Greater Toronto AreaIntergroup

GENERAL MEETING– TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2008

Themeeting convened at 8 p.m. with a moment of silence followed by the SerenityPrayer. Glen J. (SundayNorthwestern) read the Twelve Traditions. THOSEMEMBERS PRESENT: APlace to Share, Back to Basics (Richmond Hill), Bayview, Beaches, Bellamy,Beverly Hills, Birds of a Feather, Bloordale, Bramalea Care & Share,Brampton Recovery, City Central, Credit Valley, East York, Erin Mills,Fellowship, Friendly, Glenholme, Golden Mile, Half Century, High Park, Hill,Keep It Simple (Scarborough), Kingsway, Lakeshore, Last Chance, Lawrence Plaza,Leslie, Living Sober, Maple, Markland Wood, Meadowvale Fellowship, Mississauga,Mount Dennis, Mount Royal-York, Newmarket, Pine Hills, Prince Edward, RexdaleUnited, Richmond Hill, Rox Glen Traditional, Royal York, Saturday MorningDiscussion, Sunday Northwestern, Sunnyside, Thornhill, Trial & Error,Twelfth Tradition, Twelve Steps, Welcome, Westmoreland, Weston Sunday Open,Yorkville. District Liaisons: Districts 02, 04, 14, and18. Subcommittee Chairs: Archives, CPC, P.I.,Newsletter/Website, Access Ability.

ADOPTIONOF MINUTES – September 2008

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MOTION to adopt Minutes as presented moved byDerek (Beverly Hills) and seconded by Greg H. (Hill). MOTION IS CARRIED.

CHAIRPERSON’SOPENING REMARKS – Reg S. (Melrose), Chairperson

Itrust everyone has received a copy of the ‘Schedule A’ [re: Motion] amendmentsfor Intergroup procedures. Thiswas to be sent out to everyone in attendance. The Motion is attached to it. Another copy of the revised procedures was sent along aswell. There are some errors in it;this is just a working copy. FranH. (Bloordale): It’s not a perfect process that we have in the office. Each e-mail address has to be typed inmanually. So, sometimes the odde-mail gets missed or put in incorrectly. If you didn’t get a copy, please be patient; give us your e-mail addressagain and we will re-send to you. We also have some hard copies here at the front.

Collectionof the 7^th Tradition, which totaled $142.34.

FINANCEREPORT – Gregg W. (Rox Glen Traditional), Finance Chairperson

Weare at the end of another quarter in our fiscal year. We are moving forward and meeting our budget figures. For this month [September], probablythe biggest highlight is that the individual Gratitude donations are way downby almost $13,000. The reason thatshows up is that the figures we used from 2007 to set up this budget was thatin 2007 Gratitude envelopes were mailed out one month earlier.  So, the Gratitude returns last yearstarted coming back in September. Thisyear, we’re back in the normal process with Gratitude going out in the end ofSeptember. I can tell you that asof the 24^th of October, the Gratitude donations that have beenreceived have been deposited and are currently ahead of last year’s figures byseveral thousand dollars. Themembership has been very generous and we appreciate it.  We are still operating ahead of ourexpenses. We’ve been holding offon major renovation of the telephone system. This will be discussed with the Twelfth Step Committee.  Being this is an end of a quarter, wethought we’d try and send out more information. We made an attempt to produce a more simplified Profit &Loss comparison for this year to last year. I’m not sure if it helps or hinders.  I will say this was drawn a littlehastily and some of the figures were not exactly the same as they appear on ourstatements. One thing that standsout is again is the timing of Gratitude. The other item that stands out is under Other Income; I can’t speak forlast year but we have a feeling it’s between parts of Gratitude that wasallocated under ‘Other’ in Quickbooks. Also, accrued interest was being collected monthly, and this year we arereporting it annually.

MOTION to Suspend Regular Business tofacilitate Elections movedby Glenn G. (East York) and seconded by Bill J. (Friendly). MOTION IS CARRIED.

RoyR. (Trial & Error) and Michael O’H. (Richmond Hill) facilitated theelection process.

Electionfor Operating Chairperson: The procedures were read for this process. The 3 senior members were each asked ifthey would stand for the position; two seniors accepted.  After a brief address to the Floor byboth candidates, a vote was taken. Bill M. (Westmoreland)is the new Operating Chair. Aaron K. (Yorkville) is1^st Vice Chair, and Woody K. (Willowdale) will serve as 2^ndVice Chair. The three juniorsmoving up to senior positions are Florence B. (Noon Rap), John C. (Half Century),and Rick Mc.C. (Six Points). Electionfor Junior Positions: The prerequisites for this position were read from the P& G. Nominations were takenfrom the Floor; four members stood for election. After the votes were tallied, the three new juniormembers areGlenn G. (East York), Isabel D. (Trial & Error), and Peter J. (MarklandWood).

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MOTION to destroy ballots moved by Bill J.(Friendly) and seconded by Don (Kingsway). MOTION IS CARRIED.

Atthis point in the meeting, Bill M. took over as Chair. He thanked both Roy and Michael forfacilitating the election process, and also thanked all who participated in theelection.

SUBCOMMITTEEREPORTS________________________________________

ACCESSABILITY – Donna MacQ. (Sunnyside), Chairperson

Thecommittee attended District 22 Service Day in September; all went well. Accessible meetings are now listedseparately on the website (listed by days of the week).  Donna asked if groups would please letthe website know the address of the accessible entrance to their meeting.  This makes it easier for the Wheeltransservice. There has been a changeto the Buddies List: this service not only has volunteers willing to escort disabledpeople to meetings, it also includes members willing to e-mail or communicateby phone. Please call 234 if youwant to volunteer. Committeevolunteers needed. Nextmeeting: Sun.Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. at 234.

Adhoc COMMITTEE – Lynn B. (City Central), Chairperson

Lynnannounced that the ad hoc committee is formally finished. He asked members from the Floor whoserved on the committee to stand up and be acknowledged for their efforts; theywere given applause. Lynncontinued: “The God of myunderstanding never works in straight lines…I’m trusting in the process; thevote last month was a strong vote for change. The change may not be in the form you’re voting on; but I dobelieve that the process will move towards significant change.  I think the process itself ishealthy.” The Floor applaudedLynn’s efforts.

ARCHIVES– Roy R. (Trial& Error), Chairperson

Royreminded all of the upcoming Archives Breakfast this Sun. Nov 2 at the OasisConvention Centre. Two localspeakers (adding up to over 100 years of sobriety), door prizes, and luckydraws are highlighted. One of the prizes is a tape of Pete W. speaking inBrownsville, Texas. Next meeting: Fri. Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

CORRECTIONS– noreport. Next meeting: Mon. Nov. 25 at 7:30p.m. at 234.

CPC– Courtney R. (LivingSober), committee member

Atthe September meeting, District 06 and 14 were represented. The committee gave a presentation atthe District 22 Service Day. CPCwill also give a presentation at the upcoming District 14 Service Day on Nov.15. A presentation was give atPACE Consulting (an organization of EAP professionals) at their Oct.3management meeting. District 14have distributed the AA business cards and holders in doctor’s offices.  The committee received 1,000 cards aswell as 2,500 Beginner Pamphlets and holders. If members need these items for distribution, please contactthe CPC committee c/o 234. Intandem with Public Information, CPC has written the Paramedic Association tosee if they’re interested in carrying our business cards.  There is a medicine convention at thedowntown Sheraton in late Nov. Nextmeeting: Mon.Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at 234.

INFORMATIONAA DAY 2009 – Florence B. (Noon Rap), Operating Committee Liaison

Thecommittee is starting strong. Volunteers are needed. Themeeting is on the last Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at 234; nextmeeting isNov. 24. At the last meeting, 10members attended. More informationabout this event will be available in the upcoming months.

ONTARIOREGIONAL CONFERENCE 2009 – Lisa W. (Welcome), Graphics Coordinator

Placardsand flyers/registration forms for the event were provided at this meeting. Theme: The Joy of Living.  An early bird draw is available;members can win a stay at the hotel. Information and registration will be available on line.

PUBLICINFORMATION - Courtney R. (Living Sober), committee member

District10 provided the P.I. display at the Gay pride event in June. The committee also presented at District22 Service Day. A letter has beenprepared and agreed upon to send to schools offering information about speakingengagements. A talk was scheduledat the Etobicoke Alternative School, but had to be rescheduled due to perceivedaffiliation issues. A talk wasgiven at Seneca Residence. P.I.also presented at a Wellness Fair Oct.9, and on Oct. 22 at East York HospitalInfo Fair. The committee iscreating a database for schools, for information such as location, guidanceofficer contacts, principal contacts, etc. Currently, they have 460 schools listed from the TorontoDistrict School Board. Volunteersneeded. Next meeting: Mon. Nov.17 at 7:30 p.m.at 234.

RECEPTION– Florence B., Operating Committee member: 53 reps and 8 alternateswere present tonight.

TREATMENTFACILITIES – noreport. Next meeting: Thurs. Nov.20 at 7:30p.m. at 234.

TWELFTHSTEP – Florence B. (Noon Rap), Operating Committee Liaison

Thecommittee is working on a needs analysis for the new phone system. Volunteers are needed for thiscommittee (phone scheduling, Greeter Captains, etc.). Next meeting: Fri. Nov.28 at 6:30 p.m. at 234.

WEBSITE/BETTERTIMES – Marvyn W. (Streetsville Action), Chairperson

Asincere thank you to Andy C. (Bathurst Group) who rotated off theWebsite/Better Times committee as Webmaster. Andy has been a very dedicated and loyal committee member,and has done an awesome job. George H. (Primary Purpose) has been appointed 2008-2009 Webmaster. George can be reached at webmaster@aatoronto.org.  The subcommittee e-mail addresses areavailable on the Contact Page of www.aatoronto.org  The Referendum and Notice of Motionattachments can be found under ‘Documents’ on www.aatoronto.org. Better Times: November Issue: Novemberis a month of Remembrance. TwoInitiatives: “Things We Cannot Change” Insert to be published with Februaryedition. “Things We Cannot Change”insert forms enable your group to list all members that have passed during2008. The insert is not edged instone; we want you group’s input on your passing member (keep it at a 20-25word limit). This must be sent tous by e-mail, fax, or hand-delivered to 234 or the Intergroup Meeting byJanuary 10, 2009. HolidaySeason Issue:We require all Candlelight and Gratitude Meetings to be given to us by November15, 2008 for the December issue. We also require meetings that will be confirmed to be open or cancelledover the Holiday period from December 15 – January 1. We are also looking for articles forthe December, January, and February Better Times. Next meeting: Sat. Nov.8 at 1 p.m. at234.

UNFINISHEDBUSINESS – none.

NEWBUSINESS

GregH. (Hill): This past month I’ve seen a flurry of e-mails going back andforth. It disturbs me thataddresses are always on all the e-mails. I saw the entire e-mail group list three times. I think this flies in the face ofanonymity. I know of other liststhat have been co-opted by other groups…I think a policy of blind carboncopying needs to be implemented. Idon’t think a Motion is required; I think it needs to be stated and understood.

GordH. (Bloordale): I have a question for the Operating Committee. The question is: is what was sent out--Schedule ‘A’, the Notice of Motion, and then the proposed Procedures –this proposed Procedures [document] is not part of the Motion, is thatcorrect? May I ask how the newProcedures will be incorporated? FlorenceB. (Noon Rap): My understanding is that, in the interest of disclosure, itshows how it would appear should the Motion go through.  Gord: The Operating Procedures callsfor any changes go through the groups in a form of Referendum.  These proposed changes to the OperatingProcedures have been voted upon. So the only way it should be part of the Operating Procedures is theprocess [of Referendum]. Fran H.(Bloordale): The reason we’re sending out the proposed changes to theProcedures was only to give people an idea of how the Procedures would look,for those of you who are interested. Generally what happens when a Referendum takes place is the Referendumis passed, and then someone in the Office will incorporate those changes intothe Procedures. Gord: I have todiffer with that. The only way theProcedures can be changed is that it’s voted on by the members of thegroups. That’s the only way, andthat’s according to Section 11. Isthat correct? Romana K. (Rox GlenTraditional): I just want to clarify. The reason why the proposed Procedures was sent out was because itreflects the changes of what the Motion is. So, what we’re voting on will actually be reflected in theProcedures. Fran: No – not totally.  It was put together very quickly, andit was only for the convenience of the membership if they want to see thereflected changes. Romana: So itwon’t exactly be this document? Fran: No. Romana: So we arevoting on changing the Procedures. Fran: Yes. That’s what theMotion is about. Michael O’H.(Richmond Hill): …the thing that was sent out as a document: as Fran wassaying, there’s a whole bunch of places that it’s not correct; it’sflawed. But it’s just a generaloutline. All this information isgood for us to know, but it’s not to be voted on, and that will be sorted outlater I’m sure. Deadline forReferendum vote: Dec.29, 2008.

Joe(Half Century): Joe had a question about the second Motion that was recorded inthe October minutes; was this recorded correctly? Numbers for and against were not recorded. Bill M. (Westmoreland), OperatingChair, answered that the second Motion on page 9 was indeed correctlyrecorded. Bill: The Motion was ifthere was anybody changing their vote after hearing the voice of the Minority,and no one raised their hand.

Therebeing no further business, the meeting adjourned with the ResponsibilityPledge.

NEXTGENERAL MEETING: Tuesday, November 25 at 8 p.m. at Glebe Rd. United Church.