GTAI GENERAL MEETING - August 26, 2008
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The meeting convened at 8 p.m. with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer. The 12 Traditions were read by Aaron K. (Yorkville). THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT: Amazing Grace, Anniversary, Aurora, Beaches, Bellamy, Beverly Hills, Bloordale, Brampton Recovery, City Central, Credit Valley, Danforth, East York, Erin Mills, Fellowship, Fifth Tradition (Scarborough), Golden Mile, Keep It Simple (Scarborough), King City, Kingsway, Lakeshore, Living Sober, Long Branch, Maple, Markland Wood, Midtown, Markham Village, Mount Royal, Newmarket, Noon Rap, Orleta (Polish), Pine Hills, Port Credit, Prince Edward, Principles Before Personalities, Reaching Our, Restoration & Recovery, Richmond Hill, Rox Glen Traditional, S.O.S., Saturday Morning Discussion, Rouge Valley Centenary, St. Clements, Sunnyside, Trial & Error, Tuesday Night Discussion, Twelfth Tradition, Twelve Steps, Unionville, Welcome, Westmoreland, Weston, Willowdale, Woodbridge. District Liaisons: Districts 04, 06, 14, 18, and 22. Subcommittee Chairs: Archives Chair/Archivist, Twelfth Step, Newsletter/Website, Info AA Day.
Adoption of Minutes – July 2008: MOTION to accept Minutes moved by Maire (Leslie) and seconded by Carol (Tues Night Disc.). CARRIED.
Chairperson’s Opening Remarks – Reg S. (Melrose), Chairperson
All subcommittees should be listed on the Meeting Agenda in future; if there is no one here to report, then we will announce ‘no report’. On the bottom of the Agenda it said that we will close with the Lord’s Prayer; we will now close with the Responsibility Pledge.
7th Tradition: $176.32.
Finance Report – Gregg W. (Rox Glen Traditional), Finance Chair
There were not enough members to form a quorum so there was no finance meeting in August. A quick review indicates the report that we are ahead by about $7,000.00. We could not go through the bar graph that was asked for at the last General Meeting, and we will hold off on this item until the Sept meeting.
In regards to the higher rent comment in the previous month, Gregg shared the following: In April 2007, the landlord negotiated our lease and offered us a lease for another five years. Recently he mentioned that he no longer benefited from a tax rebate from the City and he wanted to give us a rent increase. The landlord felt that we should pay double what we are paying now, which is 6.00 per sq ft. He offered that over the next four years that we increase our rent by 25% each year. The operating committee discussed this increase; we have a legally signed lease at $6.00 sq ft. As well, we are getting the property tax rebate. We were ‘double-dipping’. However, our Traditions indicate that we are self-supporting and so we agreed to the landlord that we would enter into the first two years of his proposal …25% increase this year in June, and in June 2009 another increase of 25%. We are not paying extra $300.00 per month for archives and we are no longer paying for the accessible washroom.
Question from the floor: What is the rent cost? It was reported as $2,066 per month, property taxes at $974 and hydro at $133.
Question: Can we sustain an extra $6,000 this year and an extra $12,000 next year? Gregg answered is that we would at that time check to see if there are better rents elsewhere.
Motion to accept Finance Report moved by Maire (Leslie) and seconded by Wes (Long Branch). CARRIED.
Subcommittee Reports
Ad Hoc Subcommittee – Lynn B. (City Central), Chairperson
Inside the September Better Times is the insert of the regarding the changes on the operating structure. On the back of the sheet there is a summary of the motion explained, and a rationale of the motion. A Question was raised regarding the Executive Secretary position and Lynn mentioned this would be replaced by the Office Manager position. A lengthy discussion ensued.
Maire (Leslie): The current structure is wrong; each of those committees come together and the chairperson is usually someone appointed to liaise with the District Chairs. Chair people are elected at 9 districts, and Intergroup appoints a chairperson as well. Lynn: The problem is one of perception and has been for quite some time [regarding the Intergroup entity and the District entity]. The real problem is participation: we are not getting enough people. In function, there are no committees. Harold Y. (Port Credit): We are only trying to clear up any misperceptions. Mike: As result the survey completed in 2006 it was felt that IG primary purpose was to be a communication center and that is what the sub committees do. Lynn: We are not here to debate the motion tonight. Mike: The reason for the motion as a result of the survey that IG’s primary purpose was that of being communication centre. Question from floor resulted in confirmation that we will vote next month in Sept and this was agreed. Lynn: There is a special meeting at St Clements church Sept 11th 7:30p.m. with regards to this Motion. This should be a walkthrough of the process; in other words, what will happen at the Sept. General Meeting. Member from floor asked if we could have minutes taken at the special meeting. This item will be discussed at the Sept 4th meeting. Member from floor is suggesting that people get out to that special meeting.
Lynn: “I have no personal investment in the outcome. I only care if the process goes smoothly. I have faith in the process. I am not invested in the outcome. I trust in my higher power.” Next meeting: Thurs., Sept 4 at 8 p.m. at 234.
Info AA Day – Terry H., Info AA Day 2009 Chairperson
The chair of this event alternates from the Districts and from Toronto Intergroup. This is the 30th year and we would like all the support from the membership that we can. Next meeting: Mon., Sept 29 7:30 p.m. at 234. “We want this to be a real good party.”
Accessibility – no report. Next meeting: Sun., Sept.21 at 11 a.m. at 234.
Archives – Roy R. (Trial and Error), Archives Chairperson
“I still serve as your chair at your pleasure.” For the last monthly meeting, the only thing that we did differently is that we had a barbeque. The committee is working on a draft of Archives Committee Operating Procedures. When we sign off on this work, we will send this on to the OC. Then we will look at the process for receiving archival donations. The 24th annual archives breakfast is coming up; tickets at back of the room. More will be available at future General Meetings. Next meeting: Fri., Sept.12 at 7 p.m. at 234.
CPC – Courtney R. (Living Sober), CPC Committee member
Although the committee did not meet in the summer, various tasks were accomplished. The focus of CPC this year has been on the legal, medical, and consulting communities. The Sept.8 meeting will bring members up to date on “several homework assignments”. On Aug. 17, there was a presentation to the Markland Wood Group business meeting on CPC work. The committee will be attending District 22 Service Day. In October, CPC will meet with Pace Consulting, a national organization of EAP professionals, at their management meeting to discuss AA. Next meeting: Mon., Sept 8 at 7 p.m. at 234.
Public Information – no report. Next meeting: Mon., Sept 15 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.
Corrections – no report. Next meeting: Tues., Sept.30 at 7 p.m. at 234.
Treatment Facilities– Carol (Tues. Night Disc.), Dist 4 Treatment Chair.
The committee took the summer off. We will meet on the 3rd Thurs in Sept as usual (Sept.18 at 7:30 p.m.).
Reception: Rick Mc. (Six Points), Operating Committee member: 54 groups and 10 guests were present this evening.
Twelfth Step Committee – Jim O. (Markland Woods), Chair person
I believe the phones were better this month. Thanks to Bill R. (Bellamy), who updated the 12 step list. We will have the 12 step list now on computer. Our day time scheduler needs a weekly phone greeter for Fridays 9 until 1 p.m. Bill R. (Bellamy): We have 155 people on the 12 step list (down 18 since last update). Mike C. (Beverly Hills): Asked about 12 step calls where there is personal contact. “I don’t hear anyone offering 12 step calls. How that changed and what has is the committee doing about that?” Jim: The training sessions are advising the people do 12 step calls. Next meeting: Fri., Sept.26 at 6:30 p.m. at 234.
Better Times/Website - Marvyn W. (Streetsville Action), Chairperson
Marv brought an issue of concern with the various contact e-mails for the subcommittees. The committee wants to make it easier for the membership to access this option. People need to be directed to www.aatoronto.org, as this is where this information should be located. This will be discussed at the next meeting. There has been a change on the meeting selector on the site (i.e. for finding wheelchair accessible meetings). An accolade for our site was made by Calgary Intergroup, and they are looking at our site as a possible model for their city. A new forum has been started for the newsletter: “What is the importance of having home group representation at Toronto Intergroup”. Reg S. (Melrose), current Operating Chair, has written the first installment of this column. Next meeting: Sat. Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. at 234.
Unfinished business: No unfinished business.
New Business:
Mike from Beverly Hills group. For literature for our group, we have been working C.O.D. Has there been a change to the credit policy? Answer: No, the same procedure has been in place for some months now, and has not changed.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned with the Responsibility Pledge.
NEXT GENERAL MEETING: Tuesday, September 30 at 8 p.m. at Glebe Rd. United.