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Greater Toronto Area Intergroup

GENERAL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2009

The meeting convened at 8 p.m. with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer.  Ed. R. (Rouge Valley Centenary) read the Twelve Traditions.  THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT: Agincourt Acorn, Anniversary, Beaches, Birds of a Feather, Bloordale, Credit Valley, Daily Reflections, Danforth, Erin Mills, Fellowship, Fifth Tradition (Scarborough), Glenholme, Half Century, High Park, Hill, Keep It Simple (Scarborough), Kipling, Lakeshore, Leslie, Long Branch, Markland Wood, Midtown, Mississauga, New Anchor, Orleta (Polish), Pine Hills, Port Credit, Primary Purpose, Prince Edward, Rainbow, Reaching Out, Restoration & Recovery, Rox Glen Traditional, Royal York, Shepherd, St. Clements, Streetsville, Sunday Northwestern, Sunday Scarboro, Sunnyside, Trial & Error, Twelfth Tradition, Twelve Steps, Unionville, Weston Sunday Open, and Willowdale.  District Liaisons: Districts 02 and 18.  Subcommittee Chairs: Access Ability, Archives, Information AA Day 2010, Public Information, Treatment Facilities, Website/Newsletter, and Twelfth Step.

Motion to Adopt Minutes – May 2009: John B. (High Park) expressed concern on behalf of his group regarding the Literature Price increases; Florence replied that this can be dealt with during the Finance Report.  MOTION to adopt Minutes as presented moved by Wes B. (Longbranch) and seconded by Patrick (Glenholme).  MOTION IS CARRIED.

Chairperson’s Opening Remarks – Florence B. (Noon Rap), Chairperson: Florence took the time to acknowledge and thank Glebe Rd. Church for providing a meeting space for the monthly meeting these past several years.  Next month, the General Meeting will be held at Lansing United Church (49 Bogert Ave., near Yonge and Sheppard subway).  She also shared that, during the summer months, it is important for all of us to have fun in sobriety.

Collection of the 7th Tradition: $133.66.

FINANCE REPORT – Bruce L. (Back to Basics), Finance Chairperson: Finance Report for the month of May: In the month of May, donations were $5,070; below budget by $793.  While group donations were lower than expected, individual gratitude donations exceeded estimate.  Year-to-date donations were $35,697, which was $3,712 over budget due to group donations in January and February.  An ORC contribution of $18,519 and the closing of the Winter Season Open House account created an $18,708 overrun in Other Income, since neither of these contributions was forecast.  May Income before Operating Expenses was $29,714, over budget by $16,850.  Sales were slightly under budget, offsetting the ORC contribution.  YTD Income before Operating Expenses was $90,126, over budget by $17,191.  Total expenses for May were $11,986, under budget by $3,786 because of a slight under-run in most expense categories.  The property tax rebate was not received as forecast.  Also, insurance payment was budgeted over April and May but was expensed in April.  Year-to-date total expenses were $61,652, which is $32,660 under budget.  In addition to deferred telephone and legal/audit expenditures, there has been a general under-run in payroll, operating and committee expense.  Net Income for May was $17,728, over budget by $20,636 due mainly to the ORC contribution.  Year-to-date net income was $28,474, over budget by $49,851 – the combined impact of ORC payment, deferred telephone purchase, and lower than expected operating expenses.  Prudent Reserve as of May 31, 2009: Book Value + accrued interest: $124,644.

Those present were given a copy of the New Price List for Literature (this list available on our website); Bruce explained that the Finance committee “tried to lessen the blow” a little bit on the prices of the big selling items like the Big Book and the Twelve & Twelve.  Why have the prices gone up?  Bruce answered that he will have more information for members next month.  He also explained that GSO has, like many of us, “been feeling the pinch’: several employees of GSO have been laid off.  Jim A. (Leslie) concurred with Bruce on this point, sharing that GSO has been cutting back on services.  Jim also mentioned he will pass on any information on this point in future.  Carolyn R. (Markham Village) opined that, if GSO increased the prices “it’s necessary and for a good reason”.

ACCESS ABILITY – Donna MacQ. (Sunnyside), Chairperson: Info AA Day: It was a good day not only at the table, but also the Delegate’s report and the speaker from GSO.  It was nice to meet Mary D., who has been our contact in New York for People In Motion.  Our presentation was early in the day and was well-attended and well-received.  People In Motion: We attended on June 5&6.  There were fewer attendees and fewer exhibitors this year, but it was still well worth doing.  We had good contacts at the table and exchanged information with other booths.  I received a query from Bob J. in Woodslee regarding our grant for ASL Interpreters at meetings.  He is Special Needs Chair for Area 86.  I answered with an outline of how it works here, and contact info for Stephanie K. (Hill) and myself.  The GSR for District 22 stated that they are thinking of having and ASL Interpreter come to their Service Day on Sept.12, for the Access Ability part of the presentations.  This may be possible, as it would only be one Interpreter for a short period of time.  They will follow up.  A new GSR from District 10 has joined the committee.  Next meeting: Sunday, July 19 at 11 a.m. at 234.

ARCHIVES – Roy R. (Trial & Error), Chairperson: The next Archives Breakfast will be held on Sun. Nov 8 at the Oasis Convention Centre (Mississauga).  This is the 25th Anniversary of the event.  Cost is $25.  Tickets are available through Archives Committee members.  Speakers are Joy (St. Catherines) and Pete QW. (Oakville).  Next meeting: Fri. July 10 at 7 p.m. at 234.

CORRECTIONS – no report.  Next meeting: Mon. July 6 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

CPC – no report.  Next meeting: Mon. July 13 at 7 p.m. at 234.

INFORMATION AA DAY 2010 – Marvyn W. (Mississauga), Chairperson: Hi I'm Marvyn, Alcoholic from the Mississauga Group, and 2010 Info AA Day Chair.  The 2009 Info AA Day Committee wants to thank all members for attending the 2009 Info AA day. It was wonderful to see many members from across the GTA in attendance. The Mississauga Group had 6 members, and if we could get 6 members from every group to attend in 2010, we would have a wonderful turnout.  2010 Info AA Day is a Joint Committee between the 9 General Service Districts & GTA Toronto Intergroup.  On June 23rd, your Chair sent  an invitation to the Toronto Intergroup  Operating Committee & It's Subcommittee Chairs, Past and Present to invite them to become members of the 2010 Info AA Day Committee, Our next and first meeting will be Monday September 28, 7:30 at 234.  Elaine G's article in July Better Times is a wonderful wrap up to this year’s event.  Congratulations to Terry H (Rouge Valley Centenary), 2009 Info AA Day Chair and her committee, which was comprised of the 9 District DCM's and their alternates, and Alexx V. (Stepping Stones) and Florence B. (Noon Rap) representing Toronto Intergroup. We, the 2010 Info AA Day have two initiatives for our upcoming September 28, 2009 meeting.  1) We are asking the GTA fellowship for their Theme suggestions for 2010 Info AA Day.  Please have your group members send their Theme Suggestions to: infoaaday@aatoronto,org or mail to 234 Central Office, or phone 487-5591and leave message for Info AA Day Chair.  Theme will be voted on by the 2010 Info AA Day Committee at September 28, 2009 meeting.  Over my three years at Toronto Intergroup, Communication has been very important in carrying the message to the still suffering alcoholic.  At the 2006 WSOH, it was suggested we would have 200 to 300 attendees, with communication the committee grew it to over 550 attendees.  We at Better Times and the Website have always tried to carry the message through communication.   We, the 2010 Info AA day Committee  want to prepare an awareness brochure to have on aatoronto.org that could be printed, if desired  for the home groups.  It will outline to all, most importantly the newcomer: 1) What Info AA Day is, 2) What information is shared, 3) What is the delegates report, 4) GSO's speaker's presentation, and 5) Why a member would wish to come to Info AA Day.  The awareness brochure is to be discussed at the September 28, 2009 Info AA day meeting.  In closing we wish to thank the GTA AA fellowship's participation at the 2009 Info AA Day, and hope you will make awareness to your home groups about the 2010 Info AA Day to be held either May 15 or May 29th 2010, to be determined.  Yours In Service, Marvyn W., 2010 Info AA Day Chair

 

ORC 2010 – Jim A. (Leslie), event committee member: Jim spoke on behalf of the ORC 2010 Chair, Jim B.  He thanked all members for their support for this years’ event.  This committee will meet again in Sept.  Next year’s committee is looking forward to providing “another great event” for GTA members and beyond.

 

Public Information – Bryan W. (Rox Glen Traditional), Chairperson: 7 members were present at the last meeting; Districts 06, 10, 12, 18 and 22 were represented.  The committee continues to work on updating a school list for the GTA, so they can send a letter out to all schools – a very large task.  P.I. was present at Info AA Day.  District 10 borrowed the P.I. display for Pride Weekend; they also had this display at the recent Salvation Army Conference.  P.I. Events Coordinator Romana K. (Rox Glen Traditional) met recently at the 234 boardroom with 4 high school students to give a talk.  There will also be a talk given at the Rogers Health Centre.  The folder/holder campaign (holders with Beginner Pamphlets; put in doctor’s offices, pharmacies, etc.) continues at the District level.  Any member wanting to put these around their area can contact the committee through 234 or the website.  Bryan asked for young AA members who would be interested in volunteering to give talks at schools.  Next meeting: Mon. July 20 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

 

RECEPTION CENTRE – Rick McC. (Six Points), 1st Vice Chair: 52 members were present at tonight’s meeting.

 

TREATMENT FACILITIES – Steve A. (Markland Wood), TF Committee member: Attendance at the last TF meeting included Dist. 12 TF Chair, Dist 10 (who has a new TF Chair who was unable to attend but sent the Alternate Chair, who also represented Dist.06).  Attendance is still sparse; we are looking for representatives from all districts.  District News: In Dist.12, all meetings/locations are in good shape.  In Dist.10, the chair is getting up to speed on all activities.  In Dist. 06, we are still waiting for news of developments in Peel Region.  As the Dist. 12 Chair was going on vacation, I attempted to contact CAMH regarding their request for an additional meeting at the Medical Withdrawal Unit.  TF was present at Info AA Day.  Over the summer, the committee will be compiling a list of all treatment facilities/service meetings/detox/shelters/referral services, etc. so that we can have an up-to-date inventory as well as the status of service meetings, etc.  The committee also has plans for coordinated Bridging The Gap contacts within treatment facilities.  Meetings for July and August will be by e-mail and phone contact.

 

TWELFTH STEP – Florence B. (Noon Rap), committee member: 2 new volunteers have come forward.  The next phone training session will be held on Sun. July 19 at 1:30 p.m. at 234.  One year of continuous sobriety is needed to work on the phones.  The project of increasing the 12-Step List continues, but will take time.  This committee is now holding 2 meetings a month; one on the second Wednesday (July 8) and one on the last Friday (July 31).  Both meetings start at 7 p.m.  The committee is also considering holding a 12-Step Workshop in the future.

 

WEBSITE/Better Times – Aaron K. (Yorkville), Chairperson: The Better Times is always looking for contributions to publish.  Please keep in mind our Singleness of Purpose.  The Better Times needs a Co-Editor.  Our team has fun and it’s a great way to get in service and stay in touch with the Fellowship.  Contact as by our website www.aatoronto.org or see me after the meeting.  We meet on the second Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. at 234.  Next meeting is July 11.  Website: Our web traffic is healthy.  There are many notices that come in to the site.  I’d like to thank our Webmaster, Brian T. (Twelve Traditions) for the outstanding effort he contributes.

 

IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE – Dee T. (Streetsville), Chairperson: I am an alcoholic; my name is Dee.  On June 13, 2009, the Implementation Committee finalized its restructuring of the Operating Procedures & Guidelines of the GTA Intergroup in accordance with the Motion approved by Referendum in December 2008.  The greatest challenge we as a committee faced was making sure that the spirit of the Motion was consistent throughout the entire document and that there was no contradiction between the different sections and sub-sections. 

 

It is the recommendation of the Committee that after the Executive Committee and Finance Committee study the new Procedures & Guidelines – and should meet with their approval – that the new Procedures & Guidelines be made available, either in hard-copy or forwarded by e-mail, along with the Minutes of the June General Meeting in order that the reps and their groups become familiar with the changes. 

 

We sincerely believe that with these new Procedures & Guidelines, GTA Intergroup has demonstrated a desire to work alongside the General Service Districts within our boundaries in the true spirit of our great program: Recovery, Unity, and Service.

 

And so in keeping with that desire, the Implementation Committee recommends that committees that are made up of members from the districts and a Liaison from GTA Intergroup be categorized as Joint Service Committees, and that they select their own Chairperson.  The GTA Intergroup liaison would submit the committee reports to the GTA Intergroup Floor, and bring back to their respective committees any concerns and recommendations from the Floor to the Executive Committee.

 

We as a committee are also confident that the restructuring of the office staff and their roles along with the new terms of service on the Executive Committee can only lead to more responsibility and consistency in the operations of GTA Intergroup.

 

And finally, the committee recommends that for the next Executive Committee elections, all members from the most recent past Operating Committee be permitted the chance to stand for election, along with the members of the current Operating Committee.

 

On behalf of those who served on this committee – Fran H. (Bloordale), Aaron K. (Yorkville), Tom S. (Saturday Morning Disc.), and Wes B. (Longbranch) – I thank you for the opportunity to serve, and for the trust of the members of GTA Intergroup.  Sincerely, Dee T.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: none.  NEW BUSINESS: none.  In closing, Florence asked members to “leave sober love in this room”.  There being no further business, the meeting closed with the Responsibility Pledge.

 

NEXT GENERAL MEETING: Tues. July 28 at 8 p.m. at Lansing United Church, 49 Bogert Ave. (Yonge and Sheppard subway).