District Sixteen Minutes - September 2002

Introductions: Todd T., DCM; Doug M., Alternate DCM; John D., Cornerstone GSR & Treatment Chair; Denise B., Treasurer; Sue M., Center Group GSR; Samira A., Third Tradition GSR; Doug C., Secretary; Vern F., Vision 4 U GSR.

Area Inventory - Discussed a) how we chose trusted servants, b) reviewed finances, and c) are communication censored? Should the Pigeon editors be more selective about what they print? Does our Area not want to discuss certain things for fear that we will look bad? d) handling of General Service Conference agenda items was more effective & timely this year.
Area Calendar - is it too full? Passes out 2003 Area calendar] Time to begin recruiting people for the next rotation - GSR's and District Committee members. Is it hard to encourage people to be involved because of the time commitment? What about having an alternate attend when the committee chair or GSR is unavailable? Should we have fewer committees but several people on each active committee?
District Elections - District elections will be held at the District meeting on November 21st.

The Treasurer has been asked to project possible future committee expenses, but has received very few requests for reimbursement from committee chairs.
PI luncheon will not be held this fall.

Next structure committee meeting will discuss the Area website, they are seeking our input regarding the website's current and future purpose - service versus PI tool.
Decision - Reprint District Meeting Directories. The new Thursday 5:30 pm Big Book meeting would like to be added to the directory.

Attendance is down. The group volunteers no-showed for 2 jail meetings last month - we'll be discussing whether or not to continue our jail commitment at the next group conscience meeting. We called Center Group to remind them that they start the jail commitment in October. We announced the Hiawathaland Hospitality Room at the group.

Attendance is 24-30, down over the summer. Newcomers are staying, good sponsorship helps. Women's' Jail Annex meetings going fine. The group will elect a new GSR September 29th.

Our group will take the 9am - 2pm time slot for the Hiawathaland Hospitality room on Saturday. We'll be serving sloppy joes.
Our website has gotten some hits from search engines, so we believe its beginning to be used as a PI tool. www.thirdtraditiongroup.org
At our group conscience we discussed putting on a mini service conference with District 19. We could have newer members present on service topics.
Our phone bill increased from $45 to $75/month when we added voice mail. Can other Northfield groups contribute to help us with the increased cost?

The group would like to take a time slot at the Hiawathaland Hospitality room on Saturday.
Attendance steady. The group conscience continues to discuss the results of our group inventory, is considering changing our meeting format.
Group elections will be held in October.
We rotate out of the jail annex at the end of this month.

Should we share the Hospitality Suite with District 3? They've asked if they can participate. We had trouble staffing it last year. Why should we share the room with them? To promote unity. They've asked over the phone, but no one from District 3 has come to our District meeting to talk about it. Could they help us cover Friday night? What about telling them that we want to keep the Hospitality room as District 16 only, but invite them to consider working with us on something else, e.g. another workshop. Vern will attend their next District meeting this Saturday morning.

Date for Party - Thursday, December 19th. Vision 4 U will ask the Faribault Alano if we can rent their space for the Party. Take back to your groups - which group will host the Party? It looks like Cornerstone should host if they are willing - they last hosted in '99. Vern will contact the Faribault Alano board.

I confirmed the Family Focus meetings this month, they went well. Shelly at Family Focus was very happy with how they went - she said their clients are really happy that AA's are coming in. Schedule for October - October 9th, Center Group; October 10th, Cornerstone Group. Sense of the District is that we would like to continue putting on the meetings at Family Focus.

The men's jail annex didn't want a meeting for the second time in 4 weeks. Suggest we call ahead before going.
At the Hastings Detox Vision 4 U had to ask the staff to let them put on a meeting in the women's section. Third Tradition just sends women without asking.