March 2006 Intergroup Minutes
Approved
Western Massachusetts Intergroup
Meeting Minutes
March 13, 2006
Chair opened with Serenity Prayer
Read tradition 3 and concept of the month.
Recording Secretary's Report - Recording secretary was not in attendance so no report available.
Chair/Vice Chair report - no report submitted.
Treasurer's Report - Frank reviewed the treasurer's report. Ending balance was $3,103.04
Corresponding Secretary's report was reviewed (secretary was on vacation), but submitted written report for review).
Archivist's Report - none, but lots of requests have been coming in for Sue to ascertain anniversary dates of meetings.
Roll call/Introductions/Newcomer Welcome: The group welcomed Sandy as a new member. She is representing the 7 p.m. Friday night Amherst meeting. The group also welcomed Rita as a new member representing the 7 p.m. Friday West Springfield meeting.
Standing Committee reports:
Soft Literature - Motion to increase by $100 money for soft literature. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Hard literature - Ellen had orders for Carol from Amherst and Gwen. Sandy took Carol's order as she would be seeing her.
HIPM - Gabrielle reported on a very successful health fair she had recently attended at Westfield State College. She said the OA table was very professional looking and conveniently positioned. She said the event had been well attended.
Newsletter/meeting lists: Mary reported that she and Jeff, as co-chairs of the newsletter committee, would be getting together to start planning and working on the next newsletter as soon as Jeff returned from vacation.
Umbrella committee - Elaine, Gabrielle, Mary, Jeff, Dan, Suzanne, Lyn needs to meet to discuss - HIPM, newsletter, corresponding secretary, public information, and meeting lists update. Needs to meet soon.
Young People's meeting - Sue reported that the meeting had closed in February. If anyone wants to start a new young people's meeting, please get in touch with Sue from Westfield for information.
Public Information - no report as Sarah was not in attendance.
Region 6 Assembly - delegates are Jeffrey, Mary M., Rayna, Elaine as Chair, Rhea, as fundraising chair, and Sue, as 12th Step Within Committee, will also attend.
World Service - no report. Rhea and Mary will be booking flights for Albuquerque and will submit expenses.
Marathon: Sue reported that Sue, John and Lyn are co-chairs of 2007 marathon which will be held at St. David's Episcopal Church in Feeding Hills from 8-3 p.m. on January 6, 2007 with a snow date of January 13, 2007. We will have full use of the kitchen, all classrooms, coffeepots, etc. We will be able to get into the church at 7:30 a.m. that day to set up. Last year's fee for the use of the church was $200, but the same church had increased their fee to $600 for 2007. Therefore, a new church was found for the 2007 marathon. The fee will be $50 for the day (thus, a net savings of $550). Great work!
12th step within committee - no report
Fundraising committee - Rhea did not have an exact amount to report as Rayna was not in attendance. Look for report next month.
PI Blitz: Apologies from Elizabeth who could not be in attendance due to a family health problem. The PI proposal has not yet been completed.
Holyoke Soldier's Home meeting place: OA can stay at the Soldier's Home through the end of April. Elaine will call Rayna for an update on our new meeting site.
New business:
CT retreat. The dates have been changed for the retreat from April 14-16 to April 7-9.
Name that meeting contest. Mary announced that the Thursday 5:15-6:15 p.m. Northampton meeting needs a name. A contest is open to name that meeting.
Submit your ideas and a vote will be taken at their next business meeting on April 6th. Contest winner will win a copy of Overeaters Anonymous, 2nd edition, the literature that is used at the Thursday meeting.
Potential Spiritual workshop - Sue from Westfield reported that members want a spiritual workshop and suggested having one on a Sunday afternoon to share on Steps 3-7, and step 11. The meeting would probably take place in Southwick. Please contact Sue if you are interested in servicing on that committee.
Group Concerns:
Meetings in need of support (or meetings that may be in danger of closing due to
lack of participation:
Mary reported that the 7-8 p.m. Wed. night meeting in Northampton had
been dark on March 8th. That meeting has been struggling for a long time.
Mary will ask Jeff to contact the meeting rep. for that meeting to find out
whether the meeting is still viable.
Sandy reported that the 7-8 p.m. Friday night Amherst meeting is in need of support and participation.
Someone suggested that the noon meetings in Northampton are also in need of support, especially the Tuesday meeting, which sometimes has no one in attendance, despite the fact that there is an OA writing meeting immediately prior to the noon meeting on Tuesdays. What's up with that? Why don't the people who are in the writing meeting stay on for the regular OA meeting. Jeff to contact meeting rep.
Old business: Rhea will arrange with Andrea to audit the books.
Good of the Order: Lyn reported that the phone service was going well.
The meeting closed at 7:30 p.m. with the long version of the Serenity Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary M
(doing service as substitute recording secretary)