District 17 Newsletter

                                      December 6, 2006

     Peace and Serenity to all my fellow AAs,

     I am wishing everyone a joyous Christmas Season. I would also like to remind everyone to put service to others first, even before ourselves. This helps to keep me grateful when I do.

     The November district meeting was held November 29th at 6:30 pm in Spalding at St. John Neumann Church.

     Present; Steve S., Cliff W., Dennis S., Gordy P., Marion H., Tim J., Daryl J. and  Aaron H.

     We opened with the serenity prayer. First on agenda was the corrections report and the Treasury report  and then we got into what Cliff has been working on with the 0900 number.   Finance Report

     0900 - First off, Cliff has come up with a solution to the 0900 dilemma. He has spent hours trying out software and has an operating system that is capable of answering the phone and giving out all the information that we need to record, such as days of the week, meetings, times, etc. What we need now is a computer to store it on and set up somewhere. We are looking for a computer, it needs a newer modem, a microphone and speakers. The cost to move the line from the Sheriffs Department to another location is $47.50, plus the cost of the software, which is around $28.00. We also need a secure location to set it up and maintain it. The Alano club has been discussed but we have not asked yet. With this setup we can maintain the meetings list whenever it needs to be changed and we can have a list of phone numbers for people to call for help.

     Intergroup - Steve S. will take on chairing the Intergroup this year. A co-chair or someone who will take the chair is being sought after. Please get a volunteer. We are going to do it the way we used to, the chair will be for one year and the co-chair will chair the following year. The first Intergroup meeting will take place in January sometime. If you are interested email me, call me or catch me at a meeting.

     AA Picnic - Money from the picnic is in hand as well as a statement. A new chair for the annual AA picnic is needed for 2007. Many thanks for Charlie K., for carrying the load for the past 3- years. Anyone interested contact me.

     Contributions - Guidelines for contributions are as follows, please review this with you group: 60/30/10.
     60% going to the district, 30% being to the area, 10% to New York/GSO. Being self supporting is one the many things that has helped AA be a success, no handouts from society, just us drunks supporting ourselves. Please help by talking to your groups about following this plan. Please ask your groups to use the birthday envelopes and contribute regularly.

     Thanks - A big thanks to the Happiness Hill Group for hosting our district meeting and supplying us with great treat and great coffee and a great meeting following the meeting. I look forward to our next visit.

     We closed with the Our Father and stayed for an excellent meeting.

     Service is something that should be gratefully offered with joy, it is about serving others not ourselves.

     In Love and Service,

     Steve S., District 17 DCM, Area 74

     P.O. Box 415, Iron Mountain, MI 49801
                                                                                        PAGE 2