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GENERAL MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017 (These Minutes approved by Floor Members)

The meeting convened at 8 p.m. with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer. Dan B. (Midtown) read the Twelve Traditions.

THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT: Aurora, Bayview, Beverly Hills, Credit Valley, , Fellowship, Gay Sober Men, Glenholme, High Park, Kingsway, Leslie, Markland Wood, Meadowvale Fellowship, New Anchor, Night Owls, Noon Rap, North , OISE Discussion, Orleta (Polish), Principles Before Personalities, Richmond Hill, River Drive Park, Saturday Morning Discussion, Sisters in Sobriety, Six Points, St. Clement’s, Steps to Serenity, Sunnyside, Welcome, Westmoreland, and Willowdale. District Liaisons: District 22. Executive Committee Members: Aaron K., Bert J. (outgoing Vice Chair), Dan B., Nina L., Roman R. (outgoing Chair), Simon W., Sue G., and Vanessa C. (outgoing Finance Chair). Subcommittee Chairs: Archives, Communications, Finance, Info AA Day, ORC, Public Information, and winter Season Open House.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES – November 2017: MOTION to adopt Minutes as presented moved by Mike K. (St. Clement’s) and seconded by Mike C. (Beverly Hills). MOTION CARRIED.

Chairperson’s Opening Remarks- Roman R. (Stepping Stones), EC Chairperson: Roman thanked everyone for attending this evening (especially with the date change due to the Holidays), and shared the following information:

 When standing to ask a question during reports, please state your name, group, and service position;  There has to be a small, minor change made to our GTAI Procedures and Guidelines document to reflect the results of the HR settlement. To this end, there will be a Motion to Suspend Regular Business at this meeting.

At this point in the meeting, the members of the Executive Committee introduced themselves to those present. ______

There was a collection of the 7th Tradition, which totaled $158.55.

At this point, there was a Suspension of Regular Business in order to discuss the necessity to change the Procedures and Guidelines. The discussion was as follows:

Roman: “There needs to be a Motion to amend the [GTAI] policies and procedures manual in order to be consistent with the Human Rights settlement that occurred earlier this year. It is just a simple technical matter that requires adding the word ‘acknowledge’ in the second line of the third paragraph on Page 4 of the document.”

“This change requires a Referendum vote. Anytime we propose to change the Procedures part of the document, we need to ask the Floor for a Referendum vote in order to make this change. It is a technical matter, because we need to stay consistent with the settlement. So, I’m asking the Floor that they move to make this change to the document.”

Roman read out how the document looks now:

Operating Procedures Page 4, Paragraph 3: An AA groups needs to adopt only the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and 12 Concepts of AA, as adopted by the AA General Service Board, in order to be recognized as an AA group by GTA Intergroup.

Roman then read out the proposed change to the document:

Operating Procedures Page 4, Paragraph 3: An AA groups needs to adopt or acknowledge the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and 12 Concepts of AA, as adopted by the AA General Service Board, in order to be recognized as an AA group by GTA Intergroup. 2

______NOTICE of MOTION to adopt the change to the GTAI Procedures and Guidelines document (Page 4, Paragraph 3) to read: “An AA groups needs to adopt or acknowledge the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and 12 Concepts of AA, as adopted by the AA General Service Board, in order to be recognized as an AA group by GTA Intergroup.” Moved by Michael O’H. (Richmond Hill) and seconded by Steve A. (Six Points).

Roman asked Barbara H. (Rox Glen Traditional), who was a member of the ad hoc committee that dealt with the HR matter, to address the Floor for further clarity on this matter:

“I was a member of the ad hoc committee that advised the Executive Committee on the Human Rights matter. In terms of the Procedures and Guidelines, What is required when we change them is that the Motion goes back to the groups, so you don’t actually vote on it here. It goes back to the groups, you get your group to vote on it, and then we count the votes when the [Schedule A forms for changes to the Procedures] comes back. So, it’s a lengthy procedure for just changing a work, but that’s the way the voting procedure occurs for any proposed changes to the Procedures.”

“All we are doing tonight is setting the ball in motion. The Procedures and Guidelines also call for no debate on it when initially presented. It’s brought to the Floor; there’s no debate. Then there is a debate three months later. To this end, Roman is going to ask for another Motion to shorten up the time frame to one month, because this is such a small change. So in essence, we are deferring the three-month waiting period. So, ideally next month, we can debate the Motion and there will also be a form to take back to your groups which explains what the Motion is [Schedule A forms for changes to the Procedures] and then the form can be brought back to your groups for a vote among your group members at your business meeting. The form will be due back to this meeting by March 2018.” ______MOTION to shorten the three-month waiting period for debate on the proposed change to the GTAI Procedures and Guidelines document (Page 4, Paragraph 3) and debate on this Motion instead at the January General Meeting. Moved by Michael C. (Beverly Hills) and seconded by Paulina. (Group?).

A vote was taken on the second Motion (above). MOTION CARRIED (3 votes against the Motion and one abstention noted).

FINANCE REPORT – Vanessa C. (Rox Glen Traditional), Finance Committee Chairperson: Toronto Intergroup FINANCE Report Summary at November 30, 2017

BUDGET: ACTUAL Results: BUDGET: ACTUAL Results: SUMMARY: JAN. to Nov. Nov. 2017 Nov 2017 JAN. to Nov. 2017 2017 Income $23,903 $23,796 $174,314 $181,764

Expenses ($21,239) ($21,705) ($203,630) ($216,672) Net Surplus or $2,664 $2,091 ($29,288) ($34,908) (Deficit)

November 2017: For the month of November 2017, Income exceeds expenses by $573. The favourable result primarily reflects the following:

- Overall Donations are $1000 higher than anticipated - Total Sales are lower than anticipated by $897 - Committee expenses are lower than anticipated by $2,863 - Operating expenses are $1,982 higher than anticipated 3

JANUARY 1 to November 30, 2017: From January 1 to Nov 30, 2017, Intergroup recorded an Actual Net Deficit of $29,288 versus an anticipated Budgeted Deficit of $34,908

The ahead-of-budget result of $5,620 ($34,908 - $29,288) reflect the following:

- Fellowship Contributions were basically in line with expectations - Lower Staffing and Committee expenses - Lower overall Operating expenses - Net Sales are lower than anticipated by $7,731

Prudent Reserve: Targeted Prudent Reserve of $287,787 versus Actual Prudent Reserve of $245,768

After presenting the above reports, Vanessa mentioned to Reps that if they have any questions regarding the financial reports, they can send them to [email protected]. Additional Comments from Vanessa:

Proposed Formation of a Gratitude Month ad hoc Committee: “It was brought to my attention that there was some concern that having a Gratitude Committee would mean having another Executive Committee member; this is not the case. The proposed Gratitude Committee [members] would actually work with the Finance committee – say, for a three-month period – on the Gratitude Month yearly initiative.”

Office Re-Structure Update: “I’m very happy to announce that both Helen (Literature Dept.) and Alexx (Admin. Assistant) have signed their new contracts with the re-structure. At some point in the New Year, we will put online the hours that the staff will be in the office, along with a brief description of each of the staff’s job description, so members will have an idea of the work flow. Alexx will now work Monday to Wednesday from 12-5:30 p.m. consistently. Helen will continue to work from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, so this means that there is a staff member in the office every day of the week. Alexx has taken on a few more roles; one of which is that she will be updating the Digitcom phone system. Helen is now going to be the Office Coordinator. As far as the old Office Manager email, Helen will be responsible for monitoring a new email which will forward the old Office Manager Email inquiries, and forward those inquiries to the appropriate service entities and/or staff. Both Helen and Alexx will be reporting to Executive Committee, so they will have a close working relationship with them. We will also have a book keeper. The goal is to have the book keeper work 10 hours per week; maybe a little more or less, depending on the week’s work flow. There is the medallion engraver as well (John), and Helen’s responsibility is to oversee this. Our hope is to have volunteers do the engraving as well.” ______VOTE ON THE 2018 PROPOSED BUDGET: A vote from the Floor to pass the Proposed 2018 GTAI Budget was taken. 2018 BUDGET was passed (with two opposed noted).

New Finance Chair: Our new Finance Chair will be Ron S. (). Although Vanessa’s two-year term of service is up, she will stay on the ‘periphery’ to assist the book keeper, Ron and the FC members with the transition. She will also give the Finance Report in January so she can report on the December 2017 financials. We also need new Finance Committee members. 5 years of continuous sobriety is required and some finance/accounting/business background is helpful. Please announce at your groups.

In closing, Vanessa thanked all for their support during her tenure as Finance Chair. The Floor applauded Vanessa for her efforts. ______VOTE ON THE FORMATION of the PROPOSED ad hoc GRATITUDE COMMITTEE: This was passed (with one opposed and 7 abstentions noted).

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SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS______

ACCESSIBILITY No report. Next meeting: Sun. Jan.21 at 11 a.m. at 234. ARCHIVES – Gord H. (Bloordale), Chairperson: This is a very active committee. Archives is working on a 75 Years of AA in booklet for the ORC. This is financed by the ORC Committee, and will be a 16-page booklet, with some colour. The Repository at 234 will hold all items from the 75-year booklet. The committee is setting up a display at the upcoming ORC event. This display will feature archival items from all over Ontario. Copies of the ’50 Years of AA in Ontario’ are now sold out! Committee volunteers are needed to catalogue archival items, and work with the Archivist (Eddy G.).

“Whenever a society or civilization perishes there is always one condition present; they forgot where they came from” – Carl Sandburg Next meeting: Fri. Jan.12 at 7 p.m. at 234. COMMUNICATIONS–Chris C. (Hill), Chairperson: This is the committee that is responsible for the Website, the monthly Newsletter (Better Times), and the GTAI Meeting Directory.

Newsletter: The January edition is out (full colour, like the December edition). Website: Downloadable content is being changed. This will occur in the next several weeks. Chris reminded groups to forward in their group changes/holiday cancellations (cancellations only) through the website. Meeting Directory: There will be a new updated printing of the booklet in February. Please submit group changes (if any) online at www.aatoronto.org (under ‘Meetings’ tab, scroll down to ‘change or update a meeting’).

Holiday Meeting Cancellations: Please notify the website if your group will be cancelled during the holidays. It is the group’s responsibility to let us know. We only list cancellations! Next meeting: Tues. Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at 234.

INFORMATION AA DAY 2018 – Aaron K. (Yorkville), 2018 Event Chair: Info AA Day has been confirmed to be held on Sat. May 26, 2018 at the 519 Church St. Community Centre. Our Area 83 Delegate, Kim S., has confirmed her participation as well. We are still in need of a slogan for the day. So, if you have an idea or contribution, we’d love to hear it! We look forward to seeing all District Committee members, Liaisons, and volunteers at the table. Next meeting: Mon. Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

ONTARIO REGIONAL CONFERENCE 2018 – Steve A. (Six Points), 2018 Event Chair: Ontario Regional Conference ‘Road of Happy Destiny’ March 9 – 11, 2018 Fairmont Royal York Hotel Toronto, Ontario www.aaorc.ca Hi Friends, I am an alcoholic, member of the Six Points Group and my name is Steve. It is my honour and privilege to serve you as the 2018 ORC Chair. On line registration is available at www.aaorc.ca. Follow the links to register and reserve a room at the Royal York. As of Sunday evening we have a total of 186 registrations

 AA - 151  Al-anon - 18  Alateen – 2  Guests - 15  118 banquet tickets have been sold

As of the middle of last week there have been 155 room nights reserved. 5

There are a couple of upcoming dates that you might want to make note of:  February 5th – the ability to book a hotel room on line at the conference rate becomes more difficult. Still possible by telephone.  March 2nd – On line registration closes

I know there are no procrastinators in the crowd but on the off chance this is one of your character defects and you are looking for some last minute gifts might I suggest an ORC registration for a sponsee, sponsor, an AA friend or perhaps a newcomer in your group.

Your committee continues to be hard at work. We have paid deposits to the AV and registration companies. Also trying to finalize arrangements with the taping company, DJ and ASL interpreters.

Our committee wishes everyone the very best of the holiday season and a happy, healthy 2018.

Our web site is www.aaorc.ca. Please visit often and, as mentioned, sign up to receive newsletters and updates. You can also submit your information to volunteer – remember, the best job at the ORC is being a greeter.

Any questions? YILS, Steve A., 2018 ORC chair

TWELFTH STEP – Jason N. (Restoration & Recovery), Secretary: There was no meeting in December, as the Chair was away and the Alt. Chair is in hospital. The Greeter Appreciation Day held on Dec. 2 was a success! Jason also asked groups to please submit their Holiday cancellation notices through the website as this helps Greeters get people phoning in to meetings during the Holidays. Phone Greeters are needed. Phone Training occurs on the first Sunday of each month at 234 (phone 416-487-5591 for Trainer contact info and start time). Committee email: [email protected].

WINTER SEASON OPEN HOUSE 2017 –Darren T. (Mount Royal-York), Event Chairperson: Service Opportunity! 73rd Annual Winter Season Open House 2017 Monday, December 25, 2017 At St. James Cathedral Centre – Snell Hall – 65 Church St., Toronto Calling VOLUNTEERS for the following Roles: *Greeters*Speakers*Set-Up*Tear-down*Kitchen Help*Food Prep*Servers*Turkey Cookers*Cookie Bakers*Meetings Support Contact: Darren T., WSOH Event Chairperson: [email protected].

Volunteer Response thus far has been fantastic! Turkey and Ham cookers needed!

On Christmas day, the doors open at 10 a.m. Santa will be there, and he is requesting ‘elves’ to help him with the day! There will be four AA speaker meetings, and 4 Al-Anon meetings (1 open speaker; 3 discussion meetings). Please announce WSOH in your meetings (using the event flyer) as a Fellowship Event Invitation for something fun to do on December 25! As we know, the holidays can be the loneliest, most tempting time of the year. For those interested in applying for WSOH 2018 Event Chair, the committee encourages you to take part this year!

DISTRICT REPORTS ______

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES –Bert J. (Silverbirch), EC Liaison: No report, as there was no meeting in December. Next meeting: Wed. Jan 3, at 7:30 p.m. at 234 (Committee meets bi-monthly).

COOPERATION with the PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY (CPC) No report. Next meeting: Tues. Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. at 234. 6

GRAPEVINE – The following report was submitted by email: The Grapevine Committee last met on September 28th. Grapevine is doing very well in Greater Toronto Area and is well represented by great District Grapevine chairs. The next Toronto Grapevine meeting will be January 25th anyone is welcomed to come.

Grapevine has 3 new books: 1. Voices of Women 2. Making Amends 3. Un Dia A La Vez (English translation “One Day At A Time”)

We encourage every AA Group to buy at least one subscription of the Grapevine magazine for their library to display and sell or just give away to a newcomer. The best way for the fellowship to know and understand Grapevine is to have it available at the group level.

Yours in Service, Deirdre B., Intergroup Grapevine Secretary Next meeting: Thurs. Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at 234 (committee meets bi-monthly).

PUBLIC INFORMATION –Jeff A. (Leslie), Chairperson: Events and Activities:

 Program update. The two University of Toronto second year medical students have begun formulating a database of medical contacts (doctor’s offices, clinics, health centres, etc.). The live site will be posted to a shared Google Drive. Next meeting is scheduled for January 2018, date, and time to be verified.

 PI is pursuing the opportunity to place Public Service Announcements in the Scarborough Mirror and Beaches Mirror newspapers.

 District 6 has created its own PI Subcommittee to address the growing number of events and activities. They had their kick off meeting was November 19th. They are actively pursuing the placement of big books and 12&12 in local libraries. They are following up with potential media opportunities. Local City Hall is being contacted to see how they might be able to support our efforts. High schools are being contacted as well as police stations.

 Toronto District Catholic School Board (TDSB) is being contacted proactively to help participate in upcoming events.

 Convalescent homes are being contacted for an opportunity to display information or present.

 With the strike ended we are revisiting our connection to the colleges for opportunities to put up the PI Display (George Brown, Seneca and Humber).

 Public Information will be creating a PowerPoint presentation that can be shared for internal audiences that describes Public Information for alcoholics. Another slide deck will be created for presentations outside of AA to help the public better understand AA.

 A full list of contacts has been developed for the Toronto Metro Library group. We will be proactively contacting them to determine their information and resources requirements.

 The committee will continue to actively distribute information pamphlets at community centres (i.e.: YMCA), doctor’s offices, detoxes, police stations and hospitals. 7

Next Meeting: Monday January 15th, 2018, 7:30 pm 234 Eglinton Avenue East

Jeff A., Chair Public Information, District 18, Leslie Group

SELF SUPPORT No report. Next meeting: Thurs. Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at 234 (committee meets bi-monthly).

TREATMENT- Sue G. (Church Street), EC Liaison: Sue shared that there was nothing to report this evening. Next meeting: Thurs. Jan.18 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.

TOYPAA (Toronto Ontario Young People in AA) No report. Next meeting: Sun. Jan.21 at 4 p.m. at 234.

RECEPTION – Bert J. (Silverbirch), EC Vice Chair: Present this evening were 35 Group Reps, 5 Alternate Reps, 1 District, and 8 subcommittee chairs. Bert asked if some members could stay behind after the meeting to help clean up, empty the coffee urn, and put away chairs.

Holiday Hours: The office will be closed on Monday, December 25, and Tuesday, December 26. The office will also be closed Monday, January 1, 2018. Also, the Literature Department will be closed on Tuesday, January 2 for the annual inventory. The phone lines will be open and operational during Holiday hours. Members can enter the office to pick up any pre-arranged literature orders during this time. Phone greeters will be manning the phones in the office from 9 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. each day as per usual.

Volunteer needed: Two volunteers are needed to assist with the Literature Department Inventory on Tues. Jan. 2 (starting at 9 a.m.). Please contact the office staff if you are able to assist.

Roman then stepped forward and shared the following: “This is my final meeting as the Intergroup Chair. I want to offer my most humble gratitude for such a wonderful opportunity to serve Intergroup and Floor members. I’m a changed man as a result of this service position. So I want to thank you so much for this experience.” Floor members applauded Roman for his efforts in this regard.

At this point in the meeting, Roman handed chairing duties on to Bert J., the incoming EC Chair. Bert thanked Roman for mentoring him for this service position.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS from Previous Meetings: ______NOTICE OF MOTION moved by Mike B. (Richmond Hill): ‘This is a Notice of Motion that Greater Toronto Area Intergroup support the publication of the 75 Years of Alcoholics Anonymous Canada history book, written by AA members for AA members.’ (A hard copy of this Notice of Motion on file) ______

Bert invited Michael O’H. (Richmond Hill), 75 Years of AA Book Committee member, to speak to this Notice of Motion, made at the November 2017 General Meeting. Discussion of the Motion to follow.

Mike approached the microphone, and gave a precis of the handout that was made available to Reps, which read:

Motion Discussion Input: Toronto Area AA has a reputation – second to none. That is my 33-year experience, and this was also stated by Bill W., our co-founder. We are the ONLY place to hold the World Conference (International) TWICE – EVER! Some of us believe our reputation in AA of Active and Very Progressive is a contributing factor to our success. One example of our vision was not Toronto AA Conference, but rather an Ontario Regional Conference. Inclusion and participation of various regions of Canada and the USA are vital.

Our Toronto Archives attempted to write a Canada-wide, 50-Year AA History book in the early 1990s. Although my former Service Sponsor (the late Tommy Hills) was a great visionary, his dream failed due to no emails and no 8

internet. Recent technology and other Canadian AA histories have kept the original Toronto Intergroup and Tommy Hill’s dream alive.

The first-ever Canada AA History Book will be written in 2018!

AA history, archives, and repositories do not belong to committees. They belong to the most important people…YOU.

This 2018 75 Years of AA in Canada book covers stories coast to coast to coast in Canada. It is being written by members of AA for AA.

In twenty four days (January 13, 2018), the history book’s first article will be launched. We from 75 Years of AA in Canada Team are hoping that Toronto Intergroup will continue its progressive reputation and will endorse this exciting Canada Pioneer AA project. Toronto Area Intergroup histories and support are, as always, an important contributing aspect for AA archives.

We at AA ‘Team Canada’ desire Toronto histories and to make Toronto Intergroup part of our electronic mailing for articles, beginning January 13, 2018 (24 days).

-gratefully in 75 Years AA History, ‘Team Canada’ member, Mike O’H., Richmond Hill Group, Alternate Intergroup Representative ______MOTION moved by Mike O’H.: ‘Motion that Greater Toronto Area Intergroup support the publication of the 75 Years of Alcoholics Anonymous Canada history book, written by AA members for AA members.’ Motion seconded by Carolyn (Sunnyside).

A discussion ensued among Floor members. The following concerns were voiced: -are you asking for financial support? (No – just an endorsement) -is GTAI Archives involved? (No – Canada wide endeavour. Several Intergroup offices, including Saskatchewan and BC, are involved. Members from all across Canada are involved, including indigenous members) There was further concerns voiced (i.e. Tradition 6 concerns, ‘over-riding’ our local Archives committee, not enough in-depth information on the project).

The conclusion of the discussion: Bert asked Mike to please bring more information to the Floor next month; Mike will inquire what specific information to Floor requires.

This Motion deferred until the January General Meeting.

NEW BUSINESS: Michael O’H. (Richmond Hill) announced that there will be a 75-Year AA Canada Celebration Meeting on Friday, January 26, 2018 at the Richmond Hill Group.

CLOSING REMARKS: Bert again thanked everyone for attending this evening, thanked members for their patience, and after wishing members a Happy Holiday reiterated the following points:  Volunteers needed for the Literature Inventory on Tues. Jan.2  Volunteer needed for Chair positions (Correctional Facilities, Accessibility)  Please help to tear down this meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned with the Responsibility Declaration.

NEXT GENERAL MEETING: Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018 at 8 p.m. at Timothy Eaton Church, 230 St. Clair Avenue West (west from St. Clair subway station on Yonge). Meeting will be held in the Flora McCrae Auditorium.

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