Alcoholics Anonymous Area E Committee

Minutes of Meeting: Tuesday 5th December 2017 @ 7:30 PM
_________________________________

Chair:             Andrew I (RtR Kirribilli Fri PM)

Attendance:

Meeting Opened:                07:30pm

12 Traditions Read By:                 Rosemary P

Previous Minutes:              Accepted

Action Items:

Note: A motion was carried in the November 2016 that if an action item is open for 4 months and not completed it can be automatically closed.

NOTE: It was agreed that the November 2016 motion be amended by inserting after automatically closed “unless retention of an item is approved at an Area E committee meeting”.

Chairman’s Report: Andrew I

Andrew I tabled the report highlighting:

• There is little to report this month.

PI Report: Position Vacant

A report was not tabled.

Treasurer’s Report: Michael S

Michael S tabled the report highlighting:

• The Area E total current funds balance is $5501.82

Delegate’s Report: John B

John B tabled the report highlighting:

• Annual General Service Conference:

John received the reports from Annual General Service Conference and has asked the secretary to send them to the Area E GSRs.

• National Survey:

So far over 2000 responses to the national survey have been received and the deadline for responses is being extended till April next year.

• Australian National Convention:

53^rd Australian National Convention of AA 2018 will be held in Perth.

• 2018 NSCSO AGM – February Saturday 3^rd  Lunch 1230, AGM 1230 to 1400 :
  • Positions Available: Office Manager, H&I BTG Coordinator, Trustee,  Henley Roster Coordinator
• 2018 Area E AGM – February Saturday 3^rd Lunch 1230, AGM 1430 to 1600. Points of Interest:
  • NSCSO are allocated to organise the AGM this year. i.e. venue and catering
  • Suggestions for the number and format of the 2018 Assemblies is to be discussed at the AGM.
  • Lachlan B, the Area E Webmaster, has been appointed as a Trustee and will be resigning as Webmaster hence this position will be up for re-election at the 2018 AGM in February.

Alternate Delegate Report: Anna S

A report was not tabled.

Group Liaison Report: Role Vacant

A report was not tabled.

Web Master Report: Lachlan B

Area E Website http://areaeeraa.info

A report was not tabled.

GSR Reports:

General Business:

• John B received an email from Bruce M regarding his investigation into having some AA ads run at some local theatres.

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday 10th January at 07:30

Alcoholics Anonymous Area E Committee

Minutes of Meeting: Monday 6th November 2017 @ 7:30 PM
_________________________________

Chair:             Andrew I (RtR Kirribilli Fri PM)

Attendance:

Meeting Opened:               07:30pm

12 Traditions Read By:                 Michael S

Previous Minutes:              Accepted

Action Items:

Note: A motion was carried in the November 2016 that if an action item is open for 4 months and not completed it can be automatically closed.

NOTE: It was agreed that the November 2016 motion be amended by inserting after automatically closed “unless retention of an item is approved at an Area E committee meeting”.

Chairman’s Report: Andrew I

Andrew I tabled the report highlighting:

• The success of the Area Assembly held in October. All the topics submitted to conference this year were reviewed and each person in attendance spoke on service.  Andrew also thanked Michael, John and Anna for all their hard work.

PI Report: Position Vacant

A report was not tabled.

Treasurer’s Report: Michael S

Michael S tabled the report highlighting:

• The Area E total current funds balance is $97

Delegate’s Report: John B

John B tabled the report highlighting:

• The Annual General Service Conference was held from Thursday 2/11/17 to 5/11/2017
  • Structure Review workshop – Topic 0001/2017 was discussed re each area’s response to problems of unity and structure, structural problems, how the proposed plan was received in each area and if some form of the proposed plan was approved, how the GSC would ensure it had the endorsement of the Fellowship as a whole to successfully execute.
  • Topic Outcomes:
    • 001 – Recommended undertaking an inventory of the Service Structure and produce a simple plan to achieve this.
    • 016 – Referred to Conference for further direction. Agreed to refer proposed amendments to Delegates for further consideration.
    • 006 – Rejected: Suggested putting up two topics at another Conference; one a Guideline and secondly a paragraph for the Group Handbook.
    • 002, 015, 018, 010, 011, 005, 019, 007, 013 – Rejected
    • 008, 004, 017, 003, 012, 014, 009 – Accepted

• So far over 2000 responses to the national survey have been received and the deadline for responses is being extended till April next year.

• 53^rd Australian National Convention of AA 2018 will be held in Perth.

• At the last Area E Assembly suggestions for the number and format of the 2018 Assemblies were discussed. Anna S presented along the lines of having 4 Assemblies a year and not having the monthly meetings. This is to be discussed further at the AGM after everyone has taken it back to their meetings to discuss.

Alternate Delegate Report: Anna S

A report was not tabled.

Group Liaison Report: Role Vacant

A report was not tabled.

Web Master Report: Lachlan B

Area E Website http://areaeeraa.info

A report was not tabled.

GSR Reports:

General Business:

• None

NEXT MEETING:  Tuesday 5th December at 07:30

Alcoholics Anonymous Area E Committee

Minutes of Meeting: Thursday 7th September 2017 @ 7:30 PM
_________________________________

Chair:             Andrew I (RtR Kirribilli Fri PM)

Attendance:

Meeting Opened:                07:30pm

12 Traditions Read By:                 Rosemary P

Previous Minutes:              Accepted

Action Items:

Note: A motion was carried in the November 2016 that if an action item is open for 4 months and not completed it can be automatically closed.

Chairman’s Report: Andrew I

Andrew I tabled the report highlighting:

• They had the Area Assembly re the AA Structure Review. It was well attended  and Andrew thanks Chatswood for hosting it.  It was very well done.

PI Report: Position Vacant

A report was not tabled.

Treasurer’s Report: Michael S

Michael S tabled the report highlighting:

• The Area E total current funds balance is $6519

Delegate’s Report: John B

John B tabled the report highlighting:

• Eastern Region Trustee email –
  • They have appointed a new accountant and already seen an improvement.
  • The GSO prudent reserve has been declining.
  • A group of members are working on a 3 minute video to advertise AA.
  • The board were concerned with a reduction in the number of topics submitted this year but this could be because of the AA Structure Review.
  • John B proposed a motion that Area E donates $1000 to assist sending Area delegates from other areas who can’t afford it. Motion Carried 8 to 2

• Concepts Banner:
  • Investigations for printing the Concepts Banner has resulted in:
    • First time setup costs will be $577.
    • A cost of 10 banners would be $44 each.
  • It was suggested:
    • We speak to the GSO asking if they could order banners for all of AA as they would be requesting larger quantities and hence the price could be cheaper.
    • Ascertain donations to pay for the setup costs.
    • Area E Assembly – Sunday August 13^th at The Annexe, Dougherty Centre, 7 Victor Street, Chatswood:
      • Peter J from the Dee Why group Chaired it as he has been very involved extensively in service and has a lot of experience.
      • AA Structure Review – Paul B, a Trustee and member of the AA Structure Review committee outlined that via the AA Structure Review documentation and 4 nominated options they were really looking for a consensus for appetite for change.
      • AA Structure Review – There is a concern that this year there may be a number of Area Delegates away from the national conference so they may not receive feedback from all the areas.

• Area C Eastern Regional Forum – September 16th :
  • Will be held at 178 Glebe Road Merewether.
  • John B has organised for 4 speakers to present.

• Assembly 28^th/29^th October:
  • At the next Area E Assembly it was recommended to spend 50% of the time reviewing these years’ submitted topics for conference and 50% of the time discussing ideas for future Assemblies.
  • Anna and John are going to discuss and determine venue availability.

• The Board wants a survey to be completed by AA members. The survey will be attached to an email. It covers general questions like length of sobriety, how many meetings they go to etc

Alternate Delegate Report: Anna S

A report was not tabled:

Group Liaison Report: Role Vacant

A report was not tabled.

Web Master Report: Lachlan B

Area E Website http://areaeeraa.info

A report was not tabled.

GSR Reports:  GSR status reports were not done this meeting as the meeting was already going overtime with discussion on previous topics.

General Business:

• None

NEXT MEETING:  Friday 6th October at 07:30

Alcoholics Anonymous Area E Assembly

Minutes of Meeting: Sunday, 13th Aug 2017 @ 10:00 AM

Chair: Andrew I (RtR Kirribilli Fri PM)

Attendence: Trevor Hindson, Peter T, Andrew I, Anna S, Joan S, Peter Je, Meg B, Olga V, David L, Allan H, Paul Budgen, Rhys B, Michael S, David C, Sean H, Michael B, Matt S, Andrew D, Andrew S, John B, Tina S, David P

Apologies:

Meeting Opened: 10AM

12 Traditions Read By: Andrew I (RtR Kirribilli Fri PM)

Peter Je is introduced and explained reasons for the Australian AA Structure Review

Attendees take turns expressing their groups inclination towards which option they feel is most beneficial for the Structure Review outcome.

Options are:

1. Status Quo – ‘do nothing’
2. Fine tune the existing model
3. Add CSO’s to conference
4. A European model

Peter T of Longreef Tuesday AM – Group not overly interested – option 1: do nothing.

Trevor H of Lane Cove Monday PM – Option 1: do nothing.

Anna S of Dee Why Thursday PM – 5 members we present when group discussed the structure review. Unanimously decided they would like the review to continue and would want a better understanding of current structure.

Meg B of Telopea Wednesday PM – Would like structure review to continue with more information provided

David L of Kirribilli Saturday AM – Option 4.

Allan H of Galston Friday & Sunday PM – Would like structure review to continue with an option 4 outcome.

Matt S of RtR Tuesday & Friday PM (on behalf of Christopher H (GSR)) – 30 members unanimously voted on option 4.

Andrew D of Manly Sunday PM & Dee Why Thursday PM – No discussion & no decision, seems inventory is necessary.

John B (Area Delegate) of Seaforth Tuesday PM – issues raised from group: peoples understanding of current structure; not understanding the three (3) legacies or three (3) traditions. Group would like to see inventory continue with no options given.

Olga of Gordon Tuesday AM – Option 4.

David of Chatswood Sunday AM – Majority of members don’t understand what happens outside of three (3) legacies. Voted for a change to option 4.

Tina of Mona Vales Sunday AM – Option 4.

David of Epping Monday & Thursday PM – Option 3.

Some attendees then expressed their own personal opinions surrounding the 4 options.

John B (Area Delegate) is comfortable with what has been spoken about and is ready to take this to the Conference.

Paul B speaks – Eastern Region Trustee of the Board:

• Attended every Area Assembly in Eastern Region;
• John B has done a commendable job in relaying the structure review proposal;
• Refers to Twelve (12) Concepts – concept two (2) allows us to change the structure;
• Expressed the need for change and an evaluation of how we do things; hence the Australian AA Structure Review
• Area G is already experimenting with the European model and is having success there.

*** BATHROOM BREAK ***

Peter Je discusses aspects of financial legalities concerning the different structure options.

Paul B illustrates (with use of slideshow found at aaservice.org.au or areaeeraa.info) the proposed process of Structure Review rollout.

John B thanks everyone for participation and explains there will be plenty of service opportunities of the Conference decides to proceed with the Structure Review.

Meeting closed by Andrew I at 12PM.

We held hands and prayed the Serenity Prayer

Alcoholics Anonymous Area E Committee

Minutes of Meeting: Wednesday 2nd August 2017 @ 7:30 PM
_________________________________

Chair:             Andrew I (RtR Kirribilli Fri PM)

Attendance:

Meeting Opened:                07:30pm

12 Traditions Read By:                 Peter T

Previous Minutes:              Accepted

Action Items:

Note: A motion was carried in the November 2016 that if an action item is open for 4 months and not completed it can be automatically closed.

Chairman’s Report: Andrew I

Andrew I tabled the report highlighting:

• Andrew has been away on annual leave.

PI Report: Position Vacant

A report was not tabled.

Treasurer’s Report: Michael S

Michael S tabled the report highlighting:

• The Area E total current funds balance is $6290

Delegate’s Report: John B

John B tabled the report highlighting:

• Eastern Region Trustee email –
  • They have appointed a new accountant and already seen an improvement.
  • Conference changed to North Head Quarantine Station to be held in November.

• AA Structure Review Workshops:
  • All the workshops have been completed – approx 10 and have been successful. Approx 150 members have attended.

• Area E Assembly – Sunday August 13^th at The Annexe, Dougherty Centre, 7 Victor Street, Chatswood:
  • This assembly, from 10am to 12:30pm will follow the Chatswood Sunday Morning Group meeting.
  • The assembly includes a presentation and discussion of the AA Structure review.
  • Eastern Region Trustee may also attend the assembly.

• Area C Eastern Regional Forum – September 16th :
  • Will be held at 178 Glebe Road Merewether.
  • John B has organised for 4 speakers to present.

Alternate Delegate Report: Anna S

Anna S tabled a report highlighting:

• The 80 meetings of Area E were dissected into 11 districts and assigned to members of Area E committee. Anna took over district 4 of the lower north shore and she has visited each of the meetings to ensure everyone had heard of the AA Structure Review initiative with 3 or 4 to go.  Anna thinks there is still quite a number of meetings who have not heard of the initiative.

Group Liaison Report: Role Vacant

A report was not tabled.

Web Master Report: Lachlan B

Area E Website http://areaeeraa.info

A report was not tabled.

GSR Reports:

General Business:

• None

NEXT MEETING:  Thursday 7th September at 07:30