NIA District 90 Meeting Minutes July 5, 2011
Bruce M – DCM, called meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
Attendance: DCM Bruce M, Secretary Jesse N, Treatment Weezie S, Grapevine Terry W, Special Needs/Last Chance GSR Kris O, Our Primary Purpose GSR Dee R, New Beginnings GSR Rose E, Henry County (Kewanee) GSR Chuck L, Milan Hillcrest GSR Richard S, Geneseo GSR Joe R, Rainbow GSR Mary L, Intergroup Liaison Joy M, Larry from Geneseo Group, NIA 20 Secretary Tammy D.
Birthdays: Chuck L 20 years on 7/4, Jesse N 5 years on 7/8, Bruce M 7 years on 7/10.
Changes to Minutes: June minutes accepted.
Traditions Presentations: Jesse N (IV).
DCM Report: I hope everyone had a safe and sane 4th of July weekend and did not eat as much as I did. Hopefully we are all rested up and ready to tackle the work that is upcoming. Our Area 20 Delegate Ray M will be here on 7/31 at 3:30pm for his post-GSC report at St. Mark's Church in Silvis, and I hope everyone can come and take advantage of the information that he will present. We also have the Fall Election Assembly that we are hosting on 9/17. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has never attended an Area function to do so without having to travel to the northeast part of Illinois to attend one. Many of us have the mindset that we are not interested in being involved with the "politics" of AA, but if we want to have this life-saving program survive and grow in the future, it is necessary that we step up and be a part of the Service Structure. Please consider attending and maybe sign up to one of the Committees we have to host this event. Service work can be an important tool in your kit of recovery. I attended the Summer Assembly in Rockford on 6/18. There were 14 items on the agenda and I have the results of those actions for anyone that is interested. One of the items that passed will assist our efforts to reach out to the still suffering people in our District. Through the Area Treatment Committee, pamphlets and big Books will be available for Districts to help start or continue Bridging the Gap programs. We are grateful for this financial help. Unfortunately, before the business of this Assembly was complete, I made a bad decision based on selfish reasons and left before business was completed. In accordance with the 10th Step, I make the following amends: "To the Area Chair, all at Area 20, District 90, its Groups and Members, I wish to make an apology for my action at the Summer Assembly on June 18th. For reasons that upon examination were at best unprincipled, I left before the end of business which was compounded by the fact that everyone else from District 90 had also departed early. I understand that at that point, the line of communication between Area and the groups in our District was severed, and that we no longer had a voice on the remaining items of business. When I accepted this position, I made a commitment to serve to the best of my ability, and in this instance I failed to do so. Thankfully we have friends in the program to hold us accountable and a 10th Step to help correct our defects. These sort of things prove to me how far I have yet to go in my recovery, and how much I need AA." This will also be read at our next District meeting in the hope that the situation is not repeated and to hold me accountable. Again, I apologize and will try to be a better example of the service structure of Alcoholics Anonymous going forward.
Treasurer’s Report: Income for June $281.31 versus expenses $136.17. Total balance of accounts at end of June $1550.75. Received $40 from Milan Hillcrest which will be reflected in next month's report.
Committee Reports: Correctional Facilities: Absent. Treatment Facilities: Temporary contacts are urgently needed in the Rock Island area for Bridging the Gap. Please help give back what was so freely given to you. If interested please call Darcy (309) 230-6119 or Weezie (309) 631-3830. This is an excellent opportunity to help the newcomer. Our Primary Purpose has graciously donated their literature rack for treatment facilities. Grapevine: Nothing new to report. I encourage you to attend the Delegate's Report on 7/31 for information on decisions regarding electronic delivery of the Grapevine. Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC): Absent. Public Information (PI): Vacant. Literature: Vacant. Special Needs: I attended the Summer Assembly in Rockford on 6/18. In the breakout session I was grateful to get many ideas to get the word out for special needs. Making contacts at hospitals for patients who need meetings. Heather (the area chair) mentioned a possible workshop sometime in September. Intergroup Liaison: Nothing new as Intergroup meets on 7/11 due to July 4th holiday. Intergroup is in need of a secretary to take minutes and email (meetings 1st Monday of the month). Also Lisa needs office volunteers for an occasional afternoon over the summer.
GSR Reports: Our Primary Purpose: For now, our picnic is scheduled for Saturday 9/10 at Schadt Park. Henry County (Kewanee): Well attended, self supporting, anniversary coming up in September, group inventory discussion scheduled for 7/21. Last Chance: No report. We will have a new GSR, Jen, who is not here today. New Beginnings: Thanks to everyone for coming to the 4th of July Fun Fest, Wed. 8pm meeting is moving to Thurs. at 6:30pm starting now, business meeting 7/18. Milan Hillcrest: Looking for Alternate GSR, funds down slightly, picnic in September, details to follow. Geneseo: Attendance has slowed, Sponsorship Workshop broke even financially and was well-attended, there will be speakers from the QC area at the Illinois Summer Roundup 7/22-7/23 in Galesburg. Rainbow: Meetings on Friday at 7pm, nice small group, come pay us a visit.
Old Business: Received literature rack for Treatment from Our Primary Purpose. Open District positions Treasurer (Jesse N, acting), Literature and Public Information.
New Business: Geneseo Group to host next District meeting. District 90 elections coming up in October, all positions will be open. Motion that the district will reimburse mileage for one district chair to attend area assemblies. District chairs will be encouraged to car-pool so that as many district chairs can attend as possible. Motion passed. Discussion of District attendance at West Central Regional Forum in Davenport vs. East Central Regional Forum in Ohio, and money normally set aside for that. Area 20 will provide $200 to districts who request it for attendance at the East Central Regional Forum. Decided to apply for this money, since at least the DCM will probably be attending the East Central Regional Forum.
Upcoming Events:
June 18 - NIA 20 Summer Assembly, Rockford, IL
June 25 - AA open campfire meeting (Blackhawk State Park) Potluck 5-7
July 30 - AA open campfire meeting (Blackhawk State Park) Potluck 5-7
July 31 - Post-GSC Delegates Report & Service Workshop, St.Mark's, Silvis
August 2 - District 90 Meeting, Geneseo Group, 120 East 1st Street, Geneseo, 6:00pm (Tuesday following the first Monday of every month)
August 5-7 - Illinois State Conference, Skokie, IL
September 9-11 - West Central Regional Forum, Davenport, IA
September 17 - NIA Fall Assembly (Area Elections), Silvis, IL
October 29 - Big Book Conference, Rochelle, IL
November 11-13 - East Central Regional Forum, Miamisburg, OH
In the spirit of AA Service, Jesse N.