MINUTES OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
DETROIT, MICHIGAN OCTOBER 25,1968

Meeting called to order at 2:15 P.M. with the following Trustees present: Chairman Bill G., Ohio, Maybelle G., Calif.. Bennie F., Calif., Don F., Mass., Warren D., Mich., Jake G., Ohio, Norman W., N. J., Sy., N. Y., Bill B., N. Y., Francis E., Penn. And George H., Illinois. Visitors in attendance were Bill B. of the Bronx, member of the Board of Regents, Bernie P. and Irving L. of New York.

Ray M., National Executive Secretary was appointed recording secretary of meeting.

On a motion by Bill B. and seconded by Francis E., Don F. was unanimously elected as Assistant Chairman of the Board of Trustees and shall act as Chairman of all Board of Trustees meetings whenever Chairman Bill G. is unable to attend.

On a motion by Maybelle and seconded by Bill G., the entire Article VIII will be retained in the Guidance Code with the exception of one word change. The word “designate” will be replaced with the word “select” in the Article. Motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Bill B. and seconded by Sy S. that a correction be made in Section 2 of Article XVII. Correct line 7 which reads “along with four members of the Board of Trustees or Regents” to read “at least five members of the Board of Trustees or Board of Regents”. Motion carried unanimously.

On a motion by Bennie F. and seconded by Francis E. the following sentence will be added to Section 2 of Article XXIV, “This Section does not apply to meetings of the Board of Trustees”.

Motion was made by Bill B. and seconded by Francis E. to retain Section 2 of Article XIX as originally written in the Guidance Code dated July 1, 1967. Motion unanimously carried.

The following items were unanimously approved by a motion of Sy S. and seconded by Norman W. A new Section 7 to be added to Article XXIII as follows: No one can be employed in the G.A. Publishing Co. without the approval of the Board of Regents and Board of Trustees”. Also a new Section 8 to be added to Article XXIII as follows: “No expense can be made in excess of $200 without first receiving the approval of the Board of Regents and Board of Trustees”.

A motion was made by Sy S. and seconded by Norman W. that the term of office of the National Executive Secretary be changed from a one year term to a two year term. This motion was not approved.

On a motion by Sy S. and seconded by Bill B., Ray M. was unanimously elected to serve as National Executive Secretary for the term of July 1, 1968 – June 30, 1969.

Don F. made a motion that proxy votes will be accepted if in writing on a predetermined item and signed by the Trustee giving the proxy. Motion seconded by Bill B. Following a discussion of this motion Bill B. withdrew his second, and motion was withdrawn.

On a motion by Jake G. and seconded by Norman W. the following will be added as a new Section 6 to Article XXIV. “Trustee may vote in person on any matter up for vote and also may vote by absentee ballot on predetermined subjects providing ballot is signed by Trustee, mailed and opened at the place of the Board of Trustees meeting”. Motion carried.

On a motion by Norman W. and seconded by Bill B., Section 10 of Article XI shall be corrected to read as follows: “Trustee shall submit nominations for a National Executive Secretary to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees prior to May 1st. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees shall submit a ballot to the Trustees prior to May 20th. Trustees must return their votes to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees prior to June 20th”. Motion unanimously carried.

After a lengthy discussion, it was decided to retain the limit on contributions of $520 a year from any one individual member.

Considerable discussion was held on how to increase Expeditors contributions.

The following suggestions were given:
1. Suggest each group commit themselves to a regular monthly contribution.
2. The N.S.O. to print 1200 copies listing accumulative totals of each group’s contributions for the last 18 months and send a quantity to each group. Following this, a quarterly report will be made in the monthly Bulletin starting March 1969. A discussion was held regarding a paid National Executive Secretary, however subject was tabled to be discussed later at the May Eastern Conclave in Atlantic City, N. J.

Don F. advised he and a group of members in the Boston area are planning to write new Group pamphlet. When completed same will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval.

A discussion was held whether or not a member can indulge in psychological tests conducted by a psychiatrist or psychologist where no money is involved in the tests. The tests being conducted for the purpose that he contents of the tests would be placed in a book covering compulsive gambling. The Board unanimously agreed that they had no objection to these tests. However, that decisions on this matter should be handled by each individual area.

A suggested format for conducting meetings was discussed. No determined action taken. It was suggested that each Trustee is to ask each Secretary in his area to write a history regarding their individual group and same submitted to the N.S.O. to be placed in our monthly “Life Line” Bulletin.

The Trustees suggest to all Groups throughout our Fellowship that all meetings be closed meetings and that the spouse of the members attend separate Gam-Anon meetings.

A discussion was held regarding the presentation of G. A. pins by Groups. The Trustees suggest that if pins are given by Groups, that they are only given to members who have abstained from gambling for a period of one year by their own admission.

Respectfully submitted,

Ray M. National Executive Secretary