Business Report

                                              August 8, 2004

Opened the Meeting with the Serenity Prayer

Followed by Reading of Concept I: Final Responsibility and Ultimate Authority for AA World Services, will reside in the collective conscience of our whole fellowship groups.

Registrar:   Ginger F.

 Our Area 45 has been blessed with active trusted servants, allowing rotation and keeping this registrar and its groups “in the process.”  The only thing that is constant is change.  That gives this registrar job security.  Thank You!

As of July, 2004, we’ve added 11 NEW groups and their representatives to the GSO/Area Data Base.   One of these groups was about 35 years young and still growing.   Please check to see if your group has a registered group number.  You can check with me at lunch or call/e-mail at your convenience.  The yellow folder in front of me has group change forms in it.  You are welcome to come up and fill out any changes.  I’ll confirm as soon as possible and forward to GSO to update our records.

             I was able to attend district 19 and 14’s business meetings.  8 new representatives volunteered their change forms, so we can accurately update records and mailing labels.  SJYPAA was also supplied with mailing labels.

            A GSR called this week inquiring as to where their mail had gone.  They supplied me with their new address, so the next one will be delivered on time.  We prudently use bulk mailing for our 4^th Dimension Newsletter.  Bulk mail is NOT forwarded if there is a change of address, even if your post office is notified.

So, please keep your group GSR’s data up to date in order to keep your group informed.

             Clarification:  a few members believed that they registered their new GSR/Alternate when they signed in at the Registration table.  Although our names are close, signing in does not register your new info with GSO or update our Area (label) Data Base.  PLEASE, come see me and we’ll rectify that via the group change forms.  Your DCM or Section Leader will also welcome assisting you in this. Please be aware that registration or changes begin with the Area Registrar who then forwards them to GSO.

             We also had an interesting note/phone call(s) with GSO’s Elaine S.  She was kindly thanking us for the back up GIF print outs since our disc arrived corrupted.  We quickly returned her call to let her know that several districts updates were on that disc only.  She asked that we overnight those districts’ info on hard copy from the Access program in our computer.   Thank goodness for paper & my supportive home coach.

            I know we have many computer whiz kids in our fellowship.  My service sponsor recommended that I ask for support with EXCEL, ACCESS.  I owe a great deal of thanks to our very own Webmaster, Bob W. for his time & travel.  Also much thanks to our Newsletter chair, Cathy R., as she supports my learning process. Looking forward to our Day of Sharing in Trenton, Sat., Oct. 9^th.  See you there!

Secretary:  Julie W.

Thank you Section I for hosting today.

1.       I attended and participated in District 26 workshop on Sponsorship and the Seventh Tradition.  I had a wonderful panel that helped me cover everything on Sponsorship from the different styles, to what a Sponsor does and does not do.  Frank Z. is doing a great job at keeping that District active with carrying AA’s message.

2.       Thank you to all who e-mail me their report.  It helps me with efficiency and accuracy when I am assembling the Business Report for the Fourth Dimension Newsletter.  If you are unable to e-mail the report of course your handwritten one is still very acceptable.

3.        Please speak closely to the microphone when you are giving your report.  I listen to the entire Assembly again when I’m putting together the Business Report, and if I can’t understand clearly what you have said I could misrepresent your reports.  Again, this is where the accuracy of e-mailing helps us both.  As a reminder, with e-mail, if it is not said if front of the Assembly, I cannot print it.  I can however print any thing you ad-lib while you are up at the microphone.

4.       I have the new Area Calendar’s out.  It covers Area Activity from August to next July 2005.  Please don’t forget to get one.  This Calendar is also available on the Area website.  If there are any discrepancies with dates or locations please let me know.

Chairperson:  Fred E.

1. Thanks to section 1 for hosting today’s assembly & committee meeting.

2. I attended and participated in Cape Atlantic Intergroups town meeting sponsored by its unity committee. (Thanks Robbie, Great job as usual)

3. I attended District 14 district meetings in June and the emergency July meeting with the rest of the Panel and Policy and Charter. (Job well done Michele)

4. I attended and participated in District 26^th workshop on June 19^th (Frank has made great progress with the District, way to go!)

5. I met with the newsletter committee on June 26^th and the BBQ on July 31^st.

6. I attended the convention committee meetings in June and July.

7. I attended District 9 first district meeting with their new DCM Lynn B (Thanks for saying yes to service)

8. I’ve contacted most committees and DCM’s at least once via phone.

9. I have been in contact with the four section leaders to offer assistance.

10. I attended District 8 district meeting on July 27^th.

11. If your District has district meetings or workshops, email me or call me in advance (At least two weeks notice) and I will come out to support you and to assist you in any way if I am able.

Treasurer:  Elaine Mc.:

 This quarter has been less hectic than the last, but I have still managed to stay busy.  I attended two of the monthly convention meetings as well as District 14’s emergency meeting in July along with my fellow panel members and our Policy and Charter Committee Chairpersons.

I am pleased to present the treasurer’s report:

Our checking account balance is $14,506.88.

Group contributions were $4376.77.

We received an additional contribution of $100.00 from District 3. 

The 40^th Convention returned $7660.00

We had interest income of $41.10 from our Prudent Reserve of $18,000.00, which remains intact.

Total income is $12,177.98.

Expenditures for the quarter have been $5101.13.

A detailed report has been provided to our Chairperson, and is available to all upon request.

Thank you for the privilege of serving.

Alt. Delegate:  Jimmy S.:

  Thank you Section 1 for being of service and hosting today's Assembly and for providing the food and facility for today's meeting. 

  During the past quarter I attended meetings of all three Intergroups.  The spirit of unity and service is alive and well at all three.  In June, I participated in Cape Atlantic Intergroup's Unity Night in Galloway Twp.  I was privileged to be a part of a presentation on "Leadership in AA."  There were several presentations that night as well as an informative skit and speaker.  The event was a huge success by any standard and was standing room only before the evening even got underway.  Thank you Robbie W., Cape Atlantic Intergroup Unity chair for inviting me to be a part of this event and for your awesome job in putting the whole evening together.  Kudos also to Cape Atlantic Intergroup for their service and support that night.   

  Also in June, I attended the first ever Intergroup Unity Day in Bordentown, where Intergroup officers and committee chairs and co-chairs from all three Intergroups gathered to compare notes and learn from each others experience in their related service fields.  A special thank you to the Intergroup chairs for inviting Area 45 participation at this event. 

  During the last quarter I attended meetings of Districts 8 and 14, where various aspects of potential redistricting were discussed. 

  On July 24, I attended the JAL-CON Convention in Somerset, NJ.  JAL-CON is the weekend-long New Jersey state Al-Anon convention.  This event is similar in many respects to our Area 45 AA convention with meetings, speakers and a banquet.  I was honored to represent Area 45 as JAL-CON's invited guest.  Thank you, Nancy lee B., our Area liaison to the event, for your warm hospitality. 

  Going forward, planning continues for the Annual Area 45 Day of Sharing, which will be held in Section 1 this year and will be hosted by Central Jersey Intergroup.  Flyers are available for GSR's and DCM's to take with you today.  As most of you know, the Day of Sharing brings together the various service entities of Area 45 and the three Intergroups of Southern New Jersey for a forum where we can discuss ways to better carry the message in the hopes of ensuring unity and continuity in our efforts. You do not have to be an office-holder or committee member to attend Day of Sharing.  It is open to any and all interested AA's.  Everyone who attends will be a participant.  As in the past, lunch will be served.  We plan to begin with registration at 9:30 a.m., and start Day of Sharing promptly at 10:00.  Please be sure to leave with your flyers and take the message back to your home groups.  The more participation we have, the more input we get.  I look forward to continuing work with the three Intergroups as we prepare for the Day of Sharing.

Delegate: Laurie E.:

I wish to welcome all of you to today’s General Assembly, those new & old to this vital service. 

As we speak the AA Membership survey approved at the 54^th GSC is being conducted.  All groups participating throughout the U.S. and Canada are to do so now through August 14^th, this to ensure credibly of the 2004 Survey.  Seven groups in Area 45 were chosen, and I have already received responses from two groups.  Thank you for your participation, as the survey provides a valuable service.

The International Convention is coming!  All GSR’s will receive information no later September 15^th, 2004.  You can also obtain information on our own website.  GSO’s website will have registration on-line starting in September.  Also available on-line is access to the Digital Grapevine.  The special price of $5 is in effect through October 31, 2004. You may link from our website to GSO’s website for more information, or go directly to www.aagrapevine.org

The application deadline of August 13^th for Grapevine & AAWS Director positions is fast approaching.  I am happy to report that we have several past Delegates interested and making themselves available.  Thank you for your continued service. 

Final “General Service Conference” reports are here today, please take one!  DCM’s should take enough for the groups in your district that are not present today.  This report is a full accounting of your 54^th GSC of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Still available is the information I prepared for the delegates report.  This reflects in more detail Area 45’s participation in that Conference.

I am saddened to report that Bill A., a devoted employee of the General Service Staff, passed away shortly after the 54^th GSC.  He was the GSO speaker at our 36^th SNJGSC and my Conference & Committee Secretary.  Eva S. who agreed to speak at our upcoming SNJGSC in 2005 will assume the duties of Conference Coordinator, and a new staff member Mary D. will take over the literature desk at GSO.

Annually, the Conference Committee on finance discusses issues of Self-Support. Over the years the committee has suggested many ways to raise the awareness of the Fellowship concerning financial Support.  Birthday envelopes & mailing envelopes for contributions to GSO are available today and I hope to make them available at every Assembly.  There is an explanation of the Birthday Envelope on the back label.  All are part of our 7^th Tradition.  Thank you for your never-ending participation. 

Regarding self-support; there is remarkable news to report from the GSC Final Report:  Area 45 is 2^nd in per capita contributions (out of 93 delegate area’s), also meeting the per capita cost per group, meaning…WE ARE FULLY SELF SUPPORTING IN AREA 45!!!

I need to send a special Thanks to Nancylee B.  I look forward to your report, as I know your service at this years’ Jal-Con was invaluable.  I was sorry not to be in attendance.  My son had other plans, and decided to make me a mother-in-law that weekend.  As for the enthusiastic Grapevine Committee, I saw something at the GSO Conference I felt you had to have.  These grapevine beads were made for Grapevine Conference Committee members.  I tracked down the Delegate from Alabama and basically begged for them.  It didn’t take much, and she was glad to send these precious gems to us.

NERC is coming in October.  If at all possible, please consider the opportunity it provides us in learning about and experiencing, service and fellowship in our region.

I will be requesting your participation with Agenda suggestions for the 2006 General Service Conference Theme, Workshops and Presentations.  Please look for displays at our November Assembly.  During today’s Area Committee meeting, I will be discussing the Trustee at Large position that is up for election at the next GSC, and Area 45’s welcomed participation. (Applicants from Area 45 will have a one-page resume available [modeling GSC practices], which will be distributed prior to the election at the November Assembly).

As previously stated:  This panel is in place to be of service to you, in Area 45.  Please consider that as an open invitation to speak to each and every one of us, regarding your experience, your strength and your hope for our Area.

Ad Hoc. Literature & Office:  John K.;

The search for an Area office continues.  Real Estate prices have escalated.  A literature report will be completed when a sense of the meeting is taken about weather to form a Literature Committee.

A Sense of the meeting was done at this time during the Assembly and a vote was taken.  Unanimously a sense was felt that a Literature Committee was needed.

Audio:  Joe Mc.:

I would like to thank the Assembly for their vote to create this Audio Committee. 

The Audio equipment is all in working order.  There are no problems to report.

Now that this is officially a committee, I am eager to recruit new members.  The equipment is not complicated to operate.  In fact, I have colored coded all the wiring, so it is really simple to assemble and take down.  I am looking for at least four volunteers, preferably one from each section.  This will make it possible to cover events in the whole of Area 45.  Please consider this committee as a way of doing service. 

Audio will be covering the Day of Sharing on October 9, 2004. 

If your District is planning a workshop or other event that needs to be taped, please let me know, as far in advance as possible, so we can be available to you.

Archives:  No Report

Budget & Finance:  Andrew L.:

I have talked with the Chairpersons of Young Peoples, the Convention and our Treasurer about performing an audit in order to keep sound finical standings.  The audits will be performed by the Budget and Finance committee between now and next summer.  Our hope is to create a structure for the next panel and Budget and Finance Committee to follow for all future audits.

41^st Convention:  Rich H.:

Next years convention dates are April 1,2,and 3.  The Convention will again be at the Cherry Hill Hilton.  Our theme is “Don’t Leave Before the Miracle Happens”. 

We have held four Convention Committee meetings so far.  Things are progressing on pace with our timetable.  We have a budget, a theme, speakers, a program, workshops and some workshop chairs, marathon meeting topics.  Yea ha!

The convention will be quite similar to last year for those of you that attended.  We will continue the policy of NO smoking in the hotel lobby and using an American Sign Language signer at speaker meetings.  We have selected our main speakers and they are Eva S. from GSO on Friday she is the Conference Co-Coordinator up there, Cliff R. from Oceanside Calif. on Saturday, and Donna E. from Butte Cliffs Montana on Sunday.  These speakers are fantastic and many thanks to Laurie’s pick of Eva and Liz’s Program Committee picks for Cliff and Donna.

We met recently at Liz’s crib and choose the topics for all the marathon meetings.  Beth R. will be handing out marathon meeting cards today to all Section Leaders to give to the DCM’s.  The DCM’s pick the marathon meeting chairs and mail these cards back to Beth and we will print the names, topics and times in the program.  It all works smoothly!

Very soon we will be finalizing the workshop topics and picking workshop panels.  We are having a picnic a Parvin State Forest near Pitts Grove next Sunday, you are all welcome to attend and meet your convention committee.  Please feel free to drop into one of the Convention meetings if you get a chance.  I am passing around a flyer with the meeting dates, time and directions to the Hammonton site.  This info is also available on the website.

CPC: Bill G.:

Since the May 16^th meeting CPC has not been very busy as there is no relevant conventions in our area during this time, and the Rowan did not hold it’s summer institute.  We did receive a referral from the Special Needs Committee regarding the Meadowbrook Nursing Home in Northfield.  After speaking with the head nurse, it was found that they were looking for ways to handle patients who became problems when drinking.  We mutually agreed that this was not a function of AA, and they needed to work with a clinically trained consultant.

We are scheduled to attend the NJ Teacher’s Convention in Atlantic City, November 4^th and 5^th and the Foundation for Educational Administration Convention in Atlantic City November 3-5^th.  These are two events that we have traditionally shared with Area 44.  However, Area 44 has had some financial problems and cannot commit funds at this time.  Therefore, we have registered for the Teachers’ Convention using our funds, and will register for the other convention when Area 44 is able.

If anyone is available during the daytime and would like to assist at these events, please see me.

CTF:  Ed C.: 

We had a committee meeting in June and our Next Meeting will be August 15^th at Outreach House in Camden at 1PM.

We are still working with Area 44 CFC Committee and the New Jersey Dept of Corrections for regional clearances.  We will be sending 16 forms shortly to D.O.C.

We want to remind everyone that the annual Correction and Treatment Facilities Conference for Area 45 will be held Oct 16^th at Lambs Road Assembly Hall.  Flyers are available at the sign in desk.

We are still in need of volunteers for the Bridging the Gap program as contact people.  The need for contacts in the Camden Area is particularly great.  If any one is interested in this type of service please contact me.

GSR/DCM Orientation/Workshop: John K.

14 New GSR’s

 4 Alternate GSR’s

 1 New DCM

 1 Alternate DCM

Grapevine:  Missy A.:  No Report

Jalcon:  Nancy Lee B.:

This year’s Jalcon’s convention was held on July 23, 24, and 25 at the Sommerset Hilton.  It was a very exciting weekend.  There were 14 AA meetings at this year’s convention.  As part of my responsibilities I participated in the Recovery Countdown. 

I would like to thank Laurie E. for asking me to serve as your Jalcon representative from AA.  I want to thank our alternate Delegate Jimmy S. and his wife Maggie for attending.  I also want to thank my husband for attending and helping with the meetings. 

Next year’s Convention meeting will begin in November. This would be a great time to consider attending and supporting this event.  Jalcon, which stands for- Jersey’s Al-Anon Convention- provides a great service to our families and families whom have been greatly affected by alcoholism. 

This year the convention will be held on July 23, 24, and 25^th at the Parsippany Hilton.

This is an incredible opportunity to carry the message and to serve.

Newsletter:  Cathy R.:

I would like to thank my committee.  They are a great committee and we are having a lot of fun.  I hope you all enjoy the picture of my dong on the front cover of this edition. 

I am still trying to get some more input from all the Sections.  Any articles, new meetings, or Section events, please let me know.

The next edition of the Fourth Dimension will be the last edition before the Holiday’s.   Therefore we are going with a Holiday theme with the Roving Reporter question.   I will be going to print mid-October.  If you have any Holiday parties, Al-cothons for Thanksgiving or Christmas, please let me know so we can be as informative to the Area as possible.

Policy and Charter: Joe D.:

We will be reviewing the job description of the Intergroup Liaisons being prepared by the Alternate Delegate for inclusion in the Area 45 Handbook when they are finalized.

I attended the District 14 and District 8 meetings and provided recommendations and procedural guidance for consideration in the deliberation of the issues involved. 

The issue of the sale of literature at the Assembly meetings is pending a sense of the Assembly.

We have begun preliminary review of the Area 45 Handbook for revisions.

Public Information: Bob D.:

          In an attempt to follow up on the ideas mentioned by our Delegate at the Spring Assembly, the committee has been trying to establish some better contacts into the Spanish-speaking Community.  We have submitted articles to some trade magazines and journals that are geared towards the Hotel and Casino Industry where there is a large Hispanic employee base.

          Also we have contacted local unions in regards to placing literature in their meeting halls to provide contact numbers and general information about Alcoholics Anonymous.  These are still in the early stages as one individual was under the impression that I was a union member seeking information to save my job.

          Letters and phone calls have been placed with several Social Agencies and Medical facilities.  They are currently gathering information about upcoming events that might be interested having us provide information and literature.  These organizations are based in Cumberland, Mercer, Atlantic, Camden and Burlington counties.

          As the school year begins, I suspect that will be another venue for carrying the message of hope.  Anyone interested in joining the committee should see me.  Naturally, if you know of upcoming health fairs, seminars, and other types of gatherings where the PI committee can be of service, please let me know.

          Our focus is not solely on the Spanish community, but there is a need for more information.  Currently there are 20 meetings listed as Spanish speaking, 16 of those are in Atlantic City.  I am currently trying to invite representatives of those meetings to become more active in the area but have been unsuccessful.

          So again, I ask if you know any agency, organization or community seeking information.  Either have them contact me or get the information and pass it on.  Thank you.

Registration: Mary Ann L.:

        115 people total in attendance.

Special Needs:  Joe P.:

          On July 14, 2004 we had a committee meeting at my home, with 7 members attending and one new sign up to the committee.

          We are continuing to ask for support to carry the AA message into Hospitals and Nursing Homes.

          We also discussed lack of support from Central New Jersey, so a letter and e-mail has been sent to Janet S. of Section One, and Central Jersey Intergroup, in hopes fro some sign ups for their area to carry the message to those in need.

          The previous letters sent out to Nursing Homes were addressed to the Administrator, yet the Social Worker called, so the letters we addressed on July 14^th were addressed to the Social Workers of the centers.

The calls we received from the previous letters were from:

1.    Meadowview Northfield, which we turned over to CPC because they were more interested in educating their staff.

2.    Convalescent Center, Southern Ocean County- Frank, DCM from District 15 called in reference to someone in a wheelchair, we directed him to approaching the meeting across the street from the Home in taking a meeting into the home.

3.    Providence Nursing Home- Bob H. still taking meetings in on Tuesday evenings.

4.    Voorhees Crescent View Nursing Home- Meeting was requested for two clients, on with 12 years, in the rehabilitation section that had been released before a meeting could be arranged.  Another gentleman, who has been sober since 1964, yet became unplugged from the fellowship due to getting sick and moved to this facility.  This was truly a gift of sobriety to bring this man a meting and another Big Book & Step Book since his originals had been lost from all the movement.  He was truly grateful to the fellowship, especially when an Application was taken to him at his second meeting for the Veterans Home in Vineland.   

We feel we are making progress, even if it is slowly, so spread the word to fellow members who are scheduled for surgery and have an extended recovery.  Or perhaps those that are known in Nursing Homes, yet have become “unplugged” and are in need of some fellowship, please contact Special Needs.

          Future Literature orders will be ordered in Larger Print.

          Lets be responsible, our hands are out for those who are unable to get out.  Sign up forms can be picked up on the sing in table or contact me for more information.

Young People-SJYPPA: Bob H.:

       It has been a very busy quarter for us, and we look forward to an exciting season of activities over the next few months.  We hope that your groups can help spread the word about our events to make this committee a success.

       We are still hovering right below our prudent reserve but all our deposits are in and we have our new t-shirts printed.  Our meeting has been occasionally moving about from our regular meeting place in Hammonton.  It is a dungeon and it just sucks the creative energy out of our eyeballs on a warm beautiful day.  So we are trying to mix it up a bit by having meeting/barbeques or maybe something else fun…a business meeting on the beach sounds cool eh?  If you want to get involved, or if you are feeling more somber than living sober, you need to get crazy with us.  Contact me a PiercedRN@verizon.net if you would like to be part of the fun.

       Some good news! Chiara Y. of CHYP married her A.A. sweetheart John R. on July 31^st.   Isabelle H. has 2 teeth says Mama and has 7 months sobriety.

Website:  Bob W.:

I have set up a new website for Area 45. It has a new look incorporating our new logo. I have tried to make the website easier to navigate and the information easier to find.

I would like to point out the new “NEWS” section which has all the minutes the last several Assembly/Committee meetings, the proceedings of the GSO conference, and similar information. If you look here you can refresh yourself as to the agenda items for the upcoming assembly meeting

I still need a brief description of the function of:

·       Archives

·       Audio

·       Budget & Finance

·       CPC

·       Policy & Charter

·       Public Information

·       Special needs

 Committees to include on the website. I would like anywhere from a paragraph to a full page describing the function of your committee and any other information you would like to provide

Please send all information as to events& functions anniversaries, meeting changes. Any committee functions or news that you would like included to me, and I will try to post it promptly. I would like to make snjaa.org everyone’s primary source for what is happening in A. A. in South Jersey.

We have had 449 hits since the new website was posted on July 22 of this year.

Usage Statistics for www.snjaa.org

Cape Atlantic Intergroup: Bill B.:

As Cape Atlantic Intergroup Chairperson, I would like to report our intergroup is active and healthy.

Our Unity Committee has an upcoming event on October 1^st, a bus trip to the General Service Office in New York.  Our Unity chairperson Rob W. is the contact for that event.

On November 6^th we will hold our Annual Unity Dinner Fundraiser called, “An Evening will Bill Wilson”. A talk by Bill during a past videoconference. It will be at the Seaville Fire House.  Cost is $25.00/ person.

I attended the first Intergroup Conference for Central, South Jersey and Cape Atlantic Intergroups.  Attendance was good and after 5 hours or so of great discussions about how we all do business, our common problems.  The other two Intergroups have Trustee’s, and we are looking into that position.  We unanimously decided to meet again on September 26^th.

CAIG topic at the Day of Sharing will be, “Treasury-Where does the Money Go?”  Seventh Tradition.

Our Website had 553 hits.

Our Unity Committee discovered that about 40% of our groups are attending our business meeting. We are visiting our groups to encourage more interaction with the Intergroup.

I would like to thank the Panel members who made it to our town meeting.  Attendance was over 100.

Central Jersey Intergroup: Thom O.

Intergroup Cooperation:

1.    Our First Intergroup Unity Conference was held Sunday, June 27^th at Carslake Community Center, Bordentown

a.      Discussion Topics – (Each committee met with their counterparts to discuss areas of concern. Listed here are the topics discussed by the chairs, the co-chairs, liaisons and the Alternate Delegate.)

                                                             i.      Bridging the Gap –

                                                          ii.      Remote Communities –

                                                       iii.      Bylaws -

                                                        iv.      Trustees –

                                                           v.      Flow of information for new reps and after rotation –

                                                        vi.      Minutes – How do we get the word out about our activities?

                                                     vii.      Group participation –

Day of Sharing:

1.    Central Jersey Intergroup will be the site host for the event. The DOS will be held at the Slackwood Presbyterian Church in Lawrenceville. Directions and information are on the Area web site and a link to that is on CJI’s web site.

2.    The three main topics and the corresponding facilitating Intergroup are:

                                                             i.      CTF – South Jersey Intergroup

                                                          ii.      PI – Central Jersey Intergroup

                                                       iii.      “Treasury – Where does the money go?” – Cape Atlantic Intergroup

CJI Office and Body:

1. We have had six (6) new Intergroup Reps join us since May of this year.

2.    The Answering Service Committee, Newsletter, Public Information and Web Site chairs are open.

3.    Our other committees are active and doing well.

SOUTH JERSEY INTERGROUP:  JOE MC.: 

As we hit the mid year point, South Jersey Intergroup (SJIG) is happy to report that things are going well. According to our Treasurer, Cathie A., contributions are keeping us in the “black”.

I want to thank our co-chair, Steve R., for filling in for me at the first,”Intergroup Day of Sharing” this past June 27^th. This event was well attended by all 3 Intergroups I am told. Central Jersey Intergroup did a great job of hosting this event. SJIG committee chairs reported back that the event offered a good exchange of ideas.

Also in June, SJIG voted to keep the names & phone numbers of AA Clubs on the front of the meeting list. The Steering Committee (for SJIG) seeking advice on this issue was given the recommendation that this decision belongs to the Groups of SJIG. So at the regular monthly meeting in June the motion to keep AA Clubhouses information of the front of the meeting list was passed. Demonstrating to this alcoholic that our ultimate authority is a loving God as he expresses himself through an informed group conscious.

In June, the SJIG Steering Committee also agreed to send a final letter to Intergroup Reps that did not respond to our mailing to let them know we will no longer be sending them minutes. A note-minutes of Intergroup meetings are now available on the website, www.aasj.org. Also our Unity Chair, Randy N. has volunteered to visit the groups that have not responded. If you still want minutes mailed to you…just let us know!

SJIG is also considering the idea of a Beginner’s Guide handout. Many of you may have seen something like this in your travels. We are looking for feedback on this. Check with your Intergroup Rep for a sample copy.

GSO is also looking for Group feedback on Literature Racks. How we use them etc. Refer to this flyer for more information. 

SOME COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS:        

The Budget & Finance committee met in June to examine the 2003 financial records & found everything in order.

The Treasurer asks that Groups please write name of town & Group on donation checks.

Literature Sales will no longer be available Friday nights. Check new meeting list for availability. Prices are going up in September. GSO has raised prices. Co Chair Vicki R. reminds Groups that you can always call your order in to have it ready ahead of time. Or order ahead & pick it up at the monthly Intergroup meeting.

Public Information continues to distribute Literature Racks to Libraries & was also given a one time $400.00 transfer from the over funded Phone from Home account to the PI account to help fund this project.

New Meeting list are now available. We are trying to get meeting change forms printed in meeting list book.

Newsletter Fall topic, “Spring Ahead, Don’t Fall Back on Recovery”

H & I, To quote Chair Fran M., “Needs Help!” always looking for Speakers. 90 days to speak, 1 year to be a rep, 2 years to host.

Answering Service always phone slots open, remember, you can work phones from Home.

Unity-Next Alcathon will be Labor Day. Location back at Intergroup Office.

Website up and running now featuring the SJIG minutes online, Meeting List, & Change Forms. If you have a Group Anniversary or event you would like listed send it to webmaster@www.aasj.org

SJIG will be chairing the CTF portion of the next Area 45 “Day of Sharing”

October 9^th, 2004.

Agenda Item: To Approve the Proposed Budget.   The Agenda Passed.

Workshop:  The Structure of Alcoholics Anonymous at Area 45.   

                        (Written Copies Available upon Request)