Past Trustee Decisions

The Past Trustee Decisions sectionhas been updated to include the Fort Lauderdale '06 Trustee meeting.

1-The Chairman of the Board of Trustees is instructed to write a letter to London, England, G.A. advising them that no one in our Fellowship has the right to change any word in the Recovery and/or Unity Programs except for the Board of Trustees.
Cleveland, 1967

2 - At previous Board of Trustee meetings, all Area were given the right to have Area Delegates upon application to attend Trustee meetings. There were no requests for such Delegates; therefore, it has been decided to drop the right to have Area Delegates in favor of having Alternate Trustees.
Cincinnati, 1969

3 - Opinions and letters signed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees should be made clear that it is his own opinion and does not necessarily reflect that of the entire Board.
Cleveland, 1972

4 - There are no limitations on the number of consecutive terms members of the Board of Trustees can serve.
Miami, 1974 & Nevele, 2000

5 - There are no limitations on the number of consecutive terms the Chairman of the Board of Trustees can serve.
Cherry Hill, 1976

6 - If a Trustee or Alternate Trustee is removed from office due to inactivity, he/she may be re-elected immediately.
Pittsburgh, 1976 & Browns, 1985

7 - The official Gamblers Anonymous Public Relations slogan is: "If you have a gambling problem or know of someone that does, contact Gamblers Anonymous."
Chicago, 1977

8 - Change the name "Expediter" to "Life Liner."
Chicago, 1977

9 - A professionally printed newsletter should be written by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and sent to all Trustees on a monthly basis.
Chicago, 1977

10 - No individual member, group or Intergroup can instruct a National Trustee on how to vote on any issue.
Browns, 1979

11 - The Chairman of the Board of Trustees should have expenses paid to attend a Conference that is not a physical Trustee meeting. The funds should come from the Chairman's expense account.
Cleveland, 1979

12 - Approval is given to allocate funds so that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees can attend Area Conference that not hosting Trustee meetings. The yearly allotment is increased to $1,000 in order to encompass the allocation.
Cleveland, 1979

13 - The Chairman of the Board of Trustees must accept and use money from his/her allowance if he/she has Board of Trustee expenses.
Cleveland, 1979

14 - Approval is given for the removal of the Stoneham, Massachusetts Group for not adhering to the Guidance Code pertaining the use of non-G.A. literature.
Cleveland, 1979 & Miami, 1981 & Orlando, 1988

15 - Approval is given to change the word "autonomous" with the word "self-governing" in the Guidance Code.
Browns, 1980

16 - The Board of Trustee agenda items shall be limited to fifteen minutes of discussion.
Palm Springs, 1980

17 - Three (3) Groups that read A.A. literature at their meetings are suspended from G.A. They are: Stoneham, Methuen and Fall River, Massachusetts.
Orlando, 1988

18 - G.A. should not disseminate information during non-G.A. activities at events and locations such as Brecksville Hospital, Maryland Treatment Center, retreats, "marriage encounter weekends", etc., neither at the group nor at the National level.
Miami, 1981 & Detroit, 1991

19 - Outside organizations may use the Gamblers Anonymous "12 Steps of Recovery".
Minneapolis, 1981

20 - At the start of a new term, absences from a previous term DO NOT count toward automatic expulsion.
Browns, 1985

21 - The Chairman of the Board of Trustees must first approve any surveys that professionals wish to have our membership complete.
Palm Springs, 1986

22 - Approval is given to allocate up to $600 to open new meetings in "out-of-the-way- areas" and up to $5,000 per year maximum. The nearest Trustee should be responsible for setting up and starting the new meeting.
Cleveland, 1987

23 - The Chairman of the Board of Trustees shall use a standardized return address on all correspondence to members of the Board of Trustees.
Philadelphia, 1987

24 - Bill Durberg, a G.A. member from Detroit, is banned from any involvement in G.A. as a result of acts detrimental to the Fellowship. (Note: Mr. Durberg passed away in 1992.)
Omaha, 1989

25 - If a motion is defeated, it cannot be re-introduced for a period of two (2) years.
Orlando, 1988

26 - It is suggested that Trustees and Alternate Trustees be treated equally regarding funding to Conferences.
Omaha, 1989

27 - "Good and Welfare" should not be a part of the minutes and should not be sent to Trustees.
Boston 1990

28 - An Intergroup cannot restrict the number of terms its Trustee(s) can serve.
New Orleans, 1990

29 - Trustee and Alternate Trustees must pay the Conference registration fee even if they do not stay for the Conference.
New Orleans, 1990

30 - A member may not count time of abstinence prior to his/her first G.A. meeting.
New Orleans, 1990

31 - Resolved:
• Whereas: Gamblers Anonymous Open Meetings commonly include Gam-Anon members;
• Whereas: Gamblers Anonymous Intergroup meetings commonly reserve a portion of time in which Gam-Anon members are invited to discuss matters of interest to both groups;
· Whereas: Gamblers Anonymous Step Meetings are often Open Meetings in which Gam- Anon members are welcome to attend and participate;
• Whereas: Gamblers Anonymous social functions and Conferences are commonly co- hosted with Gam-Anon members;
• Whereas: Gamblers Anonymous Hot Lines commonly serve both G.A. and Gam-Anon, with each group sharing the financial burden;
• Whereas: Gamblers Anonymous has a responsibility to make new members aware of the existence of Gam-Anon and does so through our literature;
• Therefore: The Board of Trustees of Gamblers Anonymous does not perceive any of the above to violate any Step of the Gamblers Anonymous Unity Program.
Montreal, 1992

32 - The Board of Trustees accepts the "Booklet on Past Trustee Decisions" as a continuing reference booklet for the Board of Trustees. Although this booklet is a reference, it by no means includes all of the Trustee decisions.
Pittsburgh, 1993 & Montreal, 2004

33 - The Board of Trustees meetings are open to people who are not members of Gamblers Anonymous.
Anaheim, 1994

34 - Only current members of the Board of Trustees, officers of the Board of Trustees, the Chairman of the Board of Regents and the I.E.S. may receive the confidential listing of names, address and phone numbers of Trustees and Alternate Trustees.
St. Petersburg, 1994

35 - Approval is given for a nominating committee to be established prior to the Realignment and census of Trustee Areas so that recommendations can be made to the Board regarding changes in Trustee Areas.
St. Petersburg, 1994

36 - Any Gamblers Anonymous member nominated for Chairman, 1st Co-Chairman and/ or 2nd Co-Chairman must be present to accept the nomination or must submit in writing his/her agreement to accept the nomination.
Minneapolis, 1995

37 - Should a present or former Trustee or Alternate Trustee lose his/her abstinence, he/ she would not lose the right to address the Board of Trustees.
Manhattan Beach, 1997

38 - An Intergroup does not have the right to set stricter guidelines pertaining to the elections of Trustees other than those that are contained in the Guidance Code.
Myrtle Beach, 1998

39 - As part of the opening of every Board of Trustees meeting, the Board should include the reading of "The Twelve Steps of Unity" and a reading from "A Day at a Time". The Chairman of the Board of Trustees will select the readers.
Orlando, 1998

40 - All Board of Trustee meetings shall be non-smoking.
Orlando, 1998

41 - Approval is given to eliminate the position of Alternate Trustee and convert those positions to Trustees.
Kentucky, 1999

42 - Only voting members have the right to vote for extending the time limit of fifteen (15) minutes of discussion of agenda items.
San Diego, 1999
This item has been affected as a result of item #44 in this section during the Pittsburgh 2001 Conference.
This item has also been affected by the approval of item 49 in this section during the Irvine 2003 Conference

43 - The suggested format for submitting changes to G.A. literature - such as the Combo Book, Guidance Code and By-Laws - is a sheet in columnar form (with a line down the center) in which the headings "Current Wording" and "Proposed Wording” are provided.
Montreal, 2000

44 - Only current Trustees have the right to vote for extending the time limit of fifteen (15) minutes of discussion of agenda items.
Pittsburgh, 2001
This item has been affected as a result of item #49 in this section during the Irvine 2003 Conference

45 - Approval is given to allow former Trustees to submit items to the "Trustee Line" and to receive a copy of the "Trustee Line" upon request.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

46 - Board consensus is that at Board of Trustee meetings, it is not necessary to count the vote on each individual item, unless the hand count is too close to call.
West Palm Beach, 2002

47 - Board consensus is that it is not okay for the Chairman of the Board of Trustees to make a decision that is not in violation of the Guidance Code, By-Laws or Past Trustee Decisions regarding Gamblers Anonymous, without consulting the Board of Trustees.
Irvine, 2003

48 - Approval is given to establish an Internet application to open up the Agenda items.
Irvine, 2003

49 - Any past Trustee can vote to extend the time limit.
Irvine, 2003

50 - Conference reports for upcoming Conferences at the Trustees meeting should be given by the Conference Chairperson or designated representative.
Montreal, 2004

51 - Brazil to become area 23 with 2 Trustees.
Farmington, 2005

52 - Motion that upon introduction of a discussion item or motion on the floor and after there have been two (2) consecutive speakers either in favor or not in favor of the item the Chair should query if there is any other speaker on the speaker list with an opposing view. If there is, that speaker should then be moved up on the speaker list. This procedure will ensure that at least one (1) opposing view would be heard before the end of the discussion period.
Farmington, 2005

53 - Board approval is given as follows:
A. - Trustee Website Guidelines
1. - The site will be functional year round.
2. - Agenda items will be accepted for submission to the Trustees Website no later than thirty (30) days after the minutes from the previous meeting are made available from the I.S.O. and posted to the Trustee Website for reference.
3. - Any printed material that will be passed out at the Trustee meeting will be posted on the Trustee Website for prior downloading if the committee chairs and other designated individuals are able to supply such reports. In the event material pertaining to G.A. literature is part of the handouts, it will be noted as non-G.A. approved literature. Submission of any handouts for the Trustees’ consideration will be at the option of the author(s).
4. - All flyers and reports that are posted to the Trustee Website will be reviewed and modified, if necessary, to remain compliant with issues pertaining to members’ anonymity. This includes items covering:
Members’ full names
Members’ addresses
Members’ phone numbers
Members’ email addresses
5. - Display of new literature prior to the initial submission to the B.O.T. for consideration and also after the 1st vote has been approved showing with watermarks or adequate notification designating the items as non-G.A. approved material and thereby not for distribution to meetings and the members from any area.
6. - Any and all G.A. material that would be considered reference material will be posted and available for “Keyword Searching”, as determined by the Trustee Website Committee, including items form the B.O.R. and its meetings.
7. - The Trustee website will be co-hosted on a server by a company that will provide efficient and secure service at the lowest possible cost, as determined by the committee. Funding for this, if any is required, will be from the B.O.T. Chair’s annual discretionary fund.
8. - The Trustee Website Committee members will be the only ones to have access to the Trustee Website. Any new committee members will be fully indoctrinated with the procedures and programming protocols for the Trustee Website.
9. - The I.S.O. will remain as the owner and administrative contact of the Trustee Website.com domain name.
B. - The Trustee Website will be under the control of a standing Trustee Website Committee made up of either current or past Trustees, two (2) of whom must have website programming experience. The committee will maintain the content and administrate the Trustee Website. It will also give reports at each Trustee meeting of new additions and modifications that the committee would like to have approved for deployment on the Trustee Website. Any such changes may be showcased between Trustee meetings for the members to use in order to help render a more informed decision by the B.O.T. at the next physical meeting, regarding an approval or denial of the new changes. During that period, the committee will be under the guidance of the Chair of the B.O.T. as to the appropriateness of the new features that are pending B.O.T. decisions. C. - The Trustee Line will be published on the Trustee Website and will be under the supervision of the Trustee Website Committee that will also decide content appropriateness (inappropriateness will include profanity, derogatory statements about another member or person, derogatory statements about another room, and matters unrelated to Gamblers Anonymous). Disputes over the opinions of the committee and members who challenge the committee’s decision will be decided by the three (3) Chairs of the B.O.T.
Boston, 2006

54 - Proxy votes not given to current Trustees do not vote.
Boston, 2006

55 - Board consensus is that the officers of the Board of Trustees should not have to follow the same guidelines as the local groups of Gamblers Anonymous and therefore should not be limited to two (2) consecutive terms.
Boston, 2006

56 - Any vote taken by the Board of Trustees should be recorded by the actual numbers for and against.
Boston, 2006

57 - A committee cannot remain active unless it comprises a minimum of three (3) G.A. members. It is the Committee Chair’s responsibility to notify the Chair Liaison when the number falls below three (3). At such time, the Chair Liaison will work with the Committee Chair to secure additional committee members to meet the minimum requirement, which must be filled within sixty (60) days.
Boston, 2006

58 - Board of Trustee Committee Chairs must be G.A. members. If a Committee Chair is not a current Trustee, then a current Trustee must be selected as a co-Chair for that committee.
Fort Lauderdale, 2006

59 - All committee reports must be posted on the Trustee Website 2 weeks prior to a national conference for Trustees to review.
Fort Lauderdale, 2006

60 - Committee report presentations are limited to 15 minutes for each committee. Discussions about the committee reports will fall under 15 minute rule similar to agenda item time limits.
Fort Lauderdale, 2006

1 - Each individual Conference should pay the expenses of the N.E.S. (I.E.S.) to their respective Conference and expenses shall not exceed $300 per trip.
Cleveland, 1967

2 - The Gam-Anon President or his/her delegate will have travel, room and board paid by each Conference commencing in 1975.
Miami, 1974

3 - Conferences should not restrict social activities and/or be only for G.A. members.
Chicago, 1977

4 - Conference "give-away packets" should not contain any solicitation or outside enterprises and/or references to gambling.
Browns, 1979

5 - Any G.A. workshop of any National Conference should be open to everyone.
Browns, 1980

6 - $1,000 in seed money is available to any committee of an already selected National Conference. This is considered a loan from the N.S.O. (I.S.O.), which must be paid back at the conclusion of the Conference.
Detroit, 1985

7 - If the I.E.S. and/or member of the Board of Regents are invited to a Conference, (not the Board of Trustees Conference) to conduct a workshop or be a guest speaker, the expenses ought to be paid by the hosting Conference.
Philadelphia, 1987

8 - Invocations that are given at Conferences should be generic.
Orlando, 1988

9 - A Gam-Anon member may not be treasurer of a G.A. Conference.
Omaha, 1989

10 - All Mini-Conferences may be advertised in the I.S.O. Bulletin.
New Orleans, 1990

11 - A Conference cannot require that registrations be paid-in-full in advance.
Detroit, 1991

12 - There will be no restrictions on advertising Conferences or Mini-Conferences.
Detroit, 1991

13 - Board consensus is that it is acceptable for members to accept airline offers of discounted fares to G.A. Conferences.
Detroit, 1991

14 - Gam-Anon delegates shall be invited to participate in the site selection discussion for the Spring Conferences, but voting will remain the sole right of voting Trustees.
Houston, 1992

15 - Board consensus is that it is proper for an Intergroup to host a joint G.A./Gam-Anon Mini-Conference of which the signature requirements on the checking accounts are:
a. One (1) G.A. member and one (1) Gam-Anon member.
b. Two (2) Gam-Anon members and no G.A. members
Anaheim, 1993

16 - The minimum requirements for submitting a National Conference bid are: a. Written approval from 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.
St. Petersburg, 1994

17 - Any Area awarded a Conference shall form a committee comprised of G.A. and Gam- Anon members. All checking accounts shall require two (2) signatures, one of which must be a G.A. member and the other a Gam-Anon member. No two (2) G.A. or two (2) Gam- Anon members shall countersign the checks; and no husband and wife may countersign checks. The committee shall hold regular meetings and keep the Board of Trustees Chairman or his/her designee apprised of the status of the Conference. The committee shall provide the Board of Trustees Chairman or his/her designee with the following:
a. Copies of the bank signature cards.
b. A copy of the hotel contract.
c. A list of all members who have paid any money and the amount(s) paid.
d. Copies of all bank statements.
e. Copies of all checks issued.
Items c., d. and e. shall be done on a monthly basis. Debts from the Conference shall be paid within sixty (60) days of the Conference conclusion. A complete report shall be furnished to the I.S.O., the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents within sixty (60) days of the Conference conclusion.
Scottsdale, 1995

18 - Board consensus is that it would not be feasible to hold a Trustee meeting in Australia.
Nevele, 1996

19 - If the chairperson of a Mini-Conference committee returns to gambling, it is the Mini-Conference committee's right to decide whether or not the chairperson should continue in the position - so long as the position does not involve money and financial responsibilities.
Nevele, 1996

20 - All items that will be distributed during a National Conference should be reviewed and approved by first, the Conference Committee; and then by one of the Assistant Chairmen of the Board of Trustees before the start of the Conference.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

21 - No promotion of any type of gambling will be discussed at any National Conference.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

22 - All National Conferences shall provide an optional evaluation form for all participants. This would be used to evaluate the Conference as a whole. Evaluations would be sent to other future host chapters for review.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

23 - Board consensus is that it is appropriate to have religious services and/or other Fellowship meetings on a G.A. National Conference Agenda.
Farmington 2005

1 - "Mind bets" or dreams are not considered gambling and should not affect a member's abstinence from gambling.
Cherry Hill, 1976

2 - For the compulsive gambler, entering newspaper contests is gambling.
Anaheim, 1982

3 - For the compulsive gambler, trading in the stock market is gambling.
Anaheim, 1982

4 - Bowling in "Money Leagues" is gambling.
Orlando, 1988

5 - Selling chances or raffle tickets is not considered gambling.
New Orleans, 1990

6 - A member may not count time of abstinence prior to his/her first G.A. meeting.
New Orleans, 1990

7 - Purchasing a raffle ticket and placing his/her church's name or anyone else's name on the raffle ticket is considered gambling.
New Orleans, 1990

8 - Board consensus is that it is dangerous for G.A. members to any form of interest in their spouse's lottery tickets.
Detroit, 1991

9 - Acceptance of a door prize - when the person neither wagered anything nor was aware of the "give-away" - is not considered gambling.
Montreal, 1992

10 - Board consensus is that no matter what a member says, it is his/her right only to give up his/her abstinence date.
Pittsburgh, 1993

11 - Board consensus is that members may own a 401(k) plan.
Kentucky, 1999

12 - Board consensus is that being actively involved in the "Beanie Baby" business via the Internet and attendance at trade shows for the purpose of conducting trades/purchases/ sales is not considered gambling.
Kentucky, 1999

13 - Board consensus is that when a new member joins Gamblers Anonymous and has a long-term sports bet, it is considered gambling.
Nevele, 2000

14 - When a member joins Gamblers Anonymous and is told not to do anything for ninety (90) days; and at the end of ninety (90) days at the member's Pressure Relief meeting, he/ she is told to get rid of his/her stock holdings – Board consensus is that the member does not lose his/her ninety (90) days of abstinence.
Montreal, 2000

15 - In a situation where a spouse of a G.A. member enters a radio contest and wins a vacation; and she wants to take members of the family - Board consensus is that it is okay for the G.A. member to go, if he/she wants to go.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

16 - Board consensus is that giving gambling advice is not gambling.
Irvine, 2003

17 - Board consensus is that working in a casino as a card dealer is not gambling.
Montreal, 2004

18 - A member pays a registration fee to run in a road race or enters a scrabble tournament where he may win cash or trophies and the member considers these leisure, entertainment or health activities which he considers these not gambling, is this considered gambling?
Board consensus is that the above item is gambling.
Farmington, 2005

19 - If a member as part of a paid job administers a Trust in which he pays an income to a beneficiary and also in consultation with a broker makes decisions on buying and selling stocks and bonds for that Trust which produces the income for the beneficiary, is that gambling?
Board consensus is that the above item is not gambling.
Farmington, 2005

1 - Only members of Gamblers Anonymous may be trusted servants of groups or Intergroups.
Atlantic City, 1972

2 - Group treasuries should not exceed one (1) month's budgeted expenses by fifty percent (50%). All excess monies should be disbursed to the N.S.O (I.S.O).
Atlantic City, 1972

3 - It is not proper to place the name, address and telephone number of the National Council on Compulsive Gambling on local group telephone lists.
Browns, 1980

4 - Some states require a person to attend a certain number of meetings per year as a requirement for certification as a gambling counselor. How should this be handled? Each group is self-governing; therefore it can admit or not admit people outside of GA as it sees fit.
Omaha, 1989

5 - Non-members of Gamblers Anonymous are not allowed to speak at "Birthday Meetings."
Sunnyvale, 1989

6 - It is not proper to tell Gam-Anon members information we suspect about other G.A. members.
Sunnyvale, 1989

7 - A person does not have to admit to being a compulsive gambler as a requirement for membership in G.A.
New Orleans, 1990

8 - Board consensus is that it is okay to close a meeting with the "Lord's Prayer".
San Diego, 1991 & Nevele, 2000
This item has been affected by item #49 in this section.

9 - A group does not have the right to take away a member's abstinence.
Montreal, 1992

10 - Board consensus is that it is not proper for an Intergroup to vote to not uphold Unity Step 11.
Pittsburgh, 1993

11 - Board consensus is that "Special Interest" groups such as "Women Only", "Gay/ Lesbian Only", "Men Only", etc. are appropriate so long as they are open to all G.A. members.
Anaheim, 1993

12 - Board consensus is that it is not proper for a group to say a member must accept comments.
Connecticut, 1994

13 - Board consensus is that it is not proper for an Intergroup to pay the rent for a group or groups.
Connecticut, 1994

14 - Board consensus is that it is acceptable for members to vote at group conscience meetings of more than one (1) group if they are members of the group and the issue is solely a group issue.
Connecticut, 1994

15 - Golf outings are appropriate fundraisers and/or social events for Gamblers Anonymous.
St. Petersburg, 1994

16 - Board consensus is that it is appropriate for a member of G.A. to contact casinos and ask that they put signs in their casinos with the wording, "If you have a gambling problem, contact Gamblers Anonymous at (telephone number)".
Chicago, 1997

17 - It is not appropriate to create drop-in centers and outreach programs with the use of the G.A. name with outside funds.
Manhattan Beach, 1997

18 - Board consensus is that it is appropriate for first-time attendees at G.A. meetings to financial contribute to Gamblers Anonymous.
Orlando, 1998

19 - Board consensus is that it is not appropriate for a member to celebrate his/her anniversary the day before his/her actual "clean date".
Orlando, 1998

20 - Board consensus is that it is not appropriate for Gamblers Anonymous and Gam- Anon to jointly run a Telephone Answering Service.
Orlando, 1998

21 - Board consensus is that it is appropriate for a member to celebrate his/her "pinning" or anniversary in any group/room.
Montreal, 2000

22 - Approval is given for the emergency realignment of the following areas outside the United States and designation of Trustees: Argentina - Area 19, two (2) Trustees; Uruguay - Area 20, one (1) Trustee; Spain - Area 21, two (2) Trustees; and South Africa - Area 22, one (1) Trustee.
Montreal, 2000

23 - Board consensus is that an open G.A. meeting does not have the right to discriminate against a certain class of people (i.e., media, students, etc.).
Pittsburgh, 2001

24 - The Board of Trustees recommends that all Areas, if feasible, conduct a Memorial Meeting on an annual basis.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

25 - Board consensus is that a group does not have the right to ask a G.A. member to leave the room if the G.A. member states he or she has no desire to stop gambling.
West Palm Beach, 2002

26 - Board consensus is that an Intergroup does not have the right to not support a G.A. room, if that room does not financially support their Intergroup.
Irvine, 2003

27 - Board consensus is that free billboard, television, radio or newspaper advertising, provided as a public service announcement, with the official public relations slogan of G.A.: "If you have a gambling problem or know of someone that does, contact Gamblers Anonymous." or "If gambling is creating problems in your life, Gamblers Anonymous can help." along with local Intergroup information, is acceptable and not considered a violation of Unity Steps 7 or 11.
Irvine, 2003

28 - Board consensus is that each G.A. member should give the date of their time of abstinence when they start therapy.
Irvine, 2003

29 - Board consensus is that the I.S.O. Bulletin can be displayed in a G.A. room and this it is appropriate literature.
Montreal, 2004

30 - Board consensus is that it is not appropriate for a Gam-Anon donation can to be passed around as an Open G.A. meeting
Montreal, 2004

31 - Board consensus is that tape recording of a G.A. meeting without the consent of the group does affect G.A. as a whole.
Montreal, 2004

32 - Anonymity, as a member of Gamblers Anonymous, shall be maintained while on the Internet.
Montreal, 2004

33 - Board consensus is that it is harmful and confusing, especially to beginners, to have 2 G.A. meetings at the same location, same day, same time.
Montreal, 2004

34 - Board consensus is that garage sales, which are open to the public, are acceptable as fundraising activity for conference committees, Trustees, Intergroups or local groups.
New Orleans, 2004

35 - Board consensus is that wearing sports related clothing is appropriate at a GA meeting, Intergroup or a GA conference.
New Orleans, 2004

36 - Board consensus is that clothing displaying racetrack, casinos, gambling establishments or gambling paraphernalia is not appropriate at a GA meeting, Intergroup or GA conference.
New Orleans, 2004

37 - Board consensus is that if necessary a person, while giving therapy, should be interrupted by the rooms Chairperson or by someone in the room.
New Orleans, 2004

38 - Board consensus is that prior notice shall not be given to a new member before he or she is called upon to answer the 20 questions.
New Orleans, 2004

39 - Meeting room By-Laws or standing rules cannot dictate what a person can or cannot say while giving therapy.
New Orleans 2004

40 - Board consensus is that a GA room cannot have stricter guidelines pertaining to pinnings and celebrating successive anniversaries than what is contained in the Guidance Code.
New Orleans 2004

41 - Board consensus is that allowing music without voice during a meditation meeting is acceptable.
Farmington 2005.

42 - Board consensus is that it is not appropriate to read a locally written history of the G.A. meeting room periodically at the meeting.
Farmington, 2005

43 - Board consensus is that the individual G.A. group does not forfeit its right to autonomy on all items listed in the “Booklet of Past Trustee Decisions”.
Farmington, 2005

44 - Board consensus is that returning members should not be read the twenty questions again.
Farmington, 2005

45 - Board consensus is that while giving therapy during a G.A. open or closed meeting, it is okay for a member to discuss his/her experiences during a weekend 12 Step spiritual retreat, as long as he/she relates his/her own impressions without promoting the retreat or trying to recruit members to attend.
San Diego, 2005

46 - Board consensus is that it is not appropriate to announce and sell in the meetings intensive weekend retreats.
Boston, 2006

47. - A straw vote was taken and it is the consensus of this Board that the reading of the 20 Questions should be required for the new member.
Fort Lauderdale, 2006

48. - A straw vote was taken and it is the consensus of this Board (73-2) that a room cannot require all or a percentage of the meetings to be in the home room.
Fort Lauderdale, 2006

49. - A straw vote was taken and it is the consensus of this Board (53-41) that it is not O.K. to close a meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
Fort Lauderdale, 2006

1 - Limit Contributions to $520 per year from any single member.
Cleveland, 1967 & Detroit, 1968

2 - G.A. can accept money from a deceased member of the Fellowship provided it is a maximum of $500 per year if it is left in a trust with a maximum lump sum of $1,500 to the N.S.O. (I.S.O.).
Cleveland, 1972

3 - Remove all restrictions on amounts of money that can be contributed to G.A.
Anaheim, 1982 & Houston, 1992

4 - Remove all restrictions on amounts of money that can be contributed from wills and/ or estates.
Anaheim, 1982

5 - The Board of Regents must first receive approval from the Board of Trustees prior to any salary increases to employees of the N.S.O. (I.S.O.).
Providence, 1968

6 - Continue to have N.S.O. (I.S.O.) located in California.
Cincinnati, 1969 & Chicago, 1977

7 - Discard the current By-Laws and replace them with By-Laws, which will correspond exactly with the Guidance Code.
Atlantic City, 1969

8 - The definition of gambling is to be printed in every issue of the N.S.O. (I.S.O.) Bulletin.
Chicago, 1970

9 - The Board of Trustees approves the Gamblers Anonymous By-Laws.
Atlantic City, 1972

10 - There are no limitations on the number of consecutive terms the N.E.S. (I.E.S.) can serve.
Miami, 1974

11 - There are no limitations on the number of consecutive terms members of the Board of Regents can serve.
Miami, 1974
This item was set aside in as a result of item #29 in this section during the Harrison Hot Springs 2002 Conference.

12 - Federal tax-exempt status is for the purpose of filing federal income tax returns and opening of tax-exempt bank account, not for the exemption of sales tax.
Browns, 1979

13 - The N.E.S. (I.E.S.) shall be the Editor-in-Chief of the "Life Line" bulletin with sole responsibility for its content, using the "12 Steps of Recovery and Unity" and Board of Trustee suggestions as a guide.
Browns, 1979

14 - Guidelines for National Trustees and Alternates are to be published in the "Life Line bulletin each April and May of even years.
Palm Springs, 1980

15 - Life Liner cans are introduced by the Board of Regents and accepted by the Board of Trustees to help the N.S.O. (I.S.O.) in its time of financial difficulty.
Palm Springs, 1980

16 - The Chairman of the Board of Regents or his/her representative shall attend every Board of Trustees meeting.
Grossinger's, 1984

17 - Change the N.S.O. (National Service Office) to the I.S.O. (International Service Office).
Montreal, 1988

18 - Dissolve E.R.I.C and have the I.S.O assume its duties and responsibilities.
New Orleans, 1990

19 - Queensland is approved to open an R.S.O.
Anaheim, 1993

20 - New Zealand is granted authorization to establish an R.S.O., so long as they comply fully with the Guidance Code.
Anaheim, 1993

21 - An advisory vote by the Board of Trustees concurred that there should be no restrictions as to the number of Board of Regent members who reside more than 200 miles from the I.S.O.
Connecticut, 1994

22 - Authorization is given to the "Internet Committee" to set up a service provider for a home page, purchase a computer, printer and training for the I.S.O. staff, all of which is not to exceed $3,000. Service will begin in January of 1997.
Whistler, 1996

23 - It is not appropriate for family members and friends of G.A. members who have passed away to donate money to G.A. in their memory.
Chicago, 1997

24 - The I.S.O. will manage the G.A. website on the Internet on an on-going, permanent basis. The Board of Trustees must first approve any changes, enhancements, additions, modifications or deletions (other than "typos" and directory modifications) to the website.
Manhattan Beach, 1997

25 - Spain is given authorization to form an R.S.O.
Myrtle Beach, 1998

26 - The Board of Trustees will elect the members of the Board of Regents at the Western Conference. The term will run for a two (2) year period.
Orlando, 1998
This item was set aside in as a result of item #30 in this section during the Harrison Hot Springs 2002 conference.

27 - Costs for the printing and mailing of the Board of Trustees agendas and its attachments will be funded by the I.S.O. operating account.
Nevele, 2000

28 - Approval is given for the I.S.O. to modify the G.A. website by inserting a hyperlink destination to the Gam-Anon website.
Nevele, 2000

29 - Item 11, Section 4 of Booklet of Past Trustee Decisions, "There are no limitations on the number of consecutive terms members of the Board of Regents can serve. (Miami, 1974) is set aside to match Article III, Section 8 of the By-Laws in which Board of Regents members shall be limited to two (2) elected terms served consecutively but may be re- elected after one (1) year of non-service on the Board of Regents.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

30 - Item 26, Section 4 of Booklet on Past Trustee Decisions, "The Board of Trustees will elect the members of the Board of Regents at the Western Conference. The term will run for a two (2) year period. (Orlando, 1998)" is set aside to match the Guidance Code and By-Laws in which the term of office for a Regent shall be one (1) year starting on July 1 and concluding June 30 of the following year.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

31 - Intergroup Argentina is changed to Regional Service Office (R.S.O.) Argentina.
Montreal, 2004

32 - Approval is given for a Regional Service Office (R.S.O.) in Brazil.
Boston, 2006

33. - An explanation was provided that in Quebec, Code Morin is equivalent to Roberts Rules of Order but not a translation. A straw vote was taken and it is the consensus of this Board (82-1) that it is appropriate to use Code Morin, which is Canada’s version of Roberts Rules of Order for RSO procedures.
Fort Lauderdale, 2006

1 - Groups that fail or refuse to use G.A.-approved literature will cease to be considered a G.A. Group.
Pittsburgh, 1971

2 - The Commonwealth of Australia may reprint its own literature without any changes, additions or deletions.
Atlantic City, 1972

3 - Gam-A-Teen literature is to be distributed by Gamblers Anonymous Publishing Company.
Atlanta, 1973

4 - Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England Groups have the right to adopt changes or modify any approved G.A. literature at their discretion.
Orlando, 1988

5 - Hazeldon Press is granted permission to reprint the Gamblers Anonymous "12 Steps of Recovery", so long as they reprint them verbatim.
Montreal, 1988

6 - Approval is given for up to $200 for a Korean version of the "Combo Book".
New Orleans, 1990

7 - Approval is given for up to $3,000 for translation of "A New Beginning" into French.
New Orleans, 1990

8 - Tapes from Conference Workshops cannot be sold by the I.S.O.
Detroit, 1991

9 "V-Chart of Compulsive Gambling & Recovery" is approved as G.A. literature.
Detroit, 1991

10 - Board consensus is that "Life LIne" bulletins should not be left in hospitals, doctors' waiting rooms, etc.
San Diego, 1991

11 - Delete references to Councils of Compulsive Gambling by name in "A New Beginning".
Montreal, 1992

12 - Delete references to treatment facilities by name in "A New Beginning".
Montreal, 1992

13 - Approval is given for up to $2,500 for translation of French literature.
Houston, 1992

14 - Only G.A.-approved literature can be made available in a G.A. Room.
Pittsburgh, 1993

15 - It is not proper to sell and display non-G.A. literature at a G.A. conference.
Pittsburgh, 1993

16 - Board consensus is that selling the Entertainment Book is an appropriate fundraising tool for groups and/or Intergroups.
Anaheim, 1993

17 - A "G.A. Coin" is approved as G.A. literature.
Connecticut, 1994

18 - $10,435 is approved to translate six (6) pieces of G.A. literature into Spanish ("A New Beginning"; "Awareness Pamphlet" - (There Is Help); "G.A. Group Handbook Guide Booklet"; "Fourth Step Inventory Moral Book"; "Questions & Answers About Gambling" Booklet; and "G.A. Pressure Relief Group Meeting Pamphlet & Financial Forms").
St. Petersburg, 1994

19 - Australia is granted permission to make any necessary changes to the Pressure Relief forms to adapt to their customs.
Minneapolis, 1995

20 - Board consensus is that it is appropriate to have G.A. literature available to the public at a table in a shopping mall that is sponsored and attended by members of G.A.
Whistler, 1996

21 - Board consensus is that only G.A.-approved and appropriate literature should be included in "New Member Packets". G.A. flyers, Intergroup lists and phone lists are considered as appropriate literature.
Chicago, 1997

22 - Non-approved or non-appropriate literature distributed at workshops may not be distributed in G.A. meetings.
Chicago, 1997

23 - For reasons of expense and accuracy, the G.A. International Directory will no longer be printed in its current format. It will instead be available on the G.A. website.
Chicago, 1997

24 - Quebec, Canada G.A. may print and distribute G.A.-approved literature in French at the same mark-up as that of the I.S.O. - the profits to be forwarded to the I.S.O quarterly.
Orlando, 1998

25 - "The first Forty Years" history booklet is approved as G.A. literature.
San Diego, 1999

26 - The "Pressure Relief Group Meeting Flyer" is approved as G.A. literature. It will be printed as a single piece of literature.
San Diego, 1999

27 - The pamphlet "Your First Meeting" is approved as G.A. literature.
San Diego, 1999

28 - Modification of the inside cover of the Gamblers Anonymous Information Packet is approved as follows:
SUGGESTED NEW MEMBER PACKET
- G.A. Combo Book
- G.A. Coin (for Serenity Prayer)
- Towards 90 Days
- A Newcomer Asks
- Area Meeting Directory
- Area Meeting Phone List (if available)
- Meeting Phone List
Optional: Any other Gamblers Anonymous Approved Literature the group deems fit.
San Diego, 1999

29 - The pamphlet "Suggestions for Coping with Urges to Gamble" is approved as G.A. literature.
Nevele, 2000

30 - Approval is given for the I.S.O. to print and sell a large form of the G.A. Combo Book, i.e. 5.5" x 8.5" (as an addition to the regular size Combo Book).
Nevele, 2000

31 - The "Beyond 90 Days" booklet is approved as G.A. literature.
Montreal, 2000

32 - Approval is given for Gamblers Anonymous to pay for the costs of printing and translating (in Icelandic) the G.A. Big Book - "Sharing Recovery Through G.A.".
Montreal, 2000

33 - Approval is given for Brazilian G.A. groups to translate all literature into Portuguese. Copies of all translations are to be sent to the I.S.O.
Pittsburgh, 2001

34 - Approval is given for the placement of the G.A. website address, or URL - www.gamblersanonymous.org - on G.A.-approved literature "Custom Slides or Video Tapes for T.V." for use in media public service announcements.
Pittsburgh, 2001

35 - Approval is given for the translation into French, the G.A. website (www.gamblersanonymous.org). Area 5B will provide the translation service with no cost to the I.S.O.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

36 - Approval is given for the printing of all approved G.A. literature in English in Canada.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

37 - Any changes made in one piece of G.A. literature will automatically be changed in any other piece of literature that has the same wording, including adding or removing words.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

38 - Approval is given for G.A. - in addition to having pins available for anniversaries - to also have a G.A. medallion available through the I.S.O. for years one (1) to forty (40). On the front side of the coin, it will read "Gamblers Anonymous - One day at a Time"; around the edge and in the center of the coin, it will have the year in Roman Numerals. The Serenity Prayer will be on the backside of the coin.
Harrison Hot Springs, 2002

39 - The pamphlet "Towards Recover in Prison", with appropriate acknowledgment to our brothers and sisters of Great Britain Gamblers Anonymous, is approved as G.A. literature.
West Palm Beach, 2002

40 - Approval is given for Canada G.A. to sell G.A.-approved literature printed in Canada at the same mark-up as that of the I.S.O. - the profits to be forwarded to the I.S.O.
West Palm Beach, 2002

41 - Approval is given for printing by the I.S.O. of the "Combo Book" and "Towards 90 Days" in languages other than English and Spanish, provided that the translation is done exactly as the English version and camera-ready copy is provided to the I.S.O.
Toronto, 2003

42 - The booklet "Hosting A National Conference" is approved as G.A. literature.
Irvine, 2003

43 - The booklet "The Stock Market, Retirement Accounts and Gamblers Anonymous" is approved as G.A. literature.
Irvine, 2003

44 - The booklet "The Pressure Relief Group Meeting Handbook" is approved as G.A. literature.
Irvine, 2003

45 - All literature will display the date of original publication, if available, the date of revision and the date of current printing.
Irvine, 2003

46 - Selling/ordering approved Gamblers Anonymous literature (anything on our current or future order form) via the Internet
Montreal, 2004

47 - Rotation Principle applies to B.O.T.
New Orleans, 2004

48 - Approval is given to allow the Literature on CD Committee to continue to record Gamblers Anonymous literature on CDs and to be sold by the I.S.O.
Boston, 2006

49 - Board consensus is that the “workbook” in the following scenario is not considered approved Gamblers Anonymous literature. Is a “workbook” -- put together by an individual G.A. member containing the 12 Steps of Unity and the text of each Unity Step reprinted from the G.A. “Red Book” combined with a list of questions (developed by the member) intended to promote discussion of each Step -- passed out to members in attendance during a closed G.A. meeting considered approved G.A. literature?
Boston, 2006