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| Alcoholics Anonymous in Southern Wisconsin | ||
Alcoholic’s Anonymous – Area 75
9:00 a.m. Sunday, January 20, 2008
Agenda Planning Meeting
Madison Senior Center, Madison
MINUTES
AGENDA PLANNING MEETING
OFFICERS PRESENT: John B., Area Chairperson; Ron B. Alt. Chair; George P., Delegate; Stu E., Alt Delegate/Literature; Nancy B., Secretary, ; Mark C., Alt Secretary; Nancy H., Treasurer; Cynthia H., Alt. Treasurer; Nancy S., Archivist
STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON PRESENT: 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,
DCM’S PRESENT; D1- Art B.; D2- Denise E.; D3- Jim K.; D7- Elizabeth K.; D8-Bridgett A., D11- Dewey C., D13- Kane B.; D15- Mike B.; D16-Theresa W.; D17-Linda N.; D19- John S.; D20-Doreen H.; D22- Carl H.; D24- JD O.; D25- Cindy B.; D29- Gary E.; D32- Katherine G.; D34- Drew A.; D36- Paul H.
GSR’S & DISTRICT COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS PRESENT; D2- Susan J., Rose K., Sara J., Karen D., Tom F., Terry R., Helen R.; D3- Lori S., Marv S., Bob T., Gary F.; D6- Connie M.; D8- Toni M.; D11- Bob P.; D12- Mary D., Terry H., Cathi W.; D13- Mark G., Kim K., Rick S. Dolly H., Diane P., Sandy S., Wendy B., Marc S., Mark G.; D14- Mitch A.; D15- Clay K.; D16- Deb R.; D17- Sam M., Darrel S., Rob H., Dan S., Jim R., Becca K., Christy J.; D20- Felesha R., Jerry G.(Sorry can’t read the writing on this name) Lila W.; D22- Scot H.; D24- Matt K.; D25- Jeff Z., George B.; D28- Gregory L.; D29- Lynn G., Dennis D.; D30- Joel B., Joe H. ; D32- Tom W., Carl H., Kari E., Kurt F., Bobbi W., Rick M., Ken Y., Bob G.; D34- Jess G., Linda Y., Erin J., Crystal C.; Lee Ann U., Russ M.
OTHERS PRESENT: Past Delegates: John B., Bill A., Joan J., Ken G., Nancy G.; 2007 Michael S.; 2008 Fall Conf - Annette D.; 2009 Spring Conf – Dennis L. 2010 Spring Conference Chair – Bob S.; Others: Randy R., Terry R., Terry H., Todd U., Brenda A., Kevin T., James DeB.
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.
Reviewed minutes from Pre Conference Assembly Meeting held Saturday October 13, 2007, noting an error which read that Stu E. Treatment chair read the 12 Concepts, this should have read Chris C. Treatment chair. The minutes were subsequently approved unanimously.
Reminder to all committee members to e-mail Nancy B. their reports; however there is a new e-mail address: nbaddaker@wi.rr.com.
Reminder for everyone to deposit name tags at table by door before leaving.
Lastly, please notify George D., our Registrar via e-mail (if possible) of any information changes regarding groups, DCM, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses etc. Thank you.
TREASURERS REPORT – Nancy H.
A report of contributions by group for 2007 is available for review at a table in the back of the room. It will be available at future assemblies and a copy has been given to archives.
As you can see on the balance sheet for the period ending 12/31/2007 we had to go into the prudent reserve by $300 in order to pay our bills. Thankfully we have received contributions in 2008 that have replenished the reserve to the amount established by prior assembly action.
The finance committee met to review the proposed budgets submitted and most committees managed to lower their budget from last years amount. We do have a concern, as the budget total is greater than the amount of income we received last year. We also have concerns about the economy. Decreased contributions or a major loss at a conference could wipe out our reserve.
The members of the finance committee for 2008 are:
Treasurer – Nancy H.
Alt. Treasurer – Cindi H.
Past Treasurer – Leo M.
Past Delegate – Joan J.
Past DCM Dist 34 – Todd U.
DCM Dist 24 – J.D. O.
The finance committee is working at putting together a workshop for group or district treasurers. We hope to have this ready to present at area or district meetings by mid-year.
Mileage reimbursement rate for 2008 will remain at 36.5 cents per mile.
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 can only report the information I was given. If you are aware of any incorrect or missing information on the contribution 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., Area 75 Treasurer
Balance Sheet – 12/31/07
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets |
|
|
|
Cash in Checking-M&I |
29.56 |
|
|
Prudent Reserve-M&I |
3,700.00 |
|
|
Cash-Count On Us |
61.56 |
|
|
Cash - Rainbow Can |
1,604.27 |
|
|
A/R-Conference Seed Money |
2,500.00 |
|
|
Equipment |
1,467.37 |
|
|
Equipment Depreciation |
<733.69> |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Current Assets |
|
8,629.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total Assets |
|
8,629.07 |
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|
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LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL |
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|
|
|
|
|
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Current Liabilities |
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|
|
|
|
|
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Total Current Liabilities |
|
0.00 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities |
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Capital |
|
|
|
Retained Earnings |
8,952.26 |
|
|
Net Income |
<323.19> |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Capital |
|
8,629.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities & Capital |
|
8,629.07 |
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|
|
|
Income & Expense Statement – 12/31/2007
|
|
Current |
Current |
Year
to Date |
Year
to Date |
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
Group Donations |
2,691.43 |
1,455.79 |
21,368.13 |
20,177.02 |
|
Conference Proceeds |
0.00 |
<500.00> |
845.65 |
4,871.47 |
|
Other Income |
31.50 |
0.00 |
40.50 |
41.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues |
2,722.93 |
955.79 |
22,254.28 |
25,090.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
Bank Charges |
0.00 |
<11.50> |
10.00 |
158.50 |
|
Conference Loss |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
170.74 |
|
Conference Booth Fee |
0.00 |
0.00 |
450.00 |
450.00 |
|
Depreciation |
0.00 |
586.95 |
146.74 |
586.95 |
|
GSO Fees |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1,200.00 |
1,200.00 |
|
Interpreters/Equipment |
0.00 |
0.00 |
147.99 |
0.00 |
|
Literature |
0.00 |
0.00 |
214.49 |
453.87 |
|
Lodging |
435.12 |
587.22 |
3,821.63 |
5,014.43 |
|
Meals |
96.12 |
83.00 |
1,009.44 |
1,506.60 |
|
Mileage |
1,187.25 |
752.71 |
5,872.80 |
7,933.88 |
|
Misc/Office Expense |
26.70 |
211.28 |
1,556.00 |
1,132.42 |
|
Postage |
317.10 |
175.62 |
1,665.25 |
1,206.66 |
|
Printing/Copies |
233.61 |
526.61 |
1,992.70 |
2,017.47 |
|
Registration Fees |
30.00 |
48.00 |
380.21 |
662.00 |
|
Rent |
467.50 |
517.50 |
2,031.00 |
2,077.50 |
|
Archives Rent |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1,200.00 |
1,200.00 |
|
Telephone |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.88 |
0.00 |
|
Web Site |
0.00 |
0.00 |
75.00 |
71.40 |
|
Travel/Airfare |
0.00 |
0.00 |
597.30 |
966.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Expenses |
2,793.40 |
3,477.39 |
22,371.43 |
26,808.54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income |
<70.47> |
<2,521.60> |
<117.15> |
<1,718.49> |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Group Donations - Rainbow |
739.92 |
309.32 |
3,450.18 |
4,753.62 |
|
Group Donations - Count On Us |
61.56 |
0.00 |
187.16 |
1,626.79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Literature - Rainbow/COU |
0.00 |
149.95 |
3,843.38 |
4,563.54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
2,793.40 |
3,627.34 |
26,214.81 |
31,372.08 |
Budget vs. Actual – 12/31/07
|
Office/Committee |
2007 Actual YTD |
2007 Total Budget |
2007 Variance YTD |
% |
|
|
Overhead |
$3,202.54 |
$2,968.00 |
(234.54) |
-7.90% |
|
|
Delegate |
$3,062.07 |
$3,884.00 |
821.93 |
21.16% |
|
|
Alt. Delegate/Lit. |
$1,946.50 |
$1,752.10 |
(194.40) |
-11.10% |
|
|
Chair |
$480.10 |
$1,399.00 |
918.90 |
65.68% |
|
|
Secretary |
$1,582.08 |
$1,649.00 |
66.92 |
4.06% |
|
|
Treasurer |
$1,193.80 |
$1,422.00 |
228.20 |
16.05% |
|
|
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 |
$1,601.73 |
$1,565.00 |
(36.73) |
-2.35% |
|
|
Grapevine |
$1,440.50 |
$1,700.00 |
259.50 |
15.26% |
|
|
Public Info. |
$612.60 |
$1,239.00 |
626.40 |
50.56% |
|
|
Treatment |
$994.96 |
$1,454.00 |
459.04 |
31.57% |
Budget Trans $500 From BTG |
|
Spcl. Needs |
$845.73 |
$1,222.00 |
376.27 |
30.79% |
|
|
Archivist |
$3,274.94 |
$3,575.00 |
300.06 |
8.39% |
|
|
Alt. Chair |
$269.11 |
$676.50 |
407.39 |
60.22% |
|
|
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 |
$22,371.43 |
$30,143.10 |
7,771.67 |
25.78% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COU Literature |
$682.44 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rainbow Literature |
$3,160.94 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
$26,214.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conference Seed Money |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spring 2008 |
$500.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Fall 2008 |
$500.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Spring 2009 |
$1,500.00 |
(Hotel deposit) |
|
|
|
Approved Budget 2008
|
Office/Committee |
2008 Total Budget |
|
Overhead |
$3,180.00 |
|
Delegate |
$3,345.00 |
|
Alt. Delegate/Lit. |
$1,996.67 |
|
Chair |
$1,399.00 |
|
Secretary |
$1,532.00 |
|
Treasurer |
$1,316.00 |
|
CPC |
$1,550.00 |
|
Corrections |
$2,065.00 |
|
Grapevine |
$1,467.00 |
|
Public Info. |
$1,157.00 |
|
Treatment |
$1,039.00 |
|
Spcl. Needs |
$892.00 |
|
Archivist |
$2,925.00 |
|
Alt. Chair |
$390.00 |
|
Alt. Secretary |
$321.00 |
|
Alt. Treasurer |
$210.00 |
|
Archives Chair |
$578.40 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
$25,363.07 |
Regarding budget approval, assembly voted on the following three motions:
To accept finance committee recommendations to increase Overhead and Alt. Delegate/Literature budgets. 62 for; 1 against; Motion passed.
To accept finance committee recommendation to increase corrections budget by 5% and not proposed increase of $1,071.00. 25 for; 35 against; Motion did not pass.
3rd motion brought to floor that we increase Correction Budget by $500. Assembly called the motion. 73 for; 0 against. Actual vote on the motion was 35 for; and 28 against; this motion passes and the Correction’s budget will be increased by $500.
CHAIRPERSON – John B.
We obtained an insurance policy for Area through Johnson Insurance. We received three quotes and selected the lowest. The quotes ranged from $750 to $250.
We had numerous positive responses to the format used for the Area Inventory. All break-off groups were unanimous in the need to keep the reports from the area officers and standing committee chairs brief and to the point. To that end, we have purchased a stopwatch and a counter bell to signal the end of the time allotment for each report. This is the same system used at the East Central Regional Forum.
I participated in a tri-county workshop in November sponsored by Districts 13, 32, & 34 (Waukesha County) which appeared to be well attended (at least at lunch).
Also in November I attended the East Central Regional Forum with my sponsor. It was the first one I’ve attended and I found the information to be interesting and informative.
We have eight proposals to review today and many of them deal with changes to our Area business structure. The need for this was also made clear at the Area inventory. Change is needed in order to generate interest and reach a greater portion of the fellowship within Area 75. I had a call last year from a gentleman from Oconomowoc with 20 years of sobriety who didn’t know we have an Area structure or a clue what we do. I’ve long shared the belief that change is needed and it’s exciting to be a part of it.
Please forward the registrar and secretary your correct e-mail address if you have one and we’ll add you to the mailing list. All Area meeting minutes and events are also posted on the Area 75 website: www. Area75.org. if you don’t have access to a computer, we’d be happy to send you the info via snail mail.
Delegates (Panel 57) Report - George P.
Good day and thank you for the privilege of serving as your delegate!
As usual, there is a lot going on in Area 75 pursuant to our Area Inventory last October and the report of the Ad-Hoc committee on Conferences. I am grateful to be part of the way we ARE growing and WILL grow spiritually as a fellowship in Southern Wisconsin.
Since we last met, I have been involved in the following:
Item #1: On November 9, I attended the East Central Regional Forum in Arlington Heights, Il. I moderated a Workshop entitled “AA Web Sites – Useful? Principles Involved?” It was a great opportunity to touch base again with other East Central Regional Delegates, other Area 75 Trusted Servants, Staff members from the General Service Office and several of our AA Trustees.
Item #2: On December 18, I traveled to Union Center where I spoke and provided entertainment (or was it distraction?) with my guitar and voice. There was a good turnout at the K of C hall and I am grateful for the hospitality shown by Jeannie and many other AA members in District 37.
Plans have been made for your Alternate Delegate, Stu, and me to travel to the Conference of Delegates Past and Present to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana the weekend of February 8-10. We will be driving down and we look forward to again making contacts with East Central Regional Delegates of the past and present to share our experience, strength and hope as it relates to service to AA.
The theme of the Fifty-Eighth Annual meeting of the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous is “Communication and Participation - The Key to Unity and Self-Support.” It will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in New York City April 27- May 2. I will again serve on the Finance committee. I have made my airline reservations while Midwest Airlines was having its fare sale so I have saved the Area significantly by that action and Liz and I are again looking forward to our trip to the “Big Apple”.
Our Delegate’s Workshop will be held starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, here at the Madison Senior Center. I have placed a sign-up sheet on the table near the entrance to give you a chance to make a commitment to attend and participate. This workshop gives all AA members in Area 75 the chance to stand up and take personal responsibility for the present and future of AA. Please ask yourself, “AM I RESPONSIBLE? If not me, who? If not now, when?”
I am honored at your trust and I promise to continue to do my best to serve the fellowship that I have come to depend on and love dearly. I ask for your prayers and thank you for your support and encouragement.
Respectfully submitted:
George P., panel 57 delegate, General Service Area 75, Southern Wisconsin
ALTERNATE DELEGATE/LITERATURE CHAIR – Stu E.
Welcome to all of our GSR’s and DCM’s present today and especially to our new DCM’s and GSR’s attending this meeting for the first time. Please remember that all of the Area 75 Officers and Standing Committee Chairs are here as a resource for you and your groups. Do not hesitate to contact any one of us when we can be of help to you in a matter of AA service. Also, I would like to thank all DCM’s and District Secretaries who are forwarding minutes to us on a regular basis. These minutes help us to know what is on the minds of the membership in your locality and to be more effective in serving all of you. I would encourage any district whose Secretary is not actively emailing minutes to Area 75 Officers and Standing Committee Chairs now to please do so in the future. They are read, and they do help.
I have several progress updates for you in the field of AA literature. First, the new 3rd Ed. Spanish language Big Book is expected out in February! That news comes after several earlier delays, but does look firm. This is a major item of interest in AA’s Hispanic community, and I have been trying to follow its progress closely. Next, proposed drafts for the pamphlets “The A.A. Member—Medications and Other Drugs” and also “A.A. for the Native North American” will be reviewed at the February meeting of the General Service Board. A number of our video items are now available or shortly will be in DVD format, including items for use by our own CPC and Corrections Committees. Of special interest to us here in Area 75, the update to the video, “Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous” is progressing nicely. The new Corrections Professionals video looks great too.
Our Take-and-Leave Sample Literature Rack is here again today for your use. And, our Area 75 Literature display is here as well. A number of new pamphlets have been added to the display. More revisions or pamphlets with our new cover graphics will be added this spring.
A new catalog of AA General Service Conference Approved Literature is being produced. The Literature Coordinator at GSO has promised me copies to give to you as soon as it is approved and in stock for shipping. I did hand out about 130 copies of the current Literature Catalog at the Fall Conference and at several district meetings late in 2007.
Since my last report to you, and after recuperating from some surgery in September, I attended the Fall Conference, and I also made it to the East Central Regional Forum in Arlington Heights in November. I would heartily encourage attendance at events such as these because of the wealth of experience which is shared at them. I also attended and participated in a really terrific AA workshop held in Janesville. A well attended GSR School was also conducted there by past Delegate Ken G.
Very recently, I learned from Past Delegate Jo McL that some GSC approved books aimed at corrections were available at a closeout price from GSO. I tracked down specifics and contacted Marty S., the Area 75 Corrections Chair. The result was that 120 copies of “AA in Prison” (new title “Inmate to Inmate”) are being shipped to us for a grand total of $30.00—shipping cost only! I hope you agree that this was a very effective use of our sometimes slender monetary resources.
While at our ECR Regional Forum, I brought to the attention of the General Manager of the General Service Office, Greg M., what appears to be a developing inventory gridlock problem regarding distribution of 2nd and 3rd Ed. Spanish language Big Books. It seems our Central/Intergroup Offices here are very well stocked on 2nd Editions. I am exploring some options cooperatively with these offices. In fact, Gr. Milw. Central Office has or shortly will be reducing prices of 2nd Ed. Spanish-language Big Books to their cost. I would urge service committees, district and area to consider purchasing some for schools, jails, or other facilities.
I did attend meetings of Districts 12, 25, and 32 before the end of the year. I was received warmly by each and was able to pass on some information about AA Literature and about my duties and responsibilities as Alternate Delegate. I also spoke as a guest member of the Area Committee at Greater Milwaukee Central Office’s monthly Secretaries’ meeting just before the Fall Conference.
Thank you for being here on this very cold January day, and thank you all for allowing me to serve you.
Yours in Recovery and Service,
Stu E., Area 75 Alt. Delegate & Literature Chair
GRAPEVINE CHAIR – Nancy G.
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, the Grapevine Corporation realized a profit of $11,095, in comparison to a budgeted amount of $119,302. Circulation was at 104,800. That is 1,800 higher than budget and 700 higher than 2006. La Vina incurred a loss of $47,465, which is $10,950 less than budget.
CDs – Attitude Adjustment: AA Grapevine Stories About Change
La Historia de AA (Spanish language version of the popular CD The Story of AA)
Powers of Example: AAs Talk About Practicing the Principles in Everyday Life
RLV Handbook – This16-page handbook is “a treasure trove of information” for RLVs. To order, please email Sandra@aagrapevine.org.
The challenge is a great success. Although subscription numbers are not available by Area, only by State, I am happy to report that Wisconsin had 2,600 GV subscriptions for the January 2008 label run, compared to 2,540 for June 2007. Although that is a drop of 25 from a November 2007 high of 2,625, from June 2007 to November 2007, we increased 3.35%, the best percentage increase of States in the East Central Region. Only seven other States in the U.S. had higher percentage increases than Wisconsin. It is interesting to note that all Regions in our conference increased their subscription counts from June to November.
When we started in April 2007, we had 2,529 subscriptions in Wisconsin. Our goal was to add 100. I had 56 new subscriptions reported to me, and I am certain we had many more that were not reported. With Area 74 included in the total, and using the high November number, we increased by 96.
We have collected well over 2,000 back issues for Count On Us. They continue to be bundled in packs of 20 and are available for any Corrections volunteers who need them. We collected $557.64 in Count On Us donations in 2007. Of that amount, we had $61.56 left in the Area Treasury on December 21. We have purchased or renewed 11 La Vina and 29 Grapevine subscriptions, with $182.92 of that cost provided by the Carry the Message fund at the Grapevine office in New York. We should have approximately 20 more renewals coming. If you know of someone in your district who has received their corrections subscription renewal at their home, please contact me and I will be happy to take care of it. Most should be going to the Area address, but I have not received all of them.
Because of the positive response the Challenge has received, I ask your help in continuing on with it for 2008. PLEASE continue the good work started in 2007. Your support is greatly appreciated.
The December 1 workshop in the Northwest zone was postponed due to snowy weather. After we re-schedule that commitment, we would like to again travel to the other zones, but hopefully hold the workshops in different locations. Please let Marty and I know if you would like to provide a host site and let us know a date. We look forward to continuing our work in the districts.
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 for the opportunity to serve.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy G.
Area 75 Grapevine Chair
608-221-2891
CORRECTION CHAIR – Marty S.
It has been an honor serving the area as corrections chair this past year. My goals from 2007 were to get out to the districts with Nancy G. and encourage fellow AAs to learn more about programs with corrections and the Grapevine. We were met with a lot of enthusiasm. Our Dec. 1 workshop, in Mauston, was snowed out. We are trying to reschedule for March. Another goal was to start up the Milwaukee county corrections committee, which I did with the help of a great committee. I will speak on this later. The last goal I had was to update all the records for institutions and jails in our area and that was accomplished. If these records are not updated and volunteers called, we would never know if the meetings are still going on in the institutions.
I have been distributing training DVD to chaplains, wardens, superintendents, social workers and Programs directors from: Waupun, Taycheedah, Milwaukee County jails, Fox Lake Corr., REECC, Southern Oaks Girls School, and Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility. I have found these meetings to be very inspirational. The staff persons are excited and thank me for taking the time to drive up to see them. As one said, ”Thank you for coming. We have never even gotten a phone call from AA before you came here.” When I called REECC the superintendent said, “Oh, we are having our monthly staff meeting. Can you come and show the video and answer any questions about AA?” I have been asked to come back and speak about AA in other institutions too. How would the area feel about considering the DVD as conference approved literature and taking funds from the Rainbow can to pay for copies for the institution staffs? It would be a good way to help keep the corrections budget in line with area spending guidelines.
Waupun has serious problems at this time and all volunteer meetings have been cancelled. I would like the areas input regarding the “pre-release” and GSO writers programs. If the inmates cannot attend an AA meeting, can we get more sober men to write to them and really carry the message? I have been going to lots of meetings in Milwaukee and asking men to get on the writers list. If you already go into a State facility, you can’t write an inmate in Wisconsin. However, you CAN still write an inmate from out of state through GSO corrections. Please sign up now!
I received 25 requests for writers coming home to area 75. Thirteen of the requests were from area 74. I found writers for all and know of two inmates who are still going to meetings. A 20 yr. old picked up a 40 yr. old and took him to his first meetings. As far as I know, they are both sober.
Thank you for your support of the Rainbow fund. A separate report has been made on that fund and copies are on the table.
Respectfully……….Marty S.
CPC CHAIR – Cheryl M.
The first order of business for the New Year is to acknowledge the committee members from 2007 and extend a thank you for their efforts. Districts actively represented and reported were 34, 13, 20, 16, 3, 32, and 36. Thank you to all that participated.
The Area CPC committee hopes to once again coordinate coverage with District 20 for the 2008 May WAAODA conference. District 20 contributed $200.00 towards the booth fee and provided full coverage for the exhibit. The booth fee was $450.00 for 2007. This was an increase of $50.00 from 2006. This is a very worthwhile effort that reaches more than 500 professionals from five states and over 130 Wisconsin municipalities. The response and favorable comments from last year's event is encouragement enough to make this an annual date. District 20 will be invited to co-host with Area 75's support. Their DCM will be contacted to discuss the details and arrangements.
District 34 is encouraged to repeat their annual "Lunch with a Professional." The Addiction Resource Council of Waukesha County submitted favorable comments and requested that we conduct gatherings throughout the county. They are willing to share points of interest for possible sites. District 34 will be contacted to discuss plans for 2008.
If your District is planning an event for 2008 please contact the Area 75 chair. Valuable training, support, and literature can be acquired through the Area committee. Visits to your district can be by invitation. Each DCM is expected to notify the Area CPC chair with any new contact information of their districts CPC chairs rotation. It is helpful if this information is forwarded before the next Area meeting in March. Minutes sent from your district meetings is a good way to submit reports from CPC chairs. Thank you in advance for your help.
CPC recognizes the value in utilizing professionals who are "friends" of AA. We as your CPC committee are challenging all of you to provide us with names and contact information of professionals, professional organizations, churches (perhaps even your own), and that would invite us into their professional worlds to carry the message of recovery. Education to professionals about what AA can and does do is invaluable to the alcoholic who still suffers. Remember we focus on professionals that come into contact with these still suffering individuals. Our success is greatly enhanced through these personal contacts with "friends" of AA.
Submitted as gratitude in action: Cheryl R. M. Area 75 CPC Chair - 07/08
PI CHAIR – Matt Z.
My name is Matt Z. I am an Alcoholic.
I am your PI Chair for area 75.
News to report:
I have been working with GSO on assembling a list of Radio and TV Stations to insure the coverage of Public Service Announcements throughout Area 75.
This has been a very fun Project. So far we made sure that the existing list of contacts has all the proper material to run them, and I have been working on adding Stations that are not running them. That has been a very slow process due to the fact that it is hard to find out who to talk to, and who has the authority to run the Announcements. But I have made some progress over the last 3 month and was able to add a couple stations to the list.
I also attended the Regional Forum in Illinois where I got to make some new connections, learn a couple of new things, and see some old friends.
This was a very interesting and fun Event and would recommend it for anyone
I have gone to a couple of district meetings in the last few months’ and look forward to going to more.
Thank you,
Matt Z.
TREATMENT CHAIR – Chris C.
I have a brief report for you today, as not too much is going on as far as the treatment committee is concerned. Regarding Bridging the Gap, I had 76 requests filtered through me for the last quarter of 2007. This does not include BTG requests that are filled through Central Offices or local districts or committees. Our resources are definitely being utilized as far as those services are concerned.
Next week, I will be meeting with a representative from Columbia St. Mary’s to explain to them what services we can offer to their hospital.
Other than that, there is not much more to add except to let you know that I continue to be available to attend your District meetings and to offer any help where needed, so please do not hesitate to contact me.
SPECIAL NEEDS CHAIR – John W.
My name is John W. and I am an alcoholic, also the Area 75 Special Needs Chair.
Since the Fall Conference I had one request for our interpreting equipment for the Spanish Conference in Milwaukee in November other wise it has been very quiet.
Today we discussed ways to carry the message to chronologically challenge or 60+ alcoholics.
Wendy (D13) and Leeann (D34) discussed literature (When &Where's)(44questions,ect)(AA For the Older Person, It's Never Too Late) to send in a letter to the Senior Centers? Nursing Homes/ Assisted Living Centers in the tri-district 13-32-34 area. We plan to send this literature with a letter introducing the need for AA in such places and an invitation of informal meeting with the Professional Staff to give them an idea of what's available for AA to start meetings or provide rides to meetings. We need to meet with the DCM of D32 as we understand they do not have a Special Needs Chair at this time.
We also want to have the appropriate contacts from these Tri-District Senior facilities included in the May Lunch & Learn.
Interpreting Literature info from GSO Packet concerning ASL interpreting at meetings was given to a ASL interpreting School to help students learn to sign for the Deaf alcoholics by Wendy D13 Special Needs Chair.
Once again if anyone needs assistance from Special Needs please contact me. I had to give up golfing at this time of year I keep losing my balls.
Yours in Service
John W.
Area 75 Special Needs Chair
ARCHIVES CHAIR – Robin S.
We had our Annual Movie Day in November.
Attendance
was pretty good but a little low because of those Packers.
I
collected some group histories that were missing from the Archives,
and plan to spread the word more in 2008 about the Archive Room and
what a great resource it is. I’m also looking for old-timers
who would like to be interviewed.
Thank
you,
Robin S.
ARCHIVIST – Nancy S.
The Area 75 Archives Room schedule for 2008: Open 1st and 3rd Sunday of the Month 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Excluding: Jan. 20; Apr 20; May 18; June 15; Sept. 7; Oct 5 Closed during the month of December - Located in the Lower Level of Holy Assumption School Between 71st and 72nd & Orchard West Allis, WI. Plenty of Parking
There is a new item displayed in the Archives room. On August 19, 1981 an alcoholism special stamp was issued with the words - Alcoholism You can beat it! - The cost was 18¢.
The Archives Grapevine collection now has every issue from February 1972 until the present date. We have several issues from 1950 and 1960. We do have some from 1949 through 1962. I have searched for July of 1963 and January of 1972. If anyone knows where these issues can be found please let me know. We will then have every issue from 1963 till the present date.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you. Nancy S. Area 75 Archivist
REGISTRAR – George D.
Greetings all, the first thing I would like to mention is; if there are any new DCM’s and new GSR’s here that haven’t registered please get your information in to me soon please include the Group Number. I sent out a letter before Christmas requesting new DCM’s and GSR’s to send me their information it is important to do so, this keeps GSO’s Directory up-dated and our Area 75 Directory updated. Secondly, GSO is shifting a great deal of responsibility towards the Area’s , for example the group information sheets that were regularly sent to the Area for distribution by the registrar will now be down loaded from the internet from the FNV , printed and distributed by the registrar as soon as GSO gets that portion of the FNV(Fellowship New Vision Program ) running. I have spoken to a few trusted servants on how we might accomplish this task! It is not only the time involved, but printing and postage, last year it cost just under $100.00 to mail these information sheets, now we will have to add printing cost as well. These details haven’t been worked out yet but we are working on them. Also, since Area 75 is using the FNV soon all changes that normally were sent to GSO will be made by the Registrar this includes Groups, DCM and GSR for the area, there are 900 registered groups in this area.
Finally, I know it is only January, but time fly’s ,if there is anyone interested in being registrar please see me or call me for details ,please keep in mind, you do need a computer with excel spreadsheet, DSL or cable high speed connection is very helpful, only because there are some rather large downloads. You may need to burn a CD, also don’t forget printing….other than that it’s a piece of cake!
Respectfully
George D. Area 75 Registrar
CONFERENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR – Howard P.
I am Howard P. I have the honor of being our Area 75 Conference Advisory Committee chair. Here is my Jan. 20th 2008 Agenda Planning Meeting.
PURPOSE OF THE AREA 75 CONFERENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
To guide and cooperate with the hosting conference committee to provide
an Area 75 conference sharing experience which incorporates the three
Legacies of Recovery, Unity and Service<