AREA 20

                                                	         DISTRICT 10 MONTHLY MEETING
 				         		February 27, 2011
				              St. Gilbert's, Grayslake, Illinois

ATTENDANCE:  55

CALL TO ORDER:  DCM Scott S. called the meeting to order at 6:10 with a quiet time followed by the Serenity Prayer.

INTRODUCTION FOR 1st TIME ATTENDEES:  
Tricia:  GSR, AAA, Antioch
Dave:  GSR, 7:00 A.M. meeting, Antioch Recovery Club (ARC)
Kevin:  GSR 7:00 P.M. meeting "24 Hours a Day".
Chris:  GSR, 7:00 P.M. Saturday - Serenity House
Dave:  GSR, Thursday, 8:00 P.M., "Sober School", ARC
Sue:  GSR, "A Way Out Group", Friday, 7:00 P.M.
Beverly:  GSR, "12 & 12", 12:00 P.M., ARC

ANNIVERSARIES:
Gloria P., 22 years
Wally Z., 35 years
Selby H., 18 years
Phil, 2 years
Susan K., 11 years
Will, 5 years
Haley, 2 years
Jim, 13 months
Larry H., 3 years
Marty M., 4 years

MINUTES:
Minutes of January 23, 2011 District 10 meeting were posted on the web and available on the table.  Greg A. pointed out the ARC "Big Book" study is at 5:00 P.M. on Mondays NOT 5:45 as appeared in the minutes.

Motion to approve January minutes by Pat T., second by Janet.  Motion carried.

TREASURER:
Treasurer Scott N. presented the treasury and spending reports dated 1/23/11 - 2/23/11.  Ending balance:  $3545.92.  Prudent reserve:  $  1450.00.
Motion to accept:  Selby H.; second; motion carried.

GSR REPORTS:
Steve B.: new meeting at Condell Hospital Chapel (Thursday: 6:30PM - 7:30PM) is off to good start.

Katrina:  6:45 Gateway women's meeting (6:45) received "Big Books".

Bob P., Serenity House 7:00 AM "Miracles Happen" meeting will host hospitality room at Spring Conference from 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM on Saturday.     	

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Haley:  Young People's meetings at ARC could use support. 

SPRING CONFERENCE UPDATE:
Anne reported that a meditation room would be open during the conference.  Alternate Events Chair, Gloria P. offered strong encouragement to register and attend the Spring Conference.

Alan reported that as of Friday, February 25th, there were 44 rooms confirmed for the Conference (250 rooms have been reserved).  Alan stressed Area 20’s potential exposure if the commitments are not met: the area would be responsible for paying anywhere up to $25,000 for rooms and $19,000 for food to the hotel.  Alan mentioned among expected guests will be a member of the General Service Office staff, and a past trustee.   There will be a need for Alcathon chairpeople, and for greeters.

DCM Scott S. encouraged all GSRs to attend the Area 20 Assembly which will be held concurrently with the Spring Conference.  Scott emphasized the GSRs could attend this assembly – not the conference - at no charge.  Scott observed that while these particular events happen to be local, GSRs can attend events which are farther away and ask their groups for monetary support to do so.  

OLD BUSINESS:
Several district positions remain open, they are:  Alternate, Answering Service; Alternate, Archives; Alternate, Corrections; Alternate, Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC); Alternate, Literature; Alternate, Newsletter; Alternate, Web Administrator.

Matt S. nominated Robyn (sobriety date 4/12/08) for Alternate, Newsletter.  Robyn stood.  Unanimous approval.

Larry H. (sober 3 years) stood for Alternate, Answering Service.  Unanimous approval.

Will S. (sobriety date 2/13/06) stood for Alternate, Special Needs.  Unanimous approval.

NEW BUSINESS:
DCM Scott S. had been sent a disk containing back round information on the upcoming General Service Conference (GSC).  The disk was compiled in order to distribute information on the proposed agenda for the purpose of preparing the Area 20 delegate for the conference.  In order to save time, Scott S. sent this back round material to each District 10 committee chair if his or her committee had business at the area and GSC level.  Scott then asked each chair to deliver remarks as to that committee’s proposed business at the GSC.  Scott also distributed the preliminary agenda for the GSC.

TREATMENT, Steve B., reported there was a proposal to remove “facilities” from pamphlets to just read “treatment” rather than “treatment facilities”.  There is a proposal to remove pamphlet references to “Uncle Sam” - (“can’t help us anymore”).  (There is confusion that the United States government is referred to rather than someone’s uncle named Sam.)  There is a proposal to distribute some treatment materials in a plastic case rather than a three ring binder – this is a cost savings.

GRAPVINE, Bob M. confirmed the “Grapevine” (GV) is in trouble.  The GV is an incorporated entity similar to A.A. World Services (AAWS), which publishes A.A. literature.  AAWS printing has subsidized GSO.  GSO subsidizes the GV.  The GV is available on the internet as well as in print.  Under review are other means to distribute the GV, i.e. digital phones, etc.  The GV ran a deficit in 2010 of approximately -$400,000.  To allay this, there is talk of allowing the GV to accept 

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contributions from individuals, and/or A.A. groups.

LITERATURE, in Bill J’s absence, Scott S. reported several pieces are under review:  “A.A. and the Armed Services”, the booklet, “Living Sober”, and the pamphlet on GSRs.   Coming up                                                                
for discussion is whether or not there is a need for a pamphlet discussing spirituality focusing on agnostics and atheists individual experiences.       

CORRECTIONS, Bill W. reported the pamphlet “It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell” is under review.  There is preference to “Big Book” studies rather than references to the “12 & 12” in this pamphlet.

Bill’s written report stressed there is still a need for more volunteers to visit the Lake County Jail on Monday evenings.  They need a minimum of 14 volunteers to cover all the pods, otherwise some inmates go without a meeting.

ARCHIVES, Wally Z. reported the Archives business is all at the Delegate level.

SPECIAL NEEDS, Scott S. remarked the Special Needs pamphlet is being reviewed at the Delegate level.  Dave reported the district has 6 remaining copies of the BIG “Big Book”.  Dave read a letter from a woman who needs help getting to meetings.

DIRECTORY:  Kimberly T. reported the directories were printed and are being distributed.

ANSWERING SERVICE:  Pat T. reported 107 total calls.  Highlights:  51 meeting; 4 twelve step; 2 wrong number; 12 from other districts; 13 general information; 8 hang ups; 2 will call back

NEWSLETTER:  Cindy K. reported the this month’s edition was free due to poor quality.

EVENTS:  Gloria P. remarked tickets were still available for the Spring Breakfast on March 20th.

WEB SITE:  Mark D. reported the website had 1176 hits.  Mark provided some history on the website and reported:  Currently with the present website we are challenged to update it.  He asked if we should find another provider?   And is this the right thing to do? 

DCM:  Scott S. had no formal report (refer to his remarks throughout these minutes).

ADCM:  Mike M. encouraged the district to support the Spring Conference.

ADJOURNMENT:  7:20 P.M.

NEXT MEETING:  Sunday, March 27, 2011, at 6:00 P.M.  (Traditions Meeting at 5:30)

Respectfully submitted,
Bob P., Secretary, District 10