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Home » D2 District 2 April 21, 2024, Meeting Minutes

D2 District 2 April 21, 2024, Meeting Minutes

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Purpose of the District Meetings:

District Business Meetings in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are multifaceted. They play a crucial role in the effective functioning of the AA service structure at the district level. That’s why it’s so important for the groups and the district to maintain robust participation from the members. Still, more importantly, participation in your district activities increases the quality of your sobriety as you carry the message. Here are the key purposes of these meetings:

  • Coordination and Communication: The meeting serves as a central point for coordination and communication among different AA groups within the district. It helps ensure that all groups are aligned with AA’s overall goals and principles and are informed about district-wide initiatives and decisions.
  • Service and Support: It provides a platform for members, particularly Group Service Representatives (GSRs), to discuss and address the needs and challenges faced by individual groups. This can include sharing best practices, offering support, and discussing ways to improve the group experience for members.
  • Decision-Making: The District Business Meeting is an essential decision-making body for matters at the district level. Decisions could relate to organizing district-wide events, managing finances, addressing common concerns among groups, or implementing strategies to reach out to more people who need help.
  • Reporting and Accountability: The meeting allows various officers and committees within the district, such as the treasurer, secretary, and committee chairs, to report on their activities. This maintains transparency and accountability within the district.
  • Planning and Organization: The meeting is vital in planning and organizing district-level events and activities, such as workshops, public information sessions, and participation in regional or national AA events.
  • Fellowship and Unity: By bringing together representatives from various groups, the meeting fosters a sense of fellowship and unity. It reinforces the collective commitment to AA’s primary purpose, which is to help alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety.
  • Leadership and Development: These meetings provide opportunities for members to develop leadership and organizational skills, which are beneficial for personal growth and for carrying the message of AA more effectively.
  • Adherence to AA Principles: The meeting ensures that the district-level activities are consistent with AA’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the AA program.

Overall, the District Business Meeting is an essential mechanism to ensure that the AA district functions smoothly, effectively, and per the principles and traditions of AA, ultimately supporting the overarching goal of helping individuals recover from alcoholism.

1. Opening:

  • Time and Date: April 21, 2024 @ 4:05 p.m.
  • Welcome: A brief welcome by the DCM.
  • Serenity Prayer: David P. opens the meeting with the Serenity Prayer. 
  • Reading AA Traditions: Sue T. reads traditions 1, 2, and 5.
  • Introductions: Round of introductions, including name and home group.
  • Sign-Up Sheet: Stephanie I. passes around the attendance sheet.
  • 26 attended: John S., Jaremie F., Sue T., Anthony L., Chris B., Nicholas Y., Will E., Roger C., Garrick G., Justin F., Mike N., Gene H., Blake K., Zeb L., Miranda D., Jay L., Gloria G., Josh S., Billy Wayne H., Jenni T., Terry M., Amy B., Rhonda W., Patricia C., David P., Stephanie I.

2. Reports:

  • Secretary’s Report: Stephanie I. reviewed the January 21, 2024 minutes. The minutes are approved. https://the12traditions.com/Minutes012024.
  • DCM Report: David P. made the DCM report. Pre-conference: Consider, Discuss, & Decide category requirements must be clarified for the next pre-conference documentation. Delegate Tomy G. went to the conference in New York. The conference approved moving forward with the Plain Language Big Book. It will not replace the Big Book but introduce the younger generation and special audiences to the Big Book. Area 1 Assembly will not be held at the Auburn Clarion. A district e-mail with a link to vote on venue & times has been sent out. Group contributions: Goose-$120, Hartselle Hope-$100, Cullman-$50. https://the12traditions.com/DCMq12024
  • Treasurer’s Report: Nick Y. gave financial status & transactions. The balance is $3,209.40. Got a new checkbook. Group Contributions: Goose-$90, Hartselle Hope-$80, Cullman-$50.
  • Committee Reports: Updates from various committees (Public Information, Cooperation with the Professional Community, etc.). Josh S. reports that the Preamble has been added to the back of QR cards. David P. has created a spreadsheet with names, locations, phone numbers, and addresses of various places in the district for outreach with District Documents. The spreadsheet will be available to CPC committee members and other interested parties here: https://the12traditions.com/worksheet.
    • Grapevine 
    • Business Outreach
    • Military Outreach
    • Medical Outreach 
    • Church Outreach
    • Corrections Outreach
    • CPC
    • Public Information
    • Other
  • GSR Reports: Reports from Group Service Representatives (GSRs) about their groups’ activities and concerns.
    • Zeb L. reports that Cullman has added a men’s meeting on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. Candlelight meetings have moved to Saturdays at 9 p.m. Game Nights are on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
    • Nick Y. reports that attendance & finances at Hartselle Hope are still going well. Have set aside an archive room. Jen T. is the new activities coordinator.
    • Amy B. has nothing new to report & no concerns at Goose Group.
    • The Welcome Home Group in Eva has been going well & the group is working on building reserves.

3. Old Business:

Review and discussion of ongoing projects or issues carried over from previous meetings. Updates on action items from the last meeting.

  • Picnic update. Justin F. says a speaker & pavilion secured at Sportsman Lake Park on June 8th from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Justin will get Al-Anon speaker lined up & make flyers.  https://the12traditions.com/picnic
  • Literature Road Show Workshop. 33 people attended. It went well; we had fun & learned a lot.
  • The Area 1 Convention is November 1-3 at Fort Walton Beach. Amy B. needs suggestions for the basket. The theme is Miracles of Love & Service https://the12traditions.com/A1Convention
  • Mountain Top May 17-19 at Guntersville State Park. 46 hotel rooms are still available. Promote the event in your meetings. https://the12traditions.com/mountain

4. New Business:

Introduce new items for discussion. Deliberation and decision-making on new proposals or ideas. Assigning new tasks or roles as needed.

  • Email distribution added to the website. https://the12traditions.com/optin
  • Area 1 Venue selection process. Link to vote on venue selection available in district email. It is encouraged that everyone go to link & vote.
  • GSRs for each meeting
  • Active vs. Inactive meetings
  • Grace Group meeting support. John H. passed away. Alice S. stepped in to chair Mondays & Thursdays at 7 p.m. Could use some help/support.
  • Group financial contributions https://the12traditions.com/contribute
  • Sub-Committee progress: Charlsa P. has had half a dozen great responses from churches. John S. is going to get going on second round of GVs. Needs people who are available during the day. Suggestion made to ask at noon meetings & create sign up sheet. John S. reports that Tom B. has been handling veteran’s places, Allison W. handling dentist & laundromats, & Stephanie I. handling counseling places. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wYvYaiwJBFJNAGBSSZLFTmFT0Rlf0PGi-oZZ4WX2Qlw/edit?usp=sharing
  • Confirm group meeting schedules https://the12traditions.com/meet

5. Announcements:

Sharing of upcoming AA events, workshops, or conferences.

  • Area convention will be held in February at the Civic Center. Members will be staying in surrounding hotels. Civic Center has a limit on the amount of people it will hold, so everyone who plans on attending needs to pre-register. Once the limit is met, no more registration will be accepted. 

6. Closing:

  • Confirm the Next Meeting Schedule: Proposed July 21, 4 PM.
  • Closing Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer.
  • Adjournment: Josh S. makes a motion to Adjourn