July 8, 9, 10
The trip to Nashville was uneventful. Had a short wait at airport for hotel shuttle, but was a short ride to the hotel. After getting my room settled, I went down and found my way to registration. After which I had lunch.
I was able to go to the 4:00 workshop given by Gloria on Abstinence vs. A Plan of Eating. It was very good. Left after to get my dinner, which turned out be a good idea. It was a good long wait before being served.
The Assembly began at 7:11. There was a late start due to computer problems. The Assembly was opened with the Serenity Prayer and then the Green Dots read the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions and For Today.
Introductions were made and then Roll Call was taken. There were 41 voting members and 9 visitors.
Amended agenda was voted on and adopted.
Contest was explained to the Assembly. Maps at the back of the room were for people to put pins in where they had gone to meetings in the world. We also had to write them down so that they could get an accurate count for the contest. Then we put our guess on how many meetings attended there would be and put it in the can.
There then were a few words about teleconferencing to be done.
The Forum was on “3 Legged Recovery”. There were 7 topics so that we all split up into groups to take a topic. I was in group 6 and our topic was “Give examples of spiritual growth and how that carries the message of recovery.”
Afterwards the committee chairs and board members attempted to sing ‘3 Legged Stool’.
It was discussed again about the fattest states in Region 8. 6 states in the top 10 fattest are in Region 8. There needs to be work done in these states. Florida has the most meetings and the most recovery.
The Welcome was nice; a monologue was recited (poem) that was written by a member that everyone could relate to.
Panel Discussion topic was ‘Practicing the Principles in all of our Affairs.” All three of the shares were great.
Saturday Session began at 8:40. The 12 Steps, Concepts and Voices of Recovery were read.
Credentials were again verified by Secretary. There were 42 voting.
Adoption of Standing Rules was done.
The parliamentarian gave a short talk about parliamentary process. There are 7 principles of parliamentary process.
1. Purpose
2. Equality or rights.
3. Majority decision
4. Minority Right
5. 5 Right of Discussion
6. Right of information
7. Fairness and good faith.
The minutes from Baton Rouge Assemble had on correct on time Fri 7:25 and then they were approved.
Seventh Tradition was taken: Collection totaled $245.00
Chair’s Report was given. Struggling with financial problems for Medellin was talked about. Need to get out ‘5 Alive’ to all groups.
Vice- Chair Report was then given.
Secretary Report was given. She requested for those needing to get in touch with her do so by email listed in packet.
Treasurer Report was then given.
Trustee Report was then given. If you revise Bylaws, need to send them to her. She also can help with the verbiage. She also talked about maybe needing to reduce the number of assemblies so that more people can make them and the cost of the Board and Funded Chairs would also be down. She gave some numbers for Region 8. We have 674 affiliated meeting and 147 unaffiliated. If we can get those meetings that are not affiliated to come in to Region 8 it could raise some revenue for the Region.
Delegates to World Service Reports: Only 1 delegate was at the Assembly. She read here report before break was called.
The Assembly reconvened at 10:22 to hear people from South American and to speak to them by remote. We were also able to see them on the big screen.
Credentials were again checked.
Motion 1 was brought to the floor. Motion reads “Move to amend the SOAR8 Policy and Procedure Manual, by striking the following language from page 39 and inserting it on page 41 as a sub-committee of the Twelve Steps Within.” The purpose is to move sub-committee from the Bylaws/Documents Committee to Twelve Steps Within. The motion passed.
Motion 2 was presented. It was an amendment to make changes to the Hosting Manual. Request was made to divide into 3 motions as it had 3 different changes to it.
Motion 2A was to change from $2 to $2 - $10 per person for room if hotel approved and price is reasonable. It passed.
Motion 2B was to change from $1 to $1 -$8 per meal may be added as fundraiser if hotel approved and price is reasonable. An amendment was purposed to change to Saturday Luncheon and Dinner meals. Motion 2B then was voted on and passed.
Motion 2C was to request fee shall be determined by the Hosting Intergroup up to a maximum of $60.00 with the approval of the Vice-Chair. Because there were several problems that came up with this amendment, another motion was made to table it until next Assembly in order work could be done on it.
Baton Rouge then gave their final report on the March Convention and Business Assembly. They did very well with their Assembly.
We then broke for lunch. Food was good and the speaker was great.
After lunch the committees met. I am still in the IGOR Committee. Medellin was one of the topics. How to help get reps down there? The Committee Chair said she already had one person from South America interested in funding as a first time rep.
IG Sponsoring in South America was discussed, but decided to wait until November to see if someone from South America would like to be on the committee and sponsor.
Unaffiliated groups for Medellin would be worked later.
The IG Chair loupe was discussed. We were reminded about the conference call in a few weeks. Also, discussed was the email loupe, which is being worked on.
I was assigned Arkansas to check to see if IG’s were up to date on website.
Credentials were checked at 4:05 with 42 voting.
Election of the Interim Treasurer was done. Patti will continue doing the work until election in November
Nominations for chair were taken: Gloria, Atia, and Burt were nominated.
Nominations for Treasurer were done. Patti is the only one nominated at this time.
Nominations for Delegates were done. 8 people were nominated.
Bid for the July 2012 Convention and Assembly was then herd. The July Convention will be held on July 13, 14, 15 and hosted by Miami Dade at Miami. Theme is “Fall in Love with OA the First Time or Again.”
Emergency Motion for $150.00 override for Ways and Means for promotional items for Medellin was voted on. It passed.
Next the Committee Chairs gave their reports on the committee meetings.
Green Dots were called up to the front to remove their green dots.
Assembly was then closed.
Dinner was at 7:00. It was a Buffet. Roast was a little on the tuff side but the rest of the food was good.
The Speaker was good. I have heard him before, but always enjoy his speaking.
Entertainment was excellent. I usually leave early, but not this time. I stayed to the end and then went to the late night meeting.
Sunday morning I was able to go to meditation and then to the IG Chair’s meeting before going to the Twelve Step Within Show.
Stayed for the Closing Speaker and left for the airport.
It was a good weekend and I really enjoyed being with so many abstinent people from every walk of life. We are a much diversified group with one common problem.
Thank you for letting me represent the Intergroup.
Amy R.
Chair and Representative