Minutes Guilford AA JOL Happy Hour Business Meeting 3/7/2025 at 6:30pm
Attendance:
Officers Present: Dan A – Chair, Jo – Treasurer, John D – Service Chair, Pam D – Coins and Books, Herb – GSR & Website Chair, Ann Z – Secretary
Others Present: Liz, David B., Karen C.
Dan A. opened the meeting with the Serenity Prayer.
Old Business: None
New Business:
Revising JOL Happy Hour Opening Script: During last month’s meeting, John D. made the recommendation that the opening script for this group could use some revisions-that it may be redundant or excessive in some areas. The committee agreed that the script merited a review and possible revision. With the Committee’s prior permission, John D. submitted a re-scripted text for review at this meeting. Areas for discussion of the draft are highlighted in red with committee remarks and final recommendation following. (Please see below.):
Chairperson’s Script (Proposed)
Welcome to the Guilford Joy of Living Happy Hour Group of Alcoholics Anonymous. I am _______________, an alcoholic and your chairperson for today. Your audio has been muted for you at this time to avoid background noise.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
* Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities. Therefore, who you see here, what you hear here, let it stay here.
* Committee Recommendation: Remove first sentence beginning with Anonymity….Reword second sentence (who you see here, etc.) and move to closing.
** Recordings of our meeting of any kind, such as video, still images or audio is expressly forbidden.
** Committee Recommendation: May be frightening for newcomers, impossible to police, may give others ideas. Delete this statement.
Let us have a moment of silence to remember why we are all here, followed by the Serenity Prayer. I have asked another alcoholic to read How it Works.
This is an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. We are glad you are all here. In keeping with our singleness of purpose and our third tradition, we ask all who participate to confine their discussions to their ***alcoholism.
***Committee recommendation: Change “alcoholism” to “recovery.”
If you wish to share, raise your Zoom hand and then unmute yourself when the Chairperson calls on you. You’ll find “Raise Hand” on the Zoom screen under “Participants” or “Reactions” or “More” depending on the kind of device you have. If you dial in, hit “star 9” to raise your Zoom hand.
**** If you have any concerns about the meeting please refrain from disrupting the meeting but Chat the hosts instead.
**** Committee Recommendation: Never happens. Remove sentence.
There are no dues or fees for AA membership, but we do have expenses. If you wish to contribute, there are ways to donate in the chat column. Also in the chat column is a link to this group’s website which has information about (the) this group as well as tips and tools for staying sober in AA. This group gives free Big Books to newcomers and anniversary coins to celebrants. If you would like a Big Book or an anniversary coin, chat your address to Pam D or the hosts.
***** If you would like to chat privately with friends after the meeting, notify the host and they will set it up for you.
***** Committee Recommendation: Never happens. Remove sentence.
If anyone needs help finding a sponsor, please talk to us after the meeting for more information. The private chat feature of Zoom has been disabled for security reasons. You may, however, chat the host, or a co-host if you have questions related to your recovery.
Are there any visitors here today? Anyone returning? Any anniversaries? Is anyone counting days that would like to identify themselves? Are there any AA Announcements?
We are here 7 days a week at 5:30pm and have a rotating format. Sunday is a speaker meeting; Monday, As Bill Sees It; Tuesday is a beginners meeting; Wednesday is Big Book; Thursday is Daily Reflections; Friday is Step; and Saturday is Living Sober.
(Chairperson now leads the reading and/or discussion)
(CHAIRPERSON’S REMARKS IMMEDIATELY AFTER OPENING READING AND/OR OPENING COMMENTS): During the discussion, we ask that you keep track of the time you speak. If we each speak about 3 minutes, many will have the chance to participate. Please be respectful of each other, refrain from giving advice or criticism, or using profane language
NOTES TO THE CHAIRPERSON: At 6:15, inquire if anyone has a burning desire and would like to share. End discussion by 6:26 to allow time to read the promises and say a closing prayer of your choice.
CLOSING REMARKS: In closing; a gentle reminder that who you see here, what you hear here, let it stay here.
Dan asked if there was anything further to discuss or questions regarding the script. Liz pointed out that if there is an occasion where a disruption occurs, that the Chair of the meeting has the right to call order to the meeting.
David made a motion to accept all of the changes. The committee voted unanimously to accept all changes. The final script has been posted on the aahappyhour.com website.
Dan asked if there was any further new business. David B. remarked that notations in the chat area – especially those intended to update latecomers – could be distracting. Dan asked if posts made to the chat could be made less obvious. John D. responded that posts to the chat are viewed differently depending on which devices are used. Dan asked that this observation be noted in the minutes and that any action taken could be taken at a later date.
Secretary’s Report: Ann Z. reported that the minutes for the 2/7/2024 Business Meeting had been posted on the group’s Website for review. Dan A. asked for any questions or comments. There were none.
Service Chair Report: John reported that all was running well but noted that he still needs to find someone to fill the Thursday host position. He said the host spot should be filled by someone with adequate computer skills.
Coins and Books Report: Pam reported that 62anniversary coins and cards and one Big Book had been sent out in February. Dan observed that a good number of people talk about how great and nice these anniversary cards are.
Treasurer’s Report: Jo reported that the February 7th Tradition donations totaled $162.11.
The current balance for the JOL Happy Hour Meeting is $453.48 (not counting the reserve of $400). $853.48 was deposited into the GSB account. Total expenses reported for February were -$34.01 for the groups’ Zoom subscription.
Jo noted that March is the time to think about quarterly donations to District 11, Area 11, and The GSO. She said that in the past the distribution of the group’s surplus was calculated for each group at 20%, 40%, and 40% respectively.
Dan commented that he thinks the contribution to the district is more than is probably needed. Herb concurred noted that the district has approximately $8,000 and is not sure how to allocate it.
Herb made a motion to make the contributions at the beginning of this month vs. later after 7th Tradition donations and monthly expenses are processed. David seconded the motion. There were no objections, with most of the committee approving the motion and Dan abstaining.
Dan A. asked for any questions or comments. There were none.
GSR Report: Herb noted that the GSR’s role centers’ on service areas, i.e., prisons and treatment centers, libraries, as well as on the GSR website, and that this work continues to be going well. He announced that the new District leader is Tom G.
Herb reminded the group that his term as our GSR representative is now over but that he doesn’t mind continuing that role until a new candidate is found and approved. Dan commented that his experience of reaching out to fill such positions has not been successful. He suggested, if Committee members have recommendations, that they ask those people and let Dan know if they are agreeable to serve in the GSR role. Dan remarked that everyone in our group appreciates Herb offering to extend his service and praised the great work that is getting done.
Herb reiterated that our Guilford group – part of District 2 meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month at the Guilford Community Center. Herb reminded all that GSR minutes are posted on the district web site at: https://d20a11.org. Dan A. asked for any questions or comments. There were none.
JOL Web Report: Herb said the there was nothing new to report and that, again, he was always open for new suggestions for changes or additions. He restated that the purpose of the website is to try to attract new people to A.A. and reported that nearly 3,000 people visit the site on a daily basis to access the daily readings.
Dan made a general inquiry about whether or not it was necessary to have a JOL website report at every Business meeting. No comments were made.
Chairman’s comments/Adjournment. Dan A. made a motion to accept all service reports at once at the end of the meeting. He did note that the Treasurer’s report had been previously approved. This motion was seconded by David, unanimously accepted, and the reports were all approved. The meeting was adjourned.
