Current version: Abstentions will be counted and included in the overall results to determine the two-thirds majority.

Proposed version: Abstentions will not be included in any formula involving the outcome of any votes.

Each person wishing to speak on any item on the Trustee Agenda will donate $1.00 per minute or portion there of to speak on an item. This money will go to the general opperating budget of the I.S.O.

Any International Conference that does not receive bids at 2 successive physical Trustee meetings will be canceled. The Executive Board will be responsible for selecting a site to host just a Trustee meeting in lieu of the International Conference.

Below are the 7 separate Slogans:
1. One Day At A Time
2. Keep Coming Back
3. Let It Begin With Me
4. I Can Only Change Myself
5. It Works If You Work It
6. Help Is As Near As My Phone
7. Work The Steps

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

All votes taken at any Board of Regents meeting will be by roll call, unless unanimous. The Recording Secretary will be responsible for detailing the roll call vote results in the monthly minutes.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Current Version: This Corporation shall be governed by a Board of Regents of nine (9) members of Gamblers Anonymous who have completely abstained from gambling for at least two (2) years. However, two (2) members of this Board may be non-members of Gamblers Anonymous. This Board shall be elected by the members of Gamblers Anonymous in the manner provided herein.

Proposed Version: This Corporation shall be governed by a Board of Regents of nine (9) members of Gamblers Anonymous who have completely abstained from gambling for at least two (2) years. This Board shall be elected by the members of Gamblers Anonymous in the manner provided herein.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Current Version: The term of office of Regents shall be one (1) year.

Proposed Version: The term of office of Regents shall be two (2) years.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Current Version: 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.

Proposed Version: Board of Regents members shall be limited to two (2) elected terms served consecutively, but may be re-elected after one (1) term of non-service on the Board of Regents.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Current Version: The term of office of all elective officers shall terminate at the end of the fiscal year.

Proposed Version: The term of office of all elective officers shall terminate June 30th of each odd year.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Current Version: The newly elected Regents will be required to attend the June Board of Regents meeting prior to the start of their July 1st term. At the close of the said meeting the newly elected Regents shall elect the Officers of the Corporation for the next fiscal year and their service shall commence on July 1st.

Proposed Version: The newly elected Regents will be required to attend the June Board of Regents meeting prior to the start of their July 1st term. At the close of the said meeting the newly elected Regents shall elect the Officers of the Corporation for the next term and their service shall commence on July 1st.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Add the word "odd" before the word "year" in the first sentence of this section.

Proposed Version: On or before February 1st of each odd year any member of Gamblers Anonymous that has abstained completely from gambling for at least two (2) years and has attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings regularly - 39 meetings per year is eligible to submit their name, previous service as a Regent of this Corporation or as a Trustee of Gamblers Anonymous, total abstinence from gambling and home group, along with a biography not to exceed 200 words and phone number (both optional) to the International Service Office to be included on the Board of Regents ballot. These biographies will be an attachment to the ballot. Any member that is presently a member of any International Board of Gamblers Anonymous, but whose term ends on June 30, of the same year, is eligible to be included in the Board of Regents ballot; if their term has one more year to run, they must resign before submitting their name for the Board of Regents ballot.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Add the word "odd" before the word "year" in the first sentence of this section.

Proposed Version: The International Executive Secretary of the Corporation, on or before March 1st of each odd year, shall submit in writing a ballot of all eligible members wishing to run for the Board of Regents. Previous service as Regent of the Corporation or as Trustee of Gamblers Anonymous, total abstinence as of March 1st of that year, and home group of nominee shall be listed along side the name of each nominee.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Current Version: The Board of Regents of this Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Trustees at the Spring Conference. The term of office shall be for a period of one (1) year commencing July 1 and ending June 30.

Proposed Version: The Board of Regents of this Corporation shall be elected every two (2) years by the Board of Trustees at the Spring Conference. The term of office shall be for a period of two (2) years commencing July 1 of the odd years and ending June 30 of the next odd year.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Remove the part of the first sentence that is in parentheses. (non G.A. members excluded)

Current Version: Any Regent (non G.A. members excluded) is automatically removed from office for gambling. For the purpose of these By-Laws, gambling is defined as follows: any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or skill, constitutes gambling.

Proposed Version: Any Regent is automatically removed from office for gambling. For the purpose of these By-Laws, gambling is defined as follows: any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or skill, constitutes gambling.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Current Version: The annual election of the Board of Regents shall be by written ballot. Each recognized Gamblers Anonymous meeting should be contacted by their area Trustee(s) so that the groups, at their option, have involvement in the voting process. Each Trustee, based on guidance from their groups and their personal knowledge, will be able to select no more than nine (9) proposed Regents from the list on the ballot.

Proposed Version: The election of the Board of Regents shall be by written ballot. Each recognized Gamblers Anonymous meeting should be contacted by their area Trustee(s) so that the groups, at their option, have involvement in the voting process. Each Trustee, based on guidance from their groups and their personal knowledge, will be able to select no more than nine (9) proposed Regents from the list on the ballot.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Current Version: The one year term of the newly elected Regents shall begin as of July 1st.

Proposed Version: The two (2) year term of the newly elected Regents shall begin as of July 1st of the odd years.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Delete from the first sentence the following: (non-Gamblers Anonymous member excluded).

Current Version: Any member of the Board of Regents or appointive officer must be terminated for gambling (non-Gamblers Anonymous member excluded);

Proposed Version: Any member of the Board of Regents or appointive officer must be terminated for gambling;

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Current Version: Two-thirds (2/3) or more members of the Board of Trustees present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum. Proxies shall be counted to determine the number present at any meeting for the purpose of a quorum.

Proposed Version: Two-thirds (2/3) or more members of the Board of Trustees present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum. Absentee Ballots and Proxies shall be counted to determine the number present at any meeting for the purpose of a quorum.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
85-5
94.4% approval margin

CHANGE - mail copies-- change to distribute copies (via US mail, email or other secured means)

Current Version: The International Executive Secretary shall be responsible to publish a monthly Gamblers Anonymous Bulletin and mail copies of same to each group in our Fellowship. Number of copies sent to each group shall be set by the Board of Regents.

Proposed Version: The International Executive Secretary shall be responsible to publish a monthly Gamblers Anonymous Bulletin and distribute (via US mail, email or other secured means) copies of same to each group in our Fellowship. Number of copies sent to each group shall be set by the Board of Regents.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
70-24
74.5% approval margin

Remove the word 'physical' twice

Current version: To change the Twelve Steps of RECOVERY and Twelve Steps of UNITY PROGRAM, it shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority by not less than the physical presence of 2/3 of the eligible voting members of the Board of Trustees at two (2) consecutive physical meetings.

Proposed version: To change the Twelve Steps of RECOVERY and Twelve Steps Of UNITY Program, it shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority by not less than the presence of 2/3 of the eligible voting members of the Board of Trustees at two consecutive meetings.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
72-15
82.8% approval margin

Move the second paragraph

The Board of Trustees will have the right to approve the translation to a foreign language any audio, video, or written approved Gamblers Anonymous literature it deems necessary to meet the needs of our entire International Fellowship.

Move it to be the first paragraph in Section 13A.

Adjust rest of Section 13A to accommodate.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
82-0-6
100% approval margin

Current version: Board of Trustees meetings may be conducted by mail, however twenty (20) or more votes are needed for a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum shall carry any measure voted upon except as provided for in Section 2 of Article XVI and Article XX.

Proposed version: Board of Trustees meetings may be conducted by mail, fax or email, however twenty (20) or more votes are needed for a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum shall carry any measure voted upon except as provided for in Section 2 of Article XVI and Article XX.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
68-7
90.7% approval margin

An area has the right to remove any of its Trustees without the approval of the Board of Trustees, providing the area follows the written procedures to do so approved by its area membership. Any removal must be done with a two-thirds majority of the area's eligible voting members, as defined by each area. ISO must be notified of any changes in the Trustees from that area.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
74-28-4
72.5% approval margin

Current version: Any Trustee who misses two (2) consecutive Board meetings is automatically removed from the Board of Trustees, and the area in which he or she serves shall be duly notified to elect a new Trustee. A quick response meeting will count for attendance at the Board of Trustees meeting. Absentee ballots and proxies from Board of Trustees members from areas outside of the U.S.A. and Canada will count as attendance at the Board of Trustees physical meetings.

Proposed version: Any Trustee that misses (2) consecutive Board meetings is automatically removed from the Board of Trustees, and the area in which he or she serves shall be duly notified to hold an election for that vacant Trustee position. A quick response meeting will count for attendance at the Board of Trustees meeting. Absentee ballots and proxies from Board of Trustees members from areas outside of the U.S.A. and Canada will count as attendance at the Board of Trustees physical meetings.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
93-8-2
92.1% approval margin

Current version: Board of Trustees meetings may be conducted by mail, however twenty (20) or more votes are needed for a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum shall carry any measure voted upon except as provided for in Section 2 of Article XVI and Article XX.

Proposed version: Board of Trustees meetings may be conducted by mail, however a majority of current Trustees are needed for a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum shall carry any measure voted upon except as provided for in Section 2 of Article XVI and Article XX.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
84-2-2
97.7% approval margin

Current Version: On any issue affecting Gamblers Anonymous as a whole, which necessitates a vote by the Board of Trustees and /or groups, the ballots will be returned in a sealed envelope to the International Executive Secretary of the International Service Office (I.S.O.), who will tally votes and notify each Trustee and group of the result of voting. This Section does not apply to the meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Proposed Version: On any issue affecting Gamblers Anonymous as a whole, which necessitates a vote by the Board of Trustees and /or groups, the ballots will be returned in a sealed envelope or original ballot signed by the Trustee scanned and emailed or faxed to the International Executive Secretary of the International Service Office (I.S.O.). The I.E.S. and at least 5 members of the Board of Trustees or the Board of Regents will tally votes and the I.E.S. will notify each Trustee and group of the result of voting. This Section does not apply to the physical meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
80-0-4
100% approval margin

Change the date of the election to the Spring Conference of the odd years indicating that the term will be 2 years.

Current Version: The International Service Office (I.S.O.) shall be guided by a Board of Regents of nine (9) members of Gamblers Anonymous who have abstained from gambling for at least two (2) years. This Board shall be elected at the Spring Conference.

Proposed Version: The International Service (I.S.O.) shall be guided by a Board of Regents of nine (9) members of Gamblers Anonymous who have abstained from gambling for at least two (2) years. This Board shall be elected at the Spring Conference of the odd years. (Every 2 years).

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
94-2-1
97.9% approval margin

Current Version: The term of office of Regents shall be for one (1) year starting on July 1st and including June 30th of the following year.

Proposed Version: The term of office of Regents shall be for two (2) years starting on July 1st of the odd years and ending on June 30th of the following odd year.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
92-5
94.8% approval margin

Current Version: Two (2) members of the Board of Regents may be non-members of Gamblers Anonymous if approved by the Board of Trustees.

Proposed Version: Eliminate this section completely and re-number the rest of the sections in Article XIII, i.e. Section 8 becomes Section 7, etc.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
89-2
97.8% approval margin

Change the first sentence by taking out the word "annual".

Current Version: The annual election of Regents shall be by written ballot.

Proposed Version: The election of the Board of Regents shall be by written ballot.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
91-2
97.8% approval margin

Eliminate this section completely because it is the same as Article XIII, Section 3

Passed 1st vote in Louisville
92-1
98.9% approval margin

Current Version: Spring conferences in odd years are only open to midwestern areas or Intergroups. Fall conferences in odd years are only open to western areas or Intergroups. Spring conferences in even years are only open to eastern areas or Intergroups. Fall conferences in even years are only open to southern areas or Intergroups. In the event no area bids for a certain conference that conference becomes an open conference and is open to bid by any area/intergroup in any region of the North American continent at the next trustee meeting.

Proposed version: All International Conferences up for bid at a BOT meeting will be OPEN to all areas or Intergroups, in any region of the North American continent. There will not be any geographical restrictions on the Fall or Spring conferences of any year.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

The Public Relations Representative should be available to guide any of the members in the group as to how to behave when doing any public relations work. An essential piece of understanding is that this person is not speaking as a representative of Gamblers Anonymous, but as a member of Gamblers Anonymous speaking about his or her own experience, strength and hope. The work of public relations is to carry the message to the compulsive gambler who still suffers. Doing so requires discipline as to how one should conduct oneself, always being conscious of maintaining anonymity.

Anonymity, especially when appearing or functioning in the public eye, is not a subject for debate. It must be preserved at all cost. The person that is the subject of the interview must decide if they are speaking as a compulsive gambler or a member of Gamblers Anonymous. Both positions can make others aware of the problems associated with compulsive gambling, but how the interview is conducted is what dictates how the person being interviewed should act. If Gamblers Anonymous is never mentioned or referred to, then there are no restrictions on how the person should act or what is said. However, if the person being interviewed refers to him or herself as a member of Gamblers Anonymous in any way, the person's face cannot be shown, nor can the person's full name be used. Additionally, in such situations, Gamblers Anonymous literature cannot be visible, nor can a Gamblers Anonymous telephone hotline be displayed. Ideally, the person being interview might even want to use a different name, just to eliminate another possibility of someone identifying who he or she is.

Passed 1st vote in Louisville

Passed merit vote in Montreal

Passed merit vote in Louisville

Passed merit vote in Louisville

Attachment for this agenda item

CURRENT VERSION: When gambling ceases, a door closes on the past horrors which you have survived. A visit to the past so you won't forget to dwell there brings remorse and self pity, two deadly pitfalls for compulsive gamblers.

PROPOSED VERSION: When gambling ceases, a door closes on the past horrors which you have survived. You must visit the past so you won't forget, but to dwell there brings remorse and self pity, two deadly pitfall for compulsive gamblers.

Meetings may be classified as special interest meetings; such as "Women Preferred," "Gay/Lesbian Preferred," "Men Preferred," etc. but no meeting can exclude other Gamblers Anonymous members who wish to attend who don't match the room preference.

Areas that have been unable to fill vacancies of Trustees allotted by the Board of Trustees after being vacant for three (3) consecutive Trustee meetings will forfeit those positions. However, a minimum of 1 Trustee vacancy will be permitted for each area if all its allotted Trustee positions are vacant and have been removed. Any affected area from such Trustee allocation forfeiture may request additional Trustees at the next regularly scheduled Trustee realignment, providing existing vacancies are filled at the time of the requests.

Attachment for this agenda item