St. Paul Al-Anon Intergroup Service Meeting
Minutes – March 13, 2012
The meeting opened at 7:00 pm with the Serenity Prayer. The Vice Chair led
the meeting in the absence of the Chair,
- Introductions
- Vice Chair, IR for Summit Hill Wednesday 5 pm Al-Anon
Assistant Treasurer, Alternate IR for Midway Wednesday 6:30 pm Al-Anon
Secretary, not currently representing a meeting
Alternate IR for Speakers of Compassion Al-Anon
Literature Chair, Summit Hill Monday 6 pm Al-Anon
Minnesota South Area Panel 52 World Service Delegate
It was noted there was not a quorum (at least 5% of 110 groups = 6) of
Intergroup Representatives present.
Tradition Three and Concept Three There were
readings on both. Tradition three (The relatives of
alcoholics, when gathered together for mutual aid, may call themselves an
Al-Anon Family Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other
affiliation. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem
of alcoholism in a relative or friend) is about treating someone
with love and kindness. Concept three (The right of
decision makes effective leadership possible.) is about being a
confident leader who is able to trust and allow others the opportunity to
experience and learn from their own mistakes.
Reports
- Chair
- The Vice Chair heard from the Chair that Intergroup would be selling
literature at the Gopher State Roundup and volunteers were needed.
She mentioned a health fair at Inver Hills College at which Intergroup
had been invited to participate.
- Vice Chair
- She is waiting to hear from the Speaker Chair if he reserved the
church for the Gratitude Night either on 11/10/12 or 11/17/12. It was
suggested letting AA Intergroup know so their Gratitude Night is not
on the same night. The Vice Chair said she would pass on that
suggestion.
- Secretary
- The minutes of the February meeting were reviewed.
- Treasurer
- The Treasurer was unable to attend but had provided a report. The
Assistant Treasurer said the Treasurer was concerned about the decrease
in income from literature sales and contributions. She will be sending
out a new appeal letter to increase the income.
- Assistant Treasurer
- The Assistant Treasurer said that every month there is an anonymous
individual contribution for $100.00 via money order. He reviewed his
report which summarized sales and contributions for February.
Literature sales totalled $1,562.85. $76.56 worth of medallions were
sold. There were $685.08 in contributions from 9 groups and $121.29 in
contributions from 3 individuals.
- Event sales
- Gopher State Roundup is May 25, 26, 27 of this year. Volunteer
coordinator is needed so it will be discussed next month. Volunteers
are also needed.
- Group Liaison
- The Group Liaison has stepped down. She will help find a
replacement.
- Liaison to Minnesota South Area
- This important position is still open. It involves representing
Intergroup at meetings of the AWSC (Area World Service Committee twice
a year as a voting member, and at the Area Assembly twice a year.
Talk it up in your group in hopes someone will step forward to do the
job.
- Literature
- The Literature Chair has put in a big order and ordered more
medallions, too.
- Newsletter
- No report.
- Office Volunteers
- There was no report, except it was mentioned that there are too
many uncovered hours. Members should mention the need for volunteers
in their meetings.
- Speaker Chair
- The former Speaker Chair has agreed to come back as speaker
chair.
- Web site/Directory
- The web chair reported the web site is up to date. The 2000 and
2004 bylaws are posted on the web.
- New events that have been posted to the
events page include a Spanish language conference in Chicago
on April and an Al-Anon Adult Children Workshop and Festival in May at
which WSO Executive Director Rick will be speaking.
Business
- Audit
- The 2011 Audit meeting is still pending.
- E-literature
- Our new panel 52 World Service Delegate was present at the meeting.
She wanted to get members’ inputs and ideas about the impact on
the income of Intergroup and other Literature Distribution Centers.
- One member said members should have to pay to access e-literature.
Another said we might lose the personal connection between members
without paper forms. A new intergroup rep thought literature should be
free. One member pointed out that about 80% of WSO income comes from
literature sales. He said he believed that there is still a need for
hard cover books. If some literature does become electronic then he
said there should be some system whereby Intergroups and LDCs could
sell it and share in the provits. It would probably be OK as long as
e-books don’t hurt WSO income.
- Bylaws review
- This is ongoing.
- Reserve (ample/prudent)
- This is ongoing.
- Open service positions
- It was discussed how to let people know about the open service
committee chair positions. These are chairs for Alateen, Archives,
Liaison to Minnesota South Area, Public Outreach, Institutions, Group
Liaison and Event Sales
The meeting adjourned with the Al-Anon Declaration at 8:00 pm.
Edited for the web 2 April 2012