Group Conscience Topics
OIAA
- OIAA Contributions (Discontinue) (10/14)
- OIAA Contributions (1/04)
- Convention > Business Cards (1/00)
- Convention > Chat (1/00)
- Convention > GROW Mailing List (4/00)
- GROW Participation (4/03)
- OIAA Membership (4/16)
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Contributions
OIAA Contributions (Discontinue) (10/14)
Decision: Decision: 19 out of 19 members who responded were all in agreement. Therefore, we have achieved consensus on this item and it is now a part of our Group Conscience decisions. The Treasurer will no longer make contributions on GROW's behalf to OIAA, and the Treasurer will void checks that were sent to but not cashed by OIAA.
Proposal: It is proposed that we discontinue supporting OIAA. In looking back at the group conscience decisions, it appears that problems have existed since at least 2003. At that point there were suggestions from the group that GROW discontinue contributions to OIAA and send contributions to GSR. Discussions were held but no formal proposal appears to have been made.
I therefore propose that contributions to OIAA be terminated and that all previous un-cashed checks be voided. GROW recognizes that OIAA has served a purpose in helping alcoholics in the past but the disorganization has led to the role of the organization being diminished. If at some time in the future OIAA resumes activity on a regular basis, future participation by GROW can be re-evaluated.
Comments: We have received the following comments from our members regarding OIAA to support this issue:
- Our Treasurer is holding funds that are designated for OIAA but haven't been sent yet because they still haven't cashed our cheque from January 2014. While she was trying to get the attention of the OIAA group as the treasurer was not responding, she tried using the "contact" feature on their website at least 3 times and received no response.
- Our outgoing OIAA Rep has expressed her frustration in working with them because they are so disorganized.
- As a previous OIAA Rep I also found the group to be very, very disorganized with a lot of cross-talking and a lack of business decorum.
- It is my semi-informed opinion we should consider no longer supporting OIAA, and we ought to also consider sending them a message that we are going to block (or whatever is the terminology) the check that has not been cashed. I don't think all banks look at the issuing date. As I said, just my semi-informed opinion and I sure am open to hearing other opinions, but it seems to me that if they cannot cash a check for 10 months, there are other issues they need to work out, and that to continue to do so would not be a prudent use of our funds.
- The best predictor of future interactions are past interactions. Not good.
- I hesitate to withdraw from them entirely. AA groups must stay connected to the whole organization, imho.
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OIAA Contributions (1/04)
Decision: Chair ended the discussion on OIAA Contributions, informing the group we would pick it up at the point of Motion at the April business meeting.
Proposal: OIAA Contributions
We have discussed a proposal that we decrease our contribution to OIAA with a concurrent increase in contribution to GSO, or that we eliminate our contributions to OIAA and give all of our excess to GSO.
Currently our Treasurer pays all group expenses first, maintains a prudent reserve equal to 6 months expenses and distributes the excess equally to OIAA and to GSO. In keeping with our wish to contribute only our fair share to the support of OIAA, I offer the following change for your consideration.
GROW will contribute 15% of excess funds to OIAA and 85% to the GSO. Might we reach consensus with a head nod in response to the above statement?"
Comments: OIAA Contributions. Our Treasurer reported that in the year 2000, 15 groups contributed to OIAA a total of $2011. GROW's portion was $130. In 2001, eight groups contributed a total of $693; GROW contributed $100 (15%). There were no OIAA Treasurer reports in 2002, but GROW records show that we contributed $287. In 2003, only five groups contributed a total of $696. GROW contributed $307 or 45%. The trend shows fewer groups contributing with GROW increasingly paying a larger percentage of the total.
According to the OIAA November 3, 2003, Treasurers Report, OIAA had a total of $4,813, including contributions from NB17 and GROW. Expenses for the Internet Server, List Server, office expenses are minimal at about $263. Karen proposed either decreasing our contribution to OIAA with a concurrent increase in contribution to GSO or eliminating our contributions to OIAA and giving all of our excess to GSO.
The Chair posted a summary from the April 2003, discussion in which we agreed that despite problems within the organization, OIAA is responsible for many good things, including 12-step work and online information. At that time we discussed withdrawing completely or reducing our financial contribution. Ultimately we agreed to re-evaluate the effectiveness of our continued participation and financial support at a future business meeting.
- One member stated she would be comfortable withdrawing support entirely. Another felt that in light of the service OIAA does provide, a reduced amount would be a rational choice. Another questioned whether or not OIAA still serves a purpose. Early in the discussion, that GROW contributes more than its fair share, was the only thing we all seemed to agree on at this point.
- Two members helped clarify the issues by speaking to the services OIAA does provide. In fact, Gigi did such a great job of explaining the value of the OIAA website that she changed her own mind. OIAA is about "service," and OSC is about "governance" seemed to strike a chord with members who were having a hard time seeing a distinction between the two. Karen also reminded us that most of the work of OIAA happens behind the scenes on the committee level, and listed these examples of valuable service:
- The OIAA website lists online AA meetings with contact information and breaks them into easily browseable categories. The webmaster is conscientious and updates it promptly and consensus with a head nod in response to the above statement?"
- The Public Information Committee (PIC) answers 60-100 questions/month from the public. Questions range from searches for local meetings to requests to clarify AA traditions.
- The 12 Step Committee answers ~100 emails a month from people asking for help. They are a dedicated bunch of people that pride themselves on their work." By the end of the 4-day session, all responding members agreed that GROW should continue to contribute to OIAA, but no more than our fair share. Our Chair summarized the discussion and asked for head nods as follows:
- "We have discussed a proposal that we decrease our contribution to OIAA with a concurrent increase in contribution to GSO or that we eliminate our contributions to OIAA and give all of our excess to GSO. We have agreed this last four-day period that OIAA provides valuable service and we do not want to completely withdraw support at this time. Neither do we want to continue providing more than our fair share of the financial support. Most of us feel that no letter of concern is necessary at this time."
Of the 12 members who responded to this statement, 10 nodded in support. Of those 10, one stated she would not oppose sending OIAA a brief courteous note to this effect, and she wants to see the note before it is sent. Another commented that she feels that our OIAA rep should be the one to bring it to the OIAA group. One member does not support the statement (no specific reason given to the group). One member supports a reduction in the amount GROW contributes, but feels 15% is too drastic. She would support reducing the contribution to 25%.
We do not have consensus on the following statement: "GROW will contribute 15% of excess funds to OIAA and 85% to the GSO." Therefore we will move this item to formal vote. I have asked our secretary to post the voting procedures separately. According to group conscience guidelines any agenda item that has not reached a consensus or a motion in time to complete the procedure, must be tabled to the next scheduled business meeting. Therefore, this item will be held over to our April 2004 business meeting. I will call for a motion now, so we don't have to backtrack when we pick this item up again in April.
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Convention
Convention > Business Cards (1/00)
Decision: GROW "business cards" will be made available, the content of which will be decided by our OIAA representatives.
Convention > Chat (1/00)
Decision: GROW will host a special women's chat session during the OIAA Suite hosting at 2000 International Convention.
Convention > GROW Mailing List (4/00)
Decision: GROW will support a mail list being formed for the duration of the OIAA International Convention where convention visitors could share on the chosen topic, demonstrating how e-mail meetings work. GROW will ask for volunteers from the group to participate. We will not open the GROW mail list up to convention visitors.
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GROW Participation
OIAA Membership (4/16)
GROW will remain in OIAA and continue to send a Representative to Intergroup meetings.
Decision: The proposal has not succeeded in passing the required 2/3 majority. The vote is 9 In Favor and 8 Opposed.
GROW will remain in OIAA and continue to send a Representative to Intergroup meetings; however, the proposal is tabled for further discussion until the October business meeting.
Discussion: The motion was originally intended to see if the group wishes to remain in OIAA or to leave the Intergroup. During the discussion, Yvonne offered to assume the OIAA Representative position.
The first vote resulted in 15 in favor and two against the proposal. Minority opinion talked about long-standing experience with OIAA as being disorganized and inefficient (for example, not cashing our checks) with frequent “turf battles.” Several members who had previously voted to remain in OIAA changed their minds.
The re-vote was very close, with 9 in favor of remaining in the Intergroup and 8 opposed. A 2/3 majority is required for any motion to pass in a GROW-Business meeting. GROW will remain in OIAA for the time being, and we will continue to send a Representative. We will table further discussion of this issue until the October business meeting. No group conscience decision is set.
GROW Participation (4/03)
Decision: It was agreed to re-evaluate our continued participation and financial support with OIAA at our October business meeting. Our OIAA representative will inform OIAA of this decision.