Temecula Valley Inter-Group

Meeting Agenda

May 20th, 2008

 

Call to Order 6:45 by:  Doug

Opening Prayer of: I am Responsible               by:  Doug

 

Roll Call:  32 Members         Dist. 14: (__)   Dist. 17 Liaison (x)   Dist. 17 treasurer (x) Visitors: (18)        TRICYPAA Liaison (x)

Board Members:                   Todd, Jeremy, Deanna, Wendell, Doug, Bernie, Paul

NOT present:                                        NONE

 

Reports:

Secretary:                             Todd J.;

Review // Approve Last Month’s Minutes:    Motion to approve Feb Minutes (Edna) Amend (___):  ____________

                                                                                Second by: Pete

Vote by I.G. Members:                        Yea’s: 12                                Na’s:  1                   Abstains: 8

 

Review // Approve Last Month’s Minutes:    Motion to approve March Minutes (Edna) Amend (___):  ____________

                                                                                Second by: Pete

Vote by I.G. Members:                        Yea’s: 11                                Na’s:  0                   Abstains: 12

 

Doug stated that the prayer was not the serenity prayer but rather the “I am responsible” prayer.  Amended

 

Mikey pointed out that the term “resolution” as it is stated in old business in this context:  “Doug read the resolution that gave the Board the… was to be changed to “Bylaw”.  Amended

 

Review // Approve Last Month’s Minutes:    Motion to approve April Minutes (Edna) Amend (___):  ____________

                                                                                Second by: Ray

Vote by I.G. Members:                        Yea’s: 13                                Na’s:  0                   Abstains: 8

 

Mikey asked that the motion to review TVCO pricing be moved to the NEW Business section and stated that there was no vote taken.  Amended

 

Pauline stated that there is no such thing as a DCMC/Dist Liaison.  Only District 17 Liaison.  Amended

 

John stated that he asked if the Rent was paid as noted on the financials. 

Todd stated that he did not remember him asking that question.  That the only question pertaining to the rent was what was the break down of rent for the two offices.

John stated that he insisted he asked the question.  The minutes have been amended to reflect this question and Bernie’s subsequent response of the rent has been paid.  Amended

 

Treasurer:                            Bernie T.: 

Review // Approve Last Month’s Minutes:    Motion to approve (Pauline) Amend (__):  _______________

                                                                                Second by: Beverly

Vote by I.G. Members:                        Yea’s:  20                               Na’s:  0                   Abstains: 0

 

Pauline asked for a year to date be added to the P/L.  She would like to see the Monthly and Year to Date side by side for review process.

 

Bernie agreed to do so.  Doug offered to look into posting financials on the web site for more visibility

 

Mikey asked what the deposit listed under “other current assets” was versus “rent security deposit” and also wanted to know what “the $275 Edison Deposit was exactly for.

 

Bernie explained that the “other” deposit was for the rental deposit for Ynez location and that the “Rent” deposit was for Front Street location.  The $275 was for the new electric deposit for Front street.

 

Mikey asked when the electric deposit was made.

 

Kate stated in March.

 

Mike C asked why we had a negative in one of the checking accounts.

 

Bernie stated that the Bank lost the signature cards and did not successfully transfer funds.  We were negative at the time of the generation of the income report, but the issue has been resolved and that currently we are not negative.

 

Pauline asked if we are paying $525 per month for the book keeper. 

 

Bernie and the group explained that that was an older notation and reflected an earlier payment and not a monthly transaction.

 

Mike C asked what the break down for the $702.52 for repair charges was for.

 

Bernie stated that the charges were for computer wiring, telephone wiring and computer repair in the new office.

 

Mikey stated that wiring charges should have been placed under lease improvements category.  He also asked that a break down of office repairs be brought to the next meeting.

 

Kimberly asked if we had rented out Ynez location.

 

Bernie said not yet.

 

Mary asked for the break down in the two different rents.

 

Bernie explained: a.    Ynez  $658.05

b.       Front Street  $1077.25

 

 

Tony wanted to know if the financial information was available on demand

 

Bernie said yes

 

Pete stated that the Sober Fishing Trip is NOT a fund raiser and only hopes to recoup its costs.

 

Bernie stated that the Fishing Trip was advanced $1700 from TVCO and it has to be listed in the fund raiser category whether it makes a profit or not for book keeping practices.  He stated that so far only $800 has been paid back to TVCO but they have until August to get all of the money in.

 

Tony said that he believed the deposit for the trip was 50% and that there was another $800 in the wings.

 

Office Manager Report:

Kate made amends for her comments about blackmail towards Annie.  She has proof that the bills and rent have been paid and wants to compliment Paul (Board Member) for his support in finding volunteers.  Kate says that she needs more volunteers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agenda Items:

 

Old Business:

  • The Sub Lease status for Old Central Office

Mikey asked for terms for both offices:

                a.  Old Lease:        27 Months

                b.  New Lease:      34 Months

 

Annie asked if we could put both offices up for sub lease and let God figure out which one should go based on which rents first.

 

Kimberly made a motion that collect information regarding whether we can sublease Front Street and come back next month and decide whether to vote on putting up the two offices for sub lease/rent

 

Kristin asked if we are responsible for the new tenant for Ynez keeping the sub lease in good standing.

 

Bernie said that if the new tenant is credit worthy, we could be completely released from the lease and the liability. 

 

Beverly asked what would happen if we defaulted.

 

Bernie stated that we would be subject to all 27 months of rent.

 

Mikey asked if we are legally able to rent/sublease the space.

 

Bernie said: yes

 

John said that we are capable legally to lease through the management company and a fee will be charged.

 

Bernie stated that an outside broker can bring prospects and stated that the facility can’t unreasonably deny any offer.

 

Beverly asked that the Board bring a copy of the rental agreement from Front Street to see if we can sub lease the new facility.

 

Desmond said that he felt sad about how everything is going down, and asked who really wants to move back?

 

Mason asked who will do the financial analysis on possibly moving back .

 

Mikey said that he would handle it and Darcie said that she would help.

 

Deanna asked that we all consider the financial aspect and the business aspect of moving.

 

Pauline said that move has been made but we have a financial issue of having two offices to support.

 

Dan says that we should put it in Gods hands and believe that a loving and kind God would not let us crash and burn.

 

John said that we are here to serve AA so that others can stay alive.  The dollars are being wasted.  The groups should decide what happens.  He said we have a severe issue when the rent is paid late and checks are bouncing.

 

Bernie stated that the rent was paid on time, but the landlord lost the check and a new one was printed and hand delivered.  The check bouncing happened when the bank lost the Board’s signature cards and funds did not successfully transfer.  That has been handled.

Carol said that she was a past manager and that we have to work together.  She said that in her past that TVCO moved twice and we almost got sued.  It was hard.

 

  • Status of pricing of books, chips etc at TVCO

Kate said she had attended a Central Office Managers meeting that included Managers from LA, Palm Springs, Orange County, Riverside and Ventura County.  She said that Big Books are $6.00 and that the average manager increases costs by 35%.  They said that when the prudent reserve gets low they raise prices and when the prudent reserve gets high they reduce the pricing.  Some of them sell Hazeldon items and literature and mark it up 45%.

 

Michelle asked what is the cost for 200 books.

 

Kate said $1200.

 

Mikey stated that there are price breaks for 100 to 200 book purchases, and we have room at the new location to store them. 

 

Bill stated that we have a storage facility that we can use for free.

 

John explained that he did not agree with Kate’s assessment.  He stated that according to the 2008 AA Literature pricing guide:

 

1 -19 Books           $6.00

20 -99 Books         $5.64

100 – 199 Books   $5.28

200 + Books          $4.92

 

Annie said that New York does adjust pricing based on reserves, but Central Office is there for the telephone and a central point of contact for the AA community. If the literature price is to high then others will buy from New York and bypass TVCO.

 

Darcie asked that we stop acting like we are divided.  The dividing line is our opinion.  The clapping is not necessary. 

 

John W stated the torches, pitch forks need to be put away.  We can get to business as volunteers trying to get back to the business at hand.

 

Robert said that it was brought to his attention that the Liberty Bell group was going to hold back funds.  He went back to his group and said don’t hold back. The Board went about their deal wrong but not with the intention to hurt or exploit AA.  So now they are going to contribute.

 

David wanted to know if we were going to vote on the new pricing for items.

 

John explained that we are to have an informed group conscious by sharing ideas and bringing them back to our groups for two more months before we finalize the pricing commitments.

 

Mary asked if we are going to sell Hazeldon items.

 

Doug said No

Mikey re-stated the motion to set prices at cost +25% + tax +/- .05 - .10 and that we are to evaluate the issue for 90 days.

 

Beverly stated that her group wants TVCO to handle the pricing the way they seem fit.

 

David says that his group wants the price to be raised anyway TVCO seems fit but leave the Big Book at cost.

 

Mikey stated that the majority of his groups are fine with the 25% pricing plan.

 

Michelle wanted what we are voting on in writing.

 

Doug pointed her to the April minutes.

 

Ray asked to move on.

 

Doug re-stated the motion.

 

Bill stated that his groups like the literature motion.

 

Mikey suggested we continue to wait and that we need a budget supplied by TVCO.

 

Mason asked if we are prepared to adjust the motion to sell the Big Book at cost.

 

Mikey stated that we have to change the motion in new business.

 

Doug said we will bring back the situation next month.

  • The Status of the Web Site

Tony and Fred took care of changing the web site

The web site has updated features and information:

a.        Meeting forms

b.       Central Office Forms

c.        Directory

d.       TVCO address and contact information

e.        Events

f.         Flyers

g.       Links to all other SoCal Central Offices and General Service Orgs

 

Tony stated he will entertain any feedback and would like all to review and submit ideas via email from the site.

 

Doug asked Tony to have the new schedules printable online

 

Tony said he would once he receives the content.

 

Annie asked if he had connected the site to District 17.

 

Tony said he will put a link on for them if the group wishes.

 

Bill asked Tony to put the phone number on the front page for simple access.

 

Darcie made a motion that we show appreciation for the web site through clapping.  John W (2nd)

 

  • Hot Line

Darcie says the Hot Line is going well and there is a rep meeting coming up.  Inviting 12 step call in insight.

 

  • News letter etc.

Darcie says thank you for all of the content for the newsletter.  It was 16 pages this time and is normally 8.  She hopes for at least a 12 page format each month.  She would like updated Birthday information to put on the Newsletter and is happy to announce the volunteer calendar that TVCO has furnished.

 

Annie asked if we put last names in the Gazette. 

 

Darcie said not unless it is an accident.

 

John made a motion to clap for the News Letter…we clapped

 

  • Status of Founders Day

Robert is chair and has Marilyn and Mason helping him.  The event is going to be held at the Sun City Senior Center and Fernando Audio will be conducting recording and will have tapes for sale.  Gordon B of San Marcos will be the speaker.  We will have a 50/50 raffle, prize raffle and Baily’s Catering will supply the food (Italian).  Vegetarian alternatives will be offered.

 

Tickets are for sale $20 each and available at TVCO  and the 12 Step store and flyers are posted on the web site.

 

John asked if anyone could donate something to see him.

 

  • Board Elections

Nominated for Election:                                      Votes

Robert                                                                    6             

Pauline                                                                   11

Paul                                                                        12

 

Paul was elected to the Board until December.  Next vote will be in November.

 

Annie made it clear that Kate was not a Board Member.

 

Kate had identified herself as a Board Member and Office manager and had voted in the election.  She was corrected and her vote stricken.  She is the Central Office Manager only.

 

Dan made a comment that the Board Members work very hard and that we should always consider who we put on the Board based on talent, skill and time availability to help not based on will and popularity.

 

NEW Business:

Scott is the newly appointed tricypaa Liaison  and the cover LA to Riverside to Temecula and says it is hard to keep young people informed of events and help them to stay connected.

 

The 502 club is having a Masquerade  Ball on May 31st.  For everyone young and young at heart.

 

Tony will put flyer on the Web Site.

 

Scott says that they are looking for a young person hot line list. Especially younger women for volunteers.  Go to www.tricypaa.com

 

Deanna made a motion to clap for Scott…we clapped…a lot

 

Pauline says that District 17 is showing a drop in donations and wanted to remind all to support them.  They are involved in a great many forms of interactive service to AA and need help.  Go back to the groups and tell them to contribute.

 

Dan stated that he was tired of the dissension and would like us to do something.  Should we amend the bylaws to prevent the Board from making this kind of mistake again?  Should we amend bylaw 2.2.?

 

Kimberly brought a copy of the Orange County Central Office Service Board Accountability Committee outline.  Suggested that we at least look at it.

 

David made a motion that we sell all Big Books at cost.  Andy 2nd the motion

 

Mason said that we have a vote coming up that might supercede that motion.

 

Dan suggested that we make sure that we are financially prudent in our decision.

 

Bill said that the Board needs to give us our financial picture to help Inter-Group make a decision

 

John said that selling Big Books at our cost means at our cost only.

 

Mike C asked if the price was going to be based on the one book price cost? Most of the time it is based on just that cost.

 

Ray stated I have seen Inter-Group reps ask their meetings to purchase books in group volume to get best pricing.

 

Mikey restated that At Cost means At our Cost only.

 

Kate stated that we sell a lot of the hard back Big Books but not as much of the others and that we could stack up on those more easily in our volume purchases.

 

Darcie stated that if we sell it at our cost the price will fluctuate an so will the retail price.

 

Kate said that the price constantly changing will frustrate AA Members.

 

Kimberly stated that we should leave the price at the 20 book price and leave it at that.

 

Mike C says that Vista typically gives us the best price no matter how many we buy.

 

Mikey said he didn’t think that was happening anymore.

 

Kristen said it has always been that way in the past.

 

The group decided to consider all and table the issue for now and bring back the proposals next month.

 

7th Tradition: $52

9:56 p.m.  Motion to adjourn: Pete    Second By: Beverly

Vote by I.G. Members:                                        Yeas’: unanimous                Na’s: 0

Closing Prayer of:  I am responsible                 by: Doug