NATURE COAST INTERGROUP MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES SUNDAY, March 30th, 2008 |
Download minutes in pdf format ATTENDED: Toni T., Neil S., Martha G., Pat. H., Don G., Pauline H., Marilyn B., Beverly H., Julie P., Debbie O., Dave K., Janet B., Greg H., Joe L., Ellen, Dee, George M., Al L., Jim K., Willie M., Paula D., Rick T., Sue C., Joan B., Ron B., John O., and Nanci R. ROLL CALL: Vice Chairperson Martha G. conducted roll call. There were 27 attendees. Sixteen groups were represented. SECRETARY'S REPORT: Secretary Joan B. read the minutes for the meeting of February 24th, 2008. There was a motion to accept the minutes. The motion was seconded. The minutes were accepted. The secretary asked for a volunteer to replace her as secretary as she needs to resign for personal reasons.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Sue C. reported the Tangible Tax form has been filed and nothing is due to the County. She further stated she has the list of furniture and fixtures. Sue then gave the report of income & expenses. Sue drew attention to the further detail now present in the report that shows the costs of goods sold. Marilyn B. complimented the clarity of the report. There was a motion to accept the Treasurer's report. The motion was seconded. The report was accepted.
TRUSTEES' REPORT: Rick T, Al L., Neil S., and Janet B. were present. Rick T. stated he had made contact with the 10 Brook group in Ocala and reports they do cost adjustments. Al L., Neil S., and Janet B. had nothing to report.
WEBMASTER'S REPORT: Ron B. reported he has added a new meeting to the schedule – 10 a.m., Sunday, at the Fort Island Beach in Crystal River. He said he has not yet added the new Floral City step meeting and needs more information to do so. Ron said he received an email from a nursing student, asking if she could attend meetings. Ron explained about “open” and “closed” meetings, and that she is free to attend “open” meetings. Ron also said he received information about Founder's Day “Florida style.”
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: Toni T. waited to give her report at the end of the meeting. At that time, she thanked Marilyn B. for her help during the month. She reminded all attendees to leave the meeting with positive attitudes and thanked everyone for attending.
JOURNAL REPORT: Paula D. stated an AA member named John has indicated he would like to step into the newsletter position when Paula is finished in December 2008.
HOTLINE REPORT: Rick T. gave his report, indicating a busy month for the Hotline. There were 141 total calls. There were 97 AA, 14 Alanon, 24 NA, 1 for a Gay meeting, 3 wet drunk calls, and 2 had their own transportation and were referred to the Centers.
INVENTORY AND SALES: Paula D. stated sales in the past month were the best so far, showing a profit of $253+. She further stated several “comfort packs” were sold and the Wacky Wednesday promotions were fun. Paula said a “Beginner's Pack” has been put together, consisting of a hardback Big Book, hardback 12 & 12, Living Sober, Came To Believe, Daily Reflections, a Big Book Dictionary, a 12 & 12 Dictionary, and a 4th Step Guide Book-- all for $38. Paula said she will still deliver orders to Intergroup.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Bookstore: Chairperson Toni T. asked Pat H. for an impromptu report on the volunteer situation at the bookstore. Pat H. said that volunteers are “burning out” and there is not enough participation. Pat H. further stated what a wonderful experience it is to work at the bookstore, with opportunities to meet people from all over the area. Beverly H. asked if there are certain days or times when business is very slow and suggested we might change the hours accordingly. Janet B. stated she is in the process of training three others who will be able to be additional volunteers, one for Saturday and the others can be for other needed days. Pat stated we need seven people per week to cover the schedule. Toni T. stated this message needs to be taken back to the groups – that volunteers are needed at the bookstore. The sobriety requirement will be discussed under Old Business. Events: GRATITUDE DINNER & DANCE Willie M. reported he has obtained the hall at Our Lady of Fatima for a rental fee of $50 for the November 9, 2008 Gratitude Dinner & Dance. The tickets will be $9 each and there will be 200 available for sale as of October 1st. The tickets will be distributed at the Intergroup meeting, to be held September 28, 2008, so it will be important for groups to send their representatives to the September Intergroup meeting to pick up tickets. The proposed menu for the dinner will be filet mignon (Willie states he has found the steak at an excellent price), green beans, rice pilaf, and sparkling water. The doors will open at 3:15 pm, with dinner at 4 pm, followed by a speaker and the dance. Willie reminded everyone that tickets can only be purchased by AA members, as per our traditions. There will also be a candles for the sick and suffering sale at the affair, as well as a 50/50. Willie states this should be a very successful fundraising event for Intergroup. Willie also said he has an additional member of his committee, Dee, who will help with planning events. A motion was made to go forward with the hall rental and menu as per Willie's report. There was discussion. The motion was then seconded and it passed unanimously. NEW YEAR'S EVE ALKATHON & DANCE Willie M. reported he has contacted the Lutheran Church in Inverness and is able to rent two halls – one for the dance and the other for Alkathon meetings – for $50, for the evening of December 31, 2008 (from 6:30 pm to 12 am). Admission would be charged for the dance only. Those who wish to attend meetings only would do so free of charge. Willie stated that food may not be allowed in the meeting room, due to possible new carpet being installed; however, some food could be placed outside of the dance hall and people wanting refreshments who had not bought tickets to the dance could still have something to eat outside. The possible income from this event could be sizeable, Willie added. A motion was made to allow Willie to reserve the church for the New Year's Eve Alkathon as stated and this was followed by discussion. The motion was then seconded and it passed unanimously. In addition, Willie M. asked if Mark D. from the Ocala AA area could announce Nature Coast Intergroup's upcoming events in the “Voice.” This request was also granted. FOUNDER'S DAY PICNIC Willie was going to plan the event for June 29th, but was informed it will conflict with a planned step workshop being hosted by District. Willie will work on planning this event for a different date and will report his progress at a later date.
OLD BUSINESS: Bylaws Clarification Toni T. brought up the ambiguity of the sobriety requirement in Article 10 of the Bylaws, stating that Intergroup needs to vote on whether to change Article 10 to include a 2-year requirement for volunteering at the bookstore, or leave Article 10 as is. A motion was made to rescind the previous motion and leave Article 10 unchanged. Much discussion followed. The motion was seconded and it passed unanimously. Budget Toni T. asked for a motion regarding whether to move the existing office (234 sq. ft) to a smaller location across the hall (156 sq. ft.) once the lease expires in June 2008. Janet B. said she has seen the smaller office and believes the furniture and equipment will fit. Janet B. further stated the move will save $2000 per year in rental costs. A motion was made to relocate the office to the smaller location in June 2008, when the lease expires. There was discussion. The motion was seconded and it passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: Martha G. made a donation to Intergroup of $190, on behalf of the now-disbanded Citrus Springs Step Meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 5:40 pm and closed with the Lord's Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan B. |