GUTS Business Meeting – 09/07/2025

📝 AA GUTS Business Meeting Minutes

Date: Sunday 9-7-2025
Chair: Lauren

Secretary: Christian

Location: Online Zoom (GUTS Room)

Format: Two-minute shares, two shares per topic

1. Opening & Traditions

• Meeting opened with the Serenity Prayer and AA Preamble.
• 12 Traditions read by Gabi.

2. Treasurer’s Report

   • Elle was unable to attend.
   • Report will be posted along with the business meeting notes.
   2. ORC Report (Jason)

   We’re currently in a staff transition. A warm welcome to our new members—you’ll be added to the ORC thread shortly so we can begin collaborating.

   We’ve had some great progress in distribution:

   • Delivered 13 coin medallions, including one 40-year coin.
   • Distributed 16 books last month.
   • Jason provided update post meeting on What’sApp (approved)
   3. Tech Team Report (Gabi)
   • Leona and l have been working on the Ethics Committee feedback form (likely live; a final tweak had been pending).
   • Ongoing website updates (e.g., service practices are now updated on the site).
   • Motion: Approve Tech Team Report → Approved (16 Yes).
   4. GSR Report (Dennis)
   • Assembly scheduled for September 13.
   • Submissions to trustees under consideration; positive feedback received about meeting efficiency.
   • International Convention literature available (~$18); WhatsApp groups share updates.
   • Assembly elections: delegate, alternate delegate, chair/alt chair, registrar, secretary, treasurer; two-thirds required with multi-ballot process; if unresolved after four ballots, may draw from top two “from the hat.”
   • Observers welcome (voting limited to GSRs and Area Committee members).

   Additional Discussion: (Kristen)

   • Ongoing work to condense the Neuro-Divergent PAI (Proposed Agenda Item) form.
   • Adam and one other member’s experience helped secure broader support for a new pamphlet.
   • Adam led the condensing effort; others supported.
   • Members plan to attend the next meeting to continue backing the item.
   • Final decisions on PAIs occur at the New York Conference in April.
   • Motion: Approve GSR Report → Approved.
   5. Sponsorship Workshop Report (Mark)
   • Attendance: 8 (first), 6 (second), 4 (third) → Total: 18 non-host attendees.
   • Feedback positive (new info/historical context).
   • Planning next series (Dennis, Kristen, Mark); Sundays 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET considered; football/holidays noted.
   • Motion: Approve Sponsorship Workshop Report → Approved (21 Yes).
   6. Host Feedback Workshop Report (Kristen)
   • Past host-skills workshop (redirection/confidence) now to be integrated into basic host training.
   • Original PowerPoint recovered; shared with trainers and will be posted (conversion help from Gabi if needed).
   • Motion: Approve Host Feedback Workshop Report → Approved (22 Yes).
   7. Group Conscience Manual Update (Gabi)
   • Compiling all Group Consciences from past business minutes into one manual.
   • Notes consolidated; GC items being highlighted; committee to reconvene.
   • Volunteers: Suzie and Bentley (incl. older, pre-Google-Doc notes).
   • Purpose: single manual for clarity/continuity.
   • Motion: Approve update → Approved (20 Yes).
   8. Nominations
   • Scheduler: Brit Brit → Approved (21 Yes).
   • LGBTQIA+ Ethics Committee Member: Jamie (“Pickle”) → Approved (22 Yes).
   • Board Members:
     • Janine → Approved (18 Yes).
     • Momma Christie → Approved (18 Yes).
   • Steering Committee (2nd term): Gabi → Approved (21 Yes).
   • ORC Members:
     • Momma Christie → Approved (17 Yes).
     • Teresa (sobriety requirement waived; just under 6 months) → Approved (19 Yes).
     • Amanda S (sobriety requirement waived; just under 6 months) → Approved (21 Yes).
   • Trainers:
     • TC Tuna (2nd term) → Approved (12 Yes, 1 No).
     • Dave D → Approved (22 Yes).
   • Meeting Hosts:
     • Amanda — Big Book Meeting Host → Approved (19 Yes).
     • Kel — Women’s Meeting Host → Approved (17 Yes).
   9. Topics & Group Decisions

   9.1 Ban Consideration: Kevin (Philippines)

   • Issue: Disruptive behavior; intentional drama; false accusations of mishandling funds; presence under alternate names; DMs to members.
   • Discussion included enforceability if entering under different names/camera off.
   • Motion: Ban Kevin for six months per ban guidelines; if he appears under his name or identifiable on camera, hosts/co-hosts remove.
     • Result: Approved (23 Yes).

   9.2 Obscene/Inappropriate Camera Behavior & Co-Host Discretion

   • Incident reported and described by multiple co-hosts/members; apology offered by the member involved.
   • Broader need to clarify co-host autonomy and reduce “gray areas” for removals vs. camera-off actions; training gaps noted (spotting bombers, pinning, door patrol).
   • Motion A: Motion was put forth to institute a six month ban. 
     • Result: Not Approved (7 Yes and 13 No).
   • Motion B: Reiterate/document that co-hosts have discretion to remove for clearly obscene behavior and that service roles are collaborative (no single-role “ownership” except prompt).
     • Result: Approved (21 Yes).
   • Motion C: Require camera off for six months for the involved member (Dirk).
     • Result: Approved (19 Yes).
   • Motion D: Training enhancement — add a bomber workshop / curriculum update to training materials (spotting/handling coordinated bombing, tools, pinning, protocols).
     • Result: Approved (20 Yes).

   9.3 Extend Meeting

   • Motion: Continue business meeting beyond the hour to finish agenda.
     • Result: Approved (20 Yes, 2 No).

   9.4 Sebastian — Third Strike Consideration

   • Multiple complaints in the prior month regarding aggressive/berating conduct in service, impacting unity and morale; counter-points and context shared.
   • Motion: Issue third strike (indefinite ban from service; requires vote to return).
     • Result: Approved (14 Yes, 4 No).

   9.5 Abusive Feedback Toward a Host

   • A member submitted highly disrespectful/explicit feedback about a host (aligned with similar behavior witnessed in-meeting).
   • Motion: Have Justin contact the individual regarding behavior/feedback; remove the abusive feedback from public view.
     • Result: Approved (14 Yes, 1 No).
   10. Closing
   • Chair thanked all participants for reports, nominations, and service.
   • Motion: Adjourn → Approved.

Meeting Adjourned — Thank you to all participants for your service and thoughtful contributions.

🛑 Meeting Closure