A) Welcome and opening statement – Dan M.
Dan M. gave his opening statement explaining procedures that would be followed for the meeting. The explanation of "point of order", "point of information" and "point of whatever" were given and that we would attempt, as always, to follow Roberts Rules of Order to the best of our ability. Two Proxy’s and three Absentee ballots were received and distributed to the appropriate people for voting. All new Trustees and Alternate Trustees were asked to stand and introduce themselves.

B) Roll Call/Changes – Karen H.
Roll call was taken by Karen H. Simultaneously changes were made to the Confidential Trustees Listing and dates of abstinence were recorded. During this time, it was determined that the Alternates Trustee from Area 4 was ineligible to serve due to the fact that he did not have 2 years abstinence from gambling as per Article VIII, Section 1 of the Guidance Code. A motion was made to let Grant participate during the sessions but not vote.
Approved: 21 Against: 16 Passed
Roll call resumed and was completed without incident.

C) Approval of minutes from Scottsdale meeting.
The minutes of the Scottsdale meeting were approved as submitted.
Approved: 30 Against: 1 Passed

D) Committee Reports

1. Catskills Conference Update
Before giving his report on the Catskills, Tom M. asked Richie G. to give a report on the Scottsdale, Arizona Conference held last October. Richie gave a verbal report that G.A.’s share of profit for the Conference was $5,605.00. A written report will be forthcoming.
Tom gave a report on the Catskills stating everything is in order and they are expecting about 1,000 people.

2. Vancouver Conference Update – Tom M.
Tom M. gave a report on the upcoming Conference to be held in Vancouver October 11-13, 1996. They are extremely organized and doing an excellent job.

3. Chicago Conference Update – Tom M.
Tom M. gave a report on the Chicago Conference to be held May 30- June 1, 1997 at the Chicago O’Hare Marriot. Everything is proceeding as planned.

4. Los Angeles Conference Update – Tom M.
Tom M. gave a report on the Los Angeles area Conference to be held October 17-19, 1997 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Manhattan Beach. The contract has been signed and everything is going well.
The possibility of a Trustees meeting and Conference being held in Australia was discussed. A straw vote was taken and it was the consensus of this Board that it would not be feasible for us to have a Trustees meeting and Conference in Australia.

5. ISO/Lifeliner Report – Karen H.
Karen H. gave her report on Lifeliner handing out her usual graph showing the past two years activity. An increase of $662.00 was shown for the year.

6. Walk-a-Thon Update – Larry G.
It seemed that the Walk-a-Thon did not have a Chairperson, so Marc L. accepted the task and the Walk-a-Thon will commence at 6:00 A.M. on Saturday.

7. BOR Report of Florida Situation – Bill M.
Bill M. gave a detailed report and answered several questions on the Florida situation, which took approximately four hours. Criminal and Civil suits have been filed. Bill also stated that the attorney representing Gamblers Anonymous has asked that the case not be discussed until a decision has been reached in the two suits. A motion to instruct the Board of Regents to drop the criminal action was made. The Chair ruled this motion out of order and the Chair was then challenged. A vote was taken and it was determined that the Chair was correct by the following vote.
Approved: 29 Against: 7

8. Operation Outreach Report – Larry G.
Larry G. resigned his position as 2nd Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He thanked the Board for all their help and support during his term. Danny M. and Tom M. will continue Operation Outreach and something will be put together for St-Louis within the next few months. A motion was made that the $3,000.00 budget for Operation Outreach in St. Louis does not include literature.
Approved: 34 Against: 0 Passed

E) Old Business

1. Update all Gamblers Anonymous literature to reflect gender neutral phrases and portrayals. Tabled from Florida, Minneapolis and Scottsdale. (Minneapolis)
Motion to delete the above item from the Agenda
Approved: 36 Against: 3 Passed

2. Make all pertinent Guidance Code changes to reflect this: The IES election will be during the Spring meeting of the odd years. The term of 2 years would be from July 1st through June 30th extending the current term by 6 months.
Approved: 34 Against: 0 Passed (2nd vote)

3. Discuss appropriate procedures where the GA name is used with regards to contracts or payment of monetary funds is to be received.
(Committee: Paul A., Stan S., Rob S. and Bill M.)
Motion to incorporate in "How to Run A Conference Pamphlet" the steps outlined on item #17 from Scottsdale plus the two page report as written.
Approved: 10 Against: 25 Failed
Motion to table
Approved: 8 Against: 27 Failed
Motion to send report to Literature Committee to do clean up and attach where it should be.
Approved: 30 Against: 2 Passed

4. Acquire quotations on blanket policy to cover theft etc. of employees of the Corporation and/or anyone who handles money on behalf of GA as a whole and purchase such policy at the discretion of the BOR. (Tabled to Committee of Neil W. and Lenny L.)
Discussion only.

5. Combo Book, inside cover: Replace prayer with:
I sought my soul
But I needed more
I sought my Higher Power
and that opened the door
I sought my brothers and sisters
And found all four. (No. California)
(Tabled to Denis M. to check copyright)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 2 Against: 35 Failed

6. Amend Guidance Code Article IX, Section 7 as follows: IES shall supply the BOT with a detailed accounting of said expenditures within sixty days of the close of the fiscal year. (New Jersey)
Approved: 36 Against: 0 Passed (2nd vote)

7. Combo Book, page 17, #1, add the words MEETINGS MAKE IT to the end of the sentence. (Los Angeles)
Approved: 33 Against: 3 Passed (2nd vote)

8. Combo Book, page 15, #1, add the words or school after the word work. (Long Island)
Approved: 34 Against: 5 Passed (2nd vote)

F) New Business

1. Guidance Code, page 9, Article VIII, Section 26: Change from 2 (2) to one (1). (Portland)
Discussion only.

2. Guidance Code, page 5, Article VIII, Section 1: Change from forty eight (48) to fifty eight (58). (Portland)
Motion to change the Guidance Code, page 5, Article VIII, Section 1 from 48 to as many as deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees.
Approved: 34 Against: 6 Passed (1st vote)

3. Guidance Code, page 22, Article XVII, Section 1: Change from even year to odd year. (Portland)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 25 Against: 13 Failed (2/3 vote needed)

4. Guidance Code, pages 6 & 22, Articles VIII & XVIII, Sections 3 & 2: Change from July 1st to June 1st. (Portland)
Above item withdrawn by author.

5. Add to By Laws: GA ISO agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the BOR and the BOT from any wrongful acts committed while performing duties for the organization and damages for which they become legally liable. (Exact wording to be presented) (Board of Regents)
Motion to table
Approved: 34 Against: 0 Passed

6. Discuss Florida Conference as it pertains to Traditions 2 & 10. (Enclosure – 2 articles).
(Gulf Coast Florida)
Discussion only.

7. Are Pinnings considered the same as regular meetings towards someone’s 39 meetings for a pin? (Chicago)
Yes, as per the Guidance Code.

8. Discuss Teenage Gambling. How do we tackle this growing problem? (New York)
Discussion was held. Motion to form a Committee to get ideas and to report back in Vancouver.
Approved: 39 Against: 0 Passed
(Committee to consist of George G., Marshall R., Tom H., Linda O., Chuck R., Susan S., Carol L., Eilen B., Tibor B. and Neil W.)

9. Site selection, 1998 Eastern Conference.
Motion to accept South Carolina’s bid to host the 1998 Eastern Conference.
Approved: 38 Against: 0 Passed

10. Appoint a committee to determine the feasibility of making a 12 Steps of Recovery Video Tape and/or Audio Tape of the 12 Steps. (Chicago)
Two Committees were appointed. The Video Committee consists of Merril L., Robert E., David F. and Joe M. The Audio Committee is Larry G. (Montreal) and Ralph D.

11. Change the wording of the explanation of Step 10 of the Recovery Program as found in the GA Red Book to read: Another view is that steps one through nine are never finished (instead of "done") and should be regularly repeated. (Chicago)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 24 Against: 12 Passed (1st vote)

12. Guidance Code, page 2, Article IV: Change Recovery Step 12 to read: "Having had a SPIRITUAL AWAKENING as the result of these steps, we have tried to carry this message to other compulsive gamblers and to practice these principles in all of our affairs". (Pittsburgh)
Motion to accept above.
Approved: 10 Against: 25 Failed

13. I am interested in working on a GA Unity Day. My idea is that as many areas as possible hold a Mini Conference or Marathon on the same date (Friday September 13, 1996?) with the same format, workshops, program, etc. Please discuss this and send back any input or suggestions that the board may have. Thank you very much! Julie W. (Pittsburgh)
Motion to adopt item #13 to conduct a G.A. Unity Day and hold a Mini Conference or Marathon on the same date of Saturday, September 13, 1997 throughout the World
Approved: 36 Against: 0 Passed

14. Realignment and Census of Trustee areas (Guidance Code)

AREA 1 - CENTRAL CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES AREA, HAWAII

AREA 2 - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

AREA 2A - BRITISH COLOMBIA, ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN, MANITOBA, WASHINGTON, OREGON, MONTANA, IDAHO, ALASKA

AREA 3 - SOUTHERN NEVADA

AREA 3A - ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

AREA 3B - COLORADO, UTAH, WYOMING, WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA & WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA

AREA 3C - NORTHERN NEVADA

AREA 4 - ONTARIO, CANADA

AREA 5 - QUEBEC, LABRADOR AND UPSTATE EASTERN NEW YORK

AREA 5A - NEWFOUNDLAND, NEW BRUNSWICK, NOVASCOTIA AND PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

AREA 6 - SOUTHERN FLORIDA & PUERTO RICO

AREA 6A - CENTRAL & NORTHERN FLORIDA

AREA 6B - WEST COAST OF FLORIDA

AREA 6C - GEORGIA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND NORTH CAROLINA

AREA 7 - LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI & ALABAMA

AREA 7A - TEXAS, OKLAHOMA & ARKANSAS

AREA 8 - ILLINOIS, MISSOURI, WISCONSIN & INDIANA

AREA 8A - RIVER FALLS & SUPERIOR WISCONSIN, EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA, EASTER SOUTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA & EASTERN IOWA

AREA 8B - NEBRASKA, WESTERN IOWA, KANSAS & KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

AREA 9 - MICHIGAN, NORTHWEST OHIO & WINDSOR, ONTARIO

AREA 10 - ERIE, NEWCASTLE, WARREN PENSYLVANIA, OHIO, KENTUCKY & TENNESSEE

AREA 10A - WEST VIRGINIA & WESTERN PENSYLVANIA

AREA 11 - MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, MAINE, VERMONT & NEW HAMPSHIRE

AREA 12 - NEW JERSEY, SUFFERN, NEW YORK, NORTHEASTERN PENSYLVANIA

AREA 13 - EASTERN PENSYLVANIA & SOUTH JERSEY

AREA 13A - MARYLAND, WASHINGTON D.C. & VIRGINIA

AREA 14 - LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK

AREA 15 – NEW YORK CITY & SURROUNDING AREAS

AREA 16 - UPSTATE NEW YORK

AREA 17 - CONNECTICUT & WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

AREA 18 - NORTHERN STATES OF AUSTRALIA & NEW SEALAND

AREA 19 - ARGENTINA & URUGUAY

Motion to delete Area 5 and Area 19
Approved: 31 Against: 6 Passed

1994 1996 1994 1996 Requested
Area Trustees Groups Groups Members Members Changes
1 3 55 53 650 500 No
2 2 29 44 301 525 Yes
Motion to have greater Sacramento be considered Area 2B with one trustee and one Alternate
Approved: 36 Against: 1 Passed
2A 3 81 110-120 1,000 1020-1500 Yes
Motion to have Area 2A become three separate areas consisting of 2A – Alaska, British Columbia and Alberta; 2C – Montana, Manitoba and Saskatchewan and 2G – Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
Approved: 38 Against: 1 Passed
3 1 63 44 500 500 Yes
Motion to add one Trustee and Alternate for Area 3 and also include Bullhead, Arizona in Area 3
Approved: 32 Against: 2 Passed
3A 1 25 33 210 350 No
3B 1 18 23 214 300 No
3C 1 n/a 19 n/a 236 No
4 1 18 18 155 250 No
5 1 40 42 450 500 No
Motion to include old Area 5A (Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island) into Area 5
Approved: 27 Against: 3 Passed
5A 1 n/a n/a AREA DELETED
6 1 16 21 248 378 No
6A 1 54 12 438 124 No
6B 1 n/a 12 n/a 140 No
6C 1 n/a 24 n/a 214 No
7 1 47 61 600-700 900-1,000 Yes
Motion requesting one additional Trustee and Alternate and to separate Area 7 into two areas – Louisiana to be area 7 and Area 7B to be Mississippi and Alabama and include Pensacola and Panama City, Florida
Motion ruled out of order
Motion to add Pensacola and Panama City, Florida to Area 7
Approved: 29 Against: 3 Passed
7A 1 17 125 No Report
8 2 48 70 540 1,000 No
8A 1 72 625 No Report
8B 1 18 26 200 250 No
9 1 20 26 150 284 No
10 1 56 60 410 425 Yes
Motion for new Area 10B to encompass Cincinnati, Ohio; Tennessee, Kentucky, Southern Indiana including Indianapolis removing them from Area 10 and Area 8, adding one Trustee and one Alternate
Approved: 32 Against: 1 Passed
10A 1 16 19 152 225 No
11 1 28 34 360 410-420 No
12 3 43 36 750 600 No
13 1 28 34 410 490 Yes
Motion for one new Trustee and one new Alternate
Approved: 32 Against: 3 Passed
13A 1 19 21 200 250 No
14 2 30 28 360 560 No
15 5 59 60 1,300 1,400 Yes
Motion to reduce Area 15 to four Trustees and Alternates.
Approved: 16 Against: 17 Failed
Motion to include old Area 19 (Argentina and Uruguay) into Area 15
Approved: 34 Against: 2 Passed
16 1 28 25 270 300 No
17 1 14 24 220 300 No
18 1 n/a 75 n/a 800 No
18A 1 n/a n/a No Report
19 1 11 295 AREA DELETED

15. Discuss appropriate procedures to access the information highway to carry the message of Gamblers Anonymous. (So. Carolina)
Motion that G.A. set up a Home Page on the Internet. Included on the page: Combo Book, Twenty Questions, Meeting List, There is Help, Order Form – Only G.A. approved Literature.
Motion to table to Committee.
Approved: 33 Against: 6 Passed
(Committee – Rob S., Stan S., Denis M. and Terry H.)

16. Approve as new literature The Twelve GA Promises (Enclosed) (Montreal)
Motion to approve item #16 and if it is accepted, go to A.A. to receive the authorisation.
Approved: 32 Against: 7 Passed (1st vote)

17. Approve the History Booklet as new literature (Enclosed)
A portion of the History Booklet was submitted along with a new timeline. Everyone was asked to make any corrections and submit them to Tom M.
Motion to table to Vancouver.
Approved: 38 Against: 1 Passed

G) Anything omitted from Agenda
18. Are Pressure Groups helping us in these times?
Discussion was held and ideas were presented.

A motion was submitted to the Chairman. The Chair ruled the motion out of order as it was received after time was up on Committee Reports #7. The Chair was then challenged. A vote was taken and it was determined that the Chair was correct by the following vote: Approved 26 Against: 7
Dan M. reported that Gam-Anon has decided to reimburse G.A. the amount they received for "profit" from the Florida Conference since there was no profit.

H) Good and Welfare
The meeting was closed with the Serenity Prayer at 7:30 P.M. The collection for the four (4) sessions was $700.25
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held October 10 & 11, 1996 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Respectfully submitted

Karen H.
International Executive Secretary