Portland Area Service Committee

of Narcotics Anonymous

4069 NE MLK jr. Blvd

Portland, OR   97211

July 31^st, 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: Shannon.

The 12 Concepts were read by: Neesha.

The 7^th Concept was read by: Ron.

The Dedication to Service was read by: Chris.

Roll Call of the BOD

12 answered the roll and 1 arrived late.

Roll call of groups and Mail call

48 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 and there were 2 groups attending that were unable to vote this month.  Doing Life & Sunday Breakfast Meeting.  These groups will have a vote in August when they attend.

New GSR Orientation

Treasurer’s Report, reported by Sunny

Due to a prior commitment, the Treasurer was unable to attend and the report was given by her assistant, Sunny.  See attached financial report.

Secretary Report, Mary E.

A Member made a motion to suspend the reading of the minutes, seconded by Suki, motion passed by general consent.  There were no amendments to the minutes and a Member motioned to accept the minutes, seconded by J.B., motion passed by general consent.

Reminder to all sub-committee chairs to please submit a written report to me and to the Treasurer.  I inquired if everyone understood the information about motion #44 and that it was included in the secretary report for June. There was no by-laws meeting held in July due to time constrictions and because my time limit had been reached.  I will be asking for an extension of time to complete the by-laws review.  Anyone who is interested in participating can contact me for the date and time of our next meeting.  Upon passage of Motion #44, I will be submitting the application to the post office this month.  We will then have to decide upon who will be authorized to do mailing and how to execute the mailing process.

Chair Report, Colin W.

It was called to my attention that our area received a bill in the amount of $113.80 from a company called Yellow Pages.net for advertising of our hotline number.  We are in the process of researching this bill and no one is claiming responsibility for it.  We do believe that it is a disreputable form of advertising and therefore we dispute this bill because it was never approved by this area.  There will be more information about this as it becomes known.

I would also like to remind everyone that there are many activities coming up in August and just as many opportunities to be of service.  Please pick up an Activities at a Glance calendar.

Open Forum

In Spite of It All has been experiencing low attendance and also needs to relocate the meeting.  They would like support and suggestions for possible other locations.

John, from the former Gorge Area, was asked to attend the PASC and inform us that there are 2 groups in the Dalles that are still meeting and could use our support and any suggestions we might have to help them with outreach in and the Gorge area.

Someone suggested that we move open forum to the end of the meeting, rather than extending the meeting, so that we will be sure to have plenty of time to address new business before the current ending time of 4:30pm.  Serenity Sisters belief is that a good meeting begins and ends on time.

Comments were made regarding an announcement made during a sub-committee business meeting about a memorial service for an NA member and whether or not such an announcement was appropriate during a business meeting.

One opinion was that such a service could be of a religious nature and shouldn’t be associated with NA because NA has no opinion on outside issues.

Another opinion was that, because the person was a member of NA, the announcement could be made.

A member reported that WSO has declared September “Recovery Month” and is suggesting that any and all announcements that are recovery related can be announced as per group conscience.  Furthermore, that our Region (Pacific Northwest) agrees with this as per its policies and procedures.

Another member had a flyer with information that was recovery related but was not a specific NA event and wanted to know if it could be distributed at today’s meeting.  The area wanted to allow the flyer and another member insisted that because it was NOT an NA sponsored event that the flyer should not be given out during or in the PASC business meeting.

Vice Chair report, conducts sub-committee reports, Colin W.

Due to the absence of the vice chair this month, Colin conducted the sub-committee reports.

Activities sub-committee report, Aaron R,

Activities meeting address is wrong in the schedule. Correct address is 8100 SE Cornwell (near the Johnson Creek Fred Meyer). Committee is seeking a larger storage space, please speak to a member if you have useful information. Committee will be submitting a motion seeking an additional $1,000 as seed money for Unity in the Streets.  Flyers & Activities at a Glance will be arriving later in the meeting. There was a question about how to resolve the issue of having flyers and calendars arrive at the same time as the Activities chairman.  This will be handled by the next meeting of the PASC.  Please see the Activities At A Glance calendar for specific events.

Hospitals & Institutions sub-committee report, Brad C.

We held 14 commitments, 7 were missed, 3 were cancelled and we visited a total of 1147 addicts in July.

Hotline sub-committee report, Linda R.

This month’s hotline committee business meeting was held, on July 18, 2004 at 1:30 pm at 6506 SE Foster Road.  There were 13 people in attendance.  A motion was passed regarding the clean time requirements for several positions within the committee.  The clean time requirements are now 6 months clean for all shift workers, one year for the 12 Step volunteers, Chair, and Vice Chair positions.  The Vice Chair elections were tabled until the next business meeting, due to lack of interest.  If anyone is interested in the vice chair position, please attend our next business meeting. We voted to move the day, time and meeting place of our business meeting.  We will now be meeting at 2408 SE 16^th at 7:00 pm the Friday prior to H & I in conjunction with the PI committee meeting.  Our next meeting will be August 20, 2004. By law changes were tabled until next month so that I have time to look over the literature that was back ordered by the literature committee.  I am meeting with the General Manager of the answering service next week.  I received a letter stating they intend to automate our service, which requires each shift worker to forward the phone line to the next person on the schedule.  This would cause a lot of unnecessary chaos, so I am investigating other options.  The voicemail has not yet been updated because of all the schedule changes in process.  The new schedule, which I received today, will be used to update the voicemail.  There are currently two shifts open, Tuesday 6:30 am – 1:00 pm and Thursday 9:00 pm – 1:00 am.

Thank you, Linda R.

There was a question about how to inform the shift-workers of changes in meeting times/locations, etc. that didn’t make it onto the new printing of the schedule. Response is that a newsletter is sent out monthly indicating changes that are known at that time.  Someone noted that the listing for our Hotline number is incorrect in the phone book and requested that be changed for this year’s printing.

Literature sub-committee report, Jeff S.

We had $2,201.35 in sales for June and our WSO order totaled $2,201.40.  We could always use some assistance during the PASC meeting putting your orders together.  This is an opportunity to be of service.

Outreach sub-committee report, Lawrence J.

We have a new group registration person, Nannette P., who is doing a great job keeping track of new groups.  Jerome and Colin visited Kick The Monkey’s business meeting concerning a police matter. Ultimately the group was not responsible.  Gorge are has gone defunct and we encouraged existing groups to consider rejoining the Portland Area.

RCM report, J.B.

The hotline number for the S.O.S. Area on the Regional information card has been changed to: 541-955-3823.  They will be hosting P.C.R.C.N.A.XII in 2005.

GSR Assembly and Regional Service Conference (RSC)-July 24-25 2004. North Bend Regional delegate team reported on the World Service Conference (WSC): 1) new region-Greece 2) Human Resource Panel (HRP) now has 5 elected members 3) Latin-American Zonal met in the Uruguay Congressional Palace 4) I.P.#11 Sponsorship updated and available through World 5) Adding “many of us have said” to third step prayer poster 6) Coin clean dates changing to Arabic numerals Spring 2005. 7) Sponsorship booklet available September 2004. 8) Updated stickers available for the Just for Today meditation book. 9) World-wide workshops increasing in scope and number. 10) 7 new World Board members; 3 members outgoing, leaving total number at 17 World Board members. 11) Public Information handbook approval granted high priority in fellowship approval process.

Areas not in attendance: Gorge Area; North Coast Area.

Michael M.-Regional Delegate (Portland) and Marie P.-Regional Treasurer (Portland) have completed their regional commitments and are moving to Milton, Delaware.

Subcommittee reports: 1) Conferences and Conventions (C&C)-Donna- 228 pre-registered for PCRCNA XII 2) P.I.-Kevin A.-8 areas represented; 3,000 regional phone cards made up. 3) Literature- Greg I.-check issued from dormant account for $100.44 to bring account balance to $100(per by-laws); survey with questions and answers to facilitate unity between areas and region due out by October 2005 RSC. 4) Activities-Hector C.-no quarterly calendar because of lack of participation from areas. 5) Policies and Procedures (P&P)-Patrick-we are here to serve; RCM handbook under revision and the wording has been finished for officer guidelines.  All Regional subcommittees have been requested to review their bylaws/guidelines and submit recommended changes by Oct. RSC. 6) PCRCNA XII-Hans-pre-registration strongly encouraged; 7) PCRCNA XIII-Claire (Portland)-theme-“Together We Have It All”.  Monthly planning going well we encourage regional participation. 8) February 2005 RSC-Mid-Willamette Valley Area-Dave A.-theme-“One promise-12 Steps. 9) Consensus Based Decision Making ad-hoc committee-Tom McKee- time line duration extended 6 months w/ revision/evaluation at February 2005 RSC. 12 active participating members-e-mail addresses required- contact: tommmckee@msn.com

Voting results for Regional officers: 1) Chair-Allen P. of Klammath Falls 2) Vice-Chair- Emma W. of Eugene 3) Treasurer- Greg I. of Eugene 4) Alt. Treasurer-open 5) Secretary-Melissa W. of Grants Pass 6) Alt. Secretary-open 7) Regional Delegate- Cathy K. of Springfield 8) Alt. Reg. Delegate- Denise of Salem(interim) 9) 2nd Alt. Reg. Del.-open 10)Archivist-open 11) C&C-Donna C of Eugene 12) H&I-Roy B.-interim 13) Public Information-Tom C. of Medford 14) Literature-open 15) P&P- Patrick B. of Coos Bay 16)Activities-Hector C. of Medford-interim 17) Additional Needs-open.

Other business: Regional Delegate will undertake Vice-chair’s responsibility to contact Gorge Area and North Coast Area(not present last several RSCs). Western States Zonal Forum provides no services, receives no funding; Western Services Learning Day in San Francisco, CA; Hospitals & Institutions chair and P.I. chair will attend and be funded by region.

$946 ending balance.

In loving service and gratitude, JB

Public Information sub-committee report given by Vickie D.

The Schedule Ad-Hoc Committee seems to be winding down, and we have gained valuable information we feel will make a better schedule.  Right now we are waiting for the outcome of the motion on the form. From there we can put everything together and possibly have a written policy of how we are going to use all the information gathered at the next area meeting.  We have voted in Dennis P. as Co-Webmaster.  He has brought some new ideas that may be implemented onto the web-site soon.  But, now that we are soon moving on from the schedule, we see the need to create guidelines for the area web-site as well.  Before any serious changes are done to the web-site, we need to make changes that will be parallel to the changes made with the schedule. For instance, now that birthdays are no longer in the schedule, there will still be a page devoted to birthdays on the web-site. Just E-mail the information, or call Vickie D.  There is of course a lot more to cover, and we will be deciding more of how to proceed at our next meeting, and would like to extend an invitation to our area chair who may have useful information as to our web-host, and how to use our new E-mail options, and to invite Ron and a member from our P.A.S.O. Comm., since the web-site may greatly effect the service office.  We will be holding a meeting on our presentation contingency plan on Aug. 15^th /4:30p.m. at 65^th and Foster, so we will have a working format on how we may do future public presentations. We will have the booth set up at Unity in the Streets on Aug. 14^th, and we will be at Saturday market on Aug. 22^nd.  Please make note that our meeting time has changed to the Friday, one week, before area.  So, our next meeting is Aug. 20^th at The Paulist center, 16^th and Division, 7:00p.m., and we welcome the Hotline Committee who will now be meeting at the same time/place as well.

Thank you, Jim B. P.I. Chair

There was a change in the order of the day.  The PASO report was postponed until after Unfinished Business could be handled because of a motion that affected the PASO.

No report was given from the by-laws ad hoc committee or the schedule audit ad hoc.

P.C.R.C.N.A. XIII 2006, Claire K.

We have decided on a theme for the convention and suggest “Together We Have It All” and we are conducting a logo contest at this time.  There are flyers available with contact information for those who want to be of service and/or participate in any of the planned convention activities.  We are planning a fund-raising dance for October 9^th, 2004 at which time the logo will be selected from the entries.  We also plan to hold a spiritual breakfast sometime in November of this year but have not set a date for that event.

Currently, we are still negotiating use of the Portland Hilton in downtown for the location of the convention and are waiting to sign an agreement with them.  You may purchase raffle tickets for $2.00 each to win a room and registration for the convention.  We need service workers to fill the following positions:  Arts & Graphics, Special Needs, Outreach and participation at all levels.

New GSR Recognition

            Here & Now                            Becky V.                                  GSR

            The New This Is It                   Victoria C.                                 GSR

            Sunday NA Breakfast Meeting  Sue K.                                      GSR

            Rise & Shine                            Meg Y.                                      GSR

            Unloaded In Sandy                  Tony H.                                     GSR

            Harold Street Blues                 Marsha F.                                  GSR            

    To Hell & Back                        Matt H.                                      GSR

            Just Kickin’ It                          Jessica C.                             Alt. GSR

            Burnside Blues                        Robert D.                                   GSR

We welcome them and ask that they keep coming back!

Break 3:30 – 3:40 pm

Reopen the meeting with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer for those who cared to join in.

Recount of voting GSRs

Note: this is the only count taken today.  30 were present and quorum was met.

Unfinished Business

Motion #44, to approve the application to post office requesting mailing rates for non-profit organization. Allows for $150.00 fee for “permit to mail”.  Designates current board member as applicant and allows use of their home address on application.  Approves proposed budget for submission with application.  Motion passed by general consent.

Motion #45, approves NA meetings held at the PASO as a revenue resource of support for the office.  Result of vote: 7 For, 18 Opposed, 4 Abstentions.  Motion fails.

At this time the PASO report was given by Ron C.

There is a great deal of disappointment that the motion for use of regularly scheduled meetings as a means of support for the Service office has failed. This leaves the committee to once again re-examine our financial capabilities and find a way to support a service office.

As we near a new era in the Portland Area many exciting events are beginning to happen. While attending our regional committee meeting this past weekend it became very clear that region would very much like our Area to establish a service office.  Currently, all Areas buy their literature directly from the World Service Office. This not only places a hardship on these other Areas, through added shipping expenses they must pay, but also the delayed time it takes to receive their literature. By establishing an office in our Region we would not only be able to pass on a savings to the other Areas but also gain extra income from the reduced shipping cost. This in turn would also help World out by not having to ship so many smaller orders. These are all details that will need to be worked out as the Service Office begins to establish itself, but this news is monumental in its value to our Region.

In finding the means to support a Service Office, we have discussed many ways of doing so. Our primary means would ideally be through the sale of literature. However at this point we cannot solely support a Service Office through literature sales. It was determined that several other ways would need to be looked at.

There are still a lot of options available that have not been used in this projection of raising funds. Also the added income from literature sales, once we are established as the Regional point of sales, should boost up our literature sales considerably and allow us a great deal of leeway.

In Service

PASO

Motion #47, that changes that affect a PASC sub-committee be brought before the committee to be addressed prior to addressing them at area.

Result of vote:  21 For, 1 Opposed, 7 Abstentions, motion passes.

Motion #48, Activities sub-committee proposes a twice yearly auction to raise money to buy books to be distributed to new comers at the monthly Unity speakers meeting.  They ask that the funds be used only for that purpose and not be considered a part of their working capital or prudent reserve.  Result of vote: 19 For, 4 Opposed, 7 Abstentions. motion passes

Motion #50, Amends the PASC by-laws to extend the ending time of the business meeting from 4:30pm to 5:00pm.  Result of vote: 19 For, 3 Opposed, 8 Abstentions.  Motion Passes

New Business (Note: motions in red are to be voted on in your groups.)

Nominations for Archivist for the 2005 spring Regional Service Conference and Assembly hosted by the P. A. S. C.

Back to Basics nominated Vickie D., she accepted the nomination and Serenity Sisters seconded the nomination.  Bring your vote to the August area to elect or reject Vickie D. as the new PASC Archivist.

Colin appointed Chuck as the ad hoc Chair for the 2005 Regional service conference and assembly.

Colin extended the existing by-laws ad hoc committee’s commission for another 3 months.

Motion #36 and #40 were presented for a vote at the same time because they addressed related issues.

Motion #40 approves a new Schedule Changes form and Motion #36 approves the use of that form to assist the Public Information, Outreach and Hotline sub-committees in tracking meetings and maintaining current information on the Portland Area meeting schedule.  Result of vote: motions passed by general consent.

The Chair ruled Motions #41 and #49 out of order because the makers of the motions weren’t present for further questioning.

Motion #51: Submitted by Paul H., seconded by Learning to Live. To be reimbursed for some of the expenses incurred from attending Regional Service Conference.

Purpose: to aid (him) in being of service. Result of vote:24 For, 0 Opposed, 2 Abstentions, motion passes

(Secretary’s note: Actual funds requested totaled $106, representing fuel and food.)

Call to Question on the floor for Motion #51.  Result of vote: 25 For, 0 Opposed, 2 Abstentions.

Motion to extend the meeting until business is finished made by Hell to Heaven, seconded by Kick the Monkey.  Result of vote: 14 For, 5 Opposed, 6 Abstentions, motion passes.

Motion #52: Submitted by We’re No Angels, seconded by The Solution.

To nominate Vickie D. to go into the WSO website to update the Portland meetings. Purpose: To be able to have a current meeting schedule at the World Office website. The Chairman offered the following friendly amendment and was accepted by the maker and the second of the original motion.: “To create the position of World Schedule Update Coordinator, and to nominate Vickie… the Portland meetings, serving through March of 2005.”

Result of vote: motion passed unanimously.

Motion #53: Submitted by Serenity Sisters: To move the “Open Forum” portion of the PASC meeting to the “back end” of the meeting, after the old and new business have been dealt with. Purpose: to ensure that essential Portland Area NA business is handled in a timely and efficient manner. Motion failed for lack of a second.

Motion #54: Submitted by Allen M., seconded by Back to Basics.

Motion: That area service office committee prove income as projected.  In financial plan, function for every line item that is not proven by similar events and fundraisers already a part of this area and show that monies taken from other sources be set aside for 1 year.

Purpose: To prove that financial plan works before committing prudent reserve to lease and build a real office to function.

Motion #55, emergency motion.  Made by the Activities sub-committee, seconded by Serenity Sisters.

Motion: To make available to the PASC Activities sub-committee up to $1000.00 of PASC available funds to be used to cover Unity in the Streets up-front costs.  To be paid back to the PASC prior to the PASC/Activities profit split.

Purpose:  To ensure adequate funds for other activities fundraising events in the next two months i.e., Unity in the Streets and Annual picnic.

This motion was heard and voted upon today due to its submission as an emergency motion.  The result of the vote was: Motion passed unanimously.

Motion #56: Submitted by JB (RCM): That the RCM/Alt. RCM be allowed to use the PAAS Kinko’s account for discount (4¢/side) and be accountable at the time the copies are made for payment. Purpose: (To be) accountable and responsible for NA funds. The Chair ruled the motion out of order on the grounds that it should be brought to the PAAS meeting.

Motion #57: Submitted by What It Is, seconded by Back to Basics.

Motion: That the area hire an independent accounting professional outside the fellowship to audit our area funds yearly.

Purpose: To establish and maintain financial accountability at the area level.

Motion #58: Submitted by Literature sub-committee, seconded by What It Is.

Motion: $75.00 for materials to secure literature and area archives.

Purpose: To secure expanding inventory and archives and to secure our tables.

Motion #59: Submitted by Aaron, Activities chairman, seconded by Starting Over.

Motion: To approve these attached bylaws that we’ve revised in April but not yet approved.

Purpose: To continue due process.

Secretary’s Note: As soon as I receive a copy via email, I will forward it to everyone.  I do not have it at this time.

Motion #60: Submitted by RCM-J.B., seconded by Starting Over.

Motion: To submit Claire K. as interim 2^nd Alternate Regional Delegate to World from the Pacific Cascade Region.

Purpose: To foster unity within the region.

Motion #61: Submitted by Brad, seconded by Kick the Monkey: (That the) Area financially support all subcommittee RCMs to attend Regional service meetings (up to) $75.00 per rep. Purpose: (To provide) support (to) Rep directed to attend Regional by Area. Ruled out of order by the Chair on the grounds that this must be submitted as a revision to the bylaws and therefore must cite the section to be amended.

Motion to close made by: Hope No Dope, seconded by New Journey.  Motion passed unanimously.