District Sixteen Minutes

Introductions: Patty A., DCM; Marlys N., Treasurer; Duane C.,GSR Serenity Group; Barbara, Alt. GSR Center Group; Terry J., GSR Thurs. Night Big Book; Janet, GSR Cornerstone Group; Doug M., Treatment Facilities; Anne M., PI/CPC; Vern F., Archives; Dan, member; Doug C., GSR Third Tradition Group, Alt. DCM; Missy P., District Secretary; Tom H., GSR Vision 4 U; Mary Lou W., Corrections.

Contributions were $83.93.
Unity Picnic cost $99.79.
Rent paid at $25.00.
Beginning balance was $895.89 and ending balance was $854.48.
Marlys heard a suggestion at the Area Committee Meetings that she would like to try. She would like to have a year end total of contributions and expenses at the District level. Some people thought it was a good idea as long as we did not put separate totals that each group contributed. Some people felt it might encourage some people to try and contribute more on a personal level. It was brought up that this is also a subject being discussed at the Area level with the Pigeon. General feeling of the group as a whole was they liked the idea of a year end report but not sure how to go about it at this time.
Treasurer’s Report closed.

Doug visited a group in Morristown as a representative of the District. He wanted to thank them for their support of the District. He also sat in on the Structure Committee at the Area Committee Meetings. They have a full agenda. They contemplated how fast they should be moving through their agenda as the Structure Committee.

Patty also attended the Area Committee Meetings in Mankato. Committees that have reporting back to do on pamphlets, need to send their groups conscience to the General Service Office. Our Area is sending our proposal, delegates being able to see and read literature before having to vote on it, to the General Service Office. Louisiana is also supporting this proposal. Groups also have the opportunity to submit a theme suggestion for the 2005 Conference. These suggestions need to be in by December 19th, 2003. Ted S has received a letter about Hazelton reselling the Grapevine in one of their magazine. He will be sending a copy to all the Areas. Patty will not be able to attend the Forum in Minot. Doug C. (the Alternate DCM), will be going in her place. Patty also shared what GREAT attendance we have had as a District at Area functions this year.

Not really great attendance at the group conscience meetings. Discussion on the pamphlet “So you’ve been court ordered to AA, and you hate the idea.” Have it consist of stories of people with experience of being court ordered. Same with the pamphlet “Stories by teens for teens.” Says he will be the volunteer from his group for the hospitality suite at Hiawathaland.

Did not attend group conscience, so she does not know what her groups conscience is regarding the pamphlets.

No opinion on pamphlets “AA in Prison” or “you’ve been court ordered to AA and you hate the idea.” “ Stories for teens by teens”. NO. Yes for the hospitality room at Hiawathaland, and Terry will be the volunteer for his group.

They voted to raise their rent. They had a motion to close with the Lord’s Prayer. But that motion failed. Tabled a motion to change the time of the group conscience meeting. “AA in Prison” they encourage, like the idea of “So you’ve been court ordered to AA and you hate the idea”. “Stories by teens for teens.” A good idea for something but not to this extent. Yes to the hospitality suite and will also help man it.

Her Alternate GSR ran the business meeting so she is not sure what her group conscience is.

Decided to have Literature Chair review pamphlet “AA in Prison”, and report back to the group so we can make an informed decision. “ So you’ve been court ordered to AA and you hate the idea”, yes. Will support a suite at Hiawathaland. Group decided to take the proposal of deleting a sentence on page 279 of the Big Book to the Area Literature Committee. Nothing happened with Alanon this month. Group held 21st Anniversary Picnic. Great time had by all. Group history from group website was downloaded 16 times last month. Still working on tape library.

Our day at the state fair in the AA booth is filled. Has enough names to organize PI luncheon. Went to the Area Committee Meeting in Mankato. They discussed AAI talks in the schools. Julie Kaupa is organizing the State Fair booth and is in need of more volunteers for different days.

No report. Doug turned in some forms to jail. Doug M. has received some e-mails asking for volunteers for temporary sponsorship program. If anyone is interested they can call Doug M. and he can hook them up.

Patty gave the report for Lois. Literature committee is considering the pamphlet “For Teens By Teens”. The proposal to delete sentence 279 in the Big Book, was brought to the literature committee and they are considering changing the proposal to delete the whole paragraph. Lois is asking to spend $17.00 on a literature rack to visit the groups in the District. The District voted to let her purchase that.

Family Focus is happy with the meetings we have been bringing. Next dates are September 2nd and 3rd. If any groups are interested in taking these dates call Doug M. Doug attended Committee Meetings and has treatment temporary contact forms. Possibly organizing a list on data base. Area list is available at Minneapolis Intergroup. He suggested to the Area to have a workshop on this.

West Central Regional Forum in Minot.
Area Assembly October 25th in Lakeville at the Park Inn and Suites.
Vern talked a little to us about the meetings he was fortunate to be a part of at Sturgis. 214 at a meeting they call the Serenity Run. There are meetings there every 3 hours, 24 hours a day.