Monthly Business Meeting
Oasis Club
5645 Hillcroft
March 11, 2000
The meeting was opened at 10:00 a.m. with the Serenity Prayer. Helen read the mission statement. Introductions were made by the attendees:
Helen D.- Chairperson
Lora- Treasurer/Region III rep.
Roy- Parliamentarian
Carl- Vice-Chairperson
Sherri H.- Newsletter
Nancy K.- Temporary Secretary
Alan B.- Computer Services
Richard T.- Convention
Cindy B.- Rep. Woodlands Fri. noon mtg.
12 Traditions of OA – Nancy spoke on Tradition 3. Discussion followed. Carl volunteered to speak on Tradition 4 at next month’s meeting.
Minutes of Last Meeting – Minutes of last meeting were read and accepted with corrections. Due to conflicts coinciding with next month’s meeting date, it was decided that the April meeting would be moved from April 8th to April 15th at 10:00 a.m.
Treasurer’s Report – Lora read the Cash Flow Report for February 2000. (See Attachment.) She submitted her Region III expenses and mentioned that John’s will be submitted in the future. The financial situation looks better for HMI. Carl asked about putting money in a money market account. The possibility was discussed of putting some money, perhaps $5,000., in a certificate of deposit. If HMI makes less than $20,000. in a year, no taxes are due. Lora mentioned that HMI should be incorporated and tax exempt. Helen indicated that she was unsure whether HMI was in good standing regarding incorporation. Lora said she would look into it and check with the bank regarding a certificate of deposit. She will bring in a report next month.
Old Business –
The need for a program regarding personal sponsorship was discussed. Another idea was to pass the basket once each month at each meeting for money to go to intergroup. Lora said she would put suggestions in the newsletter. Other suggestions were $10. per year of program rather than abstinence, "Celebrate your Anniversary with O.A.", the "Fork Hall of Fame" and linking this with something at the convention.
There was a Tradition 6 discussion. Mention of renting costs for the Oasis Club was made. Lora and Carl will look further into money questions. Helen said she will be printing out a new meeting list in about a week. After Carl gets that he will call to get current information on each meeting. There will be a letter with the monthly mail out which will include information from the website. In it there will be mention of the $2 signs and suggestions for raising money for intergroup. The "Celebrate your O. A. Birthday" idea will be discussed next month.
There was discussion of incentives—keychains, ribbons, tapes and the need for a catchy slogan. Helen will be putting these ideas in the newsletter.
Carl will do a current mailing list and send e-mail addresses to Helen.
Suggestion was made of recognizing financial sponsors at convention in October and/or the annual HMI convention in Houston. Those contributing need to mark on their checks that the money is for HMI. Carl will give the new post office address to those he contacts from each group.
Delegates Report – Lora presented her report orally and will submit a written report as well as send it to the website.
Committee Reports –
Spring Retreat III – This is moving along as projected. In two weeks between the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Saturday meetings, some persons will be staying to stuff envelopes for the hot line mail outs.
Region III Assembly - The next Region III Assembly is in Tucson from the 22nd to the 24th of September at the Sheraton. It is called "Sunlight of the Spirit". Spring 2000 will be in Austin from the 2nd to the 4th of March. It will be important for reservations to be made early for Austin. Alan will put information and/or a Tucson brochure on our website and link to the Region III website where a brochure can be found. Dallas is bidding on 2002.
Questions were raised as to where the HMI/Galveston Fall 2000 Region III Assembly and Convention will be held. Flagship? Galvez? San Luis? Pros and cons of each were briefly discussed. Spring 2002 will be held in Las Vegas.
Lora stated that Region III is now in the black financially. There is a need for people to do service at Recovery Round-Up 2000. There is an abstinence requirement for certain service, but greeters and huggers need no abstinence. Word needs to be gotten out at the meetings regarding the need for service. There will be special needs meeting rooms, and some meeting will be offered 24 hours per day.
HMI will give left over birthday decorations to Recovery Round-Up. There is a need for black and white copies of the Round-Up brochure for distribution in Houston. Carl will get copies made. These should be taken to the various meetings. The possibility of Helen mailing these out was discussed. There is registration for Round-Up by phone as well as at the WSO website. They will need 250 volunteers.
Special Events/Workshops - No report.
Spring Retreats - Joe reported that 30 people have registered. Rebecca will help with registration. The only expenses are $350 to $400 for Hulda’s airfare. Joe traded photography services for some rooms. Plans for this retreat are going well. Joe will be out of town part of next week and the following week. Carl will take Hulda back to the airport at the end of the retreat. Rebecca and Joe will get together regarding name tags. Approximately 40 people are expected. $1,000. should be taken in and expenses will be about $500. Joe will take literature down to Galveston. There will be guided meditations. Carl will be leading daily walks. The agenda will come with, or be sent by, Hulda. The treasurer probably will be doing a deposit of registration checks this week
The spring retreat at Camp Cho-Yeh will be April 7, 8, and 9.
Public Information - No report.
Office Services - No report.
Newsletter - No report.
Meeting Lists – No report.
By-Laws Committee – No report.
Budget Committee – No report.
Literature – No report.
HMI Website – No report.
New Business – There was discussion regarding call backs from the hotline. The fax number was left off the phone message when the web site terminology was added.
Richard said two signers are needed on the Convention Account at Bank United, and that account should be closed, according to the bank. The old signers were Christine and Michael. Is there a need for corporate resolution? Signers need to be Richard T., Convention Chair, and Christine, Convention Treasurer.
Open Forum - Lifeline Challenge 2000 (buy 2 subscriptions and mail to professional places). This idea could be taken to meetings but the professional location needs to be asked first. A flyer regarding this will go out in Helen’s mailing.
Rebecca stated that O. A. is looking for a new vision statement by the year 2010. She asked whether we would send buses to the WSO Convention in Dallas.
Carl read a letter regarding the World Service Business Conference on May 9-13, 2000. He will do a late registration.
Helen submitted a copy of the WSO questionnaire .
Announcements - Next Meeting: April 15, 2000 at 10:00 a.m., Oasis Club
Closing – Meeting was adjourned at 12:00 with the 3rd Step Prayer.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Nancy K.
Recording Secretary
April 15 , 2000