GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS TRUSTEE MEETIN
OCTOBER 20 & 21, 1994
TRADEWINDS RESORT HOTEL- ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA

A) Welcome and opening statement- Dan M.

Dan M. gave his opening statement explaining procedures of the meeting and stating that Roberts Rules of Order would be followed to the best of our ability. He asked that all new Trustees and Alternate Trustees stand and introduce themselves.

B) Roll Call- Changes- Karen H.
Karen H. took roll and at the same time made changes to the Confidential Trustee Listing.

C) Approval of minutes from Connecticut mtg.
The minutes of the Connecticut meeting were approved as submitted.
Approved: 34 Against: 0

D) Committee Reports

1. St. Petersburg Conference Update- Dick D.
Dick D. gave an update on St. Petersburg. The hotel is sold out. Everything is going fine and we expect to have a great time.

2. Minneapolis Conference Update- Jo Ann S.
Stafford K. gave a report on Minneapolis. Everything is set. A couple hundred rooms are reserved. Workshops are set. Hope to see everyone there.

3. Scottsdale Conference Update- Dan M.
Richie G. gave a report on Scottsdale. Flyers are out. Everything is going as planned.

4. Catskills Conference Update- Dan M.
Larry G. gave a report on the Catskills. Committees are formed. Over sixty people at the first meeting. Flyers will be out in January. There have been 426 rooms reserved. Expecting 1,200 people.

5. ISO/Lifeliner Report- Karen H.
Karen H. gave her report on Lifeliners handing out a chart outlining the past years activity. She stressed the importance of being a Lifeliner and thanked all who had continued their commitment.

6. Dallas Meeting Update- Dan M. & Tony W.
Tony W. gave a report on the meeting in Dallas. Upon learning that this meeting was definitely in trouble, Dan M. and Tony W. made themselves available to attend this meeting. After several visits from the trusted servants the meeting is doing unbelievably well. Everything is WONDERFUL and they are again meeting like Gamblers Anonymous should.

7. Walk-a-thon Update- Marc L.
Marc L. gave a report on the Walk-a-thon to take place on Saturday morning. Everything is set and plenty of members have shown interest in walking.

E. Old Business

1. Review & discuss status of Spanish translation (Board of Regents)
Karen H. gave a report on the cost of translating some of our literature into Spanish.
Motion to approve $10,435.00 for translation of six pieces of Spanish literature. (G.A. Red book, Awareness Pamphlet, Group Handbook, Fourth Step Inventory Booklet, Questions & Answers Booklet and Pressure Relief Group Pamphlet).
Approved: 35 Against: 1 Passed

2. Booklet on history of G.A.- “From Seed to Plant”. Tabled from Connecticut, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Houston, Montreal, San Diego, &Livonia (Bill B., N.Y.)
Discussion was held. Committee continues.

3. “Filling the Void” as official G.A. literature and placed in the Information Packet. Tabled from Connecticut. (Literature Committee)
Motion to accept above.
Item out of order. Tabled to Minnesota to be cleaned up by Literature Committee.

4. “If God spoke to G.A., He might have said…” as approved G.A. literature and included in the Information Packet. Tabled from Connecticut. (Literature Committee)
Item out of order. Tabled to Minnesota to be cleaned up by Literature Committee.

5. “Have you quit the fellowship of G.A.?” as approved G.A. literature and place in the Information Packet. Tabled from Connecticut. (Literature Committee)
Item out of order. Tabled to Minnesota to be cleaned up by Literature Committee.

6. Compile a booklet on the differing formats used by various areas in conducting a Mini Conference. (This can be used as an aid to those areas hosting a Mini Conference for the first time). (Steve R., No. California & Committee)
Discussion was held.. Committee Continues

F. NEW BUSINESS

1. Guidance Code, page 17 Article XIII, Section II, line 13: Add: Current and/or past members in good standing…To read: Along with at least five (5) current and/or past members of good standing of the Board of Trustess or the Board of Regents. (Board of Regents)
*This will constitute a By-Law change*
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 35 Against: 1 Passed (1st Vote)

2. Guidance Code, page 17, Article XIII, Section II, line 14, after word Regents. Add: Any member who is a candidate shall be excluded from the ballot counting (Board of Regents)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 30 Against: 3 Passed (1st Vote)

3. Guidance Code, page 6, Article VIII, Section 3. Add: Trustees in the Even numbered areas will be elected in the Even years. Trustees in the Odd numbered areas will be elected in Odd years (No. California)
Motion to accept above.
Motion to table.
Approved: 9 Against: 23 Failed
On the motion.
Approved: 3 Against: 33 Failed

4. Guidance Code, page 9, Article VIII, Section 24. Insert the word “not” after the word be. To read: A member of the Board of Trustees or Board of Regents may not be a member of other committees outside Gamblers Anonymous concerning compulsive gambling. (Houston)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 0 Against: 33 Failed

5. Guidance Code, page 5, Article VIII, Section 1, 1st sentence, Insert: Who are recovering Compulsive Gamblers and are members of Gamblers Anonymous. (Cleveland)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 1 Against: 35 Failed

6. Guidance Code, page 15, Article XII, Section 1, Area Delegates: Discuss the possibility that Area Delegates could be elected of appointed in large areas that are difficult to cover by the Trustee or Alternate- areas such as the Northwest, the Central South, and Canada. For example, Area #10 is about 550 miles by 250 miles. If the Trustee or Alternate is from Cleveland and Lexington, there are many miles to Youngstown, Columbus, Akron, Dayton, Cincinnati, etc. If these areas had an appointed or elected Delegate to work with the Trustee or Alternate on problems that may occur, such as new meetings, area functions, pinnings, personality problems, etc., this would certainly prove more efficient. (Cleveland)
Discussion only.

7. Booklet of History of G.A.: Discuss the possibility that the first twenty years of G.A. might make more sense instead of the first six or eight years. (Cleveland)
Motion to table to Minnesota.
Approved: 9 Against: 24 Failed
Chair was challenged as to whether this item is out of order. The consensus is that the Chair and item are not out of order.
Motion to continue putting together the History of G.A. in its first 7 years. Upon completion; the Board of Trustees to direct a new project to continue with the History to present.
Approved: 6 Against: 23 Failed

8. Update all Gamblers Anonymous literature to reflect gender neutral phrases and portrayals. (Letter enclosed) (Minnesota)
Motion to table to Minnesota.
Approved: 27 Against: 6 Passed

9. It is suggested that members do not discuss any crime for which they may still be prosecuted, because anonymity is not necessarily a legal right, and the room itself offers no protection regarding these matters. (Los Angeles)
Motion to accept above and place in Gamblers Anonymous Information Packet book- Gamblers Anonymous meeting agenda at end of Item 5.
Approved: 5 Against: 24 Failed
Motion to add to the meeting handbook- It is suggested that members do not discuss any crime for which they may still be prosecuted because confidentiality is not necessarily a legal right, and the room itself offers no protection regarding these matters.
Approved: 31 Against: 5 Passed (1st vote)

10. The minimum requirements for submitting a National Conference bid are:
a) A written approval for the area’s Intergroup or the area Fellowship
b) A written agreement with a hotel(s) to accept the Conference if the bid is successful. (No. California)
Motion as written for above to be placed in “Past Trustee Decisions” book.
Approved: 36 Against: 0 Passed

11. That a nominating committee be established prior to realignment and census of Trustee area so that recommendations can be made to the Board regarding changes in Trustee areas. (No. California)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 25 Against: 5 Passed

12. Election: International Executive Secretary.
(Nominations will be taken during first session, voting will be done during the last session). Karen H. was elected I.E.S. for another two year term.

13. That prior to the inclusion of items for consideration on the Trustee Agenda, all items must be unanimously approved by the Chairman and two Assistant Chairmen, and at their discretion any items considered inappropriate, repetitive, or not at issue would not have to be included on the agenda. (No. Florida)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 0 Against: 35 Failed

14. Is a golf outing an appropriate fund raiser and/or social event for Gamblers Anonymous? (New Jersey)
Discussion was held. A straw vote was taken and it is the consensus of this Board that it is an appropriate activity.

15. Discuss the roles of State Councils on Compulsive Gambling and Gamblers Anonymous. (Letter enclosed) (Oregon)
The Chair ruled this item out of order.
A consensus of the Board was taken and after a recount by the Board, it was the Chair’s ruling that this item is not out of order. Discussion only.

16. Combo Book, page 13, Can a compulsive gambler ever gamble normally again? Delete the word normally. (Connecticut)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 1 Against: 29 Failed

17. In reference to clothing that some guys wear to G.A. meetings such as sport team logos or casinos or any other reference to gambling establishments. We think these should not be worn at meetings. (Miami)
Discussion only.

18. Our R.S.O. is short of funds. While this problem is to be addressed, two offers of help have recently been made and I have been asked for a ruling and advice from the Board of Trustees.
Offer #1
Our answering machine broke and a member offered to lend money to the R.S.O. for twelve months with ten cents interest. (We have bought an answering machine so this is now a hypothetical situation)
Offer #2
We have no Recovery or Unity Steps banners. Quotes for individual banners were expensive and the best quote we received was $500 to set up the printing and $10 per banner. We would probably sell the banners for about $30 each. We have been offered a loan of $1000 for the cost of the printing. This loan is repayable from the profit on each banner. The member offering the loan is aware that they will only receive full payment when we sell sufficient banners. The R.S.O. will not be asked to pay more than the “profit.”
The questions asked were:
Is it against the Guidance Code to accept a loan with interest, even a token amount of interest?
A straw vote was taken on the above question and it is the consensus of this Board that it is not against the Guidance Code.
Is it against the Guidance Code to accept any loans?
A straw vote was taken on the above question and it is the consensus of this Board that it is not against the Guidance Code.
Is it within the Guidance Code to accept the loans, does the Board consider it sensible to accept either? (Australia)
A straw vote was taken on the above question and it is the consensus of this Board that it is not sensible to accept the loans.

19. New Zealand Groups request that they be a part of Area 18 rather than Area 18A. (Australia)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 29 Against: 0 Passed

20. Combo Book, page 12, 3rd line- Highlight in bold: No, compulsive gambling is an emotional problem. (Chicago)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 4 Against: 28 Failed

21. Site selection: 1996 Southern Conference.
Motion to table to Minnesota. All areas can bid.
Approved: 33 Against: 4 Passed

22. Discuss the idea of putting on video tape a discussion and explanation of the 12 Steps of Recovery. (To serve as a guideline in addition to our 12 step meeting handbook.) (Chicago)
Motion to form a committee to make a video on the Twelve Steps of Recovery.
Approved: 8 Against: 23 Failed

23. Discussion as to why, on page 16 of the Combo Book, #18, (Do arguments, etc.), that question is in the present tense while all other questions are in the past tense. (This discussion is not one just to grammatically correct). (Chicago)
Discussion only.

24. Consider ways of assisting Areas wishing to hold a National Conference in both site selection and negotiating the package with the hotels. (Long Island)
Discussion only.

25. A G.A. room hosts an open meeting and one of the speakers uses a great deal of profanity. This behavior upsets several people. When it was brought to the attention of the room their room reply was that they saw nothing wrong with what was said and that we mind our own business. Does this affect G.A. as a whole and if so, what can be done about it? (Long Island)
Discussion only.

26. Legalized gambling has caused an explosion of new G.A. rooms through-out the United States. These rooms are in need of basic direction. Beni F. from CA, Larry G. from Long Island and Denis M. from New Jersey have packaged a one day seminar of work shops to help these Areas who are looking for guidance. We would like to set up a fund to send two members to conduct the workshops and provide lunch for those attending same. (Long Island, Los Angeles & New Jersey)
Motion that the Chair establish a committee to conduct seminars and workshops for new G.A. meeting areas with a budget not to exceed $3,000.00 for total cost of said seminar and workshop.
Amendment- Committee site selection should be subject to prior approval of the Board of Regents.
Approved: 24 Against: 12 Passed
On the motion
Approved: 23 Against: 12 Passed

27. Guidance Code, page 2, Article IV, Section 1. Change the following steps in our Recovery Program:
#2 “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
#3 “Made a decision to our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”
#5 “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”
#6 “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
#7 “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”
#12 “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to compulsive gamblers and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” (NW Ohio & W. Florida)
Motion to table to Minnesota.
Approved: 27 Against: 9 Passed

28. Guidance Code, page 5, Article VIII, Section 1, 3rd line: Change from two (2) years to five (5) years. (Chicago)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 1 Against: 29 Failed

29. Discussion on Combo Book, page 17, #3 (Letter enclosed) (Las Vegas)
Motion to change 17 #3 to read: Don’t test or tempt yourself. Don’t associate with acquaintances who gamble. Don’t gamble for anything. This includes the stock market, commodities, options, buying or playing lottery tickets, raffle tickets, flipping a coin or entering the office sport pool.
Approved: 22 Against: 14 Passed (1st vote)

30. Elections: Chairman, Board of Trustees
Danny M. from Michigan was re-elected to serve for an additional two year term through the fall Conference in 1996.
#1 Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees
Tom M. from Northern California was elected to serve for a two year term through the fall Conference in 1996.
#2 Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees
Larry G. from Long Island, New York was elected to serve for a two year term through the fall Conference in 1996.

31. Discussion of Trustees in Texas (Houston)
Discussion only.

32. Discuss I.S.O. literature kits. (Houston)
Discussion only.

33. Increase 1994/95 Board Officer expense by $455.88. (To reimburse 1993/94 expense which was submitted after 7/1/94 (No. Florida)
Motion to reimburse $455.88 1993/1994 expense to the Board Officer as an extra ordinary item from the 1994/1995 general budget.
Approved: 28 Against: 6 Passed

G) Anything Omitted from Agenda

34. Discuss non approved G.A. Coins that are being sold in the Las Vegas area (Las Vegas
Discussion only.

35. Page 17, #3- To add “Mutual Funds” (New York)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 3 Against: 32 Failed

36. Korean Meeting (Los Angeles)
Motion for Chairman of the Board to write a letter explaining how she is in violation of the Unity Program and inviting her to meet with the Trustees for guidance.
Approved: 21 Against: 8 Passed

H) Good and Welfare

The meeting was closed with the Serenity Prayer at approximately 2:00 P.M. The collection for the three (3) sessions was $532.70.
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held May 4 & 5, 1995 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen H., International
Executive Secretary