GUTS Steering Committee Meeting Minutes
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. PST
SC Chair: Christian B
BM Chair: Lauren S.
BM Co-Chair: Bently
Secretary: Britt
Opening: The meeting opened with Gabi reading the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Group Conscience Clarification: No-Call/No-Show Policy
Gabi requested clarification regarding the Group Conscience language concerning service members who accumulate seven no-call/no-shows.
Discussion identified two potentially conflicting provisions:
- A service member may receive strikes after three no-call/no-shows within a 30-day period.
- A service member may be removed after seven days without communication.
After reviewing the language, the general understanding was that the seven-day provision refers to seven days without communication from a service member, rather than seven lifetime no-call/no-shows. No formal action was taken. This matter may be revisited if additional clarification is needed.
Agenda Items
- Feedback Submitted by Emily
Emily submitted feedback stating that someone had hung up on her and had been unkind. Christian attempted to contact Emily by email but received no response. No one present had additional information concerning the incident.
Motion
Motion to table the matter unless and until Emily provides additional information or attends a meeting to discuss it.
Seconded and Passed.
Decision
The matter was tabled.
- Meditation Sister Meeting Proposal
Thomas G. proposed using an existing sister-meeting time slot for a meditation meeting. The proposed format would include:
- A brief reading
- Ten to fifteen minutes of meditation
- Open sharing regarding participants’ meditation experience
Discussion included the possibility of using the currently available Tuesday fellowship meeting time. Members also discussed using that time for rotating monthly formats, including meditation, sponsorship meet-and-greets, Daily Reflections, or other recovery-oriented meetings.
Concern was expressed regarding whether enough service members would be available to support a regular Tuesday meeting. Current sister-meeting guidelines generally require three hosts who can rotate responsibility.
Motion
Motion to bring the meditation meeting proposal to the Business Meeting for discussion.
Seconded and Passed Unanimously.
Decision
The proposal will be added to the Business Meeting agenda.
- Darren’s Conduct During a Marathon Meeting
Shauna reported that Darren began discussing Business Meeting matters during a regular recovery meeting and referred to group members as self-centered. Several members contacted Shauna privately and in the main chat with concerns.
Shauna redirected Darren by reminding him that such matters should be discussed with a sponsor rather than during a recovery meeting. She offered to return to him after he had time to cool down. Darren left the meeting shortly after the redirection.
Discussion acknowledged Darren’s recent personal loss and the possibility that he continued to hold resentment regarding the Business Meeting’s decision not to return him to service. Members agreed that Business Meeting politics and service disputes should not be discussed during regular AA recovery meetings.
No one reported that Darren had been removed from the meeting. He appeared to have left voluntarily.
Motion
Motion to table the matter, document the incident in meeting minutes, and revisit only if additional conduct occurs.
Seconded and Passed.
Decision
The incident will be documented but will not be forwarded to the Business Meeting at this time.
- Proposed Addition to the Permanent-Ban Guidelines
Lauren proposed adding language stating that, unless contradictory or materially new evidence is provided, a permanent ban will remain in effect for the safety and unity of the group.
Discussion noted that permanent bans are serious actions and that repeated requests for reconsideration should not require renewed deliberation unless the individual provides meaningful new information.
Proposed Language
Unless contradictory or materially new evidence is provided to the group, a permanent ban will be upheld for the safety and overall unity of the group.
Motion
Motion to send the proposed addition to the Business Meeting for approval and possible inclusion in the ban guidelines.
Seconded and Passed.
Decision
The proposed addition to the Ban Guidelines will be added to the Business Meeting agenda.
- Additional Recovery Resources for Gamblers Anonymous
Shauna proposed adding information concerning Gamblers Anonymous and related recovery resources to the GUTS website or resource materials.
Members noted that this information is not currently included.
Motion
Motion to bring the proposal to the Business Meeting.
Seconded and Passed.
Decision
The proposal will be added to the Business Meeting agenda.
- Boundaries and Relationships Workshop
Dennis reported that the District had considered several workshop topics. It was clarified at the District level that District workshops should primarily focus on service, while recovery-oriented workshops are more appropriate at the group level.
The two topics receiving the greatest interest from GUTS members were:
- Sponsorship
- Boundaries and relationships
GUTS has previously conducted a sponsorship workshop and may consider doing so again. Dennis proposed that GUTS consider organizing a boundaries and relationships workshop.
Motion
Motion to send the boundaries and relationships workshop proposal to the Business Meeting.
Seconded and Passed.
Decision
The proposed workshop will be added to the Business Meeting agenda.
- Ethics Committee Report
Jaymee reported that two concerns had been submitted regarding a service member. The Ethics Committee initially recommended a 21-day pause from marathon-meeting service.
The reported concerns involved:
- An interaction between a host and co-host regarding when the Seventh Tradition should be posted.
- A separate report alleging that a phone number had been shared verbally during a meeting.
Seventh Tradition Interaction
The co-host reportedly asked several times within a short period whether the Seventh Tradition could be posted. The host responded that the host would determine when it should be posted. The disagreement continued in private messages.
Justin acknowledged becoming frustrated and telling the co-host that the behavior was emotionally immature. He stated that he was willing to apologize for taking the co-host’s inventory and wanted to resolve the matter directly.
Diana reported witnessing the exchange and believed the co-host repeatedly disregarded the host’s direction. She suggested that the co-host receive additional training.
Shauna reported witnessing a separate, similar incident involving the same co-host and another host. In that incident, the co-host indicated an intention to post the Seventh Tradition despite the host asking the co-host to wait. Shauna also recommended retraining for the co-host.
Members discussed whether the matter constituted bullying or harassment or whether it was more appropriately treated as a personal disagreement and training issue.
Ethics Committee Authority
Lauren clarified that the Ethics Committee may investigate complaints, speak with the involved members, and issue warnings. The Ethics Committee cannot impose a ban. Bans must be approved through the Business Meeting.
The Ethics Committee guidelines state that a service member may be removed from service while an unresolved complaint is being reviewed. Members discussed whether that provision should apply in this situation.
Several members stated that neither participant should be removed from service over what appeared to be a personal dispute. It was also noted that the Steering Committee could consider the complaint resolved through its vote.
Phone Number Report
The allegation concerning a phone number was not sufficiently clear. Justin stated that he did not recall sharing his phone number during a meeting and had not previously been informed of that allegation.
The Ethics Committee was asked to gather and clarify:
- Who allegedly shared the phone number
- When and how it was shared
- Who submitted the complaint
- The exact conduct being alleged
No decision was made concerning the phone number complaint because insufficient information was available.
Motion
Motion to send the incident between Justin and Joan concerning the Seventh Tradition to the Business Meeting.
Motion Did Not Pass.
Decision
The Steering Committee determined that the matter between Justin and Joan would not be forwarded to the Business Meeting.
The matter is considered resolved at the Steering Committee level. Justin will not be paused or removed from service. Any remaining personal disagreement should be addressed directly between the individuals involved, with assistance from the Ethics Committee if needed.
The incident will remain documented in the minutes and may be reconsidered if additional related conduct occurs.
The separate phone-number allegation remains pending clarification by the Ethics Committee.
- GUTS WhatsApp Community
Gabi proposed creating a GUTS WhatsApp Community that would place the various GUTS WhatsApp threads under one organized umbrella.
The proposed structure would allow members to locate relevant threads more easily, including:
- Announcements
- Host and co-host communications
- Scheduler communications
- Service-team discussions
- Other authorized GUTS threads
Some threads could remain restricted to appropriate service members. Members noted that WhatsApp permits only a limited number of pinned conversations, and a Community would allow the GUTS threads to remain grouped together.
Motion
Motion to send the proposal to the Business Meeting and authorize discussion of Gabi beginning the organizational work if approved.
Seconded and Passed Unanimously.
Decision
The WhatsApp Community proposal will be added to the Business Meeting agenda.
- Ethics Committee Eligibility Requirements
Bentley proposed that members serving on or being nominated to the Ethics Committee must not have active strikes or be subject to current disciplinary action.
Motion
Motion to send the proposed eligibility requirement to the Business Meeting for approval and possible addition to the Ethics Committee guidelines.
Seconded and Passed Unanimously.
Decision
The proposed guideline will be added to the Business Meeting agenda.
Additional Business
OIAA and Intergroup Listing Updates
Gabi reported that previously approved meeting changes have not been reflected in the Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous listings.
The listings reportedly continue to show:
- Tuesday as a Traditions Meeting
- The LGBTQIA+ meeting as active
Both listings should have been changed following previous group votes.
Lauren noted that Ian’s Intergroup Representative term is ending and that nominations will be needed for a new representative.
Decision
An Intergroup/OIAA update will be included as a report or agenda topic at the Business Meeting. The incoming Intergroup Representative should be given a process for ensuring that approved meeting changes are submitted and verified.
Previously Considered
Ron’s Request for Reconsideration of His Permanent Ban
This matter was previously considered by the Steering Committee through discussion and a vote conducted on the Steering Committee thread.
The Steering Committee unanimously decided to uphold Ron’s permanent ban. His request did not contain materially new or contradictory information that would justify reconsideration.
The submissions are included for the record as follow-up statements and do not constitute a new agenda item unless the Steering Committee or Business Meeting chooses to revisit the matter.
Items Forwarded to the Business Meeting
- Meditation sister-meeting proposal
- Addition to the permanent-ban guidelines
- Addition of Gamblers Anonymous recovery resources
- Boundaries and relationships workshop
- Creation of a GUTS WhatsApp Community
- Ethics Committee eligibility requirements
- OIAA/Intergroup listing updates and Intergroup Representative transition
Closing
The meeting was adjourned with members encouraged to attend the upcoming Business Meeting.