ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS / AREA 93 / DISTRICT 17

Monthly District Meeting /June 4, 2007

www.district17AA.org

 

 

Maureen called meeting to order at 6:30

A Moment of Silence followed by the serenity prayer

12 Concepts read by Dale

Attendance -

DCM – 1

Alt. DCM - 1

GSRs – 12

New GSRs – Keith (Winner’s Circle, Th 7:30 pm) & Anne-Marie (Whipple, Sun pm)

Guest – Leigh (On the Road to Recovery)

 

Secretary Report – Karen A.

            The May minutes were approved.

DCM Report – Maureen M.

 

DCM– Report                         

District 17                               

Maureen

June 4, 2007

 

I attended the Area Assembly in Lake Isabella on Sunday, May 20th.  It was a full assembly there were 50 GSRs over the usual amount, many from the Bakersfield area.  3 GSRs who attended from District 17 who made it there even after their car broke down in Palmdale and were towed back to N. Hollywood.  That is going to any length and truly shows that being of service is not convenient, but contrary action and I greatly appreciate their service to the District.

 

We voted in the new Area Treasurer, Pam K.  We also voted to approve the archivist to attend the annual archivist workshop in Arizona in September.  Brian from District 11 gave a bid for the November assembly which will be held in Glendale.

 

There will be a random “Group Membership” survey sent to the meeting contacts in July.  This is a survey AAWS conducts every few years to capture the demographic of our fellowship which helps the newcomer.  If your meeting receives one of these please assist them in completing the survey.  If you go to the AA web site you will see the results of the last survey, which I believe was 2003.

 

Our Area Delegate Debbie gave an awesome report back from her participation at the General Service Conference in NY.  I encourage all of you to attend the “Delegate Day” presentation on Saturday, June 16th.  Our District has been asked to bring deserts – for fun and for free – so please let me know who will be attending and bringing what deserts.

 

It was brought to our attention this issue of “ear marking” funds when asking our groups for contributions. There is a saying “he who pays the piper sings the tune” and this issue has cause problems in other districts/areas in the past. We need to as for contributions for support in all the District efforts to carry the message and keep the lines of communication open between the General Service Conference, the Area, the District and our groups.

 

Also, when you attend the Assemblies and sit in a committee meeting, it has been suggested to select one you have an interest in and stay with the committee so you can really participate in projects that carry the message.

 

Thank you all for allowing me to be of Service.

 

 

Alt DCM Report – Michael F.

 

Michael welcomed the new GSRs, Keith and Anne-Marie and announced that the May minutes have been posted on the District 17 website.        

 

Treasurer Report – Leslie C.

The treasurer’s report was presented by Maureen on behalf of Leslie and it was approved. Maureen noted that the format of the treasurer’s report was revised to make it easier to follow.

 

Area Standing Committee Reports:

Archives –

            No report.

CPC/Treatment Facilities – Barry (given by Kathy)

  1. Reviewed how to interface with the professional community.
  2.  “How To” treatment facilities booklets were handed out that has a listing of facilities.
  3. How can the districts get involved in CPC/Treatment Facilities projects, i.e. parolee orientation, Prop 36, Bridging the Gap.
  4. There is still controversy regarding who is supposed to do what, i.e. H& I, parolees, CPC
  5. Bridging the Gap needs a chairperson.
  6. Discussions are repetitive every month because new reps come and go.
  7. New chair of CPC/Treatment Facilities – Kevin.          

 

Finance - Maureen M.

The Finance Committee has an acting chair, Maureen, because the current chair is now the Area Treasurer.

Grapevine/La Vina – Karen A.

            Nothing new to report.

Guidelines and Policies – Sharon G.

            No report

Literature/Audio Visual/Newsletter –

            No report.

Public Information / Accessibility/ Website –

            No report.

Registration – Mark V.

            Report included in item 2 in Old Business

SFV Liaison: Jeffrey –

 No report

H&I Liaison - Mark V.

            Edward made him self available to be alternate H&I Liaison and is willing to become the District 17 rep. He’s planning to go to the next H&I Committee meeting. Mark announced the Picnic on June 10th. This is their main fundraiser of the year. The SFV H&I Committee is very active and all are welcome to the monthly meeting on the third Wednesday of every month.

SFV Inter-group Liaison –

No report.

Newcomer packets –

No report.   

 

Old Business:

1.      Bus Bench update – No update, however Maureen explained to the new GRSs how this project is Public Information and not advertising and has been seriously thought out. As far as she knows, “AA” will not be mentioned on the benches. Suggestions for wording are being accepted at the district, not the group, level.

2.      Meeting Outreach – What meeting do you attend that don’t have GSRs?  Maureen reached out to Anne Marie and Dale to Keith, both of whom became new GSRs as a result.  Introduce yourself to the secretary of a meeting and ask if they have a GSR. If they don’t, suggest they elect one. Tell them about General Service and how rewarding it is to be connected to AA as a whole. Right now, poll the meeting you currently attend, Bring the GSR pamphlet. It was suggested and agreed we should corner time at each district meeting for updates. We are waiting to go out to other meetings until the new registration software is distributed by New York Central Office.

 

New Business:

1.                  Bridging the Gap – Mark wanted to address issues regarding Bridging the Gap but Maureen explained that this is not yet a standing committee at the Area level. The Area needs to take the lead before the districts get involved.

2.                  Seventh Tradition – Jeremy was happy his meeting made rent last month. However, this was not enough to make a GSO contribution.

a.       Dale shared that his group has a Big Book Raffle to raise money.

b.      Others groups pass the can/basket a second time.

c.       Michael’s meeting is not in favor of passing the can during the meeting

d.      Robert’s group charges for premium-brand coffee and nothing for ordinary Joe.

3.                  Host local workshop – “Secretary 101”

a.       Mark would like to see District 17 host a “Secretary 101” workshop so secretaries are better informed of their responsibilities and importance of having a GSR.

b.      Two years ago we hosted a workshop called “GSR 101”

c.       Schedule the workshop in early November.

d.      Some things to consider for the workshop:

                                                               i.      Get a speaker.

                                                             ii.      Give out pamphlets.

                                                            iii.      Make it fun.

                                                           iv.      Form a planning committee.

                                                             v.      Stress the importance of the Group in the General Service Structure.

                                                           vi.      Possibly expand the workshop to other service commitments in the group, i.e. treasurer, GSR, literature rep, etc.

 

Good and Welfare: We sang Happy Birthday to Robert who will be 4 on June 19th!

           

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

Next District meeting is Monday, July 2, 2007 at 6:30 pm.

 

Submitted and prepared by Karen A.

Thank you for allowing me to be of service.