GREATER TORONTO AREA INTERGROUP

GENERAL MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2009

The meeting convened at 8 p.m. with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer. Glenn G. (East York) read the Twelve Traditions. THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT: Amazing Grace, Anniversary, Aurora, Bayview, Beaches, Bellamy, Beverly Hills, Birds of a Feather, Bloordale, Church Street, Credit Valley, Daily Reflections, Danforth, East York, Erin Mills, Glenholme, Half Century, High Park, K.F., Keep It Simple (Scarborough), Kipling, Lakeshore, Leslie, Living Sober, New Anchor, Newmarket, Open Hands, Parklawn, Port Credit, Principles Before Personalities, Prince Edward, Restoration & Recovery, Rexdale United, Richmond Hill, Rouge Valley Centenary, Rox Glen Traditional, Saturday Morning Discussion, Six Points, St. Patricks, Stepping Stones Discussion, Sunday Northwestern, Sunnyside, Thornhill, Trial & Error, Twelfth Tradition, Twelve Steps, Unionville, Welcome, Weston Sunday Open, Willowdale, Woodbridge. District Liaisons: Districts 02, 04, and 18. Subcommittee Chairs: Access Ability, Archives, CPC, Information AA Day, Public Information, Website/Newsletter.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES – MARCH 2009: MOTION to accept Minutes as presented moved by Wayne O. (Anniversary) and seconded by Derek (Beverly Hills). MOTION CARRIED.

OPENING REMARKS FROM OPERATING COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE: Woody K. (Willowdale), 2^nd Vice Chair: Woody remarked that serving on the Operating Committee was a “great experience”. He also announced that, starting in July, the General Meeting will be held at Lansing United Church (49 Bogart Ave., near Yonge & Sheppard subway). The rent will be about the same, and we will need to get insurance. The monthly meeting will be held in the Wilson Hall (downstairs). Bill M. (Westmoreland), Operating Committee Chair: Bill shared that he has been privileged to serve on the Operating Committee for the last 18 months. He also complimented our website, stating that “it was a thing of beauty”. He also stated that the subcommittees are functioning well.

At this point, 1^st Vice Chair, Aaron K. (Yorkville), chaired the meeting.

Collection of the 7^th Tradition, which totaled $188.41.

FINANCE REPORT – Bruce L. (Back to Basics), Finance Chairperson: Donations were down a little this month, but year to date is $6,300 over budget. Our net income for the month is bang on target. The Prudent reserve figure is now being shown on the monthly budget sheet (see hard copy of Minutes). GSO is introducing a price change as of July 2009. The Big Book will increase in price by 30%, and the Twelve and Twelve will increase by 16%. Price re-structuring information will be available in future.

MOTION TO SUSPEND REGULAR BUSINESS to facilitate Elections moved by Phil M. (Bayview) and seconded by Patrick (Glenholme). MOTION CARRIED.

Aaron outlined who could vote re: our Procedures and Guidelines.

Operating Committee Executive: The three Senior Operating Committee members all stood for the position of Chairperson. After a brief address to the Floor by the candidates, a vote was taken. The results were: Florence B. (Noon Rap), new Operating Chairperson; Rick Mc.C. (Six Points), 1^st Vice Chair, and John C. (Half Century), 2^nd Vice Chair.

It was announced that there are 2 vacancies in the Junior positions. The remaining Junior member, Glenn G. (East York), has moved into a Senior position. 5 remaining positions needed to be filled (2 Seniors; 3 Juniors.). Aaron outlined who could stand for the positions, then called for nominations from the Floor. 5 members stood for election. After each candidate gave a brief address to the Floor, a vote was taken. The remaining 2 Senior members are: Ed R. (Rouge Valley Centenary), and Elaine G. (Port Credit). The 3 new Juniors are: Sidrah A. (Stepping Stones), Karen K. (Twelve Steps), and Su McS. (Principles Before Personalities).

MOTION to destroy Ballots moved by Wayne O. (Anniversary) and seconded by Patrick (Glenholme). MOTION CARRIED.

Aaron gave his thanks to Floor members for his opportunity to serve on the Operating Committee. At this point, new elected Chair, Florence B., facilitated the rest of the meeting. The Floor opted to continue with limited subcommittee reports in the interest of time.

ARCHIVES – Roy R. (Trial & Error), Chairperson: an Archives Area Workshop was held on April 4, and it was a success. $120 was received (ticket sales) from the 2008 Archives Breakfast event. This year’s Breakfast, to be held on Sun. Nov.8 at the Oasis Convention Centre, will be the 25^th anniversary of the event. The Speakers have been booked. This committee has created and approved an acquisitions policy for archival materials. Roy also mentioned the upcoming East Toronto Archives Breakfast to be held on Sun. May 24, 9a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Embers Restaurant (781 Warden Ave., south of Eglinton). Tickets are $15. Tickets available through group GSRs and/or event committee members until May 15 (no tickets available at the door). Next meeting: Fri. May 8 at 7 p.m. at 234.

INFORMATION AA DAY – Marv W. (Mississauga), 2010 Chairperson: This event is a joint venture, sponsored by both Toronto Intergroup and the 9 Service Districts. The event will take place on Sat., May 30 2009 at the Lansing United Church. Theme of the event is ‘Service with Gratitude’ and is celebrating its 30^th year. GSO Speaker will be Mary D. (she is in charge of CPC), and the day will also feature an address from our Area 83 Delegate. The event includes a potluck luncheon. Tickets: $5. Flyers and tickets were made available for reps at this meeting; members can also get tickets through their GSRs. Marv requested that reps announce this event at their groups! Next meeting: Mon. May25 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

CORRECTIONS: Chair not present. He sent the following report: My apologies for not attending in person but my job keeps me from making it into Toronto very often. Should this report not be sufficient, please feel free to appoint an observer to attend our meetings which are held the first Monday of the month at 7:30pm at 234. Next meeting: Mon. May 4. The foremost agenda item was much discussion about autonomy and self sufficiency. Noted at the meeting was the fact that each District is already self supporting in regards to supplying their own jails with literature, etc. Murray O D18 submitted a report of a meeting he had with an Ontario Corrections Staff Member who is Chair of a Committee that includes Probation and Parole Officers and they have invited him to present to them, at their next meeting held at OCI, an outline of how AA could hold meetings at P&P offices around the GTA to reach inmates serving time in the community. Murray suggested that a member of the CPC Committee could also participate, however this idea was declined as the meeting is being held at a secure facility requiring clearance and Murray was already a known factor to them. Gale R of D22 presented a report updating us of new and ongoing volunteers who are keeping the EDC well served. I, D6 Chair, am happy to report that Dan H has Mimico CC meetings well supplied with volunteers and literature. Used Grapevines are being gathered and distributed to all District Chairs for placement into the various jails. A number of potential volunteers came to my attention through various channels and were forwarded to the appropriate Chair.

YLS Phil G.

PUBLIC INFORMATION - Bryan W. (Rox Glen Traditional), Chairperson: Bryan announced that the committee will be present and participating at the upcoming Info AA Day. Next meeting: Mon. May 18 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

RECEPTION – Rick McC. (Six Points), incoming 1^st Vice Chair: 60 group reps were present at this meeting.

TREATMENT FACILITIES: No report. Next meeting: Thurs. May 21 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

TWELFTH STEP – Harold Y. (Port Credit), committee member: The committee continues to work towards a new phone system. Regarding the group update lists for 12 Step work: Harold asked members to include cell phone contact numbers on the list (Deadline: May 15^th.) Next meetings: Wed. May 13 at 7 p.m. at 234; Fri. may 29 at 234.

WEBSITE/NEWSLETTER – Aaron K. (Yorkville), new Chairperson: There is a new banner for the front page of the Better Times. The committee is coming up with new ideas for articles (i.e. ‘Spotlight on Service’ column). Deadline for stories and announcements: the 10^th of every month. Next meeting: Sat. May 9 at 1 p.m. at 234.

IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE: This committee would appreciate more volunteers. Next meeting: Sat. May 9 at 3 p.m. at 234.

In closing, Florence requested that subcommittee Chairs submit copies of their monthly meetings to the office.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned with the Responsibility Pledge.

NEXT GENERAL MEETING: Tues. May 26 at 8 p.m. at Glebe Rd. United Church.