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. John V. (Thorncliffe Park) read the Twelve Traditions.

THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT: Anniversary, Bayview, Beaches, Brampton New Life, Brampton Recovery, Church Street, Credit Valley, Danforth, East York, Erin Mills, Friendly, Glenholme, High Park, King City, Kingsway, Kipling, Lakeshore, Lansing, Lawrence Plaza, Long Branch, Markland Wood, Melrose, Midtown, New Anchor, One Day at a Time, Rexdale United, Richmond Hill, Rox Glen Traditional, S.O.S., Saturday Morning Disc., Scarborough Centenary, Scarborough, Six Points, St. Clements, St. Jamestown, Streetsville, Sunday Northwestern, Thorncliffe Park, Thornhill, Traditional, Trial & Error, Welcome, Westmoreland, Weston Sunday Open, Wexford, Woodbridge, Yorkville. District Liaisons: Districts 12 and 14. Subcommittee Chairs: Archives, Public Information, Newsletter, Grapevine, ORC 2006, Info AA Day 2005, Self-Support, Website.

There was still no P.A. system available for this meeting. As a result, some comments could not be picked up by the tape recorder and as a result could not be recorded in the Minutes. (alv)

MOTION to adopt Minutes as read moved by Bill H (Credit Valley) and seconded by Phil M (Bayview). Carried.

CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS – Dominic A (Tuesday Night Disc.), 1^st Vice Chair

Dominic reported that Matti sends his apologies, as he could not be present to Chair tonight’s meeting.

Collection of the 7^th Tradition, which totaled $123.76 after coffee expenses.

Ron surmised that “I think that the Donations being up – the message that we’ve been trying to get out to you to spread those donations out instead of saving them until the last Quarter is starting to work…but we need to keep those donations coming in to keep the office functioning.”

Ron referred Floor members to the back sheet on the Bar Graph: This shows what’s happening with the Reserve Fund [Prudent Reserve]; what the bonds are and how the bonds work. The fund was set up in 1991 (as a separate item). At that time we purchased a bond of $50,000. At the end of 2003 that bond had grown to $96,000 in value as we cashed the bonds and traded them around. With the interest earned by those bonds but not received (approximately $3900), market value on the bond was $100,259. Ron stated: “I hope that this explains some of our cash flow problems. When all the money comes in to the Fund, it is counted as income by our Auditor, but we don’t see it; we don’t have that money to use, unless we borrow from the Fund.” A breakdown of Donations and cash flow was provided in this document (breakdown as it appears on our Financial Statement for the end of December 2003). At that point in time, we had $186,046 in Income…we had a profit of $73 [that year]. With Cash Flow, we had a deficit of -$4885, because that interest stays in the Reserve Fund. At this point in time, we have taken some of that and rolled the bonds over and used some of that…we did it last year, and we got the money back in. In the last Quarter of last year the donations from groups and individuals [in the last three months] totaled approximately a little over $63,000. We hope that you people are just as generous this year; if that is the case we will take that Reserve Fund back up to the $100,000 level – the level that it was at the beginning of the year. I wanted to get this out in writing to you because sometimes when questions and answers come from the Floor, they sometimes get distorted by the time they get back to your groups. Right now the two government bonds that we have are Government of Ontario bonds. They total $59,298.50 and have an unrealized capital gain – or interest, as we quote on our Financial Statements – of $4,921.39. Just a further explanation: the unrealized gain of $4,921.39 – assuming that the bond runs to maturity – you get exactly what the bond is printed [at] and if we sold them today we would get that interest. We don’t get it until the bond terminates or gets sold. We don’t get a check every month for the interest…”

Ron also mentioned that Gratitude Month is in October. He stated: “Some of you have received the Gratitude letter; if you haven’t got it, you’ll get it by the end of the week. The office staff and volunteers have been working very hard at it, and the Finance Committee wants to extend a big round of gratitude to the people that stuffed envelopes, put the labels on…it’s a lot of work, they’re all done, and that’s really great.”

He continued that the [proposed] 2005 Budget will be presented to the Floor next month. Ron has asked the various subcommittees to have their figures in, and some have come in and the Finance Committee is analyzing them. He added further that “One of our big costs is producing the [Minutes and the monthly Newsletter]. Xerox has given us a proposal to upgrade our Xerox [photocopying] machine. It means a hundred dollars or more of lease payments, but it would save us in printing costs somewhere between $250 and $300 a month. We have discussed this with the Better Times committee; it would all be handled in-house; instead of going to the printer…this will bring down our costs, and this is what it’s all about.”

Wes B (Long Branch): “How long is our new lease?” Ron: “That’s a good question. I think it’s five years.”

Paul O’N (High Park): “Would we pay a salary for someone to print this on the machine?” Ron: “No. What happens on this machine is that it’s connected to the computer. If Better Times sends their stuff in, we just push the button on the computer and it prints it out. The volunteers would [then] fold [the copies].”

Paul O’N: “Our group said that cashing the bond is a sound business decision, but they wanted to know who exactly approves this – the Operating Committee or the Finance Committee…or both?” Ron: “Both. The procedure at Finance is that we approve it at our [monthly] meeting at 4:30 p.m., someone goes from the Finance Committee to the Operating Committee at 7:30 p.m. and reports to the Operating Committee for approval, and ask if it’s OK. So everyone approves it.”

Ben (Thornhill) asked if a breakdown of what it costs just to answer phones, and everything else associated with answering phones. Ron replied that it is hard to breakdown ‘true’ in that regard, however he could work out an approximate figure for next month’s meeting. Ron also mentioned that the Twelfth Step committee has asked for $3000 for their 2005 budget. This does not include Floor space or telephones.

The past month was a “quiet month” for this committee. They are working on the idea of distributing old copies of Better Times along with subscription forms to each home group business meeting they visit, in the hopes of creating awareness and availability of the Newsletter. On behalf of Self-Support, Phil thanked all the volunteers that worked to help with Gratitude Month. Gratitude envelopes were also available for members to take back to their groups. Volunteers are needed for 12 Step and Self-Support. Next Meeting: Monday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

At this time Dominic commented re: volunteering. He stated: “Any member of AA that has a little bit of sobriety can sit on any subcommittee of Toronto Intergroup.”

ACCESS ABILITY – Donna McL (Sunnyside), Dist.12 Access Ability Chairperson

This committee attended two service days recently (Dist.22 Service Day and Public Information Day). This committee is always looking for volunteers. District support is needed at this table, particularly more able-bodied volunteers since, Donna states: “We have several disabled committee members who are doing everything they can to help themselves but they need a little help from us for things like transporting the bins of literature and so on.” This committee meets on the third Sunday of every month at 234. Next Meeting: October 17 at 11 a.m.

Dominic passed on a request from Matti that all Subcommittee Reports are kept to 2 or 3 minutes, also adding that “Everyone has been doing an excellent job with that so far.”

The page one article is entitles “What is Service”, written by Jim Armstrong (Wexford) of the Self-Support Committee, an article which talks about Gratitude Month. Kevin also clarified the Self-Support Newsletter awareness effort: basically what will be put together will be a brief commentary on what Intergroup is all about, why groups that are not attending should send people, and old copies of Better Times will be attached. For the November issue: Winter Season Open House, more stuff on Service Days (i.e. the East York Roundup), and the slogan will be “Live and Let Live”. Monthly deadline for copy and announcements is on the 10^th of every month. Next Meeting: Wed. October 20 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

Report on file. Bob reported that all items have been completed for the upcoming Archives Breakfast (November 7). Ticket sales for the event are going well and are available to group reps for distribution in October at the General Meeting. This committee is looking for donations of the following: a) an 8 mm projector, b) a reel-to-reel tape recorder, c) some narrow industrial shelving. A formal request for these items will be made at the November meeting. If reps know if these items are available, please contact the Archivist c/o 234. Next Meeting: Friday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

Wes B (Long Branch) had the suggestion of Archives asking the Newsletter if they could make a listing of the donations request and put this item in upcoming issues; Bob agreed that this would be wise.

Kevin M (North Toronto) suggested checking second hand stores for these items.

At this time Dominic reminded Floor members that Elections will be held at the October meeting, and asked that reps think about suitable candidates to serve on the Operating Committee. Three junior members are needed.

At the Sept. 8 meeting, three districts were present. The Dist. 02 CF Chair (Judy M.) has rotated out, and the new Chair is in place. There still seems to be some confusion about the ‘Bridging the Gap’ program. Some districts think the program has been initiated; some are aware that the program is, according to Mike, “still in the works”. Dist. 12 (Southwest Central) has started meetings at the Keele Street Community Correctional Centre. Volunteers needed for meetings ‘on the inside’. [Tape becomes unclear] Corrections volunteer forms are available on the website, at 234, or at the monthly General Meeting. Next Meeting: Wed., October 13 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

Subcommittee Volunteer Forms are available at this meeting for 12 Step, Treatment Facilities, Public Information, Bridging the Gap, Correctional Facilities, and Access Ability ‘reaching out’ forms.

This committee has some events coming up in the fall. Volunteers needed. This committee meets on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at 234. Next Meeting: CALL 234 for October date of this meeting (possible date change due to Thanksgiving Holiday).

Report on file. This committee’s draft web page is still on hold. There are still a limited number of Grapevine audiotapes (available cheaper than cost) at 234; contact the Literature Department for availability. There is a picture of the Sunday Morning Men’s Meeting room, along with a Grapevine display, in the latest edition of ‘our meeting in print’. The Grapevine is available to order in French and Spanish (6 issues a year). Contact Scott c/o 234 for more information. An idea for a traveling Grapevine Display has been discussed; the idea is that the District rep will loan out this display on a monthly basis to a group Grapevine rep, essentially to spread awareness of the magazine to those groups that the District Rep can’t get to. The 2005 Grapevine Budget has bee submitted for consideration. To sum, Scott asked reps to remember to recycle your Grapevine magazines, as “they do a great deal of help in Corrections facilities and Treatment centres”. Click on www.aagrapevine.org to see what’s new or check out an old Grapevine article from the archive collection. Next Meeting: Thurs. October 14 at 7 p.m. at 234.

This committee meets on the second Thursday of the month. The next meeting is October 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Lansing United. Volunteers needed! This committee is trying to coordinate with GSO re: dissemination of information regarding volunteers for the 2005 International Conference. More info to come.

ONTARIO REGIONAL CONFERENCE – Eric H (Bayview), 2006 ORC Chairperson

This committee met on Sept. 14 at 234. GSO has given this committee a Hospitality Suite for the 2005 International Conference, so that “We can promote our Conference”. The theme of the 2006 ORC: ‘People, Program, and Prayer’. Eric reports that, due to escalating cost, the fees have gone up for the event. The admission will go up to $30 (was $26), and the banquet will go up to $55 (was $50). He stated: “We felt that, instead of putting up the price a little at a time, what we hope to do is look to future committees, so that they don’t have to do it [raise the price] for a couple of years.” Next Meeting: Wed. Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

The Public Information Service Day was held on Saturday, September 25. According to Tom, there was a great speaker and it was a well-promoted event and interactive, with various panels and speakers. He commented that this event will be held next year.

Eddy G (Beaches) asked how many attended; Tom answered that 15 to 20 attended the event.

TREATMENT FACILITIES – Karl E (Glenholme), Operating Committee Liaison

Report on file. At the meeting on Sept. 16, 3 districts were represented. This committee meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at 234. Dist.12 Chair, Mel C., mentioned that St. Josephs Hospital needs an ‘over chair’ to commit regularly to making sure that the meeting is set up and running. For anyone interested, please call 234. There is nothing further to report on the ‘Bridging the Gap’ program. Karl also mentioned that the Hospital for Sick Children wants to start a meeting on site. An ‘over chair’ is needed to en sure that the meeting is established. Next Meeting: October 21.

Lynn reported that the September Greeter Captain stated the first week and a half of September was “brutal”; for five days in a row, he himself had to go in [and do shifts]. Unfortunately, at least six people either quit, or went ‘back out’. For the last seven or eight days alone, only one person was present for each shift [ideally there are 2 or 3 volunteers for each phone shift] basically because Greeters are calling in to confirm that they will be there – and then they don’t show up. It was stressed that this appears to be a persistent problem and seems to be getting worse. Lynn opined: “My personal opinion is a lot of these other committees are luxuries. This one isn’t. This one is the point of first contact with the newcomer. Most new members are coming in here via first contact with the phones. That is our primary purpose of Intergroup as far as I’m concerned – the core purpose of Intergroup. So, let’s keep those phones going!” Correction: Lynn corrected Ron’s earlier comment about the 2005 Twelfth Step proposed budget. They are asking for a budget of $300, not $3000. Next Meeting: Friday, October 29 at 6:30 p.m. at 234. The Twelfth Step Committee Chair also passes along an apology to Floor members for missing the recent Phone Training Session. It was an oversight.

Report on file. Better Times issues will now be posted online two months after printing. New events listed: Scarborough District 22 Day and Public Information Day. August had 6,265 visits; expecting the number of visits to the site to increaser up until the 2005 International Conference. Number One search string: AA International Conference. Old Business: Having problems with the medallion ordering form; pages’ use will be monitored to see if it’s worth the trouble of fixing. Literature prices displayed online will be updated. GSO has allowed the site to use the International Conference logo on the site. New Business: The committee will now be adding hotlinks to other Intergroup sites from our site, providing that the site follow our Website Guidelines (Twelve Traditions). A Grapevine Committee page is in process. A new Webmaster (Alex) has been nominated, following the resignation of the former Webmaster, Vince R. (Welcome). Next Meeting: Saturday, October 16 at 1 p.m. at 234. Alex encouraged other subcommittee members to feel free to attend this meeting.

Tom S (Saturday Morning Disc.) asked about the availability of downloading literature (i.e. Big Book) and AA pamphlets from the site. Alex answered that AA pamphlets are available to download from GSO; it is not available on the Toronto site.

WINTER SEASON OPEN HOUSE: No report. Next Meeting: Monday, October 25 at 6:30 p.m. at 234.

Ron, Finance Committee Chair, announced that the Finance Committee has an immediate opening on the committee for one volunteer. The member would serve for the balance of this year and all of 2005. The requirements: Some business experience plus at least 5 years of continuous sobriety. For those interested, please contact 234.

Dominic announced that the St. Jamestown Group has a Notice of Motion, and he proceeded to read the following (copy of Notice of Motion on file):

Recovery-related literature (i.e. Hazelton Literature) be made available for sale at GTA Intergroup’s Literature Department.
This service be made available only to those groups who have decided through their autonomous group conscience processes that they want these materials.
Written notification of their decision be submitted to [GTA] Intergroup.
This service will be offered out of respect for the autonomy granted to groups in the 4^th Tradition.
This [proposal] is consistent with Toronto Intergroup’s role of serving the needs of the groups in terms of the primary purpose, as per the 5^th Tradition.

Dominic asked that group reps take this back to their groups for consideration. This Motion will come to the Floor at December’s General Meeting.

Motion to adjourn made by Eddy G (Beaches) and seconded by Wes B (Long Branch). Carried.