Meeting called to order by Al R. Trustee from California

Present were Al R, California, Stan G, California, Al J, California, Jack W, Penn, Irving H, New York, Conrad F, New York, Jules W. Mass, George M, Michigan-Canada and Bill G, Ohio. Also present was Acting National Executive Secretary Ray M. from California and Bill B. of New York, a member of the Board of Regents.

Al J. was appointed temporary Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

For a matter of record this is the first meeting of the Board of Trustees ever held since Gamblers Anonymous National Service Office was incorporated in California on June 2, 1964. It is hereby noted that of the 17 Trustees holding office, there were 9 present at the meeting, which constituted a quorum.

On a motion by Stan G. and seconded by Jack W, it was unanimously agreed that the National Service Office shall remain in Los Angeles, California for at least until July 1, 1968. It was noted that the National Service Office is bound by a rental lease of the NSO office until October 1, 1969.

Jack W. mad a motion to accept the Guidance Code as written. For lack of a second to the motion, Conrad F. suggested that we examine the Guidance Code page by page.

Following a complete discussion of the 25 articles contained in the Guidance Code, the Board accepted as written 13 articles, accepted with changes 5 articles and withheld for further study 7 articles. The results are as follows: Accepted as written Articles I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, X, XIII, XIV, XVI, XXI, XV. Accepted with changes, Articles XII, XV, XVIII, XXII, XXIV. Held for further study, Articles VIII, IX, XI, XVII, XIX, XX, XXIII.

Irving H. of New York and Al R. of California were appointed as a committee to study the articles of the Guidance Code held for further study and submit their suggested changes or deletions from these articles to the Board of Trustees within six months for their approval or disapproval.

Bill B. Regent from New York, brought to the attention of the Board of Trustees the difference in the wording of some of the 12 Steps and Unity Program as printed in the 12 Step Pamphlet, the Quest and answers Pamphlet and the Eastern pamphlet. The Board decided to accept the wording of the 12 Steps and Unity Program as written in the Guidance Code.

On a motion by Al R. and seconded by Jack W, the Board unanimously agreed to accept the Eastern 12 Steps and Unity Program Pamphlet with accepted changes (to comply with the wording as printed in the Guidance Code) and same to be purchased from the G.A. Publishing Company. Also, this pamphlet is to be printed wherever the best price can be obtained and that they would be sold to Groups at a profit of 50% but at no time less than 8 cents a piece.

A discussion was held regarding the best way to pay the National Executive Secretary’s expenses to the Eastern Seaboard and Great Lakes Conferences each year. On a motion by Bill G. and seconded by Al R, it was unanimously approve that each separate conference should pay for the National Executive Secretary’s expenses to their respective conferences and that the expenses are not to exceed $300 for each trip.

A discussion was held regarding the limiting of contributions to Gamblers Anonymous National Service Office. On a motion by George M. from Michigan-Canada and seconded by Al R, of California, it was unanimously agreed to limit contributions to $520 a year from any single member.

On a motion by Al R. and seconded by Conrad F. and carried, the National Executive Secretary was instructed to submit monthly to each Trustee a breakdown of Expediters by States.

It was agreed that all Trustee should send a copy of all letters to all other Trustees when writing to other Trustees, the National Executive Secretary and the National Service Office.

Irving H. of New York expressed his thought of curtailing, as soon as possible, any unnecessary request for money from groups or member, and that expense of the NSO should be curtailed as much as possible.

At this point nominations were in order for Chairman of the Board of Trustee for the period to July 1, 1968. On a motion by Al R. of California and seconded by Conrad F. of New York, Al J. from California was unanimously elected.

A discussion was held regarding the paying of expenses of Trustee to National Conferences and any other meeting requiring a Trustee meeting. It was suggested that each area should try and defray the Trustees expenses to these meetings. It was suggested that future conferences should set aside an entire day for Board of Trustee meetings.

At this point nominations were in order for the appointment of a national Executive Secretary. Jack W. nominated Ray M. of California, which was seconded by Bill G. of Cleveland. Al R. nominated Stan G. from California, which was seconded by Irving H. from New York. Stan G. was extremely delighted by being nominated but withdrew due to health reasons.

A discussion was held regarding the suggested proposed changes in our 12 Step Recovery Program by the Blackfriars Group in London, England. Chairman Al J. was instructed to write to our Trustee in England and advise him that the Guidance Code provides that no one in our Fellowship of Gamblers Anonymous has the right to change any word in the 12 Step Recovery Program or Unity Program except the Board of Trustees. He was instructed to ask the Blackfriars Group for their cooperation in this regard.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with instructions to Chairman Al J. to continue future meeting by monthly letters until the Trustees can meet again in person.

Respectfully submitted

Ray M.
National Executive Secretary