March 27th, 2017

District 17 Newsletter

 

     The district monthly GSR meeting was held Monday, March27^th, 2017 at the Iron Mountain, Mi. Alano Club. In attendance were: Bruce T., Arman B., Jim B., Richard A., Mary C., Dan I., Bruce L., Matt S., John R., Cindy S., Debbie G., Cliff W., Dave M., Larry L., Norm F. and Angie F. (total 16)

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 24^th, 2017 at 6:00pm at the Alano Club.

 

DCM Report:

 

Secretary Report: Linda P.

·        Absent. Angie F. graciously took notes.

Secretary Report was motioned and accepted.

 

Financial Report: Dave G.

·        Dave G. submitted Financial Report

·        See Attached Report.

Financial Report was motioned and accepted.

 

Corrections Report: Debbie G., Jim B., Scott V.

·        The Women's Corrections is going well. Karen will be back and on the schedule for May. Linda, Mary, Betty and Sandy do a great job delivering hope and strength to the women weekly. There is a new schedule made for the next four months. At this time I would like to make a suggestion. I would like to become the Outside Sponsor for the Women's Corrections. What this means is I would continue to be the contact person with the jail, continue to do the schedule and be the contact for the women doing the jail meetings, continue attending the GSR monthly meeting to report on anything. I would be the one contacted in case someone could not get to their assigned week at the last minute.

·        I have been Corrections Chair for over eight years (at times Chair for the men as well). There is no time frame suggested for Outside Sponsor from Alcoholics Anonymous and they suggest long term contact as liaison between Outside Sponsor and jail. The jail suggests 5 women alternating going into meetings and with Karen back, that makes 5 without me. They have allowed this and Lieutenant Price has been informed of Karen being part time. There is one or two others interested in going to jail meetings, and if that happens with maybe one new person, I would have the more experienced women double up for a meeting, like I did with Linda and Mary.

·        Service is important, so in summary, I would like your approval in making this minor change. Respectfully submitted, Debbie G.

·         

Corrections Report was motioned and accepted.

 

WEBMASTER REPORT: Cliff W.

        Have continued being active to keep the district 17 website updated as well as the website at Hostek Web Host site for District 17.  This has been performed in my home office.

        On Saturday, Mar 4 met with Dan I. at district office.  We were unable to correct the nonfunctional computer and AA 0900 Hotline with software EZVoice.  The District 17 is now entering their 4th month with no AA 0900 Hotline in service.  This has been going on and off now for several years.

        Here is a short recap of progress of District 17 website and AA 0900 Hotline.  The District 17 website was designed and created by Cliff W in February 2006 with a link off his own personal website.  At this time the AA 0900 Hotline (under AT&T contract) was still located at Dickinson County Sheriff department with old tapes listing AA meetings.

        In November 2006 Cliff W came up with solution to the AA 0900 Hotline dilemma when discovering on the Internet a software called EZVoice that is capable of answering the district phone with recorded message information and mailboxes.

        In April 2007 the AA 0900 Hotline was transferred from Dickinson County Sheriff Department (by AT&T) to Cliff W apartment and the EZ Voice software was purchased by District 17 ($32.95) and setup giving District 17 full control.

        In August 2007 the District 17 website was moved to Hostek webhost under contract $10 yearly registration and $59.95 yearly hosting fee giving the website its current domain district17a74.org.

        In November 2007 District 17 started renting an office space upstairs Community Substance Abuse Services building at 373 Woodward Avenue, Kingsford, MI.  By March 2008 the AA 0900 Hotline was again transferred by AT&T to the new district office & computer in Kingsford with also the purchasing of back up battery for district computer.

        In November 2012 Community Substance Abuse Services sold their building and closed their doors and by January 2013 the district office and furnishings were moved from Kingsford to the current location at 105 West Fleshiem Street, Iron Mountain, MI with AT&T transferring the AA 0900 Hotline.

        In June 2013 with recommendation of Ed B District 17 would split the Charter bill with Alano Club with District 17 paying $60 each month to Alano Club for rent and Internet access.  From 2013 to the present date it has been a struggle to keep in service the AA 0900 Hotline with a functional district computer.

        As district webmaster the district website has been a success and asset to AA and District 17 Area 74 region.  I will remain district webmaster until Jerry P is back on his feet and is able to take over as I understand that he does have plans.  On the financial side the annual bill for Hostek webhost was due on Mar 24, however, the credit card on file has expired and payment is due.  As for AA 0900 Hotline coordinator, I no longer will spend time to continue and hope that the district will find someone to fill this position. This will be brought up in new business.

 

     The District 17 Office has _50_ meeting cards in drawer.

     The 0900 AA Hotline registered ___0____ calls for the 4th complete month.

     The District website recorded _106_ hits in the past month with the counter at 16,011 total hits as of 3-27-17.

 

     Living my life 1-day at a time,

     Cliff W. 

·        A new phone answering system (Grasshopper) was motioned and passed.

·        Dan I. will call and work with Jerry and Cliff as new 0900 Hotline coordinator.

·        Will continue further discussion of computer upgrade decision.

Webmaster Report was motioned and accepted.

 

Old Business:

 

Intergroup: Debbie G.

·        Intergroup speakers’ topic will be on “Solutions”

·        Debbie reported generous donations for the intergroup.

 

 

New Business:

·        Brian D. will be starting a new meeting: Saturday Night Serenity Group. This will be an open meeting at the IM VAMC (third floor) at 7pm. He will be acting GSR until one is elected.

·        Jim started A.A. and N.A meetings at the Crystal Lake Community Center.

·        Continued suggestions that GSR’s continue to express the need for Recovery through Service and stress the New Comer.

·        Gloria will be purchasing books at the delegates committee.

 

Motion to adjourn and meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

 

When anyone anywhere reaches out I want the hand of AA always to be there and for that I am responsible. 

 

Respectfully; Submitted by

                               Linda P. District 17 Secretary