Area Web Site Committee Report - August/September 2002

Our Area Web Site Committee held an ad hoc meeting in late July, and worked on the structure and design of the new web site we are designing. Joining me at the meeting were Nick H. (webmaster), another Nick H. (technical helper to the webmaster), Dennis B. (web rep for District 16), Monte J. (web rep for District 3), and Tim E. (web rep for District 26), and Tom S.

On August 10, 2002 we met again for our regular meeting at the Area Committee Meeting in Mankato. We had a great session. Joining me at the meeting were Nick H. (webmaster), Monte J. (web rep for District 3), Tim E. (web rep for District 26), and Tom S. -- along with lots and lots of visitors – mostly from other committees!

We are making steady progress toward our newly-revamped web site. It will have four sections, one each for professionals, newcomers, meetings, and general service.

Since the section for the still-suffering alcoholics (the “Newcomer” section) is so very important, we thought it best to ask for broad input from the Area in its design. So I have asked Denny B. to chair a subcommittee to build this portion of the site. We have invited all area committees, officers, and a few GSRs to have reps on this team. As of early September, Dennis is about to call the first meeting.

We have asked committees that interface directly with professionals (CPC, Treatment, Corrections, and PI) to submit informational content so we can post it for interested professionals on that section of the site.

We had planned to have an array of GSO pamphlets available to the professionals as well, but GSO does not want Intergroups or Area web sites to post that literature, out of concerns for copyright. Because of the importance of this issue to the fellowship, members of the web site, literature, and structure committees (with some former delegates) plan to meet ad hoc to explore the issue’s history, applicable principles, and what action, if any, is called for by our area. We may address this issue at the October Assembly.

I remind all committee chairs, DCMs, and officers – when you send in your report to the Pigeon, PLEASE also send it to the Web Site Committee Chair at website@area36.org. This is just one additional way to reach folks with your information and message.

Our webmaster, Nick H., asks all Area servants to clean out your e-mail box on the web ASAP. If you need the password, please e-mail Nick at webmaster@area36.org.

We were joined at our August 10 meeting by the entire Gravevine and Treatment committees!! Also joining us for discussion was a rep from Corrections and from Newsletter Committees. Since the Web Site Committee interfaces directly with every other Area committee, interaction like that at the meeting can be extremely productive.!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in this capacity.

Jim G.
website@area36.org