District Sixteen Minutes - September 2001

Introductions: Todd T., DCM; Erin, member; Barbara, member; Regina P-G, member; Vern F., Vision 4 U GSR; Doug M., Alternate DCM; John D., Cornerstone GSR & Treatment Facilities Chair; Samira A., Third Tradition GSR; Doug C., Secretary; Missy P., Literature Chair.

October 19, 2001-------District 16 PI/CPC Luncheon
October 19-21, 2001---Hiawathaland
October 27, 2001-------Area Assembly

Workshop with District 3 was a huge success. 34 or more attended. $75 collected in the basket went for rent. Total expenses estimated at $133 - Richard from District 3 will send us a final expense report. Expenses will be split with District 3. Vern will make up a final report.

Missy and Samira attended the Regional Forum.

PI Luncheon Brochures - Printed 40. Cost was $133 (over $75 limit for unauthorized committee expense, see District Financial Policy). Erin donated all but $5.86 (the cost of the paper). 200 brochures would have cost $2 more.

The group voted to make an anonymous donation of $100 to St. Dominics Church to compensate for chairs and tables we received from them many years ago.

Attendance and finances are stable. We're currently doing the Rice County Jail meeting - Center group takes this over next month.

Youth from the Middle School have started using the same space we use.

We voted to donate $100 to the PI Luncheon.

Our group advertises that we provide childcare. We actually had to start doing that this month for the first time in about 2 years. We have a separate room and we take turns watching the children.

We voted to sponsor 8 or 10 professionals for the PI Luncheon.

Staffing - Third Tradition will staff the District Hospitality Room Friday night. Cornerstone and Vision 4 U are available to staff anytime Saturday.

Displays could include a PowerPoint Mr. Grassroots presentation, posters on District and group service, District history display. Does a District history display exist?

Should the Hospitality Room be available for someone to sleep in?

55 invitations were printed. Sign language interpreter will be there for approximately $35 (people from the School for the Deaf will be invited). $400 has been contributed: $80 Vision 4 U; $150 Center Group; $100 Cornerstone; $70 Third Tradition. Expected costs include $50 for literature and $40 for postage.

Luncheon volunteers: AAI talk - Ross; Personal Story - John D.; AA History - Dennis B. 7 or 8 AA members have volunteered to sit at the tables with the professionals.

Names of professionals to invite are still needed. Currently have 25-30 names.

The District has a history of contributing $100-$150 above what the groups contribute to cover luncheon costs.

Last luncheon - 100 professionals were invited, 30-40 showed. We determined what groups we wanted to invite and called all in those groups - e.g. factory wellness staff, lawyers. Those who were positive were sent an invitation.

Our Treatment Facilities Chair called them, the woman in charge didn't know what he was talking about - she was not aware of any interest there in starting a meeting.

Meetings transfer on October 1st. Third Tradition takes over the Jail Annex meeting. Center Group takes over the Jail meeting.

The Prison meeting in Faribault is no longer available for our District to participate in - the group in Burnsville that is covering it has enough volunteers who want to participate.

Corrections: Volunteers are needed to correspond with inmates in prison. Missy has forms to sign up.

International Convention: The next convention is in Toronto. Current Canadian law doesn't allow anyone who has had a DWI in the past 20 years to enter the country. Some Canadians weren't able to attend the Minneapolis convention because of US law.

4th Edition Big Book: There is some concern regarding how the decision to approve the 4th Edition was handled at the General Service Conference. If your group is registered with GSO your Box 459 packet will contain ordering information for the 4th Edition.

Third Rail Topic: There is discussion of doing an inventory of the AA structure at the GSO level. Should a District inventory be conducted in our District?

Only 44.1% of registered groups contribute regularly to GSO.

Role of Class A (non-alcoholic) Trustees was not discussed.

Next Regional Forum is in Minot in 2002.

Jim E., the current chair, has not been available. The DCM will talk to him about turning the Grapevine Chair position over to Regina P-G.

Temporary Contact Program: John is distributing 2 different forms - one for members to sign up as temporary contacts, and one for treatment facilities to sign up to be part of the Temporary Contact Program. One year of sobriety is needed to be a temporary contact.

How many groups have literature chairs? Should we hold a Literature Jam Session? Trish in District 3 is also interested. Some groups don't know that the Literature Chair position exists.