november 2015 -...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: November 2015 - GaL-AAgal-aa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/GaL-AA-Fall2015-Newsletter-Nov-4-2D.pdf“GaL-AA stands for Gays and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous. Much has changed](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022050117/5f4e3102d2cb6c6f1f5d518f/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
“GaL-AA stands for
Gays and Lesbians in
Alcoholics Anonymous.
Much has changed in
the thirty years since we
began
-
In This Issue
2015 Wrap-up
Elections
Donations
GaL-AA Survey
Sponsorship
Step 11 & Tradition 11
GaL-AA Fall Newsletter November 2015
Gal-AA at the 2015 International Convention
80 years and 14 conventions is what marked the AA 2015 Interna-
tional convention in Atlanta Georgia July 2-5
During the AA International Convention over the July 4th weekend in
Atlanta this summer the GaL-AA committee hosted the dance party
and weekend-long hospitality suite for our community and convention
attendees. The weekend was a great success, beginning Friday
night when over 2000 attendees danced to the music of Atlanta's
very own Atlanta sober DJ.
Party guests were also treated to some wild entertainment with the
Miss Sobriety World contest and contestants from Atlanta and Dallas
raising funds for additional GaL-AA outreach.
What was experienced over the weekend took months of planning,
budgeting, fundraising, marketing and many, many meetings. We are
grateful to have such a dedicated committee and lucky to find profes-
sionals with experience they bring for their own special contributions
of time and talent. We also had over 150 volunteers just for the
weekend activities coming from all over the country and abroad. We
certainly could not have done it without such a great group of volun-
teers and committee members. Financially we maintained a fully self-
supporting budget and able to give back to GaL-AA International too.
We are very proud of the team and of creating a special event and
many lasting memories and friendships.
See you in Detroit in 2020 - Ron D. Atlanta
Gal-AA executive committee would like to thank all the volunteers for
making the event a success at the 2015 international convention.
Your hard work and dedication was evident at the Westin Hotel Hos-
pitality suite and Friday night dance.
GaL-AA would also like to thank the many many people who stopped
by to say hi, get information, and to tell us about what's happening in
there city's and states and how we could further help the still suffer-
ing Alcoholic.
Contact Us
GaL-AA
9450 SW Gemini Dr. #45287
Beaverton, OR 97008(555)
Visit us on the web at www.gal-aa.org
![Page 2: November 2015 - GaL-AAgal-aa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/GaL-AA-Fall2015-Newsletter-Nov-4-2D.pdf“GaL-AA stands for Gays and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous. Much has changed](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022050117/5f4e3102d2cb6c6f1f5d518f/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Donations for August/September/October 2015
Executive Committee
Chairperson
Denise R.
Attleboro, MA
DOS: 10/24/1989
Deputy Chair
Michael N.
Marion, WI
DOS: 5/12/1997
Secretary
Carol N.
Stoneham, MA
DOS: 2/9/1980
Treasurer
Mark J.
Snellville, GA
DOS: 7/5/2005
Advisor I
Jamie B.
Dallas, TX
DOS: 2/4/2008
Advisor II
Gary C.
Royal Oak, MI
DOS: 6/1/1991
Advisor III
Pierre B.
Atlanta, GA
DOS: 1/4/1994
Technical Liaison
Rob F.
Columbus, OH
DOS: 12/25/2008
Group 687507 Kensington, CT 20.00
St. Petersburg St. Petersburg, FL 50.87
Sober Saturday Matinee Washington, DC 71.70
Good Shepherd Randolph, MA 50.00
Brothers & Sisters in Sobriety Columbus, OH 39.36
Sunny Dunes 5th Tradition Palm Springs, CA 33.82
Live & Let Live St. Paul, MN 40.55
Doylestown Men's Group Doylestown, PA 10.00
San Antonio Lambda San Antonio, TX 125.00
Sunny Dunes 5th Tradition Palm Springs, CA 51.43
Live & Let Live St. Paul, MN 40.55
Doylestown Men's Group Doylestown, PA 10.00
San Antonio Lambda San Antonio, TX 125.00
Sunny Dunes 5th Tradition Palm Springs, CA 51.43
Member story from the International
I am from Albuquerque New Mexico. my partner and I with three and two
years sober went to the AA International conference in Atlanta and it was our
first international conference . We stayed at the GaL-AA host hotel the Westin.
We met a group of men from Phoenix there in the GaL-AA hospitality room.
Three months later, I was attending their men's retreat called Renewal In the
desert. The connections in AA are infinite and unexpected. I love that about
AA.
The best part was the green welcoming committee chanting Bill Bill Bill, when-
ever I get in a place of fear I start hearing that rally in my mind and sometimes
I just say it out loud. BILL BILL BILL.
I am looking forward to the next AA international conference 2020 in Detroit.
Underdog08
![Page 3: November 2015 - GaL-AAgal-aa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/GaL-AA-Fall2015-Newsletter-Nov-4-2D.pdf“GaL-AA stands for Gays and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous. Much has changed](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022050117/5f4e3102d2cb6c6f1f5d518f/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Term 01/01/2016 – 12/31/2017
It is time for the GaL-AA Spirit of Rotation to inspire and excite your Spirit of service for the GaL-AA Community!
GaL-AA 2015 Ballot Positions:
Deputy Chair
Secretary
Advisor II
Election Time Line:
12 Oct – 20 November 2015: Resume Submissions accepted
27 November 2015: Slate of Candidates announced and ballots distributed via email.
27 November – 18 December 2015: Online voting open
21 December 2015: Results announced January 1st, 2016: New Officers assume responsibilities
GaL-AA Seeking Candidates For 2015 Elections
2015 international Statistics
Number of Volunteer's for GaL-AA - 150
First Transgender meetings at an International AA Convention - 3
Friday Night Dance - 2000 +
New GaL-AA Sign up’s at the International convention - 109
Glow Sticks for Dance - 3000
Rainbow wrist bands - 2200
Gay Meetings at the International - 3
Sober T-Shirts sold - 125
GaL-AA Coins given away - 3000
And a whole lot of new friends were made all around the convention
![Page 4: November 2015 - GaL-AAgal-aa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/GaL-AA-Fall2015-Newsletter-Nov-4-2D.pdf“GaL-AA stands for Gays and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous. Much has changed](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022050117/5f4e3102d2cb6c6f1f5d518f/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
.Secretary
Prepare and distribute minutes for all GaL-AA Executive Committee
meetings and General Membership meetings with attendance record.
Document approval and/or corrections to minutes.
In cooperation with Chairperson, prepare and distribute meeting agen-
das and corresponding materials prior to each meeting of the Execu-
tive Committee.
Serve as custodian of corporate records including but not limited to by-
laws, policies, rules of order, minutes, correspondence, committees,
Manual of Policies and Practices, charter and archival materials.
Receive and review all GaL-AA correspondence; respond and/or redi-
rect as appropriate.
Responsible for all GaL-AA Executive Committee correspondence.
Maintain a listing of all members of the Executive Committee.
Manage the post office box/corporate mailing address.
Receive donations via mail; document and send acknowledgments.
Maintain co-signatory authority on all bank accounts.
Maintain compliance with non-profit incorporation, in cooperation with
Treasurer.
Maintain compliance with IRS status, in cooperation with Treasurer
Deputy Chairperson
Preside over all meetings of the full Advisory Council, Executive Commit-
tee and General Membership in the event that the Chairperson is unable
to do so.
Replace Chairperson in all identified roles and responsibilities in the event
that the Chairperson is unable to execute the position.
In cooperation with the Chairperson, establish all agendas.
Oversee all literature (in print and on website) to insure accuracy and
consistency of message.
Monitor all literature (written and on website) to ensure that it is within the
decisions and recommendations of the Executive Committee.
In cooperation with the Chairperson, facilitate an on-going process of
setting goals, monitoring progress, involving volunteers and identifying
needs or changes.
Serve as the primary liaison with AA-GSO, the AA Special Interest
Groups, Box 459 and the gay/lesbian international AA community. Main-
tain communication through letters of introduction, annual contacts and
transmitting GaL-AA minutes, financial reports and informational materi-
als.
Maintain responsibility for the election process, solicitation of nominees,
slate of candidates and balloting. Deputy Chairperson will appoint one
member of the Executive Committee to serve with the Deputy Chairper-
son in this task. The member is to be someone who is not a candidate in
the election cycle.
Advisor II
Maintain the primary role for Public Information, carrying the purpose and services of GaL-AA to the community.
Serve as primary liaison with conferences and roundups to cooperate in service to the alcoholic who still suffers.
Establish and maintain a model of public information for use at events to include booth display, staffing guidelines, presentations, signage
and a system to sign up individuals, groups and round ups, etc.
Coordinate all representation of GaL-AA at roundups and other conferences to ensure that the format, materials and message are consistent
with GaL-AA model.
Participate with the Deputy Chairperson and Technical Liaison in the development of GaL-AA literature for use in public information events,
routine AA conventions, gay/lesbian-specific settings and the website.
Serve to orient new members of the Executive Committee who take office on January 1 in even numbered years.
Develop policies and procedures for GaL-AA work with the public.
Provide orientation to new members of the Executive Committee.
Committee Member Responsibilities
![Page 5: November 2015 - GaL-AAgal-aa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/GaL-AA-Fall2015-Newsletter-Nov-4-2D.pdf“GaL-AA stands for Gays and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous. Much has changed](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022050117/5f4e3102d2cb6c6f1f5d518f/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Gal-AA Volunteers Service continues to be the guid-
ing force of our organization, thus
we are expanding the range of
volunteers. As in the past, some
may choose to represent a group,
city, area, state or country. Others
may represent a Roundup, another
AA Special Interest or Professional
Group.
Individuals and teams may choose
to work on specific projects that
extend the hand of A.A. in these or
other areas: Corrections, Commu-
nication, Treatment, Special
Needs, PI (Public Information),
CPC (Cooperation with the Profes-
sional Community), Archives, Cen-
tral/Area Office, State/Area/
Regional AA Conferences, just to
name a few.
Upcoming Newsletters and E-
Blasts will offer more information
on these many opportunities of
service. The goal remains to share
information to and from GaL-AA.
Find you guide for AA
Sponsorship
Sponsorship is merely another way of describing the continuing special interest of a seasoned member that can mean so much to a newcomer turning to A.A. for help.
Individuals and groups cannot afford to lose sight of the importance of sponsor-ship, the importance of talking a special interest in a confused alcoholic who wants to stop drinking. Experience shows clearly that the members getting the most out of the A.A. program, and the groups doing the best job of carrying the A.A. mes-sage to still-suffering alcoholics,. are those for whom sponsorship is too important to be left to chance.
For the person seeking a sponsor
The process of matching newcomer and sponsor is as informal as everything else in A.A. Often, the new person simply approaches a more experienced member who seems compatible, and asks that member to be a sponsor. Most A.A.'s are happy and grateful to receive such a request.
An old A.A. saying suggests, "Stick with the winners. " It's only reasonable to seek a sharing of experience with a member who seems to be using the A.A. program successfully in every- day life. There are no specific rules, but a good sponsor probably should be a year or more away from the last drink - and should seem to be enjoying sobriety.
2015 International Financial information
An honor to serve
It's hard to believe that almost 2 years ago the GaL-AA Atlanta met for the first
time to discuss the 2015 convention and what, where, how and when we would
host the 2015 GaL-AA dance and hospitality suite. We were fortunate and
blessed to find a team relatively quickly with the skills dedication and time to
make our goal a success.
Over an 18 month period, the GaL-AA Atlanta team worked together on the
dance and hospitality suite for the convention. Most of the attention was put on
having a spectacular & fun dance. While not everything went smoothly or as
planned, the team pulled off the most successful dance in GaL-AA's history. It
was a great honor and privilege to be a part of this team! - Jim D. Atlanta
Table Topic
The four Absolutes:
Honesty
Purity
Unselfishness
Love
![Page 6: November 2015 - GaL-AAgal-aa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/GaL-AA-Fall2015-Newsletter-Nov-4-2D.pdf“GaL-AA stands for Gays and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous. Much has changed](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022050117/5f4e3102d2cb6c6f1f5d518f/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Contact Us
GaL-AA
9450 SW Gemini Dr. #45287
Beaverton, OR 97008
Visit us on the web at:
http:// www.gal-aa.org
On our website you can:
Search for Meetings
Add a Meeting
Find a Roundup
Find additional resources
And a whole lot more!
Step 11 : Sought through prayer and medita-tion to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out
Tradition 11 : Our public relations policy is based on
attraction rather than promotion; we need always main-
tain anonymity at the level of press, radio and
films.
Up coming Roundups 2015-2016
Houston Roundup—going to any lengths: November 27, 2015- November 30, 2015
Las Vegas Roundup – Let Go and Let God: November 26, 2015 - November 29, 2015
Austin Roundup 2016 – A New Freedom: February 5, 2016 - February 7, 2016
Spirit by the Sea—Rehoboth Beach Roundup: February 12, 2016 - February 14, 2016
S.E.M.R.U. Expect Miracles: February 12, 2016 - February 15, 2016
Together We Can 2016: Trust God, Clean House, Help Others March 18, 2016—March 20, 2016
Vancouver BC. Celebrate Sobriety 2016: March 25, 2016 - March 27, 2016
New Mexico Roundup—A Way Out: May 20, 2016 - May 21, 2016
Big D Roundup—Rocketed: May 27, 2016 - May 29, 2016
NJ Roundup – Happy, Joyous, free and Fabulous! September 9, 2016 - September 11, 2016
Pass it on!
If you don’t see your roundup listed please contact : [email protected] and give us the information