MCKINNEY MIRACLE GROUP BYLAWS

Transcription

1 MCKINNEY MIRACLE GROUP BYLAWS AA PREAMBLE Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Copyright the AA Grapevine, Inc. A. PURPOSE The purpose and mission of the McKinney Miracle Group of Alcoholics Anonymous is to provide a Place for AA s recovery program and fellowship to be practiced. Tradition 5: Each group has but one primary purpose to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers B. MEMBERSHIP AND QUORUM Tradition 3: The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. Seven or more McKinney Miracle Group members must be present at any scheduled Group Conscience Meeting to constitute a quorum. Any vote must have 2/3 majority to carry. C. STEERING COMMITTEE 1. The Steering Committee is comprised of the following elected members; a. Member #1: minimum 2 years sobriety; 18 month term b. Member #2: minimum 2 years sobriety; 18 month term c. Member #3: minimum 6 months maximum 1 year sobriety; 18 month term (sobriety requirement waved for member #3 if no qualified candidate available) d. Alternate member: minimum 6 month sobriety; 6 month term 2. The three SC Members with 18 month terms will serve staggered 18 month terms with each term rotating every six months; the alternate member will rotate every six months. 3. The steering committee exists only to provide informed recommendations to the group conscience on all proposals brought by group members Anyone wanting an item to be considered by the Group Conscience shall use the blank proposal sheet posted on week 3 of each month Proposals will be collected by the steering committee 2 weeks prior to each group conscience meeting (Sunday of week 4) The Miracle Group Bylaws Page 1 of 7

2 Steering committee will consider each item on the list and return an informed recommendation at the next group conscience meeting under new business. 4. If a steering committee member needs to be replaced the matter will be taken to group conscience by the remaining steering committee members or group member recommending replacement. (See tradition eight) 5. All steering committee meetings must have a 3/4 presence before any business can be conducted. 6. Steering Committee shall meet once per month during weeks 4 or 1 with time, location and method of meeting at their discretion. 7. Any member can attend the Steering Committee meeting by contacting a member for details, but only Steering Committee members are allowed to vote on recommendations. D. GROUP CONSCIENCE MEETINGS 1. Group Conscience meetings are held on the 2 nd Sunday of the month at 6:00 pm.. 2. Notice of all group conscience meetings will be included as permanent announcement in the meeting format 3. Discussion is limited to 2 minutes, with a follow-up limited to 30 seconds per person (Chairperson s discretion). 4. Only proposals which have been reviewed by the steering committee will be eligible for group conscience vote, except those trusted servant expenditures already approved by GC. 5. All decisions approved by the group cannot be changed for a period of six months, after which a member can request it be brought up again for discussion. a. Exception: Group Conscience deems it necessary to review an approved motion i. Does it affect AA as a whole? ii. Does it affect other AA Groups? iii. Was it a well informed decision? iv. Was the decision accurate given best information? 6. Any member of the Miracle Group has the right of appeal as defined in the AA Service Manual (Concept 5 Right of Appeal ). 7. No later than one week after the Group Conscience meeting Secretary will post minutes as information only. The minutes will be approved by vote at the following GC meeting. 8. Voting by home group members shall be by show of hands or acclamation. The Miracle Group Bylaws Page 2 of 7

3 E. SERVICE POSITIONS* AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Chairperson (Minimum 1 year sobriety; 6 month term) a. To provide and facilitate Group Conscience Meeting b. Maintains order during group conscience meetings c. Formulates agenda for group conscience meetings d. Communicates to any member of the steering or service committees when the functions of that particular position are not being met e. Recruits volunteers to chair meetings 2. GSR-General Service Representative* (Minimum 2 years sobriety; 2 year term) a. Meets requirements of service as stated in the AA Service Manual, Page S25 "The general service representative has the job of linking his or her group with A.A. as a whole. The G.S.R. represents the voice of the group conscience, reporting the group's thoughts to the district committee member and to the delegate, who passes them on to the Conference. This communication is a two-way street, making the G.S.R. responsible for bringing back to the group, Conference Actions that affects A.A. unity, health, and growth. Only when a G.S.R. keeps the group informed, and communicates the group conscience, can the Conference truly act for A.A. as a whole. 3. Alternate (GSR) (minimum 1 year sobriety; 1 year term) a. Serves as substitute in the event of GSR s absence b. Attend district meetings and area events with the GSR. 4. Secretary (Minimum 1 year sobriety; 1 year term) a. Records minutes at all Group Conscience meetings b. Posts minutes on bulletin board no later than one week after meeting c. Maintain member file/phone list with voluntary information including but not limited to; Name, Phone numbers, address d. Maintain AA bulletin boards and communicates with GSR and InterGroup Reps regarding pertinent announcements and events e. Post pertinent mail f. Develops and posts announcement list for meeting agenda once per month 5. Assistant Secretary (minimum 6 month sobriety; 6 month term) a. Aids Secretary in all responsibilities of above service position b. In the event of Secretary s absence, assistant will maintain above duties c. Monthly: Update meeting sign-up calendar, announcement boards, and flyers d. Prepare and insert Monthly Announcement sheets per secretary minutes. 6. Treasurer (minimum 2 years sobriety; 2 year term) a. Collects all 7 th traditions monies and deposits into Group s accounts b. Pays all group expenses in a timely manner c. Reimburse expenditures allowed to members within the guidelines of the bylaws d. Maintains all bookkeeping records e. Provides current financial report for each Group Conscience meeting including break down of income and expenses by category, i.e. meetings, literature, coffee, supplies, etc. f. Serves as liaisons to meeting location facilities** The Miracle Group Bylaws Page 3 of 7

4 **Current meeting location: First Baptist McKinney Texas g. Prints envelopes for 7 th tradition collection 7. Assistant Treasurer (minimum 1 year sobriety; 1 year term) a. Assists with collecting/ depositing of 7 th Tradition monies at all meeting locations b. In the event of the Treasurer s absence, the alternate will provide financial report for Group Conscience meetings 8. Literature Representative (minimum 1 year sobriety; 1 year term) a. Maintains supply of AA Conference approved literature and supplies (sobriety chips, newcomer packets, etc.) according to agreed upon par inventory b. Coordinates with Secretary and other group members on any specific requests 9. Supplies Representative (minimum 6 months sobriety; 6 month term) a. Maintains all refreshment and meeting supplies (i.e. envelopes, coffee, filters, cups, condiments, etc.) b. Coordinates with Secretary and other group members on specific requests 10. Intergroup Representative (minimum 6 months sobriety, 1 year term) a. Acts as a communication link between the Miracle Group and DIA b. Attends monthly Intergroup meetings and reports Intergroup agenda/minutes at the monthly Group Conscience meeting c. Attends all Group Conscience meetings d. Solicits Miracle Group opinion on area-related issues and votes at the Intergroup level on behalf of the Miracle Group 11. Special Events Chairperson (minimum 6 months sobriety; 6 month term) a. Responsible for coordinating a committee, if needed, to oversee all group related events; 1. Birthday Night 2. Anniversary Celebration 3. Workshops, District Meeting - Any or all special events b. Create flyer or add to monthly announcement sheets vent info c. Create sign-up sheet for volunteers and or Pot luck items d. Attend event beginning and end to coordinate set up, clean up, tear down e. Alert Intergroup Rep. of event if applicable 12. Speaker Coordinator (minimum 1 year sobriety, 6 month term) a. Responsible for obtaining speakers for the Thursday night meeting 1. McKinney Miracle Group member at least once per month 2. Non McKinney Miracle Group member at least once per month b. Responsible for obtaining speakers for any other special event c. Responsible for obtaining speakers as requested by group conscience 13. Birthday Chairperson (minimum 6 months sobriety; 6 month term) a. Purchase and bring cake, set out plates and silverware on B-day night The Miracle Group Bylaws Page 4 of 7

5 b. Reimbursement from Treasurer /or collection envelope UPON RECEIPT 14. Treatment Facilities Chair (minimum 1 year sobriety; 1 year term) a. Encourage group participation in treatment center meetings b. Coordinate monthly group conscience update with leads from each facility (Caron, Enterhealth, Wysong, Samaritan Inn) c. Coordinate temporary contact programs with facility leads bridge the gap. d. Arrange purchase and distribution of literature as approved by Miracle GC e. Provide direction to first time members attending treatment meeting F. ELECTIONS 1. Elections for all Miracle Group service position are held in the month of June and December for the following year. 2. All service positions begin their term of commitment in January or July of each year. 3. All persons interested in holding a service position must be nominated for that position and meet the sobriety requirement for that position may or may not be present at GC meeting to be elected. If not present, candidate should confirm desire to serve by contacting group chair. 4. All terms of sobriety, if specified for a position, must be continuous. 5. The Secretary will post notification of open positions by November and May Group Conscience meeting for the December and June elections. 6. The Group Conscience will observe the Third Legacy Procedures for facilitating the Elections. 7. Vacancies of office, will be addressed as new business at group conscience so that any/or all vacant positions may be filled in a special election. G. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE 1. An elected service position member is automatically removed from office if he/she fails to maintain the sobriety requirement as defined in section VII. 2. When the elected service member fails to fulfill his/her designated duties, the matter will be taken before the Group Conscience. If an open position occurs, a new election will be held at the following months Group conscience meeting H. GROUP CONSCIENCE MEETING OUTLINE AND INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Purpose To provide guidelines ensuring that all members are allowed to be heard and to participate in decision making without confusion. It has been a time-tested method of conducting business meetings and public gatherings. 2. Order of Business Read An Informed Group Conscience from the AA Group pamphlet a. Call meeting to order with the Serenity Prayer. The Miracle Group Bylaws Page 5 of 7

6 b. Ask for corrections to last month's meeting minutes, and then ask for approval of minutes. c. Ask for service position reports (limit to two minutes). d. Treasure report approved with a Vote. e. Re-introduce and address Old Business topics from previous meeting(s). f. Introduce and address New Business topics from Steering Committee meeting or items presented from the group. g. Adjournment. 3. Motions-Description and Procedures a. The formal method used by members to express themselves during the group conscience meetings will be in the form of motions. b. A motion is a proposal that the entire group membership will discuss and decide on. c. Individual members can; 1. Make motions (i.e., originate them). 2. Second motions (required prior to discussion). 3. Debate motions. 4. Vote on motions. d. Types of Motions 1. Main Motions; the purpose of a main motion is to introduce the item to the group for their consideration. A motion cannot be made when any other motion is on the floor. 2. Amendments to Main Motions: purpose is to change or affect how a main motion is handled. These motions must be accepted by the originator of the main motion to be considered as part of the Main Motion (i.e., a "friendly amendment"). e. Presentation of Motions 1. Make Your Motion (speak in a clear and concise manner) 2. Avoid personalities and stay on your subject 3. Wait for Someone to Second Your Motion (another member will second your motion or the Chairman will call for a second) 4. If there is no second to your motion it is lost. 5. The Chairman States Your Motion (the Chairman will say something like, "it has been moved and seconded that we..." Thus placing your motion before the membership for consideration and action) 6. The membership then either debates your motion, or may move directly to a vote 7. The person who introduces the motion is always allowed to speak first 8. All comments and debate must be directed to the chairperson 9. Keep to the time limit for speaking that has been established. 10. The chairperson should ensure that no one person is taking too much of the overall discussion time (i.e., mix-up who gets to talk, and don't keep going back to the same person over and over) 11. Putting the Question to the Membership a. The Chairperson asks, "Are you ready to vote on the question?" b. If there is no more discussion, a vote is taken. f. Voting on a Motion 1. Voting procedures-all options may be availed a. By Voice -- The Chairman asks those in favor to say, "aye", those opposed to say "no". Any member may move for an exact count. b. By Division -- This is a slight verification of a voice vote. It does not require a count unless the chairman so desires. Members raise their hands. c. By Ballot -- Members write their vote on a slip of paper; this method is used The Miracle Group Bylaws Page 6 of 7

7 when secrecy is desired. d. The "Third Legacy Procedure," as defined on page S20 of 'The A.A. Service Manual,' may be used by the group for service position elections. e. Motion to Table (until a future meeting) -- This motion is used to delay discussion of a given topic until a future date. g. General summary of guidelines for group conscience meetings: 1. Allow all motions that are in order to be heard. 2. Have members obtain the floor properly (i.e., be recognized by the chairperson - this avoids multiple discussions going on at the same time). 3. Speak clearly and concisely. 4. Obey the rules of debate. 5. Most importantly, BE COURTEOUS. I. REVIEW OF BYLAWS: 1. By-laws will be reviewed every three years by the newly elected steering committee beginning in the month of January. 2. All members of the Miracle Group may attend and participate in the bylaw review sessions. 3. Addendums to by-laws may be suggested through new business for the group conscience to review at any time. 4. Addendums from previous by-law reviews and or changes will be incorporated into the revised By-laws document. 5. The next formal By-law review is scheduled for January, The Miracle Group Bylaws Page 7 of 7