Feb 26, 2023 SC Meeting
Old Business (Tabled from BM)
I. An issue of harassment was brought up during the BM, and the member was told to place the issue in the SC feedback per GC on issues of harassment.
A. This was never placed in the SC feedback. How would we like to proceed on this issue? Bring to BM? Get more info regarding this issue before the BM? Would anyone like to get more background on this?
B. Issue was resolved at the SC meeting, and no further action is required. The member affected by this issue explained the situation, and BM attention is not needed unless this member faces the same issue at a later time or deals with any kind of repeated behavior. They can put it in the SC feedback, and it will be addressed.
II. A complaint was lodged against a Host who holds the host tags 45 minutes into the next Host’s shift and gives themself cohost tags when they are not scheduled. This Host takes 20 minutes to cohost scheduled service members. The Host was not named in the SC feedback. (Tabled from Feb 5 BM).
A. SC members brought up that certain Hosts not passing tags can be an issue at times. Having one on one conversations with these particular members who forget to pass their tags was encouraged.
B. Lisa also proposed that members who fill out SC feedback should use a name. We understand that it can be awkward to use names, but we don’t have context or any way of fully understanding the situation without a name.
C. Motion to bring to next BM (Seconded and Passed)
III. Division of Jobs (Tabled from Feb 5th BM)
A. Motion to bring to next BM (Seconded and Passed)
IV. Shortening Readings to Prevent 15-minute Introduction (Tabled from Feb 5th BM)
A. Jason W: I would like to shorten the intro as much as possible by stop reading the safety card. I would also like to add plugging the daytime meetings listed on the website. (SC Feedback)
B. SC members seemed to agree that the Safety Card announcement is important. Hosts should not be reading the entire Safety Card because there’s already a vocal script that shortens it. There’s already a script for the Sister Meetings and a blurb for the Cohosts to post in the chat.
C. Motion to bring to next BM (Seconded and Passed)
V. Alternate Sister Meetings (Tabled from Feb 5th BM)
A. Motion to bring to next BM (Seconded and Passed)
New Business
I. Polling
A. Lisa has offered a solution for polling because there were compromised polls in the last election for service positions. There is a way to create polls on Zoom. This could be an alternate way to poll rather than the previous methods. It offers a simple, clean, and organized way to vote within GUTS parameters (not needing to use outside polling sources). It was tested by Lauren and MLKC. People can only vote once per poll; Zoom tracks the emails linked to the Zoom account. Even if people leave and come back, they won’t have access to the poll again. In order to use the ZPolls, these are options that have been offered by Lisa and Lauren. There are pros and cons to each option that need to be discussed with the group.
1. ZPolls can be open during the SC meeting? Polls could be run after/during the SC meeting while SC members are discussing other issues. This would mean that polls can only be done once a month. Who would issue the poll?
2. ZPolls can be open during the BM? BM cochair puts the polls up after the BM is over for members to vote on service positions. This would mean that polls can only be done once a month.
-These two options would mean overriding our previous GC on polling, and we would need to set up a new GC for nominations. How and when?
3. ZPolls can run concurrently to the GUTS meeting in the training room (set up a different meeting for this, not the reg. Training ID). Leave polling open 2 hours for 3 nights in a row? That would fall in line with our GC to try and include GUTS members outside of the service team. It would require tracking the results and compiling them by hand (Anonymous Voting). SC members have access to the 2nd room now, and it could be used for this function. This would beg the question of which SC members would participate in the polling and training members to issue the polling. This would require manpower and time to accomplish.
B. ZPolls offer anon/transparent voting. Only the Zoom Admin will be able to who voted in the meeting. If results are not downloaded, Zoom Admin will be unable to see who voted. (This is applicable for all options for polling)
1. Hosts of the meeting are unable to see who voted, but they can see the results of the votes.
2. There are two sides to this. If Zoom Admin can see who voted in the polls, they can check for any compromises in the polling. However, this would mean that the polls are not fully anonymous.
C. Motion to bring ZPolls to the next BM (Seconded and Passed)
II. Revote
A. Anonymous Member: Submitting a request to revote for Email Secretary on behalf of Stormy H.
1. There were no abnormalities with this poll. There was a clear and distinct winner in this particular poll.
B. We will also need to hold a re-election for SC since there was a tie between Daren and Kristen.
1. Mandi’s SC position is also up for discussion; so, there might be two positions that will be open on the SC.
C. The issues with polling seemed to occur only in the competitive elections, and that’s where we are looking to hold re-elections. We will be bringing the SC election results to the BM and see how the group wants to proceed. (Seconded and Passed)
III. Mandi’s SC Position
A. Mandi has been inactive in the SC. Members have attempted to contact her regarding this matter with no response. How do we want to proceed? Do we want to discuss having GC votes in place when SC members are not participating in SC meetings, discussions, or facilitating GC?
B. Al: Submitting a request to replace Mandi on the Steering Committee only. I reached out to her and asked if she was planning on continuing service on the SC. She read but did not reply 2 weeks ago. Mandi hasn’t shown up to any of the SC or Business meetings and isn’t currently able to show up in a minimal capacity to provide service as a SC member.
C. The SC discussed that we should have GC in place when SC members are inactive. Only SC members. There has been no previous GC on inactive SC members.
D. Motion to bring this to the next BM (Seconded and Passed)
IV. BIPOC Resource Coordinator
A. Maya: Thank you for all of the hard work you put into service every day. I am reaching out to add something to the agenda for the next business meeting. I’d like to vote on having a BIPOC resources coordinator. I am so happy about the appointment of a LGBTQ resources coordinator. Thank you for taking the time to read this, I look forward to discussing next month’s agenda further. (SC Feedback)
B. Al: Maya is requesting a GC on BiPOC service despite her not being cohost/host trained.
C. Maya was nominated for this position in the last BM.
D. Motion to take this to the BM (Seconded and Passed)
V. Scheduling/Training Document
A. Lisa: Hi! I would like to propose that we create a document that tracks all the data that the schedulers and the training coordinator use for service. This way there is consistency and transparency with service time, hours met, sobriety requirements met etc. Thank you!
-Lisa has been working on this already with the schedulers, and they will be combining the scheduling/training document. She put this in the SC feedback for transparency with the group and to keep everyone in the loop. This will not be brought to the BM.
VI. Placing SC Notes on the Website
A. Lauren: I suggest that we have a link for Steering Committee Notes on the Website. Not a lot of members attend the SC meetings, and the notes provide transparency and food-for-thought for the group. It is also a great way to keep track of any issues that have fallen through the cracks. Lastly, having a record of SC Notes can help future service members see what was discussed and get background/context.
1. Lauren: I also suggest posting the SC Notes in the Group Announcement Thread 24 hours prior to a SC meeting for the group to see what will be discussed for transparency.
2. Having the notes from the SC meeting posted on the website shows the group that we are addressing their concerns. They can see that all the SC feedback gets discussed by SC members.
3. Motion to Bring to Next BM (Seconded and Passed)
VII. Burning Desires
A. Kelly H: I think it would be beneficial to see if there are any burning desires maybe at the end of each meeting just a quick ask. Thanks for all you do!
B. Motion to Bring to Next BM (Seconded and Passed)
VIII. Removing Sister Meeting Service Members from Current & Daily “SCHED Thread”
A. Donna: Request that the "Current & Daily SCHED Request" thread be specific only to those in service to the 7-2 Guts team. GC states that sister meeting members who are not part of the 7-2 schedule may volunteer in the Live Thread (if there is a need) with discretion given to the Host. Repeated requests not to volunteer inside the Request Thread falls on deaf ears. Removing non 7-2 would alleviate this confusion.
B. SC members seemed to agree that having the Sister Meeting service members in the REQ thread is confusing. All sister meeting service members need to follow the scheduling GC for the marathon meeting. They can offer to help in the Live Thread when the need arises (Host Discretion), but Sister Meeting members need to follow the same rules and give their availability to the schedulers, if they choose to start participating regularly in the marathon meeting.
C. Motion to bring to next BM (Seconded and Passed)
IX. Scheduling Results
A. Lisa-The results for three schedulers were close. The group seemed to back the nominees pretty equally. All three schedulers will need replacements due to terms being over or other reasons. We want to discuss how we will stagger in the new schedulers and how to proceed. More info needs to be gathered. For now, schedulers will continue their commitments.
B. This was tabled. (Seconded and Passed)
Other SC Feedback for SC Discussion:
I. Stormy: That GUTS starts having some earlier start times…. I’m in EST and LOVE THIS GROUP and would be willing to help out more often to make it happen even…. like as early as 5pm EST and 8pm EST. It would open more opportunities for service too. (BM Topic)
A. Maybe this member did not realize that we have sister meetings, and the start time would conflict with those meetings. There was some confusion about this feedback. The manpower is probably not feasible for this to be accomplished. We suggest finding meetings that start earlier or volunteer to help with the Sister Meetings. This was not brought to the BM. (Seconded and Passed)
II. Mark: If a concern goes to SC and it is not brought up at BM. Where does it go? Is there a need to involve GSO concerning the same? (BM Topic)
A. All concerns are addressed and discussed at a SC meeting. Anyone is welcome to attend the SC meetings to see what happens. We will be holding a vote for the SC Meeting Notes to be published on the Website going forward so that anyone can see what transpires, if they are unable to attend the SC meetings.
B. It was also proposed that any members who issue a complaint in the SC feedback should show up to defend their feedback and offer their own perspective. If they don’t show up, then the complaint gets tabled. (Will be brought to the BM)
C. SC members discussed the reasoning behind the SC feedback and background. The purpose of the SC feedback is not to drudge up drama or personal resentments. It’s a way to improve the group and its functioning. It’s not for alcoholics to go to war with each other based on personal issues and disrupt the unity of the group.
III. Mark: Where does one go to see financials for the group from inception? (BM Topic)
A. Anyone is welcome to see the financials at the BM. The Treasurer’s Report during every single BM shows that all of the financials are transparent, and it has been that way since the beginning. The group sees the money and where it goes. This was not brought to the BM because there is a Treasurer’s Report. Plus, the Report has to be approved by the group every single time. (Seconded and Passed)
IV. Augusta: I need help it doesn’t seem to work been on this site. From 12:00pm until now 5:30 there a 5:30 class but it keep showing up as the feb 15 (Feedback for the Service Team)
A. This was for verification. The wording was just hard to understand.