ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS / AREA 93 / DISTRICT 17

Monthly District Meeting /September 3, 2007

Maureen called meeting to order at 6:30

A Moment of Silence followed by the serenity prayer

12 Concepts read by Michael F

Attendance -

DCM – 1

Alt DCM - 1

GSRs – 13

New GSR – Ewelina

Area Secretary Sharon G.

Guest – Anthony

Secretary Report – Maureen/Anne Marie

The office of Secretary is vacant - Michael F. agreed to take minutes.
The August minutes were approved.

DCM Report – Maureen M.

I attended the Area Assembly in Oxnard on August 19^th. We had 10 GSRs; 1DCM, 1 Area Chairman, 1 Area Secretary; and three guests from District 17 attend the assembly, we rocked! It was great and hearing the Class A trustee, he was so powerful. It is so moving to hear a non-alcoholic speak so passionately about AA.

I attended the DCM share and the Finance committee meetings. One of the DCMs said they kept getting complaints from meetings about the excessive use of profanity at meetings. Our past delegate Vicki said she once saw a sign posted at a meeting that read “Profanity is not a sign of spiritual growth.”

Please inform your meetings that Area contributions a down and when your groups send in contributions to please include the group number and a return address. The area sends the receipt with an addressed envelope back to the treasurer for future contributions. This also insures the group is correctly credited for the contributions. Please see the contributions list to date. Check with you meeting to make sure this information is accurate and if they are not on the list ask why no contributions have been made.

Debbie reminded us about the “Grape Vine Keep is Simple Challenge” and to keep up the work obtaining new subscriptions. The goal is to make it into the black by the end of the year with 4 new subscriptions per District. Let me know if the status of new subscriptions so I can let Debbie know. Also, please remind you groups about the Birthday program for GSO.

The Finance committee submitted the 2008 budget which will be up for approval at the November Assembly. You have copies to review. Also there are contributions January – July. Please make sure your meetings information is correct and also if your meetings are not listed find out why they’re not making contributions.

The Area approved funding the AA exhibit/booth at the 49^th annual CAPIA which will be held at Seal Beach which is in district 22. This is the California annual training convention.

October 27^th is the “Old Timers” event. This is an Area 93 event. Please ask at your meetings if anyone with 30 plus years is interested in attending the hosting committee is looking for their phone numbers. The format will include three speakers with a spaghetti lunch fellowship. All the old timers will be introduced and there will be a Q&A session.

Area 93 will have a panel during the Santa Clarita convention on October 20^th.

Bus Bench – copy update, District 1 - Alcohol Problem? Alcoholics Anonymous we can help (phone number) or Problem with Alcohol? Alcoholics Anonymous (phone number)

Alt DCM Report – None

Michael thanked Maureen and the district for allowing time away for work and travel and said he was very happy to be back.

Treasurer Report – Leslie C.

The treasurer’s report was presented by Leslie and approved with the following changes:

a. The current Prudent Reserve was reduced from $600. to $300.

b. A PRAASA Savings Fund of $300 was established from former Prudent Reserve monies.

c. The Bus Bench Fund will be funded at $50 per month up to $650, as our bank balance permits – current fund balance is 392.

d. The PRAA SA Savings Fund will be funded at $50 per month, as our bank balance permits – current fund balance is $350.

The net bank balance is $138.30.

Leslie is having surgery on 9/17 followed by a recovery period.

Area Assembly Comments:

Attending GSRs expressed positive regard that Judge Florez, a local judge from Santa Barbara, was recently elected to the GSO Board as a Type A Trustee. Comments included:

· Judge Florez is making Prop 36 work in his area

· He shared stories of this history with alcohol issues in terms of a spiritual awakening

· He has a strong work ethic and is big on service

· He was observed practicing Tradition Ten – outside issues – by not participating in Prop 36 discussion

Area Standing Committee Reports:

Archives – No report, new GSR Ewelina expressed an interest in this committee.

CPC/Treatment Facilities – Anthony

Indicated this meeting continues to function with a lack of structure
Oct 2^nd - Probation conference, 49^th annual CAPPAI in Seal Beach.

Finance - Maureen M. see DCM report

Grapevine/La Vina – Rob

Ongoing contest for each district to secure 4 subscriptions to Grapevine, District 17 has 1:
- Keith sold raffle tickets at his meeting until the amount for a subscription was reached and recently drew the winning ticket at the meeting, which happened to be a newcomer!
At the next Area Assembly in Glendale, GSRs will receive a Grapevine with a 2007/2008 Date Planner

Guidelines and Policies – Tom

This document will be on the Area 93 web soon.

Literature/Audio Visual/Newsletter – Michael

There is discussion about putting together a pamphlet that explains the difference between GSRs (New York General Services Office Area) and IGRs (Local Central Office Area).
There continues to be a need for an Editor for the Area 93 Newsletter, see Jeff J.

Public Information -- Jeffrey

GSO is putting together a directory of Central Offices across the US.

Accessibility – Paul

There is currently an Area 93 project for elder outreach, contacting related agents in the Area. Attendees requested additional information to assist and know who in District 17 has been contacted.
The first 164 pages of Alcoholic Anonymous are published in Sign Language on DVD. Recently, the Stories, in the 1^st and 2^nd Editions became Public Domain and efforts are underway to publish the Stories on DVD. The rate for Signers in a production environment is estimated at $45. per hour. Local signers are being solicited for this project.
It is suggested to check-out the extent of meetings registered as, Handicap Access, e.g, a person in a wheel chair may be able to enter the meeting, but are the bathrooms handicapped equip? Consult the, AA Access Checklist.
Discussed outreach to the mentally challenged respective to disturbances at meetings. This issue deferred to CPC Committee.

Registration – Mark V.

The registration directory and process continues in the process of being streamlined.
Note was made that directory format or name listings of meetings differ in GSO and Central Office directories, therefore, the correct day and time of District 17 meetings is needed. A roster to edit updates is being passed around to this end.

SFV Liaison: No report

H&I Liaison – No report

SFV Inter-group Liaison – No report.

Michael F volunteered for this role.

Old Business:

1. Meeting outreach –What meetings have you attended in our District, what was the response? Mark distributed a new list for people to update their meeting information.

2. Host Local Workshop – Update - Topics? A Local Workshop ad hoc committee was formed of Michael W, Mark and Michael F. Plans are to host Secretary Workshop. Mark to distribute Secretary Workshop papers from Brian in District 13 for their workshop recently presented. Bob F also identified as a contact for materials and ideas.

New Business:

Secretary position. The District Secretary position is still open, this is a not an elected position, rather an “available to take the commitment” position.

Host Area Assembly – May 2008 location update. We once again discussed hosting an Area Assembly in 2008. Paul looked into Granada Hills High School. Since location is in another district, considered possibility of co-hosting.

Birthdays: ?? Sorry I know we sang and can’t remember who for.

Good and Welfare: Sharon shared that Clint H recently passed away.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 with the responsibility declaration.

Next District meeting is Monday, October 1, 2007 at 6:30 pm.

Submitted and prepared by Michael F.

Thank you for allowing me to be of service.