District 19 Area 11

Branford, North Branford, Northford and East Haven Ct. Alcoholics Anonymous

DISTRICT 19

General Service Representative Meeting minutes

July 22, 2025

 

    1. Welcome (DCM): Initiated by the District Committee Member (DCM) or his/her Representative. Sharon  started the meeting at 7
  • General Service Representative Pre-Amble (ALL):

  • Serenity Prayer (ALL):


  • Concept VII:  The Charter and Bylaws of the General Service Board are legal instruments which allow the trustees to conduct our world service affairs.  The Conference Charter is not a legal document;it relies upon tradition and contributions for its effectiveness

  1. Tradition VII:  Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions

             Volunteer for August Concept VII and Tradition VIII: Laurie volunteered to read for August.  

  • Review & Approval of Meeting Minutes (D19 Secretary)

  1. Current Month being Reviewed for Approval: June 2025 Dave made the motion, Gene seconded the motion, we voted unanimously to accept the June 2025 minutes.
  1. Old Business (DCM/ALL):  

 

  1. Voting Items:  District Survey was presented previously and was discussed at the Spring Assembly.  .  Should we proceed with district survey?  Dave asked who is collating the answers? How do we share the information? Can we vote online? What do we do with the information? Sam(Area 11Accessibility rep):  AA selects a statistically significant number of meetings and then uses the surveys from  those to report on.  She clarified how AA uses this information to better serve and how we should use that information as a District to best serve the needs of our District.   Sharon motioned to vote to hold off on further discussion until Steve is here, Dave seconded and unanimous approval  
  2. Budget:  Steve asked that we hold off on voting on spending some of the surplus.  He has been attending meetings throughout the district and has recruited new Committee members and would like them to have the opportunity to request a budget before we vote on the surplus.Unanimously approved to hold off on voting how to spend the surplus. 

  • New Business: GSR’s that are rotating out.  Outgoing GSR isn’t able to vote, the new GSR votes.  Lisa from Traditions, Carol Ann from On the Rocks are rotating out as GSR’s. 
  • General Service Representative Introductions / Reports & Concerns (GSRs):

  1. GSR Time for any AA questions/concerns or issues with their individual AA Group.  This is your time so please take advantage of it.

 

Maureen, Faith in Steps in Northford.  No new concerns

Laurie:  BAsics on the Green:  No new concerns

Darlene:  EMR Zoomers:  No new concerns

Fred:  Area 11 answering Service chair

Dawn:  Schedules committee No new concerns

Vince:  Visitor

Frank:  GSR East Haven Saturday night meeting  No new concerns

Jimmy:  Sunday night meeting No new concerns

Kevin;  Tabor meeting Thursday No new concerns

Sam:  Area 11 Accessibility Chair

Dave:  EMR in Branford No new concerns

Kathy:  Roaming Gypsies North Branford No new concerns

Gene:  Friday night Big Book Study No new concerns

  • COMMITTEE REPORTS:
  1.  Registrar:  Steve.(not present but sent a report)  He is attending each meeting in the district, if he hasn’t been to yours yet, he will get there. 
  2. Answering Service:  Jeff:  Not present but reports there are no updates as there was no meeting last month. Fred  no updates as he was at the International Convention.  This district is well represented on the Answering Committee
  3. Cooperation with the Professional Committee(CPC):  Dave  NO update
  4. Public Information:  Diane  Not present
  5. Schedules:  Dawn:  Working with Intergroup to update this information and make it easily accessible
  6. Archives:  Open
  7. Accessibility:  Open  Sam is here from AREA 11 Accessibilities to report as follows:  We are a leading area in Accessibilities and our information is being shared in other states.  She reviewed the bill that was presented to State legislature, SB410, legislation that impacts funding for ASL interpreters.   One of our Area members cannot attend meetings in our Area as there is no ASL interpreter.   She reviewed  the  Gold Can Initiative and it’s history in AA as it relates to the Traditions. Initially used spare change put in a gold can to fund AA  literature.  In CT we need interpreters. The Gold Can is being used for a district or Area fund for ASL interpreters.  Sam’s goal is a  to twice per month ASL meeting in our district.  She suggested a headset for this meeting to assist with hearing as the fan makes it difficult to hear. Sam reported the leading barrier to ASL interpreters is cost.  The interpreter is not necessarily a member of AA but neither are the Spanish interpreters.  Also, the gender of the interpreter can be an issue if it is a men’s or women’s only meeting. 

A member brought up that  not every hearing impaired person is fluent in ASL and there are some non-profits who address this and that is another resource.  

Members expressed interest in starting Gold can initiatives at their individual meetings.  Sam reported that SB 410  didn’t pass because of funding.  But we did get to

                         speak with some Congressional members and it was a great CPC effort..  

 

                        REMINDER Rompiendo Fonteras is July 26th,       

 

  1. Communications(no longer Alki-line):  Open
  2. Website:  open

 

  1.   Officer’s Reports
  1.  DCM:  Steve:  Absent, his communication is embedded in the minutes
  2. ADCM:  Sharon:  Reviewed Steve’s email.  Fred discussed the changes to how the Answering Service is structured and funded.  There used to be a percentage suggested.  When the Area started covering Answering Service, the Current suggested a ratio 40%Area 30% GSO, 30% District.  
  3. Treasurer:  Dave;  reviewed the June treasurer’s report
  4. Secretary:  Karen:  Please make sure your sign in information is correct.  Steve is updating the database and we have been making changes according to the sign in sheet.  Thank you

International Convention Review:

Fred:  attendance was down and part of it was due to immigration changes since 911.  205 of people with over 50 years of sobriety were present.  Someone with 65 years of continuous sobriety was present.  There were  4 speakers from CT, Maysha, our Area 11 DCM was one of them.  If you get to go to an international convention, the next one is 2030, St. Louis.  

 

  1. Calendar Look Ahead (DCM):

 

  1. August GSR Meeting:  26 August 2025    

 

  1. September GSR Meeting:  23 September 2025

 

  1.  October GSR meeting:  October 28, 2025

  • Sick & Deceased (ALL):  Gigi


  • Anniversaries:  Karen, 10 years July 19th
  • Responsibility Statement (DCM): – I am responsible when anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that, I am responsible.


  • Closing:  The meeting ended at 7:52

Respectfully Submitted, 

Karen W

District 19 Treasurer’s Report

June 2025

 

Opening Balance $11,465.06

 

Deposits:

Roaming Gypsies group $ 52.00

_______

Total Deposits $ 52.00

_________

$11,517.06.

 

Expenses:

Food $174.26

_______

Total Expenses $ 174.26

________

Ending Balance $11,342.80

 

Respectively submitted, David H.

District 19 Treasurer

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