Grapevine Report - December 2001

Greetings from the Area Grapevine Committee. We have been out in the community displaying and selling the Grapevine and Grapevine related products. We attended the Hiawathaland Roundup in Austin in October, and Founders Day Weekend in Minneapolis in November. Many people browsed our display, bought Grapevines and books and filled out subscription cards. Speaking of subscriptions, here are the current numbers for Grapevine and La Vina:

	Dec 2001	Nov 2001	+/-
Minnesota	2919	2895	24
Total U.S.	100361	100198	163

Total World	108501	108464	37

	Nov/Dec 2001	Sept/Oct 2001	+/-
Minnesota	50	64	-14
Total U.S.	6942	6940	2

Total World	7746	7764	-18

Our Alternate Chair, Fran O., lead discussion and chaired the committee meeting in Mankato on December 1st, 2001. Here are some of the notes from our discussion regarding updating our display:

Add a Grapevine history back drop (enlarged copy of "History of The Grapevine" pamphlet). Jack (district 13) got an inexpensive fold-up from Office Max that he used for his District display
Incorporate and feature old issues of the Grapevine when displaying at functions. (We have about ten years in binders that we currently display.)
Add to GSR training at Area Assemblies. --- Not all groups are large enough to have a GVR? As a result we felt their was a need to inform new GSR’s about the Grapevine
Had a discussion on how we can promote the grapevine at the District level. Jack sets up a display at District 13 meetings, has an old coffee pot and tin cups? Seems to get attention.
Talked about how possibly to approach Alano’s in District? Having a contact in the club and possibly a small Grapevine display in Club

Following are notes from our discussion on encouraging groups to sponsor Grapevine subscriptions in various institutions that help alcoholics:

Everyone agreed that we need to promote both the Grapevine and the LaVina behind bars and also in clinics.
Need to involve Corrections and CPC to get accurate names and addresses of institutions.
Tailor lists to Districts, and then ask groups in the District to sponsor a subscription.

That's all for now. We'll be at the Service Conference in January. See you then. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.