September Newsletter

     On September 30, 2013, the monthly Area 74, District 17 GSR was held at the Alano Club on 105 W. Fleshiem, Iron Mountain. The meeting began at 6:30 p.m. with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer. Attending were--Betty S., Kathy M., Jaeme C., Matt S., Joanne B., Bruce L., Ed., Debbie G., and Mark S.

SECRETARY’S REPORT:

     Minutes reviewed--Debbie made motion to accept as presented, Joanne B. seconded, all in favor

TREASURER’S REPORT:

                                                           AREA 74 DISTRICT 17

                                                 FINANCIAL REPORT SEPT. 2013

     Balance from August                                                                                   $913.52

     Deposits:
                       Wed. Night Randville Group                                                        $40.00
                       David G. Armstrong Creek Pembine Group                               $30.00
    Withdrawals:
                       Ck1336 Ed B. reimb. For 2 Ink cartridges                                   $14.73
                       Ck1337 AT&T phone                                                                    $48.01
                       Hostek.com website fee                                                                $70.93
     Balance September 2013                                                                               $849.85

     We are self supporting through our own contributions,

                         Joanne B. Treas. District 17

     Bruce made motion to accept, Debbie seconded, all in favor

CORRECTIONS REPORT:

     Per Debbie meeting facilitators have been good about showing up as scheduled or finding replacement if unable to show as scheduled.

     Brad is still facilitating meetings in Dickinson.
     James has decided to become affiliated with NA and has resigned from Florence County AA. Pete E. and Brian F. are taking over Florence AA, with Gordy still in charge overall of Florence County jail meetings.

     Bruce made motion to accept, seconded by Betty all in favor

WEBMASTER REPORT:

     Fax modem has been replaced and 900 number is up and working, although there are some bugs which need to be worked out. Per Ed, these will be taken care of this night.

     Per Bruce, Ed needs to contact the newspaper and amend the following: Randville church meeting has been changed to 7:00 and Friday night closed meetings at 1st Lutheran. In addition to the newspaper changes, the minutes as posted to the Area 74 website need to be corrected in the webmaster section to “the last Monday of each month.”

PI/CPC REPORT:

     Per Jaeme, as concerns her Union and the question of having an open display of distributable AA literature, the Union has approved this.

     Bruce L. read some of the cases (successes/failures) regarding the Florence County Treatment Diversification Program. Per Bruce, Overall Florence County is grateful for the presence of AA.

NEW BUSINESS:

     Next UP traveling intergroup has been moved to Curtis, MI

     October elections are pending. At the moment there is no one "stepping up" to fill Bruce's absence as he will be stepping down as DCM. If there is no one to fill this position, the district will go dark:

     A district that sends no one to represent it at area assemblies is said to have gone “dark.” This occurs with the breakdown of the process by which general service reps (G.S.R.s) meet to elect a district committee member (D.C.M.) to attend area meetings. When the district goes dark, its members no longer have a voice in Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole.--News and Notes from the General Service Office of AA, 2006

     Per Bruce, the consequence of a district going dark is the loss of a webpage, meeting cards, a hot line provider. The reason he has continued as DCM for 4 years is to prevent this from occurring. At present one of the difficulties associated with recruiting a replacement DCM is that the meetings in the district are "young" with many individuals "very young” in recovery. This means many individuals have less than three years sobriety, and many as well have only begun attending meetings. 5 years of sobriety is required to be eligible for position of DCM. In addition the position of DCM requires a certain commitment such as attending intergroups (which, incidentally, began as GSR meetings and evolved from there), and actively acting as an information and education provider within the community.

     Per Debbie, she cannot think of anyone for DCM and we have not had an alternate DCM, a position which is a "learning phase" for becoming DCM. The reluctance or lack of interest that seems to exist for the taking of the DCM position may have to do with the fact that the consequence of a district going dark has not been realized by individuals in the area.

     Betty volunteered to take position of treasurer.

     Per Bruce, it has always been the position of the DCM to go out and provide information/education and while he will not be DCM he will continue to be a presence in Florence County.

     Decided: there will be no GSR meeting in October. This also gives district 2 months to find a replacement DCM. The next GSR meeting will be held on November 25, 2013 at the Alano Club, 105 W. Fleshiem.

     Meeting ended with Our Father.

     District 17 Sec,

     Mark S.