St. Paul Al‑Anon/Alateen Intergroup
Minutes of Intergroup Meeting September 9, 2014
The meeting opened at 7:03 pm with the Serenity Prayer.
- Introductions
-
Chair, IR, Uptown Tuesday 6:30 pm A
Co-Secretary, IR, Midway Wednesday 6:30 pm
Treasurer, IR, Summit Hill Wednesday 5 pm
Newsletter Chair, IR, Monday Midway Men’s 7:15 pm
IR, New Brighton Thursday Al‑Anon
Assistant Treasurer, IR, Inner Peace Thursday 11 am Al‑Anon
There were readings on Tradition 9 and Concept 9.
It was noted that a quorum (5% of groups, that is, 6 or more) was
present so substantive business could be done.
Business
- 1. Questions/Concerns
- There was none.
- 2. Open service positions
- The Chair reported we may have a Public Outreach chair. We still
need a Liaison to Minnesota South Area and chairs for Event Sales,
Group Liaison, Alateen, Archives and Institutions. In relation to the
Event Sales position, we are selling literature at the Fall Area
Assembly on October 4 in Mankato and at Gratitude Night in
November.
- 3. SPIG inventory: Questions 9 – 13
- Question 9: Do we pay bills/taxes on time? Yes athough there was
one slip up on payment of sales tax.
- Question 10: What is the purpose of Gratitude night and is it an
effective use of resources? A number of purposes were proposed, among
them were recognizing volunteers`, raising awareness of Intergroup, fellowship, and fund
raising. On the last, it was pointed out that in recent years
contributions at the event did not cover expenses. A proposal was made
that baskets be passed this year rather than relying on 7th Tradition
cans near the door. There was little enthusiasm for suggesting an
amount to contributed, although that might be considered in appeal
letters.
- Question 11: Should we have a liaison with Minneapolis Information
Services? The Co-secretary said this had been the case unofficially
for a while several years ago. He thought that if we had a liaison, we
should expect Minneapolis to have one, too. Further discussion was
tabled to a future meeting. There was some further discussion of the
possibility of merger with Minneapolis AIS that came up at the August
meeting. One IR said his group was completely against it. Perhaps
there should be something in the newsletter.
- Question 12: Do we have clear understanding of responsibility and
authority for oversight of our website? The Web Chair and webmaster
said he is in frequent contact with the Minneapolis office manager. He
consults with her when issues arise about what should be posted. He
acknowleged that no one else is familiar with how the day to day
maintenance of the website is done. He is working toward developing
procedures that could be used by Windows users.
- The Web Chair reported that links to the WSO Facebook and Twitter pages had
recently been posted. He said there will be links to WSO podcasts.
Some members would like to see more social media links, including
YouTube, as well as a links to sites where recordings of Al‑Anon
speakers could be heard and downloaded. He believes there is a danger
of violating Al‑Anon traditions on anonymity and endorsement of outside
entities. YouTube was problematic because it displays links to
“Related channels” that have nothing to do with Al‑Anon and could
provide a misleading picture of what Al‑Anon is.
- More questions will be addressed next month.
- 4. Dakota County Jail Resource Fair, October 2
- The co-secretary described the event, that it provides information
to inmates that will be helpful when they are released. He said he was
willing to volunteer and was hoping to get someone else. For the first
time, there may be an afternoon session targeting juveniles.
- 5. Update: Calling groups to update information and invite
Intergroup Representatives
- One IR had completed most of the calls on the sheet he took at the
August meeting.
- 6. Report on Fellowship Weekend hospitality suite
- A member reported there had been only two volunteers helping out but
that they seemed to enjoy it. $37 was collected in the Seventh
Tradition basket; we expect something from the Area. The meatless
gluten-free chili Friday night and the cinnamon bread Saturday morning
were great successes
- 7. Updating position guidelines
- This was tabled for a future meeting.
- 8. Update on purchasing a copier
- This was tabled for a future meeting.
- 9. Questions/Concerns/Other Business
- The Treasurer reported the lease on the office had expired. The new rent
will be $715 per month (up $20) for 12 months plust $50 for the use of
a conference room. In was moved, seconded and voted unaimously that
the lease should be renewed at the the new rent
level.
Reports
- Chair
- She has talked with the Minneapolis AIS Chir about merging. She
has been in communication with a member about her serving as Public
Outreach chair.
- Vice Chair
- He has started putting Gratitude Night together. It will be
November 8 at the Presbyterian Church of the Way, 3382 Lexington Ave, N
in Shoreview. There will be a Name That Tune segment before the
speakers. The theme will be Carry the Message of
Thanks. He will check to see what supplies are available in the
office and will purchase what is needed. We will need volunteers to
sell literature, to set up and clean up.
- Secretary
- he minutes of the August meeting were accepted as presented.
- Treasurer
- The Treasurer reported total income of $2,846 ($1841 in sales, $977
in contributions) and total expenses of $3,519 ($1,682 for literature
and medallions and $1,837 rent, phone, internet and insurance). It
was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to accept
the Treasurer’s report. She said she thought we had the
funds to upgrade our technology if needed.
- Assistant Treasurer
- She reported a discrepency of $43 but will recheck her arithmetic.
- Office Volunteers
- No report.
- Office manager
- No report.
- Speaker chair
- No report.
- Website.Directory
- He had earlier reported about links to social media on the
website.
- Newsletter
- A newsletter will go out October 1. The deadline for submission
will be 9/15 or 9/20 at the latest.
The meeting closed at 8:09 pm with the Al‑Anon Declaration.
The next meeting will be October 14, 2014 at 7 pm at the Griggs Midway building.
Edited for the web 9 October 2014