ROLL CALL

William B., Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Trustee (T), Alternate (A), Alternate Acting Trustee (AT).

Present were: Southern. California., Sid L. (T), Harold B. (AT); Illinois. Jake P. (T); Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Mario F. (T), Alvin T. (A), Friday afternoon, George S. (A), Friday afternoon; Michigan and Canada, Ted G. (T); Ohio, Kentucky and Western Pennsylvania, Elmer (Red) M. (T), Bill G. (T); New Jersey, Pat P. (T), George W. (A); New York, Connecticut and Great Britain, William B. (Chairman) (T), Carl M. (T), Marty T (T), Bill B, (T), Joe C. (A), Arnold W. (A), Sid K. (A); Pennsylvania, Chris C. (T), Jim C. (A).

(Thirteen (13) votes on issues). Eight (8) Alternates.

Individual members not on Board of Trustees to attend. Open to all G.A, members. Advised meeting to be taped. Unanimously agreed.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Definition of Gambling..

For the compulsive gambler to be inserted in Guidance Code and all literature as following; Gambling (for the compulsive gambler) is defined as follows: Any betting or wagering whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, (where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or skill) constitutes gambling.
For – 9, Against – 1, Abstained – 3.

2. Census Report and Discussion

Typed report given by Jim Z. Eighty-three groups reported, thirty-one did not. Will keep trying to get 100% reporting.

3. Realignment of Trustees as per Guidance Code.

Realignment shall follow a general rule of one Trustee and one Alternate to represent seven (7) groups and approximately one hundred twenty (120) members.

REALIGNMENT OF TRUSTEES

Australia - - - One Trustee and One Alternate.

Northern California, - - - One Trustee and One Alternate
Oregon, Washington,
Vancouver, Canada
and Idaho

Southern California, - - - Three Trustees and Three Alternates
Nevada, New Zealand
And Colorado

Toronto and Montreal - - - One Trustee and One Alternate
Canada and Buffalo,
New York

Texas, Oklahoma, - - - One Trustee and One Alternate
Louisiana, Georgia
and Florida

Illinois, Missouri - - - One Trustee and One Alternate
Wisconsin, Iowa
Minnesota, Nebraska

Michigan and - - - One Trustee and One Alternate
Toledo, Ohio

Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana - - - Two Trustees and Two Alternates
and Western Pennsylvania

Massachusetts, Rhode - - - One Trustee and One Alternate
Island, New Hampshire,
Vermont and Maine

New Jersey - - - Two Trustees and Two Alternates

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, - - - Two Trustees and Two Alternates
Mt. Holly and Woodbury, New
Jersey, Washington, D.C.,
Maryland and Delaware

New York, Connecticut, - - - Five Trustees and Five Alternates
And United Kingdom

Board of Trustees - - - Twenty-one Trustees and Twenty-one Alternates

Eligibility and duties of Trustees shall be found in the Guidance Code, see Articles XI, XXI and XXII. Any Trustee, including an Alternate Trustee, who misses three (3) consecutive Board Meetings is automatically removed from the Board of Trustees, and the area he serves shall be duly notified to elect a new Trustee or Alternate, as the case may be.

4. Proposed By-Laws and Guidance Code Changes

Marty T. made a motion to increase amount $200.00 to $300.00 limits for the Board of Regents. Anything over $300.00 must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees.
For – 4, Against – 6, Abstained – 3.

Insert expenditures by the Board of Regents should be limited to $300.00 except for approved G.A. literature, and then any expenditures other than these, if the Board of Trustees objects by a majority vote no money should be spent for that particular item. Board of Trustees time to notify the Board of Regents is sixty (60) days.
For – 9, Against – 1, Abstained – 3.

Dates for the voting on the Board of Regents Ballot should read the same in the Guidance Code as in the By-Laws.
For – 12, Against – 1.

Motion made by Red M. and seconded by Chris C. for the ballot to remain as it is, but that the group the nomine belongs to should be added in the future.
For – 7, Against – 3, Abstained – 3.

Nominating Committee shall consist of the current Board of Regents and all prior members of the Board of Regents who have continued to abstain from gambling.
For – 11, Against – 1, Abstained – 1.

By-Laws presented by the Board of Regents 10/8/71 with changes by Board of Trustees 4/27/72.
For – 9, Against – 0, Abstained – 4.

5. “Games Compulsive Gamblers, Wives, and Families Play” Acceptance or Rejection as Approved Piece of G.A. Literature.

Jim made a motion to accept this publication as an approved piece of literature to be sold and distributed by G.A. Publishing Company.
For – 4, Against – 7, Abstained – 2.

6. Reprint or Revise “Big Book”

Breakdown of cost of 10,000 copies of G.A. Big Book and editing, approximately $17,000, to be financed by bank and in part advance sales, cash in bank of G.A.P. savings, etc.

Red M. made a motion for G.A Publishing Company to purchase 10,000 copies of the G.A. “Big Book” in hard cover and to add new stories, and lengthen and edit left to the discretion of the National Executive Secretary.
For – 3, Against – 6, Abstained – 3.

Same motion, only with the editing to be done by a professional editor.
For – 6, Against – 4, Abstained – 3.

7. Selection of Site of International Conference to be Held in 1977.

The Eastern Conclave voted to give up the Eastern Conclave in the year of 1977. The Western Conference is to vote in May on giving up the Western Conference in the year of 1977. In October the Great Lakes Conclave will vote on giving up their conference in 1977. The site for the International Conference in 1977 will be selected in Cleveland at the Great Lakes Conference October 21, 22, 1972 at the Sunday Morning Business Meeting. In 1977 it is hoped there will be only one conference, the International Conference.

8. Trademark and Copyright Report by Jim Z., National Executive Secretary.

Copyright applied for on the “Big Book” only. Copyright rejected and the money for the application was refunded. Trade mark was applied for on all G.A. approved literature, the trade mark to be the approved emblem that appears on all G.A. approved literature. Application has been verified by the United States Patent Office in Washington and is in the slow process of being processed by the U.S. Patent Office. They will notify the N.S.O. of their decision and all G.A. will be notified when this comes in.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Regional Office Definition and/or Limitations

Suggested Guidelines for Regional Offices accepted with changes by the Board of Trustees. To be added to Guidance Code.

Suggested Guidelines for Regional Offices

Any Regional Service Office That Is Formed Shall Be an Arm of the N.S.O.

And

(1) Disseminate G.A. information and approved G.A. literature to any group or individual requesting same.

(2) The regional information office should be confined to a geographical area, such as Northeast, Southeast, middle Atlantic, etc..

(3) The regional office shall be answerable to those groups that it represents and to the Board of Trustees.

(4) The regional office shall, if it so desires, publish a bulletin or newsletter at regular intervals.

(5) Any newly formed G.A. group shall be able to vote in the business portion of regional office meetings after being in existence for a period of not less than three months.

(6) Regional office meetings should be held at least once a month and copies of the minutes shall be forwarded to the N.S.O., Trustees and Alternates, and all groups in the Regional Area.

(7) Each group shall have the right to elect a regional representative and alternate.

(8) The order of business of the regional offices shall be conducted by the Trusted Servants in accordance with the Guidance Code.

(9) The Trusted Servants of a regional office should consist of a Co-ordinator, Assistant Co- ordinator, Treasurer, Public Relations Representative and Recording Secretary. The duties of the Co-ordinator shall be to conduct the meeting in an orderly fashion and to prepare the agenda. The Assistant Co-ordinator should preside when the Co-ordinator is absent, and should keep an accurate record of group representatives and take the meeting attendance. The Treasurer shall keep a record of income and disbursements and have them available at all meetings. The Recording Secretary shall take minutes of all meetings and notify groups of meeting dates. Public Relations Representative shall disseminate information about G.A. to the media where no Intergroup exists and exchange results with the other groups and the N.S.O.

(10) The regional office should be supported financially by the groups in the area that it represents.

(11) The regional offices and the N.S.O shall at all times adhere to the Guidance Code.

2. Mail Meetings, i.e., Can the Majority of Votes Received Decide an Issue?

Article 11, Section 6, Article 12, Section 3
Motion to change quorum from seven (7) to nine (9) with enlargements of Board of Trustees.
For – 12, Against – 0, Abstained – 1.

Article XXV, Section 1
This Guidance Code may be amended by the Board of Trustees at any meeting of the Board of Trustees. It shall require a two-thirds majority vote, but not less than eleven (11) members of the Board of Trustees to adopt any amendments. The eleven (11) should at a later date after July 1, 1972, be changed to read fourteen (14).

3. Council on Compulsive Gambling

Certificate of Incorporation of
The Council on Compulsive Gambling, Inc.

The purposes for which it is formed are:

To inform: the general public about compulsive gambling; to stimulate community concern about compulsive gambling as a public health problem and a public responsibility; to coordinate all community services for treatment of compulsive gamblers and try to help their families; to serve as a resource to social agencies, professional groups and others concerned with the problem of compulsive gambling; to consult with physicians, nurses, social workers, educators, clergymen, public officials and all other professional people desiring current, reliable and factual information regarding compulsive gambling.

To develop and make available educational material and programs in cooperation with officials and other professional persons desiring current, reliable and factual information about compulsive gambling; to develop and make available educational material and programs in cooperation with schools, colleges and all civic groups to initiate and assist in new programs and the facilities in the field of compulsive gambling; to make a continuous survey of New York state and be informed as to the extent of compulsive gambling; to have available community resources for handling the problem.

To provide information and referral services for compulsive gamblers, their families, friends and employers.

Under Section 201 it is a Type B Not for Profit Corporation.

Nothing herein contained shall authorize this corporation to undertake or carry on any of the activities mentioned in Section 404 of the Not for Profit Corporation Law or Section 747 of the Executive Law.

The New York Intergroup divorced themselves from incorporation.

4. “Kits” to New Members
Phone list, Responsibility and Explanation of N.S.O., E.R.I.C., etc., and Letter to New Member.
For – 10, Against – 0, Abstained – 3.

It was the thinking of the Board of Trustees that it would be better to have a uniform package presented to any new member who comes into G.A. anywhere.

5. Intergroup Report to Board of Trustees

It was suggested by discussion of the Board of Trustees that all Intergroups submit a report of Intergroup meetings to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In this manner their wishes, thoughts and experiences can be expedited with more speed.

6. Selection of National Executive Secretary

Jim Z. was unanimously re-appointed.

7. Requirements to Be a Member of the Board of Trustees

A motion was made by Red M. and seconded by Jack C. to add regular attendance at a G.A. meeting as a requirement.
For – 11, Against – 1, Abstained – 1.

Motion was made by Joe C. to have a term of abstinence of three (3) years rather than two (2) years.
For – 2, Against – 9, Abstained – 2.

Motion was made by Arnie W. (A-New York) that no member shall be eligible to become a National Trustee member of the Board of Trustees who is directly or indirectly active in the stock market or stock activities. This does not apply to holdings of place of employment or company. Seconded by Carl M.
For – 4, Against – 8, Abstained – 1.

8a. Should Two or More National Positions Be Held by One Individual?

No member can be a member of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents.
For – 12, Against – 0

No member can be a member of the Board of Trustees or the Board of Regents, and Regional Officer or National Executive Secretary.
For – 0, Against – 13.

8b. Should a Member of the Board of Trustees Be a Member of Any Other Committee Outside of G.A. Concerning Compulsive Gambling?

Motion was made by Jim C.: Should a member of the Board of Trustees be a member of any other committee outside of G.A. concerning compulsive gambling? Seconded by Chris C.
For – 3, Against – 5, Abstained – 5.

Jim moved that any member of the Board of Trustees or the Board of Regents should feel free to serve on outside committees such as the Council on Compulsive Gambling.
For – 5, Against – 6, Abstained – 2.

9. How can Board of Trustees Member Be Elected in Large Geographical Areas?

Notify each group to send nominations to the N.S.O. The N.S.O. makes ballots and returns them to the groups and each group has two votes in electing their Trustee and Alternate. This procedure will be used for two areas and possibly Australia.

10. Proposed Change of G.A. Preamble…Compulsive Gamblers Regardless of Race, Color or Creed.

Tabled until the next meeting.

11. Proposed Change of the Eleventh Step of Unity

Motion was made by Arnold W. and seconded by Harold B. to make a change reading attraction and promotion instead of attraction rather than promotion.
For – 1, Against – 11, Abstained – 1.

12. Selection of Trusted Servants of Board of Trustees

Ted G. moved that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees be elected at this Physical Meeting, instead of June 1.
For – 3, Against – 10.

Election for Chairman of the Board of Trustees and any other office of the Board of Trustees will take place at the first physical meeting in the even year after the election of Trustees. Seconded by Bill B.
For – 10, Against – 2, Abstained – 1.

Amendment of Motion: Current Trusted Servants carry on until Trusted Servants are elected.
For – 8, Against – 3, Abstained – 3.

13. Insert Regarding Expediters for G.A. Handbook

There will be an insert of the duties of the Secretary to inform his group of the Expediter Program in the G.A. Group Handbook. It is to be short and to the point and as informative as possible. It is to be composed by the Board of Regents.
For – 11, Against – 1, Abstained – 1.

14. Permission for Australia to Print Its Own Literature

Motion to allow the Commonwealth of Australia to re-print their own literature without any changes, no additions or deletions.
For – 10, Against – 1, Abstained – 2.

Trustee Collection: $18.00

INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE GREAT BRITAIN BULLETIN

It was suggested at the Board of Trustees for anyone to write to England.

“THE DAILY DOZEN"
C/O 1 Bowater House
Gordon Lane
London, EC 1, England

Gamblers Anonymous
19 Abbey House, Victoria Street
London, Westminster SW 1
England

AMENDMENTS TO THE GUIDANCE CODE
PASSED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
APRIL 27, 28, 1972

Article XI, Section 1

This fellowship shall be guided by a Board of Trustees of twenty-one (21) members of Gamblers Anonymous who have completely abstained from gambling by their own admission for at least two (2) years and regularly attend a G.A. Meeting. This Board shall be elected by the members of Gamblers Anonymous in the manner provided herein.

Article XI, Section 4

Any Trustee is automatically removed from office for gambling by his own admission. Gambling is defined as follows: For the compulsive gambler, any betting or wagering, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon change or skill, constitutes gambling.

Article XI, Section 6

Nine (9) or more members of the Board of Trustees or alternate Trustees, present at any meeting, shall constitute a quorum. Proxies shall be counted in determining the number present at any meeting for the purpose of a quorum.

Article XI, Section 20 - OUT

Article XV, Section 1

The National Service Office (N.S.O.) shall be guided by a Board of Regents of nine (9) members of Gamblers Anonymous who have completely abstained from gambling for at least two (2) years. This Board shall be elected on or before June 15th of each year by all the groups in our entire fellowship. Votes shall be counted as provided for in Section 4 of Article XXIV.

Article XV, Section 4

Any Regent is automatically removed from office for gambling by his own admission. Gambling is defined as follows: For the compulsive gambler, any betting or wagering, whether for money or not no matter how slight or insignificant (where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or skill, constitutes gambling) or other acts on his part that are detrimental to G.A. on a whole. Removal will require two-thirds (2/3) vote for expulsion by the Board of Trustees.

Article XVII, Section 2

The annual election of Regents shall be by written ballot. The National Executive Secretary shall prepare a ballot listing thereon the names of the thirteen (13) nominees submitted by the Nominating Committee, and said ballot shall provide adequate space for the writing in of the candidates of the groups choice. Each recognized Gamblers Anonymous group shall be entitled to one vote which shall be cast by the Group Representatives of each group or in the absence of a Group Representative, then by an authorized delegated representative of the group. Each ballot must be signed by the Group Representative or a delegated representative of the Group, sealed and mailed to the National Executive Secretary of Gamblers Anonymous National Service Office. Such ballot must be delivered to the N.S.O. no later than June 1st of each year. This ballot will remain unopened until ballots are counted by the National Executive Secretary, along with at least five (5) members of the Board of Trustees or the Board of Regents. Any ballot deviating from this procedure shall void said ballot. The National Executive Secretary shall count the ballots and the nine (9) candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall be deemed elected. It shall be the duty of the National Executive Secretary to mail to all Trustees and Regents and to each group of Gamblers Anonymous a report showing the results of said election, same to be mailed on or before July 10th following each election and results published in the following N.S.O. Bulletin.

Article XXI, Section 1

The areas from which the twenty-five (25) Trustees shall be elected each fiscal year shall be selected by the Trustees in office as of January 1st of each year.

Article XXI, Section 3

How can Board of Trustees members be elected in large geographical areas? Notify each group to send nominations to the N.S.O. The N.S.O. makes ballots and returns them to the groups and each group has two votes in electing their Trustee and Alternate. This procedure will be used for two areas and possibly Australia.

Article XXII, Section 1

The Trustee in office as of January 1st of each even year shall, between the period of January 1st and April 30th after holding a meeting or meetings either in person or by mail, select the areas from which the twenty-five (25) Trustees will be elected.

Article XXII, Section 6

Election for Chairman of the Board of Trustees and any other officer of the Board of Trustees will take place at the first physical meeting in the even year after the election of Trustees.

Amendment of Motion: Current Trusted Servants carry on until Trusted Servants are elected.

Article XXIII, Section 8

Insert expenditures by the Board of Regents should be limited to $300.00 except for approved G.A. literature, and then any expenditures other than these, if the Board of Trustees objects by a majority vote no money should be spent for that particular item. Board of Trustees time to notify the Board of Regents is sixty (60) days.

Article XIII, Section 6

Suggested Guidelines for Regional Offices accepted with changes by the Board of Trustees. To be added to Guidance Code.

Suggested Guidelines for Regional Offices

Any Regional Service Office That Is Formed Shall Be an Arm of the N.S.O.

And (1) Disseminate G.A. information and approved G.A. literature to any group or individual requesting same.

(2) The regional information office should be confined to a geographical area, such as Northeast, Southeast, middle Atlantic, etc..

(3) The regional office shall be answerable to those groups that it represents and to the Board of Trustees.

(4) The regional office shall, if it so desires, publish a bulletin or newsletter at regular intervals.

(5) Any newly formed G.A. group shall be able to vote in the business portion of regional office meetings after being in existence for a period of not less than three months.

(6) Regional office meetings should be held at least once a month and copies of the minutes shall be forwarded to the N.S.O., Trustees and Alternates, and all groups in the Regional Area.

(7) Each group shall have the right to elect a regional representative and alternate.

(8) The order of business of the regional offices shall be conducted by the Trusted Servants in accordance with the Guidance Code.

(9) The Trusted Servants of a regional office should consist of a Co-ordinator, Assistant Co- ordinator, Treasurer, Public Relations Representative and Recording Secretary. The duties of the Co-ordinator shall be to conduct the meeting in an orderly fashion and to prepare the agenda. The Assistant Co-ordinator should preside when the Co-ordinator is absent, and should keep an accurate record of group representatives and take the meeting attendance. The Treasurer shall keep a record of income and disbursements and have them available at all meetings. The Recording Secretary shall take minutes of all meetings and notify groups of meeting dates. Public Relations Representative shall disseminate information about G.A. to the media where no Intergroup exists and exchange results with the other groups and the N.S.O.

(10) The regional office should be supported financially by the groups in the area that it represents.

(11) The regional offices and the N.S.O shall at all times adhere to the Guidance Code.