NIA District 90 Meeting Minutes April 5, 2011
Bruce M – DCM, called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Attendance: DCM Bruce M, Alt. DCM Randy F, Secretary Jesse N, Corrections Victoria Q, Treatment Weezie S, Special Needs/Last Chance GSR Kris O, Intergroup Liaison Joy M, Our Primary Purpose GSR Dee R, Rainbow Group GSR Mary L, Geneseo GSR Joe R, New Beginnings GSR Rose E, Henry County (Kewanee) visitors Bob W, Alicia D, Ryan.
Birthdays: None.
Changes to Minutes: March minutes accepted.
Traditions Presentations: Bruce M (I), Joe R (II).
DCM Report: Peace and serenity to all in District 90. Hopefully we are at the end of this long, cold, and snowy winter. There is much going on in AA at this time with the upcoming General Service Conference and financial concerns brought on by problems in our local and national economy. The Grapevine and La Viña continue to see losses in revenue and subscriptions which are creating much discussion in an effort to find other ways to keep our meetings-in-print alive. GSO is considering making Conference approved literature available through online sales, and some in digital form for devices such as iPhone, iPad and iPod. I attended the Spring Assembly in Wheeling on 4/2. An Area inventory was conducted which had not been done for several years. The results will be available soon, and I also have copies of the questionnaire if anyone is interested. I have been informed by Area that there is an ongoing and great need for outside AA members to correspond with the still-suffering alcoholic members who are behind the walls. Please contact our Corrections Chair or myself if you feel called to join this great function of AA. The Pre-General Service Conference Workshop in Palatine will be held on 4/23. This is our chance to be heard about the issues coming before the Conference. It is hoped that many DCMs, GSRs, District Committee Chairs, and anyone they wish to bring will attend and share our Group conscience with Ray, our Delegate from Area 20. There will be breakout sessions to explain these issues and gather our opinions for Ray. Due to the fact that the Spring Assembly was held during the Spring Conference, many District Committee people were unable to attend breakout sessions concerning their positions which created a great deal of concern, and probably some resentments (bad news for an alcoholic). The area will hold a sharing session about this issue at the May Committee Meeting in La Fox so everyone can voice their concerns. It is important that those of us at District 90 attend and be counted. A vote will be taken at the June Assembly as to what action will be taken. We are continuing to take meetings to the R.I. Arsenal. We still need members for various Committees to help us host the Fall Assembly on 9/17. Thank you all for making District 90 a great example of the AA Service Structure.
Treasurer’s Report: Income for March $50.19 versus expenses $17.50. Total balance of accounts at end of March $1203.84. Falling below prudent reserve, would like to remind groups of the work we do and where their money goes when they donate.
Committee Reports: Correctional Facilities: Meetings have resumed at the Rock Island County Jail (4 women and 2 men). Working on getting names for Henry County and planning to make contact with the new Sheriff. There is a Corrections box for correspondence at Intergroup. Approved $7 for correspondence flyer in Intergroup newsletter. Please ask your groups if there is any interest in a Corrections Workshop. Treatment Facilities: March was a very busy month for Darcy and myself. We did presentations at Riverside Retreat (inpatient and outpatient) and Good Shepherd in Geneseo (outpatient). We were very well received at both locations. Hats off to our many temporary contacts for Bridging the Gap. Thank you for being the hand of AA so that when someone asks for help, you are there. The feedback from the program has been very positive. If anyone is interested in Bridging the Gap, please call us or the intergroup office. The newcomers are glad there is help out there for them. We have bridged the gap with approx. 30 newcomers so far. Darcy and I will be attending an all day workshop in LaFox on 4/16. We will discuss the green can fund, which is similar to the pink can fund. The green can fund helps buy literature and books for treatment facilities. Grapevine: Absent. Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC): Absent. Public Information (PI): Vacant. Literature: Vacant. Special Needs: The meetings at Forest Hill Health and Rehab Center being held every Wednesday night from 6:00-7:00 are going very well. The format of the meeting is a Big book study. We started out with four in attendance and now we average eight residents a week. Anyone wanting to go, let me know. Also want to thank all who have helped with carrying the message. Intergroup Liaison: With spring here, the Intergroup office needs volunteers for office and yard work. Even backup volunteers to man the office would be appreciated. Upcoming events: DeWitt 36th Anniversary 4/8, A.R.M. Annual Easter Dance 4/23, Marquette Anniversary 4/30, Blackhawk State Park Campfire Meeting 4/30. New name for RICCA meeting - New Beginnings. Gail S is now telephone co-chair. Fall Assembly Host Committee Report (Randy F): Flyers created and distributed at Spring Assembly and will be provided for upcoming Committee meetings, Area events, and distribution to District 90 GSRs at May District meeting ($210 for 600 copies, to be reimbursed by Area). Tour of facility scheduled for early May. Committee Chairs: registration (Dee R), refreshments (Tammy D), set-up/clean-up (open), greeters (open). Budget due to Area in June.
GSR Reports: Our Primary Purpose: We will be moving our meeting location soon due to the church closing. More details to follow. Last Chance: Good attendance. New potluck agenda, still the 3rd Friday of the month. 5:30 meeting is now our speaker meeting then potluck afterwards, followed by 8:00 open discussion meeting. Rainbow Group: Good attendance, open meeting and all are welcome. Geneseo Group: Getting newcomers from Bridging the Gap, Sponsorship Workshop coming up. Henry County (Kewanee) (submitted by Bob W): Norm P has resigned as GSR, group is making arrangements for replacement. Good attendance, group inventory 4/9. New Beginnings: Meetings Monday 6:30pm and Wednesday 8:00pm. Meetings need outside attendance, there are newcomers who need your stories to maintain their sobriety. Also looking for speakers for Monday meetings.
Old Business: Open positions Treasurer (Jesse N, acting), Literature and Public Information.
New Business: Gather input from groups about the possibility of District 90 reimbursing District officers for travel to Area functions. Henry County (Kewanee) Group to host next District meeting at 6:30pm.
Upcoming Events:
April 9 - Bridging the Gap Workshop, First Christian Church, East Moline
April 16 - NIA 20 Bridging the Gap Workshop, LaFox, IL
April 16 - Intergroup Event
April 23 - Pre General Service Conference Workshop, Palatine, IL
April 29-May 1 - Sobriety Spirits 2011, Rockford, IL
May 3 - District 90 Meeting, Henry County (Kewanee) Group, 6:30pm (Tuesday following the first Monday of every month) - 110 West First St., Kewanee
May 1-7 - 61st General Service Conference- New York, NY
May 14 - Spring Committee Meeting, LaFox, IL
May 20-21 - Geneseo Sponsorship Workshop
In the spirit of AA Service, Jesse N.