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