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| Alcoholics Anonymous in Southern Wisconsin | ||
Alcoholic’s Anonymous – Area 75
9:00 a.m. Sunday, September 16, 2007
Pre Conference Assembly Meeting
Madison Senior Center
MINUTES
PRECONFERENCE ASSEMBLY MEETING
OFFICERS PRESENT: John B., Area Chairperson; George P., Delegate; Nancy B., Secretary, ; Nancy H., Treasurer; Cynthia H., Alt. Treasurer
STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON PRESENT: Marty S., Corrections Chair; Cheryl M-J., CPC Chair; Nancy G., Grapevine Chair; Matt Z., PI Chair; John W., Special Needs Chair; Chris C., Treatment Chair; George D., Area 75 Registrar; Howard P., Conference Advisory Chair, Robin S., Archives Chair
DCM’S PRESENT; D1-Art B.; D3-Jim K.; D6-Fred; D7-Elizabeth; D8-Darryl S.; D9-April B.; D10-Patrick F.; D11-Dewey C.; D13-Kane B.; D15-Mike B.; D16-Randy R.; D17-Linda N.; D20-Doreen H.; D22-Carl H.; D24-JD O.; D25-Cindy; D28-Ken N.; D29-Gary E.; D30-Joel B.; D31-Benjamin B.; D32-Chris E.; D34-Todd U.; D36-Paul
GSR’S & DISTRICT COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS PRESENT; D-2 Bob T.; D-3 Martha G., Myrna H., Tom R.; D-6 Connie M.; D-8 Edna T.; D-12 Mary R.; D-13 Kevin T., Mark L., Bob M., Rick S., Leslie F., Dolly H.; D-15 Clay K., Daniel S.; D-16 Ken Y., Theresa W., Dave K., Karen H., Deb R.; D-17 Sam M., Dale K., Jim R., Danny S., Darrel S., Becca K., Dick K.; D-20 Dan S.; D-24 Jonathan L.; D-25 Jeff Z., Marian B., George B., D-28 Greg L., Rick H.; D-29 Gary E.; D-31 Charlie E.; D-32 Rick M., Bob G., Kurt B.; D-34 LeeAnn U., Perry C., Connie R., Drew A., Greg G., Naz G.; D-36 Pete W.
OTHERS PRESENT: Past Delegates: Joan J., Nancy G., Jo McL, John B. Bill A.; 2008 Spring Conf – Ruth G., 2008 Fall Conf - Annette D.; 2010 Spring Conference Chair – Bob S.; Others: Terry R., Bobbi W., Crystal C., Toni M. Dennis D., Michael S.
John B., Area Chairperson, opened the meeting with a moment of silence, followed by the serenity prayer.
Chris C, Treatment Chair, read the Twelve Concepts.
Nancy B., Area Secretary, took Roll Call.
Secretaries Report - Nancy B.
Reviewed minutes from Agenda Planning Meeting held Sunday June 24, 2007, which were subsequently approved unanimously.
Registrar Report – George D.
Greetings all, I hope you all had as good a summer as I did, there hasn’t been much activity as far as my position goes, that however will soon change as DCM’s rotate out of their position and new people take over. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you all too please look at the Area 75 Directory and let me know of any changes you might have to it, this is also true all year long the only way I know to make any changes is by input from all of you.
I sent out a revised copy of the directory in late June and except for Tom M.’s resignation I haven’t heard from anyone about any changes.
Respectfully
George D.
Treasurers Report – Nancy H.
A total of 334 Groups, Districts and Individuals have contributed to the area this year thru August 31st. There have been 6 contributors to the Count-On-Us fund and 36 to the Rainbow Fund. Totals are on the financial reports included with the minutes of this meeting. A listing of the contributors with contributions received by month is available for review at all area meetings including this one.
Conference seed money for Fall 2008 has been sent to the conference treasurer. The check for $500 left us with a balance of $63.59 in the cash account. Since the check was written in September it is not reflected on the reports distributed today. We also have contributions that were received this month that will be included in the September month end report that will be available at the Fall Conference.
The Treatment Committee had expenses that were incurred jointly with the Bridging the Gap Committee prior to June 1st when BTG was consolidated into the Treatment Committee. $500.00 was transferred from BTG to the Treatment budget to cover expenses for the joint project.
I have added a listing of Conference Seed Money by Conference to the reports. This list is to help inform the area which conference has what amount in the accounts receivable line of the balance sheet. It is also to help your treasurer keep accurate record of receipts and disbursements. Last year the Fall 2006 conference had $1000 in seed money but I only accounted for $500 as seed money and the rest as income. I have revised the end of year report and have included a copy with these minutes. It did not affect the bottom line but it did decrease the A/R Conference Seed Money and the Conference Proceeds by $500.
Three members of the Finance Committee will be rotating off at the end of this year. Members rotating are John B. Past Delegate, Barb W. Past Area Treasurer and Toni M. Past DCM District 8. Anyone interested in serving on this committee should contact me. The committee has 6 members and 3 rotate off each year.
I want to thank all those who use the contribution form when sending in your contributions. It makes my job much easier. I have found that many groups do not know what their GSO number is or what district they are in. If you look at the listing of contributors I only report the information I was given. If you are aware of any incorrect or missing information on the report please let me know. Contribution forms are sent as part of the acknowledgment for all contributions received. Additional contribution forms are available online at www.area75.org.
Nancy H.
BALANCE SHEET AS OF 8/31/2007
|
ASSETS |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets |
|
|
|
Cash in Checking-M&I |
1,699.97 |
|
|
Prudent Reserve-M&I |
4,000.00 |
|
|
Cash-Count On Us |
556.84 |
|
|
Cash - Rainbow Can |
1,315.03 |
|
|
A/R-Conference Seed Money |
500.00 |
|
|
Equipment |
1,467.37 |
|
|
Equipment Depreciation |
<586.95> |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Current Assets |
|
8,952.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets |
|
8,952.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Current Liabilities |
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities |
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Capital |
|
|
|
Retained Earnings |
8,853.88 |
|
|
Net Income |
98.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Capital |
|
8,952.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities & Capital |
|
8,952.26 |
|
|
|
|
INCOME STATEMENT AS OF 8/31/2007
|
|
Current |
Current |
Year
to Date |
Year
to Date |
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
Group Donations |
1,455.79 |
1,831.50 |
20,177.02 |
18,150.81 |
|
Group Donations - Rainbow |
309.32 |
0.00 |
4,753.62 |
0.00 |
|
Group Donations - Count On Us |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1,626.79 |
0.00 |
|
Conference Proceeds |
<500.00> |
0.00 |
4,871.47 |
2,085.22 |
|
Other Income |
0.00 |
31.53 |
0.00 |
70.60 |
|
Other Income |
0.00 |
0.00 |
41.56 |
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues |
1,265.11 |
1,863.03 |
31,470.46 |
20,306.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
Bank Charges |
<11.50> |
0.00 |
158.50 |
12.50 |
|
Conference Loss |
0.00 |
1,210.40 |
170.74 |
1,210.40 |
|
Conference Booth Fee |
0.00 |
0.00 |
450.00 |
0.00 |
|
Depreciation |
586.95 |
0.00 |
586.95 |
0.00 |
|
GSO Fees |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1,200.00 |
800.00 |
|
Literature |
0.00 |
0.00 |
453.87 |
650.90 |
|
Literature - Rainbow/COU |
149.95 |
0.00 |
4,563.54 |
0.00 |
|
Lodging |
587.22 |
768.62 |
5,014.43 |
2,437.56 |
|
Meals |
83.00 |
108.50 |
1,506.60 |
632.50 |
|
Mileage |
752.71 |
1,593.07 |
7,933.88 |
6,292.23 |
|
Misc/Office Expense |
211.28 |
146.83 |
1,132.42 |
1,816.86 |
|
Postage |
175.62 |
74.23 |
1,206.66 |
1,206.79 |
|
Printing/Copies |
526.61 |
183.12 |
2,017.47 |
1,971.37 |
|
Registration Fees |
48.00 |
57.00 |
662.00 |
420.00 |
|
Rent |
517.50 |
420.00 |
2,077.50 |
1,980.00 |
|
Archives Rent |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1,200.00 |
600.00 |
|
Telephone |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.50 |
|
Web Site |
0.00 |
0.00 |
71.40 |
71.40 |
|
Travel/Airfare |
0.00 |
0.00 |
966.12 |
265.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Expenses |
3,627.34 |
4,561.77 |
31,372.08 |
20,368.76 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income |
<2,362.23> |
<2,698.74> |
98.38 |
<62.13> |
BUDGET VS ACTUAL AS OF 8/31/2007
|
Office/Committee |
2007 Actual YTD |
2007 Total Budget |
2007 Variance YTD |
% |
|
|
Overhead |
$1,935.24 |
$2,968.00 |
1,032.76 |
34.80% |
|
|
Delegate |
$2,154.43 |
$3,884.00 |
1,729.57 |
44.53% |
|
|
Alt. Delegate/Lit. |
$1,084.15 |
$1,752.10 |
667.95 |
38.12% |
|
|
Chair |
$194.70 |
$1,399.00 |
1,204.30 |
86.08% |
|
|
Secretary |
$1,046.88 |
$1,649.00 |
602.12 |
36.51% |
|
|
Treasurer |
$700.13 |
$1,422.00 |
721.87 |
50.76% |
|
|
BTG |
$659.35 |
$2,359.00 |
1,699.65 |
72.05% |
Budget Trans $500 to Treatment |
|
CPC |
$1,044.43 |
$1,794.00 |
749.57 |
41.78% |
|
|
Corrections |
$1,062.84 |
$1,565.00 |
502.16 |
32.09% |
|
|
Grapevine |
$928.42 |
$1,700.00 |
771.58 |
45.39% |
|
|
Public Info. |
$75.00 |
$1,239.00 |
1,164.00 |
93.95% |
|
|
Treatment |
$994.96 |
$1,454.00 |
459.04 |
31.57% |
Budget Trans $500 From BTG |
|
Spcl. Needs |
$460.03 |
$1,222.00 |
761.97 |
62.35% |
|
|
Archivist |
$2,843.93 |
$3,575.00 |
731.07 |
20.45% |
|
|
Alt. Chair |
$73.53 |
$676.50 |
602.97 |
89.13% |
|
|
Alt. Secretary |
$160.99 |
$320.00 |
159.01 |
49.69% |
|
|
Alt. Treasurer |
$0.00 |
$466.00 |
466.00 |
100.00% |
|
|
Archives Chair |
$0.00 |
$698.50 |
698.50 |
100.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
$15,419.01 |
$30,143.10 |
14,724.09 |
48.85% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COU Literature |
$592.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rainbow Literature |
$1,736.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
$17,747.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conference Seed Money |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fall 2007 |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Spring 2008 |
$500.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Fall 2008 |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Spring 2009 |
$1,500.00 |
(Hotel deposit) |
|
|
|
Delegates (Panel 57) Report - George P.
Good
Morning and thank you once again for the privilege of serving as your
Delegate.
Since our Agenda Planning Meeting in late June, I
have been very busy personally but not too involved in visiting
districts. My calendar showed a complete lack of any activity
regarding Area 75 service in July. One ongoing project was my
role in the 2007 Membership survey. In early July, I received
notice from Irene K. at GSO along with a list of the 12 groups in
Area 75 that had been randomly selected to participate in the 2007
Membership survey. I made an attempt to find a phone number for
every person on the list because GSO provided only mailing
addresses. I called every named group contact person that I
could and asked for help from DCM's when I was unable to contact the
person directly. The process dictated that I deliver between
July 10 and July 28 blank copies of the survey to each group contact
person. I sent out 8 sets of surveys as I was unable to contact
the other 4 groups. Group contacts were to conduct the survey
in their group during one regular meeting of the group between August
1 and August 14 and then return the completed surveys to me. I
was to return the completed surveys to GSO no later than September
1. Of the 8 sets of surveys I sent out, I received about 6 sets
back and forwarded them to your General Service Office. This
activity caused me to meet some new friends over the phone and I had
several very warm interactions with fellow recovering alcoholics.
I thank you for opportunity to engage in this rewarding spiritual
experience.
I was invited to give my delegate's report at the
Secretary's meeting at the Milwaukee Central office on August 14.
As usual, I was received warmly by the staff and my 30 minute report,
complete with PowerPoint slides, went well.
Last Tuesday, I
presented a 15 minute delegate's report at the 12&12 Club in
Burlington at the invitation of the DCM from District 36.
Though I was an hour late (it doesn't help to have a PDA if you don't
look at it), the people at the district meeting stuck around and I
was able to give the short version of my report of my experience at
the 57th General Service Conference last April in New York City.
The
following evening, last Wednesday, I attended an organizational
meeting for Milwaukee County Corrections volunteers organized by our
Corrections Chair, Marty S. The meeting was held at a location
near the Pettit Ice Center in Milwaukee and I managed to find it with
no difficulty. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with
AA’s who are active in carrying the message into our
correctional facilities as I do at the Sheboygan County Detention
Center. I distributed some of the Final Reports of the 57th
General Service Conference and am grateful to support corrections in
Milwaukee County. I'm sure Marty will provide more details on
this successful meeting.
Last night, I attended Jamboree 2007
at the Peck Center in the Milwaukee County Zoo organized by the
Milwaukee Central office. I am grateful to the members of AA
for inviting my wife and myself to this celebration of sobriety and
sanity.
I have brought copies of the Final Report of the 57th
General Service Conference. Please take 2 or 3 copies for your
group as that is the number that I requested from GSO. There
are also copies in Spanish and I hope that our District 10 DCM,
Patrick, will take those for distribution in his district.
I
have also brought some flyers for the East Central Regional Forum
which will be held November 9th
– 11th
near Chicago, IL.
Finally, there are plenty of Birthday Plan
envelopes. Please take a supply and remind members of your
groups of the tradition of supporting the General Service Office by
the expression of gratitude on our AA birthday.
I would be
very pleased if any districts would include some time for me to come
and deliver my delegate's report. I want to come and tell you
what I saw, what I heard and how I felt. I would be happy to
deliver the 15 minute, 30 minute, one hour or All-Day version of my
report with or without PowerPoint slides.
Thank you so much
for the privilege of serving the fellowship of AA.
George P.
Chairperson’s report – John B.
Good morning, my name is John B. and I’m an alcoholic and your Area 75 chairperson.
This is a brief synopsis of my activities since we last met in June…
As you may remember at our last meeting that Kathy W resigned her position as Alternate Area Chairperson and you entrusted me with the task of locating a suitable replacement. I have located an individual with a sufficient history of service and the desire to fulfill the commitment. When we reach the new business portion of the agenda today I will ask Ron B. to come to the podium and give you a brief synopsis of his service history and then I will ask you to approve his appointment.
Tom M. resigned from his position as Bridging the Gap Coordinator effective 9/10 due to his recent health issues. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Tom for his efforts and enthusiasm and I’m sure you all join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.
At the Agenda Planning meeting in June, I asked Joan J. to head up an ad hoc committee to review our current conference structure with individual districts within Area 75. I have been receiving progress reports as the committee has visited each district and although the review process has not been completed, the results gathered so far indicate its time for a change. I hope that one or more proposals will be placed before you at the next agenda planning meeting as a result of their efforts.
I am receiving minutes from several districts on a regular basis both by email and snail mail. Be sure to copy the Area 75 standing committee chairs as well as we are all interested in the activities within your district. Be advised that I am available to attend district meetings and events if you would like. I’m here to serve the Area in whatever capacity I’m able for the remainder of my term. All you need do is ask… If you have a question and I don’t know the answer, I will do my best to find out and get back to you in a timely fashion. If you have any suggestions as to how to better run our Area 75 meetings and reach a greater percentage of our fellowship, I’d be interested to hear them. Feel free to contact me in person, by phone (262-538-3829) or by email (jbaddaker@earthlink.net).
In Service, John B. – Area 75 Chairperson 2007-2008
Literature Report – Stu E.
Welcome to all in attendance today. I regret that I cannot be with you in person. I had some surgery nine days ago involving my field of vision. Things got a bit complicated in the post-surgical recovery room and I had to be admitted to the hospital for part of last weekend. At a post-surgical follow-up appointment on September 14th, my surgeons instructed me to continue another week on very light activity and limited travel. Please know that my heart is with you in the spirit of AA service and that I thoroughly look forward to rejoining you at the Fall Conference.
Since my last report, I have attended several district meetings and functions. The district meetings ranged from large and active to smaller and covering the basics. Functions included an excellent workshop hosted by District 37 in late June, where I was privileged to serve as one of the panelists. It was a hugely pleasurable, satisfying experience. I understand that a couple of members came forward afterwards in District 37 to fill open positions as AA’s trusted servants there. To them, welcome to one of the most rewarding aspects of life as a recovering alcoholic and to a new period of personal and spiritual growth.
In AA literature, I am immensely pleased to report that some new things are happening:
1. The pamphlet “Can A.A. Help Me Too? … Black/ African Americans Share Their Stories” has been re-titled to “AA for the Black and African American Alcoholic”. The pamphlet is presently available.
2. Text relevant to financial support by groups of their GSR’s has been added to the pamphlet “The A.A. Group”. Similar wording will be incorporated in the G.S.R. pamphlet at its next scheduled reprint in February 2008.
3. Seventy-one stories were submitted for the revision of the pamphlet “A.A. for the Native North American”, which is just more than double the number submitted before the appeal for more stories made by GSO and carried to AA in all of the U.S. and Canada by Area and District Literature Chairs. It is planned that a final draft will be available for the February meeting of the Trustees’ Literature Committee. This effort alone is a great example of how this service structure of ours ought to work in order to bring the collective experience, strength, and hope of our collective membership to the individual suffering alcoholic.
4. BIG NEWS!!! The Third Edition Spanish language Big Book should be available for purchase in early December! Check with your local central/intergroup offices. Here I would like to extend a thank you to Patrick F. and other members of District 10 for their inputs to me and to the Area 75 Literature Committee. They told us what was important to them in this project. I, in turn, was able to communicate that to you, to our delegate, and to the Literature Coordinator at GSO.
5. The pamphlet “The A.A. Member—Medications and Other Drugs” will be revised and updated. Either a draft version or a progress report will be presented at the 2008 General Service Conference. There might be a call coming in the future for some story submissions here. Stay tuned for now; I will do the same.
I will have literature catalogs to dispense in the Main Assembly Room at our Fall Conference. I miss all of you and look forward to seeing you next month. Meanwhile, thank you all for allowing me to serve you.
Yours in Recovery and Service, Stu E., Area 75 Alt. Delegate & Literature Chair
Grapevine Report – Nancy G.
For the six-month period ended June 30, 2007, the Grapevine Corporation realized a profit of $6537 in comparison to a budgeted loss of $151,338. Total Grapevine income was $103,457 ahead of budget, with expenses $54,418 lower than budget. Circulation averaged 106,272 for the 6-month period. This is 3,272 higher than budget and 2,484 higher than 2006. La Vina income was $50,858, which is over budget by $3,222. Gross profit on the magazine is $17,535. This is $4,907 ahead of budget and $9,748 ahead of the same period in 2006.
aagrapevine.org
The website has an average of 40,642 visitors per month. The e-newsletter, Heard It From the Grapevine, with links to stories in the current issue and the Digital Archive, is now being sent to over 22,000 people. The website is constantly improving. If you have not visited it lately, please do. You will be impressed.
The 2008 Wall Calendar and the Pocket Planner are now available. Please visit the website or your Central Office to check them out. Both have a new look and are tri-lingual. They make great holiday gifts for sponsees and friends.
An anthology of 53 articles from La Vina (Lo mejor de La Vina) has recently been published. The stories chart the evolution of the magazine over its first ten years. It is entirely in Spanish.
The challenge has been well–received. As of the date of this report, we have 29 new Grapevine subscriptions reported, along with one La Vina. We have collected well over 200 back issues for Count On Us. They are being bundled in packs of 20 and are available for any Corrections volunteers who need them. We have collected $192.62 in Count On Us donations, and one new subscription for a Dane County facility has been purchased. PLEASE continue the good work. Your support is greatly appreciated.
The July 28 workshop in New Glarus and the September 8 workshop in Kenosha were well-attended (20 to 30 people each) and garnered great participation. Will K’s article writing tips and the ex-offender panels are always very interesting. The next sharing session will be December 1 in Mauston at Hess Memorial Hospital. Flyers will be available shortly.
If you would like me, with or without the Grapevine display, to visit your District GSR Meeting or other AA function, please let me know. Thank you.
Respectfully submitted, Nancy G. Area 75 Grapevine Chair
608-221-2891
Corrections Report – Marty S.
There are many exciting events happening within our Area 75 corrections committee. A follow-up meeting was held at Racine Correctional Inst., attended by Bill H, Steve J, Darrel S, Mr. Tommie T., Programs Dir., Ms. Michelle F., Social Worker and myself. Past issues were cleared up and a second orientation was scheduled. Dist. 17 and Dist. 36 now have at least 10 new volunteers carrying the AA message to sober inmates at RCI. Ms. F. asked if we could add a night with guest speakers. I am working with Dist. 10, our at large Spanish district, to make them part of this request. All sides are very pleased with what seems to be “our new pair of glasses.”
The Milwaukee County Corrections committee has been formed again and met with all district DCMs, GSRs, corrections chairs, outside sponsors and interested volunteers. It was suggested we have a follow-up meeting on Sept. 12. Anyone interested in carrying the 12th step into a Milwaukee County facility, please call me at 414-975-8903. A suggestion was raised about following a tradition started by Jack N. to have one individual order literature and be the “hub in our correction wheel”.
I received a letter forwarded by our G.S.O. A male inmate, at the Milwaukee Secure Detention Center, asked why there were no AA meetings for inmates. I called the new Chaplain and set up a meeting. He is very open-minded about AA and we decided to start the first women’s AA meeting on Sept. 2. I will be the temporary outside sponsor until I find another woman to step in. I have one other volunteer at this time. We will need about 13 sober men for the 13 pods in this institution. I ask that individuals please consider taking a Sunday night from 6:30-7:30, or that groups adopt a night once a month. We will need a male outside sponsor for this meeting. Chaplain Beyah shared information with me about a Muslim AA group in New Jersey. G.S.O is also very interested in this information and we may be able to use this in our prison systems.
The second Corrections/Grapevine workshop and sharing session was held on July 28 in New Glarus. The third workshop was Sept. 8 at the Kenosha Alano Club. Both workshops were well attended. The next workshop will be Dec. 1 in Mauston.
I met a director from the Wisconsin Dept. of Corrections at our State corrections conference. We have kept in touch and had dinner in Madison. She has been a big help getting me into many institutions. I have names and direct numbers for wardens and chaplains. She is very supportive of AA and asked me to contact Dodge Correctional, where the staff is asking we bring AA back. I also will be contacting Taycheedah to see what AA can do for the women of this institution. At this time they have a meeting every other Tuesday. They have to split their time with NA because they only have two ladies who carry the message. The meeting starts at 5:30 pm and this is something I would like to discuss. I feel if we could start at 7:00 pm, we could get more ladies from surrounding communities to drive to Fond du Lac.
The new CD from GSO on what AA is has been tentatively set for distribution this fall. Many of my contacts with the Wisconsin Dept. of Corrections are eagerly awaiting this film.
I attended the Illinois State conference and was able to make many contacts with people who have volunteered to write inmates coming home to Illinois.
I received 41 requests for “pre-release” letter writers. These inmates were going to E. St. Louis, IL, Las Vegas, NV, 15 to Milwaukee, 12 to Madison, 14 to Area 74, etc. I still need men and women to write to these inmates and take them to their first meeting. One of the Milwaukee writers uses the Area 75 Corrections P.O. Box and I forward his return letters. If you are interested and would like to use this method, please call me.
I feel very blessed I was asked to be your corrections chair and I find this to be a very humbling experience. My Higher Power has truly blessed me and given me the strength to serve you and the incarcerated alcoholics.
Thank you for this experience.
Ms. Marty S. Area 75 Corrections Chairperson
CPC Report – Cheryl M.J.
Requests for District CPC 2007 reports were e-mailed to DCM's early this month. Two districts responded with brief documentation of recent activities. District 16 update was received from Gary B. The West Allis Police Chief was contacted for an appointment. An in person presentation was given to Lt. Navarette, Crime Prevention/Community Relations Officer, who agreed to stock informational literature with contact numbers for use by officers and those they contact that ask for help with alcohol issues. Gary B. also reported that 2nd Century House on 85th and Grant in West Allis requested literature. There are 8 people sharing one 12 & 12, and five people needing Big Books. The Director of 2nd Century thinks it would be a good idea for contacts after residents leave the house. Central Office still offers BTG contact sheets. Two anonymous donors gave $100.00 for eight 12 & 12's and five Big Books. Thank you to Gary and the anonymous donors.
Gary B. also, reports that Milwaukee Police Department District Commanders in District 16 are advised of our availability and literature. The predominant health care organization in District 16 supplied Physicians by zip codes for us. An advisory letter and brochure was mailed to each. Both of these activities could be repeated by District 16 and recreated in other neighboring districts.
The largest treatment facility Rogers Hospital will be contacted to repeat a presentation to department heads through a corporate level point of contact. An "About AA" presentation will be scheduled for December of 2007. Froetdhert Hospital will be contacted to join their monthly health fair exhibits for staff. An exhibit will be provided to inform the staff of our availability.
Madison District 20 CPC Chair Dave L prepared an instructional statement: "Help the Professional Help Others." This clear and concise explanation directed to members in District 20 offers an invitation to assist the CPC committee. The goal of the project is to subscribe more professionals to "About AA" a quarterly newsletter aimed at professionals that come into contact with individuals that have alcohol related problems.
This is how it works. AA members with at least a year of sobriety would speak to a professional that they know about recovery in AA. The AA member would carry with them a sample newsletter and a subscription card. They would ask the professional to subscribe, fill out the subscription form for them. And leave the sample newsletter with the professional. The instructional document would be printed and given to GSR's along with subscription cards and sample newsletters. Everyone knows professionals personally and face to face is the best way to carry the message "About AA." "Thank you David L. and your committee."
Concordia College, Mequon, Mount Mary College, Wauwatosa and Viterbo, LaCrosse, have all requested presentations for students in their psychology 'and human service majors. Future dates will be announced as final details are arranged.
Submitted in service to recovery: Cheryl R. M. CPC Chair, Area 75
PI Report – Matt Z.
My name is Matt Z. - I am a Alcoholic.
It is a great Honor to be of service as the PI Chair for the area 75.
News to report:
I had been invited to speak at Central Office on what PI is and how we can spread the word to the still suffering Alcoholic. I focused my lead a bit on history of PI but mostly what the can be done at the group level. I also put great emphasis on the use and importance of the website for Area 75 and GSO.
The project’s in progress:
I’m working on putting together a list of contacts to our local TV and Radio stations so I can follow up with them if they have all the PSA’s. And also to let them know that we are here to be of service if so needed.
I have been at couple of district meetings in the last couple of month’s to spread the message on PI work, and look forward to going to more.
Thank you. Matt Z
Treatment Report – Chris C.
To begin, I am sad to share with all of you that Tom M. has stepped down from his position as the Treatment Co-chair. Tom has done a tremendous amount of work with the BTG functions and I wanted to publicly thank him for all of his hard work. Nothing will change in regard to BTG related activities, except for the fact that - as the Treatment Chair - I will be assuming the responsibilities rather than Tom. The BTG e-mail (bridgingthegap@area75.org), will still remain, as will the Treatment e-mail (treatment@area75.org). I will continue to monitor the BTG requests and report that information to all of you. The full Second Quarter BTG report was printed in the minutes from the Agenda Planning meeting. I also have an update from July and August to share with you (see report below).
Although I could not attend the District 27 workshop on September 8, Tom was able to take part in it and stated that it was a success and that he was glad that he was able to take part in that workshop.
I have been invited to participate on a panel at the District 16 workshop on September 30 and look forward to attending that workshop. I’m sure that we will hear more about that workshop from the DCM.
At the upcoming Fall Conference, we will be having a Treatment Committee table and display set up that I have been working on. I am hoping that this will attract and generate some interest in the Treatment Facilities committee.
Additionally, when the Treatment Committee met in June, we had a discussion of how we can get more people involved in our meetings. One of the suggestions was to design a flyer to be distributed a month or so before we meet to be passed out to DCM’s, treatment chairs, and meeting secretaries announcing when we will be meeting and inviting anyone involved with treatment facilities, or those interested in working with treatment facilities to attend.
I have been working on developing some Power Point presentations for our Area that could be used at workshops, GSR meetings, and for volunteers that explain what the Treatment Facility Committee is, Suggested Activities for Committees, Do’s and Don’ts for volunteers, how to establish relationships with facilities, etc. Most of these ideas for the presentations come from other Areas…I am just hoping to build on them and tailor them to fit our needs. I am planning to have them completed for the next Treatment Committee meeting so that we can review them as a committee to see what we want to change, what we want to keep and for other general feedback. I will then make those changes and distribute these Power Points to the Districts Chairs.
Lastly, I would just like to remind the DCM’s that I am always willing to come to your District meetings and share more about the Treatment Committee and what is happening in our Area.
Special Needs Report – John W.
I am John W. and I am an alcoholic and the Area 75 Special Needs Chair.
Not much to report since our last assembly.
I had a request from District 10 DCM Patrick F. for a translator for today. I hired one and he had to cancel out last Thursday night, because of a family emergency. Panic time. I was able to retain the services of Maria De A. with only 2 days notice and to work on a Sunday!!! Thank You Maria.
Last time we decided to find a way to contact physical & occupational therapist. We tried state listing for the professional services and certification list via the web, but were unsuccessful. So each District or the meeting in that area will have to visit each assisted living facility for the elderly in their immediate area and try to get meeting list and volunteer drivers.
Howard P. contacted me about giving my information to each conference committee for retaining translators etc. I said sure no problem. In our discussion I told him that the expense for interpreters came out of my budget. Bob S. came to me with the assembly actions and pointed out that it was an Area expense because I would have no way knowing the cost per year.
Other than that I have been able to golf every day since we last met, except during the monsoons.
It was brought to my attention that I don't have my phone numbers in the Area Directory, my home phone number is (262) 593-2683 and my cell phone number is (262) 370-8353.
Our Area Registrar George D. has been informed and will change the Area Directory.
Thank You for the chance to serve you.
Archive Report – Robin S.
Archivist Report – Nancy S.
The Archives room is continuing its hours from noon until 4:00 the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. We will be closed the month of December. Documents, tapes, books, and other miscellaneous items continue to be donated to our Archives. It’s amazing what people have found buried deep in their storage space. Please keep looking, you might have that one piece of the puzzle that is missing in a stack of papers you want to throw away. Don’t worry; we’ll look through the stack for you.
Area 75 Archives 2nd Annual Movie Day will be Sunday, November 4, 2007 Noon - 4:30. It will held at the Same Location as the Archives Room: Holy Assumption School Between 71st & 72nd Orchard St. West Allis School Building // Movie Schedule: 12:30 House Full of Miracles / 1:30 Days of Wine and Roses - 1962 Starring: Jack Lemmon & Lee Remick / 3:45 GSO’s Markings on the Journey / 4:30 Raffle
To Uphold AA Traditions: Only AA Members May Purchase Raffle Tickets. You do not have to be present to win. There are flyers on the back table. We hope to see you there.
GSO Archives has revised the Archives Workbook. The history of Area 75’s Archives is in it!! There are a few copies on the back table for you to read. Your District Archives Chairperson will be registered with GSO in a few weeks and will receive the workbook. Please have your District Archives Chairperson
get in touch with Nancy to verify their contact information.
Please keep sending those District meeting minutes, District meeting lists, District flyers for District conferences, District workshops, Newspaper articles, District letters to professionals, and other items for your District. Remember to include the year on all materials.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you, Nancy S. Area 75 Archivist
DISTRICT – 1
Meets on odd number Month in Sparta WI at 603 at 603 N. Court Street Masonic Lodge. Use the side entrance. Even number month to be determined at the end of odd numbered meeting. Sept Dist meeting was quiet small hopefully this won’t continue. There are 3 new groups in Dist 1. 1 at the VA in Tomah, is now registered. 2 a group in West Salem while I gave paper work to get registered. And the Easter Sky group in Black river falls and they are registered.
Yours Truly in Service
Art B.
DISTRICT – 2
Since our last report District 2 has continued to have great attendance at our District meetings. We have filled most of our committee chairs but are still needing grapevine and special needs chairs. Corrections Chair Dave H has covered a lot of ground to get some meeting interest within the prisons and jails. He and others on the committee attended the workshop at the Gratitude Club in Fond du Lac and felt they had gained a lot. I’d like to thank Marty and Nancy for all of their efforts with these Correction/Grapevine workshops they’ve offered in centrally located zones.
Three new GSR’s have been added for groups that previously didn’t have a representative and new groups have been established and successful in our district. There is a new group Big Book Study on Sundays at 2pm in Wautoma at the New Life counseling center. A lot of positive feedback has come back for this meeting as they are trying a new style in their meeting. As the big book is read, attendants are welcome to wrap on the table at anytime they wish to speak. Many are liking this format rather than reading a section of the book in it’s entirety before opening the table for discussion.
At our district meetings we have tried to have different themes which seems to promote attendance. The basic theme is Food! We have had dessert meetings, hors’dourves, potlucks, movie popcorn party meetings, a turkey roast hosted by 2 of our members at their home and the end of the summer picnic meeting. We have tried to invite representatives to our meetings to help continue to educate our group about how to better serve the fellowship. Tom Mitchell Area BTG chair, George P. Area delegate, Jo Mc ad hoc committee and Pat J from Maico all attended and gave great reports and info that was helpful to our groups. I’d like to a say a special Thank you to them for coming to our meetings and sharing their time and knowledge with us. We also purchased the Video Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous and made one meeting into a movie /popcorn party.
Upcoming we have scheduled an open meeting Halloween Party for October 27 at St. John’s Catholic Church. There will be a speaker, food of course, and door prizes. Food will be served at 6 pm with the speaker/s to follow at 7. Come in costume or not, all are welcome. Our District meeting will be held at 4:30 in the afternoon that same day instead of Sunday Oct. 28.
The November/December meetings will be combined and meet on Dec. 9 instead of the 4th Sunday of each of those months. Starting in January 2008, the group has decided to move the meetings to the 2nd Sunday of the month instead of the 4th Sunday of the month. Out of 11 scheduled meetings this year there were 5 or 6 which conflicted with either these Area meetings or a holiday weekend. I will be making that change on the internet.
DISTRICT – 3
Four groups have outreach programs:
Mishicot NSS Group, started in late 2005, held a Road Rally,Scavenger Hunt on August 18th ,followed by a speaker and a live band.
The Fourth Edition Big Book Study Group will be holding it's 5th annual weekend recovery seminar. "Precisely How We
“Have Recovered" November 9,10, &11, 2007. (Fliers are on the table in the back of the room.)