Business Meeting Draft Minutes
Central Church, United Methodist Community
Womack Hall 1875 North Central Avenue Phoenix Arizona 85004
PO Box 80126, Phoenix, 85060
Zoom Info: Meeting ID: 967 6993 2179 Password:552877 www.vwhi.org
Date:4/10/2024
Open: Serenity Prayer 7:02pm
Reading of the Concept: 3rd Deb B
Roll Call In-room: Debbie C, Regina M, Deb B., Ricky W., Mike G. (N), Tina M., Chris G. (N), Chris T., Aaron L., Irving T. (N), Michelle D. (N), Alexandra A. (N), Steve,
Online: Shawna, Megan, Jose G., Dona, LuBell e D., Lori (N), Sarah (N), Julie (N), Amanda O. (N), Jolleen (N), Kathy (N), Joe Michelle Gilbert Gals (N), Jerome, Jen Sarah, Brianne F. Serenity Sisters (N), Eric R.
STEERING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CHAIRPERSON: Debbie C. | chairperson@vwhi.org I have been doing some restructuring of positions. Getting the bylaws completed updating volunteer databases. Preventing holes in emails still and in reports and, I didn’t’ do an excellent job in the connecting because we’ve had a couple of people say they didn’t get contacted. I’m going to try even better to continue with what I’m doing and eventually we will close all those loopholes that seem to happen.
CO-CHAIRPERSON: Shawna D.| co_chairperson@vwhi.org No official Report today.
SECRETARY: Open | secretary@vwhi.org Posted 1stLori 2nd Dona; passed Y Eric asked about setting up training for rogue meetings, a panel at a halfway house. They do a rotating speaker. He has five people he needs to get trained. Dona gave him her email treatment_chair@vwhi.org. Dona will not be checking email again until Monday or Tuesday of next week.
TREASURER: Vacant | treasurer@vwhi.org Posted Vote for Jan 1stDona 2 nd, Jenny passed.
Chairperson, I had Kory change the error that was on the last month report, from January 2023 to January 1, 2024, and I asked to resubmit the corrected one on the website.
LITERATURE: Tim G | literature@vwhi.org – Not present/no report
AWARENESS DAY: Lu Belle D| awareness_day@vwhi.org everything is good to go for Awareness day. It’s on 4/20/24. We are still accepting baskets, but if you are bringing a basket for the Raffle, please bring it to the event.
Question in the room – What’s Awareness Day?
Answer – Chair – Awareness Day is something we have twice a year to explain what we do. There is a flyer on the website that has all the information. It’s at 675 Mockingbird Lane, Scottsdale, AZ.
Answer – Treatment Chair – it’s going to be a lot of fun, it’s a big barbecue, 4/20 from 12:00pm to 2:30pm. I highly recommend you all peek at it. We’ve got a lot of speakers coming. It’s only a $10 suggested contribution and you guys should come, especially the newer people from H&I. So, you can come and ask questions about what H&I is and what we do there. I really recommend you come and bring some people. We’re going to have between 80 and 100 people there.
Question – Lori – she is the moderator/admin on a couple of face book pages and asked if she could post it on there as well?
Answer – Chair – yes, that would be wonderful!
Question – Alexandra – at Awareness Day, have there been any Spanish speakers or anything like that? Is there any to include the Spanish district in our Awareness Day?
Answer – Treatment Chair – not this year, not currently. Unfortunately, not currently. We’ve already scheduled everybody in for the panels. But it would be under consideration for our next one.
Answer – Awareness Day Chair – you’re welcome to come check it out. We do have Spanish speaking girls in the prison that would like Spanish speakers.
Answer – Chair – show up and let’s get you into the group. Also, we have flyers on the website www.vwhi.org.
Question – Lori – are you going to provide any paper flyers to post in meetings?
Answer – Treatment Chair – take the one from the chat and copy and paste distribute. We’ve been announcing it for a few months now.
Answer – Awareness Day Chair – there is also a flyer on the Area 03 web page.
TECHNOLOGY CHAIR: Jose G | webservant@vwhi.org everything is running as smoothly as possible. We are going to be looking at another hosting platform, later this year, we will make that announcement. We did update our contact forms list, we’re still going through updating some of the other contact information that we have, but that should be updated hopefully this week.
Question – JJ – if I were to send you a .pdf format of the corrections conference flyer, could you post it on the website?
Answer – Tech Chair – yes, let me put my information, my email address, in the chat.
TREATMENT CHAIR: Dona S | treatment_chair@vwhi.org couple of things – we have a training as you all know, some of you all know, recently. So, I do want to reiterate just because I got you trained doesn’t mean that I immediately put you into a panel. I don’t have panels for every single area that you live in. I’m getting a lot of emails, “why haven’t I been place”? So, I have a couple of things happening right now. Treatment centers are hammering me with their HIPPA laws. They are having me have people sign NDAs. Where normally it would take three emails and I can place you right away. Lately, it’s taking me 20 emails, 20 emails, back and forth before I can get 1 person placed one night in a panel. They’re just bombarding me. So, it has been really difficult. I think this month I placed 3 panels, which is ridiculous for me. Ridiculous, I’ve got volunteers up my ears for the first time and I can’t get them placed because treatment centers are just killing me with red tape, that’s the first thing. Second, if I haven’t called you, it’s because of that and I just don’t have anything in your area. The second thing is I’m trying to find a co-treatment chair. So, if you’re interested and you have some time, not only literally because this position takes a lot of time, but also have some sobriety time under your belt and you want to join me. This is really rewarding because you get to collaborate with the volunteers and you get to work with the treatment centers who have terrible HIPPA laws to protect their clients, of course. I would love to help share this responsibility with you. So, I ask you to come join me. That’s my report today.
Question – JJ – I hear that you don’t have enough H&I people who are wanting to volunteer? I have a panel meeting that I do on Friday nights. It’s a men’s treatment facility in downtown Phoenix if anybody’s looking it’s at the Crossroad Flower. I don’t need facilitators; I just need guys to show up and share their experience.
Answer – Treatment Chair – JJ what you need to do is contact me, send me an email and I have facilitators wo have already been trained and then I can get them to you. Happy Destiny is a perfect example of how hard it is with the HIPPA laws.
Comment – Jolleen from Happy Destiny – Dona worked the process, and we have oasis. And we are plugged in. I will say Dona was No. 1. We are going to be with them on Saturday. Society is going to be with them throughout the week. I’m so happy, this is a win we’re 100% on zoom and this is a win-win. Dona, you were skeptical in the beginning, but they are all on board. When the pandemic came through AA had to pivot and we are pivoting. They are so stoked, so I just have to say, we’re in it to win it! Thank you, Dona, for all your work.
Treatment Chair – thank you, this is a perfect example. They are an online group who was looking for a place to carry the message. This was a hospital that their HR wanted to run background checks on everybody going in. That’s how crazy they have become. And I suggested, why don’t we bring an online group in.
Question – Jenny – when you are asking for a co-chair, do you want to tell the group what you’re looking for in the position, like is there a length of sobriety that you recommend having this position?
Answer – Treatment Chair – I’m going to let Debbie answer that, because we’re in the process of revising our bylaws and that’s one of the positions we’re redoing.
Question – Dee R – are you looking for volunteers for treatment centers now or now? Do you want us to announce any meetings?
Answer – Treatment Chair – I have a ton of volunteers right now to be honest. And I’ve got a lot that are trained, and I’ve got a list that are not trained, they’re signed up for the next training in May. So, I would like to get a lot of them in place first. It’s just like I said, the treatment centers are just hammering me right now. I would like to get all of them in motion first. I’ve got 2 positions I’d like to get place first and this is more of Debbie to talk about that, for 2 positions in our steering committee in place first before I take on more volunteers.
CORRECTIONS CHAIR: LuBelle D | corrections_chair@vwhi.org we are looking for women and men to go into the corrections to share. We are looking for women and men to go into Lewis and women to go into Perryville. We need desperately need women to into Perryville. The process for badging is, now I’m told a lot shorter than it used to be. There’s only 13-14 pages of background check to do now and the background checks are going through within 3 weeks, I hear. I just put a new badge in, thank you Tina, very much for your willingness to serve. So, let’s get those girls some meetings over there at Perryville.
Questions – Chris – where is the men’s meeting?
Answer – Corrections Chair – Buckeye or if you’d like to go to Florence, there’s Florence too. Men can go in with women to Perryville.
Question – Michelle – what’s the sobriety time requirement?
Answer – Corrections Chair – 3 years sobriety, 5 years off paper. Off paper means no wants or warrants. And it doesn’t matter if you have a previous conviction, felonies, that doesn’t matter. They will still let you go in.
Question – online – where can we find the application; do we just email you?
Answer – Corrections Chair – yes, my phone number is 909-373-5687.
Question – JJ – I got a call from one of the corrections coordinators down at Safford who’s doing the prison complex down there. He got contacted by a sponsor of an inmate at the Lewis facility, Bachman yard. They are told this is just last week, I got this phone call. That there are no big books at Bachman yard. Which is one of the newer yards that they just opened. It’s like a treatment center/re-entry program.
Answer – Corrections Chair – that’s not true, we have a coordinator, I don’t know if Bruce is here tonight!
Question – JJ – I spoke with Bruce and gave him some books this weekend while we are at the assembly down in Tucson. I just wanted to make sure I had the right guy, so Bruce is the right guy, good.
Questions – Nick – Last month I had written that we, and it was with MCSO or Estrella and Watkins. But that was 2 years of sobriety and 1 year off paper. And it is with a felony 3 years off paper, is that different for Perryville, Buckeye, and Florence?
Answer – Corrections Chair – yes, that is the jails that you’re talking about. I do the state prisons and the prisons.
Question – online – I was going to apply for Alhambra, so you also do Alhambra Prison?
Answer – Corrections Chair – yes, you would go through me.
SERVICE LIAISON: Vacant | service_liaison@vwhi.org – Open.
MCSO LIAISON: David L | mcso_liaison@vwhi.org – hopefully, all who had badges received an email regarding our annual volunteers training. I know one started this weekend. If you do have a badge to go into the jails and you have not received the email, please email me at mcso_liaison@vwhi.org. I got an email from the coordinator at Estrella. They need some volunteers, this is the email: “I am reaching out to see if anyone would potentially be interested in running a 12-step meeting that is between 9:00am and 2:30pm, one day a week or every week, for our maximum classified population? That will be a new position and the meeting will function slightly different from the other meetings you run within Estrella. For this meeting, you should go to the assigned classroom and officers will meet you and escort the group to the classroom and then back to their tower. The time frame is from 9:00am to 2:30pm for the meeting, as the officer would need present an escort and this is the ideal time for scheduling an extra person. Please note that this meeting will not begin right away. I’m just gauging the interest.” So, they are looking to see if anyone is interested in bringing in a meeting. She also thanked us for the volunteers that are going in. Because she also said that since our volunteers have been going in, they have seen an increase in attendance at those meetings our volunteers are doing. I also received an email from both jails of all the volunteers that are going in. She did not discriminate, she sent me emails of all the 12 step programs that are going in from both Estrella and Watkins. We still need volunteers for both locations. Each coordinator at both jails will collaborate with you and get you in there. If you went to the training last year, they said we must go in pairs. That is not true, because when I saw the schedule, there were some people that were going in by themselves. So, if you are interested in going into the jails our kind person Shawna will put the link in the chat. If you are interested, I will put my email in the chat, so you can email me, and we can talk.
Question – Alexandra – is there a way you could speak with Valerie or whoever is right now in charge of Estrella volunteers, to see if we can get started with some Spanish meetings? I volunteered for 3-4 years at Estrella, so I am aware of how the system is and everything. So, if we could get approval for those Spanish, then, I will start the process right away.
Answer – MCSO Liaison – if you reach out to me, I can reach out to the coordinator at Estrella. I know we were lacking in Spanish speaking, so I know there is a lot of people in both Estrella and Watkins that need Spanish speaking meetings.
Ordinarily we make a statement in the middle of the meeting that in the even months, we do hospitals and treatment facilities. We no longer have a position called hospitals and treatment facilities. We have our steering position, which is the treatment chair, then we have various positions, hospitals east and hospitals west and the treatment center coordinator, that we have done away with, because that position became, not required. So, we are going to continue to change some of the positions and update the positions. As we go, we will keep letting you know what changes are being made. So, that is what, even months, you’ll find out what we’re doing specifically for changes. As Dona alluded to earlier, we have a couple of positions that we are working with setting up for the treatment side of the world because we had taken away some things and we are trying to add to balance it out. There is going to be a position that we hope is going to be called the Volunteer Position. It used to be part of the Newcomer’s Position, but we are going to separate it and make it so that it’s a Volunteer Coordinator for both hospitals and prisons and anyone that needs assistance, like Bridging the Gap. I am going to go over one more step, I was talking to the Bridging the Gap gentlemen, and I realized that he lives in the West Valley or Phoenix. We need support in the East Valley, so I went and asked a couple of people and I have someone that is going to stand tonight, for the position that I have created for co-chair for the Bridging the Gap East Valley. The reason I did not put it out to everyone, is because it’s just an addition to a chair that already had two coordinators. When they step down, we are generating that position. So, I am going to ask that person to step up on the hot seat and give her a bio. If anyone has a problem with her doing that position, please let me know.
BTG East Valley – Deb, sobriety date is 4/10/2022, so today is my celebration of 2 years clean and sober. As far as my history with service in AA, I began as somebody that was a greeter at Road to Recovery. Then I ended up doing the tickets because it was a ticket meeting. Then I got involved with Women in Gratitude, I served as an alternate EVI rep for one year. Someone had to step down, so I finished the remainder of her commitment. Then IU began this H&I position, currently a rep for Women in Gratitude. I have had the joy and honor for the last year, a year ago March of helping bring in an AA meeting to Unhook in women’s pods. Recently had the joy of experiencing what it is like to go into a jail, traveling along with some of the people that are really experienced in the Florence jail. I found that to be a really fulfilling experience, opening my eyes to different things.
Chair – asked for a motion to accept Deb by acclamation, since this is a new position and no one else has the opportunity. Lu made a motion to vote Deb by acclamation; Kristina M. 2nd Motion passed.
Question – JJ – I heard earlier in my rotation that there was no longer a Bridging the Gap coordinator. I’m so happy to hear that there is and now an alternate or co-chair. Is there going to be a report from BTG during this meeting?
Answer – Chair – not today. Irving might have something, but I do want you and Deb to get together, because she has had some questions regarding Area 03, and I told her to talk to Paul as well.
OLD BUSINESS:
Various positions are open.
Corrections Chair stated she is not going to be able to attend the Corrections Conference in Tucson this year.
Chair – normally our Corrections Chair goes to the Corrections Conferences, wherever they are, and they ask us to support their trip. I would be the next person in line to go to the Corrections Conference. There is somebody who has a position that would benefit greatly and has a lot more understanding of the corrections in Arizona. I used to be correcting in Florida and it is a little different here. So, I have asked my co-chair if she would go to the Corrections Conference in Tucson on May 18th. And I would like to have someone make a motion that we support her fund wise, because she is going for us and she will come back and report to us, everything that goes on at the Conference. Lu made a motion to send the co-chair to the Corrections Conference in Tucson; Jenny M. 2nd Motion passed.
Co-Chair – I do not have any numbers yet, because I have not had an opportunity to research hotels. But I am thinking this would be around $200 – $250 max between hotel and gas.
Chair – we have one more business meeting before the actual event, so we expect you to have the numbers at next month’s business meeting.
Co-Chair – that is fine, I just wanted the body to know I don’t have any kind of total and they’re voting on it.
Chair – they are voting on us proposed helping you get there and back. Funding you to go and come back. Nobody said no, so it is passed. Please next month make sure you have the totals and send the report to the secretary so she can include it in the minutes.
Chair – we have a new secretary, and it would be beneficial if you had a report, and you just wanted to let us know something. Send it to the secretary, that way she has it in hand in case there’s something where I don’t show up or something happens.
NEW BUSINESS:
1.The Treasurer position on the steering committee just opened. We had a treasurer, but she stepped down. If you know somebody that can be a treasurer. It’s not that difficult. I sat with the previous treasurer this Saturday and he showed me the ropes. I’m going to be backing up the position until we get somebody in the position. Please ask around your groups, take this to your home groups, and let them know we need a treasurer. Bylaw information on the position – sobriety requirements for the treasurer position is 5 years of continuous sobriety; some VWHI experience of one or more years; attend both the steering committee meeting and the monthly business meeting; maintain the VWHI checking account, which requires 2 signatures; and provide H&I with a monthly written financial statement listing receipts, expenditures and current balance; pay bills for rent, literature, coffee supplies (which we don’t really have); insurance; storage unit; Post Office Box rental; miscellaneous supplies; electronic payment; collection services and other expenses as approved. Expenditures for other items must have steering committee approval and must also be approved by a simple majority of VWHI. Provide $1,000 seed money to the H&I Awareness Day Committee each Spring and Fall. Responsible for encouraging regular donations by groups and individuals. Collaborate with Technology Chair to maintain any vehicles for donation on the website. Reimburse or pay expenses to attend Area Corrections Conference. Provide an annual report to our 501c3. Regularly and frequently check off the official VWHI emails provided by the technology chair. If anyone knows somebody that is good with numbers and is at least 5 years, have them come next month to the business meeting and stand for the position. Somebody made the statement of hiring out the position, which you know, does not make any sense to me, we’re all volunteers and there’s no reason for us to hire out a position when we have so many people that show up.
Question – Michelle – is it a full-time position?
Answer – chair – it is a full-time position; they are responsible for different meetings, the steering meeting, and the business meeting. The steering meeting is on the 4th Wednesday of the month, and it is only at Zoom and this meeting is on the 2nd Wednesday. They should be at least 5 years; the rotation is 2 years. Conversation with the previous treasurer, it takes approximately 3 hours a month to do what needs to be done for us. Other than getting the mail from the Post Office, it takes 3 hours to get the money in and write up the reports. I provided my number so give my number to anyone that would like to stand for the position.
Brittany – standing for Treasurer position – I have 10 years accounts payable experience; non in the program, but I have been involved in service commitments; I’ve been involved in ASCPY for the last 8 years; I relapsed, but I have 6 years sober; I think I would be very helpful and I just really want to be of service. I really want to do this. I was very inspired during this meeting, and I am very enthusiastic about H&I. So, I would really love this would be great. My sobriety date is 9/9/2017. JJ made a motion to nominate Brittany for Treasurer, Lu 2nd the motion; motion Passed.
2. Elections for Coordinators: WATKINS & TOWERS – ESTELLA, and LOWER BUCKEYE – 4TH AVENUE – bylaws for the position – it is a 2-year commitment, elected in seven years. Sobriety requirement of 2 or more years of continuous sobriety; you must attend the monthly business meeting, every other month because the coordinators only report on an even month for treatments and corrections; be familiar with the cellular regulations and ensure they are followed at all meetings; have a facilitator at all meetings; coordinate literature needs with meeting facilitator; place literature orders; pick up literature orders at the monthly meeting H&I meetings (that’s actually different, because our literature person has been delivering all over the valley to the people who need their books); ensure that all meetings observe the AA Traditions; have a working knowledge of VWHI bylaws; coordinators are encouraged to attend Awareness Day; if unable to attend the monthly business meeting, provide a report if it’s your month to report, via email or telephone; and regularly and frequently check your VWHI email accounts for any questions or concerns or inquiries from volunteers.
Alexandra – standing for the Coordinator position – my sobriety date is 8/7/2013; barely started again to be of service in the institutions or this place here; I had been a volunteer in the past for Estrella, Lower Buckeye and Phoenix west for the Spanish meetings; I just want to be of service, and I want to learn and get involved with this because I love doing service and think that with you guys help of course, I can be of service. Shawna made a motion to accept Alexandra by acclamation; David 2nd the motion; the motion Passed.
Bylaws website is www.vwhi.org/resources
3. Election for Alhambra position. Steve standing for Alhambra – my sobriety date is 6/30/1994; my home group is Living Sober in Sun City; I moved to the Valley about 18 months ago; I have a badge for Alhambra now; I’ve been taking meetings in there on Sundays since July of last year; I previously worked, just under a year, in the education unit of the State of Hawaii; I’ve been a GSR, I have a current service positions with my home group, I chair the business meeting. Shawna made a motion to accept Steve by acclamation; David 2nd the motion; the motion Passed.
4. Kristina M. Society Rep – I have been asked by my home group to come here tonight, we have had some previous problems with our H&I rep from the past, it looks like there was some money that was, through books. Society does not chair an H&I meeting and we haven’t for quite a while. The previous H&I rep, it looks like there was some funny business going on with books and orders for literature. I need to get some information from the literature chair because Society would like to deeply apologize on those behalf. Again, this was not a Society issue. There was a couple of members in Society who0 took advantage of their position as literature chair for VWHI and their sponsor. So, how do I contact the literature chair, or do I contact the treasurer, so I can try to find a balance? It is a few thousand dollars. Society would like to host something in return so that we could try to, I do not think we could ever repay that person’s debt, but we can try our best to put up some fundraising stuff for H&I and try to contribute. Again, we just would like Society’s name not to be tarnished as a whole. These were individuals who made this decision based on, they were their heads were in the cloud or something.
Chair – I know the situation about which you are talking. Thank you for bringing it up and I will get the reports from that period, and I will talk to the new Treasurer. We can get that information to you. Don’t forget to have everybody show up at Awareness Day
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
BRIDGING THE GAP: IRVING/Deb B.| bridging_the_gap@vwhi.org. Both Debs and I met last month. We went over how the process works and everything else; how we are going to split both sides up west side and east side. I’m going to meet up and get volunteers and on Zoom training, Deb as well. I am learning how to do this and learning how to use the computer and I’m still trying to adapt. I am looking forward to collaborating with Deb, so we get some teamwork going.
AREA 03: Paul T| treatment@area03.org – the Area pre-Conference Assembly was this last weekend. There was a total of 231 voting members that attended: 216 in person and fifteen online. Total attendance was 295 people, 278 in person, seventeen online. Friday night I hosted the Treatment & Accessibility round table. It is always interesting to experience, see what is going on around the State and what’s on people’s minds. At this Assembly we get a sense of panel for our delegate boss to take the general service conference in New York. A few of the topics: it was a sense that most if not all the panels that there should be no changes to the founder’s writings. There was some discussion about adding footnotes or other appendices if more clarity on the writing is desired, that would be the Big Book, twelve-by-twelve, etc. The motion to continue using hybrid format for our assemblies failed. All future assemblies will be in person. The technology aspect was more than the deciding factor. A floor motion to have our delegate make a floor motion at the GSC to delay printing of the plain language Big Book translation until further review by the AA also failed. The state and date and location of the State Convention was voted on. It will be at the Casino Del Sol, in Tucson, August 23-25. Registration is about $40. I can get more information for anybody that wants it. The next big event in the Area is the Post Conference Assembly on June 1st in Apache Gold Casino, in San Carlos. At this assembly, the delegate will give his report on what happened at the GSC. He will also be available to go anywhere that he is asked and give a presentation on the report from the GSC. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at treatment@area03.org.
DISTRICT 08: Zack W | district08@vwhi.org NR (working tonight)
NEWCOMER LIAISON/COORDINATOR: Jenny B| newcomer iaison@vwhi.org. – if you are new to the group representing your home group, please post in the chat or sign in and hand it to either Debbie, since I don’t think our secretary is on-site, your email address, so I can send you the template for information that you can take back to your home group, as well as the print-out for a pink can for you guys to collect VWHI donations, so that we can continue to collect money to order books and other literature and send them to people who can’t reach the meetings. If you would, just post your email and I will get it and I will be more diligent about sending those emails out. I apologize to the group; I sent those out right before the meeting started tonight. So, the ones who posted last month got them tonight and this month. I will do better. getting them out a little bit earlier. If you have any other questions about specific opportunities, contact the group who represents that. Everything is on the VWHI website for contact information. I highly encourage you all to use that, but I can help kind of steer you in the right direction, if you need that as well.
Question – Sarah – I just became H&I rep for my group, but my group has been part of H&I, do you need my information too?
Question – Maggie – once we collect the money for our home group, where do we send it?
Answer – Newcomer Chair – Yes and Chair – put Valley-wide H&I on the check/money order, to the P.O. Box 80126, Phoenix, AZ 85060. Right now, we are getting Zelle, which hopefully, now that we have a Treasurer, other than me, we can get that resolved.
Question – Chris – I brought my money; can I just give it to someone here?
Answer – Chair – I was going to suggest getting a money order and sending it to the P.O. Box, we are no longer accepting money at the church. As you know, I can write you a receipt and take it and deposit it because unfortunately I have the checkbook. I will take the money this time, no more bringing money to the church. I forgot to announce, we are not taking money at the church anymore as of this meeting tonight. Or until the Treasurer shows up at the church and starts taking money.
SPANISH: Alexandra | hispanic_intergroup@vwhi.org and spanish_coordinator@vwhi.org – I’m Alex, the new coordinator of institutions for the sub-District 16, which is the Hispanic District. I am just starting; this is my first point to start. So that I can go to my district and my sub-district and my groups and give them information because it is all blank right now, nobody knows where to start to become a volunteer. After COVID, everybody went blank. That’s the reason I wanted to come today. I was going to have somebody else who is also from the district who’s going to come and hopefully for the next meeting he’s here just so it could be a little bit of help and more information. I just want to get information here to that I can visit our groups in the Spanish areas and let them know what’s going on. And hopefully get those volunteers because I know there is a lot of people who in the past were volunteers and I know they’re willing to do it again, I myself am one of them.
ASCYPAA: Brittany standing in for Megan |meganmarie8003@yahoo.com – there are some events coming up – we have Casino Night; I have some fliers for it. I can send a link to it, so you can print it out and bring it to your meetings. It is on 4/27 at 6:00pm. There’s a speaker at pm. m, it’s the casino, it says Dress to Impress. There is also a Flagstaff Service Auction on 4/13 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. They are going to be auctioning off service, not on the program service, yard work, dog walked off training, house sitting, etc. If you want a member of ASCYPAA to clean your plumbing, they would be able to do that if you pay enough money. Also, ASCYPAA is having a “young at heart” which is going to be held in Flagstaff this year at the Little America Hotel, 8/16 – 8/18/24. I do have the flier registration for that if you want to bring that to your meeting.
Chair – if you would in the future, if you have fliers or if you want to announce things, send it to our web servant in an email, so he could post them on our site.
INTERGROUPS:
AGUA FRIA: Regina | afi_liaison@vwhi.org @aawestphoenix.org – we hired a new Office Manager for the Agua Fria Intergroup, his name is Joseph. He was nominated and it is a paid position, starting this month. Our AFI Chairperson resigned, so we’re going to have elections in June and elect a new chairperson. We have a Potlock Speakers meeting every 2nd Saturday at All Saint of the Desert Epispol Church in Sun City; A Day in the Park, Saturday, April 13th, 10:00am to 4:00pm, $10 tickets children under 6 free, there is no cash exchange at this park, if you want to purchase tickets, it has to be done before April 10th at the Agua Fria Intergroup office, it’s going to be at Rio Vista Community Park, 8866 W. Thunderbird Rd, Peoria, AZ; 36th Annual Spring Woman to Woman event, April 19-21, El Conquistador a Hilton Resort, 10000 N. Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ more information and registeration at https://sites.goggle.com/view/springw2w/home – to get involved email springw2wriorico@gmail.com; we have a Service Sponsor Workshop on April 27, from 10:00am to noon at the West Valley Center for Sp;iritual Living, 9745 W. Peoria Avenue, Peoria, AZ; 2024 Agua Fria Intergroup 33rd Annual Family Camp Out & Fishing Derby, starts at noon April 26, 27 &28, at Barlett Lake – South Cove, $10 per adult for more info contact Bryan P 623-229-3385 or Victor C 602-799-4616.
Question – Star – are there fliers on the website?
Answer – yes, aawestphoenix.org
EAST VALLEY: Open| evi_liaison@vwhi.org – they voted on hybrid and increasing their ability to do hybrid meetings. They have 160 people show up for their anniversary dinner. Participation is down a little and they don’t know why. But Dave no longer works in that position.
The SALT RIVER: Bob M. | sri_liaison@vwhi.org – this month, just a couple of notes, Filing Cabinet, if anybody is familiar with Filing Cabinet, they are looking for and in need of stories from the local AA communities here in Phoenix. If you would like to contribute or author a story, right now they are currently putting together the May issue. They requested that everything is submitted by the 20th of every month. If you are interested in that, I can get more information on that as well as connect with at SRI. The Panel is asking that I know that some of you are familiar with the Roundup, which comes every summer, but I do not know how many people are familiar with the anniversary. This year is going to be the 81st Anniversary of AA in Arizona on Saturday May 4th. They are asking that when you go to your home groups that you advertise for the anniversary, more so than the Roundup. As the Roundup starts to come more online and starts to go live and then they will be pushing more for advertising for the Roundup. They have approximately seventy-six tickets left, which is good considering it’s grown. If you have not seen the flier, I do have a copy of the flier and I can send it over to Jose and we can put it on the site. I’ll get that over shortly. Also, l one other question, I had, it’s come to my attention by a couple of new groups starts. up, and I know I’ve heard the answer already tonight. As far as starting a contribution to H&I for new meetings, because on the website, it has the three avenues, I believe, under contributions, you can do online or set up monthly or just mail it into the P.O. Box. What’s the best way?
Answer – Chair – mail it to the P.O. Box. Hopefully, we’ll have Zelle option shortly, so that we can just the Zelle. The reason I say that is because _______ takes a percentage of the contributions, which in my book sucks. So, if I can send it to the P.O. Box, I’d rather ask that.
SRI Rep – OK, I’ll pass that information along. Also, I just wanted to let you know if you are planning to attend the anniversary, for the raffle, they have a 1st edition Big Book that they’re giving away and their raffle they valued it at around $900.
Question – Chris – you said this is for the May 4th Anniversary or something, the raffle for what? What’s the information on that?
Answer – SRI Rep – yes, it’s SRI, at the American Royal Palace, on 19th Avenue and Thunderbird.
OPEN QUESTIONS:
Paul T (N) – I’m new to this here, was involved in Minnesota a little bit, do we do the Pink Can plan and would we send those contributions to the Treasurer?
Answer – Chair – send it to the P.O. Box I gave earlier, if you need a Pink Can label, either myself, the Treasurer or the Newcomer Liaison can send that to you, or she can’t send it just yet because she doesn’t have it.
Birthday since the previous meeting:
Deb B. 2 years on 4/10/24
Sarah 2 years on 3/18/24
Laura 36 years on 4/4/24
Dona 37 years on 3/15/24
Dona made a MOTION TO CLOSE, Irving 2nd All in favor Yes.
Ended meeting with the Responsibility Declaration at 8:39pm