Area 75
	Alcoholics Anonymous in Southern Wisconsin

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Alcoholic’s Anonymous – Area 75

9:00 a.m. Saturday, October 4,2008

Fall Conference

Holiday Inn, Fond Du Lac, WI

MINUTES

FALL CONFERENCE - 2008

OFFICERS PRESENT: John B., Area Chairperson; George P., Delegate; Stu E., Alt Delegate/Literature; Nancy B., Secretary ; Mark C., Alt Secretary; Nancy H., Treasurer; Cynthia H., Alt. Treasurer

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON PRESENT: Nancy G., Grapevine Chair; Howard P., Conf. Adv. Com. Chair; John W., Special Needs Chair; George D., Registrar; Marty S. Corrections Chair; Randy R., CPC Chair; Matt Z., PI Chair, Nancy S., Archivist

DCM’S PRESENT; D1-Art B.; D2- Denise E.; D8- Bridgett A., D11-Dewey K.; D12- Terry H.; D13- Kane Behling; D14- Frank S. Alt.; D15- Mike B.; D16-Theresa W.; D17-Linda N.; D20- Doreen H.; D24- J.D. O.; D27- Lisa W.; D28- Dave F.; D29- Dennis D.; D34- Drew A.; D36- Barb W., D37 Jeanne P.

GSR’S & DISTRICT COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS PRESENT;

D1-Brad B., Jeanette S., Joel J., Adam S., Kim J.; D2-Bob T.; D3-Damingo Y., Michael S.; D7-Cheryl P.; D8-Toni M.; D11-Ric C.; D12-Betty W., Bill R., Mary R., Cathi W., Molly K.. Ron N.; D13-Ken Y., Phyllis L., Mark G., Leslie F., Diane P.; D14-Frank S.; D15-Clay K.; D16-Patty L., Mark V., Dave K.; D17-Darrel S., Mark S., Kay T., Benjamin H.; D20-Kathy W., Brent B., Ken G., Jasmine S.; Jonathan L., Jared R., Matt U.: D25-Marian B., George B., Barb S., Carrie T., Marty P., Jeff Z., Les M.; D28-Ken N., Terry R.; D29-Lynn G., Dennis D.; D31- Tom G., Larry M., Alice G., Charlie E.; D32-Carl H., Kurt F., Chris L., Rich V., Rich M., RJ E., Chris E., Bob M., Nealy R., Don D.; D34-Jess G., Edween R., Lee Ann U.; D36-Pete W.,

OTHERS PRESENT: Past Delegates: John B., Bob B., Karen K., Bill H., Joan J., Bill A., Ken G., Leo M., Jo McL., Nancy G. Trustee at Large U.S.: Dorothy W.; Past delegate Panel 44: Jim W.; 2008 Fall Conf. Annette D.; 2009 Fall Conf. Jeff Z. Visitor: John A.

• John B., Area Chairperson, opened the meeting with a moment of silence, followed by the serenity prayer.

• Stu E., Alternate Delegate & Literature Chair, read the Twelve Concepts.

• Nancy B., Area Secretary, took Roll Call.

SECRETARIES REPORT - Nancy B.

Review of minutes from Pre-Conference Assembly at the Madison Senior Center held in Madison, WI. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, which contained Financial Reports, Delegate’s, Standing Committee, DCM, and Conference reports, and also a WICYPAA report. Also listed are the suggestions from the assembly for possible formats to fill the block of time previously devoted to planning the agenda for consideration by the next Area Chair.

A reminder to please notify George D., our current Registrar via e-mail (if possible) of any information changes regarding groups, DCM addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. Thank you.

I’d like to thank everyone for the opportunity to serve these past two years as the Area Secretary. It is an honor and privilege.

TREASURERS REPORT – Nancy H.

Approximately one third of the numbers of groups, registered with GSO, have contributed to the area. A report listing these contributions is available for your review. The end of year report will be available at the January service meeting and a copy will be available in the archives and at next year’s meetings.

Contributions to the area are about $2000 behind last year at this point.

The finance committee met during the afternoon of October 4^th. The committee reviewed checks written during August and September. After much discussion and review of other areas handling of conference funds the committee decided that no action is needed and procedures should remain as they currently are. The committee also decided to suggest to the Conference Advisory Committee to submit a proposal to increase conference seed funds from $500 to $1000. The newly elected Treasurer will be selecting two new members for the committee. The committee is comprised of the Treasurer, Alt. Treasurer, a Past delegate, a Past treasurer, and two DCM’s or former area service committee members. Committee members serve for a two-year term with 3 members rotating off each year.

Again I want to thank all groups who have used the contribution form. Use of the form makes the treasurer’s job easier. A blank form is sent to groups along with a receipt for contributions made unless the group requests that no acknowledgement be sent. The form can be downloaded from the area web site www.area75.org.

This will be my last report as your treasurer. It has been a learning and growing experience for me. Todd, our newly elected treasurer, and I will be meeting to transfer the work of this office prior to the Winter Service Meeting.

I want to thank the current and former members of the finance committee for all of their help during my term as treasurer.

Nancy H., Area 75 Treasurer

BALANCE SHEET 9/30/2008

ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash in Checking-M&I	8,479.52
Prudent Reserve-M&I	4,000.00
Cash-Count On Us	569.56
Cash - Rainbow Can	1,063.57
A/R-Conference Seed Money	3,000.00
Equipment	1,467.37
Equipment Depreciation	<1,467.37>
Total Current Assets		17,112.65
Total Assets		17,112.65
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
Current Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities		0.00
Total Liabilities		0.00
Capital
Retained Earnings	8,629.07
Net Income	8,483.58
Total Capital		17,112.65
Total Liabilities & Capital		17,112.65

BUDGET VS. ACTUAL 9/30/2008

Office/Committee	2008 Actual YTD	2008 Total Budget	2008 Variance YTD	%
Overhead	$1,486.52	$3,180.00	1,693.48	53.25%
Delegate	$2,649.82	$3,345.00	695.18	20.78%
Alt. Delegate/Lit.	$1,821.42	$1,996.67	175.25	8.78%
Chair	$173.49	$1,399.00	1,225.51	87.60%
Secretary	$1,207.53	$1,532.00	324.47	21.18%
Treasurer	$665.48	$1,316.00	650.52	49.43%
CPC	$541.00	$1,550.00	1,009.00	65.10%
Corrections	$986.45	$2,065.00	1,078.55	52.23%
Grapevine	$306.24	$1,467.00	1,160.76	79.12%
Public Info.	$364.99	$1,157.00	792.01	68.45%
Treatment	$238.19	$1,039.00	800.81	77.08%
Spcl. Needs	$343.38	$892.00	548.62	61.50%
Archivist	$2,596.54	$2,925.00	328.46	11.23%
Alt. Chair	$101.22	$390.00	288.78	74.05%
Alt. Secretary	$0.00	$321.00	321.00	100.00%
Alt. Treasurer	$0.00	$210.00	210.00	100.00%
Archives Chair	$0.00	$578.40	578.40	100.00%
TOTAL	$13,482.27	$25,363.07	11,880.80	46.84%
COU Literature	$0.00
Rainbow Literature	$3,557.84
TOTAL	$17,040.11

INCOME STATEMENT AS OF 9/30/2008

	Current This Year	Current Last Year	Year to Date This Year	Year to Date Last Year
Revenues
Group Contributions	1,668.04	1,382.44	14,747.68	16,163.68
Conference Proceeds	0.00	0.00	7,984.55	845.65
Other Income	0.00	0.00	0.00	9.00
Total Revenues	1,668.04	1,382.44	22,732.23	17,018.33
Expenses
Conference Booth Fee	0.00	0.00	450.00	450.00
GSO Fees	0.00	0.00	1,200.00	1,200.00
Interpreters/Equipment	0.00	75.00	0.00	147.99
Literature	31.60	0.00	258.60	199.77
Lodging	182.10	0.00	2,077.17	2,250.41
Meals	116.00	23.00	676.25	637.84
Mileage	331.80	83.94	3,427.94	3,383.89
Misc/Office Expense	26.80	0.00	774.89	1,138.56
Postage	38.50	0.00	862.94	859.41
Printing/Copies	113.19	0.00	914.48	1,538.66
Registration Fees	34.00	15.00	262.00	226.00
Rent	0.00	0.00	1,147.50	1,563.50
Archives Rent	0.00	0.00	1,200.00	1,200.00
Telephone	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.88
Web Site	0.00	0.00	0.00	75.00
Travel/Airfare	230.50	0.00	230.50	597.30
Total Expenses	1,104.49	196.94	13,482.27	15,469.21
Net Income	563.55	1,185.50	9,249.96	1,549.12
REVENUE - Rainbow & COU
Group Contributions - Rainbow	228.51	56.04	3,017.14	2,233.57
Grp Contribution - Count On Us	195.00	25.00	508.00	125.60
EXPENSES - Rainbow & COU
Literature - Rainbow/COU	918.97	0.00	3,557.84	2,328.97

ALTERNATE DELEGATE/LITERATURE CHAIR – Stu E.

Greetings all.

At the most recent meeting of the Area 75 Literature Committee, I recapped the list of new offerings of General Service Conference Approved literature, especially those items being offered in formats other than print. Many are listed on pages 11-13 of the most recent Literature Catalog. They have also been noted in recent issues of “Box 4-5-9”. Many new video DVD’s and audio CD’s are available, often offered at substantially lower prices than were their tape predecessors. These items are especially useful in presentations to groups of all sorts and in carrying our message to members with disabilities and with special needs.

Also noted were recent additions to the collection of A.A. Guidelines now appearing on the GSO website, www.aa.org . More have been added this year and are well worth the time it takes to view them. Especially noteworthy are the revised Guidelines on Anonymity, which now include anonymity on the internet. I noted that this aspect of anonymity is continually evolving in response to new technologies and as we learn more as a fellowship. We should be thoughtful, open minded in a commonsense sort of way, rather than fearful of new technologies. An interesting set of four articles on the subject appears in the June 2008 issue of the A.A. Grapevine. By our Service Manual, anonymity is always a topic of special concern to both the Delegate and to the Alternate Delegate.

And I reported that the proposal which came out of the Spring Conference meeting of the Literature Committee, that being the addition of certain wording to the G.S.C.-approved pamphlet, A Newcomer Asks, has proceeded forward. Our Area 75 Delegate wrote a letter forwarding this proposed change to the Literature Coordinator at the General Service Office. Our request for that change of wording, as expressed in our Delegate’s letter, will be on the agenda of the Trustees’ Literature Committee to be taken up at its meeting on or about November 1st. After we learn that has occurred as scheduled, it is my intent to withdraw the Area 75 Proposal, since it then becomes redundant. There were no objections to that course of action.

During the remainder of this term, I will be attending several events and district meetings. At this point in time, those are planned to include the A.A. at the V.A. Mini-Conference (where I will be a panelist), a visit to District 24, a visit to District 8, the planned Corrections/Grapevine workshop in District 12 on Nov. 1st, and the District 25 Intergroup later the same day. There might be another one or two added later.

Finally, it has been my pleasure and my privilege to have served you all as your Panel 57 Alternate Delegate and Literature Chair. Every one of these terms has been a challenge to new growth for me and a humble opportunity to sit down with so many of you to learn from you and to discuss how and why we carry A.A. message one more day at a time together. Thank you.

Yours in Recovery and Service,

Stu E.

Area 75 P57 Alt. Delegate & Literature Chair

SPECIAL NEEDS – John W.

 

Opened the meeting with the Serenity Prayer.

 

There were nine people in attendance, half of which were there for the treatment half of the meeting.

 

We discussed various ways we have tried to carry the message to people with Special needs.  Such as the elderly in assisted living facilities, people that request home meetings, request hospital meetings, providing rides to those that can not drive, providing interrupters for the deaf and foreign speaking community.

 

Michael P. my predecessor suggested that when new meetings start that every attempt be made to make them truly handicapped accessible.  That means not only are the doors wide enough for wheel chairs, but are restrooms, do elevators have buttons in Braille.  He also suggested that meetings that are listed in schedules as handicap accessible really are according to our accessibility guidelines.  Correct those that are wrong and add those that are, but not already listed as accessible.

 

We then tried answering questions for those from treatment.

 

Ken Y. asked how bridging the gap in detox facilities that have a three day turn around.  Not being sure how it was being handled by Chris C. we referred him to her.

 

New to treatment service work Jim B. asked just what was involved.  Past Delegate Bill A., Ken Y., Pat R., and I explained some of the duties. Contacting treatment facilities in your district and making sure they have meeting list.  Having a current list of volunteers from the closest meetings to drive patients to meetings.  Provide speakers at the facility when asked for.  To provide bridging the gap forms, so patients have an outside contact when released.  Most important to contact GSO and register as a district treatment chair.  Contact Chris C. by email or phone and ask her what she has going.

 

The meeting was ended with the Lord's Prayer.

 

At this time I would like to thank John B. for selecting me to chair the special needs committee.  I also must thank Nancy B. for her patience in waiting for me to submit a written report. All the past delegates for their support and encouragement.  Our present Delegate George P. for his help.

 

Most importantly The District Special Needs Chairs for diving in and accomplishing all the projects we had going this last term.

 

Please give Lee Ann U. your utmost support as she succeeds me as your Area 75 Special Needs Chair.  I have absolutely no doubt of her ability to do a super job.

 

Yours in service and recovery,

John S. W. - Area 75 Special Needs Chair

 

AREA ELECTIONS: (THIRD LEGACY)

Delegate: Nominees: Stu E., John B., Nancy H.

1^st ballot: Stu E. 56; John B. 20; Nancy H. 16

2^nd ballot: Stu E. 64; John B. 17; Nancy H. 11

Alternate Delegate: Nominee: John B. (unopposed)

Area Chair: Nominees: Nancy H., Linda N.

1^st ballot: Nancy H. 61; Linda N. 32

2^nd ballot: Nancy H. 64; Linda N. 29

Alternate Area Chair: Nominees; Nancy B., Linda N.

1^st ballot: Nancy B. 43; Linda N. 48

2^nd ballot: Nancy B. 37; Linda N. 47

3^rd ballot: Nancy B. 34; Linda N. 55

4^th ballot: Nancy B. 32; Linda N. 57

Motion to the Hat

From the hat: Nancy B.

Secretary: Nominee: J.D. O. (unopposed)

Alternate Secretary Nominee: Cindy H. (unopposed)

Treasurer Nominee: Todd U. (unopposed)

Alternate Treasurer Nominee: Doreen H. (unopposed)

The meeting closed with the Responsibility Declaration:

“When anyone, anywhere reaches out, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there, and for that; I am responsible!”

COFFEE VOLUNTEER: for the Winter Service Meeting to be held on January 18^th, 2009 at the Madison Senior Center will be District #16.

Upcoming events:

01/18/09 - Winter Service Meeting at the Madison Senior Center

02/13/09- 02/15/09 - ECR Conference of Delegates Past and Present in Springfield, IL

03/29/09 - Delegate's Workshop at the Madison Senior Center

04/19/09 - Pre-Conference Assembly at the Madison Senior Center

04/26/09 thru 05/02/09 - General Service Conference in New York

05/15/09 thru 05/17/09 - Spring Conference in Racine (Delegate's Report)

06/28/09 - Summer Service Meeting at the Madison Senior Center

08/07/09 thru 08/09/09 - ECR Conference in Peoria, IL

09/27/09 - Pre-Conference Assembly at the Madison Senior Center

11/06/09 thru 11/08/09 - Fall Conference in Green Lake (Area Inventory)

11/13/09 thru 11/15/09 - ECR Forum in Kalamazoo, MI

Note: The dates for the use of the Madison Senior Center have been approved and posted on the Area 75 website. July 19^th has been chosen as the back-up date for the Summer Service Meeting should there be a conflict with the renovations at the Madison Senior Center.

Note: Attached is a flowchart for Area 75 Proposal Process per recent proposal accepted by assembly.

Note: Turn over meeting for Old and New Area Officers and Standing Committee Chairs - Sunday, December 7th at 1:00 p.m. Location to be determined.