July 2010 Area Minutes pdf (2).txt Anchorage Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous July 12, 2010

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1 Anchorage Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous July 12, 2010 Moment of Silence to reflect on who and why we serve followed by the Serenity Prayer by Shelly at 6:36pm. Service prayer read by Glen, Decorum statement read by Theresa, and the Precepts by Joe. Roll Call Vice Chair 14 of 20 GSRs present Recognition of new groups When Our Gratitude Speaks Tuesday and Thursday 6:30 am at the Alano Club. Amendments to the Agenda --none ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS (written reports on file) Chair Today instead of writing a report I am submitting a copy of the 12 Precepts of Service for all to enjoy. 12 Precepts of Service 1. Service is a Spiritual Principle; it is through giving freely of ourselves that we receive. In N.A. we believe that service is an integral part of Recovery, and as a result we have created a "Participatory Service Structure" where the equal opportunity to serve is a privilege of membership. 2. Service should be inclusive not exclusive, all N.A. members have something to offer and we actively strive to involve as many members as possible in our service efforts. Ultimately, it is a Loving God working through our members that makes it possible for us to achieve our goals. 3. Our service is for the addict who still suffers, and we believe that the N.A. Group is the most important part of our Service Structure since it is the service unit in direct contact with the newcomer. All the other elements of our Service Structure have been created to serve, support, and assist our groups in the fulfillment of their primary purpose. 4. Our Service Structure is a tool whose purpose is to do those things for our Groups, which would compromise their spiritual integrity or distract them from their primary purpose. 5. Our services are initiated and completed by our Groups and Members. Our service structure is a closed loop. Our Groups and/or members begin the process with an idea of what needs to be, or could be done to help fulfill their primary purpose, our Service Structure is responsible for implementation of the idea which is finally achieved by Groups and/or members working directly with the addict who still suffers. 6. The Principle of Practical Spirituality is at the heart of our service. We believe that if it is not practical then it is not spiritual; a Loving god is at the center of our service and this God has the power to make all things possible and practical. 7. The resources we need to fulfill our service projects will always be available when the time is right. We believe that if a service project is spiritually correct then the finances, manpower, and emotional support necessary to complete the task will be available. 8. Our service should be simple and straightforward. Ongoing recovery is a Page 1

2 process of simplification and likewise in our services we should strive for simplicity, if our service efforts are in tune with God's will then they will not be complicated. When service is spiritually based there is no need for secrecy, dishonesty or subterfuge; the spiritual correctness of the service is all that is necessary. 9. All service should be open and above board, communication is inherent in the principle of direct responsibility. Open information and full accountability are implicit in our approach to service. We have nothing to fear and nothing to hide. 10. Selfless service is our ideal. The Disease of Addiction is our greatest strength because it brings us together, it is also our greatest weakness because it tends to tear us apart. Our disease is one of obsessive ness and compulsivity; it is physical, mental, and spiritual in nature. We recognize that there is a direct relationship between quality of service and personal recovery. We stress the need for each member involved in service to keep their personal recovery (physical, mental, and spiritual) as their first priority. When individuals fall short or fail in their service we treat them with compassion and love rather than rejection, exclusion, or punitive action. We strive for progress and do not demand perfection from each other. 11. The services we provide within our Service Structure should always be guided by principle. "True Spiritual Principles are never in conflict" and the Spiritual Principles embodied in our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions should be respected and maintained throughout our services. Our Twelve Steps literally apply to the member seeking recovery, our Twelve Traditions literally apply to our Groups, and these Precepts of Service literally apply to our Service Structure. Awareness of Spiritual Principles is necessary for all if we are to survive; to grow, and provide service based on God's will for us. 12. Ultimately, our service projects are in God's hands. Trust is a key principle for us, and essential in our service efforts. The trust that N.A. Members give those who serve is equal to the trust that those who serve have in the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous, in Spiritual Principles, and in God. As individuals, we trust our will and our lives to the care of a loving God. Our Groups trust in a loving God as their ultimate authority. Likewise, in our Service Structure we trust a loving God as the source and strength of our service. Vice-Chair absent Secretary Last month s minutes approved by Morning After, seconded by No More Excuses passed Treasurer Our June 30th checking acct. balance is $ We collected $ in 7th Tradition group donations at last month s Area. Our monthly budget is about $ per month. Literature deposited $ and has ordered $ Best Storage is paid through August 12th. Our 1% donation to World and Region is $12.40 to each. Page 2

3 GROUP REPORTS (written reports on file) Clean and Serene Joe: addicts attending, we are donating $ to Area. Dynamite Thursday Night Alan: All is well, $40.00 to pass on. Have nomination for RCM Alternate. Eagle River Group Braydon; The Eagle River group is going strong and full of recovery. We average 8-15 addicts a meeting with a consistent flow of 1-2 newcomers a week and we are always looking for more support. We have $22.00 to donate to Area and we would also like to thank those responsible for setting up the campouts, they were a blast. Life Savers absent NA at the VA Chaz: Average residents with average of 2 visitors. Need support please announce at other meetings. No donation this month. No More Excuses Catelyn: We are doing great, we have 30 plus women attending our meetings. The Clitheroe girls have been coming (15 or so each week). We have gotten a starter pack and some books. We decided to move locations, we are now at 1920 W. Dimond Blvd. in the Burlington Mall Crosspoint Church and the time is now 7 8 pm. We have a great play room for the kids so moms can bring their children. We have nothing this month to donate but we are growing fast and we have great hope for next month. New location and times have been put in the schedules. We did decide on a song for the August 13th event and turned it in to the Entertainment committee. Thank you for letting me be of service, No More Bent Blinds (absent with report): We are doing pretty well with decent attendance most of the time. Our seventh tradition is slow going and we don't have very much literature or key tags so we are trying to save some money up for that stuff as well as the regular meeting supplies. We do however have $5.00 for Area that I will include with next's month's donation. In Loving Service, Nothing in the Windows absent Out and About Arlene: For the month of June we had 183 in attendance of which included 12 newcomers, averaging 36.6 addicts at each meeting. For June, we celebrated 9 years, 90 days between 8 addicts. We had $ for June 7th tradition. Our rent was $50.00, our cake expense was $17.99 and coffee supplies $7.49. We have $25.00 ASC donation, making our total expenses $ Our balance is $ Because Out and About is one of the largest meetings in Anchorage, we would like to request more addicts to join our home group as home group members. As we have stated before our business meeting is the last Friday of each month and Page 3

4 request more participation. Rainbow Recovery absent Recovery Connections Jason: Attendance has been 8-15 people. We have $10.00 for Area this month. Recovery First absent Round About Angelique: Arranging in attendance anywhere from people always having newcomers. We established that Mondays will be Step Study 1,2 and 3 will be discussed. Tuesday and Thursdays are ticket day. We are donating $ this month, have concern for discussion and are ready to vote if any. Saturday Night Live Glen: ASC donation $15.00, averaging people a meeting, and still trying to fill all service positions. Soul II Soul Mare: We are ready to vote on old and new business and nominations. We have a donation of $25.00 for Area. ILS The Frozen Chozen Howie: Things are going well. Treatment centers are still heavily involved in our meetings and attendance is good. We have 1 motion and we are ready to vote on all action items. We have $80.00 for Area. ILS The Gong Show Amy: Meetings at the Gong Show vary from meeting to meeting. We have an average of 5 25 addicts who attend the meetings. However, lately the numbers have been only a few. We are trying to encourage fellow NA members to make the Gong Show a part of their recovery by changing our format, but after a 3 month trial, it was the group conscience to continue to have the speaker, but have food only once every 3 months. We have $10.00 to donate to Area. The Gong Show supports all the nominations that were brought forth at the last Area Service meeting. Thank you for letting me be of service to the Fellowship of NA and also to my home group. The Morning After Sean: We have a strong membership and are attended well by home group members. We usually have about visitors, very good message of recovery. We will not be meeting July 25th, August 1st and August 7th due to the restaurant is closed. Sorry we were just informed but would ask that this be reflected in next month s schedule. We are ready to vote on motions and nominations. ILS, we are donating $67.00 to Area. The NA Way absent Valley NA Nooners absent Walk Your Talk Carol: Attendance is good with attending daily with 1-2 newcomers. We have $50.00 for Area and $50.00 for World this month. Ready to vote. When Our Gratitude Speaks Theresa: When Our Gratitude Speaks is a Page 4

5 new meeting going strong since our first meeting on June 10th. We have no monies this month to donate but hope to next month. We are allowing a few newcomers to get their foot in the door and happily do service work. ILS WTSOD absent SUBCOMMITTEE AND ASRC REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS (written reports on file) Literature -My last written report to AASCNA was dated March 1, This report covers Literature activity for the months of March, April, May and June Sales: During the months of March through June I made sales of $1, Hospitals and Institutions (H&I) Literature: The H&I Subcommittee are allowed $200 per month in literature by AASCNA I do not collect cash from them. During the months of March through June I provided H&I its literature allowance totaling $ New Orders: I placed and received literature orders from NA World Services totaling $2, as follows. I have a full inventory of books, booklets, Public Information pamphlets, clean time key tags and medallions for sale. Special orders are also available. Deposits: During the months of March through June I deposited $1, into AASCNA s account, all proceeds from sales. I currently have $ more in cash awaiting deposit plus an additional $20.00 cash on hand, which I will retain for making change on future sales. Submitted in loving service, Chris M PI -PI did not have a business meeting in June summer break. Alaska Human Services presentation was July 1st. Linda participated; her share was a wonderful example of how the program of Narcotic Anonymous works. The next presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, July 28th, at 7 pm. If you would like to be a 'part of' please call Jeff B, The Ad Hoc committee changed the date of the "Fish Fry for Service" to Saturday, September 11th. Fellowship Hall at Central Lutheran Church has been reserved for the event. PI is looking forward to the Fish Fry. Expenses: Unfortunately I have a work conflict so am unable to attend tonight's meeting and, therefore, am unable to turn-in receipts from the last month. They will be turned in, with this month's receipts, at the August Area meeting. The next regularly scheduled PI meeting will include a mail-out and is planned for Sunday, July 25th, 6 o'clock here at Peggy's. For most PI activities there is no clean-time requirement; everyone is invited and all help is appreciated. Tis an honor to be of service and continues to be a most valuable learning experience. Susan, Chair, PI sub-committee H&I Our last business meeting was on June 24th with approximately 16 persons in attendance. Our next business meeting will be on July Page 5

6 29th. We currently still have a negative balance of -$2.64. I couldn't find a report on what we received in Literature for June, however, I'm sure Chris will fill us in on that... All our facilities are doing well. Cordova Center has split into two facilities. The women are in midtown and the men are at the downtown facility. We desperately need a Panel Leader for the men s Cordova Center as Doug P. has been doing it but he needs a break. I would like to thank Doug for his efforts in keeping that meeting going until we can get someone else in there. Also, we have added a new facility, Stepping Stones, this is a women s only facility. Panel Leader is Casey H&I will be Monday s at 6pm. I would like to appeal to all the GSR's again to help us with recruiting H&I panel members by announcing our meeting at your home group business meetings. We really need more males to be a part of this subcommittee. Also, if your group is capable, it would be nice to have an H&I representative from your group attend our H&I business meeting. Thanks to everyone with H&I for continuing to further our primary purpose, carrying the message to addicts still suffering. As always, I am very proud of the people doing service for H&I and am very grateful to be a part of this subcommittee myself! In Loving Service, Jeff L Activities The Eagle River campout was successful, lots of fellowshipping, meetings, and workshops. Thank you all for your support. The Activities committee is currently planning the Halloween dance, and assisting with the Fish Fry for Service. The next Activities meeting will be July 28th at 6:30 pm at Kaladi Brothers Coffee on Brayton Drive. In loving service, Tami Convention We are on track with the convention planning, the merchandise order has been submitted. The next event is the NA s Got Talent on August 13th at 6:30 pm at St. Patricks. Flyers are available on the Website AKNA.ORG. RCM The RD and ARD have both submitted conference Regional reports. I have attached a draft regional guideline change which addresses: Terms for regional service committee positions; Increases clean time requirements of most committee positions; Eliminates provision to waive clean time; Eliminates holding dual committee positions; Sets forth the nomination requirements. Rolls the ARD into the RD position after a two year term. A couple of Regional Guideline amendments are in draft: Establishing the budget process; Establishing an Assembly of GSRs. There is a regional meeting next week. The question has come up whether to rotate the ARD into the RD position which is the norm, or keep the RD in for another conference cycle. Straw poll. Anything else Old Business. Page 6

7 Area Newsletter: Amber. Passed Motion to waive clean time requirements for Amber who has been nominated to fulfill the Newsletter position. Passed Motion that Region give 10% of the proceeds from all future conventions (after seed moneys to fund the next convention) to World. Passed Action Items. Motion to have Region come back to Area with an explanation as to where our present budget is at and have we met or exceeded the approved budget. Please explan. Made by Frozen, seconded by No More Excuses.. Nomination for Alan M as Alternate RCM o Qualifications GSR for multiple homegroups for 9 years, Secretary for Dynamite for 4 years and Outlaws for 1 year. Convention Entertainment chair for 1 year. Anchorage RCM for 2 years, Regional chair for 1 year, Convention PI committee for 1 year, H&I committee for 2 years, completed Area guideline committee and Area inventory committee and have been clean since 2/17/1991. Announcements Events can be found at akna.org under Events PI meeting will include a mail-out and is planned for Sunday, July 25th, 6 o'clock here at Peggy's Activities meeting will be July 28th at 6:30 pm at Kaladi Brothers Coffee on Brayton Drive. H&I meets on July 29th at the Westmark Hotel NA has Talent August 13 St. Patrick s 6:30 pm Kenai Campvention August Soldotna Bible Camp ARCNA Convention October 1-3 Alyeska Prince Hotel Page 7

8 Motion 1 Change Guideline Part (I)(6), (I)(7), and (I)(8) This motion replaces Part I, part 6, 7, and 8 of the ARSC Guidelines. The existing guidelines are as follows, followed by the draft proposed guidelines: 6. Elections are held whenever a position becomes open. Time requirements can be waived on an individual basis except for Subcommittee Chairs (Two years clean) and RSD (Five years clean), RSD Alternate (Five years clean). Consideration should be made to not allow any exemptions or waivers of clean time requirements. 7. Nominations are given to the Chairperson as soon as possible so they can be included in the Agenda. Included in the nomination will be the amount of continuous clean time at the time of nomination, NA Service positions completed to term or ongoing, and willingness to give the time and resources necessary to do the job. Regional Trusted Servants will inform Region one quarter before the end of their term if they wish to be considered for re election. (Note: No Officer will serve mor e than two consecutive terms at any one Regional position). 8. Nominations for any RSC office shall be brought by an Area RCM or RCM alternate (or duly authorized proxy), or by a group from an unorganized area. Nominations shall be made at a duly convened RSC meeting. The nomination shall include the members clean time and service background. Nominations do not require a second. Nominations will be brought back to the Areas and outlying groups for consideration. Vote will take place at the next duly convened RSC meeting. The revised version is as follows: 6. Elections are held as follows: i. Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer biannually during odd years, at the Fall quarter regional committee meeting; ii. Subcommitte Chairpersons, bianually during even years at the Fall quarter regional committee meeting; iii. Alternate Regional Delegate (ARD), biannually during even years at the Fall quarter regional committee meeting. iv. The incumbent ARD will roll into the Regional Delegate (RD) position biannually during even years. If the ARD position is vacant or if the ARD cannot fulfill the duties of RD, an election for RD and ARD will be held. v. Elections will be held whenever a position becomes open and a nomination is brought forward. Nominations will be accepted 60 days or more after a vacancy occurs, which affords an opportunity for all

9 areas to bring forward a nomination. Such a partial term ends according to the biannual schedule outlined above, at the Fall Regional Committee meeting. vi. Pro Temp appointments When a position vacancy opens up, the Chair may appoint someone to temporarily fill the position in order to keep business running as usual. The pro temp position candidate shall meet the minimum position requirements. 7. Conditions of Nomination(s) i. Nominations for any RSC office shall be brought by an Area RCM or RCM alternate (or duly authorized proxy), or by a group from an unorganized area. Nominations shall be made at a duly convened RSC meeting. Alternatively, an Area may bring a nomination to the Regional Chair 60 days prior to the Fall Regional Committee meeting, which if he or she (the nominee) meets the minimum position qualifications, will be distributed to the Area RCMS to gather Area vote or conscience to vote at the Fall RSC meeting. ii. A nomination shall include a written statement of the (i) members clean time, (ii) service background, (iii) understanding of the Steps, Traditions, and Concepts, (iv) willingness to serve, and (v) any plans for the position. Nominations do not require a second. Nominations will be brought back to the Areas. iii. RSC position clean time requirements will not be waived. iv. No member will hold an RSC elected position more than one consecutive term. A partial term will not disqualify a member from holding that position in the following cycle. v. The clean time requireme nts shall be as follows: a. RSC Chairperson 7 years b. RSC Vice Chairp erson 7 years c. Secretary 3 years d. Treasurer 5 year s e. Regional Delegate 7 years f. Alternate Delegate 7 years g. Subcommittee Chair 5 years 8. No committee member (Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Subcommittee Chair, Regional Delegate or alternate RD) may hold more than one position on the committee at the same time nor be a voting member of this committee (i.e., RCM).

10 References to clean time requirements under the guideline position description would be deleted. The intent of the motion is to: Define terms for ARSC positions including duration and when elections occur. it heightens awareness of the positions which encourages additional participation; It defines the terms to facilitate the principle of rotation. Changes the status quo. Rotates good leaders out as well as mediocre leaders. Extend terms from 1 year to 2 years for ARSC officers Since Region only meets quarterly, extending the terms gives people enough time to assess the job and accomplish something. It allows each position to propose a budget for the position, e.g, to plan for the position. Once someone is in a position, and in the event they are not performing very well, it is difficult and unusual to remove them we would be stuck with them for 2 years. Eliminates provision to waive clean time requirments. We have enough people in our fellowship with adequate clean time that we need not waive clean time. Clean time requirements usher in candidates with maturity and perspective rather than those with ambition and a need for popular affirmation. By not waiving clean time the system is more rigid can not bring in willing less clean time candidates. Limits the RSC positions to only one two year term. Two years is enough. Person in the position can rotate into something else. Ineffective leadership is rotated out. Effective leadership is rotated out.

11 Rot ates the AR D into the RD position thus creating a 4 year term cycle; ARD is training position for the RD. Provides continuity in the RD position Effective leadership is rotated out. Four year term is a long committment. Eliminates anyone holding more than one position on the RSC committe. Multiple positions check opportunity of abuse; eliminating subcommitee chair from voting membership protects committee from bias voting. Allows opportunity for the best performance in any one position. Holding multiple roles dilutes our capacity. Keeps effective talent from holding more than one position. Addicts with good recovery should be able to vote impartially. Increases the clean time requirements for any RSC nominee and centralizes the clean time requirements in one place in the guidelines: Currently the clean time requirements are located throughout the Guidelines; putting them under nomination stuff makes them easy to find. Consistent with Concept to pick our leaders carefully, we protect the RSC and fellowship from immature leadership and or recovery. These are postions of trust and responsibility and it is important to be prudent. Restricts access to RSC service positions by members with less clean time requirements. We have had no problem heretofore so what are we limiting access for.