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Area 26 Officers & Reports |
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| Delegate: Barbara F Alternate Delegate: Joy F Chairmen: Darryl M Alternate Chair: O'Dell H |
Treasurer: Gary F,
Bruce H gave report Alternate Treasurer: Terrie G Secretary: Vonda L Alternate Secretary: Cathy B Registrar - Mack H |
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| DCM Reports Host Committee Reports |
Intergroup Reports Standing Committee Reports |
Area 26 Business Meeting, Saturday, January 12, 2008 & Sunday, January 13,2008.
9:00-10:30 Registration
10:30-12:00 Standing Committee Meetings
12:30-1:15 District 12 Workshop: 12th TRADITION
Guest speakers share their thoughts and experience on the 12th Tradition: Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of ail our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
1:30-2:40 Concurrent Area Workshops - DCM'S and GSR's
O'Dell H. and Darryl M. lead the workshop with the help of incoming, outgoing and past DCM's and GSR's who shared about the duties and responsibilities of being a DCM and a GSR and what being involved in this type of service work means to them and their recovery.
2:50 - Opened the Business meeting with the Serenity Prayer
Reading of the Area 26 Preamble
Reading of the 12 Traditions
Ratification of new Standing Committee Chairs
Darryl M. presented the new Standing Committee Chairpersons for ratification, they are as follows:
New Standing Committee Chairs & Reports
Archives - Clint T
Cooperation with Professional
Community - Terrie G
Corrections - Laura HGrapevine - Jeff N
Kentuckiana Newsletter - Salem V
Literature - Lynda R
Public Information - Tom BSpecial Needs - Kenny B
Treatment - Robert F
Website - Jon SStanding Committee Chairpersons were voted on and accepted by the Area Committee.
What's on your mind?
Darryl gives the committee a chance share what's on their mind in regards to Area 26 and AA as a whole:
Lynda shared her thoughts on getting back to the basics - to help the still suffering alcoholic. Gordon feels we should find ways to help AA be stronger with the Singleness of Purpose. Terri believes we should look at the inconsistencies in the Area structure and do something about them. Tom says we should take a look at the finances and find ways to cut the deficit - possible come up with a Responsibility month - such as Gratitude month, Tom also feels we should get someone to be the parliamentarian to help keep the meetings in order. Gary would like to see the Area take an inventory.
Darryl advised that anyone wanting to address the above (or any) issues - this should be done by getting the item on the agenda for discussion - this must be done in writing.
*District Committee Members. Host Committees and Intergroup Reports
Adjourn: Closed with the Lords Prayer
Sunday -January 13. 2008
(Chairperson, Darryl M)
9:00 Open the Meeting with the Serenity PrayerReading of the 12 concepts
Roll call
Reading of the minutes for the January Minutes
Motion made to dispense with the reading of the minutes. Motion passed.
Accepted the motion to accept the minutes as written
Treasurer's report: Bruce H
Bruce had handouts of the quarterly statement, the annual statement and the group contribution statement. Thank all of the local districts for hosting this weekend. It was good not to have to travel to give this report. Contributions for the quarter were down a bit. However, I do know a large contribution check was never received at the PO Box. That check has now been reissued and I picked it up at the post office yesterday to give to Gary. Also, there were a lot more year end contributions being turned over today to Gary for deposit. Expenses were higher than usual in a couple of areas. The last quarterly in Eastern Kentucky cost us more than usual because so many people were entitled to 2 nights stay. Also, we had the change over get together in E-Town for the old and new officers and committee chairs. So there were some unusual travel expenses for those trips. On rent, I went ahead and paid the January archives rent so there would be no foul-up with the treasurer change over, finally, there were 2 newsletter printings paid for this quarter one at the beginning and one at the end. At the end of the quarter we had just over $15,000.00 in the bank so I suppose, all is well. I would like to thank this area for allowing me to serve as your treasurer for the last two years. Yours in Service, Bruce H. - former treasurer. Accepted the motion to accept the treasurer's report as given
Chairperson's Report: Darryl M
Thank you Districts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24 and 29.1 have very little to report; I have been in office for 12 days. I will not be attending the Delegate's get together in Atlanta because the Kentucky State Convention is the same date. I feel I would be of better service to the Area. Yours in Service, DGM
Alternate Delegate's Report: Joy F
Hi, I'm Joy F, your newly elected Alternate Delegate for Area 26. Thanks to the host committee for all their hard work. I know how much work goes into hosting an Area Meeting. It's always good to be sober in my hometown. Since this is my first report in this new position, like a lot of you, it's on the job training and I appreciate your patience in the process. I want to welcome and thank all of you for coming this weekend, especially the new GSR's and others who are here for the first time. I look forward to meeting all of you. I remember the first time I came to an Area meeting. I had the feeling that everybody else already knew each other, were great friends and knew exactly what was going on, while I, on the other hand, did not. I want to assure any new folks, who may be feeling that way, that there's no need to worry. Just like all other aspects of Alcoholics Anonymous, you're not alone. There's no shortage of people who want to help you succeed and who have been on the path before you. A couple of thinks that have been helpful to me were to get an AA service manual and a "service sponsor" to help guide me through the journey.
I hope that the workshops for the DCM's and GSR's were helpful to you yesterday, but I also
wanted to tell you that there will be other opportunities to learn more about service - in the future at the "welcome to service" workshop that will be held at the next Area 26 meeting.I invite you to come back and attend if you would like to know more and get a broader look at service in AA. That takes place before the committee meetings, so you can attend both. What do you have to look forward to? In my experience, the most important thing is that I've stayed sober and continued to grow. I've also made many new friends and have a lot of fun. I have a lot of gratitude for all of you that I've gotten to know and wish the same for you in the future. I also want to thank you in advance for being willing to serve and for doing your part in carrying the message of recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous. It's exciting to be part of the whole AA. I like that connection to the bigger picture.
If you are a GSR and you're wondering whether or not you need to attend the Area meetings, I'll pass on the advice of my sponsor who said, "even though you might not have to be there, you never know what GOD has in store for your future, and it would be helpful for you to attend." She's right, I've always been glad that I chose AA. Plus, as former DCM, I can tell you how much easier it was for me when the GSR's would come. Besides getting closer to some folks in AA, it helped me represent my district better and it helped them to be able to explain things better to their own home groups. Sometimes, the issues that are taken back to the groups can be complicated. I think the GSR's were better able to understand and communicate those issues, if they were present.
And frankly, we could all help each other understand these issues better. We were a team and I like that.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to wish good luck to our new officers and especially the new Area Delegate, Barbara F. as she takes on her new responsibilities. I hope all of you will join me in praying for her health and well being as well.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be of service. I wish you well and if there is anything I can do to help, please ask.
Delegate's Report: Barbara F, Hello, my name is Barbara, I'm an alcoholic, and your Area 26 Delegate. I want to thank all the districts who contributed to this weekend's meeting. You've done a terrific job.
I have received my first dozen or so mailings from the GSO and am getting more and more excited about the opportunity to represent you at the General Service Conference. I was really pleased to be assigned to the CPC committee. I have received some information from the committee secretary and have read most of the 32 pages of history and highlights of action for the last 36 years. I hope to be a well informed committee member.
I have also received a call from my conference buddy - Sharon B from Northern Coastal California. It will be great to meet her in New York.
I will attend the South East Regional Delegate's get together in Atlanta. I regret that it falls on the same weekend as the state convention, but I'm looking forward to meeting the other panel 58 Delegates and getting reacquainted with the panel 57 Delegates and past delegates from our region. The get together is extremely beneficial and I appreciate the opportunity to attend.
I take the role of trusted servant very seriously and I hope you will let me know if there is any way I can be of assistance.
Thank you all for your support. BF
DCM reports (not given on Saturday)
Old Business: There was no new business.
New Business:
A. Delegate's Pre-Conference Report: Copies of the Pre-Conference Report were passed out. Barbara F. went over the preliminary items, but stated that she would have more detailed report at the meeting in April. Barbara will get copies of the background material for any DCM that would like a copy. Question: Gordon (district 15) asked why the background material could not be placed on the web site as to save the Area money.
Answer: Jon (webmaster) stated that the file would be way too big.
Change Motion by Districts 24 and 29 (motion attached)
Charlie S. (DCM District 24) stated that district 24 and 29 would like to bring the motion to the floor to take back to the groups for vote. The motion was given to the Chairman in writing. Motion was seconded, discussion begins: Tom B. (PI Chair): the State
Convention is essentially separate from us. Almost like we are an afterthought. We should either be a part of it or cut all ties Lynda R. (Literature Chair): Agrees with Tom and adds that the State Convention seems to focus on the recovery and unity part of the triangle but completely forgets about the service - the triangle will crumble without all 3 sides. Believe the area should be there to represent the service aspect, we should be there to bring attention to all three legacies; if not welcome there we should cut all ties.
O'Dell H. (Alt. Chairperson): Apologizes for being confused. This motion appears to be out of order. The motion assumes that we have a KY State Convention Committee, which we do not have. We did, in the last rotation, put together an ADHOC committee - for a purpose - once that purpose was fulfilled, the ADHOC committee disbanded - it was not made a Standing Committee,
Mitchell (District 30) I know that a lot of hard work and good intentions went into this - but it seems that the wording is contradictory - it possibly needs a little more work.
At this time Darryl ask the committee for a moment to confer with a past delegate (Mickey M.) to discuss this issue.
The reasoning for this is that Mickey was around when the Area 26 Structure was adopted and we wanted a little history. After talking with Mickey is was discovered that we have never had a KY State Convention Committee at the Area level.
Back to discussion:
Dave (district 28) we have AA guidelines, here are 6 pages of experience from AA as a whole on conventions. Are we to follow our own way and throw these away, is that what we want to do?
Bob (Treatment Chair) Some what confused. Reading the structure of Area 26 section 9 is KY State Convention Committee. How did this ever get put in the structure? If it's never been a functioning committee of the area? Darryl (Chairperson) that is a question I can not answer.
Mike (outgoing Archives Chair) or Clint (incoming Archives Chair), can you shed any light on this? Keep In mind we are getting a little of task here.
Mike H. (outgoing Archives Chair) I really don't know. The nearest I can figure is that In 1971 the 2 entities separated. In the past the Delegate was elected at the KY State Convention in February and sent to New York in April. There is a lot of paper work on this issue but we can not find anything definite. We have to remember the Archives did not formerly get going till the 80's and that was a little haphazard out of someone's house. I have personally spent most of my term investigating this and this is the best I can come up with.
Jerry (district 35) our district feels that giving any committee complete autonomy in any area planning and financial matters is dangerous for AA as a whole. Darryl (Chairperson) I'd like to bring to light that the host committees do at this time have complete autonomy - it just doesn't read that way in the structure. Bob (district 6) in other State Conventions that I have visited, the committee chairs are set up with displays. At the KY state convention you do not see this. Janice (district 2) in section 9C it reads host chairs should attend all quarterly meetings and assemblies, but are required to attend the yearly assembly (in the fall) and the spring quarterly meeting. If we are going to require them to attend the meeting, is there a budget for this? Darryl (Chairperson) Host committees come now on their own to report to us - I'm sure they are being reimbursed.
Janice (district 2) so since we would be requiring it - would they be reimbursed for it?
Darryl (Chairperson) yes, the host committee's would reimburse them. Jeff (Grapevine Chair, DCM district 34, host committee chair, ADHOC committee) Those that do not know what it takes to put on a convention need to be educated. Autonomy is about how that committee sets up that convention. They do go by the speakers or 5 speaker and 1 workshop or 4 speakers and 2 workshops, that's up to that particular host committee, that's where autonomy comes in,. We just hosted the Tri-State Convention, we lost $3,000 doing that. I don't think the Area wants to take on that kind of responsibility. As far as the Structure goes, we are supposed to have been having a committee meeting to touch base and communicate with each other. We have not been doing this formerly. I do not believe the are wants to take on the financial end of that convention. The way it is written, you are. I think you want to get that addition to paragraph B, so that they are responsible. Jim R (district 9 Alt. DCM) what seems to have started this issue in the beginning is money that always causes problems. It seems to me that anything we do to improve communication between Area 26 and the Convention Committee is good. Anything we do that detracts from their autonomy substantially puts Area 26 at financial risk -1 think we are already at risk, don't think we can risk anymore. That does mean if they say the committee chairpersons have to pay, then so be it, that is all AA self-supporting and autonomy, I'd like to see us leave things the way they are and see what happens.
Darryl announces a bit of a quandary - we have a past delegate at this meeting, that is unable to share his experience with us - as a result of our vote awhile back - he was around when all of this started. Do we allow him a voice? Tom B. (PI Chair) was asked by past delegate to share on his behalf. The past delegate does not know where this committee came from, but does know that this all started when the Louisville Host Committee took the State Convention and just ran with it, that is why we are where we are today. We did in the last rotation we formed an ADHOC committee they came back with excellent report and suggestions. Lynda and I tried to put those findings in the form of a motion before this body as a FIRST step towards clearing up this issue... . Lynda had just give me a friendly amendment to change the first line in paragraph 9B to read "The KY State Convention will have complete responsibility and autonomy etc..." that way Jeff's question about the expenses is covered in the language.
Phyllis (district 11) this is from a past delegate in attendance today. His interpretation of the KY State Convention Committee is that the Louisville Host Committee would come to the Area meeting and report the progress of the State Convention, of ask for assistance with workshops and such. It wasn't really a committee, they were just invited to come and state the progress of that convention.
Jeff (Grapevine Chairperson) I think if you go back to the Archives you will discover that originally the purpose of the KY State Convention was to elect the Delegate - Area 26 took that away from the State Convention, that was the purpose then, not like now where it is about carrying the message.
Chip (district 31) I just need a little clarification. Paragraph C is what I'm wondering about.
Paragraph B is cut and dry, makes sense. Paragraph C is confusing, it says should attend, we all should do things. Why should we vote on paragraph C - why do they want to put this is, that they are required to come in fall and spring. Lynda (Literature Chairperson) The language for this was taken directly from the ADHOC committee report. The suggestion that they attend all 4 meetings is great, but requiring them to attend at least 2 meetings is to keep us informed and maintain that the two bodies are still connected in some way, which was the intent of this motion. Again we can go back the other way and not be connected at all, but this way there is some accountability so that they know what we're doing and we know what they are doing but with no control.
The next couple of speakers got a little off of topic - Darryl brings order back to the meeting and gets us back on task.
Kelvin (district 3) we will be hosting the KY State Convention next month, there are several supporters here today and I have gotten a general consensus. A couple of things they wanted me to say. First - the tradition regarding money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose. Would this not be also taking us away from our primary purpose which is to carry the message? The other thing is, if the Area would like to they would be more than happy to turn Bowling Green Host Committee over to ya'll, if you all would like to undersign the cost, as you heard we are about 1,100 people below, that's about $19,000 - we're sweating a little -your prudent reserve doesn't even cover that - so keep that in mind. Jerry (district 35) just a point of order, I have already taken this back to my groups and they have given me a vote on it, am I supposed to change that vote or what's the discussion? Darryl (chairperson) No, we are addressing the motion in general right now. We haven't voted on the motion yet.
All discussion has ceased. Darryl calls for the vote on this. This means that we are voting to decide if this motion will go back to the groups and come back in April with your DCM reports, yeah or neigh. OK. Only DCM's Standing Committee Chair's and officers can vote on this issue.
This motion failed 11 for and 31 against - it will not go back to the groups.
Chip (voted in minority) I think this issue needs to be addressed one way or the other, soon. There is a loop hole there and I think that the Area for it's well being needs to address this issue no one wishing to change their vote - motion fails 11 for 31 against
Discuss Area Directory
O'Dell (Alt.Chairperson) I think a state directory is well needed. I know at one time it cost $6,000 to print. This last printing cost was greatly reduced. We need this because people travel and they need to be able to find a meeting wherever they are. However, we need to find a way to make sure if information is up to date. Let's put it out but let's put it out correct.
Barbara (Delegate) these directories are real important to me, I keep one at home, one in my car and one at the office. I do echo O'Dell on getting it current, but even if it is not current it often serves my purpose which is locating some body, I may not necessarily be looking for a meeting or even if I am, at least I know what town the district is in and I may not be near my computer to look up on the website, which is a really good tool as well. We've discussed these directories from time to time over the past few years, I have not heard anyone say that they do not want to have them, just that they are not always current. I think we ought to have them but they should be as current as possible.
Lynda (Literature Chairperson) I use my directory regularly and I get countless call of people looking for people that they haven't been able to find any other way. However, the directory is current for about 5 minutes because we seem to be a transient group.
Whether it's across town or across the state the information changes and changes quickly and the cost of publication are huge. If the information is available on the website, if I'm going somewhere I can print that before I go - it's just not a big deal.
The information is much easier to change electronically that it is to reprint. My directory is all x'ed out - I am not even sure what is current and what is not, but if I can somewhere electronically and that information is current, it's more helpful
Mack (registrar) I would probably be the first one to say eliminate it, but it good conscience and in following my heart, I will tell you that in the short time that I've been doing this, our area directory, when you compare it to the directory from GSO, there are a tremendous amount of mistakes between the two - our directory is more correct than what the New York office has and what they put out. I can tell you also, being on the committee for out intergroup in Bowling Green running that office, when we get request over the telephone hotline, for people who are desperate for a meeting or who are drunk a lot of time we will refer to that green area directory rather than the one put out by GSO. We feel more confident that that information is correct and that we are sending them to right meeting and contact. I would have to say in good conscience in carrying the message, and that's what I believe this is all about, that we should maintain it.
Bob (Treatment Chairperson) Yesterday I had to use the directory to get to this meeting.
My house is not even hooked up to 911, let alone to the internet. I think there is a use for the directory. I hope that's what we decide today.
Tom (PI Chairperson) I have an amends to make to this group. I have been a DCM or Alternate for about 20 years now. I have thrown away many directories over the years, and I'm sorry. It's 2008 people, I use Google or Map Quest, there are ways to get connected - the public library can get you connected. I think it is time we enter the new millennium.
Jon (Webmaster) I keep hearing about this stuff being in the internet, I want to share a few things that I have learned about anonymity, right now we have names in that book, and most of the time that name can get you in the correct city and hook you up with a meeting, so for the most part they are accurate. There are names listed here, that's confidential, I don't know if it's a good idea to list that kind of information on any website. I've been building website's since 1995 and I've learned that in spite of how many people get connected; there are always a few who are not. As far as I'm concerned if there is 1 alcoholic out there that can't get connected -1 want them to have the something out there that provides information to get to a meeting. As far as being up to date - I don't see why we can't come up with some type of update sheet once a quarter, we meet then anyway. DCM's need to get to the meetings and get updated information and get it to the registrar, this will help keep the information current. I say we could even sell the directories if money is the problem, I know the intergroup has started doing that to help with the printing cost, these are just ideas. I don't think doing away with it is a good idea.
Gary (Treasurer) I really enjoy the directories, they help me all the way around. But I would like to see the group numbers added to them, if we are going to do it. It would help us and you and anyone that needed It.Joe (district 5) I'd like to see us keep them. I use them in jail a lot- the only problem I Now I don't pass them out in jail or nothing -1 keep them in my briefcase in case someone going home someplace in Kentucky. I try to give them 2 or 3 numbers, if they can't get a hold of anyone, I have them call me back and I hook them up with the intergroup. I'd like to see them stay.
I'm not computer oriented -1 can barely us a telephone. I really like to see them stay in, I use them a lot and I think a lot of people do. Thanks.
Eric (district 22) I just had some members of my district echo some of the same sentiment, that we would like to see the directory, still, is available to people that may not have electronic access or who are on the road. If we could just make those available and perhaps we could just evaluate at some point what number we need and just minimize the printing so we can strike a balance between managing the cost while still making the directory available. Thanks.
Bernie (district21) my district feels that the directory is needed, however we feel there are too many of them being published. We recommend maybe 5 per district, updated on the web daily, on paper yearly and possibly put the group number in there, if that's possible. Many times people send in money without a number and people can not identify it that's why it would be helpful for the DCM's of groups to have. Thank you.
Ray (district 33) I've used that directory every since I was a GSR and when I was treasurer I've used it for years. I've got one in my briefcase right now. That's what I've always used, I keep it updated with a pen if somebody changes position or something I write it down. I don't carry a computer in my car, I have one at home, computers are a good thing to have. Lot of us don't get on a computer - those drunks laying in jail or on the street, they can call a number out of that green book, they know we can get someone to them to help them. We need to keep them but maybe limit the supply to DCM's and GSR's. That's all I've got, thanks.
Bob (district 6) I use this book all the time, I use it to find districts, to find meetings and for the phone numbers. The problem I have with it is the addresses. I don't want my address handed out to come convict. I'm sorry but I know what kind of people are in jail. This book is not meant to be public information. I think it was designed for this area body. I don't want may address out on the web or in print - where anyone can get it.
Mack (Registrar) just one last thing -1 just spoke with Cathy (outgoing registrar) - and correct me if I'm wrong. Because she remembers the last printing was $1.00 per copy and we printed 1000 copies, so we spent about $1,000,
Charlie (district 24) It has been brought to my attention that in this age of electronics* we are able to print the directory off of the website. If you want a copy, just go print it. It should be password protected - so that the information remains confidential. Just to say it is available electronically - if you want a hard copy -just print it.
Joy (Alt. Delegate) a couple of things keep going through my head right now.Not to raise a stink, because I appreciate everything that our webmaster said, but I'm not sure he is supposed to be able to come to the microphone, if we have not voted to make that a standing So I raise that question, even though I agree with everything he said and I appreciate all the work he does. Also, I was just thinking as past secretary, one thing with the directory if we are trying to find someone who is no longer current. As far as I know that may be the only place that there is a record of people that have been here in the past so that's just another element. I'd like to see us keep the directories but really think we can come up with a creative way to print it cheaper or more often, maybe the district would even be willing to pay a little for them. If it's a product that people want, then I think we ought to find a way to do it.
Are we voting on something today or just discuss.
Darryl (Chairperson) Actually, what I was looking for today, is just a sense of the meeting.
Do we deem it necessary to keep the directory or change it in some form?
Tom (district 18) When you get on the website you can print a directory, and if you don't access to it then maybe your DCM does. It would be a lot easier to update that way.
Darryl (Chairperson) so a sense of the meeting here today is that the directory remains essentially the same with the same printing we had 2 years ago with 1000 copies.
Vote taken - it is obvious that Area 26 would like to keep the printed directory.
Bid to host the July Area meeting
Tim P. DCM from district 27 makes the bid for Glasgow. No one else wishing to bid -it looks like we're going to Glasgow in July.
Closed the Area 26 business meeting with the Lord's Prayer.
April Area Meeting Flyer
ATTACHMENTS: DCM ReportsPlease keep reports brief if possible. All DCMs need to present their reports in writing. If possible, please provide a typed or an electronic version. (E-mail to the secretary foundserenity97@yahoo.com.')
District 1 DCM: James G., I would like to thank Districts 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24, and 29 for helping with this weekend/ Great job. District 1 is currently meeting the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Care Center. District 1 is still having low attendance problems so we plan to visit all the groups to try to get more involvement in the district. District 1 is still struggling with out monthly meeting - we meet the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm at the Ice House. Out goal for this year is to get out to all the groups in district 1 and get them involved. Yours in Service, James G.
District 2 DCM: Janice D., Hi everyone, I am Janice D. and I'm an alcoholic. I first like to thank 1,10,11,12,13,22,24 and 29 for hosting the Area 26 meeting. I would also like to thank district 2 for electing me DCM. My alternate DCM is Diane S, Treasurer is Phil (he was elected for his 2nd term), Secretary is Besty B, Corrections is Greg H., CPC is Bruce C and Chad, and Gene W will be serving his 2nd term as Archives. There is a new meeting in Mayfield. District 2 is planning on hosting the Tri-State Convention in 2009. The Convention will be in Paducah. The next meeting is January 20 at 4:30 on Brown Street. Diane S is taking meetings to women's correction and Greg H is going to the men's. Thanks You, Janice Douglas
District 3 DCM: Kelvin Harmon, I'm an alcoholic; my name is Kelvin, the incoming DCM for district 3. We held our first district meeting Jan. 5 at Central Office in Bowling Green with our new officers: Secretary - Becky D., Treasurer - Doug T, and our new GSR's in our district. Our Alt. DCM had to step down since he is the Area's new Registrar, Mack H. We were open for nominations and Amy T was nominated and was voted as our new Alt. DCM. Other new business was we are going to need district chairpersons for standing committees. I believe at this time they are all filled except on and I appreciate the volunteers. Our district is getting geared up for the 57th KY State Convention in Bowling Green and hope to see ya'll there. The chairman Chris T. and the rest of the committee have been working hard for all who attend to have a great visit and fun time in recovery. I'm looking forward to this level of service work and I believe the district has a lot of enthusiasm in getting involved back at the Area level. I would like to thank all the districts 1, 10, 11, 12,13, 22, 24, and 29 for putting on a wonderful quarterly meeting here in Louisville KY. Would all of district 3. Please stand and be recognized. Yours in Service, Kelvin H.
District 4 DCM: Bill R, Hi, I am Bill an alcoholic, and DCM for district 4, as of Monday January 7.1 want to thank districts 1,10, 11,12,14, 22, 24 and 29 for all they have done to make this a great area meeting here in Louisville. District 4 is alive and kicking with all new officers. We seem to have a problem with getting people to get active in service work but I believe we will have all positions filled by our next meeting in February. We are looking forward to really getting active and carrying the message to those that are still suffering. As you can tell I am brand new as a DCM so any present or past DCM's who would like to give me some do's and don'ts as to what I should be doing it will be greatly appreciated. Would everyone from district 4 please stand and be recognized. Bill Reynolds.
District 5 DCM: Joe O, We had pretty good attendance at the district meeting all groups' report meetings are doing well and attendance is holding steady. We had some discussion at our last District meeting about hosting as Area Assembly in October. Questions were raised about the expenses and volunteers and accommodations. All GSR's will come to the next meeting with a committed yes or no on hosting the Area Assembly in October. District 5's annual picnic has been tentatively scheduled for September 13 at Fredericksburg Ballpark. Would all for district 5 please stand up?
District 6 DCM: Bob R, I had my first meeting, it was very cold, despite that I still had 5 GSR's and the Treatment Chair (Dianne S.) attended the meeting. We had one group, Sunday Serenity Group has moved to district 35.1 have had no report from the Primary Purpose Group. The rest of them are alive and well. Hope by April's meeting I will have the name and phone numbers of all the GSR's in District 6. Thanks to districts 1,10,11,12,13, 22, 24 and 29 for hosting this weekend.District 7 DCM: Mitch M., Thanks to all of the districts for putting on this Area 26 meeting. We will be having our first District Meeting the last Sunday of this month so not much to report. There are 2 GSR's in attendance today - please stand and be recognized.
District 8 DCM: Donna D, District 8 continues to suffer from lack of cooperation. Our hopes are that participation will increase in 2008 with out new GSR's in place. The Nibroc group was open during the holidays for those who needed a place of comfort. We would like to thank the districts for hosting the meeting this weekend.
District 9 DCM: Buz T, We had our annual Christmas party it was a great success. We have 2 new jail meetings in regional detention centers in Floyd and Johnson county. Our prison meeting is still on going- we usually get in twice a month - this is out largest meeting in our district. Glad to be here, thank you all.
District 10 DCM: Nick S, I am Nick, DCM from district 10. Welcome to Louisville, glad everyone could make it. District 10 has been active lately, lots of new faces at our monthly meeting's. New GSR's are Lois from Crums Lane Group and Jackie from Caring and Sharing Group. New Chairpersons at all of our committees except PI, hope to fill that soon. Corrections correspondence has been cancelled due to lack of interest. Portland Group celebrating 37 years, Shawnee Group will be celebrating 42 years next Sunday O'Dell will celebrate 29 years of continuous sobriety and Lloyd will have 10 years at that meeting. Rumor has it that Roger is moving in April. He will be missed very much in District 10. We would like to thank districts 1, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24 and 29 for putting this on. All members of district 10 please stand
District 11 DCM: Phyllis C, I would like to thank all the districts involved in hosting this area meeting. I would also like to thank al of district 11's GSR's for being here and for their help this weekend. Would all of you please stand and be recognized. District 11 held a meeting in December, there were about 11 GSR's in attendance. Chester S reported send a book to jail dance that will be held March 31st. Clark County started up their jail meetings again, they had been postponed for about a year, this is male and female. Ray reported a new meeting at Baptist East outpatient in Louisville, the 4002 Group, this meeting will be held on Tuesdays from 5 to 6. Ray is here today so if you can help or attend this meeting he would be happy to give you more information. We held elections, Cindy S is the Alt. DCM and Chester was elected Treasurer. Thank you.
District 12 DCM: Kate D, In October, our district hosted our fall event as a Halloween event. One of our Friday night meetings hosted the event and on Friday night, Darryl M. came and told his story, highlighting how service work has been important in his sobriety. Afterwards we had a Halloween dance, complete with costumes. Attendance at the event was really good. Then on Saturday morning, Darryl let a workshop to let us know more about what had happened and was happening in New York. Our latest edition of our district newsletter came out in November and it is doing great. We are reaching many people in our district. We recently decided to have one of the district members who are active in the district and one of the officer's or GSR's write an article about how being involved in service work has affected them. We hope this will encourage more participation in the district. Our Fox Hall Group hosted their annual gratitude breakfast good speaker. Finally, at our last district meeting we decided to have 3 annual district events, each at the same time of year. We hope that this will increase attendance due to people being able to expect the event and plan to attend. I'd like to thank all the districts for hosting this weekend. Would all here from district 12 please stand.
District 13 DCM: Cecilia M, Thank to all of the Districts for hosting this Area meeting this weekend. Thanks to Vonda and all district 13 members for all of their work and planning this weekend. District 13 has had an average of 11 in attendance at our monthly district meetings this past quarter. District 13 currently has 42 active groups, 25of those have GSR's (FYI: 24 of our 42 groups meet in clubs). I am beginning my term as DCM for District 13, Alternate DCM is Chris W, Secretary is Renee B, alternate Secretary is Vonda L, temporarily, until someone else becomes willing, Treasurer is Bill C, Alternate Treasurer is Bill B. All of district 13 standing committee positions have been filled, except Correction which we are hoping to fill soon. Archives is Tommy W, CPC is Eddy T, Grapevine is Bill B, Public Information is Bill C, Treatment is Rory W. I have received updated group information forms, which we will give to the area registrar this weekend. I'd like to thank district 13 secretary, Renee for all of her hard work. Would all present please stand? Thank you for allowing me to serve.
District 14 DCM: Brantley C, I would like to thank the Greater Louisville Metro districts for hosting this quarterly meeting. It appears that you have done a fine job. Since this is my first experience as a DCM, and I have only been officially in office for about 12 days, I don't have as much to report on the recent activities of the district as I should. For those of you not familiar with district 14, we represent AA service in 7 different counties and like a lot of other districts in Kentucky we are spread out over hundreds of miles. This makes the sacrifices made by the district officers, committee chairs and GSR's that attend the district and area meetings all that more remarkable. We also have a strong presence representing our district at the Bluegrass Intergroup. We have 14 different groups hosting over 65 meetings a week. Like most of AA, attendance at our meetings continues to fluctuate but overall attendance is rising. At out last district meeting held in Frankfort we had over 30 people in attendance. All of the Standing committee chairs have been filled and all of the groups except one have elected GSR's. The meeting was attended by most of the new GSR's and the enthusiasm they showed fro being given the opportunity for AA service work was very evident. Hopefully they will continue to maintain that enthusiasm over the next couple of years. To me the highlight of the meeting was having out newly elected Delegate, Barbara in attendance as usual. Barbara is the first Area 26Delegate from District 14 and we are all very proud of her. We know she will be as successful representing Area 26 as she was representing District 14 as a 2 term DCM. She was instrumental in getting me and a lot of others interested in AA service work and we hope she can find the time to continue her role as an "honorary advisor" to District 14. I would also like to thank Patrick Brooks, our outgoing DCM for all of the hard work and sacrifices he has made the last several years for AA. He will be deeply missed by all of us who have had the pleasure of working with him. God bless you Patrick. In closing I would like all members from district 14 to please stand and be recognized. Your service to alcoholics anonymous is greatly appreciated.
District 15 DCM: Gordon R, I'd like to thank the various districts involved in putting this thing on, it's been fabulous. Since I have enjoyed the few Area assemblies that I have visited and knowing my district needed one, I by default stood for DCM at our December meeting the 2nd Sunday at 6:00pm. Our out going registrar, Cathy, put my name in to GSO and I'll never read all the stuff that arrived at my humble abode. Our district meetings have been small and I am hoping that situation will change soon. I have begun visiting meetings in our district to introduce myself and encourage participation in our district meetings by their GSR and others interested. I will be asking my alternate DCM to do likewise for the women only meetings in our district. I think a personal approach is very important. Would all from district 15 please stand and be recognized.
District 16 DCM: Amy B, Good Afternoon, I am Amy Basham, alcoholic and new DCM for district 16.1 am honored to be here as a trusted servant for my district. District 16 held its first meeting of the year two weeks ago at which time we came up with the following simple goals: to visit all groups not currently represented at district meetings and encourage their participation. To hold quarterly events, we will hold our first district potluck on March 22 and conduct a workshop on service. Explore options for a Beginners meeting in our district. Thanks to all the district that hosted this weekend, I look forward to working with all of you as we trudge this road of happy destiny. Will those from district 16 please stand and be recognized. Thank youDistrict 17 DCM: Bill W, First, I am very concerned about District 17 now that Terrie Gabis is not our DCM. For the past four years she has been and has shown others, namely me, just what the AA Service Manual refers to as a TRUSTED SERVANT. We all thank her for the dedication to district 17, and her giving and sharing of her experience, strength and hope. We congratulate her and look forward to her in new appointment, serving as Area 26's CPC Chairperson. The Browns Valley Group fro the first time in a long run of years did not host a Christmas dinner for District 17, due to the fact the group's numbers has dwindled down to but a few members. But as often the case is AA other groups jumped up to take the ball and run. The Promise Group and the For Here On Out Group joined together and hosted a chili cook off and dinner; all had fun and good time, in what we are sure to be a new tradition. The group's attendance is down, but at this time of year that has been the norm for District 17. In closing, although I am looking forward to serving as District 17's DCM, I am humbled as well. Would all from district 17 stand and be recognized. Thanks to districts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24 and 29 for hosting this weekend.
District 18 DCM: Tom N, District 18 is doing well. We have 8 groups attending the district meeting. I am confident that we will encourage more participation in the future. We currently have four open committee chairs. I am looking forward to getting these filled soon. Laura H. just became the corrections chair for the Area, she did a great job for the district, keeping chairs filled and she will be missed. I know she will do a great job for the Area. Thank you Laura for all that you accomplished in the district. I would like to thank district 1,10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24 and 29 for the great job hosting the Area this weekend. I am looking forward to serving as DCM over the next two years. Respectfully submitted.
District 19 DCM: Jay S, Hi, my name is Jay and I'm an alcoholic. I'm the DCM for district 19.1 would like to thank all the districts involved in hosting this meeting. Your efforts are appreciated. I have decided to stay on as the DCM of district 19 for another 2 years. Although I haven't been able to generate much interest in service work within the district, I am hopeful that with some new faces among the folks in the meetings, progress can be made. No meetings have been held this quarter and none are scheduled...yet. Would anyone from district 19 please stand and be recognized. Thank you for the chance to be of service.
District 20 DCM: No Report
District 21 DCM: Bernie O, District 21 wants to thank districts 1,10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24 and 29 for hosting this area meeting, I am Bernie, DCM for district 21. Greg R is the Alt. DCM, Sharon M is our secretary/treasury. We are looking forward to a very productive AA up coming 2 years. We have our district meeting hosted by Ad endearment Group so that elected members can see how other thrives this will help us to help them or know what is needed. Will all person from district 21 please stand.
District 22 DCM: Eric B, We have had 4 district meetings since the last Area Assembly. Our attendance continues to rise as the result of visiting home groups, educating them on issues relating to our seventh tradition; group conscience; and AA service positions and opportunities. A few new GSR's have taken on responsibilities in the district to improve our ability to help groups carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to all those with a desire to stop drinking. We have a new secretary-Tina F. Groups are increasing their contributions to the district which may allow us to conduct workshops or other events to educate and unify groups. Several GSR's and AA members in our district meeting made contributions of time and resources to getting the raffle items and ensuring registration was staffed for this Area Assembly. Yours in ServiceDistrict 23 DCM: No current DCM or contact on file
District 24 DCM: Charlie S, First I would like to thank Districts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24 and 29 for hosting this weekend. Specifically thanks to James Green for heading up the host committee for this area meeting. I would like to thank district 24 for allowing me the opportunity to be of service. At this time I would like all members of district 24 to stand and be recognized. I would also like to thank Lynda Rivers, our outgoing DCM for her years of service. She has been an inspiration to me and it will certainly be a challenge to fill her shoes. The alternate DCM is John, the secretary is Jennifer and the treasurer is Jerry. District t24 is alive and well and very active. There has been an increase in group participation at the district level. We have had several new GSR's taking part in the district meetings. Our focus on the various service committees has generated an interest with individual participation; The corrections chair has been circulating a pen pal flyer to carry the message to those incarcerated. We have also had 2000 additional "If you want to drink" business cards printed to be circulated. The following people have stepped forward to chair the committees: Archives - Mindy; Special Needs-Randy; Kentuckiana News-Nolan; Grapevine-Ian; Literature-Ashley; CPC- Kenes; Pi-Stephanie is temporarily filling this position; Treatment-John; Corrections-Tom. Our treasurer continues to report that we are maintaining a prudent reserve. We have distributed funds to the Area, as well as, the GSO. It has been a pleasure for district 24 to host the hospitality suite. It is our sincere hope that everyone has been accommodated.District 25 DCM: No current DCM or contact on file
District 26 DCM: Sarah C, We had Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Eve celebrations at Rebo's this year. All of these were held jointly by the two groups that meet there; Hungry Spirits and East End. We have had elections at the group and district levels and are transitioning newly elected people in. We are still working on filling some of the district chair positions and also district treasurer. We have a Super bowl party planned at Rebo's and welcome anyone to attend. We would like to thank all the hosting districts for this meeting and look forward to having you all in Hopkinsville in April. With Gratitude.
District 27 DCM: Tim P, Hello everyone, Tim P., alcoholic and incoming DCM district 27.1 would like to take this time to thank districts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24 and 29 for hosting this quarterly meeting, like always they are doing a great job. There's not much going on in district 27 but we hope to see more people to get involved. Our last meeting was December 9, we had 10 of 16 groups to get some involvement in jail meetings - more will be revealed. We voted to send all money's over prudent reserve to Area 26 and GSO as of today that has been taken care of. That's about all. I would like to thank District 7 for asking me to serve and would everyone from district 27 please stand and be recognized. Thanks againDistrict 28 Alternate DCM: Dave A., Hello everyone, District 28 would like to thank districts 1, 10,11,12,13, 22, 24 and 29 for hosting this Area meeting. District 28 hopes to achieve a higher level of participation by GSR's in the district and area. We are excited about the prospects for the coming year. We've had good attendance and level of interest and some new faces. We held elections and voted in: DCM- John M; Alt. DCM-David A; Secretary-Allie G; Treasurer-Theresa T. New Standing Committee Chairs Treatment-Jesse R; CPC-Ashley D; Pi-Amy M; Literature-George J; Archives-Mike F.; Group Awareness-David A. We have discussed several activities for the district but have not yet made commitments to them. Would all from district 28 please stand. Yours in Service.
District 29 DCM: Dalton D, I am the new DCM for district 29. I have attended 2 district meetings, noticed increased GSR participation at the 2nd. There is a need to spur the groups in the district, the token III club, to participate at a greater level in local service structure. Out objective is not to make a big splash but to attend all the meetings in the district, one at a time and become familiar with those currently involved, and then encourage other to become involved. We are looking for a responsible and willing alternate, we faced a budgetary shortfall due to groups not sending contributions until year end, there has been an influx of cash, but still not at prudent reserve, after becoming more familiar with group members in the district, I plan to suggest/encourage quarterly donations form the groups to the district. Thank all the districts for attending and specifically those which hosted. Also like to thank the GSR's form district 29 who are in attendance.District 30 DCM: Richard W, District 30 thanks the host districts for their service making this meeting possible. Your service helps all of us stay sober. We also thank our outgoing DCM, Jennifer P, for two years of outstanding service. District 30 has experienced outstanding growth during the past six months. With the recent opening of a facility catering to recovery groups, 14 new AA meetings have started several if which are awaiting registration with Alcoholic Anonymous World Services. Attendance has been up at all established groups as well and perhaps more importantly, those established groups have elected GSR's who have been attending district meetings. At least two groups are using the services of a Spanish-language interpreter, which in turn invites a greater number of persons to meetings. District 30 has at least one smoking meeting, the Friends of Bill W, Big Book Study - Sunday evenings at 6:30, Friends of Bill W is also a fourth dimension group, joining other groups from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana over the internet. We were saddened to see the Mt. Olivet group leave district. We hope they find a comfortable home and welcome them back anytime. Thank you for allowing me to be of service.
District 31 DCM: Chip A., I would like to thank all those in districts 1, 10,11, 12,13, 22, 24 and 29 for hosting and providing the accommodations for this Area meeting. District 31 has a new treatment committee chair - Rita Miller has taken this position and is currently very active. The 100 bed woman's facility, WARM, has 80 of its 100 beds occupied. They are moving along very well. We have a new GSR for the Red Door Group. Rita Miller resigned this position and Brent M has gladly taken over the responsibilities for the Red Door Group. There were successful alkathons at the Weaverton Group in Henderson for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Serenity House in Madisonville also had successful alkathons for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I would like to thank all those involved in preparing this assembly and for those that continue to serve.
District 32 DCM: Harry M, We meet the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30 at Walton Methodist Church. We recently elected new officers "trusted servants" DCM-Harry M, Alt DCM-Tony T, Secretary- John D, Treasurer-Tom L; new committee chairpersons are: Corrections-Tony T, CPC-Bobby F. Many thanks to our outgoing DCM, Bobby F, for his service to our district. We are planning the 6annual "Sober Spring Break" to be held the end of April (date not yet confirmed) at the Vineyard Church. There will be morning workshops followed by a lunch, a great AA lead and fellowship and fun in the afternoon. Our district recently purchased several cases of Big Books for those in a correctional facility that requests one. Thanks to district 1, 10, 11, 12, 13. 22, 24 and 29 for hosting. Yours in service
District 33 DCM: Ray L, Hello, my name is Ray Langston; I'm an alcoholic, the DCM for district 33.1 would like to thank districts 1, 10,11,12,13, 22, 24 and 29 for their gracious hospitality and for hosting this Area 26 quarterly meeting. It is always a pleasure to visit and have fellowship with the folks here in the Louisville area. District 33 is on fire and there is much excitement in the district. A new group "The Gratitude Hour" has had a good turn out for their meeting and at our last district meeting each GSR present reported that attendance for meetings is up. There is a new women's meeting starting up on Mondays at 6:00 pm I Gilbertsville. The Marshall 142's group is now having an eating and speaker meeting on every 2nd Tuesday of the month. The Murray group is now having a Big Book study on Thursday nights at 8:00 pm. The meeting at the Marshall Co. Jail has developed into much more than any of us had expected... 15 inmates go on their knees and did a 3rd step with the AA members carrying the message into that facility. They then immediately wanted to be helped in taking the next steps to sobriety. What a miracle God will provide when the AA member is willing to carry the message to those who are still suffering. The women's meeting in that same facility are going well, 22 big books have been donated and distributed and the attendance for those meetings is growing also. I would like to thank district 33 for giving me the privilege of serving them in this office and ask me members of district 33 who are present please stand up and be recognized. SincerelyDistrict 34 DCM: Jeff N, District 34 is doing well. Most of the meetings in 34 are well attended. We recently finished, helping with the Tri-State Convention. It was a success and we want to thank all those who attended for your support. The Bremen Group (AKA: The Secret Meeting) will be celebrating 22 years on February 19. Refreshments will be served at 7:00 pm and the meeting will start 7:30 pm - the speaker we will be Bradley B. from Lexington. The Freedom Group in Calhoun will be hosting a dinner/speaker meeting in March. District 34 will be helping host the next Area 26meeting in Hopkinsville, along with districts 26 and 17. We hope to see you all then. Thanks.
District 35 DCM: Jerry D, Thanks to all the districts for hosting this meeting. We had our district meeting on the 7th, we had 5 GSR's and 2 alternates were in attendance. All of our standing committee heads are filled. District 35 plans to do a workshop in the future. I am very grateful to all of district 35 members that for their enthusiasm - would you all please stand a be recognized. Also like to thank the outgoing DCM - Gary Forsyth for his contagious enthusiasm.
Louisville Host Committee -- James G
First of all I would like to thank all the Greater Louisville Area Districts for hosting this weekend. Great job!
The Louisville Host Committee meets on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00pm. Also, we will be hosting the 17th annual Falls City Convention. The theme this year will be "Road to Happy Destiny". It will be held May 23-25lh in Louisville, KY at the Executive West Hotel, 830 Phillips Lane. The Speakers who have committed to speak are: Jimmy D.-Dallas TX, Sterling W-Greenville SC, Joe N. - Huntsville, AL, Corliss G-Gainesville, FL. The Alanon and Alateen speakers are TBA. Registration will be at noon. This year in order to try to raise attendance at the convention, we are lowering the pre-registration fee to $15.00, registration at the door will be $20.00 with single day rates available. Please plan to make reservations by April 30, 2008 at our host hotel.
Bowling Green Host Committee - Chris T
The BG hose committee for the 2008 AA State Convention would like to thank districts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24 and 29 for hosting the first quarterly meeting of 2008. As we head into the "home stretch" of our hosting activities and the February 8th convention date is rapidly approaching our committee is staying extremely busy. We are earnestly striving to provide the AA community with a fun filled and highly enjoyable week-end in Bowling Green. As of our meeting last Sunday we had only 201 advance registrations. Needless to say this number has our committee extremely worried. We estimate that at $15.00 per person we need 1300 registrations to break even. As an effort to capture the still needed 1100 registrants we have set up a table here at the assembly and will be accepting registrations here, on site all day today and also tomorrow morning. Hotel reservations need to be made by the folks planning to attend by the 20th of January in order to receive the advertised rate for the convention attendees. The rate we were quoted is $89 per night as opposed to their standard rate of $125 per night. When making your hotel reservations be certain to state that these are the AA convention. I would also at this time like to remind all of the Area 26 standing committee chairpersons that if they wish to display their literature and or exhibits at the state convention our committee needs to be made aware of their intentions by January 20th. Standard 8" long display tables must be rented from the convention center. Cost for a display table is $15 per table. The cost for these tables will have to be borne by the individual area committees. We need to know how many tables will be required and what committees plan to exhibit at this convention by January 20th. This requirement is so we can make arrangements with our event coordinator during our meeting on January 21 Respectfully submitted.
Bluegrass Intergroup: Betty S
Hello, everyone is Area 26, thank you for the opportunity to give a report here and thanks to the districts for hosting us this weekend. We held out elections for 2008 steering committee. Our new Chairperson is Scott C, Vice Chair - Gilbert E., Treasurer-Jim S, Secretary-Brenda K., Committee member at large Gary G. We changed our AA Directory format, made it larger and easier to read. It has been a welcome change. Our intergroup has our 1-800 number in several phone books in the surrounding districts and we need to update our 12 step list. I have forms available for you to take back - see me today tomorrow. Also, our office gives out the Area 26 website to AA members, family members or doctor's office looking for AA meetings. Several of the AA meetings listed there have incorrect information please; please if your group wants to be listed on the website make sure the day, time and address are correct. This is very important since more and more people use the internet to find AA meetings. We are here to be of service. Thank You.
Greater Louisville Intergroup: Lee E
We would like to thank all of the districts in the Louisville and Southern Indiana area for hosting the January 2008 quarterly meeting. The Intergroup has elected our new chairperson - William F., and our Vice Chairperson-Martin Bassett. We would also like to congratulate our new officers at the Area 26 and thank them for their dedicated services. As always our committees are active and working well at service work, and we are grateful to have them. Our next quarterly will be January 26lh at the Saffin Center in Louisville, 3938 Poplar Level Rd. - behind Holy Family Church. Our intergroup consists of 154 AA groups most active and some not. Our contacts to the answering service for the past 3 months were 875 with 27 being 12 step calls. Contacts to Central Office were 1245 with 21 being 12 step calls. Visitors to Central Office were 242 the Website unique visitors was 3,108. Free literature distributed from Central Office was $752.33. Thanks
Western Kentucky Intergroup: Chris P
On behalf of Western Kentucky Intergroup, I would like to extend our appreciation to the Metro Louisville districts for their courtesy and hospitality in hosting the Area 26 quarterly assembly. At our last Western Kentucky Intergroup Steering Committee meeting we selected our new trusted servants. Our alternate Chairman is Jeff Osborn from district 33 Benton-Fairdealing group. Western Kentucky Intergroup is proceeding on plans to host a second annual Big Book Study in October. We will provide dates and details applicable when they become finalized. We are also proceeding to hold "informational meetings" with the groups in our districts to provide them with insights as to what we are and the service we may be able to provide to them. We shall also be taking a detailed look at our structure, and financial guidelines, for any revisions to be submitted for "group approval". Our hope is that Western Kentucky Intergroup continues to serve Area 26 and AA as a whole. Thank you.
- Archives
- Cooperation with Professional Community
- Corrections
- Kentuckiana Newsletter
- Literature
- Public Information
- Special Needs
- Treatment Facilities
- Grapevine
- Website
Archives - - Clinton T. Chairperson, The Area 26 archives committee met on Saturday January 12, 2008, with 12 people present. We discussed the basics of the archives repository in Lexington, KY and procedures to handle, store and preserve our historical documents, tapes and cd's. A few minutes was spent listening to a Bill W tape on the traditions from the Fort Worth Texas 1954 as an example of what we are working on, the goal of restoring to new format as possible cassettes and cd's I plan to keep office open the 3rd Sunday of each month from 10 am to 3 pm to all interested parties and other access by appointment only. All items received by previous chairman, Mike H., during the past 3 months have been filed or stocked in good order. Most of the remaining work will involve the old tapes and any new requests that come from the Area offices.
Thanks.
Cooperation with Professional Community - - Terrie G. Chairperson, I would like to thank districts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24, and 29 for hosting our quarterly meeting. Thanks so much for your hospitality. Yesterday at our CPC workshop, there were 14 people in attendance. We received the CPC kit, as well as the CPC workbook. We discussed as a CPC district chairperson, our role is to inform professionals about what we are, where we are, what we can do and what we cannot do. One district shared how they are having some difficulties with drug court. Drug Court is requesting for your name, address etc. if you are sponsoring someone who is from drug court. Discussion took place on how they can meet with those who are in charge of drug court and explain our traditions on a one-to-one basis, through our literature and, of course, in having a CPC workshop. If your district is interested in having a CPC workshop, you can contact me on my cell at 270-993-4995 or by email at cameraone@qmail.com. Will all those who attended the CPC workshop please stand and be recognized. Yours in Service.
Corrections - - Laura H, Chairperson, First, I would like to thank all the districts for hosting this weekend. Second, I would like to thank all of you for allowing me to be of service. We had 27 in attendance at our committee meeting yesterday. We watched the new video AA in correctional Facilities from GSO. Next, we discussed the pen pal correspondence and the PO Box in Louisville. There was a motion made to close the PO Box because of the cost and lack of participation from the inmates. We will be having people who are interested in corresponding with inmates to send information to New York so they will have a better chance of getting a pen pal. Northern Kentucky Intergroup will be having a corrections dinner on January 26 at Cold Springs Baptist Church in order to raise money for Big Books for jails. If interested in tickets, I can get them for you, see me after the meeting. Chester from district 11 announced they started the meetings in Clark County after a year and a half of no meetings there. District 11 is also having a send a book to jail dance on March 31, 2008. See Chester for more information. There was also discussion about having trouble getting into KCPC to do meetings, and some solutions as to what to do next. Again, thank you for allowing me to get to be of service. Laura H.
Kentuckiana Newsletter - - Salem V. Chairperson, Hello, my name is Salem and I am an alcoholic. I am the committee chair for the Kentuckiana Newsletter. I would like to thank districts 1,10, 11, 12,13, 22, 24 and 29 for hosting the Area 26 meeting. The food and hospitality was great. The number of people attending the committee totaled 16 people whose participation was greatly appreciated. We covered several topics ranging from editing, voting, additional news and information from the districts, formatting and length of publication and flyers. We decided when requesting stories there will be a disclaimer added stating when submitting stories, the committee, if necessary will edit for grammar, names being used (last names to be omitted), length and ensuring the letter doesn't break traditions. The article will be reviewed by 6 persons from the committee. On the occasion when we receive guest from within the Area who are not on the committee full time, they will have the right to vote, when making decisions affecting the news letter. Leanne M. was nominated to take notes during the DCM report so that information from the districts could be passed on through the newsletter. The address for the PO Box will be changed from Salem Van Every to Kentuckiana Newsletter. The committee would like to include the officers first name, phone number and email if available in the newsletter. I will ask each one for their permission. A disclaimer will follow stating information to be used for AA business only. The length of the newsletter has been limited to 20 pages. A total of 5 - 11x17 pages front and back. Flyers containing registrations will be printed in full format, other flyers will be condensed. Please send your information for events for the months of Mid April to Mid July. I would like to thank Ian Wallace and his company for printing 400 regular newsletters ad 200 prison issues. Would everyone who attend the workshop please stand and be recognized. Thank you.
Literature - - Lynda R, Chairperson, Many thanks to the Louisville Metro districts for hosting this Area meeting, as in the past, you all have done a great job. We had 8 members in attendance at the meeting on Saturday morning, 4 of which were literature chairs from their districts. Each attendee was given a copy of the AA Guidelines for Literature Committees. We reviewed the section on Literature Committees in the AA Service Manual and we briefly discussed what the functions are of the Literature Committee. Each member shared their personal experience with AA literature and the role that the various pamphlets and books have played in their own recovery. All of us felt that AA conference approved literature is an invaluable tool. Our literature safeguards the integrity of the AA message and we all believed that it is extremely important that it be available at all meetings. To that end all present will request that their District support their literature committees in creating traveling literature displays that the committees can take to the groups in their districts to inform the membership of all conference approved literature that is available. It is our hope that this will encourage the individual groups to have the literature available at their meetings. We also discussed the motion from the Literature Committee Meeting in October regarding a possible agenda item for the 2008 General Service Conference to develop a service literature packet geared toward students that have to audit AA meetings. It was agreed that we should table this motion for now, in order that the committee can further research what the contents of such a packet should be. The committee will be reviewing the You Are a Professional pamphlet and the materials suggested in the pamphlet, as well as other items geared toward professionals, such as About AA, to see what may be appropriate for such a packet to give to health care, social workers and clergy that audit AA meetings. We will also be talking with health care professionals that are AA members to get their input on what materials they believe would be helpful to their colleagues. I'd like to thank out-going Literature Chairperson, Leann Johnson, for her suggestions and support at yesterday's meeting. And I'd like to thank everyone else that was in attendance for their lively discussion and enthusiasm. Would you all stand and be recognized. Yours in Service.
Public Information - - Tom B. Chairperson, The first meeting of the Public Information Committee for the year 2008 was attended by 16 of us. Attendees please stand. We viewed the newest DVD containing the television public service announcements available to us. Since none of us has received our committee material from GSO, we were uncertain as to how to obtain copies of these PSA's, but intend to use the AA website to track down that information. A part of the discussion regarding placement of PSA's dealt with dealing with the right personnel at TV stations and, most particularly, at the often overlooked cable operations. I reported to the committee on a meeting I had in December with 3 editors at the Louisville Courier Journal having to do with 4 anonymity breaks in less than six months. While the anonymity tradition is ours and not that of the editors, they were attentive as I attempted to describe for them the importance of this tradition to our fellowship. The newspaper is going to print what it's going to print but, I believe, the editors are more sensitive to our concerns than they were before the meeting. This encounter underscored the importance in major metropolitan areas of coordinating with the Intergroup so that the same individuals are not approached by different members of AA on the same issues. Further discussion involved use of the PSA's in cable programming and on websites where it would be suitable. And we talked about the choice of language on some of the business cards being distributed which state "If you want to drink, that's your business. If you want to stop, that's ours". There was sentiment expressed that it made it sound as though AA was truly in business. It was an issue worth discussing though there was no strong sentiment to change the wording.
Special Needs - - Kenny B. Chairperson, We had our first committee meeting yesterday, 1-12-08, with 9 people in attendance. Gordon, DCM district 15, brought up the subject of meetings listed as being accessible, but when getting there the meeting room only would be accessible with the bathroom being on a different level or other wise not accessible. Thought maybe we could make an effort to indicate as such in our directories. Just being aware of our meeting rooms can make a big difference sometimes, like my home group meets in a building where everything is accessible, but sometimes there are table's setup in front of the restroom doors that would block a wheelchair. Just moving a table 2 or 3 feet can make the meeting more accessible. If anyone would like my participation in workshops or other service, please contact me. In service.
Treatment Facilities - - Robert F. Chairperson, First, I'd like to thank Darryl for asking me to serve as your treatment facilities committee chairperson. Thanks to all hosting districts for this weekend. 23 people attended yesterday's workshop. In conversation with your previous chairperson, Charlie Shropshire, he related that he thought a bridging the gap contact was something that needed to be developed within Area 26 for those coming our of treatment. This idea seem to have been well received with many comments and discussion. Contact information will start to be gathered. I'd like to ask all DCM's and GSR's to provide this committee with contact information for as many towns and cities as possible, especially one for every county seat in Kentucky and for the neighboring stated that Area 26 represents. These names and numbers with the town will be collected and formulated in some manner so that someone coming from, say Florida, who is coming to Corinth KY, can find someone in that town, or can find someone in that town or can look up the county seat and get someone there. How we will use this information and distribute it will be determined later, most likely through the central officers and somehow through the website. Public anonymity will always be taken into consideration. I had always thought that the Treatment Facilities Committee meant Detox visits and recovery centers. After reading the workbook, I have found that this committee also includes nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, youth non-correctional facilities, shelters and halfway houses. Other goals of this committee listed in the workbook include getting a list of treatment facilities meetings to all DCM's and central offices, contacting 3 nursing homes in each district to offer AA presentations or meetings, contacting 3 psychiatric hospitals to offer the same, and to fight apathy within the fellowship by finding co- chairs and other interested people in order to achieve all of the above. From the workbook page 7 "The guiding principles of the AA Fellowship are contained in the Twelve Traditions. The responsibility for preserving the traditions rests with AA members alone. In order for AA's to preserve these traditions, we must understand them." Would all who attended the workshop please stand. Thank you for allowing be to service.
Grapevine - - Jeff N. Chairperson, We had 20 people attend the meeting yesterday. Many of those attending were newcomers to the Grapevine Committee. We all shared what we and our groups were and were not doing. There were many good ideas. Everything form discussion topics from the Grapevine to giving the Grapevine to newcomers. Jim R. from district 9 challenged the other 19 people attending to a contest. Jim stated he would sell more subscriptions by the April meeting that the rest of us combined. He also said if he didn't, he would purchase a subscription to raffle off. Jim, thank you for the challenge. Thanks to all the districts involved with putting on this meeting.
Website - - Jon S, Though we have had a webmaster for some time, we are now introducing a web site committee. I have talked to several website committee chairs in other areas. Theirs started as part of the Public Information. When the time was right they became a Standing Committee. Now the time is right for Area 26 to form a Web Site Committee. We need all your help. There were 7 people in the workshop yesterday. We decided to make flyers and business cards. Everyone now has an email set up through the site should you decide to use it. Each member of the Area committee can have a page on the site. Sorry for the days we were down Darryl, Gary, Laura and Joe rushed to my aid, my car died that's where Laura came in. Finally we got it done. Vonda helped me a lot yesterday. I need everyone's help just like everything else. Changes still go to DCM and registrar. Events must go through DCM. You can check your email by going to godaddy.com, go to my email password is "*****" any problems call me 859-582-6344.
MOTION FOR CONSIDERATIONPROPOSED BY DISTRICTS 24 & 29
We believe that Area should adopt the suggested changes to the Area Structure that were made by the Ad Hoc Committee on State Conventions at the July 2007 Area Meeting. We are aware that a Structure Change requires approval by the Groups.
Accordingly, Districts 24 and 29 move that the following proposed structure change be put to the Groups of Area 26 for their approval.
Change Paragraph 9B from its current wording of:
9. KENTUCKY STATE CONVENTION COMMITTEE
B. The Kentucky State Convention Committee will have complete responsibility for the convention. It is suggested that the committee follow the AA Guidelines on Conferences and Conventions
To:
9. KENTUCKY STATE CONVENTION COMMITTEE
B. The Kentucky State Convention Committee will have complete autonomy in all matters relating to the production of a state convention. The Area Standing Committee shall be provided complimentary display space and/or workshop areas if requested.
C. The Chairs of the Host cities should attend all Area Quarterly Meetings and Assemblies, but area required to attend the yearly Assembly (in the fall) and the spring Quarterly meeting.
NOTE: Paragraph 9 A would remain the same.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynda R DCM District 24
Tom B, DCM District 29
Next Area Meeting Hosted by District 29
Area 26 Quarterly Meeting
April 12 & 13, 2008
Districts 26,31 & 34
Welcome Area 26
Location
Christian County High School 220 Glass
Avenue - Hopkinsville, KY
Registration Begins: Saturday, April 12th at 9:00 AM (Central Time)
Working Lunch on Saturday will be served - Dinner on your own
Host Hotel
Best Western of Hopkinsville 4101 Ft.
Campbell Blvd - Hopkinsville, KY
Phone: (270) 886-9000 Rate: $69.00 plus tax, per
night Cut off date: 03/28/08
Alternate Hotel
Fairfield Inn & Suites - 345 Griffin Bell Dr - Hopkinsville, KY Phone:
(270) 886-5151
* Mention Area 26 Meetings when making reservation
*Hospitality Rooms Available at Host Hotel
Non-Smoking Room Inside & Sheltered Smoking Area Outside
Contacts - For More Information Call Sarah C. - (270) 889-7773
2/13/08 Prepared by the Area 26 Secretary, Vonda L.
3/25/08 Edited for web site by Area 26 Webmaster, Jon S.
