Portland Area Service Committee
of Narcotics Anonymous
4069 NE MLK jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR 97211
August 28th, 2004
The
Chair called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm.
The meeting opened with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity
Prayer for those who cared to join in.
The 12 Traditions were read
by: Wes.
The 12 Concepts were read
by: Tony.
The 8th Concept
was read by: Lawrence.
The Dedication to Service
was read by: Bow.
Roll
Call of the BOD
14 answered the roll and 1
arrived late.
Roll
call of groups and mail call
47 groups answered the roll.
Count
of voting GSRs to establish a quorum
No count was taken at this
time in the meeting. Quorum was
established at 22.
New
GSR Orientation
Treasurer’s
Report, Joan T.
See attached report.
Secretary
Report, Mary E.
Rick motioned to suspend the
reading of the minutes, Starting Over seconded. Motion passed by general consent.
Amendments to the minutes
are as follows: Page 7, Motion #48,
amended to read “motion passes”.
Page 8, first sentence following Nominations
for Archivist, should read: “…for
the 2005 spring Regional service conference and
assembly hosted by the P.A.S.C.”.
Rick motioned to accept the
minutes as amended, Hell to Heaven seconded, motion passed by general consent.
All sub-committee chairs
should submit a written report to me and Joan.
If any of you have Word files that contain your report, please send them
to my email address.
I was unable to submit the
post office application this month, however, I will take care of that in
September.
There was no by-laws ad hoc
meeting this month but it looks like we will be able to wrap it up with one more
meeting. I will insert the changes
as we have agreed thus far and send a copy to each of the committee members.
Please direct your questions
to Suki while the meeting is going on. Thank
you, Mary
Chair
Report, Colin W.
We will be having an
informal Bar BQ at my home on Sunday, September 19th at 1:00pm for
all sub-committee chairs and board members to have informal discussion about any
concerns, problems or ways the Area can be more supportive of the
sub-committees.
We have a new website that
is going and would like everyone to check it out.
Open
Forum
Ron
spoke about the relationship between PASC and various other non-12-Step recovery
organizations, and how we need to be careful to not push the idea of
non-affiliation so far that we create antagonism in the wider recovery
community. He has asked a member of Recovery Association Project to come to a
PASC meeting and address during the Open Forum in the coming months about how we
can foster better relationships with recovery communities and professionals.
A
new Chair is needed for the Regional Service Conference Ad-Hoc Subcommittee in
order for PASC to submit a bid for the April 2005 RSC, that we, as an Area, have
expressed an interest in hosting. Bid paperwork for that conference is due at
the October Regional Service Conference, so we hope to have a new chair of the
Ad-Hoc step forward no later than the September PASC.
Several
members advocated for a revision of the funding structure for the PAAS, because
the current prudent reserve of $2,000 frequently leaves the committee
under-funded for seed money for “high-ticket” events like Unity in the
Streets and the Beverly Beach Campout. The current PAAS and PASC bylaws require
that all profits above prudent reserve be returned to the PASC, which means that
the PAAS often ends up making a donation to the PASC and then turning around and
requesting money from the PASC for upcoming event expenses that is equal to or
greater than the amount donated.
There
was a question about what to do and/or who should receive the new Schedule
Changes Form. At this time, the Secretary will accept the form to enter into a
data base that Public Information will handle.
Ultimately, Public Information should handle the forms.
If
anyone would like Mike M.’s new email address, please contact the area
secretary.
Vice
Chair report, conducts sub-committee reports, Allen S.
Allen resigned from his
position today due to a conflict with his work schedule.
The position will remain open until filled.
Activities
sub-committee report, Aaron R.
The committee needs to fill
the secretary position. Please take
only one flyer per group so that everyone will have at least one and remember to
share the Activities at a Glance calendar.
We want everyone attending today to leave with some.
September is the final month we will conduct a picnic at Laurelhurst Park
on SE Stark St and 39th. Coming
up in October, the 3rd Saturday of the month we will begin bowling.
We
estimate 200-300 people attended the Unity in the Streets event this year and we
showed a profit of $3900.00. Profit
from the Beverly Beach campout was $800.00.
Coming up in September is
the Tube Float from Barton to Carver. Golfing
was cancelled due to lack of interest and the Annual NA picnic at Oaks Park will
be held August 29th at 12:00 pm.
Hope to see you there. Aaron
Hospitals
& Institutions sub-committee report, Brad C.
We held 61 commitments,
missed 3, 7 were cancelled and 1019 addicts were visited in August.
We are doing well.
Hotline
sub-committee report, Linda R.
Shelly K is the new vice
chair of the committee and Shannon G. is the new secretary.
6 people attended our business meeting this past month.
We have four open shifts.
I checked with the yellow
pages and our old number is listed. I
will arrange to correct the information. We
are currently operating under the suggested Guidelines from the WSO “Guide
To Phoneline Service”.
Rusty reported that he had resolved
the issue with the internet advertising agency and we will no longer receive
bills for a service we did not request. Furthermore,
they have erased the charges sent to us and our account is clear.
Outreach
sub-committee report, Lawrence J.
Jessica is our new GSR
orientation coordinator, Nannette
is doing a great job as liaison to new groups, Dennis has been working very hard
on a page for the Outreach committee on the NA website and we are determining
what to put on the page and Bryan, our vice chair is doing above and beyond his
job. We appreciate your hard work
and efforts very much. Ideally, we
would like to have a male/female presence during the new GSR orientation to
offer balance during the orientation.
We
have a commitment to the Here & Now group to attend their business meeting
and offer any suggestions that may help them in response to their group report.
There
are no longer any meetings being held in Goldendale, WA.
The Hood River meeting doesn’t want to be affiliated with an Area
service structure, but continues to meet regularly.
Public
Information report, Jim B.
We have found out that we have
not been paying rent to the Paulist center for quite some time. We got in touch
with them and are now required to pay $40.00 a month. Hotline successfully met
next door to us for the first time, and we welcome their ongoing cooperation,
and communication. The new web server was put in place; although, there was a
misunderstanding that took place and a new web-site was put in place of the old
one before we had a chance to discuss the change. This leads us to the need for
an area Ad-Hoc Committee to create guidelines for the web-site. First of all, we
want to be concurrent with changes from the Schedule Ad-Hoc Committee. And
secondly, to establish policy for the webmaster/co-webmaster, on just how they
will proceed and communicate with members, other sub-committees, the PASO, and
the public, working together. Like the schedule used to be, there are currently
no guidelines put in place for how we do the web-site. Right now though, we are
trying to implement the new/change meeting schedule form to the web-site, and
all sub-committees are now able to have their own E-mail, and even their own
page that they can create to meet their needs. Please also remember that now
that there are no birthdays in the schedule, we have paid special attention to
them on the web-site with a page of their own, so keep them coming in. There is
now a contingency plan in effect on how we approach presentations, and we have a
panel put together consisting of a presentation coordinator/co-presenter.
Coordinating three men, and three women who will be able to present local
and world info on N.A. and what we do and don’t do. First of all though, we
hope to have a training session for this on September 24th after the
H&I meeting., but more details still have to be discussed. We are having
trouble supporting the booth at Sat. market so if anyone can do this on one
Sunday before Sept. 17th. Please let me know. And, we mailed out our
standard 150+ mailings this month in which we are ready to do whatever Mary
needs to get ready for the bulk mailing as that approaches. We are still at
about several steady members with a lot to do. Thank you, Jim B.
RCM/Alt
RCM Report, J.B.
RCM
report: 1) The next Regional Service Conference is on Oct. 16th in Klammath
Falls and I hope we'll have better attendance from the sub-committees this
quarter. 2) According to our PASC by-laws Section 6 Article G:"PASC
sub-committees shall send a representative to our quarterly regional service
conference. Sub-committees: Activities, Hospitals and Institutions, Hotline,
Public Information and Literature.3) The new sponsorship book will be available
in September and should be available through Literature soon. 4) There's been a
Regional ad-hoc committee set up to look into setting up a Regional web page and
chaired by our very own Ron C. 5). We've got an Ad-hoc committee formed by the
area chair to come up with a bid proposal for the Spring RSC to be hosted by the
Portland Area. The completed bid needs to be turned in to me by the conclusion
of the next PASC. In loving service and NA gratitude, JB
Note:
The February GSR Assembly will be held in Salem and hosted by the Mid-Willamette
Valley Area.
Literature
sub-committee report, Jeff S.
We
had $2418.98 in sales and our order to the WSO was $2130.40.
Our current bank balance is $533.91.
We always need those willing to be of service and help out during the
meeting. Thanks to those who do!
P.C.R.C.N.A.
XIII report, Claire K.
We
still need committee chairs for the following positions:
Volunteers, Special Needs, Information, Decorations, Billeting and
Outreach. We have a new Arts &
Graphics person (?). We are having
a logo contest for the convention and a fundraising dance in October.
We are also selling raffle tickets for 2 full registrations.
Tickets are $2.00 each and the first drawing will be held in May at the
P.C.R.C.N.A.XII. We are submitting
a motion today to request seed money from the area for the fundraiser dance in
October for the amount of $600.00 and will provide a complete financial report
to the area at that time.
Q:
Are you also asking the Region for seed money?
A: Yes, profits from the convention will be divided between the Region,
Area and seed money for the convention the following year.
P.A.S.O.
sub-committee report, Ron C.
Note:
No electronic file of the printed report was available. This is the condensed
version transcribed by the secretary.
We have located a building we would like you to consider for leasing.
It’s located at 53 SE 80th, off E. Burnside St. It has limited parking and we are hoping to be able to
negotiate that with neighboring businesses located about 1 ½ blocks from the
location. There is a little over
2000 sq ft with an extra area of about 600 sq ft near the rear of the building.
The landlord is remodeling it and says, upon completion, that it will
have 10’ high ceilings, new carpet, and ADA restroom and a storefront. We have
the option of setting it up the way we would like it.
The lease would be for 1 year @ $1000.00 per month.
We will receive a minimum break of $100.00 on our rent due to our
non-profit status.
“We have examined past records, interviewed committee members and other
facilities to determine reasonable expectations.”
We plan to hold fund raising events, such as auctions, etc that we would
like to see turn into a future Portland convention.
Following is a proposed budget for use of this building.
Yearly
Budget
Current
expenses: $19,929.32
Service
Office Expenses: $18,630.00
Projected
Operating Expenses for Area, with Service Office: $27,814.95
Projected
Income
Events:
$5,100.00
Literature
Sales: $5,400.00
Projected
Income from Service Office Activities: $12,000.00.
Total
Area Expenses with Service Office: $27,814.95
Less:
Total Projected income from Service Office Activities: $12,000.00
Less:
Donations: $15,762.14
Total
Available to Donate to Region and World: $52.81
The
following information was compiled by the Secretary’s assistant, Suki M.
What is the lease
requirement, if any? 1 year. After that, if everything goes well, we will have
the option to sign a three-year lease to lock in good terms.
When can we get in? Jan. 1st,
but the owner has said that if we put down a deposit he is willing to accelerate
the renovation so that we can get in by November.
Does PASC or any
Subcommittee have anything other than a month-to-month agreement that would
prevent it from moving to a new facility? No
Does building meet all ADA
requirements, including a clearly marked disability-accessible parking space
directly in front of the building entrance? Yes, it’s already in place.
Will any NA members be doing
the renovation work? The current owner is a general contractor, so he is doing
most of the work himself. Because of liability concerns, there really isn’t
any opportunity for anyone who isn’t directly employed by him to work on the
building.
Given that the current
ceilings are 20’ is there any possibility that we could build in to acquire
more space? No. The renovation will lower the ceilings throughout the building
to 10’, with the exception of the existing catwalk,” which takes up about
1/3 of the building.
The subcommittee will
negotiate with the nearby church for use of their parking lot during functions
at the PASO; they have reason to believe that the church will be amenable to the
arrangements because a number of 12-Step meetings meet at that church.
The address of the building
is 53 SE 80th; all GSRs are encouraged to go by and look at it I
order to give better information to their groups.
Scheduling
Ad Hoc Committee final report, Bill S.
Thanks
to the members of the Outreach, Hotline and Public Information sub-committees
for their combined efforts to accomplish our goal. We have identified and removed defunct meetings from our
current meeting schedule and now have a way to contact meetings to verify their
existence.
We now have guidelines in place to aid future volunteers in maintaining
and updating the schedule. These
guidelines include how the new forms will be distributed and how and who will
maintain the meetings data base. A
copy of those guidelines is attached to this report.
Vickie will continue to make adjustments to the schedule as needed.
We would like to thank everyone who became involved in the committee for
their loving support and Area for their cooperation and for allowing us to
serve.
At this time the ad hoc was dissolved.
New
GSR Recognition
Multiculture
Yvonne G.
Alt GSR
Off
The Yard
Jeff M.
GSR
Y.E.T.S.
Paul H.
Alt GSR
Fireside
Men’s Step
Study
Mike M.
GSR
Just
Say NA
Chris S.
GSR
Steppin’
To Live
Jessica C
GSR
Friday’s
Alternative Steve
P.
Hour of Power Jim
F.
GSR
Quit Hiding
Teddy K.
GSR
We
welcome them and ask that they keep coming back!
The
Alternate RCM, Thom M. stepped up to accept the position of chair for spring RSC
in 2005 and will be assisted by Tom W. Thanks
two T(h)oms!
Break:
3:55-4:10 pm
At this time a count of
voting GSRs was taken: 28.
Archivist
Election
Since no paper ballots were
available, the Chair asked if there was any objection to holding the election
without them since Vickie ran unopposed. There
were none. Vickie was elected to
the position of Archivist unanimously.
Unfinished
Business
Please
note that motions # 57 & 58 from the July business meeting were tabled until
September. Motion #68, presented
this month, was also tabled until September.
Motion
#54, submitted by Allen M. Requests
that the P.A.S.O. provide the Area with a proven budget proposal for the Service
Office with projections for expenses and income.
Result of vote: 10 For, 11
Opposed, 8 Abstentions. Motion
fails.
Motion# 57,
submitted by What It Is. Directs
the Area to hire an independent accountant to audit the Area Treasury.
A
motion to table this until the September business meeting was made by What’s
Really Going On? and seconded by Starting Over until more information about the
cost of this venture could be explained.
Result
of vote: 20 For, 5 Opposed, 6 Abstentions.
Motion passes. Group will do
further research and return to the September meeting with it.
Motion #58,
Submitted by the Literature sub-committee.
Requests
$75.00 for materials to secure NA literature and Area Archives.
Result
of vote: 21 For, 1 Opposed, 7 Abstentions.
Motion #59,
submitted by Aaron R., Activities sub-committee Chair.
Approves
Activities sub-committee by-laws.
Because
none of the GSRs who received their minutes via email received a copy of the
document, the Chair automatically tabled the motion until the next meeting. The
Secretary will provide a copy to them.
Motion #60, submitted
by the RCM, J.B.
Requests
the Area to allow Claire K to be nominated at the Regional level to the position
of 2nd Alternate Regional Delegate.
Result
of vote: 27 For, 1 Opposed, 2 Abstentions, motion passes.
At
this time, the Chair appointed Jim B. as the Website Ad Hoc committee Chair.
Their first meeting will be held September 17th at the Paulist
Center on 16th & SE Division St at 7:00 pm.
New Business
Motion #62, Withdrawn
before being heard on the floor.
Motion #63, Submitted
by the Hotline sub-committee, seconded by Doing Life.
Due
to relocation of meeting, which resulted in a substantial rent increase, the
committee is asking for one-time increase of monthly allotment by $30 ($75
standing allotment + $30 one-time increase = total of $105).
Purpose: To be fiscally
responsible. 0 against and 0 abstaining; motion passed by general consent.
(Note:
This is considered an emergency motion because it is a re-occurring expense to
the Area.)
At
this time a motion to extend the business meeting until business is completed
was made by J.B. and seconded by Hour of Power. Result of vote: 22 For, 3 Opposed, 1 Abstention, motion
passes.
Motion #64, made
by Hotline sub-committee, seconded by Recovery In The House.
Emergency motion for $315
for the upcoming Hotline Operating budget for September 2004.
Purpose: To provide adequate
interim services.
Result of vote: 24 For, 1
Opposed, 2 Abstentions, motion passes.
Discussion: Linda (Hotline
Chair) just received a letter from the answering service we currently use
informing her that our cost for the service we currently provide will go up
effective September 1 to $315 per month. The committee will research
alternatives, but needs the proceeds from this motion to prevent loss of Hotline
services for September.
Motion
#64, submitted by Just Say NA; ruled
out of order by the Chair as the maker was not present.
Motion
#65, Made by Joan T., seconded by Hour
of Power.
Motion: To amend the by-laws
as follows:
Section Seven
(Administrative Officers) Subsection I, Treasurer, “The Treasurer’s position
of the PASC shall consist of two positions:
1) An account receivable
Treasurer who shall receive all funds.
2) An accounts payable
Treasurer who shall disburse funds as authorized.
Each position shall serve in
the same capacity as Treasurer of the BOD.
Both shall have a minimum of three years clean time.
Purpose: To provide better
internal control and fiscal responsibility over PASC funds.
To distribute the work of the current position.
The Chair automatically
tabled this motion until the next meeting until more research and information
could be gathered for the body.
Motion
#66, Made by: RCM-J.B., seconded by Y.E.T.S.
Motion:
To change PASC bylaws Section Nine, Article E from $50.00 donation to Region
each quarter to $75.00 per quarter.
Purpose:
To foster unity between our Area and the Region by increasing the flow of funds.
Motion
#67 Made by Brad C., seconded by Y.E.T.S.
Motion:
Section Nine. “The PASC shall
fund the expenses of the RCM and Alternate RCM up to a total amount of $210.00…”
*(change) “The PASC shall fund the
expenses of the RCM, Alternate RCM and no income making sub-committees up to a
total amount of $105.00 each.
Purpose:
To promote unity with Area and Regional sub-committees.
Motion
#69, Made by Claire K., seconded by Hour of Power
Motion:
For monies, estimated at $2000.00, that are coming in to PASC this month from
the Activities committee (profit split from Unity In The Streets) be set aside
to be distributed next month to PCRCNA XIII for seed money.
Seed money will be used to purchase merchandise and put on events that
will raise more funds. Seed money
will be paid back after PCRCNAXIII-06/06.
Purpose:
Rather than sending profits from Unity to Region, allow PCRCNA XIII to use them
to raise funds for a pre approved area hosted regional event.
Motion
#70, Made by PASO, seconded by Hour of Power
Motion:
That the proposed budget for the PASO be accepted as outlined in the PASO report
for August 2004.
Purpose:
To fund the PASO.
Motion
#71, Made by PASO, seconded by
Starting Over. (PASO requests) emergency money motion for $500. Purpose: to
place a refundable deposit on located facility (at 53 SE 80th St.)
until an answer is heard from the groups (regarding the budget submitted by
Motion 70). 0 against and 0 abstentions; motion carried by General Consent.
Motion to close made by The
Solution, seconded by The Nooner.
Meeting ended at 5:15 pm.