GROW

Grateful Recovering Online Women

Group Conscience Topics

Form Letters/Formats

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12th Step Opportunity Letter

Form Letters/Formats > 12th Step Opportunity Letter (10/11)
Decision: Change the wording in our "12 Step Opportunity Letter" to make it consistent with the wording in that letter. i.e. change "12" to "12th".

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7th Tradition Letter

Form Letters/Formats > 7th Tradition Letter (1/07)
Decision: Revised 7th Tradition Letters [decision by consensus]

Hi Everyone,

The basket is now being passed. Tradition Seven: "Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions." We have no dues or fees, but we do have expenses. These include rent for the listserver and web page, bank fees, and contributions to OIAA and GSO.

Contributions are appreciated, and can be made by check or by PayPal. See procedures below.

TO CONTRIBUTE BY CHECK
Per group conscience, please make checks payable to [INSERT TREASURER'S NAME] with "GROW" in the memo line and mail to: [Treasurer's name and mailing address]
If you want confirmation of contribution, please include your e-mail address.

TO CONTRIBUTE BY PAYPAL
To contribute using PayPal, first read "Important Note About PayPal" below so you do this safely. Then, go to PayPal's secure website: (https://www.paypal.com/us/)

- If you don't already have an account, sign up for a PayPal account

- Click the Send Money tab
- Enter an amount and recipient_s email, which is: tradition7@g-r-o-w.com
- PayPal will send confirmation of your payment.

=========================

Important Note About PayPal:

If you choose to use PayPal, please remember that PayPal is a safe money-exchange operation if (and only if) you follow the safety recommendations posted on the PayPal website.

* To safely and securely access the PayPal website or your account, open a new web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox) and type in the PayPal URL (https://www.paypal.com/us/) to be sure you are on the real PayPal site.

* PayPal will send confirmation of payment. They will never ask for your password in an email. Always assume any email from PayPal asking for a reply is a scam and do not reply.

*To learn more about protecting yourself from fraud, visit the PayPal Security Center.

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FYI Letter

Form Letters/Formats > FYI Letter (7/06)
Decision: E-mail addresses of our trusted servants will be included in the monthly message sent by the Secretary to GROW.

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Grapevine Form Letter

We are all invited to share on the Grapevine topic of the month.

This month's topic is: [from http://www.aagrapevine.org/]
This month's feature story in print is: [from http://www.aagrapevine.org/ - summary available online]
This month's online feature story is: [from http://www.aagrapevine.org/ note in order to read entire article one has to subscribe however there is usually one that is available to read in its entirety.]

The Grapevine offers a Daily Quote which will be sent directly to your Inbox. You can sign up for it at http://www.aagrapevine.org/emails.

The Grapevine also offers you many service opportunities to share YOUR Experience, Strength, and Hope either in print (story or artwork -http://www.aagrapevine.org/contribute) or audio (http://www.aagrapevine.org/audio-portal).

In addition there are several contests to enjoy such as the photo contest - http://www.aagrapevine.org/photocontest or caption contest - http://www.aagrapevine.org/content/submit-caption.

Please take this opportunity to enjoy AA's "meeting in print"! And to discover all the other wonderful things Grapevine (http://www.aagrapevine.org/) has to offer!

With gratitude,
GROW GVR

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Greeter Letters

Form Letters/Formats > Greeter Letter (4/05)
Decision: Revised Greeter's letter to read as follows:

Welcome to GROW! Now that you're subscribed, this is one of two emails you will receive to help you start participating in our meeting right away. You might want to print these out for future reference.

A new meeting topic is sent to everyone on the list each Sunday and we share throughout the week. On-topic and Off-topic shares are welcome. We ask that off-topic posts be appropriate for an AA meeting. Please note in your subject line if your share is off topic (we usually type Off: ... )

To share with the group, just address your email to grow@binhost.com and your post will be forwarded to all members.

Please be sure your email is set to send and receive plain text, and do not type in all CAPS.

The secretary posts information about the trusted servants and guidelines for our email etiquette once a month. The Listkeeper (the person who makes sure the technical side our email list works smoothly) also posts information monthly.

You'll find lots more information on our GROW web site. The URL for GROW is: http://www.g-r-o-w.com

Some of the information is for members only, so you'll need the following:
user name: sobertoday
password: how2484

If you have questions not answered by our website information, please write me and I'll be sure to answer or send your question to someone who can.

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Form Letters/Formats > Greeter Letter (8/98)
Decision: Adopted Greeter letter

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Form Letters/Formats > Greeter Letter #2 > Replying to GROW (4/14)
Decision: The following sentence be inserted after the third paragraph in Greeter Letter #2:

Please do not use the "Reply to All' option when you respond privately to another member's post to GROW, as your personal message will also be directed to the GROW list and it will bounce to the Listkeepers.

For those using phones and tablets, be aware that the default reply option is often "Reply to All", and double-check that you are not using "Reply to All".

Proposal: Greeter Letter #2 - Using "Reply" on Phones/Tablets and Individual Mail. It is proposed that the following sentence be inserted in Greeter Letter #2 after the third paragraph: "Please do not use the "Reply to All" option when you respond privately to another member's post to GROW, as your personal message will also be directed to the GROW list and it will bounce to the listkeepers.

For those using phones and tablets, be aware that the default reply option is often "Reply to All," and double-check that you are not using "Reply to All"."

Rationale: A lot of server bounces happen because people don't realize they have "Reply to All" as the default setting on their devices. Also, when responding to individuals, members often use "Reply to All" which causes the server to reject the message and it will not go

Comments: Some of the comments were as follows:

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Form Letters/Formats > Greeter Letters # 1 & 2 (10/11)
Decision: This Proposal was APPROVED, with the following modifications from the original

Proposal: Modify the Greeter Letters that are sent to new members to: simplify the letters, correct grammatical errors, and provide instruction for access to their personal web pages and / or retrieve their passwords.

In Letter#1 - leave in the following phrase: "We invite you to visit our web page to learn more about us, it can be found at www.g-r-o-w.com."

In Letter #2 - change the wording to read: "If you would prefer to receive the Digest version, please contact our Listkeeper at grow-owner@oso-aa.org and she will make the change for you."

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Form Letters/Formats > GROW Form Letters > Adopting Letters (8/98)
Decision: Adopted: Listkeeper Service Responsibilities and several "form" letters: Pass-the-Basket Announcement; majordomo Letter - Main List; majordomo letter - Business List; Welcomer Letter

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Introduction Letter

Form Letters/Formats > Introduction Letter > Member Address Books (11/10)
Decision: It was decided to add to the "Welcome" letter a paragraph that advises all members to add grow@oso-aa.org to their address book.

Proposal: There have been email list problems as a result of one or more "aol.com" addresses bouncing GROW mail. This creates a concern that aol may eventually block GROW mail. Laura has suggested that we add to the "Welcome" letter a paragraph that advises all members to add grow@oso-aa.org to their address book, to ensure the proper receipt of GROW mail, and to double-check to make sure that GROW mail is not going to their spam folder.

Comments: Our listkeeper brought up the problems that had occurred with members having aol accounts. It was discussed how this could be solved. Email problems with aol. Laura has suggested that we add to the "Welcome" letter a paragraph that advises all members to add grow@oso-aa.org to their address book, to ensure the proper receipt of GROW mail, and to double-check to make sure that GROW mail is not going to their spam folder.

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Form Letters/Formats > Introduction Letter > New Member Information (10/11)
Decision: Modify the current letter that the Greeters send to the group, to introduce a new member, by including the new member name and email address at the beginning of the letter, rather than at the end. It is felt that this will eliminate the frequent occurrence of members hitting "reply" which causes their greeting to the newcomer to go back to the

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Mailman Letter

Form Letters/Formats > Mailman Letter Changes (10/11)
Decision: Listkeepers will to make minor changes in our monthly letter that goes out to the membership and the letter that goes out to members upon joining the business list, to make these letters more accurate and to "streamline" the process.

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Online Sponsor Statement

Form Letters/Formats > Online Sponsor Statement (8/98)
Decision: Adopted Online Sponsor Statement

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Form Letters > Sponsorship Letter Addition (4/15)
Decision: This proposal was withdrawn.

Proposal: I would like to see more information on what a sponsor does and how to choose a sponsor To this end, I would like this added to the only form letter listed in "form letters" for sponsorship. This is my proposal: (see results)

1. A sponsor helps us work the Twelve Steps by providing explanation, guidance and encouragement. This is the sponsor's most important function.
2. A sponsor helps us get established quickly in our Fellowship by explaining basic concepts and terminology and by introducing us to other members.
3. A sponsor encourages us to read the basic text of our Fellowship and to engage in Fellowship activities and service work.
4. A sponsor monitors our progress and confronts us when it is appropriate, and generally helps us stay on the recovery path.
5. A sponsor can confront us on inappropriate behavior.
6. The 12 Steps offer a "design for living" Our new way of life in recovery requires us to change some of our old attitudes, perceptions, beliefs, and behavior by applying these Steps and program principles to our lives. A sponsor guides us in this effort.
7. A sponsor is not our therapist. There is no treatment plan other than working the 12 Steps. All sponsors can do is share their experience, strength and hope concerning their own recovery.
8. A sponsor should not attempt to control our lives or encourage an unhealthy dependence. Our only real dependence should be on our Fellowship and a Higher Power.
9. A sponsor should not take advantage of us or exploit us in any way. A sponsor has a sacred trust toward her sponsee.

Here are some factors to consider in choosing a sponsor: 1. Has what we want;
2. Lives in the solution;
3. Walks the talk;
4. Has a sponsor;
5. Emphasizes the Steps;
6. Has more time in recovery than we do;
7. Has worked all 12 Steps;
8. Is available for telephone calls;
9. Emphasizes the spiritual aspect of the program; and
10. Gender is the same as ours - at least has the same sexual interests

Thank you for considering this information as an addition to the already existing sponsorship form letter.

Comments: I confess I did not perform my due diligence when I put this on the Agenda. I asked the Proposer to do it, and she requested that I not post the Proposal until she could do it. My bad; I apologize to this group. We have a link to the pamphlet on Sponsorship on our web site, on the page titled "Available Online Sponsors." Practically every response has been in favor of what we already have.

I do not wish to re-invent the wheel. No one else does either. Per the request of the Proposer, I withdraw this proposal. We already do what everyone was suggesting!

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Step & Tradition Formats

Form Letters/Formats > Step & Tradition Formats (4/12)
Decision: We have consensus that this Proposal that the Step & Tradition formats be APPROVED, as amended, to be used by our Weekly Leader Listkeepers. They will be sent out each month by the Weekly Leader Listkeeper is approved as amended.

Proposal: Accept the format which will include the particular Step and Tradition topic for each month and will be sent out each month by the Weekly Leader Listkeeper. The step and tradition letters will be combined into one email, and we will now consider the formats that have been prepared, and approve or amend same for our use.In our October 2011 Business Meeting, it was approved that Laura B would prepare formats for each of the Steps and Traditions which will be combined into one email, and we will now consider the formats that have been prepared, and approve or amend same for our use.

Comments: Typos: ~~ Correct Spelling ~~

In Tradition 3. In the phrase "Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse non." ~~ replace word with "none". In the same paragraph, the word "provide" should be changed to "provided".

In Tradition 9. In the phrase "They are the custodians of our A.A. Tradition and the receives " ~~ replace word with "receivers". Further research about the third suggested spelling correction revealed that the original spelling was correct (i.e. principle vs principal).

Step 1. Eliminate the words "I think" in the phrase "found that he was powerless over alcohol and that his life was unmanageable and ***I think***

Chapter 3 `More About Alcoholism'. "It was also suggested that the corresponding page numbers in the 12 & 12 (where the Step or Tradition begins) be included in the formats.

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Form Letters/Formats > Step & Tradition Letter Formats > Formats (10/11)
Decision: We will adopt formats for the monthly Step and Tradition letters sent out by the Weekly Leader Listkeeper.

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Form Letters/Formats > Step & Tradition Letter Formats > Schedule for Posting (10/99)
Decision: Step and tradition topic format will be sent every Sunday separately from the weekly topic.

Comments: The following format will be sent every Sunday separately from the weekly topic: Subject Line: Step and Tradition Topic ~~ According to group conscience, GROW holds monthly Step and Tradition discussions to correspond with the month. This being [month], you are invited to share on Step ____ and Tradition _____ in addition to the weekly topics. Step _____ (Include as it appears in the contents of the 12 x 12) Tradition _____ (Include both short and long form).

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Temporary Mentor Welcome Letter

Form Letters/Formats > Temporary Mentor Welcome Letter > Sponsor List (4/13)
Decision: We will add a link to the Sponsor List in the Temporary Mentor's Welcome Letter.

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Weekly Lead Meeting Format

Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Lead Meeting Format > Establishing Format (8/98)
Decision: Adopted weekly meeting format.

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Weekly Topic Leader Message

Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Topic Leader Message > Assigning Chairs (10/13)
Decision: Delay in Assigning Chair Dates. The sentence which reads, "These dates will be filled on a first-come first-served basis," will be removed from the Weekly Topic Leader's letter and the WLL's Job Description; and, after the letter " Request for Chairs" has been sent to the group, a waiting period of at least 24 hours is encouraged so that all members may have a chance to reply. This change to be made to the WLL job description.

Proposal: Delay in Assigning Chair Dates. It is proposed that the Weekly Leader Listkeeper wait at least 24 hours before assigning a member a chair date they requested. This will give members who are celebrating sober anniversaries in a different time zone an opportunity to lead a meeting, if they wish to do so, on or around her sobriety date.

If approved, this item to be included on the second line in the 5th paragraph after "AA anniversary" in the Weekly Topic Leader's Message on the website.

Comments: The following comments were received on this Proposal.

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Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Topic Leader Message > Calendar (4/14)
Decision: Insert after the first paragraph: "Here is the calendar of our upcoming leaders scheduled to chair. A big GROW thank you to all who are committed to growing in service.

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Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Topic Leader Message > Leader Schedule (4/14)
Decision: The Weekly Topic Leader Message will be amended to include a one-month listing of chairs and dates for the upcoming month.

Proposal: During the October 2012 Business Meeting, it was proposed that the Weekly Leader Listkeeper (WLL) send to the group, on a monthly basis, the 3-month schedule of meeting chair dates and corresponding chair women. We ran out of time for full discussion on this item and your Business Chair overlooked it during the Business Meeting of April 2013 (my apologies to the group). Therefore, I present the following for your consideration and approval.

It is proposed that the Weekly Leader Listkeeper (WLL) send the 3-month schedule of meeting chair dates and corresponding Weekly Leaders, to the group on a monthly basis (in addition to posting regular weekly reminders of the meeting topics). If approved, the following will be included in the Weekly Leader Listkeeper's Job Description: "Send to the group, on a monthly basis, the 3-month schedule of meeting chair dates and corresponding Weekly Leaders."

Revised proposal:

Most members (including former WLL's) did not accept a 3-month schedule but were in favor of a 1-month posting of the list. Therefore, this amended proposal is presented as follows:

It is proposed that the WLL send the 1-month schedule of meeting chair dates and corresponding Weekly Leaders to the group on a monthly basis (in addition to posting regular weekly reminders of the meeting topics).

If approved, the above amended sentence will be included in the Weekly Leader's Job Description.

Comments: The following comments were received on this Proposal:

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Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Topic Leader Message > Overall Language (4/14)
Decision: We have achieved consensus on the following format/language for the Weekly Topic Leader Message:

My name is [Name] and I am an alcoholic, and I'm also your Weekly Leader List Keeper. I am taking volunteers for the [time period].

Here is the calendar of our upcoming leaders scheduled to chair. A big GROW thank you to all who are committed to growing in service.

Month:
Date, Name
Date, Name
Date, Name
Date, Name

Here is your opportunity to volunteer to lead a weekly meeting, choosing a topic that relates to your individual experience, strength and hope or a topic you would like to hear about, that relates to alcoholism recovery. The requirements necessary to lead a meeting are 90 days of continuous sobriety and a member of GROW for more than 30 days.

If you would like to volunteer, just hit reply and let me know which available date you would be willing to lead. Here are the available dates:

Month day
Month day
Month day
Month day
Month day

We try to give thoughtful attention to those who would like to lead a meeting around their AA. anniversary. If the date requested is already filled, you will be offered another available date. Around Wednesday or Thursday of the week before you're set to chair, I'll contact you and pass on the meeting format. If, for some reason you cannot do the meeting on your selected Sunday, please let me know as soon as possible so I can find a replacement leader.

I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you. The topic meeting is a great way of saying "hi" and letting us all get to know you better. Thank you for your participation and thank you for letting me be of service,

[name]
Weekly Leader List Keeper

P.S. As our membership is *growing*, we are getting duplicate names. When you respond please include your name and the first initial of your last name.

Proposal: We did not achieve consensus on the original proposal.The Proposal has been amended (Change to Weekly Topic Leader Message), and the final version was accepted.

Comments: Most members agreed with adding a sentence regarding the length of sobriety required to lead a meeting. Of the 15 members who responded, 13 agreed and 2 disagreed; therefore, we do not have consensus on this item. Before the Head Nods/Shakes were called for, a member submitted a revision to this Proposal which will be presented as an Amended Proposal during our 3rd week of discussions.

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Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Topic Leader Message > Timing of Topic Posting (4/13)
Decision: We will not make any modifications to our GROW Literature addressing the Weekly Topic Lead.

Proposal: 1. What modifications / changes, if any, should be made to our GROW literature regarding our recently approved (in April 2012 Business Meeting) practice of posting the weekly meeting on "Saturday, no later than Sunday morning", to ensure that ladies in various time zones will receive the meeting on Sunday.

Comments: We still have not reached consensus on this proposal. Though this GROW group had previously decided that our meetings would be posted as follows: "Each Sunday a meeting leader sends out the week's topic..." as a practical matter, when we experienced some weeks without a Sunday meeting being posted, we further decided (in April 2012) that meetings should/could be posted on "Saturday, no later than Sunday morning," in an effort to ensure there is a meeting posted by Sunday morning.

The current proposal ONLY concerns whether to make a change to the website and/or the letter(s) that are sent to members to reflect this information.

Comments: Only 8 of the 27 members present responded with the following results: 5 agreed and 3 opposed with the following 2 comments:

Two members thought that modifications should be made to our GROW literature but both changed their minds this week so we now have consensus on this Proposal and will not make changes to the GROW literature or website.

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Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Topic Leader Message > Timing of Topic Posting (10/12)
Decision: We decided to NOT make any changes in our literature about when our meetings

Proposal: What modifications / changes, if any, should be made to our GROW literature regarding our recently approved (in April 2012 Business Meeting) practice of posting the weekly meeting on Saturday, no later than Sunday morning, to ensure that ladies in various time zones will receive the meeting on Sunday.

Proposal for a decision concerning whether the GROW literature should be changed to specify that our meetings are posted on "Saturday, no later than

Comments: The discussion regarding Proposal suggested that:

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Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Topic Leader Message > Topic Leader Replacements (4/14)
Decision: The following statement will be removed from the Weekly Topic Leader Message after the paragraph that ends with ". . . replacement leader:" "If you are willing to fill in for someone on a last-minute basis, please let me know. I'd like to have a list of people, if a weekly leader cannot be available for the time slot they have volunteered for, that I can ask to jump in if necessary."

Proposal: Replacement of Topic Leader. It is proposed that the following statement be deleted from the Weekly Topic Leader Message after the paragraph that ends with " .. replacement leader."

"If you are willing to fill in for someone on a last-minute basis, please let me know. I'd like to have a list of people, if a weekly leader cannot be available for the time slot they have volunteered for, that I can ask to jump in if necessary."

Rationale: Most times a leader who cannot lead a meeting will give the WLL plenty of notice, and the Topic Leader will be replaced through general announcement to the group. If, however, it is last minute and the WLL is out of time, she can use other methods, such as using the archives on our webpage, or posting the meeting herself. Sending out an alarm call like this to the group will end up in numerous emails and lots of time spent. This also eliminates the need for keeping a list of names. The intent of this proposal is to simplify the WLL job and empower the list keeper.

Comments: Some of the comments were as follows:

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Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Topic Leader Message > Topic Leader Replacements (4/14)
Decision: This Proposal was Withdrawn.

Proposal: Changes in our Literature regarding Trusted Servants in case the Weekly Chair is absent. It is proposed that the Trusted Servants be called upon to chair a meeting in the event that the scheduled Chairperson is absent. This change is to be reflected in our literature which

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Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Topic Leader Message > Topic Leader Replacements (10/13)
Decision: This proposal was withdrawn.

Proposal: Changes in our Literature regarding Trusted Servants in case the Weekly Chair is absent. It is proposed that the Trusted Servants be called upon to chair a meeting in the event that the scheduled Chairperson is absent. This change is to be reflected in our literature which includes the Trusted Servants' Job Descriptions, website and letters.

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Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Topic Leader Message > Topic Leader Requirements (4/14)
Decision: The following be added to our Weekly Topic Leader message: "The requirements to lead a meeting are 90 days of continuous sobriety and a member of GROW for more than 30 days." It will be inserted in the Weekly Topic Leader message at the end of the paragraph, "Here is your opportunity . . . that relates to alcoholism recovery."

Comments: Some of the comments received were as follows:

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Form Letters/Formats > Weekly Topic Leader Message > Topic Leader Requirements (4/14)
Decision: The Weekly Topic Leader Message will be amended by adding after the sentence, "Here is your opportunity . . . willing to lead:" "The requirements necessary to lead a meeting are 90 days of continuous sobriety and a member of GROW for more than 30 days."

Comments: Most members agreed with adding a sentence regarding the length of sobriety required to lead a meeting. Of the 15 members who responded, 13 agreed and 2 disagreed; therefore, we do not have consensus on this item. Before the Head Nods/Shakes were called for, a member submitted a revision to this Proposal which will be presented as an Amended Proposal during our 3rd week of discussions.

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