GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS TRUSTEE MEETING
APRIL 29 & 30,1993
GREENTREE MARRIOTT
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

A) WELCOME AND OPENING STATEMENT – DAN M.

Dan M. gave an opening statement explaining procedures of the meeting and that we will attempt to follow Roberts Rules of Order. All new Trustees and Alternate Trustees were asked to stand and introduce themselves.

Dan said that before we get started he would like to get a straw vote. In the last issue of the Trustee Line under “From the Editor” it was stated that “For those of you who were unable to attend the Houston meeting (4 Trustees and 14 Alternates) your attendance in Pittsburgh will be mandatory in order for you to remain on the Board”. It has since come to his attention that the Guidance Code Change that passed a second vote in Houston stating “Any Trustee or Alternate who misses two (2) consecutive meetings” should be implemented at this meeting since we didn’t make the rule until Houston. A straw vote was taken to implement that change as of today’s meeting.

B) ROLL CALL – CHANGES – KAREN H.

Roll call was taken by Karen H. and at the same time changes were made to the Trustee Listing.

C) APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM HOUSTON MEETING

The minutes of the Houston meeting were approved as submitted.
Approved: 30 Against: 1

D) COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Pittsburgh Conference Update – Dan M.

Dan M. gave a report on Pittsburgh stating that the Conference is now sold out. He commended the Committee for a fine job.

2. Anaheim Conference Update – Jo Ann S.

Jo Ann S. gave a report on Anaheim (October 29 - 31, 1993). They are expecting a large turnout. Two of the events planned are a Halloween Party and a tour of the International Service Office.

3. Connecticut Conference Update – Jo Ann S.

Jo Ann S. gave a report on Connecticut (April 29 - May 1, 1994). A lot of people are hard at work on this Conference. Reservations are already coming in. Things are going well.

4. Tampa/St. Pete Conference Update – Paul A.

Dick D. gave a report on Tampa (October 21 – 23, 1994). Committees are formed and they are well on their way to putting together a great Conference.

5. ISO/Lifeliner Report – Karen H.

Karen H. gave a report handing out a graph showing the past two years activity from Lifeliners. She thanked all those responsible for the increase over the past year.

6. Literature Committee Report – Phil K.

Phil K. gave a report and encouraged anyone having items for new literature to submit them to him through the International Service Office.

7. Telephone Hot Line Report – Paul A., Marshall R.

This item was ruled out of order due to the fact that the minutes did not reflect the Committee would continue.

E) OLD BUSINESS

1. “A newcomer asks…” Tabled from Houston, Montreal, & San Diego – Eddie L., (New Jersey)

Move to table to Anaheim and Literature Committee.
Approved: 22 Against: 2 Passed

2. Combo Book, Page 9 – Use Bold Capital letters for “HONESTY, OPENMINDEDNESS AND WILLINGNESS” Second vote.
Approved: 29 Against: 4 Passed

3. “Checklist of Symptoms Leading to Relapse” as new G.A. literature. (Enclosed) Second vote.

Amendment to delete last sentence of Item 12.
Approved: 7 Against: 19 Failed
Amendment to delete all of Item 12.
Approved: 4 Against: 21 Failed
Motion to table to Anaheim and Literature Committee.
Approved: 19 Against: 12 Passed

4. Review & Discuss status of Spanish translation – tabled from Houston & Montreal.
Motion to table to Anaheim.
Approved: 23 Against: 9 Passed

5. Guidance Code, page 5, Article VIII, Section 1, 3rd line from bottom of page: Change forty (40) to forty eight (48). Second vote.
Approved: 30 Against: 0 Passed

6. Guidance Code, page 5, Article VII, Section 4: After the word “meetings” and “In the prior 12 months”. Second vote.
Approved: 29 Against: 1 Passed

7. Guidance Code, page 15, Article XII, Section 1: Define Area Delegates – Tabled from Houston & sent to Marc L., (Los Angeles).
Motion to remove Article XII, Section 1, from page 15 of the Guidance Code regarding Area Delegates.
Approved: 9 Against: 23 Failed

8. Booklet on history of G.A. – Tabled from Houston, Montreal, San Diego & Livonia – Eddie L. (New Jersey) & Bill B. (New York).
Eddie L. gave a report stating that the Committee is working on the above booklet and asked that anyone having any information regarding the early history of G.A please send it to Eddie L. or Bill B. The Committee will continue.

9. Board of Regents election procedure – Dan B. (No. California). SEE NEW BUSINESS #1

10. 30 Second PSA tape “The Deal” as G.A. approved literature – Tony M. (Philadelphia). Second vote
Approved: 34 Against: 0 Passed

11. Booklet on past Board of Trustee decisions – Dan M. (Detroit). Booklet will be sent to all Trustees & Alternates prior to conference.
Motion to change booklet title from “Board Policy” to “Booklet on Past Trustee Decisions”.
Approved: 33 Against: 0 Passed

12. Report on feasibility of creating a G.A. “Day at a Time” booklet – Paul A. (No. Florida), Stafford K. (Minneapolis), Dan M. (Detroit) & Phil K. (Los Angeles). Tabled from Houston.
Motion to accept the Compcare “G.A. Day At A Time” book with modifications.
Approved: 23 Against: 8 Passed (1st vote)

F) NEW BUSINESS

1. Proposed Board of Regents election procedure – Dan B. (No. California) & Benni F. (Board of Regents). Taken from old business #9. Election procedure is enclosed. Guidance Code areas affected are:
Page 16 Article XIII, Section 10: Last sentence after the word “be” delete everything and add “collected (picked up or mailed by group to trustee) by Area Trustee(s) prior to the Spring Conference”.
Page 16, Article XIII, Section 11: Seventh sentence, after the word “Representative”, eliminate the work “then” and after the words “by” eliminate the words “the groups”.
Eighth sentence, delete the first two words.
Ninth sentence, delete entirely.
Tenth sentence, delete entirely.
Eleventh sentence, delete all but the last word.
Then; 9th – 11th sentences shall be replaced as follows: ‘given to the Area Trustee(s) responsible for collecting the ballots. Such ballots will be delivered to the Spring Conference by the Area Trustee (s)
Discussion was held. No action was taken.

2. Guidance Code, page 9, Article VIII, Section 22: Fourth line after the word “be” – Insert”: “Trustees and/or alternates who are removed from office for non-attendance may not succeed themselves. Re-election or moving from Alternate to Trustee will not begin a clean slate of absence”. The rest of Section 22 will remain the same. (Michigan)
Motion to accept above.
Amendment to insert “In the next immediate election”.
Approved: 2 Against: 12 Failed
On the motion.
Approved: 11 Against: 21 Failed

3. Guidance Code, pages 7 & 8, Article VIII, Section 12: Are the Board of Regents in violation when they make change to the By-laws without approval of the Board of Trustees? (No. California).
Motion made that page 12 of the By-Laws, Article XVIII, Section 1, third line after the word “Corporation” insert the words – “and a majority of the Board of Trustees”.
Approved: 4 Against: 24 Failed

4. Guidance Code, page 16, Article XIII, Section 7: Is this necessary? (No. California)
Motion to eliminate on page 16 of the Guidance Code, Article XIII, Section 7.
Approved: 4 Against: 27 Failed

5. Guidance Code, page 5, Article VII, Section 4: Remove entirely and move current Section 5 to Section 4. (Long Island).
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 4 Against: 29 Failed

6. Guidance Code, page 23, Article XVIII, Section 5: 4th line after the word “elected” – Insert: “The immediate past Chairman of the Board of Trustees shall automatically remain on the executive committee in an advisory capacity only for the term of the new committee and would be automatically removed from office for gambling by his/her own admission. (Toronto).
No discussion.

7. Guidance Code, page 4, Article VI, Section 1 & Article VII, Section 1: Explain that rooms that put their fellow members on trial and try to take their abstinence dates away from them are in violation of the aforementioned articles of the Guidance Code. These rooms are in as much violation of our program as a room that uses literature not approved by G.A. Is it possible that this Board can take a straw vote that no matter what a member says, it is his/her right only to give up his/her abstinence date. (Long Island).
Discussion was held and it is the consensus of the Board that no matter what a member says, it is his/her right only to give up his/her abstinence date.

8. Guidance Code, page 8, Article VIII, Section 16: Delete this section entirely and develop the policy where the selection of national Conference sites takes place during the Saturday Banquet with all in attendance voting. (Louisiana).
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 0 Against: 31 Failed

9. *Guidance Code, page 3, Article IV, Section 1, Unity Step 5: After the word “message” insert “of hope”. (NW Ohio)
*And all other documents where Unity Step 5 is written.
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 24 Against: 9 Failed

10. Combo Book, page 12, 1st sentence: Eliminate the words “seems to be”, and insert the word “is”. (Michigan)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 16 Against: 15 Passed (1st vote)

11. Combo Book, page 14, second paragraph, 1st line: Delete the word “Yes”. (Michigan)
Motion to delete “Yes” and replace with “Perhaps”.
Approved: 5 Against: 27 Failed

12. Combo Book, inside cover: Delete the sentence “I sought my brother” and replace with either:
“I sought my brother and sister” or
“I sought my friend”. (Oregon)
Motion to add the words “or sister” after “I sought my brother”.
Approved: 19 Against: 15 Passed (1st vote)

13. *Combo Book, page 14, last paragraph: Delete “for the compulsive gambler” and insert “for many compulsive gamblers”. (Long Island). And also change anywhere else the definition of gambling is written.
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 0 Against: 33 Failed

14. Combo Book, page 17, #3: Delete everything after “Don’t gamble for anything”. (Long Island)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 1 Against: 33 Failed

15. Combo Book, page 17, #6: Delete “(If married)” and insert “(If the case may be)”. (Quebec) *This is to avoid any misunderstanding that you have to be married to receive this help from G.A.
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 0 Against: 30 Failed

16. Is it proper to have non-GA literature such as gambling articles, poems etc. mass produced and on display in the back of a meeting room or on a table outside the meeting room? (Las Vegas & No. California).
Motion made that only G.A. approved literature can be made available in a G.A. room.
Approved: 19 Against: 10 Passed

17. Scenario: A member gives therapy while holding a rosary and a large crucifix.
Question: Do members who feel uncomfortable at this display, have the right to insist that he/she remove these items from sight? (No. California).
Discussion was held and it is the consensus of this board that a member or members do not have the right to insist that he/she remove these items from sight.

18. Is it proper to have “Professionals” i.e.; Council members, therapists, etc. as guest speakers and/or workshop facilitators at GA Conferences? (Toronto & Philadelphia).
Motion made that “Professionals” i.e.; Council members, therapists, etc. be excluded as guest speakers and or workshop facilitators at G.A. Conferences.
Approved: 0 Against: 31 Failed

19. Is it proper to sell and/or display non GA literature on the same table as GA literature at Conferences? (Toronto & Philadelphia).
Motion made that it is proper to sell and display non G.A. Literature at a G.A. Conference.
Approved: 11 Against: 19 Failed

20. Discuss each area’s methods of Trustee fund raising and other ideas which will help all Trustees & Alternates to attend BOT meetings. (No. California)
Different methods of raising money and the amount of funding each Area receives for Trustees and Alternates was discussed. (Dan M. is compiling a report and will distribute to Trustees and Alternates).

21. Please put in writing somewhere in GA literature, that a persons first day of GA clean time starts at his/her first meeting. (W. Virginia) *A lot of newer members find it necessary to see things in writing.
Motion to table to Anaheim and Phil K., Literature Chairman.
Approved: 22 Against: 4 Passed

22. “Another Chance” (enclosed) as approved GA literature. (Michigan & NW Ohio)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 32 Against: 1 Passed
Amendment to remove the name on the poem.
Approved: 28 Against: 5 Passed
On the motion.
Approved: 33 Against: 0 Passed

23. Midwest Conference Site Selection. Spring 1995. Presenting bids:
Chicago
Cincinnati
Minneapolis/St. Paul
Toronto

*Bids will be presented in alphabetical order with each potential host city receiving 10 minutes to present their bid and answer questions. Voting will be by secret ballot. If no city receives the majority of votes cast on the first ballot, the city with the lowest amount of votes will be dropped and voting will resume for the remaining three. This process will continue until one city receives a majority. (Gam-Anon Delegates will be participating in the bidding discussion, but not the voting).

Excellent bids were presented by all four cities. After all presentations were made a vote was taken and Minneapolis/St. Paul was given the 1995 Midwest Conference to be held April 28 – 30, 1995. All Areas were thanked for their time and efforts spent on this.

24. “The Disease of Compulsive Gambling and How it Affects the Addicted Person” (enclosed) as approved GA literature. (Australia)
Discussion was held. This will be kept on file for possible future literature.

25. “What Compulsive Gamblers Go Through on the Road to the Rock Bottom of Their Lives and What Happens to Their Loved Ones” (enclosed) as approved GA literature. (Australia)
No discussion.

26. Revise Conference Guidelines to include: “Where the International Board of Trustees meets at Conferences and bids are presented for any future conference, it shall be the responsibility of the elected Trustee or Alternate to present such a bid. In the event neither Trustee nor Alternate can be present, they may designate a member of their area providing the Chairman of the BOT is informed in writing 30 days in advance of such time as the bidding takes place”. (Toronto)
No discussion.

27. Revise Conference Guidelines to include: Where there is an area which has in place an Intergroup representing the majority of the groups in that area – If that area puts on a conference, at least the Coordinator and the Chairperson of the Finance Committee shall be elected members of the Area Intergroup.

They shall be responsible to adhere to the Conference Guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees. (Toronto)

Motion to accept above.
Amendment to add “shall be elected by the Area Intergroup”.
Approved: 6 Against: 14 Failed
On the motion.
Approved: 0 Against: 30 Failed

28. Request for a Regional Service Office by New Zealand. (Dan M. to report).
Motion to table to Anaheim.
Approved: 32 Against: 0 Passed

29. Establish guidelines for the $600 allotment to open new meetings in “far away places”. (NW Ohio).
Discussion only.

30. Discuss anniversary notices listed in the ISO Bulletin. (Michigan & So. California)
Discussion only.

31. Establish a national 900 number in which members could call and receive a daily inspirational message. (Pennsylvania)
Discussion only.

32. Special recognition. (Michigan)
Motion to approve the special recognition for the Office Secretary working at the International Service Office.
Approved: 23 Against: 0 Passed

33. Guidance Code, page 6, Article VIII, Section 4, last sentence: Add: “Or 2/3 vote by the area in which that Trustee or Alternate serves. (Connecticut)
Discussion only.

G) ANYTHING OMITTED FROM AGENDA

34. Is it proper for an Intergroup to vote not to uphold Unity Step 11? (New Jersey)
Discussion was held and it is the consensus of this Board that it is not proper for an Intergroup to vote not to uphold Unity Step 11.

H) GOOD AND WELFARE

The meeting was closed with the Serenity Prayer at 5:00 P.M. Collection for the (4) four sessions was $679.00. The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held October 28 & 29, 1993 in Anaheim, California.

Respectfully Submitted,
Karen H., International
Executive Secretary