Ozark Area Service Committee Meeting March, 2002

Ozark Area Service Committee Meeting March, 2002

We Do Recover Group Hosting

Meeting opened at 2:08 with Serenity Prayer, Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts for Service read.

Roll Call:

Administrative Officers present: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, RCM.

vacant: RCM-Alternate.

Subcommittee Chairs present: P.I., HOLP 2002, AWAM, H & I

vacant: Literature Review.

Groups: present: Set Free, Survivors, But Do It, We Do Recover, Never Alone, Blood, Sweat, and Tears,

Higher Powered, Fifth Tradition, High Noon, Free At Last, Against All Odds.

absent: Spiritual Principles (moved to inactive list.)

inactive: , T.U.N.A. - W

Quorum established

Letter From the Chair:

March 16, 2002

Friends,

Last month's committee meeting left me feeling raw to say the least, but I did not and still do not regret the vast array of emotions I have experienced as a result of last month's proceedings. "Whatever doesn't kill me helps me grow." However, I must object to the character assassination that took place in that meeting. I still cannot see how anything that is not supportive and loving toward a fellow addict can possibly be conducive to the primary purpose set forth so many years ago by our forefathers.

I am certain that our forefathers did not always do everything with our primary purpose in the forefront of their minds, but I also would wager that whenever they realized their mistake they faced that wrong squarely making prompt amends. As a result they grew and our fellowship continued to grow as well. Which is what I am praying will happen here today.

You see, I see our service committee as an extension of the foundation that our forefathers worked so hard to establish. NA is flourishing! We are a part of its growth! NA has grown- is now growing- and will continue to grow based on love and unity and mutual support.

Since our last meeting I have had addicts confront me accusing me of not standing up in proper authority as Ozark Area Chair by allowing the meeting to go as it did in February. Part of the problem was those addicts only had the minutes to reflect the proceedings of February's OASC meeting. The minutes were not accurate. Another problem was those addicts must not have talked things over with the group representatives who were present and had the entire story to give.

I do not want to have to defend myself. The GSR’s wanted the story. They heard the story. Now a man has been humiliated. Those minutes go to Region. Those minutes stay in our archives for addicts 10, 20, 50 years from now to thumb through. Was the extent of the character assassination printed in our minutes conducive to the primary purpose of Narcotics Anonymous? I do not see how. NA is a program of attraction. If we humiliate one another in a lynch mob fashion, is that attractive?

I am going to ask that the portion of the minutes titled “Discussion of Concern” be stricken and a new copy be sent to all groups. Simply marking through it will not suffice in this matter. I would appreciate all GSR’s properly disposing of the portion of February's minutes that I am referring to as if that were a character defect written about you that you did not wish to have publicly exposed.

Thank you for allowing me to serve. I always do so with the addict on the brink in mind. You know - that addict who is debating life or death because that was me four years ago and it could be me today.

ILS OSC Chair Shelie V.

Minutes: additions/corrections

Discussion regarding the accuracy of February minutes.

Discussion regarding content and editorialization of discussion points made at the February ASC, and their inclusion in the Minutes.

Motion: To remove “Discussion of Concern” from February Minutes and distribute a new copy of February Minutes to all GSR’s. / 2^nd.

Discussion regarding the merits /pitfalls of such action.

How can the ASC retrieve already distributed copies, eliminating confusion as to which copy is valid?

Will editing the minutes subject past minutes to revision?

Several comments made that labeled February’s ASC as character assassination and inappropriate for the ASC.

Why were they put in the minutes to begin with?

Does deleting a section of the Minutes undo such damage as may have been caused?

Secretary goes ballistic in opposition to fabricating a new reality by printing an edited version of the February Minutes.

Motion moves to a vote – Motion Fails.

Motion: To remove Don C’s name from February Minutes and distribute a new copy to GSR’s. / 2^nd.

Same arguments brought to the floor.

Motion Passes.

AWAM report was the wrong one. Correct report for February as follows:

Not much to report again this month. I have read over the old guidelines that Pam gave me and if I get the input from the groups today; I will have a set of AWAM guidelines done by the next ASC meeting. I will be having a sub-committee meeting on Saturday March, 16, at 4:00 p.m. at 618 Jackson in Joplin. That is right after the H & I sub-committee meeting. I hope that the groups will encourage their members to come get involved with putting on functions for their Area. Remember; this is a WE thing not an I thing, and I could really use all of your help and support. Thank you! In Loving Service, Bridgit B.

Minutes approved

Recess / Reconvene / Basket pass

Administrative reports:

Vice Chair: Hello Ozark Area, I attended all the sub-committee meetings except for PI due to conflicting schedules with my work.

I think as an area we should look at how these subcommittees work together instead of against each other.

In my opinion we can learn and better ourselves as an area. In Loving Service, Wendy A.

Note: Please correct my phone numbers (listed above) on this months area minutes.

Treasurer:

Ozark Area Treasurer's Report March 17, 2002

Balance $582.37 Balance ending February 17, 2002 (see previous report).

Total Deposits $ 63.29 Donations given in February 17, 2002 meeting.

Total Expenses. $191.84 Expenses since February 17, 2002 report and last meeting.

Current Balance $453.82 Balance as of March 17, 2002 meeting.

BREAKDOWNS

DONATIONS EXPENSES

We Do ecover $21.00 $ 19.62 Pam M. #1337 (Literature)

AT & T refund $42.29 $ 6.80 Doug B.. #1338 (stamps)

TOTAL DEPOSITS $ 63.29 $ 26.95 Show Me #1339 (Regional Donation)

$90.00 Joplin Answering Ser. #1340

$26.80 Joplin Globe #1341

$20.67 So. Western Bell #1336

$ 1.00 Debit - Mo. Service Charge

$191.84 TOTAL EXPENSES

Notes: 1) Expenses: Joplin Globe's new monthly charge will be $42.60 per month verses $58.40 due to Pam M.'s effort to negotiating a better plan for the area. Thank you Pam. We did receive a credit of $15.80 from previous month’s bill so I took credit and wrote check for this month in tbe amount of $26.80.

2) Basket Donation: Funds collected at February 17, 2002 area meeting were $15.32 and given to the host, Against All Odds.

3) Free At Last Cbeck: I contacted Tommy and he indicated be still bad the check for $132.15 that was given to him for literature from the Ozark Area and he would return the check. I was contacted by Kevin F, new GSR for Free At Last and came to the agreement he would write "void" across the check and would bring check to this month’s area aad return it to Ozark Area. I know the area wanted me, as their treasurer, to either "relinquish check or stop payment on check". After speaking to Kevin, who is a trusted servant for Free At Last, understanding his reason for wanting to return this check to area himself and having him write "void" across cheek, decided to not relinquish check or stop payment on check and let him bring it to area. When Kevin brings check back to area, I will add $132.15 back into checking account and it will show on April 2002 treasurer's report.

As I, your area’s trusted servant made this decision to the bat of my ability. I will be more than happy to respond to any questions a area feels needed.

4) But Do It Regional Donation - In order to keep my treasurer records correct and to verify Butd Do It's regional donation for $44.51 was sent directly to Show-Me Region and was not deposited into the Ozark Area checking account. In Loving Service, Jackee C.

RCM Report: Hello Ozark Area, Well, next month is Region. Hopefully everyone has their C.A.R. votes. If not you can get them to me by April 11 at Dale Stiver 4426 Hwy NN Joplin, Mo 64804 or 417-782-1108. Also it anyone is interested in a Regional position I have Regional Service Resumes. Also I have a list of the motion 3 issue topics. Also I need a hard copy of the last 3 months minutes.

ILS, Dale S.

Subcommittee Reports:

H & I: Hello Ozark Area, H & I is doing well. We are still holding 4 presentations at Ozark Center/New Directions, 2 presentations a month at the Laffayette House, and 4 presentations a month at the Jasper County Jail. Our subcommittee meeting is held the third Saturday of the month at 618 Jackson (HOLC) at 3pm.

We still need support from the females. We will be announcing heavily at meetings about the importance of H & I and the need for support.

We haven’t had a workshop or learning days in a while so mayby it is time for one. If the groups in the area would like us to do so, maybe a GSR could task AWAM to help us with this event.

The H & I Committee would like to thank the Area for its support… ILS, Brian C.

Public Information: The Public Information Subcommittee met February 24, 1pm, in Joplin at 1330 Wall. Past minutes were approved. There were 12 NA members in attendance representing 4 Ozark Area Groups. An NA member whose first language is Spanish offered to help, should the P.I. subcommittee be presenting to Spanish-speaking people. We discussed where we might be able to talk with that audience in this area. We discussed purchasing a self-inking stamp with the helpline numbers on it.

The Presentation Taskforce presented their work to date. The work included do's and don'ts for presenters, and statements of information to be covered by three presenters. they had also compiled three different community meeting formats including schools, professional groups and/or organizations and addiction treatment personel. Thank you Trish, David, and Kevin. A very thorough job was done on this.

Again, nominations for Vice-Chair of the P.I. Subcommittee were asked for. Kevin F. was nominated and voted in as Vice-Chair. Our next meeting is April 7 and will include a mock presentation given by the taskforce in order for the subcommittee to receive input from our local NA community. We're going to be ready soon to give presentations in Ozark Area so please send a representative to P.I. We hope the ASC will be well represented at our next meeting because we need the input and you all should know what these presentations are going to sound like when given.

Also meeting schedules were updated and printed. I don't have a lot but get with me if your group needs some. Respectfully submitted, Pam M.

HOLP 2002 Hello Ozark Area, Things with the picnic are going great. At today’s meeting we voted on our workshops for this years picnic. The workshops will be as follows:

“How to have Fun in Recovery” Higher Powered Group to chair

“Recovery through Pain” We Do Recover Group to chair

“Home Group - What a Concept” But Do It Group to chair

“Writing Steps For Recovery” Regional Sub Committee to chair

Pre registrations are flowing in, so far we are up to 38. The mail outs are ready and will be sent out this month or the first part of April. The committee had some discussion about what to do with this years banner. In the past we have auctioned the banner off and it has been a lot of fun mainly between Joplin and Springfield, so talk with your groups and if know one has any objections we will plan on auctioning the banner off at the picnic. We will be spending around $420.00 plus on going ordering of merchandise over the next month. Our standing balance as of March 17, 2002 is $1713.38. If you have any questions about the picnic please ask. Our next meeting will be the usual 1 hour prior to the next ASC. In Loving Service, David B. HOLP Chair

AWAM Well my first A.W.A.M. sub committee meeting went very well, and I very happy to say that for the first time in a long time I actually have hope and don’t feel so alone. There was a lot of discussion about what A.W.A.M. actual functions in the area is and exactly which functions the committee should be involved with. It was discussed that we should have strictly A.W.A.M. functions as to not step on any body else’s toes, with there being workshops or learning days at those functions your input on this is needed! I still do not have a sub committee because the only members that showed up were the Area Chair, Vice Chair, Area Treasure, H&I Vice Chair and the HOLP Chair but Robert G. has stepped up and is going to be my Vice Chair of the committee. I will be getting with him in the next few days to discuss and work out guide lines. It was discussed at the sub committee meeting that since we have not ever actually had an A.W.A.M. sub committee and the Area doesn’t seem to have a lot of information to offer me, that we would contact the other A.W.A.M. chairs in our region and get their experience before trying to say what we should or should not do, and before ever trying to come up with an set of guide lines. I would still like to get the Area involved in this but that is up to you to do, so I will do my part and all of this will be decided on at the next sub committee meeting. I have experienced a lot of frustration with this position over the past few months but with your help I know we can make this work. Please show up April 21, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. at 618 Jackson in Joplin and help me make A.W.A.M. do all that it can to help our Area. Unity is one of the things our Area needs the most, so lets work at it. In Loving Service, Bridgit B.

Group Reports:

Set Free: Hello Ozark Area, my name is Lori M. I am the new GSR for Set Free Group. Our group still meets at 315 E. Grand on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:00pm, and Fridays at 6:30pm, and Saturdays we have a candlelight meeting at 9pm. Our meetings attendance has been up to 15 - 20 addicts per meeting.

We will be having our 7^th Annual Unity Bash on April 27^th. It starts at noon until 11:30 pm. It will be held at Marmaduke Park in Nevada, MO. We will be having a barbeque, dance, speaker, workshops, vollyball, raffle, fun and fellowship. Our workshops start at 2:00pm ‘till 4:00pm. The speaker meeting will be at 6:320pm. The dance will be after the raffle.

Our donation this month is $20.00. ILS, Lori M.

Survivors: Greetings Ozark Area, Survivors Group meets at noon Monday through Saturday at 618 Jackson in Joplin.

Our group continues to do well. We would like to welcome Stacy c. as our newly elected GSR Alternate. Thanks go out to all who attended our Valentine function, we were able to meet both our literature and financial reserves. In addition we have a $300.00 donation to the area. ILS, Shavett G.

But Do It: Ozark Area, Hello My name is Rob I am an addict. I am the GSR for the But Do It group of Joplin, Mo. We meet Wednesdays at 6:30pm in the basement of Building 2 at 1502 Michigan. We are a small but intimate group. We average about 6 addicts a week.

The But Do It Group has a donation of $52.50 to area. Our group is gratefull to be a part of the Ozark Area. ILS, Rob G.

We Do Recover: Hello Ozark Area, The We Do Recover Group meets at 1330 Wall in Joplin every night at 8PM, midnight on Fri and Sat, and at 6PM on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Our bills are paid. Attendance is still high, with many newcomers. I am sorry to report we have no area donation this month.

Our birthday celebration was a success, Thank you all for your support. ILS, Linda Q

Never Alone: Good afternoon Ozark Area, The Never Alone group of Narcotics Anonymous is doing very well right now, we are still having our meeting on Tuesdays at 8:00pm in the Basement of the St. Lawerence Catholic Church located at405 7th St. in Monett, Mo. Our attendance is doing well at this time. Our regular meeting is closed and we are non-smoking. Our Business Meeting is the firsty Tuesday of the month after our regular meeting.

Our group has finally finished the C.A.R. Report for 2002. We have found out that we are a small but strongly connected group of addicts.

1). The group would like to congratulate Wendy A. as our new Ozark Area Service Committee Vice Chair.

2) Group was pleased with the Hospitals and Institutions Subcommittee Guidelines With ASC approval, “we accept them with open arms”.

We have a $5.00 donation to Area this month.

A Trusted Servant of N A, In Loving Service, the Alt GSR for Never Alone, Danny H.

Filling in for our GSR Chris D. in his absence this month.

Could you please put this in minutes as written, correcting spelling if possible.

Blood, Sweat, and Tears: Hello Ozark Area, Blood, Sweat, and Tears is still meeting every Friday night 8:00pm at 301 S. Pine in Nevada, Mo. Our attendance averages 15 addicts per meeting. ILS, Eddie M.

Higher Powered: Hello Ozark Area, Higher Powered Group still meets at 128 W. Elm in Columbus, KS on Thursdays at 8:00pm. We have 8 – 12 addicts per meeting. We are self supporting and have no contribution for the area this month.. ILS, Deanna J.

Fifth Tradition: Greetings Ozark Area, Fifth Tradition meets Tuesday through Friday 8:00pm at 618 Jackson. Our attendance changes from 6 to 20 and Friday nights are our candlelight meetings. We are still trying to straighten out our finance, we have do donation at this time. In Loving Service, Neil H.

High Noon: Hello everyone! My name is Bethany W. And I am the new GSR for the High Noon Group of Neosho. We meet every Monday and Friday, from 12:00 To 1:00. Due to the theft of our Treasurer’s car we have no area donation this month. In Loving Service, Bethany W.

Free At Last: no report available at printing…Secretary.

Sharing Session: No items brought to the floor.

Recess/ Reconvene

Old Business:

Election of Literature Review Chair brought to the floor for a vote. Neither candidate ( Don C. or Delphia S. ) received the 2/3 majority necessary for election.

Motion: To approve Public Information Subcommittee Guidelines 2^nd / Passed.

Motion: To approve Hospitals and Institutions Subcommittee Guidelines 2^nd / Passed.

New Business:

Motion: That no OASC Minutes be posted in the briefcase on the Internet or be sent to the Region until they have been approved by this OASC. 2^nd / Passed.

Motion: To include Subcommittee meeting times and places in the events schedule. 2^nd / Passed.

Nomination: For Hospitals and Institutions Subcommittee Chair

Meeting adjourned.