June 2013
District 17 Newsletter
 
The district monthly GSR meeting was held Monday, June 24 at the Alano Club, 105 W Flesheim St, Iron Mountain, MI.  The meeting was opened with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer.  No attendance provided.  

 
Financial Report 06-24-13
 
                   Balance from Apr. report                           $ 983.48
                  Deposits:
                                      Tues Night Florence Group                 $ 20.00
                                  Thurs Night Women's- lron Mountain   $ 25.00
 
                 Withdrawals:
                                           Ck#1330 AT&T--Phone                    $ 47.90
                                            Ck#1331 Lange-air conditioner/reimb. & gas for Marquette conf.         $ 63.25
 
                   Balance June 2013:                                    $ 917.33
 
We are self supporting through our own contributions
                   Joanne B., Treas. District 17
Treasury report read and accepted--all in favor
 
Corrections Report  06-2013
 
Per Debbie, more people are sought to serve as facilitators of Dickinson and Florence County jail meetings.
Per Val--have not had Florence meeting in month--need to call first to see if anyone interested in meetings--there were recently two women (who have been released) court ordered to attend meetings who have no interest in doing so--have spoken with Rick to said he would speak with Doug Drexler concerning the question as to why, if there are individuals court ordered to attend meetings, they are treating it as an option. At the present just need to wait and see what Doug says (or continue to call).
Per Debbie--need more Daily Reflections and do not have any Living Sober books--the inmates do read the books and take them with them.
Per Cliff will do book order next month--if we can't get from groups than District will buy them.
Per Kathy--has done some readings and Sandy has laminated them.
Cliff mentioned that some books may be procured from the V.A.
 
Report Accepted, all in favor.
 
Webmaster/Coordinator Report 06-24-13 
Report was read and motion made to accept as presented. Report is as follows: 
 
On Tuesday, May 22 at the district office to perform updates on computer operation. The computer continues to shut down interrupting the AA Hotline from performing. In fact, office computer keeps shutting down with zero (0) incoming calls recorded in past 5-weeks. Ed B had taken out the backup office computer to shop for update. DCM Bruce L has donated a back up computer to the district. Left a note for Ed B to take both computers to the shop to update/repair. 
On Wednesday, May 23 called AT & T (1-888-944-0447) in reference to the increase to monthly charge. Was informed as of April 23, 2013 the district discount calling plan expired and this discount plan must be renewed by contacting AT & T (Eric Bellinger: 212-387-4059). 
On Tuesday, June 2 was notified by Ed B that office computer that had been in operation for past 5 years was shutting down because of some virus and would need repair. The AA Hotline will temporarily remain off-line until recommendations and repairs are met. 
During the month of June was able to update the district website at home base. 
Recommendation: the district office must be able to access the Internet to perform the duties for webmaster and 0900 Hotline coordinator. On checking website at home base for our EzVoice 3.2 software was notified that update EzVoice 4.3 upgrade needs to be uploaded with the district using their license key number for no further expense. 
On June 20 contacted Todd Myrick, Charter Business in reference to a quote of phone transfer to Charter Communication with Internet: transfer of phone #774-0900 would be $19.59 monthly, internet access at $55 monthly plus $99 installation charge with a $50 discount toward the second month billing. This proposal was not approved by the district committee at the monthly meeting on Monday, June 24. 
On June 21 contacted AT & T in reference to why the monthly billing charge has bounced from $60.77 to $47.90 and in the reference to the calling discount plan. Was informed that there will be a $15.87 charge deducted from the $60.77 April billing that will be applied to the June billing. 
On Monday, June 24 at monthly district meeting at Alano Club met with Ed B. It was agreed by committee vote to follow Ed B suggestion of combining Internet service with Alano Club with the added monthly charge added to the monthly rent charge of the district office at the Alano Club. The 0900 AA Hotline should be back online in the month of July.

 
The District 17 Office has _850_meeting cards in drawer. 
The 0900 AA Hotline had _0_hits the past month including a total of _0_ calls w/no option pressed and __0__ calls option #8 pressed. 
The District website _86_hits the past month. 
Any member of the fellowship with sobriety can become a contact on the option #8 contact listing for a 3-month period. This listing should periodically be updated, especially for those who are about to take a 3-month turn with their listing on option #8. Email to:      dcm@district17a74.org). 
As a regular monthly reminder, must train people (female/male) the operation as coordinator of the 0900 AA Hotline and as webmaster of the district website. Anyone interested in getting involved with being webmaster or coordinator for 0900 AA Hotline please contact a District 17 committee member, or show up at the monthly GSR district meeting the last Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at District 17 Office at Alano Club, Iron Mountain. 
Living my life 1-day at a time, 
Cliff W. (Webmaster/coordinator, District17)

 
Further notes from 06-24-13
 
Per Ed--A.C. has been put up for computers--there are now 2 working computers--
Discussed was internet service and cost for both computers--splitting the monthly cost of Charter cable (30.00) between the District and the Club (15.00 for each each month).
Ed proposed going through Magic Jack for internet service, which would cost 19.99 per month--the legality of this was brought into question--per Bruce--if this is legal (and if it is not, per Bruce, Charter will pick it up and bill the club), than Ed needs to do what he needs to do to get computers online--as well, Cliff and Ed need to begin working together regarding this in earnest as 900 lines have been down for 2 months.
Debbie made motion to try the Magic Jack option for a month, seconded by Val--all in favor
 
Archives Report 06-24-13
Nothing reported.
PI/CPC Report 06-24-13
Nothing reported 
DCM Report 06-24-13
Had some very exciting news when Gordy and myself went out to Florence for our meeting on Programs with Incarcerated and Probationary with Florence Sheriff, Board members and people from U of W Extension. Since my last visit, the County Court System has started a deferred sentencing program. To date 4 people have successfully completed their community service, consulting and other obligations by the court. 11 more are in the process of completing the program. These are 15 people who are first time offenders that will not go to jail or in front of a judge and will not show up on their records. 
Two people signed up for the program with 1 failing a pee test and 1 just not showing up or responding to the sheriff's attempt to contact him. The Steering Committee has sent a letter to the Judge that some sort of woring that gives "teeth" to the sentencing with a swift consequence if the person does not respond to law enforcement. 
I wish to thank allt he members of AA that have helped in educating Florence County about what an Alcoholic truly is so they could hand them better. 
Please remember that the elections for District positions are coming up, so please step up to help the Alcoholic who is still suffering. 
In your service. --Bruce L.
 
2013 Intergroups:
 
July L'Anse July 13th
August Ontonagon August 10th
September OPEN
October Newberry
November Ishpeming November 9th
December Marquette December 7th
 
Notes:
 
Per Bruce--after three years of lobbying and educating Florence, Florence is beginning to understand what alcoholics are--sheriff did not truly understand what an alcoholic was--moreover, however much an alcoholic is given rehab, it is not effective until the alcoholic chooses him or herself to enter into recovery--in this regard, only an alcoholic can truly relate to another alcoholic.
Per Val--concerning current state of Florence meetings--one individual who was court-ordered for a year to attend meetings did so for each meeting to suit the court requirement. This person has not attended since requirement met. At present there are about 12-14 individuals who attend meetings regularly--this number varies with seasons, as some out-of-towners attend meetings during their stay in the area.
Per Matt--Crystal Falls and Iron River meetings are about the same as concerns attendance.
DCM report read and accepted
 
Motion was made to accept as presented.
 
New Business 06-24-13
 
Mark S. serving tentatively as secretary until he begins to feel comfortable with doing so--will presently send reports to Nancy and she will put together notes and send them out--Nancy is elected official until October when elections take place
There is a new intergroup secretary (from Manistique) elected--Dawn is no longer secretary
Date set for next year (?) and place has been reserved
 
When anyone anywhere reaches out I want the hand of AA always to be there and for that I am responsible. 
 
Respectfully Submitted; 
Nancy H.  Secretary, District 17