Greater Toronto Area Intergroup Website of Alcoholics Anonymous

The meeting convened at 8 p.m. with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer. Joe A. (Beaches) read the Twelve Traditions.

THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT: Anniversary, Bayview, Beaches, Bellamy, Beverly Hills, Bloordale, Brampton New Life, Church Street, Danforth, Fellowship, Friendly, Free To Be Group, Glenholme, High Park, Hill, KF Group, King City, Kingsway, Kingsway, Lawrence Plaza, Living Sober, Long Branch, Markland Wood, Midtown, New Anchor, Newmarket, North Toronto, One Day at a Time, Reaching Out, Recovery, Rexdale United, S.O.S., Shepherd, St. Jamestown, Streetsville, Sunnyside, Thorncliffe Park, Thornhill, Traditional, Tuesday Night Discussion, Twelfth Tradition, Welcome, Westmoreland, Weston Sunday Open, Willowdale, Yorkville.

Subcommittee Chairs: Archives 1^st Vice Chair / acting Chair, Treatment Facilities Chair, Public Information Chair, Newsletter Chair, Access Ability Chair, Grapevine Chair, and Self-Support Chair.

PLEASE NOTE: There was still no P.A. / microphone system available for this meeting. As a result, some information from those who participated at this meeting was not able to be recorded, as the tape recorder couldn’t pick up all comments made. (alv / transcribing secretary)

MOTION TO ADOPT MINUTES made by Diana M. (Thorncliffe Park) and seconded by Judy C. (Shepherd). Carried.

CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS – Matti H. (Wanstead), Operating Committee Chair

Due to illness, Matti hasn’t been very active for the last three weeks, so he didn’t have much to report. He welcomed all those members who attended this evening.

Two members of the Operating Committee (One Junior member and one Senior member) have resigned as they were unavailable to fulfill their duties due to conflicts in time availability and schedule. Elections will be held at this meeting to fill those positions.

Matti asked members to keep Executive Secretary Carole Keenan in their thoughts and prayers, as she is going in for surgery.

MOTION TO SUSPEND REGULAR BUSINESS to hold Elections for two Operating Committee members made by Diana M. (Thorncliffe Park) and seconded by Jean-Guy L. (Tuesday Night Disc.). Carried.

Matti explained the qualifications and duties of an Operating Committee member. Nominations were held; 3 were received. Each nominated member gave a brief address to the Floor. After the addresses were given, a vote was held (by ballot) for the two members with the most votes received.

The two new Operating Committee members are Diana M. (Thorncliffe Park) and Ron W. (Bloordale).

MOTION TO DESTROY BALLOTS made by Jean-Guy L. (Tuesday Night Disc.) and seconded by Wes B. (Long Branch). Carried.

MOTION TO RESUME REGULAR BUSINESS made by Diana M. (Thorncliffe Park) and seconded by Tim (KF Group). Carried.

Two hand-out sheets were provided for Floor members: the June 2004 Bar Graph and the 2^nd Quarter Report (see attached).

Regarding the Bar Graph: for the month of June, income was up over June of 2003. Our shortfall is smaller than 2003 by about $3,000. Ron said “That’s good news – we’re going in the right direction”.

2^nd Quarter Report: Ron stated that “For the six-month period, it basically reflects much the same. Our income was up by $3,500 in six months. Our expenses are $400 less than last year, and the difference is $4,300 less of a deficit than we had last year. And that’s the good news.”

Ron continued: “On the second page is a summary of the breakdown of how we got to that for the Quarter (2^nd Quarter, and the Year to Date). You can see that group donations are up; individual donations are down a little. There was less income this year from the ORC than last year. Miscellaneous income is always very flexible. But the good news is that we’re on budget with sales from the library, and the sales are up…we’re basically on par…the deficit for the year is about -$30,000 for six months versus $-34,000 last year. What that means basically [is that] it’s emphasizing the idea the Finance committee is trying to get across [to Floor members] is that Gratitude Month – the three months of the last quarter – is when most of our income comes in, and we’re trying to emphasize to you to carry the message back to your groups that we have a cash flow problem: not that we need more money than last year, but send us some now, and some later. That really is the theme [refer to finance report in June 2004 Minutes by the Finance committee, which states at the bottom right of sheet: “Reminder: that group contributions made on a regular or quarterly basis would greatly help our cash flow and reduce our loan needs”]. [For example] If you gave us $1,000 last year, give us $500 in the first half of the year, and $500 in the second half…the message is, we broke even last year, and if everybody does their part we’ll break even again this year, which is what we’re trying to do. It would make our job easier to run an efficient office if we had better cash flow -- and that comes from your groups spreading their donations out instead of saving it until the end of the last quarter. That’s one of the messages we’d like you to take back to your groups.”

On the back page of the 2^nd Quarter Report is a Balance Sheet. When asked by Ron last quarter, interest was shown by Floor members in having this item for this meeting. There are 3 columns: Dec.31st/ 2003, May 31st/2004, and June 30th /2004. Ron stated: “One of the things you will notice is that our Inventory is up. I’ll tell you why, and I’ll tell you so you can take it back to your groups: New York [GSO] has increased all the prices of the books as of August 1^st, and we have purchased some additional stock so we can keep the price down for the first little while until current stock is depleted. So if you want to get – in the first couple of months after August 1^st – books at the old prices…the Big Book and the Twelve and Twelve might be going up about 20%, when you add the exchange….”

QUESTION from Floor member [wasn’t picked up by tape] Ron answered: “We’re not increasing them at this point, but the increase out of New York is about 20%, approximately. That’s when you add the exchange in.”

Louis G. (S.O.S.) Asked if books are at cost. Ron answered that “It’s the cost plus the exchange on the dollar, plus the cost of running the office…we sell it at our cost.”

Louis: “If the books are at cost, you’re not making a profit anyway…[tape unclear]…it sounds like you’re selling them to make a profit.” Ron answered: “We’re not making a profit…the literature department – that portion of the office expense – is charged back to the books, to offset that cost…it’s all part of the cost of the books.”

Louis: “It should be no issue to you.” Ron: “I don’t understand what your question is.”

Louis: “If we sell it to a newcomer at cost, or we give it to them…[tape unclear]…cost is cost. There’s no profit in it.” Ron: “The cost from New York is going up. We’re telling Floor members that we’re gonna hold that for awhile…I’m just telling you [Floor members that] it’s available.”

Ron also mentioned that other item discussed at the Finance table was pertaining to the Reserve Fund. He said: “Notice the loan is $23,000, and that’s what it was at the end of June…in order to keep the office going, we’ve taken a further $15,000 out of there…cash flow has to be picked up. That’s where we get it on a temporary basis, and so we hope that Gratitude Month will be as good as last year.”

Phil reported that this committee is continuing to work on creating awareness of Service Committees as well as discussing ways to be self-supporting through our own contributions. The idea of holding a ‘movie night’ was cancelled due to cost considerations. Phil appealed to groups to submit updated group lists for Gratitude Month [mail-out]. Please submit these lists to 234 by Friday, August 20, 2004. Phil also invited members to attend the monthly Self-Support meeting (one years’ sobriety required). Next meeting is Monday, Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at 234. There was discussion among Floor members about the issue of privacy, and submitting information (i.e. dry date). Floor members shared their groups’ experiences around this issue. It was mentioned that it is group conscience as to whether groups want to submit Group Lists to 234. Matti also mentioned that any information submitted is kept private on the database.

The new, black-and-white version of the Access Ability Pamphlet was provided to Floor members. The committee had contact with District 17 (Seattle area) Access Committee on accessibility issues. Morton mentioned that this committee would like to see more district members attend the Access Ability table. Next meeting is Sunday, Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. at 234.

Kevin commented that the August 2004 issue “…was the biggest number we’ve ever printed”. The ‘kick-off’ story is all about the 55^th anniversary of the Sunday Morning Men’s meeting. The follow-up story is entitled ‘Service in Sobriety’. He also stated that the Newsletter will, through upcoming articles throughout the year ( in advance of events or activities) focus on the different service committees, and what they are doing to ‘carry the message’. In closing, Kevin urged members to take back copies (25 cents each) to their home groups, and stated “Find out, get involved, and help out”. Next meeting is Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

Sharole G. (St. Jamestown) asked if visitors were welcome to attend the Archives meeting. Bob answered in the affirmative.

No report. No meeting in August. Next meeting is Monday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at 234.

No report. No meeting in August. Next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

Scott mentioned that members wanting a Grapevine Display put up for their group anniversary or medallion to please put in a request to 234. Next meeting is Thurs., Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. at 234.

Tom reported that the Breakfast in the Park event (sponsored by Metro Police), held July 15, was a success. The P.I. committee was present, in addition to the Access Ability committee; information pamphlets were made available to the inquiring public. Tom mentioned that the “cooperation with this committee was excellent”, and also mentioned that hundreds of people were in attendance. A Public Information Service Day will be held On Saturday, Sept. 25 at Glebe Rd. United Church. The September Better Times will feature an article on this event, which will provide information on how to carry the message to the inquiring public at large, and different ways of accomplishing this exchange. The day will feature speakers, discussions, panels, group sharing, and a pot luck lunch. Next meeting is Mon., Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

Mike mentioned that AA Service Manuals and GTA Intergroup Meeting Directories were for sale to members at this meeting.

Report on file. Sergei mentioned that this committee is working on the idea of a joint Corrections / Treatment Facilities Day to be tentatively held in January 2005. Sergei is trying to get in contact with Corrections Chair Jim N. (Scarborough), and shared that “Hopefully we will work out a plan on how we can benefit each other for the information day in January”. It was reported that the 20 copies of the Grapevine were gratefully received, and were distributed accordingly among the districts. This committee voted that their regular [monthly] meetings will be held every third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at 234. This committee is always looking for volunteers for service meetings in the detox units, hospitals, and treatment centres. Service Meetings needing support: Scarborough Grace Hospital Meeting (Mondays 7 p.m. Northeast) and the Toronto East General Hospital Meeting (Mondays 8 p.m. East). A complete list of all service meetings (with district divisions) that are held in GTA detox units, treatment facilities, and hospitals is being created by the TF Secretary and will be available for Floor members at the August General Meeting. There will be no meeting held in August; next meeting is Thurs. Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

There was a question raised about literature requests for treatment facilities. Sergei stated that if any service meeting needs any literature, please submit all requests to 234. Treatment Facilities has a budget for this purpose.

There was concern from the Floor about the St. Mike’s Hospital Meeting. There was concern about having more patients attend the meeting, and some confusion exists about getting the message to patients that the meeting is available to them( via the hospital staff). Sergei and the TF committee are aware of this issue, and will liaise with the hospital administration in future.

No report. Next Phone Training Session: Sunday, Aug. 15 at 1:30 p.m. at 234. To volunteer for Phone Duty, one year of continuous sobriety is required. Next committee meeting is Friday, Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at 234.

No report. No meeting in August. Next meeting is Saturday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. at 234.

No report. No meeting in August. Next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at 234.

MOTION that Toronto Intergroup ask for a donation of a first edition of the Big Book to be raffled off in March, as a fundraiser for Intergroup made by Frank G. (Weston) and seconded by Robert P. (Hill).

Wes B. (Long Branch): “ I’m not so sure I would want to vote on this without taking it back to my group…what we’re proposing to do here – as I see it – is to run a ‘lottery’ to support Toronto Intergroup. I don’t believe that’s want Toronto Intergroup is based on. Toronto Intergroup is based on donations from the group. You can rearrange it in any form or words you want; but if you’re putting up a prize and asking for money, and somebody’s gonna win that prize. That’s a lottery…I’m just not sure I want my Intergroup supported that way, and I would absolutely not wish to vote on it without consulting my group.”

Regarding the Motion, Wes added that “If it’s a Notice of Motion, it goes back to the groups. If it’s a Motion, you want to vote on it tonight.”

MORE DISCUSSION. After consulting with Floor members, Matti clarified that it will be a Notice of Motion and that groups were instructed to bring this item back to their groups for discussion, and the Floor will vote on this item at the August General Meeting.

NOTICE OF MOTION that Toronto Intergroup ask for a donation of a first edition of the Big Book to be raffled off in March, as a fundraiser for Intergroup made by Frank G. (Weston). No ‘seconder’ required for a Notice of Motion.

Topics covered included emphasis on the 7^th Tradition, spirituality, explanation of Gratitude Month, and the idea of an investigation of another additional self-supporting ‘cash flow tool’ to spread out donations throughout the year. Floor members were urged to consider the following: a)the request from the Finance Committee to consider the idea of ‘staggering’ donations throughout the year; and b)the idea of another self-supporting ‘activity’ or ‘function’ (rather than just Gratitude Month in October).

Matti again thanked everyone for attending this meeting, and also thanked those who were nominated for the Operating Committee “…for standing up and volunteering!”

MOTION TO CLOSE made by Jean-Guy L. (Tuesday Night Disc.) and seconded by ? [tape unclear].

NEXT GENERAL MEETING: Tuesday, August 31 at 8 p.m. at Glebe Road United Church.