October 2005 Intergroup Minutes


Approved
Western Massachusetts Intergroup
Meeting Minutes
October 10, 2005

OPENING:

Rayna, WMI Chair, opened the meeting at 6:31 p.m. with the Serenity Prayer.
Reading of Tradition 10, OA 12&12.
Reading of Concept 10.

OFFICER REPORTS:

Recording Secretary's Report read by Linda T.

A motion was made to accept the minutes as amended.  The motion passed.

Chair Report given by Rayna who said she would save her comments until  later on.

Treasurer's Report given by Rhea.
Income:     $342.46
Expenses:     $404.02
Balance:     $217.58

A question was raised regarding the cost for the answering service which appears to be a higher rate than before.  Rhea said that the answering service fees are still under budget and this answering service has the lowest fee around.

Rhea distributed and reviewed the quarterly report.  Income is below what we projected  There is an entry for $156.67 under “other income” that was money we always had, but did not account for, so we now made it visible on the  financial report.  The “printing” budget of $100 has not been  used to date.

The Budget Review Committee will meet in October and bring a 2006 proposed budget to the November WMI meeting with final approval of the 2006 budget targeted for the December meeting.

Corresponding Secretary's Report given by Rayna.  Chip has resigned from WMI.  He gave Rayna permission to share that he recently had a death in the family as well as he was in the hospital himself so he needed to resign.  Chip  will attend the November WMI meeting in order to hand off items from his various jobs:  corresponding secretary, Website Coordinator, Region 6 and World Service Rep.

Rayna asked the group to be thinking of people who could fill these positions, especially the Website Coordinator role.

Roll Call/Introductions/Newcomer Welcome


STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Soft Literature Report given by Carol who reported that Soft Lit is in  good shape.

Hard Literature Report given by Ellen.  Rhea and Ellen plan to meet to  open a new bank account at a more conveniently located bank.  I also plan on purchasing a new case to hold the hard lit and return the current case to its original owner, Sue.  

HIPM Report given by Gabrielle who reported that she has the HIPM manual and needs to get moving on the WIC program.

Newsletter/Meeting List Report given by Rayna.  Newsletters are available tonight to bring back to your meeting groups.  Please take 10 per group.  Also,  please announce at your group meetings that the newsletters are for the people who regularly attend that group meeting.

Young People's Report - no Chair for this committee, no report given.

Public Information Report was given by Sarah. Three successful health fairs have been completed to date.  We still need more volunteers for future health fairs  Sarah also distributed a flyer regarding the next PI event at the Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame scheduled for Saturday, 10/22/05.

Region 6 Assembly Report was given by Elizabeth.  Rhea, Sue & Elizabeth recently attended the Region 6 Assembly.  There is a newly revised OA Handbook  for Members, Groups & Integroups which was passed around for the group to see.   A question was raised as to whether the handbook listed a Website Coordinator position

Elizabeth also shared what she learned at the “Recovery Opportunities” breakout group she attended at Region 6.  Some examples include holding OA  coffee therapy meetings or going out for coffee following an OA meeting.

Sue reported that the Region 6 “12 Step Within” group suggested that Integroups hold a workshop or special event on recovery from relapse during January which is “Recovery from Relapse” month.

Rhea reported that she attended the Region 6 “Revised Handbook” session.  Gaston from Canada shared that his group reads the handbook at every  Intergroup meeting as well as gives the handbook to newcomers.

Elizabeth attended the Region 6 PI/HIPM group.  She reported that there is a discernable increase in OA inquiry calls and meeting attendance due to efforts of PI/HIPM committees  She received tons of ideas our PI/HIPM committees could use.  Due to time constraints, Rayna suggested that the group read Elizabeth's report and discuss further ideas at a later date.

All PI/HIPM Blitz proposals should be approved by WMI first before being submitted to Region 6 for possible funding.

World Service Report given by Rhea.  The next World Service Business Meeting is in May in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  WMI is eligible to send three representatives  The qualifications to be a WMI rep are:  one year of abstinence, have attended two Region 6 assemblies and done service above the group meeting level.  Rhea is currently serving a two year term.  Heather and Chip, both of whom recently resigned were also reps, but will now need to be replaced.

Marathon Report given by Linda.   The Marathon committee met on Sunday,  10/9.  The 2006 OA Marathon theme is “Every Day, A New Promise.”  Workshops have also been chosen.  A flyer calling for committee volunteers was distributed.

12 Step Within Report given by Sue.  She asked that all WMI reps ask their meeting groups if they are willing to sponsor a “12 Step Within” workshop.

Fundraising Report given by Rayna. The t-shirt will have the Marathon theme on the back and possibly a WMI logo on the front pocket area.  The committee needs to meet and discuss this idea further.

Website Report given by Rayna.  Please ask meeting groups if anyone has website development experience that is willing to do service in this area.

OLD  BUSINESS:

Budget Review - 2006 Budget Proposal to be done by Rhea, Rayna, Elizabeth & Frank.

Public Information - There was a discussion about previous PI Blitz projects that were attempted and faded out.  A PI Blitz project is difficult to do because it requires a measurable outcome in order to be considered for a Region 6 grant  Boston carried out a very successful billboard PI Blitz campaign.  There is currently $6,000 available in Region 6 PI Blitz grant funds.

A motion was made by Rhea and seconded by Gabrielle to form a Public Information Blitz Committee.  The motion passed.

NEW  BUSINESS:
Corresponding Secretary - VACANCY.

Website Coordinator - VACANCY - Gabrielle may have someone for this position  Rose might be interested.

Communications Committee - There was a discussion about the creation of a Communications Committee.

Donations to Region 6/WMI - Rhea distributed a new form for meeting groups to use when making donations to Region 6.  She also handed out a form for groups to use when making donations to WMI.  These forms will help identify which groups are making donations.  A question was raised as to the maximum donation an individual in one year can contribute to World Service; the answer is $5,000.

Money Needs:
·     Soft Literature - Carol needs $1.50 reimbursement.  She will also order 30 copies of the New Handbook.
·     Public Information - Sarah needs $40 to print more flyers for the Basketball Hall of Fame event, but her budget  has been depleted.
·     A motion was made to take $40 in funds from  the printing budget for PI flyers for the Basketball Hall of Fame.  The motion passed
·     A motion was made to allow Gail, as a trusted servant, to purchase items she needs for the answering service calls she receives  The motion passed.

GROUP CONCERNS
A question was raised as to what our WMI website address is:  oawmass.org
Linda asked that people please give the speaker their complete attention and be respectful by not speaking during the meeting when someone is giving a report.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

NEXT MEETING
Monday, November 14th, 2005, at 6:30 p.m.

CLOSING
The meeting closed with the Serenity Prayer.

Respectfully submitted by,

Linda T.
Recording Secretary