ad- Hoc Report Senior Centers/ Libraries/ Schools: Steve/ Nina-Steve said we took in 2 dozen Bib Books- we have the resources to buy more; we need to buy some more books. We will distribute them accordingly to the Senior Centers and Libraries in our District who still  need them. There will be a list compiled as to who has received books already ; we asked for help with this project, Rosemary, Ernie, Mark, Anthony and Jeffrey volunteered. Thank you.

2. PI work in San Fernando Valley- Bus Bench Query ( entertain a motion to support this) -Michael made a motion to support this with a ceiling cap not to exceed $100 month. Richard 2nd motion. We discussed amount for benches ;5 benches are $ 80 per month with the 6th bench free so that would be $ 400 per month with 7 districts participating so its $ 56/ month for Dist 17. Since the maximum is $ 100 month our dist is well off not to exceed this. Richard said it is a great way to carry the message; Maureen said its immediate feedback since Central Office’s number is there. Steve asked how will we decide the locations. Karen said it is dependent on availability;  Jeff said we will do 6 all at one time; in a perfect world one would arrive in each Dist. We are supporting our dist and SFV;  Anthony asked what it would look like ; they said there was a photo example submitted by NA.  The design is TBD;It is a public information tool;it will include placement. Karen said she was voting for her group; We made a motion to pass the Bus Bench Query ; it was passed unanimously.

 

New Business:

1. 2008 Conference Theme submission to Area 93- Vicki though it would be neat to agree on one submission that’s the concept Jeff said to please email him our ideas for 2008 conference Theme this needs to be done by Dec 15th.

2. Discuss moving January meeting to Jan 8, Jan 1 is New Year’s Day- Maureen asked is the building available?  Richard said every 7 years the meeting falls on New Years always had GSR on Holidays- AA meetings are always on Holidays ; plus every 2nd Monday is Area Meeting; so the meeting will stay on January 1st.

 

New Business: (cont.)

3. Open Discussion... What’s Going On? -Richard acknowledged officers for this District - thanked them .

 

7:35p.m. Birthdays/ Good & Welfare- Ernie 3 years Dec 3 Happy Birthday; Anthony said there is a Tree Trimming party Unit A 2:00-5:30  Saturday Dec 9th  ;this is the last of the six month series; Unit A December 16th last 2 Traditions that evening there will be a dance.

7: 45 p.m.- Adjourn Responsibility Declaration

 

Upcoming events:

Dec 17,2006-Area Committee Meeting 5679 Hollister Ave. Goleta, CA 93117

Jan 21, 2007-Area Assembly Pismo Beach Veterans Hall 780 Bello Street Pismo BeachCA93449

Feb 2-4, 2007-San Fernando Valley Convention (GSO meeting @11:00amSat, Feb 3)

Feb 18,2007- Area Committee Meeting 5679 Hollister Ave. Goleta, CA 93117

March 2,3, & 4, 2007 PRAASA Red Lion on the river, Jantzen Beach- Hosted by Area 58

                909 N. Hayden Island Drive Portland, Oregon 97217

          503-283-4466/800-733-5466 Room Rates: $ 89 / night mention PRAASA

March 17&18, 2007- 2 Day Pre- Conference Workshop &Assembly Van Nuys- Host Dist 16