August 27th Steering Committee Notes
SC Chair: Lauren
BM Co-Chair: Lisa
Secretaries: Elle and Lisa
SC Members Present: Jeremy, Barbara, Lisa, Kristen, Elle, Donna, Maya, and Dennis
I. Mandatory Business Meeting Attendance for Service Leadership (July SC Meeting)
A. Motion to bring this topic to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed
II. Wording in “HIW” (July SC Feedback)
A. Kristen-Take to the group.
B. Dennis proposed that Maya or a group-appointed person can propose this change at the GSO conference. He asked that the group gives support in this endeavor.
· Lauren-I think this is a great idea. If we decide to do this, maybe they can bring the notes to the conference to show the group’s support.
· Motion to bring Dennis’s proposal to the next BM.
· Seconded and Passed (6 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
C. Elle pointed out that AA in Cleveland made a revision to the preamble, and it was approved. She read a section from Bill W’s Letter. We can change for the better, forever. This ideas from that letter can still apply to the “HIW” topic.
D. Jeremy-Take to the group. He thought about this topic more and wants newcomers to feel more comfortable. He understands that we are changing the way it’s read and not the literature itself.
E. Motion to bring this topic to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (7 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
III. August 20 BM Content
A. AA GUTS upholds the Responsibility Statement, ensuring member safety from illegal or predatory behavior. Any violation of our safety guidelines is promptly addressed. Report unsafe behavior using the outlined resources in the chat. In the spirit of integrity, GUTS abides by the message of the AA Safety Card which states: It is this group’s conscience that if any person endangers another individual or disrupts the group’s efforts to carry A.A.’s message, the group may ask that person to leave the meeting. This group strives to safeguard the anonymity of A.A. members and attendees; however, keep in mind that anonymity in A.A. is not a cloak for unsafe and illegal behavior. Addressing such behavior and/or contacting the proper authorities when appropriate, does not go against any A.A. Traditions and is meant to ensure the safety of all in attendance.
1. Motion to bring this script change to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (7 Yes Votes)
B. New Blurb
1. Maya’s excellent proposal involves providing immediate support and resources for newcomers. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource email, accessible to SC members, the coordinator, and her assistants, will operate similarly to the ORC email. No decisions are made without group involvement. This email was approved during the July 9th and August 6th BM’s. SC members will have access to Maya’s document and email, aided by two assistants for transparency and shared workload. This collaborative effort ensures comprehensive involvement.
2. Instead of three separate blurbs, I thought adding this info to the Safety blurb was the ideal route. Based on any complaint or safety issue, cohosts can send the appropriate resource to members.
3. Safety Blurb: Safety is an important issue within AA GUTS — one that all members can address to develop workable solutions and help keep our meetings safe. Visit https://aaguts.com/safety/ to learn more. These are the proper channels to address safety concerns within the meeting. Please direct your concerns or suggestions to the appropriate resource:
· Discrimination Form: GUTS takes discriminatory behavior seriously. For the sake of creating a safe and equal environment for all attendees, please fill out this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bbUjUg5f5HQYai3SYONELyp4H7-fvGLzVma5fOeUpDM/viewform?edit_requested=true. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource Coordinator or a helper will reach out to you.
· Steering Committee Feedback: Steering Committee feedback builds this group’s conscience. To report a serious safety issue or harassment, offer constructive feedback to the service team, give suggestions for improvement, or pay a compliment, please use this form https://aaguts.com/feedback/. Your feedback is brought to the GUTS Steering Committee. All matters are facilitated by the group at the Business Meetings. Please attend the Business Meetings to discuss the feedback.
· Email: If you would like to receive immediate help or a plethora of resources, please use this email address [insert email]. This email is available for members to receive empathetic and personal interaction alongside practical information that can help the next struggling alcoholic.
4. (Concise Version) Safety Blurb: Your safety is important to us at AA GUTS. Visit https://aaguts.com/safety/ to learn more. If you have any safety concerns, please reach out through these channels respectively:
· Discrimination Form: Report any discriminatory behavior using this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bbUjUg5f5HQYai3SYONELyp4H7-fvGLzVma5fOeUpDM/viewform?edit_requested=true. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource Coordinator or a helper will be in touch.
· Steering Committee Feedback: Share your feedback, safety issues, harassment, or suggestions for meeting improvement by using this form: https://aaguts.com/feedback/. Your input goes to the GUTS Steering Committee and is discussed at our Business Meetings.
· Email: For immediate help and resources, contact us at [insert email]. This email is available to offer empathetic support and practical information to those in need.
5. Dennis suggested changing the AA safety card portion of the blurb.
6. Jeremy proposed putting Maya’s discrimination form onto the Website and to bring this section to the BM.
· Motion to bring this to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (7 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
C. 24/7 Contact List
1. The contact list is a great idea. We were informed that this was previously a GC. There’s no list currently. We discussed having one at the August 20th BM. There were some concerns in terms of implementation. If we want to establish this going forward, we will need a Coordinator or someone to spearhead this. Some wondered if this would be a mixed-gender contact list.
2. Do we want to discuss how to move forward with this topic? Are there any suggestions we want to bring to the BM?
3. SC Response
· Lisa-Proposed highlighting people in the current contact lists. She felt this might be easier than having a separate contact list.
· Kristen-Felt that a specific list might be needed. Not everyone on the list will be available. On a separate list, we can add notes and let people know when these individuals have the availability to talk.
· Lisa-She felt that there might be a lot of maintenance and doesn’t want us to reinvent the wheel.
4. Motion to bring this section to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (6 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
D. “Men with men; women with women” Suggestion
1. Jeremy suggested that service team members can explicitly use this statement in the regular meeting.
· Jan 8th BM: Russell proposed that service members encourage “Men with men. Women with women” as a suggestion while passing numbers.
· Jan 8th BM: We do not govern, and numbers can still be passed between men and women as two consenting parties.
2. Service members are currently allowed to use the suggestion in the regular meeting. It’s not a cemented GC. I can definitely see the value in discussing this suggestion.
3. First, we offer the suggestion when opposite genders want to pass numbers. When they consent to being mutually given the numbers, we pass them. Typically, the male and female contact lists are passed out to the respective genders. Soon, we should have the LGBTQIA+ list on the Website. We want that to be an option for attendees too.
4. Motion to bring this section to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (6 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
IV. Specifying Job Roles
A. Per the August 20th BM, there was a motion to revisit the “Specified Jobs” Topic to include scheduling a mixture of genders. They would be scheduled to work together to help accommodate our newcomers, protect our service team, and can be an additional safety measure for attendees.
B. Motion to revisit this topic at the next BM.
1. Seconded and Passed (5 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
New Business
I. Encouraging LNG Participation
A. Mary: Hey, gang! I am deeply concerned about getting more service members in the pipeline to keep the lights on for the still suffering alcoholic. LNG is so close to my heart, and I adore the team we have==we just need more. I guess to sum up, I feel like the group is forgetting what our primary purpose is. I’d love to see more focus in the announcements about the desperate need for service and how it is part of the trinity of recovery. We are doing a disservice to members if we don’t encourage service. I’m absolutely heartbroken that we are struggling to fill the schedule. I’d like a topic at the next business meeting to be a round table about how to encourage more service and to change the script for the service announcement. Thank you!
1. I would like to second Mary’s idea of having a BM discussion where we can figure out solutions to get more people involved in LNG. By the way, I love that she said, “Round table.” Fantastic wording.
B. The weight of LNG should not be carried by the same individuals all of the time. Burnout is very real. Oftentimes, we have fast-tracked cohosts into Hosting for the purpose of LATE-NIGHT Hosting. I am proposing that fast-tracking cohosts into the Hosting position will require, at least, 1 LNG shift per week for 2 months. If this commitment can’t be kept, then the Host will revert to cohosting only until they meet their required hours to Host.
1. Sometimes, people get into a hurry to start hosting without wholly understanding the responsibilities. Cohosting is a way to build trust with the group, become adept with the meeting functioning, learn to set boundaries, perceive nuances, and familiarize oneself with the group dynamics. Taking that required time to cohost can help build a great foundation for Hosting. I do believe that fast-tracking should still be allowed because having new Hosts helps the whole group and gives new perspectives.
2. I would encourage some members to have some flexibility with the timeframes for cohosting. I understand that it’s not always possible with people’s schedules. If you have the time, jump in and help! Mixing up cohosting timeframes is a great way to learn how this group functions and to perceive the different tones of this meeting. Try cohosting the Sister Meetings! The Hosts of those meetings can be very inspiring and offer a way to gain experience. Maybe you will want to Host one of the Sister Meetings at some point. Cohosting is a beneficial starting point.
3. LNG is a special time for the meeting. Most of us who have continually done service work for LNG see the value and beauty of this service. We hold it very near and dear to our hearts. The attendees love that we hold a space for night owls or people who work late. There are many of us who don’t sleep well, especially in early recovery. LNG can be a peaceful place for people to find rest.
C. SC Response
1. Dennis-Might not need to go to the BM. He proposed a group announcement. We need more people to volunteer for LNG. He would like to do earlier shifts sometimes, but the need seems to be the greatest during the late-night hours. Dennis works the shifts he is scheduled to do.
2. Kristen-There are individuals who carry the weight of LNG for extended periods of time. People burn out. Kristen worked LNG for a very long time. Neglect during different timeframes can be a problem in other meetings too. She would love to see if the group has a solution. Shortening the meeting could be a potential outcome if service members don’t fill in the later shifts. If the attendees want those hours to stay alive, then they will step up for service to make it happen.
3. Lauren-Sister Meetings and LNG suffer the most, in terms of service work. We need more people to say, “Yes.” Most of us who work late-night would love to get a good night’s sleep, we all work, and have lives, but we stay up to help our late-night attendees and the next struggling alcoholic. It’s a great period of time to help newcomers and where the need is greatest.
· Our Sister Meetings need help too. Having only a couple of people to run those meetings each week can be difficult to maintain. Cohosting those meetings gives people experience with the specified meetings and an opportunity to become a Host.
4. Lauren-I would like to modify the proposal. I propose fast-tracking cohosts to Hosting ONLY if they agree to one of these options. If they do not follow through on this agreement, they revert back to cohosting until they meet their required hours for Hosting:
· 1 night of Hosting LNG per week for the first 2 months
· Become a Host for one of the Sister Meetings
5. Motion to bring this topic to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (5 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
II. Script Updates
A. Service Script
1. Service Announcement: AA GUTS relies on the dedication of our Hosts and Cohosts who volunteer their time. Join our team by signing up at aaguts.com/service. We have a pressing need to fill Late Night GUTS positions as our current team operates on limited capacity. Your contribution is vital to the group and part of the trinity for recovery. Help us maintain the magic of LNG by stepping up and signing up for service.
2. Motion to bring this section to the next BM.
· Seconded and Passed (5 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
B. Sister Meeting Announcement
1. Upcoming Meetings: Beyond our regular gathering, we invite you to explore GUTS a la carte. These sister meetings convene in the same GUTS Zoom room at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET. Hosts curate unique experiences for each session. Show your support by attending and participating.
Here’s the lineup:
Mondays: Women with GUTS
Tuesdays: Traditions Meeting
Wednesdays: Big Book Study
Thursdays: Coed Step Study
Fridays: Newcomer Meeting
Saturdays: Men’s Meeting
Final Sunday of each month: Chip Meeting, celebrating sobriety milestones.
Remember, all sister meetings commence at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET. Learn more about the sister meetings at aaguts.com/meetings.
2. Motion to bring this section to the next BM.
· Seconded and Passed (5 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
C. Singleness of Purpose
1. Singleness of Purpose: As the third tradition states, the only requirement for AA Membership is the desire to stop drinking. However, we do not allow drunken shares. If you are currently drinking or under the influence of other drugs, please feel free to stay, listen, and reach out in the chat for support and resources. You are in the right place. In keeping with our Singleness of Purpose, please keep your shares related to your experience with alcoholism. Please refrain from giving unsolicited interpersonal, medical, psychiatric, and/or legal advice. Please refrain from negative crosstalk, gossip, or outside issues in the shares or chat – as it may cause group members to feel unsafe. AA GUTS is a safe space for recovery. No harassment will be tolerated. If someone is making you feel unsafe during the meeting, please alert a host or cohost immediately by sending a private message in the chat. Please do not publicly post your phone number, email, or any personal contact information in the chat. A service team member will happily pass any necessary content amongst attendees.
2. (Concise Version) Singleness of Purpose: As the third tradition states, the only requirement for AA Membership is the desire to stop drinking. Please refrain from drunken shares. If you’re currently drinking or under the influence, feel free to stay, listen, and reach out in the chat for support. You are in the right place. Keep your shares focused on your experience with alcoholism. The topics are available to help guide shares. Please refrain from giving unsolicited interpersonal, medical, psychiatric, and/or legal advice. Avoid engaging in negative crosstalk, gossip, or controversial discussions of outside issues. AA GUTS is a safe space; no harassment will be tolerated. Alert a host or cohost via private message if you feel unsafe. Do not post personal contact info publicly. A service team member will share any necessary content amongst attendees.
3. Motion to bring this section to the next BM.
· Seconded and Passed (4 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
D. Daily Topics: Embark on a journey of self-discovery with our thought-provoking topics, which are designed to ignite meaningful shares. These daily gems are sent directly to your inbox. Simply visit our website at https://aaguts.com/ to receive the daily topics email.
1. Motion to bring this section to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (5 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
III. Safety Issues
A. We had a safety issue in the meeting. A bomber was tagged by the Host. The bomber was using service team member names and pictures. They asked the Host to be tagged in the Chat, not the Live Thread. Our GC is requesting cohost tags in the Live Thread. The chat should only be used when the Host’s attention is diverted. The request for tags should always happen in the Live Thread first. Luckily, the service team was on top of it. Sarah S came to the rescue. They caught it very promptly and did a great job.
1. Patricia: I think it would be a good idea for all service members to be required to have their cameras on while they are doing service. I believe it will help with bombers taking control of the meeting like they did tonight. I think a bomber entered with a co-host name and that’s how they were able to boot so many ppl tonight, but the team did an amazing job with regaining control and saved our meeting tonight. (July SC Feedback)
2. Lisa said that we need to remind the group to use the Live Thread. She will also be including an update for this in the Host Feedback Workshop.
3. Lauren will be including this reminder in the next Group Announcements.
4. Dennis: Doesn’t always look at the Live Thread. People who want to be cohosted should have their video on as an added safety measure.
5. Kristen: There is general confusion about the threads. People are not checking the Live Thread which is GC. Hosts need to look at the Live Thread before cohosting people. She wondered if there’s a training issue with the threads.
6. Lauren: Jeremy added a section to the Website where all the threads are outlined through the WhatsApp document. People can be directed there whenever they are confused about the threads. We are also going to vote to have the updated Service Practices document on the Website. It has reminders for using the Live Thread to request cohost tags.
7. Lisa said that the trainers outline all of the threads and their purposes during training. She offered that we should bring it to the BM so that it is documented and give a verbal update.
8. Motion to Bring to BM
· Seconded and Passed (5 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
B. Website Safety Measures
1. Lauren reached out to Jeremy about removing previous service members’ viewing access on the Website.
2. Lauren also asked him if previous SC members’ viewing access of the SC Feedback can be removed.
3. Lisa: Pointed out that there are already layers added and measures in place. The trainers work with the Website Admin to make sure that new service members only get viewing access after they go through the training process.
4. Jeremy-This is being done, but there needs to be an overhaul on the website. He and Danielle have been working towards that. Probably doesn’t need to go to the BM.
5. Lauren-Mostly included this section as an update and for communication purposes. Wasn’t intending to bring it to the BM.
C. ORC Email/DEI Resource Coordinator Email: Regarding the emails that are used for group purposes outside of the Website, I propose that the passwords must be changed each time a member’s term is over or someone resigns. This is a way to safeguard the information that isn’t being handled by the tech team and to keep the spirit of rotation in mind.
1. Motion to bring this to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (7 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
D. Elle: Please hold on additional nominations for ORC until we can discuss at SC meeting. I chatted with Del, and he said 3 ORC members work well for monitoring, organizing, and fulfilling orders. Also, we both agree it also reduces inherent risk associated with shared vendor accounts which need password changes when someone begins or leaves ORC service.
1. Motion to bring this to the topic to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (6 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
IV. Thread Overhaul
A. Jaymee/Pickle: Hii everyone. I was just in the business meeting. Love y’all. I enjoy not being removed from the service threads while being underway with a Navy ship. If this could be talked about for circumstances to not remove people that may be deploying or underway. I can provide proof as well if needed. Thank you for your time <3
1. I made sure to include that Jaymee is taking a 30-day break when I outlined the thread removals. Members can have up to a 30-day break from service. Jaymee made sure to communicate that she’s taking a break. So, she is following GC. Proof is not needed.
2. Members are removed from service when they are inactive for 7 days. This GC applies to situations in which people don’t communicate that they are taking a break.
B. Update: I created two documents to outline the Thread Overhaul. One was a list of everyone in service and the threads in which they are present or absent. The second document was a list of people who are no longer in service at all. Patricia and Dennis removed people from the threads based on that document. I created a separate thread for schedulers and thread admins so that they can communicate with each other. It can feel mean to remove people from the threads. The purpose is to follow our group’s conscience, protect the anonymity of the service team, and to safeguard our information. People are welcomed back through our return to service process. We are happy to have people come back.
1. I noticed a discrepancy in the SC Thread. Most of the people on our service team are not in the SC Thread. That can pose problems with our transparency and communication. Hopefully, Dennis can invite people into our thread and get people into our business.
2. The other discrepancy I noticed was the lack of newer people in our GUTS and Announcement Thread. While they are not mandatory, we need new people in these threads. Again, this can pose problems with transparency and communication. The new people are the future of the group. Christian and Dennis can invite people into those threads, hopefully, we will get more people participating.
C. SC Thread Conversation (Aug SC Meeting)
1. Kristen: We might need a group reminder of the importance of the SC Thread. Sometimes, people don’t see the value of being in that thread. People don’t want to “View Only” and want to interact. There are times when people will leave if they don’t like a discussion taking place in the SC Thread. Maybe the group needs to be reminded that the SC Thread’s purpose is transparency and keeping everyone on the same page.
2. Lisa: Prior to her term in SC, she trusted the SC members. She felt that she didn’t need to see all the information. She was not under the impression that SC members were being sneaky or nefariously plotting.
3. Dennis: Wondered if we can allow everyone to interact in the SC Thread.
4. Kristen: Wished everyone felt like Lisa did about trusting the people voted into our SC positions. Oftentimes, when people don’t view the SC Thread, people assume that we are being deceptive or negligent. At one point, the group allowed everyone’s participation in the thread, but that created a ton of problems and information was lost. She has seen it from both perspectives. More often than not, people want to be informed.
5. Lauren: I can definitely give an update about why the SC Thread is important for the group. People can always message people on the SC or use the GUTS thread for interactions. The GUTS thread is the outlet where people can respond to anything members see in the SC Thread. That’s one of the purposes of the GUTS thread. It’s a place for the entire service team to have a conversation. I still believe it is necessary to invite people into our SC Thread (Viewing Only) because we need new people involved in our business. Lisa and I have to pass the torch in 2 months and can’t be renominated for 6 months.
6. Lauren: I will be proposing for the tech team to have the ability to interact in the SC thread and speak/vote in the SC Meetings because their input is often needed. They keep the group grounded in its decision-making. They can give us important and immediate updates too. Granting them permission to speak/text can also be a way to promptly address safety or meeting functioning emergencies. For most of this year, I have been the middleman, and I don’t explain tech stuff well because I am not an expert.
7. Motion to bring this discussion to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (6 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
V. Non-Facilitated Topics
A. Lauren: Any group-approved BM topic/proposal that has not been facilitated for 3 months will be tabled until a concrete proposal is brought to the group. Investigation and background work for accomplishing those topics can still be done. Bring the completed project to the group when it is ready for group approval and implementation.
1. My main concern is the follow-through on projects that have been left undone for months. The group has amazing ideas, but keep in mind that work has to be done for these ideas to be accomplished.
2. Motion to bring this topic to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (5 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
VI. GC Manuel
A. Lauren: I am proposing a voluntary committee to work on cataloguing all group conscience and creating a GC Manual.
1. Motion to bring this to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (6 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
VII. Contact List Removal
A. Update: Barbara has completed a major task for the group. She did a complete overhaul of the women’s list. It is now up to date. I am seriously impressed with how she pummeled through that list! It’s a long list!!! If you can give her a virtual round of applause for what she accomplished, please do so.
B. Prior to Barbara’s term, I was getting messages from newcomers that women on the list were not responding to them or being outright mean to them. That disturbed me greatly. Maybe we can discuss a way for contact list people to request removal in a simplistic way? Maybe let the group know to contact the coordinators when they want to be removed?
C. SC Response
1. Lisa: Wanted to know if we could add a section in the service sign-ups where people can request removal from the contact list.
2. Jeremy said that this would be possible.
3. Kristen: Suggested for adding the current service positions section to the main website and make it viewable for people who are not in service too. That way, people know who they can contact for removal (Contact List Coordinators).
D. Website Layout Changes
1. Jeremy: Main page needs to be revamped. He showed the SC exactly what he wants to change. He wants the “Current Service Positions” page to show the hyperlinks of the service positions only. Removing the wording next to the hyperlinks. He said this would be easier to maintain too.
2. He also said that the Website layout needs to be changed, and the group will need to approve that.
E. Motion to bring this topic to the BM.
1. Seconded and Passed (7 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
VIII. Service Practices
A. Lauren: I motion to have the Service Practices updated on the Website with the document that was created.
1. Motion to bring this topic to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (7 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
IX. Nominations
A. Lauren: Nominations will be needed for the following: Topics Coordinators and 2 Helpers for Maya’s Project. We need people to form the Anniversary Committee and more volunteers for the 4th Step Workshop Committee. We always need Sister Meeting Hosts.
1. Amy volunteered to spearhead the Anniversary Committee!! Thank you, Amy!!!
2. Lisa said that the extra training position might not be necessary. The group will need to vote to remove the position.
3. Motion to bring this topic to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (7 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
X. ZPolls
A. Lisa said that it might be beneficial to have another discussion about keeping the ZPolls. We might need to make a service position for those who issue polls.
1. Motion to bring this topic to the BM.
· Seconded and Passed (6 Yes Votes/No Dissent)