| The
Gratitude Gazette |
Gratitude Gazette Contents
March 2000
This assembly represents a key link as we exercise our role as a vital link in the affairs of alcoholics anonymous as a whole. In a few short weeks our delegate Clayton v. will be attending the fiftieth general service conference. Our thoughts and prayers go with him as he fulfills his commitment. Our task today is to try and share the accumulated conscience of our groups on those topics he has asked for our input. This is not an easy thing. In June he will report back to us on that conference.
The balance of today’s business will consist of taking care of administrative activities. The assembly will be asked to approve the budget for fiscal year 2000 (April 1, 2000-March 31, 2001) which was presented at the January assembly. This budget like those that preceded it is a guideline of anticipated income and expected expenditures for the area. A considerable portion of our budget is made up of fixed expenses that would be incurred without regard to any other area activity. Examples of these would be the rents we pay, the conference assessment, and assemblies. Another portion varies with the amount of activity that occurs on behalf of the area, this would include postage, phone, copying, employee compensation, and travel within the area by the delegate and chair. These two items account for nearly 75% of expected outlays. The remaining 25% are funds for our standing committees to function. Also as is the conscience of alcoholics anonymous we have a reserve fund. This fund of $10000.00 was established more than 10 years ag to cover one year’s expenses in the event of unforeseen circumstances. The fund has been at that predetermined amount since it’s establishment, except for a brief period 5 years ago when the area by conscience dipped into the fund to cover expenses.
There will also be presented today some suggested changes to our procedures that will be on June’s agenda for a vote. These changes are administrative in nature and are recommended to ensure smooth operations in future assemblies.
Finally, we will be selecting two members to serve on the state convention committee.
Before I close, I would ask each and every one of you to pause momentarily in prayer and ask the god of your understanding to be with our delegate and bless him as he goes forth to represent us at the general service conference.
The Website Commitee met in February to discuss the next step in placing the Eastern Area Webpage on the Internet
Among the items that were discussed were who was going to be on the committee, what the duties of the individual committee members would be and how often the Web Page would be updated. These items were to be presented to the Area Structures and Procedures Committee in written form since they require changes in job descriptions, etc. in the Procedures Manual. They will be presented at the Area Assembly today.
The committee, also, discussed getting an On-line service in the Area Office. And one more time — the need to update the computer system for the Area. We discussed the possibility of Area Committee Chairs and Officers using the computer in the Office, if they did not have one available to them.
Members of the Committee that met were Barb C., DCM for District 4 and Webmaster- in- training, Lois K., Area Registrar and current Webmaster, Diane K. , Gratitude Gazette Editor and Frank P., Office Manager. The new Recording Sevretary Barb B., will, also, be on the Committee.
Did you know that the Grapevine is more than just the monthly publication you receive in the mail?
The Grapevine has several books in print including the book LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, which is a compilation of writings Bill W. did for the Grapevine from 1949 through 1970.
Other books include the Best of the Grapevine writings.
If you are into quick reading or would like topics for group discussions, the Grapevine has pamphlets such as "The Home Group- Backbone of A.A" available.
And finally, those of you who enjoy listening to audiotapes in your car,can find the Best of the Grapevine on tape.
All of these items can be purchased at the Assembly from members of the Grapevine Committee, through Central Service in St. Louis, or the ‘Office’ in St. Charles.
THE EASTERN AREA OFFICE HAS MOVED!!!!
If you ever visited the old Office you know what cramped quarters Frank P. and the previous office managers worked in.
But another office became available in the same building last fall. And a decision was made by the Area Committee to move the Office from the space that was shared with the Archives Committee.
The new office is down the hall from the Archives Rooms. It has two large rooms, which allows space for an office- files and the computer equipment, and a meeting room for committee and budget meetings. Frank has even found a refrigerator to use.
Office hours have been extended to give better service to the area. So come and visit.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS AREA WIDE SHARING SESSION
Subject: Participation Building among African- Americans, Gays/ Lesbians, Older Members and Newer Immigrants
Date:April 1, 2000
Place: Tyler Place Presbyterian Church
St. Louis, Missouri
Time: Social Hour- 9:00 a.m.
Meeting- 9:30 a.m. - Noon
Everyone is invited to attend and contribute.
General Service Information
P.O. Box 459, New York, N.Y. 10163
(475 Riverside Dr. New York, N.Y. 10115 for overnight shipping or personal visits)
Phone: (212) 870- 3400
Fax: (212) 870- 3003
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
Office Information
Address: 2683 Big Bend Blvd.
Maplewood, Missouri 63143
Telephone: (314) 644-1130
E-Mail: emaa38@ aol.com
Office Manager: Frank P
Show-Me State Round-Up
April 14-16,2000
Sheraton Lakeside Chalet
191 Westport Plaza
For information visit the website at www.showmeroundup.org
16th Annual Greater St. Louis Area AA Women’s Luncheon
May 7, 2000
Henry VIII Hotel, 4690 Lindbergh Blvd.
Lunch served at 12:30
For information call Toni A. or Ginny J.
District 19 Workshop
Talk on Home Groups
April 7, 2000 , 6:30 p.m.- ?
At Emanuel Church of Christ
Intersection of 94 & Highway 40
Potluck dinner will start at 6:30 p. m.
Workshop will start at 8:00 p.m.
This is an open workshop, babysitting will be available.
District 51 Workshop
HAVING HAD A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
Tuesday, April 25
6:30- Potluck, 7:30- Meeting
Grace Episcopal Church, 514 East Argonne
Kirkwood, Missouri.
SPECIAL NEEDS WORKSHOP/Chili Potluck
April 29, 2000
!2 noon- 3 p.m.
John Calvin Presbyterian Church
Bridgeton, Missouri
Contact Gary B., Special Needs Chair