BOARD OF REGENTS MEETING OF JANUARY 19, 2007

*Chairman Benni F. has stated that he will not vote except to break ties.

Present: Benni F., Bob W., Domingo A., Lanny R., Phil K., Tom L., Tom P. and Karen H., International Executive Secretary.

Present by Telephone: Allan S. and Arnie B.

Guests: Wendy B., Tom M. and Ara H.

1- A. The minutes of the Board of Regents meeting of December 15, 2006 were read and approved.
Motion seconded and passed
For…8 Against…0 Abstained…0

B. The Operating Statement for December 2006 was read and approved.
Motion seconded and passed
For…8 Against…0 Abstained…0

2-OLD BUSINESS

A. Discussion on Lifeliners. There were 9 new Lifeliners as follows: California – 2 and 1 each from Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Oregon. There were no new Cans.
18 Starter Kits were sent out in December including 0 that went to prisons and we had 14 new Group Information Forms received back as follows: 1 each from the following areas: Casa Grande, Arizona; Riverside, California; Boca Raton, Florida; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; York, Maine; Baltimore, Maryland; Hamburg, New York; Salem, Oregon, Bruceton Mills, West Virginia; Lions Head, Ontario; South Coogee, New South Wales; Moss Vale, New South Wales and Dee Why, New South Wales.

B. G.A. Name and Logo. Still waiting for the paperwork to acquire www.gamblersanonymous.com as some people can still get links to gambling sites.
It was pointed out that no individual, organization or website may use the Gamblers Anonymous Logo without the approval of the International Service Office.

C. National Hotline. The National number for the G.A. National Hotline, which became effective January 1, 2007, is (888) GA Helps or (888) 424-3577. A report for January from Gary S., Chairman of the National Hotline was read as follows: January 1st started a new era for our program. 888-GA-HELPS went up and no major problems reported.
There was a minor problem with N.C./S.C. area. They had a 3rd hotline number that we did not include in the transfer. However, they had called on Monday afternoon and it was fixed early the next day.
The other was a discussion with area 7A Central Texas and what to do with the rest of their state helpline calls. I commend Tom S. and Alex B. for taking the lead and offering to help the other G.A. rooms and helping the people that are suffering in Texas. In one of my reports to the BOT I had mentioned about breaking down the “Area Walls”. Both Alex and Tom did exactly that in their goodwill gesture and with Karen’s insight guidance, I am very positive that good things will happen with Texas. Hopefully other Areas will be able to break the area walls too and help G.A. as a whole.
I have investigated some PR newswire to release the “AWARENESS” campaign for 888-GA-HELPS. I have selected one of the top newswires in the world. They will be able to put our message out in the respected manner of awareness vs. promoting. They handle many non-profits, foundations, organizations, and have a great reporting and clipping system. I intend, with the BOR approval, to make a release the week of January 22nd and a follow up 4 days prior to Superbowl Sunday. This would give our program maximum exposure on the “Awareness” campaign of 888-GA-HELPS.
I along with most of you are aware about the concern that some members have about owning the vanity number and we are working on the details. I would like to insure the BOR/BOT that everyone’s best interest has been the goal over the last several years with Erlang and myself, and will continue. The area’s that have been on Erlangs system over the years is familiar about Erlangs and Steven Zimmers commitment to our program.
In summary, there are bumps in the path but with consideration of this major undertaking to create 888-GA-HELPS, they are just that – bumps. As long as we address all issues right away and keep focus of Gamblers Anonymous primary goal we will be able to help our Areas, rooms and its members, but more important connect with the people that are still suffering. Thank you for your support and help. Respectively Grateful, Gary S.
A discussion was then held regarding hiring a Public Relations Firm to publicize this new number. It was decided to refer this item to the Board of Trustees as an agenda item for the Chicago Trustee Meeting.

D. Hurricane Katrina. The New Orleans area ordered $485.98 in literature with the cost coming out of this fund. An additional $100.00 has been received designated for this fund. With the previous balance of $997.31 plus the $100.00 received we had a balance of $1,097.31 and with New Orleans using $485.98, there is now a balance of $611.33. This fund will stay active until the end of February. After that it will become part of the operating fund.

3-NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business.

The collection in the amount of $38.00 was taken and the meeting was closed with the Serenity Prayer at 8:07 P.M. The next meeting of the Board of Regents will be held on February 16, 2007 at 7:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by Bob W., Recording Secretary