March District Rep’s Report:

For All Alateen In District 5: Are you going to NOCAC? (Northern California Alateen Convention) Before the actual event there are still a couple of fundraisers. The first one is the Camp Out by the Yuba River on 6/21 & 22. The second is “THE LAST CHANCE DANCE” in Lake Mendocino on 8/1, 2 & 3. Check with your Alateen Sponsors for flyers for these events.

Also Westminster Woods is coming up in May… be there!

We are in the process of revising the District 5 By-Laws, and I’d like to see them amended by the end of my/our 3-year term. We are also working on a “Procedural Manual” (guidelines) outlining the responsibilities for Officers & Coordinators. If you would like to be on the Committee, please let me know.

At the March District meeting Group Reps discussed among other things the IMPORTANCE of ANONYMITY. Anonymity is often misunderstood or broken with or without our knowing it, so we must all be really clear on what it means. Please read pamphlet # p-33, Why Anonymity in Al-Anon, and pamphlet # P-65, Anonymity, and of course the blue table tent we see in most Al-Anon meetings, “Whom you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.”

In March “Dear Abby” (in most newspapers across the country) addressed Al-Anon and how it can help families & friends of alcoholics. She gave readers the WSO ph#, and everyone who calls will receive a copy of Al-Anon/Alateen Faces Alcoholism. We in District 5 have ordered 400 copies so all of our groups have a chance to place them in libraries, doctors’ offices, etc.

We finally got a PI – Coordinator (Public Information) & a CPC Coordinator (Cooperating with the Professional Community)
~ Thank you ~Thank you ~ Thank you ~

At the District meeting in March we had a District Inventory facilitated by Sandi, our Delegate to the WSO. It was called “The District Game Plan.” We discussed positive & negative characteristics and came up with the following positives to work on within the District:

1. Having Service Sponsors across the country.
2. Asking for help.
3. Following through on your service.
4. Delegation of authority (good leadership).
5. Encouragement.
6. Invite members to District meetings, Workshops or Assemblies.

The Annual Northern California Alcoholic Anonymous Hospitals and Institutions Conference with Al-Anon & Alateen Participation will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Burlingame on April 25, 26 & 27. This is always a great event.

The One-Day Assembly will be held at the Edward Harris Middle School in Elk Grove on May 10 from 10am - 4pm. This is a great opportunity for those of you have been thinking about being a Group Rep, but are not quite sure, whether this is for you or not. It is only $5, including lunch and only lasts 6 hrs…. and you can share a ride with another Group Rep.

Thank you all.
Al-Anon hugs,
Erik :-)

December 2007 Report:

Peaceful Holidays to all.

All is well at District 5 & thanks to everybody's participation the meetings are moving along smoothly.

At the last District meeting we had a healthy discussion about filling service positions. There were some great ideas:

• During introduction in the meeting, have the members doing service introduce themselves as literature person, refreshment person, treasurer, Group Rep., etc. so everyone in the room knows that these positions exist.
• Another member’s idea was using the three-step-process:
1. go to meetings
2. sponsor someone
3. do service
• We also discussed whether we can nominate someone… Of course that would be up to group autonomy.

Our District still need more volunteers for PI & CPC (Public Information & Cooperating with the Professional Community). Currently we have one member in Napa & a couple of members in Sonoma County doing that service. Please see your Group Rep for guidelines, if this is something you would be interested in doing.

In November we had a District 5 event with a speaker panel sharing their story on service. There were 7 great speakers each sharing from a letter in the word
S E R V I C E . There was great Mexican food, & coffee with goodies was served. Thank you Paula for putting that on & for all who helped out.

The Holiday Bash was a smashing success, good food, fellowship & fabulous basket drawing prizes. Elaine from District 16 entertained us with some musical numbers with funny lyrics, & of course there was live music as well. Thank you Jenny & all that volunteered for this annual event.

I am grateful to be part of a District where there is a willingness to do service as well as the support for all of us to do it, which allows us to be the best Al-Anons we can be. Thank you all.

Al-Anon hugs,
Erik :-)

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May Meeting Minutes:

May 6, 2008,
District 5 Meeting

7:05 P.M. Alternate DR Peggy called the meeting to order with the serenity prayer, Tina read from Tradition 5 and Wendy read from Concept 5. Peggy spoke about service sponsorship. Marta read the April minutes and Don motioned to accept the minutes. Theresa seconded the motion; a vote was taken and the minutes were accepted. The vote was unanimous.

Peggy asked for any new GRs present to introduce themselves. Christy from the Tuesday night Windsor meeting was the only new GR present. Peggy also asked who would be attending the assembly this month at the Edward Harris Middle School on 8691 Power Inn Rd. in Elk Grove from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.. Lunch will be provided. Minutes from the September 2007 Assembly are to be approved and Sandy will give her Delegate’s report.

Coordinator's Reports:

- Paula, Special Events, announced the July 26 barbecue and potluck at Doyle Park from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M.

- Darlene, Alateen, there is a new meeting in Petaluma and Herbert Slater Junior High. Napa has a new sponsor. Darlene was elated with the fellowship at the convention in Monterey.

- At this point, Peggy asked for more comments about the convention.

- Debbie C, Website Coordinator, reminded all present that District 5, Area (NCWSA), and the World Service are all separate Al-Anon websites. She also asked for more contributions to the District’s website.

- Jerilynn, Public Information, said that a 10’ x 20’ portable billboard has been donated to the District , and that we just need the property to post it on.

- Theresa, Insurance Coordinator, said that there might be an extra charge of $50.00 for each special event.

- Geri, Archives, said that she has received a protocol from the area archives coordinator Irma.

Wendy suggested more changes to the schedules.

The Church of the Roses meeting will move to the Bennett Valley Senior Center.

Peggy said more work needs to be done on our by-laws.

8:22 The meeting closed with the Al-Anon Declaration.

- Don

April Meeting Minutes:

April 1, 2008,
District 5 Meeting

- 7:05 Eric called the meeting to order with the Serenity Prayer followed by the reading of Concept 4 and Tradition 4.

- Eric asked for a volunteer to take the minutes of the meeting in Don’s absence, and Marta agreed to do it.

- The minutes from the March ’08 meeting were read and accepted as corrected.

- Mary introduced herself as the new Group Rep for the Monday 8:00 pm Orenda Center Meeting.

- Eric announced that registration forms for the May 10th Spring Assembly could be found on line. And that flyers for the 2008 Convention (April 4-6) are also available. Participation was highly recommended.

- A short discussion took place regarding security at the women’s shelter meeting.

Debbie announced that there was a new AA meeting at the Unitarian Universal Church on Mendocino Ave. in downtown Santa Rosa on Monday nights, and that Al Anon meetings were welcomed at the same location.

- Darlene announced that there will be a barbeque and workshop to encourage new Alateen Sponsors.

- Wendy reminded us that she will be moving in June and that her position of Alateen Treasurer will be open. She asks that we take that to our groups. Patti congratulated Wendy on a job well done, and Jerilynn thanked her for her service.

- Debbie C. announced that the District By-laws Report was coming along well. She wanted to know if the GRs had gotten any feedback from members about the District's dual member policy, stating that if it was a topic that needed to be brought up, it would be preferable to discuss it before the By-laws draft is finalized. A motion was passed to wait until after the May NCWSA Assembly before deciding whether to discuss this topic further.

Group Rep Reports:
- Mary, the temporary Group Rep for the Monday 8:00 am Sebastopol meeting reported that it was hard to fill their service positions especially for a small group. She shared that she found that a lot of people don’t know what Al-Anon is, and all were encouraged to distribute the Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism booklet and meeting schedules.
- Wendy, GR for Sunday 7 pm Orenda Center Step Study meeting announced that the meeting is going well and that she will be resigning from the GR position in June. They are looking for a new GR.
- Mark, GR from Thursday 8 pm Men’s Group meeting asked if there was interest in having the picnic again this year in July and got a positive response.
- Debra, GR for the Saturday Morning Guerneville meeting shared that the group was strong and they had good service people.
- Debbie, GR for the Wednesday pm Petaluma meeting announced that the meeting was going strong. They had a lot of “old-timers” and “newcomers” alike and were strong in service.
- Shireen, GR for the Friday pm Sonoma meeting brought up service and how it pertains to new-comers.
- Amy, from the Tuesday Campobello meeting and the Wednesday Women’s Group meeting brought up sharing service positions as a way to more easily fill empty service positions, and the response was positive. She announced that the Women’s meeting was now at the Santa Rosa Senior Center.
- Marta, GR from the Thursday 12:30 meeting said they had a lot of success with sharing service positions.
- Bonnie from the Sunday am and Wednesday 12:30 Healdsburg meetings checked in.
- The Thursday 4 pm Sebastopol meeting has been having trouble getting members to volunteer for service and is planning on doing a group inventory. They are currently looking for a Treasurer and a Secretary who holds the key to the meeting facility.

- Paula handed out “Holiday Bash Survey” forms for GRs to take to their groups and announced that the Holiday Bash planning committee meetings are held the last Friday of each month at the Rohnert Park I-Hop.

- Eric announced that minutes from the 2007 NCWSA Assembly are available online or directly from him.

- Karen announced that we will have iron-on District 5 patches for Spring Assembly, for those who may want to put them on to their own t-shirt.

- Eric suggested we send cards to our Delegate, Sandy, with our thoughts and greetings and support for WSO.

- 8:30 The meeting closed with the Al-Anon Declaration.

- Marta

March Meeting Minutes:

March 5, 2008,
District 5 Meeting

7:03 D.R. Erik called the meeting to order with the Serenity Prayer. Erik read from Tradition 3, and Theresa read from Concept 3.

Erik announced that there will be a convention on April 4-6.

Secretary Don read the February minutes. They were accepted as corrected.

Erik said that there are no flyers for the 1-day assembly being held in May in Elk Grove.

Jerilynn said that the Orenda Center may close in April, and urged all present to write letters of protest to the Press Democrat. It was pointed out that in keeping with our traditions, this must be done as a private person, not as an Al-Anon member.

At this point Erik turned the meeting over to Sandy, our delegate . Sandy's topic encompassed taking group inventories at various levels of hierarchy in the Al-Anon organization including, but not limited to, District and Area. One such inventory was taken by Area in July. Tonight she fielded suggestions from all present for a District 5 Inventory. The suggestions read as follows:

Much discussion centered on prioritizing issues in each of these categories. At this point, the meeting focus shifted to coordinator's reports:

Paula of special events announced that on March 8 a work party will assemble at the Alano club in Santa Rosa to compose "Love Gifts."

Erik asked for more submissions for the Alagram.

Sharon-schedules: is feeling better & asks that we E-mail meeting changes.

Napa needs Alateen sponsors.

Darlene-Alateen: there is a new meeting in Petaluma at the 7th Day Adventist Church Wednesday night, and a Sonoma meeting change.

Geri-Archives: We need a new storage location, as the Orenda Center is closing. District Treasurer Tina volunteered space.

Mark S.-"Bash" coordinator: All planning meetings will be on the last Friday of the month at the Rohnert Park "I-Hop," 6:00 pm. He said that he hopes that we can hold the "Bash" at the same location every year.

There was no time given for treasurer's reports, so here are the figures:

8:31 The meeting closed with the Al-Anon Declaration.

- Don

February Meeting Minutes:

February 5, 2008,
District 5 Meeting

7:02 D.R. Erik called the meeting to order with the Serenity Prayer. Bonnie read from tradition 2 and Gil read from concept 2.

Erik said that there was a committee meeting in Los Altos, but he was unable to attend. Secretary Don read the January minutes. There were no corrections; a vote was taken to accept the minutes and the minutes were accepted as recorded.

Alt. D.R. Peggy asked for any new G.R.s present. There were none. Peggy has also attended NCWSC. Peggy explained how to send Alateen flyers to the Area website . All Alateen flyers must be screened and sent at the same time. WSO #'s must be included. The 2009 Area convention will be held from May 16 through May 18 . The 2009 Assembly will be in the same month. "Dear Abby" will run a column on Al-Anon. The 2007 Assembly satisfaction forms that were destroyed in a fire are now due by the end of February '08.

The Area by-laws committee has met once and will meet again two more times. Peggy is asking all to review the changes.

There will be a 1 day Assembly on May 10, 2008, in Elk Grove. Lunch is included in the registration fee. Information on coordinators’ positions will be given at the May Assembly for the fall election Assembly; October 17-19, 2008, at the Burlingame Crown Plaza hotel. District Representatives are eligible to be nominated as Area officers. Members wishing to serve as Alateen officers must also have been involved with Alateen at District level.

At this point it was revealed that groups financially unable to support their G.R. at Assembly can either approach their District or Jackie (at Area) for the needed funds. Car pooling is encouraged.

At this point Erik explained that all donations to WSO and Area should have the group's WSO # on the check.

Jerilynn has received a suggestion that we buy 400 pamphlets - "Al-Anon/ Alateen faces alcoholism." Karen will coordinate the purchase and mailing of the pamphlets. Paula made the motion we purchase $158.00 of the pamphlets.

Jerilynn will coordinate the change of our hotline person with Dora. Erik reminded all present about the 12th tradition (anonymity). On this issue, Mark B. brought our attention to page 83 of our service manual.

At this point Marta was interested in what other groups are paying for rent . There was much discussion on this issue.

Darlene, our Alateen coordinator, said that the event last Sunday in Vacaville made $150.00. She was very upbeat about Alateen's current health. We do need an Alateen coordinator in Napa.

Sharon, our Literature coordinator, has placed a large order for the Round Barn group. She also said that there is a theft problem with the orders that she delivers to our district meetings.

8:33 The meeting closed with the Al-Anon Declaration.

- Don

January Meeting Minutes:

January 8, 2008,
District 5 Meeting

7:05; the meeting opened with the serenity prayer. Vickie read from tradition 1 , and Wendy read from concept 1.

District Representative Erik briefly explained service sponsorship. Secretary Don read the December minutes that were accepted as corrected. Erik reminded all present of the principal of anonymity. Alternate District Representative Peggy asked for all new group representatives present to introduce themselves. Debbie, from Petaluma Wednesday Night, Anita from Petaluma Sunday night, and Brenda were present. Peggy also said that were new speaker lists available on the back table.

At this point the "Alathons" held at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital were the subject of group conscience.

Geri suggested that Public Outreach should be a part of every Al-Anon member's service.

Erik asked for a new by-laws committee. Erik, Debbie, Paula, Wendy, and Peggy will serve.

At this point Anita volunteered for the vacant service position of Cooperating with the Professional Community.

At this point Paula revealed that the December "Bash" event raised $2500.00; $138.00 in ticket sales. 160 were in attendance with a $1899.00 profit. We will have a new "Bash" coordinator for 2008. the 1st planning meeting will take place on January 25 at the Rohnert Park IHOP at 6:00.

[Tina was absent, but the December and year-end general treasury reports can be seen here.]

At this point Erik reminded all present to ask their group for Alateen sponsors.

Anita , a counselor in Marin County, was voted in unanimously for our new Cooperating with the Professional Community service person.

Darlene, our Alateen Coordinator, circulated leaflets on guidelines for Alateen sponsors, and informed all that changes were being made. The Petaluma Area needs sponsors. Darlene reminded all present that Alateens must be strictly chaperoned.

Debbie, our webmaster, passed out information leaflets, and asked for written contributions to the website.

Geri, our Archives coordinator, suggested that officers and coordinators obtain the "guidelines" leaflets for their service positions. We need a new person to stand for our Hotline service position. Anyone interested should contact Dora. (Her phone # is on the schedules.) There was much discussion on this issue.

We need more service manuals. Geri suggested that all groups write their group name & number on their service manuals.

8:30 The meeting closed with the Al-Anon Declaration.

- Don

December Meeting Minutes:

December 4, 2007,
District 5 Meeting

7:00 D.R. Erik opens the meeting with the Serenity Prayer. Alternate D.R. Peggy read from Tradition 12,and Wendy read from concept 12. Erik passed out a sign-in sheet. Don read the November minutes, and the minutes were accepted as corrected. Peggy asked for any new G.R.s to introduce themselves. Present, were Debbie from wednesday nite, Petaluma, Matt; thursday nite Alateen, and Sandy; Alternate G.R. Peggy said that she will procure more new G.R. Intro-literature and cautioned all present on the Paramount significance of Tradition 12. Peggy is also working on a new Speaker List and asked all present to ask their groups for new speakers.

At this point , the district meeting focus shifted to the financial success or failure of our December 1 "Bash." Paula and Jenny said it was still too soon to resolve how much was made from the "Bash" proceeds. A discussion followed on the District's satisfaction with the event overall.

At this point, Erik urged District to E-mail Sharon our schedules coordinator, as she has been ill. He also reminded us that the January 2008 district meeting will fall on New Year's day, so, we will meet on January 8 instead; possibly at the new Alano club behind the Chevrolet dealership on Corby Avenue.

At this point , Jenny reminded everyone that the deadline for Alagram submissions is December 15.

At this point, Jerilynn was voted in as the C.P.C. coordinator. Tina said that the UPS Store at Fulton and Guerneville roads is now open for use by District 5's trusted servants.

At this point, Erik said that Jackie's house had burned down and he is suggesting donations. A very lengthy discussion followed and it was eventually decided that no donations should be collected during any Al-Anon meeting; as it violates Tradition 6 and page 79 of the service manual.

GROUP REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

Pattie: some service positions remain unfilled. Theresa: One group member did a demonstration on service. Debbie: If no one volunteers, then the group experiences the natural consequences of that and the function isn't completed for the group. Vickie: Friday night Church of the Roses: no vacancies in service positions. Karen: Tuesday, Round Barn: 3 service positions are vacant. Shereen & Staci as alternate - Friday night Sonoma: no big changes. Nancy - Napa: no service vacancies except for the coffee person. Bonnie: old timers are always filling service positions. Geri: are asking more newcomers for service. Doris - Rohnert Park: difficulty in filling service positions. Jerilynn - Tuesday Sebastopol: no service vacancies. Gil: only old timers are currently doing service. Matt: good involvement . Paula: Difficulty filling service positions. Mark - Thursday night men's meeting: no problems filling service positions. Jenny - Tuesday night Campobello: no newcomers, and not all service positions are filled. Erik-Guerneville: Art B. has told him that meetings open and close, and his sponsor advised him to do service. Peggy: people are nominated for service.

At this point Darlene, our Alateen coordinator, asked all G.R.s to pitch for more Alateen sponsors at group level. Erik also said that new Assembly satisfaction forms need to be filled out.

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

- Don

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June District Treasurer’s Report:

The only requirement for all service positions is WILLINGNESS. District Treasurer is no exception and the reason why I’ve been able to do it for the last 3 years. If I’d have needed a degree in economics or even the ability to balance my own checkbook, I’d have been rejected from the start. But this is Al-Anon with wonderful opportunities for personal growth. Thank God.

I’ve been treasurer of 3 groups along the way on my Al-Anon journey so I figured I could do this one, and I have for the last 2½ years. As with all 3-year commitments I’ve undertaken, just when I think I’ve got it figured out it’s time to move on. Still I’ve learned a lot about trust, acceptance and perfection (or lack of it), and I’m glad for the opportunity.

It’s one of the easiest ‘jobs’ I’ve had in Al-Anon, though not without its trials. I couldn’t balance the first year despite going over and over the books. I dreaded giving that end of year report but decided I was a trusted servant who had done her best. As with most things we agonize over, there was no need. As I gave my report with effusive apology and shame, Erik (our DR) graciously cut me off from my self-deprecation and thanked me for a job well done. The relief was incredible, and gratitude at the unconditional acceptance amazing. Last year I was only 33 cents off! Progress, not perfection.

So, if you’re considering this position, here’s what I do/did:

• Balance the checkbook. (Calculators rock!)
• Pay the bills (Phone, Voicemail, Rent, Copy shops, Insurance and P.O. Box).
• Reimburse DR, ADR, officers and members for expenses incurred for district 5 Al-Anon service.
• Provide booking deposits for special events (spring and fall workshops, the summer campout and BBQ).
• Work out a budget for each year to enable the determination of our prudent reserve.
• Keep accurate records, as able, of donations from groups and individuals.
• Bank donations in a timely manner.
• Maintain non-profit status with IRS (complete forms as needed, I can explain which ones, I think).
• Keep account of the GR scholarship fund.
• Go to the P.O. Box to pick up the District mail once a week.
• Attend District meeting once a month to report.

It’s a breeze really, and a great tool for growth. I still have to bite my tongue around the directors’ and officers’ insurance premium we pay each year, but I’m O.K. being a minority in Al-Anon, cos I know I still get to be heard!

Thanks for being there! Love, Tina

[For more District-level service position "job descriptions," click here!]

April District Treasury Report:

- Tina

March District Treasury Report:

- Tina

February District Treasury Report:

Memo:
CASH IN BANK: 2061.78
PRUDENT RESERVE: (2100.00)
OPERATING RESERVE: (38.22)

- Tina

January District Treasury Report:

Memo:
CASH IN BANK: 2355.27
PRUDENT RESERVE: (2100.00)
OPERATING RESERVE: (255.27)

- Tina

December 2007 and Year-End District Treasury Report:

Memo:
CASH IN BANK: 2633.22*
PRUDENT RESERVE: (2660.00)
OPERATING RESERVE: (26.78)
*Correction $2 increase due to error in math on last statement

District 5 Treasury Report 2007:

The totals for the year can be found in the year-to-date (YTD) columns of the December Treasury Report charts, above.
[Please note the District Treasurer reports numbers for the general District treasury only. There are separate accounts for Alateen, Holiday Bash, Literature, and Public Outreach, with basic numbers reported in the District Secretary's monthly minutes.]

Memo:
PREVIOUS BALANCE FROM 2006: 2182.95
PLUS NET BALANCE 2007: 450.60
TOTAL: 2633.55
(ACTUAL CASH IN BANK $2633.22, 33c deficit)

Meeting Donations Year Ending 2007: