Grapevine Report - 08/2002

Victor E is 40 years old! And according to the cartoon in the August 2002 Grapevine, he’s on his way to an AA meeting--finally! (”sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly”). The Area Grapevine Standing Committee met August 10th, with participation from Districts 8, 14, 20 and 22. Among several other topics of discussion we talked about the 2 Grapevine “Stayin’ Alive” items that deal with trying to increase awareness of The Grapevine within the Fellowship and communicating awareness of subscription contributions as the sole means of self-support for The Grapevine.

The groups in District 14 have paid for 9 new Grapevine subscriptions to be given to local treatment centers. District 22 has earmarked $450 for 25 new subscriptions to local treatment centers and at least one women’s shelter. And recently District 18 put aside $500 for subscriptions to Correctional facilities. So we’re moving toward our goal of 115,500 worldwide subscriptions to reach self-support status.

Current subscriiptions have remained steady in Minnesota at 3022 and worldwide at 110203. La Vina in Minnesota gained 2 to reach 30 monthly subscriptions, and worldwide La Vina gained 240 for a total of 7518 subscriptions to the Spanish version of the Grapevine.

The Area website will soon carry links to the Grapevine website www.aagrapevine.org/, and GvR Andy L. is serving on the Newcomers Subcommittee of the Area Website Committee.

There are two projects that we are currently discussing and researching. First, we are looking into the possibility of getting small monthly bulk shipments of The Grapevine sent to Districts for local distribution. This is currently being done in Quebec, Canada, and apparently is a successful distribution method. Second, we are examining what it will take to get a Grapevine and La Vina subscription into all 200+ correctional facilities in our area. More on this later.

The Area Grapevine Committee has staffed the display and sales table at the June Area Assembly and looks forward to seeing you at the Hiawathaland Get Together and Fall Assembly.

Yours in Love and Service
Kris S.
Area 36 Grapevine Chair