QUARTERLY ASSEMBLY
Clarion –
Workshop Reports
District Reports
Area Standing
Committee and Intergroup Liaison Reports
New GSR Workshop
Leader: Eddie S, Recorder: Cathy P
The
leader discussed how it works for the GSR policies and procedures. Some
questions were asked, “Why are you here?” and, “How do you qualify to lead
meetings?” It was followed by open discussion They talked about how to service
group conscious information. Several GSRs shared information on what tools work
for their particular groups and how they try to keep the group informed on what
is happening in Alcoholics Anonymous.
Advance GSR Workshop
Leader: Rafael E, Recorder: Ann P
Twenty-five
people attended the meeting. Rafael opened the meeting with the Serenity
Prayer, then read out of the Service Manual. They talked about the
qualifications and duties of the GSR. Ann shared about her experience, strength
and hope of being a GSR in
The General Service Conference
Structure
Leader: Beth R, Recorder: Patrick C
The
conference structure begins and ends with the Groups. Beth read from Bernard Shaw’s
talk on why we need the GSC structure. The main reasons for the creation of our
GSC structure are to ensure communication between groups is healthy, that we
maintain adherence to our principles, discuss and make decisions on issues,
elect trusted servants. Our main goal is to remain healthy and to ensure
recovery for those to come – to be a permanent haven for those still suffering.
It
is suggested that all groups should elect a General Service Representative
(GSR). The GSR should ensure that the opinions and views of each group are
heard. This is accomplished beginning with the group conscience meetings, an
opportunity for all members to have input. Each member belongs to one group and
gets to have one vote. Our home group is where we grow up; we get to know each
other, and more importantly, we have the opportunity to have input into the
future state of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Next
is the District Level. The Service Manual suggests that each District have
around 15 groups within a district. In the
The
next level of the GSC structure is the Area Assemblies where Area Officers,
DCMs, GSRs, and members at large come together to discuss/decide on the
business of Alcoholics Anonymous. The GSC is made up of 93 areas.
Each
Delegate is randomly appointed to a Conference Committee. These committees are
where the work of AA begins. The Chairperson of the Conference Committee, Staff
Member and a Trustee draw the names from a hat to determine delegate
assignments. The only way for a delegate to change the random assignment is if
the selection drawn happens to be the same conference committee the previous
delegate was assigned. The delegates receive all the background information to
prepare themselves for serving the committee. Most delegates are game for the
assignment and do the best they can.
The
Area Standing Committees correspond to the Conference Committees. It is
recommended that those of us involved in service also participate in an Area
Committee. Why? It can help each of us learn more about the General Service
structure, learn more about the work of Alcoholics in the area, and to help get
our message out to the still-suffering alcoholic.
The
General Service Board is made up of 21 Trustees – 14 alcoholic and 7
non-alcoholic trustees. There are 8 Regional Trustees – 6 from the
Budget Workshop
Leader: David H
David
presented the 2006 budget for viewing by the membership. Since there is a
deficit of over $14,000, discussion, questions, and suggestions followed.
Several comments and suggestions were made for increasing SETA’s income by
deleting unnecessary spending by the Committees. The Districts possibly might
take more responsibility for Committee expenses involved in their district,
therefore lessening the burden on SETA’s budget. After an hour of
questions/answers, and helpful suggestions, David closed the workshop with a
reminder of the voting scheduled for Sunday at the assembly meeting.
We welcome
our new Treasurer, Lena P. from the Good Times Group, which rounds out
representative offices. Our Visitation Committee is driving District 10
participation. The Welcome Home Group is new to our district. They meet at the
Men’s Center hosting 5 meetings per day, including weekends! We are attending
meetings including group conscience to support GSR elections for District 10.
We’re bringing dessert to the Gratitude Dinner. Thanks to District 52 we’re
trudging the road of happy destiny.
I
want to thank the district for the opportunity to service. I’m happy to report
that the district now has a new Alternate DCM. Chris B. will be serving, and he
is already asking how he can be of service. Thank you, Chris. The Visiting
Committee is still very busy trying to get to all the meetings that don’t have
GSRs or contacts; we’re taking it one meeting at a time with about 90 meetings
in our district. We’re seeing results for our efforts with new GSRs and new
monies from groups. Our plan for the next quarter is to contact more groups and
to talk about the 7th Tradition.
Gene J, DCM
Dwayne P, Alternate DCM
We in District 31 are relaxing and serving through the summer, attending AA events and doing our service work. I want to thank all of our officers, GSRs and trusted servants who continue to service, learn and grow. Our meetings are held every 3rd Sunday at the Kingwood Club on Russel Palmer Road at 2 pm .
Anniversaries were celebrated at Serenity in the Woodlands in May, Goodrich Serenity in May, Huntsville 50th Anniversary in June. We congratulate our groups on their histories and keeping the meeting doors open. Past workshops have been the Sponsorship workshop hosted by the Kingwood Group in April and a Finance (Self-Support) Workshop hosted by the Spring Group in June. Huntsville will host a Service Workshop 8/27 at the Huntsville Group, 1-4 PM. 1502 Club, Conroe , will host a CFC Workshop at 1502 Conroe the last Saturday in September.
Gary S. is helping us plan for our annual Old Timer’s Day November 5 at the Lamb of God Church. We’ve had a great time the last two years. We in District 31 are also committed to helping with registration and clean-up at the Gratitude Dinner in November. Never a dull moment in AA. Thanks for the privilege to serve.
Bart M, DCM
Lynn G, Alternate DCM
We’ve
enjoyed a steady growth over the last few years, averaging 40-50 people at our
district meetings. Of that number, 75-80% are GSRs and Alternate GSRs. We do
insist on having fun in service, as demonstrated by the Traditions Play put on
by members of District 32. In June Charles and Gus came to our meeting and
discussed the General Service Conference. That was a treat. All of our
committee positions are filled. District 32 will be hosting the Gratitude
Dinner in November. Our DCM has been valiantly trying to find a facility.
Hopefully we’ll have something finalized soon. As soon as we have the location,
we’ll get out announcements.
Tim C, DCM
Robert W, Alternate DCM
Our
round robins are still creating more involvement in service at the district
level. The next one will be at
Daryl H, DCM
Chuck W, Alternate DCM
John O, DCM
All is going well in the district.
We have been going to groups that aren’t active and informing them about
getting active and supporting AA. The district is also planning a workshop in
September, “What You Don’t Know about AA – The Secret of Sobriety.” We hope to
have all the details worked out next month; more will be revealed. Charles P,
our Delegate, was at our last district meeting informing us about the
conference and what changes are coming down the pipe.
We’ll get the Area committees
represented soon. We’re growing slowly. At our last meeting we had a roomful.
Our next meeting will be at the Delta Club the last Saturday of July. Hope to
see you there. . . We had a blast at the last quarterly hosting the Assembly.
Bob B, DCM
Tom P, Alternate DCM
Greetings from District 52.
Hope you’re all enjoying our great
Plans for our annual
Traditions Workshop have been finalized. The District Committee decided to move
the date back a month and our chairperson has completed his work. We’re ready
for a great day of fun, fellowship and food. The workshop will take place on
July 30 at Our Common Journey from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm. Representation from
several groups n our district as well as several districts in our area will be
presenting the traditions through their own experience, strength and hope. The
menu for the day will be a picnic-style theme so bring an appetite for fried
chicken and all the fixin’s. This year’s Traditions Workshop chairperson, Craig
V., GSR from Westchase Nooners, has done a fantastic job pulling all this
together. Thanks again. Craig.
Speaking of Our Common
Journey, they have volunteered to host District 52’s inaugural General Service
Conference theme workshop. A “Home Group” workshop is being planned to take
place around September. The District committee is hoping for some inspiration
and experience from Charles and Gus when they visit next month. Speaking of
visitation, we’ve been blessed this past quarter with visits from the P.I.
Committee, our Area Chair and Alternate Chair, and the Literature Committee.
Many thanks and much love to Cynthia and Patrick; Betsy and Teri; and Ronald,
We’ve also recently been
blessed with an influx of new representation from more groups. We’re excited
about welcoming our new GSRs and the groups they represent to service in
SETA. Through his own higher power’s guidance,
I believe this added activity is due largely to our new Alternate DCM, Tom P.
Tom gives a whole new meaning to “being on fire.” Thanks, Tom, for your
willingness to go to any lengths to help carry the message of Recovery, Service
and Unity.
District 52 hopes to see
all of you and others at our upcoming events and we wish all of you all the
things God has in store for you. Thanks again for the opportunity to serve.
Aldrinette
C, DCM
Michael
M, Alternate DCM
Participation at district 60’s
monthly meetings continues to improve, with attendance and new trusted servants
being elected at the group level. The
DCM and myself continue to make ourselves available to offer support;
encouragement and direction by attending regular meetings and group conscience
meetings of the groups in the district.
We have also been blessed by a number of visitors from our area, who
have enlightened us with presentations related to the functions of their
specific committees.
There are a number of events scheduled in the district which
include the following:
v A Love & Service Workshop to be
held at
v The Third Tradition will be hosting
their Labor Day Marathon at their new location at the 610 Club, which is now
located at 5802
v The Industrial Group has added the
following meetings: Candlelight Meetings
on the first and third Saturdays at
Austroberto
R, DCM
Vicente
S, Alternate DCM
District 63 meets every Saturday from
Rodolfo
C, DCM
Francisco
G, Alternate DCM
District 64 has 10 groups work with 3 committees – La Viña,
Literature, and Corrections. We meet every Saturday at
All
four Hispanic Districts are having meetings every two months to share
information with the purpose of passing on the message of AA as a whole. Our
next meeting will be at District 65, 8256
Oscar
T, DCM
Roberto
V, Alternate DCM
District 66
Juan T,
DCM
Lionel
G, Alternate DCM
District 66 has 15 AA groups and 12 GSRs. We have a
Corrections Committee who visit Jester I Unit, Jester III unit and Central Unit
on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. We have a hard-working La Viña
Committee. District 66 meets every Saturday at
Debra
R, DCM
Raphael
E, Alternate DCM
District
70 has been busy carrying the message. The LCMs Johnny T, Mark R, and Jason N
are putting together the Three Legacy Workshops. Recovery was held in
Al P, DCM
Bill H, Alternate DCM
District
has been very busy since the last quarterly assembly with around thirty people
at the district meetings. We are now in the process of setting up our website.
With luck it should be in operation before the next quarterly.
In
June Charles P and Gus H came to the meeting. Charles gave us the abbreviated
Power Point presentation on the General Service Conference, which was enjoyed
by everyone. Gus shared about the amount of donations being down and promoted
the Gratitude Dinner in November. In July Betsy G and Terri V joined us to give
some very helpful information about this assembly. This was followed by an
active question and answer session.
Put
down October 21-23 in your calendar. District 81 is hosting a smash up weekend
of Traditions and Concepts with David H (Past Delegate, Area 10) and Gary K
(Southwest Regional Trustee). This will be at the Ramada Inn in
Eileen
P, DCM
Jes H,
Alternate DCM
District 82 is going through
changes. Existing GSRs and new GSRs are re-evaluating their priorities, that
is, re-defining and re-committing their energies to the District. At each District meeting with the reading of the Service Manuel we are learning more about how we can
be of better service to the groups in our area.
This second
quarter featured several excellent area representatives. Betsy G., our area Chairperson, shared with us
an instructive report on the financial disposition of the area. David H., Area Grapevine representative
provided some interesting ways to utilize the Grapevine and David H., Area Finance chairperson, shared an
interesting and informative report on the changes to the Area Budget.
David A.,
District 82 CPC chairperson reports that the AA meetings being taken to the
Matagorda Jail each week are getting stronger.
The incarcerated members of the jail seem to be very interested in the
message we are brought. They have
requested literature however it must be glued not stapled. We are looking at rebinding some old Grapevines to take to them.
We are all
looking forward to 12th annual "Mouth of the Brazos" conference
September 23-25, 2005 at the Lake
Jackson Civic Center, 333 Highway 332. The theme of the conference is "A
Spiritual Awakening." To get a registration/flyer call 979-415-2600. The
District monthly meetings are being held in the Conoco-Phillips building at
1002 Ashley Wilson road,
Karen Y, DCM
Harvey H, Alternate DCM
All
committees are going strong and in need of volunteers. Our Treatment Facility
Committee is currently in the process of implementing the Bridging the Gap
program and we are real excited about that. Our website committee hosted the
viewing of the opening flag ceremony of the International Convention. They did
a great job putting this together in a short amount of time, and it was a real
neat experience. We had Charles and Gus come and give the Delegate’s report in
June. We will be having a PI/CPC Workshop at our August District meeting.
Our
District Convention is August 19-21 at the Holiday Inn on I-10 & Walden
Road in
Our
District Gratitude Dinner will be held the 1st Saturday in November.
We will have more details on this event at a later date. We meet the 1st Sunday
of each month at Avenue E & Franklin (
Sarah D, Chairperson
The
Archives Committee meets monthly on the 1st and 2nd
Thursday,
During
the past quarterly period Area Archives was represented at the District 32
Service Workshop on May 7 and District 40 Traditions Dinner.
Our
focus remains on developing a history for SETA. We’ve begun this project by
working on histories for the individual committees. From there we intend to
take the broader perspective of the Area as a whole but our main resource has
been Area minutes and our minutes don’t go back any further than January 1973.
This limitation is not very apparent in our research on the committees but
presents a substantial stumbling block for any history on SETA as a whole.
Please contact us if you know of any minutes from Area sharing sessions or
quarterly meetings before 1973.
Contact
one of the Archives Committee members if you would like to know more about the
National Archives Workshop in September in
Correctional Facilities
Zaz M, Chairperson
About
20 participants attend our monthly meeting, which is the 3rd
Wednesday of the month at
We’re
working on the following projects:
Recycling the Grapevine Special Prison Issue. Give a buck, sign an
issue, pass it on. There is plenty for everyone. – Asking a commitment of one
meeting per month in a jail or prison near you. Try this 12th-step just once.
If you like it, have we got a deal for you! Maps of TDCJ units by district are
available. – Contacting each county jail to get some books in the library and
pamphlets in their hands. There are 31 counties in Area 67. – CF Conference
Planning Meeting will be 7/10 at 2 pm. Come be a part of this area function.
GSO CFC Staff, Mary Clare, is Saturday’s speaker. Eva P, Assistant Director of
TDCJ-SATP is the honorary host. Larry N, District 31, and Rocco M, District 90,
are also speakers. – We’re about half way through translating all information
for future posting to the Area webpage. We want to utilize the webpage to
better communicate to AA members of CFC opportunities.
The Cooperation with the Professional Community continues to meet
the 1st Monday of each month (except when SETA is in session).
Our meeting takes place at
Many of us attended the International Convention in
We’ve recently done several presentations: Houston Male
Summit which was very well attended, and the Texas Corrections in
David H, Chairperson
See Area Committee Report for
Finance Report.
Tom K, Chairperson
Since
April’s Area Assembly, we’ve visited the remainder of the SETA district
meetings and service committees (including 13 English speaking, 2 Spanish
speaking, CFC, Houston Intergroup, various treatment facilities, and district
workshops). Special thanks to David, Craig,
Results to date have increased
participation from 7 registered representatives to over 50 Gv Reps and
over 20 La Viña Reps as of
Our monthly Grapevine Committee meets
every 4th Thursday of the month (except November) at the Houston
Council on Alcohol and Drugs, 303
Ronald C, Chairperson
Well,
it’s official; the Literature Committee puppet show is a HIT!!!! The puppet
show was performed for District 60 in June and District 52 in July. Laughter
definitely followed the performance. DCMs, has the puppet show been
presented at your district yet? If not, please contact me or any member of the
Literature Committee about scheduling a performance. It is definitely something
you have to see to believe. Our rehearsals are held at our monthly meetings the
last Saturday of each month at the Delta Club at
Martin M, Chairperson
John S, Chairperson
We mailed 637 newsletters in June at a cost of about $360.
The Registrar and I have not figured out how to remove names from the
Newsletter mailing list without also removing them from the mailing list for
the minutes. That’s why some of you got the Newsletter in the mail after you
requested to receive it by e-mail only. We’ll keep working on it. The deadline
for the next newsletter is September 1. Thanks for keeping me sober.
Cynthia B, Chairperson
Patrick C, Alternate Chairperson
Since
last SETA our committee has participated in four health fairs and five presentations.
I’m happy to say that some of our most outlying districts were able to
participate.
In
June we were invited by The Big Thicket newspaper in
Our
Alternate, Patrick C., headed a subcommittee which came up with a generic
letter outlining the services we offer. Our first target of opportunity is
Retirement/Independent Living Homes. Remember, it’s never too late to get
sober! We are in the process now of gathering names and addresses of
appropriate facilities in each district to receive this letter.
I
would like to thank each Traditions presenter we’ve had so far. They have
helped to promote unity in our committee and assure that we are carrying the AA
message.
I
would also like to thank Tom K of the Grapevine for such an informative
presentation of AA’s meeting in print.
Debi U, Chairperson
The
State Convention Attendance Promotion Committee is a SETA standing committee
completely funded by excess convention funds from the State Convention. No SETA
budget goes to this committee. Our job is to spend that money promoting attendance
at the State Convention in our area. We’re planning to host a hospitality suite
at the convention. If anyone attending the convention volunteers some time in
the hospitality suite, we’ll pay their registration fee. We’re also going to
get a room for men and a room for women. If anyone wants to attend the
convention but is prohibited by the room cost, they can stay in one of these
rooms. We’re putting the labels from the SETA Convention list on the flyers and
will be mailing them out next week. Please help us to promote the State
Convention which is coming up August 19-22.
Treatment Facilities
Jeff B, Chairperson
During the
last quarter The Treatment Facilities Committee (TFC) has continued to give
Bridging the Gap (BTG) presentations at the Memorial Hermann Prevention and
Recovery Center (PARC), the
Efforts are
being made to expand into more facilities and the outer portions of the
Area. This can only be accomplished by
locals on the ground being willing to serve.
Members of the Committee gave a presentation at District 60. We appreciate the opportunity to serve and
enjoy the privilege of speaking to districts.
We look forward to other district’s invitations. We continue to have
work to be done on the committee and are refining the process by which a willing
volunteer becomes a trained committee member.
Any help would be appreciated.
Please send your pigeons.
Penny W, Chairperson
Marshall W, Alternate Chairperson
If you
haven’t visited the website, it’s www.aa-seta.org.
It’s a good resource to find out any information you may need about the
Robert
W
The website
for Brazos Valley Intergroup is www.bvig.org,
and they are looking for a Secretary/Treasurer, so if you know of anyone who
might be interested, please contact them.
Mike D
Forty
of 600 groups send delegates to meetings. All delegates are invited to the
Communications Committee which meets the 3rd Thursday of the month,
Tom
P and Susan P have been involved in developing a list for group contacts. As of
June 16, they’ve been able to list 35-40% of the groups in District 52 and some
of District 40. Ultimately the aim is to list all Intergroup contacts in
The
Intergroup Corrections Facility Committee meets the 3rd Monday of
the month,
Special
elections were held during the 6/16 Delegates meeting to find a replacement for
Peter C. who left earlier this year. Chrystal H. was elected.
The
Speakers Bureau now has 60-70 speakers signed up. 200 speakers are needed in
The
Treasurer reported a contribution from a functioning group was bounced.
Recovery of funds is possible, but he did report an increase in bounced checks.
Unfortunately, Intergroup is not quite “out of the hole” it’s been in, and
needs as much support as possible.
Ninth District Intergroup
Open
Spanish Intergroup
Concha G