AA GUTS Steering Committee Meeting Minutes
Date: July 27, 2025
SC Chair: Suzie
- Opening and Traditions
The meeting opened with Suzie as chair and Mark reading the 12 Traditions of AA. The agenda was reviewed and acknowledged as full. Co-host assignments and process reminders were addressed before moving into agenda items.
- Business Meeting Agenda Items
Several topics were brought forward for discussion:
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- Justin F. Request to Return to Service: The committee quickly reached consensus to move this request to the business meeting. Action: item added to BM agenda.
- Thread Content Deletion and Service Issues: Members raised concerns about thread deletions when discussing service-related issues. Since the six-month wait period had passed, a motion was approved to revisit policy in the business meeting. Action: item added to BM agenda.
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- Camera Control for Sleeping/Inactive Members: A suggestion was made to turn off cameras for nodding or inactive participants. As co-hosts already have discretion, no further action was taken.
- Wording on Sobriety Requirement for Co-hosts: It was proposed to update the phrasing from “only 30 days” to “if you have 30 days” to avoid minimizing language. It was noted that the announcement script changes quarterly, and hosts have flexibility. No need to send to the business meeting.
- Abbreviated Announcements Script: The idea of embedding a shortened announcements script was reviewed but dismissed as excessive, given current standards. Not sent to the BM; however, host guidelines may include simple reminders.
- Screen Sharing the Safety Card: A member suggested screen-sharing the yellow safety card rather than placing it in chat. The committee affirmed it remains at the host’s discretion. Reminder to be posted to hosts.
- Training Agenda Review (Jamie O Pickle): The training document was praised but seen as in need of consistency review. It was decided to first circulate the document for comments, then send to the business meeting.
- Service Team Feedback and Complaints
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- Mistaken Zoom Removal of Austin C.: Gabi followed up and resolved the mistaken removal during a Zoom bombing incident. No further action required.
- Confidentiality Breach (Sex Inventory Disclosure): A concern was raised about inappropriate sharing of a member’s inventory. Committee acknowledged potential privacy risks, but in this specific case the information was relevant to resolving a serious incident of predatory behavior. Not sent to business meeting.
- Emergency Business Meeting Transparency (Donna’s Feedback): Some members questioned the transparency and diligence in banning a member at the recent EBM, while other members re-enforced the need for a ban based on the EBM’s presented evidence. Although feedback differed, it was agreed by the committee the recent incident was appropriately resolved and closed according to existing GUTS group conscience. Future incidents of this nature will fall within the ethics committee’s domain. Not sent to business meeting.
- WhatsApp Thread Naming and Admins: Confusion arose regarding unofficial thread naming and administrator roles. It was clarified that no formal group conscience appointed these roles. The committee approved a motion to remove “GUTS” from the thread name and update website descriptions accordingly.
- Steering Committee Authority Feedback (Bentley): Bentley requested clearer guidance on what items should be pushed to the business meeting. The committee acknowledged his concerns, reiterated guidelines, and invited him to resubmit past proposals.
- Meeting Structure and Conduct
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- Time Limits on Shares: A motion to implement 7-minute time limits for shares was made. Although unlimited sharing had previously been group conscience, the committee approved sending the issue to the business meeting.
- Requirement to Identify as Alcoholic: The suggestion that participants state their identity before sharing was deemed inconsistent with Tradition 3. No further action.
- Host Feedback Length: Concerns were raised that hosts’ feedback sometimes ran long. As brief feedback is existing group conscience, the committee decided to remind hosts through training threads and guidelines.
- Interpersonal Conflicts and Harassment Concerns
- Donna’s Complaint Regarding John: Allegations of inappropriate conduct during a nomination process were discussed in depth. The committee concluded this issue was peer-to-peer and did not warrant escalation to a business meeting.
- Historical Complaints Regarding John: Additional claims, some dating back a year and already addressed, were dismissed as resolved or inaccurate. No action taken.
- Positive Feedback
Justin, a new member, expressed gratitude for the welcoming atmosphere and commended the effectiveness of the hosts and co-hosts in managing challenging situations.
- Summary of Decisions and Action Items
Sent to Business Meeting:
- Justin F.’s return to service – Approved for BM 8-0
- Thread deletion policy review – Approved for BM 9-0
- Training agenda update – Approved for BM 8-0
- WhatsApp thread naming clarification – Approved for BM 9-0
- 7-minute share time proposal – Approved for BM 7-1
Handled Within Committee:
- Host feedback reminders to be posted
- Training documents to be circulated
- Future Interpersonal issues and privacy concerns will be directed to ethics committee
- Closing
The meeting closed with the Serenity Prayer and a motion to adjourn.
Key Themes
- Balancing transparency, privacy, and group unity
- Clarifying procedural thresholds for business meeting escalation
- Ethical handling of disputes through a newly created ethics committee
- Consistent reinforcement of AA traditions and group conscience