GREATER TORONTO AREA INTERGROUP

General Meeting -Tuesday, August 31, 2004

The meeting convened at 8 p.m. with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer. Scott M (Bloordale) read the Twelve Traditions.

THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT: Bayview, Bellamy, Bloordale, Bramalea Care & Share, Brampton New Life, Brampton Recovery, Church Street, Crossroads Big Book Disc., Danforth, Don Mills, Erin Mills, Glenholme, High Park, K.F., Kingsway, Lawrence Plaza, Long Branch, Markland Wood, Midtown, New Anchor, Newmarket, One Day at a Time, Restoration & Recovery, Rexdale United, S.O.S., Scarborough Centenary, Scarborough, Shepherd, Spiritual Progress, St. Clements, St. Patricks, Streetsville, Sunnyside, Thorncliffe Park, Thornhill, Trial & Error, Welcome, Westmoreland, Weston Sunday Open, Wexford, Willowdale, Woodbine, Yorkville. District Liaisons: Districts 02, 10, 12, and 14. Subcommittee Chairs: Archives, Newsletter, Grapevine, Access Ability, Self-Support, Website.

PLEASE NOTE: Because there was no PA system at this meeting, some information from those who participated could not be recorded. (alv / transcribing secretary)

ADOPTION OF MINUTES – July 27, 2004: No errors or omissions.

CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS – Matti H (Wanstead)

Matti welcomed all who attended, and also extended a special welcome to new reps.

Collection of the 7^th Tradition, which totaled $129.99.

Finance Report – Jim W (Half Century), Finance Committee member

Jim reported on the July 2004 Bar Graph (see attached): the financial situation for July is following tradition. There is improvement over last year, but there is still negative numbers. Income for the month was $9,910 versus $9,693 for July 2003. Expenses were $13, 374 versus $16.026 for July 20093. There is about $3,000 difference from last year ‘for the good’ – but it’s still a negative. For the Year to Date, Income is $70,361 versus $66,258 for the same time in 2003. The difference for YTD is -$33,514. The shortfall last year at this time was -$40.960.

Jim also commented that we have made a change in the Reserve Fund: we have been borrowing against the Reserve Fund, which are our bonds [RBC and Dominion Securities]. On the advice of our broker we decided this year to sell one of the bonds. Jim replied that we took the money [from the sale of the bond] and paid off the loan. [tape unclear] We reinvested the money into a new bond at a higher rate of return than the one we sold. He stated: “We’re hoping that in future…it’s been mentioned several times that it would be better if we could spread out Gratitude [ Donations from the groups] over more than one period of time…this would be much better for Intergroup to operate”. Jim entertained questions from Floor members.

Wes B (Long Branch): “By cashing in that bond, is our Prudent reserve now less than it has been?” Jim: “Yes.” Wes: “How much less?” Jim: “The Prudent Reserve is $64,573. It was just under $100,000…we had a debt against the bonds anyways. And the interest rate for the debt was 5 ½ %.”

Paul O’N (High Park) asked for a clarification of the bond-cashing procedure. Jim: “We paid off the margin account that we had [$38,000]… which included an additional $15,000 to pay the anticipated shortfall between July and November, when Gratitude Month will be rebuilding our funds.”

At this time Jim announced that there has been a resignation from the Finance committee.

Matti provided a further explanation for the bond selling action: “In years past we have borrowed against our Prudent Reserve. Our broker suggested that we sell the bond now because we could earn a higher rate of return on it. And when we did that, that’s when we took the money out that we had been borrowing.”

Jackie (Welcome): “What was the spread of the rates?” Jim: “The rate that’s described on the bond is not necessarily the rate that we’re going to get. I’m not familiar enough yet to know exactly what kind of a rate of return we are getting…maybe 5 to 6%.” Jim referred to his notes, and continued: “For what we just purchased, it’s 5.46% annual yield or 5.38% semi-annual yield.”

Ron S (North Toronto), Finance Chair: “The bond we cashed was a little over 3%, and because of that…the loan was running us about one and a half points higher that the bond was paying. So, we paid off the loan and bought the new bond at a higher rate.”

SELF-SUPPORT – Jim A (Wexford), Self-Support committee member

Jim mentioned the following points:

• Gratitude envelopes were made available for reps. He also mentioned the Electronic Funds Transfer option for donating monthly. He thanked all those groups who submitted Group Update Lists. Volunteers needed to label Gratitude envelopes. Contact 234.
• Volunteers needed for the Finance Committee (resumes to 234), Twelfth Step (phone volunteers), and Self-Support. Please contact 234.
• Jim asked that the Districts please send reps to the monthly Self-Support table.
• This committee is assisting in trying to start up a French language AA meeting. Currently there is no French meeting at this time in the GTA. If interested in getting involved, please contact 234.
• Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m. at 234 (day change due to Holiday).

ACCESS ABILITY – Morton G (Don Mills), Chairperson

Groups are showing interest in the Access Ability Pamphlet. This committee is looking for more district support. Next Meeting: Sunday, September 19 at 11 a.m. at 234.

Better Times NEWSLETTER – Kevin M (North Toronto), Chairperson

The September issue features in the Editors Say “Back to the Real World” which outlines some of the upcoming AA events in the GTA. The Front Cover features articles on the Public Information Service Day and Scarborough District 22 Service Day. October issue: Gratitude Month and the upcoming Archives Breakfast. Deadline for articles and announcements: 10^th of every month. Next Meeting: Wed. September 22 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

ARCHIVES – Bob D (Weston Sunday Open), Interim Chairperson

Bob shared the following with Floor members:

• Archives are looking for a Chairperson. Bob mentioned that the criteria (length of sobriety) has changed for this position, due to the fact that the Archives Committee is now open to district members, so the length of sobriety has dropped to accommodate district.
• The new Archives Room at 234 is operational. The Archivist is diligently working on sorting and cataloguing materials. All memorabilia previously stored at Bob’s is now secured in this room. Medallions from the 40’s and 50’s have been donated recently.
• The Archives original printing of the 1^st Edition Big Book is now under security and is now out on display at 234.
• Maire O’B. (Archivist) will be audio taping AA ‘long timers’ in the GTA. If members know of any ‘long timers’ that are no longer attending meetings because of age, and would like to share their experience of the history of AA in the GTA, please call 234 and leave your name and phone number for the Archivist.
• The 20^th Annual Archives Breakfast will be held on Sunday, November 7 at the Oasis Convention Centre. Guest Speaker: Gail L., Akron Archivist. Tickets $25. See Flyers.
• This committee may hold a ¾ day seminar / workshop on archival methods. If a room is made available they will invite other Archives Committees from Area 83 to attend.
• Next Meeting: Friday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

Bob entertained questions from Floor members.

Brad (Streetsville) asked about the donation of a 1st edition of the Big Book. Bob mentioned that this has been put on hold for further consideration.

CPC: No report. Next Meeting: Monday, September 6 at 7 p.m. at 234.

GRAPEVINE –Scott M (Bloordale), Chairperson

Report on file. Scott reported the following:

• Orders for 2005 Grapevine calendars ($8.50) and pocket planners ($5.25) are being compiled for the Area Committee meeting on Sept. 11 in Belleville. Order through your DCM or through Scott. Items available for pickup at the Kingston Fall Assembly (Oct.).
• Grapevine Committee draft web page on hold.
• There are still a limited number of Grapevine tapes available cheaper than cost at 234. Check with Literature (Linda) for availability.
• For a Grapevine Display at your group or event, contact your district Grapevine Rep or put in a request to 234.
• This committee is encouraging groups to start up their own Grapevine displays.
• After some research, this committee has found out how to order the Grapevine magazine in French and Spanish (printed bi-monthly / 6 issues a year).
• The whole set of Grapevines dating back to the first issue in June 1944 has been completed.
• Due to a change in distribution, it is hoped that the daily in getting monthly Grapevines has been rectified.
• Please recycle your old Grapevines as they do a great deal of help in Treatment Centres and Correctional Facilities.
• Next Meeting: Thursday, September 9 at 7 p.m. at 234.

INFORMATION AA DAY: No report.

ONTARIO REGIONAL CONFERENCE: No report.

PUBLIC INFORMATION – Kevin M (North Toronto), Committee member

Kevin discussed the upcoming Public Information Committee Service Day to be held on Saturday, September 25, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Glebe Road United Church. The Agenda will include panels of experienced speakers, a question and answer period, lunch, general sharing session, and a Special Guest Speaker: Jack L. (Kawartha). The aim of the day is to inform members about Public Information and, as Kevin shared, “…basically communicating to the outside world on behalf of the Fellowship”. Day is free. See flyers. Next Meeting: Monday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES – Mike C (Beverly Hills), Operating Committee

Correctional Facilities will meet again on Wednesday, September 8 at 7:30 p.m. at 234. Mike pointed out that there are Corrections Volunteer Forms available for reps to take back to their groups.

RECEPTION – Mike C

Mike said “Make sure and check in!”

TREATMENT FACILITIES: No report. Next Meeting: Thurs., Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

TWELFTH STEP: No report. Next Meeting: Fri., Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at 234. Next Phone Training Session: Sun., Sept. 19 at 1:30 p.m. at 234.

WEBSITE – Vince R (Welcome), Webmaster

Vince shared that the next committee meeting will be on Sat., Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. at 234. Volunteers welcome! He also requested more Operating Committee participation.

WINTER SEASON OPEN HOUSE: No report. 1st Meeting: Wed., Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m.

Unfinished Business

Matti stated that, last month, there was a Notice of Motion that Toronto Intergroup ask for a donation of a 1^st edition of a Big Book to be raffled off in March as a fundraiser for Toronto Intergroup.

He then asked if anyone wanted to speak to that Motion. Wes B (Long Branch) reiterated his comments from last month’s General Meeting, summing up by saying “[referring to his group]…we will be absolutely voting against any kind of a lottery trying to support Toronto Intergroup”. Several other Floor members (Jackie / Welcome, Carol A / Brampton Recovery) shared that their groups agreed with the above sentiments, and would also choose to vote against the Motion. Susan B (Glenholme) stated that her group voted for the Motion, sharing that since it was a Big Book raffle, and that the Big Book is “steeped in our history” it would be OK; however there was a feeling that anything other than that wouldn’t be OK.

Matti was instructed that we have to have the Notice of Motion put on the Floor again and that a person was needed to second the Motion:

New Business

There was discussion regarding the process for volunteering for the phones, and concerns with this process. Some members shared about volunteers not being contacted for phone training after they had applied to do phone work (Wes B / Long Branch) and also that no one showed up to give a phone training session, even though arrangements were made for such (Jim B. / Newmarket). Matti stated that he will address these concerns with the Twelfth Step Committee. Phone Training Sessions are held every third Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at 234. Joni N (Yorkville) asked what the sobriety requirement was for volunteering for the phones (one year of continuous sobriety).

CLOSING REMARKS

Matti thanked everyone for coming out to the meeting. He also stated that, being there are 14 subcommittees in Toronto Intergroup, if each report could be kept to 2 to 3 minutes it would make for a more time-efficient meeting.

MOTION TO ADJOURN moved by Wes B (Long Branch).

Meeting closed with the Responsibility Pledge.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, September 28 at 8 p.m. at Glebe Road United.