Monthly Business Meeting
Oasis Club
5645 Hillcroft
July 14, 2001
The meeting was opened at 10:00am with the Serenity Prayer. Helen
read the mission statement.
Introductions were made and a sign-in sheet passed to record attendance.
Present were:
Helen D. Acting Chairperson (pending election), treasurer
Carl H. Vice-Chair, Convention Co-Chair
Lora L. Houston OA HOW liaison, Convention Co-Chair
Alan B. Website, Historian
Linda G. Rep: New Sugarland Meeting
David D. Rep: Bellville
Greg M. Rep: Sunday, St. John’s
Stacy T. Rep: Grace Lutheran
Olga Rep: Spring-Conroe, Sat. am
Sue Rep: Conroe, Tues. pm
Diane O. Rep: Oasis, Sat. 10:30am
Richard T. Rep: Autry House & St. Anne’s
Dee G. Rep: Oasis, Sat 8:30am
Sherri H. Workshops/Newsletter editor (briefly)
12 Traditions of OA – Linda G. read and shared on Tradition 7. David D. agreed to take Tradition 8 for the August HMI meeting.
Minutes of the Last Meeting – The minutes of the June meeting were approved as submitted.
Treasure’s Report – Lora (ex-treasurer) presented monthly cash flow reports for April, May, and June, and a 6-month summary for Jan – June, 2001. Explanation of expenses and income was provided by the treasurer. Copies of the reports will be available on the Website. Helen D. reported on the CD which had been purchased with the excess seed money from the convention account. That account is normally maintained at $1500, but since GBAI and Region III put up $500 each, HMI voted to place the extra $1000 in a short-term CD to earn a higher interest rate. Diane raised the question of rep funding for Region III and WSBC. Helen explained that it was HMI’s policy to reimburse the rep/delegate’s full expenses (transportation, lodging, food, registration). The Convention Committee (via Lora and Carl) made a budget request to purchase Ways and Means items (in large quantity to get the best price) to be sold at the convention. These items would be the property of HMI and any not sold at the convention could be sold at future events. Discussion ensued about how or whether any money made off the items would be shared with Region III; quantity to purchase; nature of the items, etc. Approval was tabled until the August meeting so Carl could bring in more specific information.
Old Business –
Elections – Chair. Helen spoke briefly about the duties and responsibilities of the position and her experience as chair. Carl then nominated Richard T., Alan B. seconded. Richard accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations or volunteers. Richard T. was elected to the post by unanimous vote.
Website/domain name renewal – Alan. The cost of maintaining our domain name (Oahouston.org) is $35/yr. We paid for two years up front and it is now time to renew. There were optional discounts for longer periods of renewal. Richard made a motion to renew the domain name for 9 years at a discount of 40% ($189).
Dee seconded. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Delegate’s Report – Carl reported on the following items of interest from the WSBC. The food plan presented did not pass because it was too complicated and was sent back to committee for further work. It was reported that Central and South America (formerly of Region IX) will now become part of Region VIII (southeastern USA). Carl shared that there were 183 delegates present of whom almost half were first time delegates. The new computer system is almost paid for (cost ~$45,000). There was discussion of future conventions due to the tremendous money loss of the Dallas WSO convention. Carl says there was a good deal of discussion including the cost of the hotel chosen. A suggestion was made to combine the WSO convention with a Region level convention to share and reduce expenses.
Committee Reports –
Spring Retreat, 2002 – Jan, no report.
Convention/Region III Business Assembly – Carl and Lora reported that planning for the Convention was on-track. Service opportunities are available. The next planning meeting will be July 28th at the Up-the-Street Club in Webster. The committee will be doing crafts for the convention at this meeting in addition to the regular meeting. Greg M. reported that he experienced very bad customer service when attempting to register for the convention with the Flagship Hotel. This information will be passed on to the hotel liaison.
Public Information – Richard has spoken to several area TV stations about requirements for public service announcements (PSA’s). Discussion followed about our present resources and whether to order something new from WSO. Decision tabled until August, pending gathering of resources.
Office Services – Phone answering schedule currently
Mon – Richard
Tues – Jan
Wed – Brian
Thur – Jenna
Fri – Betty
Sat – Sue
Sun – Carl
Newsletter/Meeting Lists – Sherry reported that she has had some computer problems and the newsletter will be delayed until next month. Helen received updates on area meetings and will be putting out a new phone list soon.
HMI Website – Alan reported that the website has received over 16,000 hits from all over the world since its launch. The website is well respected among OA websites. Meeting reps reported several newcomers who found their way to meetings through the website. Alan announced the new e-mail news service he has initiated, to sign up e-mail the OA Houston website. There was also a discussion of WSO website which has begun posting meeting lists. They have included names and phone numbers of contact people; if a person does not want this information posted on the WSO website, he/she can send them an e-mail and ask to be removed.
By-Laws Committee – No Report
Budget Committee – No Report
Literature – No Report
HIPM – No Report
Open Forum – Carl bought a complete set of tapes at WSBC for $180. Discussion followed as to whether HMI would purchase those tapes for the library. A decision was tabled until next month.
7th Tradition – basket passed.
Announcements – Lora announced the OA HOW Retreat Aug 10-12 at the Holy Name Retreat Center. The next HMI meeting will be August 11th at 10"00am at the Oasis Club.
Closing – The meeting was closed with the 3rd Step Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Lora L.
In place of recording secretary