St. Paul Al-Anon Intergroup Service Meeting
Minutes – January 10, 2012

The meeting opened at 7:00 pm with the Serenity Prayer

Introductions
Chair, IR for Seekers of Compassion AFG
Secretary, IR for Heights & Lights Al-Anon
Treasurer, Summit Hill Wednesday 5 pm Al-Anon
Assistant Treasurer, Alternate IR for Midway Wednesday 6:30 pm Al-Anon
Literature Chair, Summit Hill Monday 6 pm Al-Anon
IR for Serenity Seekers Al-Anon
IR for Uptown Tuesday 9:30 am Al-Anon
IR for Inner Peace Al-Anon
IR for Uptown Monday 8 pm Al-Anon

It was noted there was a quorum (at least 5% of 110 groups = 6) of Intergroup Representatives present.

Tradition 12 and Concept 12
Sharings from The Forum, January 2011 were read.

Substantial Unanimity
While our by-laws state all decisions require at least 2/3 approval, a motion was made that substantial unanimity be established at 75% for Intergroup in 2012. After discussing the basis for substantial unanimity in our Traditions, Concepts and General Warranties, the reminder that only Intergroup Representatives vote, and clarification that abstentions would be counted as “opposed,” the motion passed.

Reports

Chair
The Chair made a request to be allowed to “spend a little money” for a subscription to The Forum, 100 copies of the English version of Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2012 and 25 of the Spanish version, plus 3 copies of the latest DVD, Al-Anon and Alateen’s Role in Family Recovery for the Intergroup Office were approved.
Vice Chair
No report
Secretary
Minutes from the December 2011 meeting were approved without objection.
Treasurer
The treasurer deals primarily with paying bills. Signatories were changed for banking accounts today. The previous treasurer prepared the report covering December 2011. It was noted that while it appears we have a sudden increase in funds, we will need to pay our 2011 taxes and several outstanding invoices from the World Service Office. The report was accepted without objection.
Assistant Treasurer
The assistant treasurer primarily handles income from contributions and literature sales. A generous contribution from an individual in December was noted. Contributions from individuals and groups vary widely in amount and frequency making budget planning difficult. The report was accepted without objection.
Event sales
We have been asked to sell literature at the District 20 Potluck January 28. The Chair will oversee packing and transporting materials and asked for help selling at the event.
Group Liaison
We discussed writing a welcome letter to new groups and to have guidelines to create consistency between old and new officers and service committee chairs from year to year.
Literature
Keeping our best sellers in stock is a challenge. Building a reserve inventory by taking advantage of bulk discounts offered by the WSO is key. A year end inventory was completed. A clipboard of literature ordered and needed is now hanging in the office to better communicate information to office volunteers and the Literature Chair.
Newsletter
Our last Newsletter was in September 2011. We will look to print our next Newsletter in February/March. The Chair asked all officers and service committee chairs to submit a brief introduction of themselves and description of their service to St. Paul Intergroup.
Office Volunteers
The Chair summarized a report from the Office Volunteer Chair. There are 2 new office volunteers. 3 days in January (25, 27, 31) remain to be filled. Check the web page (www.al-anon-alateen-msp.org/pages/OfficeVolunteerInfo.html and contact contact the Office Volunteer Chair if you are able to volunteer
Speaker Chair
The Chair summarized a report from the Office Speaker Chair. She and the previous Speaker Chair are coordinating the transfer of this service. Requests are filled primarily via email communication.
Web site/Directory
The web site and group records chair attempts to update web and directory information within 24 hours of receiving notice. The events page on the website was noted; upcoming Al-Anon as well as AA events with Al-Anon participation are posted. Past Intergroup minutes with personal identification edited out are also available from the Intergroup Home page.
Telephone Volunteers (Remote)
Scheduling for after hours call forwarding is handled by the Minneapolis Information Services. To become a telephone volunteer you need to contact the Minneapolis Information Service office during business hours to be trained and placed on the schedule. The openings available are posted on the website.
Liaison to Minnesota South Area
The liaison reported she would provide a requested poster display at the Folderol event February 3 – 5.

Business

Audit
The 2011 end-of-year audit will be conducted after the completion of the turnover and checking account signatures have been validated.
Bylaws review
This is ongoing. The Chair stated the only significant change to the by-laws being considered has to do with the past practice of paying for a bond to cover losses due to theft by a check signer. There are differing opinions on whether or not to continue this practice. Thank you to the 2 Intergroup Representatives who brought the issue to their groups for discussion. It was noted they came to different opinions. Aside from the issue of insuring against theft, the concern of anonymity for those involved with St. Paul Intergroup becoming public record in the event of a claim is the issue. The Chair suggested that she, together with the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, would consider making a recommendation next month. Intergroup funds have not been covered by a bond for the past year.
Reserve (ample/prudent)
We currently have about 3 months reserve on fixed expenses but may want to target reserving up to 6 months. Continued development of clearer financial tracking and budgeting are ongoing.

The meeting adjourned with the Al-Anon Declaration at 8:00 pm.


St. Paul Al-Anon/Alateen Intergroup Home Page | Index of Available Minutes


Edited for the web 6 February 2012