May Report:
Hello all,
At the District meetings we are still discussing AIS (Al-Anon Information Service, formerly known as Intergroup) vs. District. A committee has been formed & they meet every first Tuesday of the month at 6 o’clock - same place as the District meeting (Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Santa Rosa), one hour before --

-- & every one is welcome. One suggestion that has come up is to have the AIS meeting at the same time as the District meeting, but in a different part of the room. Still more discussion & information is needed, & I hope more input from the Napa Valley.

In May we had a lively discussion about whether Dual Members (AA members also in Al-Anon) should be allowed to do service above the group level. The reason we had the discussion is for GRs to be informed so when it is discussed again at Assembly in September, they can vote on whether they think that our Delegate should take that topic to the World Service Conference in April 2008.

Let me make it real clear that nothing will be changed for many years to come. The reason is that 75% of Al-Anon world wide would have to agree on the change. However if we don’t discuss it, nothing is ever going to happen.

Also the only service Dual members cannot currently do in our District is DR (District Representative) or ADR (Alternate District Representative) - in other words, service positions that lead to service at the World Service Office (WSO).

I hope you all have healthy discussions at your meetings to help your GR have the necessary info when they represent you & vote on your behalf at Assembly.

Peace & Al-Anon hugs,
Erik

January Report:
Warm greetings to all on these unusually chilly evenings.
All is going well in the District.

First of all, it was disappointing to get the news that Assembly 2007 will not be held in Santa Rosa. The hotel was too expensive for the time of year: September, wine crush and tourism. Thank you Jerilynn and everyone else for all the work you did in getting quotes.

I have a correction from my report from last month: Napa does not want to be independent from Sonoma County. That is good news. However, it is still a challenge to get more members together because of the large geographical area that District 5 covers. I am hopeful we will have some ’food for thought’ after listening to and discussing the topic District vs. Intergroup with Art B. (one of our past Delegates at the February District meeting).

At the District meeting we had some discussion about schedules or lack thereof. My apologies for not having enough in the month of December. It was decided to print new schedules every month, but less than usual except in December where many more schedules are needed.

The Holiday Bash was a great success. Thanks to Pattie and Paula and the countless other volunteers who put their efforts into this great event. There was a profit of $1690.00. It has not yet been decided what to do with the money. However, a separate treasury for the bash has been opened. It was decided that the bash should not be part of the Special Events Coordinator’s job because of the huge amount of time and energy involved. Jenny is the chair person for the 2007 bash, so please contact her if you want to help out.

Peggy, your Alternate District Representative, and myself have decided to alternate each District meeting between Group Representatives and Coordinators. Thus far we have had very little time for GRs (Group Representatives) to report on what is happening in their meetings.

Lastly: Do not forget the Alcoholics Anonymous 36th Annual Hospital and Institution Conference with Al-Anon and Alateen Participation, which will be held in Petaluma on April 13, 14 and 15 at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building. It is local… let’s all try to be there and support AA, Al-Anon and Alateen.

Peace and Al-Anon hugs,
Erik

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May Minutes:
May 1, 2007
District 5 Meeting

I. 6:58 Erik called the meeting to order with the serenity prayer.

II. Vicky read Tradition 5 and Sharon read from Concept 5.

III. Linda D. has taken a fall and broken her leg so a get-well card was circulated for everyone to sign.

IV. Don read April minutes and they were corrected then accepted and approved.

V. Erik announced that Sandy will be speaking in June about the World Service Conference. Erik thanked Darlene for attending the Windsor High Alateen function.

VI. Members who attended the April H&I Conference reported on their experiences there.

VIII. AIS Report Paula – all involved would like to have the meeting at the same time (6:00) and place as district and like the idea of orientation for new GR’s.

IX. Erik explained the priority of all in the District taking a group conscience on dual membership. Mark B. spoke on the polarization he has experienced in discussing the issue with others in the program. Much discussion followed on the issue. Gerri informed all that dual members can be Alateen sponsors (with Alanon supervision). Erik asked GR’s to bring the issue to their meetings.

X. Paula has flyers for barbeque and potluck 7-28 Doyle Park.

XI. Erik asked New GRs for input on AIS orientation.

XII. Erik also asked for an update on the new speaker list.

XIII. Assembly will be in Sacramento

8:25 Erik closed the meeting with the Al-Anon Declaration.

- Don

April Minutes:
April 3, 2007
District 5 Meeting

I. 7:00 Erik called the meeting to order with the serenity prayer.

II. Theresa read Tradition 4 and Karen read from Concept 4.

III. Erik passed out the sign in sheet.

IV. Don read March minutes and they were corrected then accepted and approved.

V. Erik announced that Sandy will be speaking in June at District.

VI. Jerilynn offered car-pooling to NCWSA in Squaw Valley.

VIII. Coordinators Reports

1. H&I (Paula) & Sharon Co-chair discussed upcoming H&I conference in April - Schedule, sign-up sheet for potluck-appetizers, dance and raffle.
2. Website (Debbie) – Explained district website information sheet.
3. Alagram (Jenny) – No June issue; deadline for July is June 15th. A discussion followed on whether more Alagrams should be printed for H&I conference in April or even if we should provide Alagrams at the H& I conference. A vote decided that we would take fifty Alagrams to the H& I conference.
4. Alateen – (Darlene) Alateen’s 50-year birthday is this year. Darlene explained sponsorship and the application process and that more sponsors are needed. Westminster Woods campout is in May and applications are now available.
5. Literature (Sharon) – There is no money owed to literature and there is a large order for Spanish literature.
6. Special Events (Paula) - Focusing on the H&I convention.
7. Archives (Geri) – All is going well with storage at Orenda and we are giving away “God” boxes.
8. Diversity (Janie) – Is working on a Spanish-speaking Alateen group.
9. Insurance (Theresa) – Has paid all insurance bills. There was a vote taken to see if Alateen should be allowed to use all money donated as they see fit and the vote was passed.
10. AA Liaison (Mark S. sub.) – No report

IX. Erik asked Groups for a CPC coordinator.

X. Dual membership will be discussed at assembly.

XI. AIS committee report Future meetings are open to group representatives (need GR feedback) much discussion followed on the AIS. Attending the 1st AIS meeting were: Jessica, Jaya, Alora, Nancy, Paula, & Pattie. The main themes of the meeting were AIS purpose, volunteers, publication of AIS minutes on the website, “break-out” or small group meetings. During “break-out” meetings, G.R.s would discuss group-meeting issues & coordinators would discuss service issues. All AIS meetings would begin with an orientation meeting.

XII. Erik received an email complaint about some members bringing children to meetings, which generated a lot of discussion with no conclusions.

XIII. 8:29 Erik closed the meeting with the Al-Anon Declaration.

- Don

March Minutes:
March 6, 2007
District 5 Meeting

I. 7:00 Erik called the meeting to order with the serenity prayer.

II. Dana read Tradition 3 and Concept 3.

III. NCWSA correction sheet was circulated.

IV. Don read February minutes and they were corrected then accepted and approved.

V. New Group Representatives

1. Debra – St. Helena, Wednesday Night
2. Irene – Sonoma, Saturday Morning

VI. Erik talked about the NCWSA Convention in Squaw Valley and asked for a show of hand of all attending. Peggy will coordinate the carpooling.

VII. Assembly in Sacramento will be September 14-16. Two cards were circulated for our delegates Art B. and Sandy. Dual membership will be an agenda topic at assembly.

IX. Tina raised concern over donations to WSO and NCWSA at group and district level and some discussion followed. Erik asserted that NCWSA currently does not need money from groups. Jessica motioned that 25% of any monies in excess of district’s prudent reserve after all expenses be donated to WSO or NCWSA four times a year, and another discussion followed changing the motion to 25% in excess of district prudent reserve every 6 months, ending in a vote that was passed with one person opposed.

X. Erik brought up the Insurance bill for $2,000 and Tina reported that it had been paid.

XI. Sexual Misconduct Insurance is being paid by Alateen.

XII. Jessica may have more information on insurance for non-profit organizations.

XIII. Erik will ask Sandy to speak in June.

XIV. Barbara is doing registration for H&I conference in April 838-1900. Sharon passed out a sign up sheet for volunteers for the conference. Tina is accepting the $10.00 registration fee. Cathy will be the main Alanon speaker for the H& I Conference.

XV. Erik got a call from Margaret who said it is up to GR’s to disseminate information to the groups on CPC.

XVI. Erik brought up concern about Alano Club being mentioned in the Alagram. Jerilynn explained the function of the Alano Clubs. Erik said this information should be related to all the groups in the district. Bob offered more information on the Alano club, specifically that it is not affiliated with AA either.

XVII. Erik has a new speaker list and he wants to know if we want more information on schedules. Debra informed Sharon that the information on the schedule for the St. Helena meeting is incorrect.

XVIII. Erik wants a committee to discuss Al-Anon Information Service. Jessica, Jaya, Pattie, Paula, Alora, and Nancy from Napa volunteered to be on the committee.

XIX. Dana voted not to do a group inventory (too lengthy) -,AFG (password) for group guide al-anon.org members website.

XX. 8:27 Closed the meeting with the Al-Anon Declaration.

- Don

February Minutes:
February 6, 2007
District 5 Meeting

I. 7:00 Erik called the meeting to order with the serenity prayer.

II. Vicki read Tradition 2 and Wendy read Concept 2.

III. Lawrence brought up the topic of a person who is currently stalking Al-Anon meetings. For more information you can go to “Alanon@sonic.net.”

IV. Peggy passed out informational flyers containing events from other districts.

V. Art B. gave a presentation on Service/Intergroup. Many issues that effect District 5 are being experienced in other Districts all over the United States and Canada as well. The subject of division of District purpose, one meeting for AIS and one for purpose, came up and a long discussion followed. The issues of diversity and Intergroup came up.

VI. New Group Representatives

1. Gil - Monday, Sebastopol
2. Debra – Saturday, Guerneville

VII. Don read January minutes and they were corrected then accepted and approved.

IX. Coordinator Reports.

1. Alateen (Darlene) – Reports that Alateen is in need of money.
2. AA Liaison (Chris, sub.) – Men’s group is having a potluck. AA will have Al-Anon’s hotline number published on AA schedules.
3. Public Information (Margaret) – Explained her handout.

X. 8:30 Closed the meeting with the Declaration.

January Minutes:
January 7, 2007
District 5 Meeting

I. 7:00 Erik called the meeting to order with the serenity prayer.

II. Dana read Tradition 1 and Vickie read Concept 1.

III. Erik explained service sponsorship and passed out copies of sign-in sheet.

IV. Don read the December minutes and they were corrected then accepted and approved.

V. Linda D. spoke about the upcoming H&I conference with Al-Anon participation at the Petaluma Vets April 13th, 14th, &15th, 2007. There will be many volunteers needed. Linda and Sharon will be able to provide information on future planning meetings.

VI. Alternate District Rep. Peggy reported that Art will be here in February to speak on District intergroup.

VII. Erik spoke more about the intergroup. NCWSA Convention in Squaw Valley April 27th, 28th, & 29th, 2007. Re. the Assembly in September, Jerilynn has contacted many hotels for bids, but no decision has been made yet. We also need a new bylaw committee. Wendy and Marta will direct this effort. We will need to discuss dual membership in April. Erik and Peggy were able to supply more information on dual membership.

IX. Erik reminded all present to patronize District 5 literature distribution.

X. Coordinator Reports.

1. Special Events (Paula) - Pattie has quit special events so Paula needs another co-coordinator. The profit from the “Bash” which was $1,600.00 was put into a bank account. Paula spoke about the pros and cons of the “Bash.” Paula recommends a separate coordinator for the “Bash,” which Jenny volunteered to do, and Erik suggested planning the 2007 “Bash” in January O7. Much discussion ensued on this issue. Paula motioned to have a “Bash” every year. Jerilynn seconded and vote was passed. There will be a planning meeting at Bakers Square on January 19, 2007, at 7:00 pm.
2. Schedules (Sharon) – There were questions about the amount of schedules needed, which generated a lot of discussion.
3. Alagram (Jenny) – Has questions on the amounts of “Alagrams” to print. Erik suggested 400 a month.
4. Jerilynn reported that the Alano club will have purchased a building in back of Santa Rosa auto row by mid-January.

XI. Closed the meeting with the Declaration.

- Don

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May District Treasury Report:

Memo:
CASH IN BANK: $2183.14
PRUDENT RESERVE: ($2660.00)
OPERATING RESERVE: ($476.86)

- Tina

April District Treasury Report:

Memo:
CASH IN BANK: $1734.90
PRUDENT RESERVE: ($2660.00)
OPERATING RESERVE: ($925.10)

- Tina

March District Treasury Report:

Memo:
CASH IN BANK: $1377.71
PRUDENT RESERVE: ($2660.00)
OPERATING RESERVE: ($1282.29)

- Tina

February District Treasury Report:

Memo:
CASH IN BANK: $965.47
PRUDENT RESERVE: $2660.00
OPERATING RESERVE: ($1694.53)

- Tina

Memo:
CASH IN BANK: $2301.88
PRUDENT RESERVE: $2660.00
OPERATING RESERVE: ($358.12)

- Tina

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June Report:
Check out the new Favorites icon!
If you look up in your browser's address bar, you will see a little Al-Anon logo that I receently added to each page of this website. It is called a "favicon" and will appear in your Favorites list if you "favorite" or bookmark any of this webiste's pages. Bookmark the pages you go to the most, such as this News & Events page, hint hint :-) Nifty, eh?

In other news, have you ever wondered how many page hits the District website gets? ("Page hits" are the number of times somebody visits each web page.)
Have a look...