Region Minutes 7/20/02

The Niagara-Orleans Area is hosting the next Region meeting. The meeting will be at 232 South St in Lockport at noon on September 21, 2002. See directions at the end of the report.

Dave opened the meeting with the Serenity Prayer.
The reading of page 16 of the Basic Text was waived.
Jim read the Twelve Traditions.
Cedric read the Twelve Concepts.

Roll Call
The Chautauqua Area held an event today and was not in attendance. The Vice-Chair and PI representatives were marked not in attendance but then came in late.

Mailbox
Rodney was supposed to collect the mail this week and disburse it. He is not in attendance at this time. How should the mailbox be dispersed during the off months? Should it be dispersed between meetings? Rodney will distribute as needed. Website stuff will be mailed to Mark with his minutes.

Minutes
A motion was made to accept the minutes from the May meeting with a correction. Add date to the closing balance. This balance should reflect the end balance in the Treasurer's report. It was not updated in the May minutes. Phone Line and Legal Liaison will be removed from the minutes.

Opening Balance: $2,950.79 (2,849.79 returned check and bank fee?)

Open Positions & Nominations

Literature - Resigned as appointed Chair - Open
Activities - Bill is sick, he cannot be nominated unless he attend the meeting.
RD - Nelson declined (correction to minutes?) Cedric nominated and elected
RD Alt - Bob B nominated, closed until next Region
Treasurer - Open

Cedric was not elected due to an unfair conscience. The Ni-O RCM was sent from his Area with a vote but did not feel that the circumstances were appropriate for a vote. He felt that there were not enough Areas present to have a fair vote. Discussion ensued about vote of confidence. RCMs are required to bring the vote of their Areas to the meeting. Discussion ceased when the RCM was told that he would have to go back to the Area and explain the situation. The Ni-O RCM requested a revote because he had second thoughts. The body had to vote on allowing the election to be reopened. A motion was made to reopen the election, seconded, 5 in favor, 3 opposed. Cedric was nominated, 2 in favor, 1 abstention.

Regional Delegate - Tracy RD
Tracy returned check for the Zonal Forum because she is unable to attend. Her resignation letter will be considered her final report. She has offered assistance to anyone who takes the RD position.

Area Reports

Alley Cats - Not present, no report submitted.

Buffalo - Cedric RCM, Fred Alt RCM
Thank God that we came together again to carry the message. This report is given on the heels of experiencing the World Convention of NA, which was quite exciting and informative. I was ? enough to attend the workshops provided for the service conscience or just curious and willing to serve. There was great emphasis on everyone invited to serve NA. The workshops were Atmosphere of Recovery, which was the discussion topic that I participated in the questions. The Buffalo Area met at scheduled time. There was a request to post the Just For Today newsletter on the Regional website. H7I is now available at the community meeting. There was concern about doing service alone on the Regional level and should be avoided at all costs. The closing balance was $576.90.

Chautauqua - Art RCM
The last 2 ASC meetings began with the reading of Concepts 1 & 12. We've had some meetings close, the Tuesday and Thursday noon meetings and the Friday and Saturday TRIP meetings in Warren. The phone bill was $103.01, H&I needed $9.50 for literature, PI needed $22.50 for literature and the phone line needed $12.50 for a directory. Donations and Attendance have been down in our Area but we are still able to make Regional donation of $49.40. Art - Serenity In the Woods III June 21-23rd at Cooks Forest in Cooksburg, PA. Tickets will be sold until May 31, 2002.

Niagara-Orleans - Nelson R., RCM
Our Area's opening balance was $456.04. The Ni-O Area picnic is August 4, 2002 at Krull Park in Olcott. This is my last report as RCM for the Ni-O Area. Raymond B. will now be the Area RCM. It was an honor and privilege to be a part of this body. Thank you for letting me be of service.

Niagara Falls - Joshua, RCM, Annette, RCM Alternate
All information was passed to the Area and all flyers were given to home groups in the Niagara Falls Area. The Area was informed of all filled and open Regional positions, encouraging members to participate. I have been instructed to let Area know that the Niagara Falls Area Activities committee stands ready and able to participate in Hospitality for the upcoming convention. We ask for a little insight on an Area issue/concern.

Secretary - Melanie R.
No problems or concerns.

Treasurer - Stacey D.
Chautauqua had a returned check because there were not two signatures. The bank is charging a possible $25.00 fee. A phone call will be required to clear this up.

Chair - Dave M.
See attached report.

Vice Chair - Rodney M.
I picked up the Regional mail for today's RSC. The post office needs an update for our PO box. I will provide my address and phone number as a contact. I am looking to this body on how to distribute mail during the off months. See Mailbox. I am also looking forward to working with Leroy to launch the Regional H&I efforts. I distributed WNY Regional convention flyers at the World convention and will be taking flyers to the NNY Regional convention. The flyers were also distributed at the Binghamton Area campout. Rodney follow up and complete relationship with the lawyers.

Sub-Committee Reports

Hospitals & Institutions (H&I) - Leroy
I am very grateful to be a part of the Regional PI Committee. There has been some difficulty in putting together an H&I committee. I would like the RCMs to take back to the Areas that the Regional H&I committee is asking for participation. I will contact World Service to lend assistance with new ideas and implementation. I will open new lines of communication with all areas. At the next Region meeting, I will have outlined an extended plan for what I want to accomplish while Chair.

Public Information (PI) - Bob B.
No written report was received. Several quotes were researched for production of Regional schedules. The best quote was for $625.00 for 5,000 with assembly included. All areas will be contacted to update information. They will be available for the convention.
Convention - Paul N.
See attached report.

Literature - Vacant

Activities - Bill T
I apologize for not being here in person to give this report, but I have not been feeling well lately. I have been in contact with our PI chair, Dale and he has set up a workshop and event for the 27th of this month at Como Lake Park from 1-4 pm. He has asked me to help with activity part of this event. I would like to request from this body a check for $125.00 to cover expenses for this. I will probably not need it all but we are still working out all the details. If you approve this check I would ask that you give it to Nelson R. to bring to me. I apologize for not giving much notice on this event, but I would like to ask all the RCMs if they could get information to their PI Committees ASAP. If there are any other sub-committees that would like to get their workshops done in the nice weather and have an activity with it, just call me soon and I will be willing to help in any way you want.

Ad Hoc Committee Reports

Website - Mark T.
Not in attendance, no report sent.

Policy - Nelson R.
We met on June 8, 2002 at Bulgar Hall at Buffalo State College. The committee was formed and the purpose of the committee was set forth. The researching of the by-laws has proven to be challenging. We were supposed to meet again on July 13, 2002 but were unable to due to a lengthy Area meeting. We will meet again September 21, 2002 at 1pm at Bulgar Hall. I hope that I can continue to see this project through and bring a complete report of our findings to this body. The current by-laws were handed out to all members of the committee.

Who votes in elections at Region? Guide to Local service states RCMs and executive committee vote on matters of group conscience. By-laws state only RCMs for matter of conscience. Anything that hoes back to Areas (group conscience) should become an executive decision. Anything that affects the Region as a whole is an executive decision as opposed to something that affects just the Regional committee.

Discussion ensued about the interpretation of abstentions. Several believe that abstentions do not count and cannot sway a vote either way. Others believe that the abstentions count and would change the majority in a vote. RD was directed to find out how the Conference deals with abstentions. This will be dealt with in the by-law updates.

Old Business

- Copier with maintenance agreement. Discussion about who would keep the copier, who would use the copier and Area usage. Melanie will get quotes on service contracts.
- Prudent reserve - We will have to look at standing budgets and possibly revise budgets. All subcommittees should put together their current budget or proposed budget.
- Regional office - Get direction from Areas on what direction the Region should move towards. Several people feel that there isn't a cash flow at this time and that the Region is not large enough.

New Business

- Open nominations two meetings prior to elections - The wording in by-laws is two months prior to elections, which does not allow time for Areas to bring nominations. Motion to interpret the by-laws as two meetings prior to elections until the by-laws can be updated. The intent is to facilitate consciences of Areas that was affected when the Regional meetings went to a bi-monthly schedule. Motion was seconded, all in favor.
- Regional schedules - Motion to approve production, seconded, 8 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention.
- Activities Workshop - $125.00 for event. Motion made, seconded all in favor.
- St Paul's Rent - $15.00
- Convention Committee
- Banquet - minimum to purchase is 50 and attendance is low. Paul suggested to the committee to cancel the banquet but they decided to still have it. Paul is asking that the Region direct the committee to cancel the banquet due to lack of interest. Motion made, seconded, 8 in favor, 1 opposed.
- Mid-Day Speaker - Eliminate cost of travel if we have a Regional speaker for Saturday mid-day. All speakers receive a package and hotel room. RCM questioned why we give packages and hotel room. Speaking at a convention should be an act of service. This has always been done for speakers. This should be left to the Programming committee however it is in the convention by-laws that the Regional committee approved the speakers. Approval of speakers, 4 in favor, 2 opposed, 4 abstain.

Treasurer
Closing Balance as of July 20, 2002: $2,477.79
See attached report.

Directions

From Buffalo - Go north on Transit, Rt. 78. Go to corner of Transit Rd and Walnut St and turn right. Turn right on Washburn St (approximately 6 traffic lights), there will be a Mobil on the corner. Go one block to South St and turn left. The meeting hall looks like an old church with a 100F sign on the outside. Parking is on the street behind the building in the alley.

From Niagara Falls - Take Rt. 31 East to Lockport, turn right on Washburn St, First Niagara Bank will be on your left. Go two blocks to South St and turn left. The meeting hall looks like an old church with a 100F sign on the outside. Parking is on the street behind the building in the alley.

Chair Report 7-20-2002

I am very happy to be chair for the upcoming year and I will do my best to make this a productive one for the Western New York Region.

I will try to stick to the agenda that is in our bylaws so if anybody would like to deal with certain issues out of order please bring them up at the beginning of the meeting. I am not that familiar with Roberts rules of order so please bare with me and don't hesitate to correct me if I proceed out of order. Motions will be dealt with during old business and new business, so reports can be read with as few interruptions as possible and we can get through them expediently.

I would also like each member to let the body know what goals you would like the region to accomplish over the next 12 months, how can we better fulfill our primary purpose and serve our areas better. You can put this in your September report. In order for this region to make progress and to meet our goals there are certain suggestions I would like to make to all members.

1.Stay until the end of the meeting, that is what your commitment requires, every body is important

2.Reports from each member should be prepared in writing and in advance, e.mailing them to the secretary makes the minutes quite a bit easier to prepare

3.If you cannot be in attendance send a representative with your written report

4. Shut off all cell phones and pagers during the meeting

Nominations and election for this meeting should be:

Nominations to open H & I Chair
Activities Chairperson

Elections RD
RD Alt
Treasurer

Positions open from past (currently vacant) Literature Crairperson


WNYRCNA CONVENTION CHAIR REPORT 7/20/02

The fundraiser/ent. Chair person Rudell S. resigned
We have selected the taper
We have selected Parable designs as our jewelry
We have selected Carolina clean as a secondary vendor
We have selected logo and picked out some merchandise to be ordered, we have selected reg. items for packages
We will be making corrections to the directions on our new set of registration forms
We received 2 registration forms from web site as of 7/14/02
We have 78 people registered as of 7/14/02 (38 are pre. Reg from last year)
We have 4 banquets sold as of 7/14/02 (we purchased 50 which is the min.)
Registration chair asks everyone on the Regional Committee to please register and buy a banquet
We have 61 rooms sold at main hotel (aprox.8 at secondary hotel)
I am submitting the following speakers fro approval
Friday Night opening speaker Derrie J. (Roger as alt.)
Midday Saturday Steve L. from the Bronx
Saturday Banquet Richard C. Brooklyn
Saturday Midnight Siomara S.
Closing Sunday Morning Kenny Allah Philadelphia

We will be having a reg. party on 9/7/02 further information available soon

There has been a change in management at the hotel, there is another event scheduled the same night, which I was informed about, but not aware that they will be using some of the rooms so we will be limited in space

I suggest that this body look at moving convention from NF for next year I have not secured anything for next year I think we ran our course in NF.

There will be a cost at the Hotel but I do not have that figure
Any questions
In service
Paul Nichols

Western New York Regional Treasurer Report
For the Month Ended May 2002

Income Debits Balances
Opening Balance 2,679.19

Donations
Alle-Cats 35.00
Buffalo 275.00
Chautauqua
Niagara-Orleans
Niagara Falls
Hope on Hertel 60.00
Weee Recover 23.00
RD void #559 235.00





Total 628.00


Expenses Check #
Bank Charge 15.00
Chautauqua 49.40
ret. Ck#96
Bill Tice 562 125.00
St. Paul's 563 15.00
PI -meeting list 564 625.00


829.40
End Balance 2,477.79
Deposit 7/22/02 393.00

Position Name Address Email Phone
Chair Dave M. 6 Cindy, Amherst 14221 Dmyers1060@aol.com 632-0927
Vice Chair Rodney M. 110 Mapleridge Rd., Bflo 14215 837-1409
Treasurer Stacy D. 116 Brookedge Dr., Wmvl 14221 tomyd@pce.net 632-0031
Secretary Melanie R. 2528 Niagara Falls Blvd., NF 14304 mellow1399@yahoo.com 731-1540
RD Cedric S. 37 Oxford Ave., Bflo 14209 dogg62@netzero.com 885-6070
RD Alt
Convention Paul N. 949 Amherst St., Bflo 14201 jgb8995@aol.com 877-5309
Literature
H&I Leroy 2549 Wehrle Dr, Wmsvl 14221
Activities Bill T. 80 Corinthia St., Lkpt 14094 bill_tice2002@yahoo.com 433-8936
Website Mark T. 1436 Norby Rd., Jamestown 14701 mtuccio@alltel.net 484-2477
PI Chair Dale H. PO Box 153 Warren, PA 16365 moe54sh@yahoo.com (814)726-9440
PI Vice-Chair
RCM AlleCat AlleCat ASC, PO Box 333, Machias 14101
RCM Alt AlleCat
RCM Bflo Cedric S. 37 Oxford Ave., Bflo 14209 dogg62@netzero.com 885-6070
RCM Alt Bflo Fred H. 171 E. Morris Ave., Bflo 14214 freddyrich55@msn.com 833-1961
RCM Chaut Art B. 704 Route 394, Kennedy 14747 ladyfrog@madbbs.com 267-4455
RCM Alt Chaut
RCM NF Joshua A. 225 14th Street, NF 14303 285-0949
RCM Alt NF Annette N. 1319 Cleveland Av, NF 14305
RCM Ni-O Raymond B. 177 Willow St., Lkpt 14094 L254260@netzero.net 439-1888
RCM Alt Ni-O
Policy Adhoc Nelson R. 109 Chestnut St, Lkpt 14094 nelly14094@aol.com 433-1445
Visitors
Position Name Address Email Phone
Bflo Chair Jim L 155 Carmel Rd., Bflo 14214 834-9522