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Alcoholics Anonymous in Southern Wisconsin
Alcoholic’s Anonymous - Area 75

Alcoholic’s Anonymous - Area 75

9:00 a.m. Sunday, January 22, 2005

Agenda Planning Meeting

Madison Senior Center

Madison, WI


MINUTES



AGENDA PLANNING MEETING


OFFICERS PRESENT: Howard P, Area Chairperson; Monica M, Alternate Chairperson; Nancy G, Delegate; Robert S, Alternate Delegate; John B, Secretary; Kathy W, Alternate Secretary; George B, Treasurer; Nancy H, Alternate Treasurer


STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS PRESENT: Nancy S, Archivist; Terry R, Archives; Ken Y, Bridging the Gap (BTG); Stu E, Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC); Jo Mc, Grapevine; George P, Public Information (PI); Michael N, Special Needs; Cindy H, Conference Advisory Chair


DCM’s PRESENT: D1-John N; D2-Susan J; D3-Jim K; D8-Darryl S, Russ K (Alt); D9-Apryl B; D10-David del V; D11-John W; D12-Annette D; D13-Chris C, Kane B (Alt); D16-Randy R; D17-Carol Mc; D19-Libby K; D20-Dan K; D22-Matt Z; D23-Darrel S; D25-Mark C; D28-Ken N, Dave F (Alt); D30-Joel B; D31-Charlie E; D32-Chris E, Bill S (Alt); D34-Todd U, Edween R (Alt); D36-Dennis L


GSR’s & DISTRICT COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS PRESENT: D1- Art B; D2-Adrian G, Joe N, Dennis E, Clyde M, Rickey B; D3-Larry A, Del T; D6-Fred K, Liz Y, Rose K; D7-Kathy F; D9-Fritz; D10-Luis M, Ricardo P, Julian G; D11–Don K; D12-Mary R, Nancy H; D13- Cheri C, Susan D-M, Mark G, Richard F, Dolly H, Shelly D, Peggy D; D17-Mary S; D20-Steve T, Doreen H; D22-Carl H; D23-Dan K, Dave F; D25-Marty; D28-Rex P, Catherine A, Rick B; D29-Dennis D; D30-George S; D32-Mike A, Bob Mc (Alt), Don D, Laverne H, Pat S; D34-Cindy, Drew A, Sharon B, Tom R


OTHERS PRESENT: Past Delegates (Area 75)- John B, Ken G, Joan J; Fall 2005 Chair-Jerry H; Mark H, David N, Jim L, David F, Joyce G, Jim De B, Michael R, George D, Jon, Brian W, Barb W, Dave D, Tom G, Toni M, Pat N, Bob M, Randy G, Bill Van Z, Brenda S, Michael S









Balance Sheet





ASSETS






Current Assets



Cash in Checking-M&I

2,886.51


Prudent Reserve-M&I

2,000.00


A/R-Conference Seed Money

2,500.00


Equipment

1,467.37





Total Current Assets


8,853.88










Total Assets


8,853.88










LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL






Current Liabilities






Total Current Liabilities


0.00







Total Liabilities


0.00




Capital



Retained Earnings

8,916.01


Net Income

<62.13>





Total Capital


8,853.88




Total Liabilities & Capital


8,853.88













Count On Us Balance as of 12/31/05


66.13

Rainbow Can Balance as of 12/31/05


1,020.84


Income statement




Year to Date

Actual

Year to Date

Budget

Difference


Revenues




Group Donations

18,150.81

0.00

18,150.81

Conference Proceeds

2,085.22

0.00

2,085.22

Other Income

70.60

0.00

70.60





Total Revenues

20,306.63

0.00

20,306.63









Expenses




Bank Charges

12.50

0.00

12.50

Conference Loss

1,210.40

0.00

1,210.40

GSO Fees

800.00

800.00

0.00

Interpreters/Equipment

0.00

33.00

<33.00>

Literature

650.90

2,671.30

<2,020.40>

Lodging

2,437.56

4,075.00

<1,637.44>

Meals

632.50

1,360.00

<727.50>

Mileage

6,292.23

9,240.83

<2,948.60>

Misc/Office Expense

1,816.86

1,015.00

801.86

Postage

1,206.79

1,376.00

<169.21>

Printing/Copies

1,971.37

1,676.51

294.86

Registration Fees

420.00

614.00

<194.00>

Rent

1,980.00

2,640.00

<660.00>

Archives Rent

600.00

0.00

600.00

Telephone

0.50

332.00

<331.50>

Web Site

71.40

0.00

71.40

Travel-Airfare

265.75

595.00

<329.25>





Total Expenses

20,368.76

26,428.64

<6,059.88>





Net Income

<62.13>

<26,428.64>

26,366.51






Year to date comparison




Current

This Year

Current

Last Year

Year to Date

This Year

Year to Date

Last Year

Revenues





Group Donations

1,831.50

1,336.70

18,150.81

21,850.33

Conference Proceeds

0.00

2,674.86

2,085.22

3,482.16

Other Income

31.53

0.00

70.60

8.65

Membership dues

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Interest Income

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Finance Charge Income

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Shipping Charges Reimbursed

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Fee Discounts

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00






Total Revenues

1,863.03

4,011.56

20,306.63

25,341.14











Expenses





Bank Charges

0.00

0.00

12.50

33.00

Coffee/Donut Expense

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Conference Loss

1,210.40

0.00

1,210.40

2,134.39

GSO Fees

0.00

0.00

800.00

800.00

Interpreters/Equipment

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Literature

0.00

0.00

650.90

72.20

Lodging

768.62

158.20

2,437.56

3,909.38

Meals

108.50

63.31

632.50

1,157.70

Mileage

1,593.07

843.66

6,292.23

9,010.09

Misc/Office Expense

146.83

156.19

1,816.86

1,124.05

Postage

74.23

145.84

1,206.79

1,132.89

Printing/Copies

183.12

21.80

1,971.37

1,353.42

Registration Fees

57.00

36.00

420.00

599.00

Rent

420.00

25.00

1,980.00

2,865.00

Archives Rent

0.00

0.00

600.00

0.00

Telephone

0.00

0.00

0.50

6.40

Web Site

0.00

0.00

71.40

116.40

Travel-Airfare

0.00

0.00

265.75

41.70

Wages Expense

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Other Expense

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Purchase Disc- Expense Items

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00






Total Expenses

4,561.77

1,450.00

20,368.76

24,355.62






Net Income

<2,698.74>

2,561.56

<62.13>

985.52







Approved Budgets


Office/Committee

2005 Budget

2006 Budget

Budget Difference

Comment

Overhead

$2,840.00

$2,958.00

$118.00

Actual contains conference loss & archive rent

Delegate

$2,807.68

$3,064.00

$256.32

Contribution to GSO increased $400

Alt. Delegate

$1,318.00

$1,318.00

$0.00


Chair

$1,098.00

$1,538.28

$440.28

$374 mileage increase

Secretary

$1,565.00

$1,615.00

$50.00


Treasurer

$1,353.00

$1,442.00

$89.00


BTG

$1,648.51

$2,836.28

$1,187.77

Increase mostly in mileage

CPC

$1,600.30

$2,064.00

$463.70

Increase $100 Lodge & $200 Mileage

Corrections

$3,222.00

$870.00

($2,352.00)

Decrease due to literature from Rainbow Fund

Grapevine

$1,766.00

$1,766.00

$0.00


Public Info.

$1,062.00

$1,393.00

$331.00

Mileage increase

Treatment

$890.00

$890.00

$0.00


Spcl. Needs

$1,519.00

$1,519.00

$0.00


Archives

$2,620.00

$3,940.00

$1,320.00

Includes $1200 Archives Rent for 2006

Alt. Chair

$275.00

$405.00

$130.00

Printing costs

Alt. Secretary

$612.15

$259.62

($352.53)


Alt. Treasurer

$232.00

$481.00

$249.00

$211 for lodging - over 100 miles in 2006






TOTAL

$26,428.64

$28,359.18

$1,930.54










January 22, 2006

AGENDA PLANNING MEETING

CHAIRPERSON REPORT


My name is Howard P, I’m an Alcoholic and I have the honor of being Area 75 Chairperson.


I wish to thank all of you being here today. Your participation in our Alcoholics Anonymous Service Structure is paramount. It is only by your attendance and participation which allows us to continue to fulfill our Primary Purpose of our 5th Tradition of carrying our message of

Recovery. And in turn offers us to participate in our third Legacy of Service.


I thank those Districts who continue to send me your District minutes. And encourage those who can please add our Area 75 Standing Committee and Officers on your mailing list.


Looking back at the past year I enjoyed attending and whenever possible, participate in your District Workshops and special events. For those Districts of which I had attended last year I hope to repeat my visits again. That being said I know I need to improve my obligation in following the duties of my Service position. There were a number of Districts which I did not attend your District meeting. I need to improve my record on attending your District meetings in 2006. Our Service Manual gives me specific directives as to what my duties are, and one being that I should attend all District meetings. I will do my best to make this happen.


If yours District is going to have a special Service Workshop or event please let me know.

I would also encourage you to contact our Area 75 PI Chair so he can post your event on our Area 75 Website.


A REMINDER TO PLEASE PICK UP A COPY OF OUR 2006 AREA 75 SCHEDULE.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NEXT EVENT WHERE WE NEED OUR FELLOWSHIPS

INPUT WILL BE AT THE DELEGATES WORKSHOP ON MARCH 12, 2006

HERE AT THE MADISON SENIOR CENTER. IT WILL START A 9 AM.

OUR DELEGATE WILL BE GIVING MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THIS

IN HER PRESENTATION.


I need to send out a special thanks to LaVonne S. who was our Area 75 Unity Conference Representative. For personal reasons LaVonne had step down from that Service position and was replaced by Barb W. Please joint me in thanking LaVonne for her dedication to our fellowship. Please let Barb W know if you can be of service to her in aiding Barb with the upcoming 2006 Unity Conference. The date for the Unity Conference will be July 7 9, 2006 in Wisconsin Rapids. Please pick up a registration form before leaving here today.


Speaking of Conferences, I would ask you also to pick up a registration Flyer for our upcoming

Area 75 Spring Conference in La Crosse. Those dates being May 5 – 7, 2006.


Please feel free to contact me and let me know how I may be of Service to your District.


Yours in Service and Fellowship





DELEGATE’S REPORT

Agenda Planning Meeting

January 22, 2006


Welcome to all and thank you for being here today. If you are new to your position this rotation, I hope you will find it to be a rewarding and spiritual experience. It is important that you register your new positions with the General Service Office. There are forms available for GSRs both on the GSO web site and at our registration table today. DCM info change forms are also on the table.


New Groups

I have copies of the new group sheets I received from GSO since our last meeting. There are some for which GSO needs the district number. Please review these sheets and take the time to welcome these new groups to your district and to Area 75.


District Visits

I have a calendar available to schedule visits to your GSR meetings. If you would like me to visit, please see me today and we can get a date scheduled.


Central Office Request

I received a request from Diane B, office manager for the Madison Area Intergroup Central Office, for the support of Area 75 for a proposal regarding development of a pamphlet by A.A. on Intergroups and Central Offices. This proposal has been submitted by another Area to the Conference Coordinator for consideration for the agenda for the 2006 General Service Conference. If you agree, I will forward a letter from our Area in support of this proposed agenda item. The pamphlet consolidates information in other AA conference approved and service literature regarding Central Offices and Intergroups, including comments by Bill W. and Dr. Bob regarding these entities and their contribution to carrying the message of Alcoholics Anonymous.


Special Needs/Bridging the Gap

Last fall, based on requests from our Bridging the Gap and Special Needs Committees, and with the approval of this Assembly, I forwarded letters to GSO requesting the consideration of permanent staff assignments for both Special Needs and Bridging the Gap as agenda items for the 2006 General Service Conference. I received a letter from Greg M, General Manager of the General Service Office, in response to those letters. (A copy was read and submitted for the Area records).



I recently received the following email from an A.A. member in Minnesota regarding translation of some of our literature into Hmong:

I am contacting you because I understand your area may have a substantial Hmong population. A number of months ago our Area (36, Southern Minnesota) contacted GSO to request translation of AA literature into Hmong. An area in Wisconsin also contacted GSO with the same request. Subsequently, GSO approved the translation of the five basic pamphlets (This is AA, Is AA For You?, A Brief Guide to AA, 44 Questions and A Newcomer Asks) into Hmong. Per GSO, these pamphlets should be ready for distribution the end of this month. Please consider how your Area may avail itself of this opportunity to carry the message.

In Area 36 we have identified a Lao Treatment Center which works with Hmong patients. We have also identified two Hmong political leaders and we are considering contacting medical and social service professionals. Since this is a "first contact" situation, we are also looking into how best to, considerate of Hmong culture and traditions, approach community elders.”


If you have Hmong people in your community and would like to avail yourself of this new literature, please contact me.


Delegate’s Workshop

In order for me to better prepare for the General Service Conference in April, we will be having a Delegate’s Workshop on March 12, 2006 at 9:00AM at the Madison Senior Center. There are sign-up sheets by the registration table. Please review the committee choices and sign up for the one on which you want to serve that day. This is an important process and I strongly encourage your participation. Everyone is welcome.

General Service Board

The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous met in New York on October 29-31, 2005. If anyone wants to review the minutes of the various committee meetings, please let me know and I will send them to you. I also have copies available today of the A.A.W.S. Highlights from December 2005.


As chairperson for the 2006 General Service Conference Committee on International Conventions and Regional Forums, I have been asked to attend the next Board meeting in New York over the last weekend of this month. I look forward to this new experience and thank you once again for allowing me to serve as your Delegate. Without your support, I would not have these wonderful opportunities. God bless.



Respectfully submitted,

Nancy G







Response received from GSO to Nancy’s letter regarding Special Needs and Bridging the Gap:



general service OFFICE of alcoholics anonymous

475 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, NEW YORK, NY 10115 (212) 870-3400

(S(Between 119th and 120th Streets)

Please direct all communications to:

GRAND CENTRAL STATION

P.O. BOX 459
NEW YORK, NY 10163 FAX# 212-870-3003

November 7, 2005

Nancy G

4204 Jerome Street

Madison, Wisconsin 53716

Dear Nancy,

Thanks for forwarding your Area's suggestions to have additional desks for Special Needs and Bridging the Gap at G.S.O. Because these suggestions deal with operations of the General Service Office, they have been forwarded to me as general manager.

We realize how vital Special Needs and Bridging the Gap services are on the local level, and strive to serve those members and committees who are handling these responsibilities. In order to do this more effectively, we recently changed the staff configuration here at G.S.O., adding a new assignment called "Nominating." One of the main responsibilities of this new desk is serving as the liaison for Special Needs and Remote Communities committees. This rearrangement allows this staff member more time to share information and to be in touch with local committees.

Correspondence and requests for sharing regarding Bridging the Gap are responded to by the staff members on the Treatment Facilities and Corrections Desk. These two staff members share information with local and area committees. The chairs of these committees receive A.A. literature on Bridging the Gap as well as activity updates from the Treatment Facilities and Corrections desks and subscriptions to Box 4-5-9, which contains articles about current local BTG efforts.

Nancy, we will continue to respond to increased requests for services from G.S.O. as they develop, but at this point there is not a need for desks devoted solely to Special Needs and Bridging the Gap. Please thank the members of your area for the suggestions and for their ongoing efforts to carry the message,

If we aren't in touch before then, I look forward to seeing you at the January Orientation and Board meeting.



www.aa.org


Greg M

General Manager General Service Office


In fellowship,





Bridge the Gap Report for 1-22-2006:

 Area 75 sent a letter to G.S.O. to make Bridge the Gap a standing Committee at G.S.O. level. At this time Bridge the Gap will remain a sub-committee of Treatment and Correction. We planted a seed and now we will watch it grow. The word is out in the Bridge the Gap committee and different Area are talking about Bridge the Gap as a Committee by itself.

 We sent out a new sign up sheet for temporary contacts. So far we’ve received four back. To all Districts in Area 75, let’s get busy and turn in sign up sheets. The cut-off date is March 1, 2006. In March I will put them together and print them. On April 9 we will pass them out at the pre-conference assembly in Madison, Wisconsin.

 The area 75 Web Page: If you want a sign-up sheet or treatment or correction referral they are posted there. Click on correction and they will pop up.

 To all D.C.M: I will visit your group in the coming year. If you want me to come at a certain time let me know.

 The Agenda for the Area 75 Bridge the Gap Chair:

March 12, 2006: Delegates Workshop- Madison, WI

April 9, 2006: Pre-Conference Assembly- Madison, WI

May 5-7: Area 75 Spring conference - La Crosse, WI

May 19-21: Area 74 Spring conference - Green Bay, WI

June 11, 2006: Agenda Planning Meeting- Madison, WI

July 7-9: Unity Conference-Wisconsin Rapids, WI

September 8-10: Bridge the Gap workshop- Salt Lake City, UT

September 24, 2006: Pre- Conference Assembly- Madison, WI

October 20-22: Area 75 Fall conference- Beloit, WI

 In Loving Service

Ken Y.

Area 75 Bridge the Gap Chair



Area 75 Special Needs Committee Report

January 22, 2006

Submitted by: Michael N - Area 75 Special Needs Committee Chair

1. I met with the special needs chair from District 20 to discuss the responsibilities of a group special needs coordinator.

2. I also met with the special needs coordinator of the Fond du Lac District to discuss the roles of the special needs coordinator.

3. We got the translation equipment into the hands of the Milwaukee

District for the Spanish-speaking seminar.* Note: That equipment has not yet been returned to me.

4. Hopefully, the MAACO Office and other central offices will be in a location that is fully accessible to people with disabilities.

5. We plan to put the accessibility survey on the Area 75 website.

6. I am requesting that all DCM’s ask their Special Needs chairs to contact me by March 1st.




Area 75 Corrections Committee Report for 2005~~ presented 22 Jan 06


The following is a summary of our committee's activities for the past year:

1)   We introduced the use of the Rainbow can to be used in local AA meetings to raise money for AA literature to go into local jails & prisons.  Excess money is sent on to Area 75 corrections/ Rainbow Fund.

2)   In 2005 the Area 75 Corrections Committee was able through the Rainbow Fund to purchase $ 2197 in books plus another $ 577 this January.  The total amount spent on AA books for prison since Jan. '05 is $2774.

3)   Through the success in raising funds through Rainbow cans, we've been able to slash our Area 75 Corrections Committee budget from $ 3,222 in 2005 to $ 870 in 2006; a net savings of $ 2352 or 73 %.  $1800 of that savings from '05 was money budgeted for buying literature.

4)   We've processed 113 requests from inmates for bridging the gap contacts in2005.

5)   A new imitative we're starting for 2006 is bringing tape recorders & AA speaker tapes into prisons; initial results have been very well received.

Respectfully submitted, 

Paul H - Area 75 Corrections Chairperson





Report of the Public Information Committee Chair

1/22/2006


Good Day, Everyone!


I have the following things to report since we last met:


1. Our webmaster, Al B, has made many improvements to our Area75.org website

a) There is now a link that allows you to bring up a map to the meeting you are interested in

b) There is a link to allow users to download Adobe Acrobat Reader directly from Adobe.com. This is a program needed to view .pdf files

c) You can now view, download or print the following forms:

i) Area Proposal Form

ii) Standing Committee Chairperson Resume

  1. Conference Bid Form

  2. Expense Report Form

  3. Group Information Change Form (from AA.org)

  1. There is now a field for a phone contact for each listed meeting

  1. Plans exit to provide a password-protected version of the Area 75 directory and to create a links page to link to other area, and district websites

  2. Please be aware that there are no guidelines nor should there be that dictate who can or cannot link to our site. That is entirely out of our control and is decided by the owner of the site that wants to create a link. We have no objection to someone linking to our site. It does not imply affiliation.

  3. I have sent several emails to TV6 in Milwaukee thanking them for running our PSA during their morning news. In each case, the station replied to me so I know they got my email.

  4. My plans include getting more active in visiting districts. I know this sounds like a broken record. It is my responsibility to see that it becomes reality.

  5. Thank you for the privilege of serving as Area 75 Public Information Chair. If there is any way I can assist your district, please feel free to contact me.



George P, Area 75 Public Information Chair

Home: 920-694-1322

Cell Phone: 920-265-6244

AIM: geoman7447




Area 75 Archives Chair Report









Terry R, Area 75 Archives Chair


From the morning Archives Committee meeting:


Mission Statement:


The archives of Alcoholics Anonymous, Area 75, is the repository of AA related material. Primarily relating to the origin and development of AA is southern Wisconsin.


Purpose:


The archives of Alcoholics Anonymous, Area 75 will:








Agenda Planning Meeting

January 22, 2006

Archivist Report


Next weekend, January 27 – 29, the Area 75 Archives Display will be at the Heidel House in Green Lake for the WICIPA.

Yesterday, January 21, 2006 the Archives were displayed at Ken Y. 35th sobriety birthday that he dedicated any donations to Hope House.

Sunday, November 13, 2005 was the grand opening of Area 75 Archives Room. At 12:00 the ribbon was cut by our Delegate, Nancy G and myself and the doors were open. Between 12:00 and 3:00 over 100 people passed through the doors. For me, as many of you know, it was a dream come true. The tape, “A House of Miracles,” was being played throughout the afternoon.

As of January 8, 2006 the Archives Room is open every Sunday between 12:00 and 4:00. If necessary, you can make arrangements to research materials at another time by making arrangements with Terry Reno or myself your Area 75 Archives Chairperson. I encourage you to come and see your Archives Room. You can watch a movie, read the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, or research. The Archives Room is located at:

Holy Assumption School 1526 S. 72nd Street West Allis 53214

Enter School Building on Orchard Street / Lower Level

Without the help and donations of committed and giving members of Alcoholics Anonymous our Archives materials would not have a home. I made a plea September 25th of 2005 for Area Rugs, Office supplies, Living room Chairs, Tables ….. The fellowship really pulled through. Three tables have been donated, a couch, and a matching couch love seat and chair, a rug, two TV’s, a VCR, a DVD player, and a computer desk. Although a monitor, scanner, and keyboard were donated we are missing the main piece for an operating computer, the tower. I spoke to a member of Alcoholics Anonymous last night who will be donating the tower. What we still need tape recorders so that people are able to listen to the many speaker tapes and conference tapes that we have. Although I have taped interviews I am not able to have them transcribed without a Dictaphone that has a pedal. If anyone can help please let me know.

Our rent is $100.00 per month and we are paid through April. Fr. Massey has not asked for more money. In fact when I see him he asks if the room is alright. He sent his regrets that he was unable to be at the grand opening due to prior commitment.

The archives donation box collected $39.07 at the fall conference and $31.53 at the Grand Opening. Total $70.60. This money was sent to Area 75 Treasurer.

The Archives has been receiving district meeting minutes from most of the districts now. I want say thank you for sending them and allowing me to keep your district alive. Please continue to do so and other ideas are to send your district meeting lists, district flyers for mini conferences and workshops, newspaper articles, or any other item that your district wants in their binder. When a flyer is sent; please follow up with a program if one was provided at the function. Put the full date on everything. (Day, Month, Year)

When you are doing your spring cleaning in a few months, perhaps you will find an old piece of A.A. paper that really doesn’t seem like anything worth mentioning. Remember that one mans junk is another mans treasure. Perhaps it will be that one piece of paper, directory, book, or map that the archive doesn’t have. Call, write, or e-mail me and I’ll find a way to get it out of your way.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you,

Nancy S

Area 75 Archivist

2650 S. 68 St. Milwaukee, WI 53219

414 321-8059

aanancy@wi.rr.com




CPC Chair’s Report to Area 75 Agenda Planning Meeting


January 22, 2006


Our Area 75 Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC) Committee meets at the two Agenda Planning Meetings and at our two Area 75 Conferences each year. I remain much impressed at the energy and achievements of our district CPC chairs and their committees. Any district CPC chair, DCM, or any interested AA member is welcome to attend and to participate at our meetings, which use a round-the-table discussion format. Our goal is to reach suffering alcoholics through the professionals in their lives.

I have worked at being active on your behalf since my last report to this committee. Earlier in January, Barb F., CPC Chair from District 25, and I worked together to give an AA informational presentation to approximately thirty-five Fond du Lac County Social Services workers. As usual, we did an intro and showed the AAWS videotape titled “Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous”. Barb then explained Alcoholics Anonymous, what it does and what it does not do, and shared some AA history. I followed up with additional information about who makes up AA, and we reviewed some pamphlet literature with the assembled social workers. I was surprised to learn how specialized they are. Some work only with juveniles while some specialize in seniors and so on. This came up during our Q&A session, so we were able to fill specific needs with the more specially focused pamphlets I usually carry with me into these presentations. After it was all done, Barb and I reviewed privately what we had done and did a self-critique of the session. This was an excellent example of how an area CPC Chair can support district CPC chairs in their active, local roles. And, our up to date website with local meeting information has been a huge help here.

Since September, planning has been underway for the establishment of a DWI or similar court in Waukesha County. Tom R., who serves as District 34’s CPC Chair and I were invited by a Dept. of Corrections (Probation and Parole) Field Supervisor to contact the judge who will be in charge of the court. Tom took the lead on this. We promptly brought in the CPC chairs and co-chairs of the other Waukesha County districts. I obtained from the CPC Desk at GSO the names and phone numbers of some other areas’ CPC chairs and others who had knowledge of how AA cooperates with this sort of court in other areas where such courts have been established for a while. Our search for information spread out to include CPC chairs and central/intergroup office directors or managers in areas where I had in 2004 met the legal professionals involved in those courts. That earlier knowledge came from my assisting then Area 75 CPC Chairman Chuck McC. in our AA booth at the Natl. Assn. of Drug Court Professionals national convention. That phase of the project led me to Dick F., Delegate from NC, who chairs the Delegates’ Conference Committee on CPC. Dick has been a huge help in all this. We owe him our gratitude. I next attended meetings of two district committees in Waukesha County and hope to attend the third during the spring. In November, while at the Tri-District Waukesha County AA Workshop, all involved AA committee members who were available got together to lay out goals and expectations and to share what we had learned to date. Many thanks to Dale H., DCM of D32 for arranging a meeting room for our use. That meeting included the aforementioned CPC chairs, all three DCM’s, and our Delegate to the General Service Conference. Because they were participating in workshop panels at that time, I met later with Howard P. and with Alex G., CPC Chairman from D32. The DCM’s expressed their desire for me to remain close to this project because of my past DCM experience and Traditions knowledge. It is critical to our success to remain clear of politics and outside issues, and to remain personally anonymous in our cooperation. Recently the court has invited us to participate in meetings and a health fair to be held at the courthouse in early February. One of my goals in this whole project is to document our work. As this type of court expands into other districts, I will have a packet of transportable knowledge available to support DCM’s and CPC chairs there. What to use or not use from it is a local district’s decision. But it will be available. It is an exciting project. I will have future updates for you.

Planning is underway for our second year of participation in the annual convention of the Wisconsin Assn. on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (WAAODA) in Madison in May. We plan to share the booth fee of $400.00 with District 20. Tom G., D20 CPC Chairman, has again agreed to act as my local co-chair I will travel directly from our Spring Conference to Madison where he and I will set our booth up that night. Literature support will be largely from GSO, with additional needs being shared by D20 and Area 75. I will work our booth with local CPC volunteers Monday and Tuesday. Marian B., Area 75 TF Chair, plans to take my place on Wednesday. Typically, about 500 attend the convention. They are mainly counselors. WAAODA’s Executive Director has promised us a prominent booth location on the exhibit hall floor plan.

The CPC Committee and I thank all of our membership for your continuing support, encouragement and input in these endeavors.

Yours in Recovery and Service,

Stu E, Area 75 CPC Chairman


Area 75 Grapevine Committee Report, January 22, 2006

In November I attend the East Central Forum in Houghton, MI along with 340+ other ECR A.A. members from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and, of course, Wisconsin. I attended the Grapevine/LaVina workshop where the exchange of ideas and experience was energizing.


I listened to a 35 year old disabled man named Carl share in his “best” raspy voice. This three year miracle said he found hope by reading a Grapevine left on a train station bench when he awoke from a deep sleep. Carl’s message was simple and sincere. He would go to any lengths to carry the A.A. Message of hope that gave him a purpose - a reason to live.


Carl gathers whatever donations he can to purchase bulk copies of the Grapevine and LaVina magazines. His goal is to leave these magazines anywhere a still suffering alcoholic might find them. He asks his A.A. friends to give him all their “old” Grapevine magazines, LaVina magazines or any A.A. literature to spread the message. It “works if you work it” and Carl does.


Call for Articles from the Grapevine. Upcoming issues of the Grapevine and LaVina need articles on every aspect of recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous. The Grapevine staff always welcomes articles about the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. We especially need stories for upcoming issues on:

Prison: Share experiences of carrying the message into or stories of finding sobriety “behind the walls”.

The Secrets of Service: Share your experience doing service in your home group, intergroup, or in the general service structure.

Home groups: Where sobriety begins and where AAs take responsibility for carrying the message. What problems or challenges are facing your home group in fulfilling your primary purpose?
Practicing the principles in all our affairs: How have you used the Steps at work or in your relationships with friends, lovers, and family?

Slogans: Have you have found any of the AA slogans useful or is there a slogan unique to your Home Group?

Facing the wreckage of the past: How did the Steps help you face the pain, resolve problems, & help others?

Suggested manuscript length is 2000 to 3000 words on three to six typed or hand written double-spaced pages. Include your full name, address, phone number, and e-mail address in case we need to contact you about your article. Please keep a copy of your work because manuscripts cannot be returned. Anonymity is protected.

Mail to: Editorial department, Grapevine, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115, fax: (212) 870-3301 or by email to gveditor@aagrapevine.org. Keep in mind that they need to receive your article at least three months prior to publication.


An enthusiastic GvR (that’s Grapevine rep for those of you who don’t have one-<smile>) called to share that a home group member had an article printed in that months’ Grapevine. I told him that he could purchase several copies of any one or more months of the Grapevine or LaVina for $1.50 each and he did to share with his home group members.


Grapevine and LaVina Staple Pull coming up in District 13 on March 5, 2006. Gather up all your used Grapevines, LaVinas, Box 459, and any unused A.A. literature. Drop it off by 2:30 p.m. at the Waukesha Goodwill Bldg, 1400 Nike Drive, Waukesha, WI 53186. The staple pull will be after the district meeting. Stop by and enjoy the fun. Newcomers, bored old-timers, men and women would enjoy this event. It is fun

I challenged the District 13 Alternate Delegate/GvR committee chair to form a committee of playful, energetic alcoholics to do a Grapevine play for an upcoming Area 75 conference. He didn’t commit but he said he would “share the thought” with some A.A. friends and district committee members. More will be revealed at the District 13 meeting on March 5th at 2:30. Will you take the dare? Show your friends how creative you are sober.


We have and will continue to accept copies of the Al-Anon Forum and the NA Way for the Staple Pulls. All magazines are distributed to the correctional facilities in our area. We cooperate we do not affiliate.


Your “Count on Us” fund has purchased many back issues of the Grapevine and LaVina magazines, Grapevine and LaVina literature, and 3 Count on Us “fund packages to for all types of facilities in Area 75. We have asked for and received over 500 donated copies of Grapevines and LaVinas to share among the still suffering alcoholics within our boundaries.


Can’t sleep? Go to the aagrapevine.org website and check out the i-say chats.


Thank you for another chance to serve.

Jo Mc, Area 75 Grapevine Chairperson 262-551-7371 © 262-945-7371





Literature Report

1-22-06

My report today deals with the lengthy process of translating A. A. literature. In a recent article, published in the Holiday issue of Box 459, G.S.O. talks about the experiences different countries have encountered in their attempts to translate the Big Book. Since this article was so well written, I did not attempt to rewrite it. Instead I have included a copy of the article with my report. Please feel free to share this information with every one that thinks translating literature is easy.

Respectfully submitted,

Bob S

Alt. Delegate/Literature Chair



Secretary’s Note: The article that Bob submitted for inclusion into the minutes can be found at the end of the minutes (Appendix 1.1 & 1.2). All attempts to paste it into the report here resulted in problems with the article layout.







Fall 2005 Chairperson Report


As chair of the fall conference I would like to report that the conference itself was very good. The committee was great, they worked very well together and had everything arranged with time to spare.

At the time of the conference the hotel staff was very accommodating. We had a good setup for the panels and assembly regarding meeting rooms. The standing committees were taken care of well. At the conference there was a crunch for room space as two area committees had not requested room space in advance. This additional room was an unexpected expense.

The lack of support from the fellowship was disappointing, with regard to hotel rooms and registrations. We had 538 registrations and only 119 total rooms,

We needed to fill 200 rooms we were directed to block according to the guidelines. We would suggest that the room number requirements be lowered. A conference can increase rooms without penalty from the hotel; if we commit to a set number of rooms and don’t fill them we loose money. The conference overall registration was not what we had planned for. The banquet attendance was 248 and breakfast attendance was 107, not what we had been told to plan for so again we lost money (see treasurer’s report). We as a committee followed the guidelines that we had. The fact that there were more current guidelines was not revealed until the actual day of the conference.

The conference lost $710.40 which was due to the lack of hotel rooms booked and lack of attendance at the banquet and breakfast. (see registration report) Note: we have since found out that a room was charged to a speakers credit card for $178.00 this brings the loss to $888.40 plus seed money $500.00

In closing I would like to thank the committee for an outstanding job at arranging the conference with the guidelines we were given. Even though the conference lost money, I feel the conference was a success, the panels were very good, the speakers had great messages, the overall fellowship was great, and the ice cream social and dance were good. The Al-anon’s did a great job with helping with greeting and their panels and speakers did very well. Al-anon attendance was very good probably 200 people.

I would like to thank Rick J, our conference advisor.


Fall Conference 2005 Time Line


We started 3 years prior to conference by gathering all the committee people through a volunteer basis. We did contact the district for volunteers. We also had a Alanon committee person from the beginning. After all the committee people were together I asked if anyone could not commit to a two-year term. Only had 2 people drop out and that was in the beginning.


The committee started to meet once a month to establish budgets and gather information regarding each position. After this was finalized we continued to meet monthly. The first order of business was to secure a hotel. As a committee we would suggest that when talking to the hotel you inform them that we are tax exempt.


Next is to negotiate for the rooms to be blocked and the meeting room costs, make sure that you get the costs

for microphones, extension cords, video equipment, easels and other miscellaneous items and services. We would suggest that you do not give alternate sites for meals and lodging if your hotel has a restaurant. We would suggest that you let the hotel set up the coffee, soda and water and they can sell it, the ice cream social should be handled by the hotel also.

After the hotel is confirmed the committee did a walk through to get familiar with the lay- out. We held our meeting at the hotel that day to go over any concerns or questions. By having the meeting at the hotel the first time we could get any questions answered right away.


At 6 months prior to the conference we met at the hotel 2 to 3 more times.

At 2 months prior to the conference we met twice a week and the month before we met at the hotel the week before the conference.


As a side note we asked the Alanon representative to get some volunteers to help with the greeting. This helped get more people involved.


Respectfully Submitted: Jerry H, 2005 Area 75 Fall Conference Chair




Here are the proposals from the January 22nd Agenda Planning Meeting:


NOTE ON SETTING THE NEW AGENDA: Any member of Alcoholics Anonymous is welcome to participate in the discussion, but only DCM’s and Area 75 Officers have an actual vote in setting the agenda.


January 22, 2006


AREA 75 PROPOSAL FORM

Agenda Proposal Sponsor: Terry Reno

Phone Number: 414 321-7845

Sponsor’s Service Position: Archives Committee Chair


Provide Complete Details of Your Proposal:

Area 75 Host a National Archives Workshop


List the Primary Benefits of your Proposal to the Area:

Members of Alcoholics Anonymous within Area 75 will gain knowledge and understanding of the importance of A.A.’s history while at the same time being involved in service work within the conference.


Cost to Area 75: No Cost to the Area

This item was placed on the agenda by a unanimous vote.



AREA 75 PROPOSAL FORM


Agenda Proposal Sponsor: Nancy Gusner Phone 608-221-2891

Sponsor’s service position: Area 75 Delegate Date: January 22, 2006


Provide complete details of your proposal (attach any supporting documentation):

That Area 75 creates the appointed service position of Registrar.


The purpose of the Registrar position is to maintain an accurate database of the groups and roster of the trusted servants in Area 75, and communicate any changes to the General Service Office. The roster includes all Area officers, DCMs, Area Standing Committee Chairpersons, Conference Chairpersons, Past Delegates, Trustees, Intergroups/Central Offices/answering services, and the current Area 74 Delegate.


The Registrar will be appointed by the Area Chairperson (as are the Standing Committee chairs), and will serve as a member of the Secretary’s Committee.


The duties of the position will include, but not be limited to:

Benefits of the Proposal/Background Information

At some point in 2006, the DELAREA database group information package maintained at the General Service Office will become web-based. This will be a great improvement over the current group update procedure. To properly utilize this new service, it will be necessary to have one person responsible for gathering the information changes and updating the database on-line. This is accomplished with authorization via a password assigned by GSO.


It would be extremely beneficial to have accurate group information available. It is commonly known that by the time the annual group updates are completed, the information is sent to GSO, and the regional directories are published, the information is obsolete. Also, many of the statistics generated by GSO, for financial and other purposes, are calculated based on group information. To have a more accurate, current database would improve GSO’s reporting to the fellowship.


For Area 75 purposes, Area, district and group trusted servants would have one person to contact regarding group information, streamlining the arduous annual update task. It would no longer be an overwhelming chore; revisions could be provided to the Registrar throughout the year.


The Secretary and the Alternate Secretary currently have duties such that another responsibility would be burdensome.

Estimated Funding Required

Initial year start-up costs – expense reimbursement to attend Area meetings to establish procedures and familiarize fellowship with duties = $250 (not to exceed).

Annual Expenses = $100 (not to exceed) to be included as part of Area Secretary’s budget.


This item was placed on the agenda by a vote of 24 to 0.



AREA 75 PROPOSAL FORM


Agenda Proposal Sponsor: Nancy Gusner Phone #608-221-2891

Sponsor’s Service Position: Area 75 Delegate Date: January 22, 2006

____________________________________________________________


Provide complete details of your proposal (attach any supporting documentation):

That Area 75, in cooperation with Area 74, support the continued effort to maintain a joint annual convention, currently known as the Unity Conference, pursuant to the following recommendations:


  1. The name of the Unity Conference will be changed to the “Wisconsin/Upper Peninsula of Michigan State Convention” (WI/UP MI State Convention).

  2. The time of the convention will be changed from the current July dates to coincide with what is now known as the Spring Conference of the hosting Area. The non-hosting Area will not have a Spring Conference.

  3. The location of the convention will alternate between Area 74 and Area 75, with Area 74 hosting during the even numbered years and Area 75 hosting during the odd numbered years.

  4. This rotation will commence in 2007, with Area 75 hosting the State Convention in conjunction with its currently scheduled Spring Conference in Madison on May 18-20, 2007.

    1. This convention will also be host to the East Central Regional Conference, as Area 75 is responsible for hosting that five-state convention in 2007. It is anticipated that future East Central Regional Conferences, hosted by either Area 74 or Area 75, will be held in conjunction with our State Convention.

    2. Area 74 will host its first State Convention in Spring 2008.

  5. The State Convention Committee will be composed of members from the hosting Area, and at least one member from the non-hosting Area. The convention committee will determine the location of the convention, in consultation with the State Convention Policy Committee.

  6. The program for the convention will include, but not be limited to, the Delegate’s Report from each Area, as well as joint Standing Committee meetings, and a joint Area Committee sharing session.

    1. The convention panels will remain focused on recovery, unity and service.

    2. The Delegates’ reports will be held simultaneously, but in separate rooms.

  7. The State Convention Treasury will be maintained separately from the two Area Treasuries, with the initial funds coming from the balance in the Unity Conference Treasury after the 2006 Unity Conference.

    1. All seed money contributed for the original Unity Conference from the two Areas has been repaid.

    2. The 2007 Convention will receive $3,000 in seed money from the East Central Region.

  8. A Policy Committee will be retained for the Convention, with the initial 2007-2008 transition committee to be composed of the current Policy Committee plus two members of the 2007 Convention Committee and two members of the 2008 Convention Committee. The Policy Committee will be responsible for developing the guidelines for the newly formed State Convention by no later than June 1, 2006.


    1. Copies of guidelines for successful State Conventions have been received from other Areas.

    2. The 2007 State Convention will be subject to the East Central Regional Guidelines.

  1. Final implementation of this proposal is contingent upon approval of a corresponding proposal in Area 74.


List the primary benefits of your proposal to the Area.

A State Convention “sets up a useful opportunity to share the A.A. experience in a broader way…The atmosphere alone is worth the trip. Here you’ll find fellowship, laughter, warmth, and understanding.” (Quotes are from ‘A.A. Guidelines – Conferences and Conventions’ – from GSO).

A State Convention offers the opportunity for the members of the two Areas to share experience in effective ways of carrying the A.A. message of recovery.

A State Convention will carry the spirit of the General Service Conference to the districts and groups in Wisconsin and the UP. This is accomplished by fostering cooperation between the Areas, and by highlighting and celebrating the General Service activities of Alcoholics Anonymous in these areas.

A State Convention will support and strengthen the General Service Conference structure in our Areas, helping us to stay sober to help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. 

(NOTE: Some of the above was adapted directly from the State Convention Guidelines of other Areas In our Region, who currently experience very well-attended and successful conventions.)


Estimate any funding required.

None – based on this proposal. If this proposal passes, expense reimbursement of Officers/Standing Committee chairs to attend may be proposed. However, as this convention replaces the currently held Area Spring Conference, no additional funds beyond that current reimbursement schedule will be needed.


Background Information – State Convention Proposal


The Unity Conference was started in 2001, after a long period of research and thorough discussion by and between Areas 74 and 75. That first year was an East Central Regional Conference and it was well attended and well received, as was the second year. Years three and four saw a reduction in attendance and the conference lost money, reducing the Treasury to approximately $1600. There was no Unity Conference in 2005 due to the International in Toronto. There will be a Unity Conference on July 7-9, 2006 in Wisconsin Rapids.


The Policy Committee for the Unity Conference recognizes the need for restructuring. Many A.A. members have expressed that there are too many conferences in both Areas, and all members of the Policy Committee agree. This problem is compounded by the increase in local and District events. Based on declining attendance and revenues, it is clear that the present Unity Conference is not what the Areas will resoundingly support. However, the basic concept of the conference is still sound. This is evidenced by the success of the State Convention concept in other Areas of the East Central Region, as well as other Regions in the U.S. Our hope is to combine the “best” of our Unity Conference with features of other currently successful statewide conventions.


The Policy Committee saw the need to determine how we can better promote unity and provide service opportunities in a State Convention forum. Thus, the points outlined in this proposal were formed.


The Spring 2008 Conference in Area 75 (hosted by District 34) has already been contracted with the Olympia Resort. The District Committee and the Conference advisor have been informed of the content of this proposal and have agreed, if this proposal passes in April, to approach the Olympia with a request to cancel the 2008 contract in exchange for hosting the 2009 State Convention. The current contract does have a cancellation penalty of 15% of gross expected revenue, and if the facility will not agree to a postponement to 2009 without penalty, we will certainly honor that contract. There will simply be an Area 75 Spring Conference in 2008, as well as a State Convention in Area 74.




This item was placed on the agenda by a vote of 21 to 1 with no minority opinion after the question was called.




State Convention Proposal Withdrawal


February 13, 2006


Dear AA Members,


At the Conference of Delegates Past and Present last weekend, it came to our attention that our decision to host the 2007 East Central Regional Conference in Madison was in conflict with events scheduled in several other Areas of the Region.


As the result of that information, a decision was made to host the ECR (East Central Regional) Conference in conjunction with our Area 75 Fall Conference on October 12-14, 2007. Because this change substantially affects the body of the State Convention proposal placed on the agenda for consideration at the Area 75 Pre-Conference Assembly in April, I am withdrawing that proposal from consideration. I am writing at this time so that you remove the item from your home group and district agendas.


This in no way affects the other three proposals that were placed on the April agenda. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me.


In service,


Nancy G - Area 75 Delegate – (608) 221-2891




AREA 75 AGENDA ITEM FORM


Used for documenting proposed agenda items for the Agenda Planning Meetings

Agenda Proposal Sponsor: Monica Mutchler Phone # 262-792-1490

Sponsor's service position: Alternate Chairperson

Votes on this proposal: Yes_____No____Passed?__Defeated?___

Provide complete details of your proposal (attach any supporting documentation)

AREA 75 WITHDRAW ITS SUPPORT FROM THE UNITY CONFERENCE EFFECTIVE AFTER THE 2006 UNITY CONFERENCE.

List the primary benefits of your proposal. Who does it help? How?

1. Area 75

2. NO AREA BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED yet

3. Area 75 pays

1. Area 75 Delegate's Expenses

2. (1 night lodging, registration and mileage) for the area chairperson, secretary, treasurer and the standing chairs with 2 nights lodging for the Archivist.

3. The Alternate Chair, Secretary and Treasurer receive reimbursement for mileage and registration and 1 night lodging if the distance is further than 100 miles.

4. The Unity Conference has lost money the last 2 years.

5. "If the Unity Conference would incur expenses beyond conference funds Area 74/75 cover these costs 50/50

6. Lack of attendance (support) by Area 75 and Area 74 membership.

7. Area 75 is hosting the 5 STATE EAST CENTRAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE in 2007. The conference will be back in our area-AREA 75.


Total cost to Area 75 members? ZERO 0 The Area has the potential of saving $2.000-$3,000 per year.



This item was placed on the agenda by a vote of 20 to 4 with no minority opinion.






Upcoming Area Dates


March 12, 2006: Delegates Workshop - Madison, WI

April 9, 2006: Pre-Conference Assembly - Madison, WI

May 5-7: Area 75 Spring Conference - La Crosse, WI

June 11, 2006: Agenda Planning Meeting - Madison, WI

July 7-9: Unity Conference - Wisconsin Rapids, WI

September 24, 2006: Pre- Conference Assembly - Madison, WI

October 20-22: Area 75 Fall conference - Beloit, WI