GREATER TORONTO AREA INTERGROUP

GENERAL MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2009

The meeting convened at 8 p.m. with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer. Glenn G. (East York) read the Twelve Traditions. THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT: A Place to Share, Amazing Grace, Anniversary, Bayview, Beaches, Bellamy, Beverly Hills, Birds of a Feather, Bloordale, Bramalea Care & Share, Brampton Recovery, Church Street, Daily Reflections, East York, Erin Mills, Fellowship, Fifth Tradition (Scarborough), Glenholme, Golden Mile, Half Century, High Park, Hill, Kingsway, Kipling, Lakeshore, Leslie, Living Sober, Markham Village, Markland Wood, Meadowvale Fellowship, Mount Dennis, Newmarket, Open Hands, Parklawn, Pine Hills, Port Credit, Primary Purpose, Prince Edward, Reaching Out, Restoration & Recovery, Rexdale United, Richmond Hill, Rox Glen Traditional, Royal York, Saturday Morning Discussion, St. Clements, Streetsville, Sunnyside, Trial & Error, Turning Point, Twelfth Tradition, Unionville, Westmoreland, Weston Sunday Open. District Liaisons: Districts 02, 14, and 18. Subcommittee Chairs: Access Ability, CPC, Info AA Day, Twelfth Step, Website/Newsletter.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES – February 2009: MOTION to adopt Minutes as presented moved by Bill (?) and seconded by Derek (Beverly Hills). MOTION CARRIED.

CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS – Bill M. (Westmoreland), Operating Chairperson: Bill outlined three points: a) The Website Committee needs a Chairperson. Resumes to the Operating Committee c/o 234; b) The Twelfth Step Committee will be giving a presentation at this meeting (under ‘New Business’); and c) Elections for the Operating Committee will be held at April’s General Meeting.

Collection of the 7^th Tradition: $141.60

FINANCE REPORT – Bruce L. (Back to Basics), Finance Chairperson: For February 2009, donations were on budget due to higher than expected group donations offsetting lower than expected Gratitude donations. Year-to-date donations were over budget due to greater than expected group donations in January. Income was slightly over budget by for the month and year-to-date. Higher than expected group donations were offset by lower than expected sales. Total expenses for February and year-to-date total expenses were under budget. The purchase of a new telephone system budgeted in February has been deferred and there was a general under run in payroll, operating and committee expense. Net Income for February was $4,066 and year-to-date $12,166, both over budget due mainly to the deferral of the phone system purchase. Questions: Bill R. (Bellamy) asked what the Prudent Reserve figure stands at. Bruce replied that the Prudent Reserve balance is $134,300. The Prudent Reserve is based on 6 months of operating costs. These monies are invested with RBC in provincial government bonds and Bank of Nova Scotia preferred shares.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS________________________________________

ACCESS ABILITY – Donna M. (Sunnyside), Chairperson: This committee had a table at the ORC; they were able to give away a Big Book in Braille that had been donated to the committee by the Leaside men’s Meeting. 2 new volunteers have joined this committee; one volunteer is versed in ASL (American Sign Language). Able-bodied volunteers welcome to this committee. Next meeting: Sun. Apr.19 at 11 a.m. at 234.

ARCHIVES – Glenn G. (East York), Operating Committee Liaison: Glen read out the following report as prepared by Chair Roy R.: Good evening. I am an alcoholic and my name is Roy. I serve you as Chair of the Archives committee. We are looking forward to an active year. The committee is currently drafting a receiving policy – what we do and do not wish to receive from members or their estates. We are helping host the 4^th annual Area 83 Archives Workshop this Saturday. We are expecting members from as far as Pembroke and Ogdensburg NY for a full day of hands-on archival training. The committee had a display at the recent conference at the Royal York, and look forward to participating in Information AA Day – with both a display and a panel. The 25^th Annual Archives Breakfast will be held Sunday November 8. It is certainly not too early to mark that on your calendars. In Service, Roy R. Next meeting: Fri. Apr.17 at 7 p.m. at 234.

CORRECTIONS – no Chair present. Chairperson Phil G. sent the following report: I’m an alcoholic, my name is Phil and it is my privilege to serve as the D6 & GTA Corrections Committee Chair. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to be present at the March 31^st IG meeting but here is my report. This has been a hectic and productive couple of weeks, with the ORC and then the Spring Assembly back to back, but the growth potential was enormous and made it all worthwhile. The March GTACC meeting was attended by some more new District Chairs and Alternates from D22 and D12, they bring experience from other committee work and enthusiasm born of gratitude. Murray O of D18 gave us a report on the status of the “Don Jail” and meetings there are well attended by volunteers. He also shared that District is in the process of purchasing soft covered 12&12’s and Daily Reflections for the jail. Lastly Murray updated us on the discussions with our contact within the Ministry regarding reaching alcoholics who maybe serving time in the community, i.e. Probation & Parole. Gale R of D22 also gave a report on the “East DC” and its meetings and volunteers where things are happening at a regular pace including some new volunteers coming on board. The ORC Corrections Info Table was well staffed by our Committee and most importantly we spoke to and gathered some potential volunteers’ names and numbers. One individual in fact, wanted to go into OCI and/or Maplehurst so we contacted Ed Y of D25 and gave him the info as well as to Chad P of D2. Although Kingston isn’t part of IG’s purview, I wish to mention that some of GTACC’s members also attended Area’s Saturday Corrections Workshop and Sunday 7:30am Corrections Meeting and much good sharing and future project planning occurred. It is a pleasure to be in the company of so many, so very committed to helping others receive the gift of sobriety. YLS, Philip G. Next meeting: Mon.Apr.6 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

COOPERATION with the PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY (CPC) – Peter B. (Beaches), Chairperson: Peter mentioned that this committee had a table at the ORC; all went well. He also attended the Area Assembly, where he received a lot of good feedback and ideas. This committee will be active in giving presentations/holding meetings with OPSEU in late April. Next meeting: Mon. Apr.13 at 7 p.m. at 234.

INFORMATION AA DAY – Jim A. (Leslie), Committee member: This event is a joint venture, sponsored by both Toronto Intergroup and the 9 Service Districts. The event will take place on Sat., May 30 2009 at the Lansing United Church. Theme of the event is ‘Service with Gratitude’ and is celebrating its 30^th year. GSO Speaker will be Mary D. (she is in charge of CPC), and the day will also feature an address from our Area 83 Delegate. The event includes a potluck luncheon. Tickets: $5. Flyers and tickets were made available for reps at this meeting; members can also get tickets through their GSRs. Next meeting: Mon. Apr.27 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

Jim also mentioned the upcoming East Toronto Archives Breakfast to be held on Sun. May 24, 9a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Embers Restaurant (781 Warden Ave., south of Eglinton). Tickets are $15. Tickets available through group GSRs and/or event committee members until May 15 (no tickets available at the door).

ORC 2009 – no report.

PUBLIC INFORMATION – no report. Next meeting: Mon. Apr.20 at 7:30 p.m. at 234. Bill R. (Bellamy) asked the Operating Committee why there hasn’t been a P.I. report for some time; the OC will look into this.

RECEPTION – Rick M. (Six Points), Operating Committee Liaison: 64 reps were present at this meeting.

TREATMENT FACILITIES – no report. Next meeting: Thurs. Apr. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

WEBSITE/NEWSLETTER – Brian T. (Twelve Traditions), Committee member: Brian reported that there is a meeting map system in place on the site (Beta-release). There are also a lot of links for feedback from members. A new Webmaster is needed. Resumes to 234. Next meeting: Sat. Apr.4 at 1 p.m. at 234.

TRANSITION COMMITTEE – Dee T. (Streetsville), Chairperson: At the March meeting, Dee reported that the committee went through all the Subcommittee pages/responsibilities. This process will be ongoing; a full report will be available to the Floor in 2 to 3 months. Dee thanked the ad hoc committee for their work in this regard. Next meeting: Sat. Apr. 18 at 3 p.m. at 234.

TWELFTH STEP COMMITTEE – Jim O. (Markland Wood), Chairperson: the March Phone Training Session went well. Jim also asked that groups take back the 5-page Volunteer Form (provided to reps at this meeting) to their groups in order to get accurate 12-Step Volunteer information for the 12-Step database initiative (see presentation under “New Business’). Deadline for form to be returned to 234: May 15. Next meeting: Fri Apr.24 at 7 p.m. at 234.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – no unfinished business.

NEW BUSINESS

TWELFTH STEP COMMITTEE PRESENTATION re: Proposed New Phone System and 12-Step Volunteer Initiative - Harold Y. (Port Credit), Twelfth Step Committee member: Harold presented a slide show to Floor members, outlining the proposed new Phone System for 234. This endeavor is based on six month’s research. Here are the points presented:

OBJECTIVE: to help the still-suffering alcoholic

CHALLENGE:

-current phone system is antiquated

-our members’ database is out of date

-need more volunteer commitment for this endeavour

-emphasize AA responsibility to its members

-emphasize AA groups’ responsibilities

-emphasize Sponsor responsibilities

Harold: “WE NEED TO GROW THE NUMBER OF 12-STEP CALLS”

WHAT WE DO ABOUT IT:

-get new Phone System (budget item for the year 2009)

-update database and 12-Step Contact List

-educate Committee members & group members regarding service & volunteering to help the still-suffering alcoholic

-train phone volunteers (includes ‘scripting’)

-hold Workshops on 12-Step calls

TELEPHONE SYSTEM PROPOSAL:

-introduce call-forwarding system

-go back to 24-hour phone service

-using the new database in computer, have the computer dial by Postal Code to get a 12-Step volunteer as needed

IMPLEMENTATION:

-replace current system

-New System to Include: remote call-forward, 24-hour remote call-forward, conference call ability (for holding committee meetings)

-have automatic dialing to find volunteers

-system to include other features as needed (i.e. aid struggling, other area Intergroups)

TIMELINE:

- new phones installed by May 15 ($10,000 cost/budget item)

- new database implemented by June 1(ongoing task)

- 12-Step Volunteer Training by Oct.1(incoming calls; how to do a 12-Step call)

Harold mentioned other points for consideration:

a) Group reps are responsible in encouraging/obtaining new volunteers and their information for 12-Step work;

b) The 12-Step ‘Buddies List’ (members willing to visit/phone/email people in hospital and/or are homebound) will be included in the contact information, but will be separate

c) The I.P. Phone system (hardware) installation for May 15 will not yet have the software for the database implementation

Summation: Harold reminded group representatives of the importance of having groups circulate the volunteer sign-up sheet.  The full utilization of the new phone system depends on a network of 12 Step Call volunteers.

After Harold fielded many questions, there was a round of applause from the Floor.

There being no further business, MOTION TO ADJOURN moved by Wayne O. (Anniversary) and seconded by Patrick (Glenholme). Meeting adjourned with the Responsibility Pledge.

NEXT GENERAL MEETING: Tuesday, April 28 at 8 p.m. at Glebe Rd. United Church. ELECTIONS FOR A NEW OPERATING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON & 3 NEW JUNIOR MEMBERS will be held at the April meeting.