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So far AA SF/Marin Intergroup has created 160 blog entries.
1 04, 2023

The Buzz | March 31, 2023

 
 
 

Saturday Night: Drag Bingo

Western Roundup Living Sober is hosting a speaker meeting and bingo event tomorrow night. Come to 1855 Folsom Street, San Francisco @ 6pm for an A.A. speaker meeting with Al-Anon participation and stick around for drag bingo @ 8pm. Extra bingo cards are on hand for those who come dressed in drag and food is available for purchase. Tickets are available here and at the door, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. 
 

 

Service Opportunity: Sunday Streets Coordinator

San Francisco Public Relations Committee is looking for a volunteer to help coordinate Sunday Streets SF. Sunday Streets is a five-series block party/event happening throughout San Francisco from May to October. The first Sunday Streets is May 21 @ 12pm-5pm in Bayview. The Coordinator is responsible for finding volunteers/A.A. groups to participate at the A.A. information table – and making it fun and engaging (bubbles are encouraged!). For more information, email [email protected].
 

 

 

Annual Report: Take to Your Meeting!

San Francisco and Marin Intergroup’s Annual Report is one of the best ways to see all the important 12th Step work Intergroup does every day. If you would like a printed copy of the annual report to take to your A.A. meetings, send us your contact info and we will drop it in the mail to you. Also, if you haven’t already, take a moment to read through the report and to share it with your groups. 

 

 

Gratitude to Faithful Fivers

Faithful Fiver contributions support important 12th Step services at San Francisco and Marin Intergroup, including running Central Office, selling A.A. literature, publishing the meeting schedule and our website at aasfmarin.org. If you’d like to sign up as a Faithful Fiver to support the work of San Francisco and Marin Intergroup, visit aasfmarin.org/contributions. A fun fact from Intergroup’s Annual Report: the average monthly contribution from Faithful Fivers in 2022 was $13.51. Intergroup is considering ideas to rename the group of A.A. members who contribute monthly. Send your thoughts on rebranding ideas for Faithful Fivers to [email protected].
 

 

Service Opportunities for the Week …

 

We Don’t do This Alone

For the love of sunshine, please share this information and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. The Buzz is produced by San Francisco and Marin Intergroup. To learn more about Intergroup, check out our Annual Report🐝  
 

Your San Francisco and Marin Intergroup | Central Office

25 03, 2023

The Buzz | March 24, 2023

 
 

Reminder: CNCA Pre-Conference Assembly

The California Northern Coastal Area (CNCA) is hosting its annual Pre-Conference Assembly April 1-2 in Richmond, CA. General Service representatives from across Northern California will share their groups’ consciences on a variety of topics affecting A.A., our Twelfth Step services and Conference-approved literature. Please see below for more info or visit the CNCA 06 website.
 

 

Weekend Events Reminder

Micro-Music Fest

The Marin County Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (MCYPAA) are hosting the first annual Micro-Music Fest tomorrow @ 5-9:30pm at the Marin Alano Club (1360 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael). Enjoy A.A. speakers, music, comedy, dancing and more. 
 

Step by Step Workshop: Step Three

The 2023 Step by Step series continues with the workshop, “Made a Decision to Turn Our Will and Our Lives Over”. Bring your Big Book and join Aurora D. and Pam L. at Mount Tamalpais United Methodist Church (410 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley) for learning activities and pizza tomorrow @ 1pm
 

 

Save the Date: A Night of Family Recovery

The 10th annual “Night of Family Recovery” is Saturday, May 13 from 5:30-9:30pm. This hybrid Al-Anon event with A.A. participation includes a meeting with speakers from both Programs, a potluck dinner, fellowship, entertainment and a raffle giveaway. A $15 contribution is suggested to cover the cost of the event but no one will be turned away. 
 

 

Take the Fellowship Committee Survey

The Intergroup Fellowship Committee is planning events for 2023 and wants to hear from you! Let them know what Fellowship events you would like to participate in by filling out this brief survey. The Fellowship Committee appreciates your input and looks forward to getting your thoughts.
 

 

Join the Outreach Committee

The Outreach Committee, Intergroup’s newest service committee, is looking for more members! Help connect A.A. groups in San Francisco and Marin to 12th Step services provided by Intergroup. Join the next virtual meeting on April 5 @ 6pm to learn more. 
 

 

Service Opportunities for the Week …

  • California Northern Coastal Area (CNCA) (hybrid) is March 25 @ 12:30pm.
     

  • Marin Teleservice (online) is March 28

    • Orientation @ 6:30pm

    • Business Meeting @ 7:30pm

 

We Got Down to Causes and Conditions

For the love of spring cleaning, please share this information and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. The Buzz is produced by San Francisco and Marin Intergroup. To learn more about Intergroup, check out our Annual Report🐝  
 

Your San Francisco and Marin Intergroup | Central Office

17 03, 2023

The Buzz | March 17, 2023

 
 
 

Archives Committee Meeting Sunday

The Archives Committee preserves the legacy of A.A. in San Francisco and Marin for future generations through the collection of archival material, including objects, recordings, photographs, prints, documents and interviews. See a great example preserved by the Archives committee below: a 1948 interview with Bill W. from the San Francisco Examiner. Bill was in San Francisco for the annual meeting of the Nevada-Northern California A.A. Conference, which represented a total of 78 A.A. groups at that time.

The Archives Committee is looking for a new Chair and more committee members to continue this important service. Join the next Archives Committee meeting this Sunday @ 12pm, which is taking place at Central Office (1821 Sacramento St., San Francisco) and on Zoom. 
 

 

Step by Step Workshop: Step Three

The 2023 Step by Step series continues with the workshop, “Made a Decision to Turn Our Will and Our Lives Over”. Bring your Big Book and join Aurora D. and Pam L. at Mount Tamalpais United Methodist Church (410 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley) for learning activities and pizza on March 25 @ 1pm
 

 

Intergroup’s Annual Report

San Francisco and Marin Intergroup’s Annual Report is one of the best ways to see all the important 12th Step work Intergroup does every day.  A few of the 2022 highlights include our new name, hiring a new Executive Director, welcoming volunteers back into Central Office after the pandemic and launching the Marin pop-up bookstore. It also contains some interesting facts. Here is one: the “Find a Meeting” page at aasfmarin.org was viewed over half a million times in 2022. And, several thousand views came from outside the United States, including places as far away as Indonesia and the Netherlands. If you haven’t already, take a moment to read through the report and to share it with your groups!

 

Micro-Music Fest

The Marin County Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (MCYPAA) are hosting the first annual Micro-Music Fest on March 25 @ 5-9:30pm at the Marin Alano Club (1360 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael). Enjoy A.A. speakers, music, comedy, dancing and more. 
 

 

Fellowship Committee Survey

The Intergroup Fellowship Committee is planning events for 2023 and wants to hear from you! Let us know what Fellowship events you would like to participate in by filling out this brief survey. The Fellowship Committee appreciates your input and looks forward to getting your thoughts.

 

CNCA Pre-Conference Assembly

The California Northern Coastal Area (CNCA) is hosting its annual Pre-Conference Assembly April 1-2 in Richmond, CA. General Service representatives from across Northern California will share their groups’ consciences on a variety of topics affecting A.A., our Twelfth Step services and Conference-approved literature. Please see below for more info or visit the CNCA 06 website.
 

 

Service Opportunities for the Week …

  • Marin General Service (hybrid) is March 20.

    • Orientation @ 7pm

    • Business Meeting @ 7:30pm
       

  • Marin PI/CPC (in person) is March 23.

    • Orientation @ 7pm

    • Business Meeting @ 7:30pm

 

There is a Vast Amount of Fun About it All

For the love of four-leaf clovers, please share this information and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. The Buzz is produced by San Francisco and Marin Intergroup. To learn more about Intergroup, check out our Annual Report🐝  
 

Your San Francisco and Marin Intergroup | Central Office

11 03, 2023

The Buzz | March 10, 2023

 
 
 

Reminder: The Point Writing Workshop

The Point Committee is hosting an online writing workshop on March 12 @ 2pm. The workshop includes a 20-minute presentation followed by time to write. Check out the writing prompts aligned with The Point’s 2023 monthly themes here

 

Reminder: Meet the SF PR Committee

The San Francisco Public Relations Committee provides information about A.A. to the general public and members of the community whose profession brings them in contact with individuals suffering from alcoholism. This includes work with the S.F. District Attorney’s office and the S.F. Public Library, and participating in community events like Sunday Streets. Come learn about service opportunities and participate in a brainstorming session at Central Office (1821 Sacramento St., San Francisco) on March 11 @ 10am
 

 

SF Agenda Topics Workshop

The General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous meets each year to consider and vote on matters that affect A.A. as a whole. These items are known as Agenda Topics. In each Area, A.A. groups are invited to give their input—their group conscience—on these Agenda Topics via their General Service Representative (GSR), who in turn, informs the elected Delegate to the Conference. GSRs and those interested in General Service are encouraged to join District 6 (San Francisco) and District 16 (Spanish Central) on March 11 @ 10am at the Gratitude Center (1320 7th Ave., San Francisco) to discuss this year’s Agenda Topics. 
 

 

Marin Pop-Up Bookstore

 

 

Micro-Music Fest

Marin County Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (MCYPAA) is hosting the first annual Micro-Music Fest on March 25 @ 5-9pm at the Marin Alano Club (1360 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael). Enjoy A.A. speakers, music, comedy, dancing and more. 
 

 

Novato St. Patrick’s Day Alcathon

Come to All Saints Church (2 Marin Dr., Novato) on March 17 for meetings every hour on the hour starting @ 4pm. The last meeting is @ 8pm. Consider bringing a dish to share for dinner. There is a $15 suggested donation to cover the cost of food, but no one will be turned away.
 

 

Service Opportunities for the Week …

  • Golden Gate Young People in A.A. (GGYPA) (online) is March 12 @ 6pm.
     

  • SF Public Relations (online) is March 13.

    • Orientation @ 6:30pm

    • Business Meeting @ 7pm
       

 

Most Good Ideas Are Simple

For the love of our Primary Purpose, please share this information with your social media communities (keeping in mind our 11th Tradition of anonymity) and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.  🐝  
 

Your San Francisco and Marin Intergroup | Central Office

9 03, 2023

Intergroup News | March 2023

San Francisco and Marin Intergroup Meeting – Proposed Minutes
Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 7-8:30 PM

Intergroup coordinates services which individual groups in San Francisco and Marin cannot provide. We bring these services, as well as service opportunities, to our Member Groups. Our Intergroup observes the intent and spirit of A.A.’s Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts for World Service, as well as A.A.’s Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service.

7:00 Getting Started
  1. Open with the Serenity Prayer
  2. Call to order. Statement of Purpose
  3. Review the minutes and agenda
  4. Roll Call
    1. 38 groups represented: 25 from San Francisco, 13 from Marin

  1. New IGRs, Visitors, AA Anniversaries
    • . New IGRs: Pat P., Rise & Shine (Marin); Christian F., Saturday Serendipity (Marin); Steve Y., Be Still (San Francisco)
  1. Visitors: None
  2. AA Anniversaries: Maggie K., 35 years; Courtney S., 2 years; Mary W., 3 years; Joel M., 4 years; Andre B., 7 years; Steven S., 18 months, Nikki T., 16 years
  1. Approval of agenda (housekeeping item):
  2.   Approved
  3. Approval of last month’s Intergroup Meeting minutes (housekeeping item):
  4.   Approved

 

7:15 Officer Reports
  • Board Chair: Charlie
    1. 2022 Annual Report
      • Thank you to all who worked on getting the annual report out.
      • The Annual Report is available on website to download, in The Buzz and we are working on printing (date TBD)
      • Highlights include: bookstore sobriety medallions 9852 sold, pop-up bookstore, meeting breakdown, where visitors are coming from, most popular pages on the website. HelpChat text box that provides immediate access via text on the website, with a monthly average of 22 chats, highest month in February with 43 chats.
      • Plug to join service committees and how to contribute is also available in the report
    2. Board Rotation Season is coming in June
      1. Voting on three new board members (3-year term) and a new treasurer (2-year term)
      2. More information in the coming weeks. Reach out for more information [email protected]
  1.  

 

  • Treasurer: Jim
    1. Revenue
      • Total revenue $36,000, 16% ahead of budget, however -24% behind last year
      • Year-end push for contributions flooded in December 2022
      • Last year the flood of contributions happened in January
    2. Expenses
      • Total Expenses were $28,000, -14% under budget and -8% below prior year
      • Off to a good start but factors likely to erode like internet upgrade, general inflation, lift maintenance
    3. Surplus
      • Slight $9,000 surplus in January 2023
      • Likely to have another surplus in February but this revenue will need to support expected deficits from March through August 2023
    4. Prudent Reserve and Rating:
      • Liquid cash increased with operating surplus to 3 months = Excellent
      • Likely to increase further in February however will erode from March through August with expected deficits
      • Contributions happen as treasurer commitments turn over by and large
      • Prudent Reserve Calculations: Average of 2022 Expenses and 2023 budget $27,013 per month, 6 months = $162,078
      • January balance sheet $162,098 ($20 Interest posted 1/31)
    5. Faithful Fivers:
      • 373 Faithful Fivers (down 2) donated $4,923 (down -$144) averaging $13.20
      • January saw only a very slight downturn in Faithful Fivers
      • Rebranding poll next month: send or re-send to [email protected]
    6.  Questions:
        • Any impact to our budget due to Sobriety by the Bay being in San Jose this year and contributing to the San Jose Intergroup, rather than our Intergroup?
          • Response: No, we are doing better than we were last year – individual and group contributions more than made up for last year
        • What is the monthly expense burn rate?
          • Monthly burn rate is the number of months of expenses above and beyond the prudent reserve. That number is the denominator, when calculating the prudent reserve. Average of monthly budget and prior expenses divided by 12.
  1.  

 

  • Executive Director: Christina
    1. Thank you Letter to the Fellowship
      • Included in the packet is a letter of gratitude from Intergroup. Thank you to the groups for stepping up and helping with our projected deficit. It is also available on the Red Alert bar on the website.
    2. Excited to announce New Logo Reveal with name change (SF & Marin Intergroup)
    3. Central Office Updates
      • Close to internet upgrade but not there yet. Has a great team supporting upgrades. Choices are limited for the building.
    4. Bookstore – placed an order for literature so Central Office is well stocked after physical inventory.
      • Received notice from AA World Service, AA Grapevine, and medallions wholesaler that prices are increasing. Big Books are not marked up, but we will be looking at price increases. New plan for bookstore shared at next IGR meeting.
    5. Open Service Opportunities:
      • Central Office Volunteers
      • Volunteer Bookkeeper – QuickBooks
      • Tech Committee Chair
      • SF Teleservice Chair and 2 Daily Coordinators
      • Archives Committee Chair
      • Marin Sunshine Club Co-Chair
      • SF Public Relations Chair
    6. Filled Service Opportunities:
      • New Co-Webmaster: Richard!
      • New Associate Editor with the Buzz: Tad H.
  •  

 

7:35 Intergroup Committee Reports

  • Outreach Committee (Alison)
    1. Meeting was held tonight and meets at 6:00PM before the monthly Intergroup meeting
    2. Would love to grow and get some Marin representation
    3. Currently working with other service entities to get more engagement and more IGRs and talked about drafting an email with a cool piece of collateral
  • Archives Committee (Mike)
    1. Meeting quarterly now and next meeting is March 19th at Central Office at 12PM (also via Zoom)
  • Public Relations (Peter)
    1. Announcing SF Public Relations Meet the Committee Event on 3/11 from 10-11:30AM at Central Office. Learn about SFPR and committee opportunities – join us to brainstorm for 2023 SF Public Relations works
    2. Event held today with UCSF nursing students
    3. Spoke with a parent of SF school district to outreach at schools
    4. Marcus from Central Office and Peter met with SF District Attorney and Board Supervisor Dorsey to discuss what AA does and doesn’t do including court cards.
  • Sunshine Club (Clayton)
    1. Currently arranging meetings for three women.
    2. Seeking new co-chairs, especially one from Marin. Those interested in this service commitment need not be a current Sunshine Club Volunteer, 2 year sobriety commitment and contact [email protected]
    3. AA members who wish to schedule an AA meeting in person can also send a message to [email protected]

 

7:50 Service Committee Liaison Reports

  • SF General Service (Joel)
    1. District 16 looking for Spanish speaking liaison
    2. Pre- Conference Assembly – where the Area Delegate will hear all group consciences will be Saturday April 1st – April 2nd
    3. Agenda Topics Workshop – March 11th from 10AM-3PM
      • If you can’t attend but have questions about how to lead a sharing session please reach out to your DCM or if you don’t have a DCM, ask [email protected]
  1.  
  2. Marin Teleservice (Jillian)
    1. Next meeting Tuesday, March 28th at 6:30PM
    2. All committee members changed out and volunteer opportunities available
  3. Marin General Service (Kate)
    1. Panel 73 off to a great start
    2. PRAASA 2023: March 3rd-5th, Los Angeles, CA and will be in San Francisco in 2024
    3. Group Conscience on Annual Delegate Contribution by our Area (California Northern Coastal Area) to the General Service Board in respect to the 2023 General Service Conference be the anticipated full cost per conference member of $9,000
    4. Delegate, Eric L. presented on how to make Agenda Topics attractive to group members to increase participation
  4. Marin Accessibilities – District 10 (Cathy)
    1. 2 New members at February meeting
    2. Meets every 2nd Monday at 7PM on Zoom
    3. Targeted Message: share the Inclusive Language handout – Using the correct language makes people feel welcome. The whole structure of AA is trying to be all inclusive. Please spread the word back to your groups.
  5. SF H&I (Chad)
    1. Next Business Meeting in person March 18th at 10AM Mission Fellowship, 2900 24th Street SF (held on odd months from 10-11AM
    2. For those interested in volunteering 3 H&I Zoom meetings and 22 in person meetings. We need volunteers

 

8:00 Old Business

  • Inventory Question 6 Break-Out Session: Is Intergroup Serving its purpose adequately? What can Integroup do to become more effective?
    1. Group #1: Realized there wasn’t overall representation from SF and Marin but Central Office has a list and start encouraging IGRs to make announcements. 3-month rotation of in-person meetings to online. Everyone loves the break out groups but sharing more personally and having steady stream of announcements may be easier at in-personal meetings.
    2. Group # 2: Suggestion to have a buddy system pairing a new IGR with an experienced IGR. Hold two separate meetings; first financial and detailed and a second meeting that is more in tune with opportunities and involvement. IGRs in between meetings make a point to travel to and visit underrepresented meetings in their areas. Create a 5-year plan using creative promotion and get back together in person.
    3. Group #3: Need more participation and groups to get involved. New outreach committee that meets before meeting – what’s level of participation there? The buzz weekly communication – need to do more outreach. Normally 10% of people do 90% of the work – maybe the Outreach Committee can come up with scripts or handouts for people to show what IGR is and what we are doing. Try to make it as attractive as possible. Business of Intergroup is dry, unless you are into advanced AA it’s not very exciting unless it’s the money issue that came up recently. Post Covid – really through a monkey wrench in this thing. Don’t get to meet face to face, easy to turn off the camera – let’s get back into the rooms.

More focused message – having some place on the website or literature where we aggregate all the service opportunities – page on the website with links to go to committees. Reach out to groups without IGR reps and push that out there and do more in person.

  • Intergroup In-Person Meetings Discussion
    1. Tabled.
  • Tech Follow-Up (Andrew)
    1. What does it take to have a hybrid meeting?
      • Pre-Production Questions
        1. Budget: What do we need to do this in a sustainable way?
        2. Will the venue provide internet, screens, or audio or do we need to buy?
        3. Limitations
        4. Test It
        5. Internet limitations
        6. Mobile Hotspots?
        7. There is no one way to do this
      • Audio
        1. How do you get the Zoom into the Room?
        2. Does your venue have a sound system?
        3. An Interface is essential equipment for hybrid
          • converts analog audio signals or digital signals to analog signals which allows you to record and playback
          • Microphones?
          • Computers: Use 1 computer for all audio. No Chromebooks
      • Video
        1. Camera and Encoders:
          • PTZ Camera – expensive. you can move them around with control and create presets with attendees
          • webcams
          • switchers for cameras
          • anonymity: be careful of camera shots. You can tape out areas on the floor for anonymity
          • Devices as video sources?
        2. Roles and Responsibilities
          • Equipment Operators
          • Program Content/Chair
          • Timer
          • Camera and Reading Lips
          • Accessibilities: Interpretation through Zoom or microphone
          • Virtual Operators (Manage Virtual Elements of Session – spotlighting people)
        3. Hybrid Events: There are in person and digital elements
          • compare crossover/livestream (not hybrid). Low Budget and provide a live view into an in person not interactive
    2. Compare crossover: Physical and virtual
      • There is no one way to make Hybrid work
    3. Comments/Question: Suggestion to form an Ad Hoc committee to look into hybrid or go to current hybrid meetings for more information on how they are leading hybrid

8:25 New Business

  • Online AA meetings based in San Francisco and Marin Counties shall be listed on the printed meeting schedule of meetings
    1. Tabled for Next Month

 

8:30 Targeted Message

  1. Check out San Francisco and Marin Intergroup’s first ever Annual Report. Our Annual Report is one of the best ways to see all the important 12th Step work we do every day. A few of the 2022 highlights include our new name, hiring a new Executive Director, welcoming volunteers back into Central Office after the pandemic and launching the Marin pop-up bookstore. It also contains many interesting facts, such as the number of visitors to our aasfmarin.org website, the top selling items in our bookstore and all the meetings that made contributions last year. There’s a lot of great information. Take a moment to read through the report and be sure to share it with your groups!
  2. Join an Intergroup Service Committee! Check out the newly updated org/committees for the complete list of Intergroup Committees, including what they do, when they meet, and service opportunities.
  3. San Francisco and Marin Intergroup needs Central Office Volunteers to answer the phone lines, greet customers, and assist with special projects. Minimum of 1 year sobriety. For more information about this weekly shift opportunity, please email [email protected].

 

Adjourn with the Responsibility Statement

March 2023 Intergroup Meeting Treasurer’s Narrative

Month to Date / Year to Date Ended
January 31, 2023

REVENUES:

Revenues for January 2023 exceeded budget but were well below January 2022. This was likely due
to the push for contributions via announcements before year end to help our deficit which manifested
in December. In 2022 such announcements were not made as we were in surplus territory heading
into year end and the surge happened in January accounting for the variance. February group
contributions are likely to be softer as a result but will likely remain slightly ahead of budget on a year
to date basis. Individual contributions were consistent with budget and prior year while bookstore
revenues exceeded prior year due to increases in foot traffic.

EXPENSES:

Expenses for January were below budget and prior year which is a testament to Central Office’s
continued expense management. An increase in rent, expenditures for required internet services and
wheelchair lift maintenance will erode this to an extent but expenses overall are likely to remain within
acceptable budget to actual variance limits throughout the year. Monitoring against revenues, prior
year, and budget will continue to alert us of any changes that need to be made due to unforseen
circumstances.

NET SURPLUS:

With low expenses and some surge in contributions due to treasurer turnovers, IFAA remained in
positive territory in January though not as much as last year. Due to the cyclical nature of contribution
revenues, we are likely to run a deficit from March through July eroding the surplus. This will also
affect our liquidity position explained below.

LIQUIDITY RESERVE:

Unrestricted cash in addition to our 6-month prudent reserve increased slightly to 3 months up from
2.7 leaving us in a good position to cover cyclical losses from March through July mentioned above.
Prudent reserve was calculated and increased in accordance with our standard formula once yearend
figures were published and the 2023 budget was approved. This is described in further detail in its
own illustration.

FAITHFUL FIVERS:

January saw a slight decrease Faithful Fivers down -2 for a total of 373 contributing -$144 fewer
dollars and averaging $13.20 down -$0.51.

3 03, 2023

The Buzz | March 3, 2023

 
 

Check out Intergroup’s First Annual Report!

San Francisco and Marin Intergroup’s Annual Report is one of the best ways to see all the important 12th Step work Intergroup does every day.  A few of the 2022 highlights include our new name, hiring a new Executive Director, welcoming volunteers back into Central Office after the pandemic and launching the Marin pop-up bookstore. It also contains many interesting facts, such as the number of visitors to our aasfmarin.org website, the top selling items in our bookstore and all the meetings that made contributions last year. There’s a lot of great information. Take a moment to read through the report and be sure to share it with your groups!

 

March Issue of The Point is Here

The latest edition of The Point, featuring works by local A.A. members, is available here. The March theme is “Choices”. Would you like to write for The Point? View upcoming monthly themes and writing prompts here and join The Point Committee for an online writing workshop on March 12 @ 2pm. The workshop includes a 20-minute presentation followed by writing time. 
 

 

Intergroup News

The following news was shared at San Francisco and Marin Intergroup’s March 1 meeting. Please take this back to your group and any other A.A. meetings you attend.

  • If you are interested in joining an ad-hoc committee to explore technology/hybrid options for the monthly Intergroup meeting, please email [email protected].

  • San Francisco and Marin Intergroup needs Central Office Volunteers to answer the phone lines, greet customers and assist with special projects. For more information about this weekly 2+-hour commitment, please email [email protected].

Intergroup Service Committee Opportunities

Remember: Anyone can join our service committees; you do not need to be an Intergroup Rep to participate.

  • Archives Committee preserves our local A.A. history. Contact [email protected] and join the next meeting on March 19 @ 12pm at Central Office and online.

  • San Francisco Teleservice needs a new committee chair and two daily coordinators. Join the next meeting on March 20 @ 6:45pm (orientation at 6pm) and reach out to [email protected].

  • Outreach Committee is looking for more representation from Marin and San Francisco. Contact [email protected] and join the next meeting on April 5 @ 6pm.

  • The Sunshine Club needs a new Marin co-chair. Please announce that the Sunshine Club brings meetings to individuals who cannot attend in-person meetings. If you’d like to join Sunshine Club or if you need to schedule a meeting for an A.A. member, contact [email protected].

Committee/Entity Liaison Updates

  • Marin General Service announced PRAASA which starts tomorrow and goes through March 5 in Los Angeles. Also, Marin GSRs are working to gather their groups’ consciences which will then be conveyed to the Area 06 delegate. 

  • SF General Service agenda topics workshop is Saturday, March 11 @ 10am-1:30pm. For details, email [email protected]. Also, District 16 is looking for a Spanish-speaking liaison. 

  • Marin Accessibilities Committee meets March 13 @ 7pm online. Please check out their Inclusive Language handout. Using the correct language makes people feel welcome. The whole structure of A.A. is striving to be all inclusive. 

  • Marin H&I needs speakers and secretaries. The next orientation is March 14 at 6:15pm with the business meeting to follow at 7:15pm at the Marin Alano Club, in San Rafael. 

  • SF H&I meets March 18 @ 10am followed by the orientation at 11am at Mission Fellowship, in San Francisco. They are in need of speakers and experienced H&I volunteers to coordinate meetings.

  • Marin Teleservice is looking for volunteers to take phone shifts and join their committee. Its next volunteer orientation is March 28 @ 6:30pm. Visit www.marinteleservice.net.
 

S.F. Public Relations: Meet the Committee

The San Francisco Public Relations Committee provides information about A.A. to the general public and members of the community whose profession brings them in contact with individuals suffering from alcoholism. This includes work with the S.F. District Attorney’s office and the S.F. Public Library, and participating in community events like Sunday Streets. Come learn about service opportunities and participate in a brainstorming session at Central Office (1821 Sacramento St., San Francisco) on March 11 @ 10am.
 

 

Service Opportunities for the Week …

  • Marin County Young People in A.A. (MCYPAA) (in person) is March 5 @ 2pm.
     

  • The Point (online) is March 6 @ 5:30pm.
     

  • Technology Committee (online) is March 6 @ 6pm.
     

  • San Francisco Bridging the Gap (online) is March 7.

    • Orientation @ 6:30pm

    • Business Meeting @ 7pm
       

  • Marin 12 Concepts Study (online) is March 7 @ 7pm.
     

  • Marin Bridging the Gap (online) is March 8.

    • Orientation @ 6pm

    • Business Meeting @ 6:15pm

 

Continuous Action

For the love of turning it over, please share this information with your social media communities (keeping in mind our 11th Tradition of anonymity) and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.  🐝  
 

Your San Francisco and Marin Intergroup | Central Office

20 02, 2023

Intergroup News | February 2023

San Francisco and Marin Intergroup Meeting – Proposed Minutes
Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 7-8:30 PM 

Intergroup coordinates services which individual groups in San Francisco and Marin cannot provide. We bring these services, as well as service opportunities, to our Member Groups. Our Intergroup observes the intent and spirit of A.A.’s Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts for World Service, as well as A.A.’s Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service. 

7:00 Getting Started 

  1. Open with the Serenity Prayer 
  2. Call to order. Statement of Purpose 
  3. Review the minutes and agenda 
  4. Roll Call 
    • 44 groups represented: 29 from San Francisco, 15 from Marin

  1. New IGRs, Visitors, AA Anniversaries
    • New IGRs: Kathy V., Working Dogs (Novato); Russ S., Castro Discussion (San Francisco); Steven, Fairfax Attitude Adjustment (Fairfax); Maggie K, 7AM Milly Valley Group (Mill Valley)
    • Visitors: Cathy P, Co-Chair, Marin Accessibilities Committee
    • AA Anniversaries: Alison T., 7 Years); Elena R., 11 years
  1. Approval of agenda (housekeeping item)
    • Approved
  1. Approval of last month’s Intergroup Meeting minutes (housekeeping item) 
    • Approved, with the following correction: Cocoanuts added to the January Roll Call 

7:15 Officer Reports 

  1. Treasurer – Jim
  • Revenue:
    • Total Revenue $329,000, 6% ahead of budget and 13% ahead of last year
    • The surge in revenues was greater than could be expected and directly attributed to the meeting announcements regarding Intergroup’s projected deficit. 
  • Expenses: 
    • Total expenses were $361,000 and remain -6% under budget 
  • Deficit and Rating:
    • The end of year 3.5% modest return on revenues will greatly improves our cash position   as we enter 2023
    • Cash for expenses increased to 2.7 months up from 1.2 = “Epic” rating 
    • Likely to increase even further in January, then draw down from February to October   2023
    • Many non-profits including GSO routinely hold 6 months above prudent reserve
  • Faithful Fivers 
    • 375 Faithful Fivers (up another 32) donated $5,067 averaging $13.51
    • Number of fivers, dollars and average all increased blowing past goal of 350 
  1. Executive Director – Christina
  • Central Office Infrastructure continues to be a priority
    • The SF Teleservice remote access call forwarding line is experiencing issues. Marin Teleservice is answering the lines at night and on the weekends, when Central Office is closed. 
    • If anyone has connections to AT&T, reach out to [email protected] 
  • Working on compliance and end of year taxes. Filed Intergroup’s bi-annual Statement of Information with the CA Secretary of State and preparing for the 2022 annual returns.
  • Service Opportunities 
    • Volunteer Bookkeeper – help out with QuickBooks
    • Central Office Volunteers – 9 shifts open especially on Fridays 
    • SF Teleservice Chair 
  • Filled Service Opportunities!!!
    • Marin Pop Up Bookstore Coordinator – Allen R. 
  • AASFMarin.org has some exciting new updates:
    • All the Intergroup Service Committees are posted to aasfmarin.org/committees. Click on each one to get committee information, how to get involved, open service positions and when they meet. 
    • The En Espanol pages have been updated at https://aasfmarin.org/en-espanol  with information about Oficina Central and Oficina Norte and Spanish-speaking meetings in our area. 

7:25 Intergroup Committee Reports 

  1. Public Relations (Peter): 
    • Announcing SF Public Relations event Saturday March 11, 2023 at Central Office from 10AM to 11:30AM. Learn about PR service activity and opportunities to get involved. 
    • Meeting with SF District Attorney and a Board Supervisor to discuss AA presentations for DA     staff regarding what AA does and doesn’t do.
    • Working on a presentation at SF Marin Library intended for unhoused populations and what services AA provides for getting and staying sober. 
    • Next Public Relations meeting is Monday, 2/13 @7PM on zoom; Orientation at 6:30PM 
  2. Outreach Committee (Alison T.) 
    • Second meeting held tonight and we need members, especially from Marin!
    • Looking to talk to different groups about their needs and what we can do for them
    • Next meeting will be first Wednesday of March at 6PM
  3. Sunshine Club (Clayton)
    • Currently arranging meetings for three women in AA.
    • Seeking co-chairs especially one from Marin 
      • Two-year sobriety commitment and you do not need to be a current Sunshine Club volunteer to be eligible. Those interested can contact [email protected] for more information
    • AA Members who wish to schedule a Sunshine Club meeting in person can send a message to [email protected]
  4. The Buzz (Caitlin)
    • The Buzz needs a new Associate Editor who helps put together the weekly newsletter
    • Guidelines for submitting to The Buzz
      • Event taking place in next 2 to 4 weeks 
      • Sponsored by AA group or service entity aligned with 12 traditions 
      • For more info, go to aasfmarin.org>stayconnected>the buzz
  5. Fellowship Chair (Julie)
    • Intergroup Fellowship Committee is planning events for 2023 including Founder’s Day, Unity Days, and a Dance and did a poll to gauge interest
    • Join us at our next meeting on  2/15 @6pm on Zoom
    • Email [email protected] for more information and to get involved  

7:35 Service Committee Liaison Reports

  1. Marin Teleservice (Jillian) 
    • Next volunteer orientation is at 6:30pm on 2/28 followed by the business meeting at 7:30pm on Zoom
    • New chairperson elected – Amanda S. 
    • For more information or to sign up to volunteer visit www.marinteleservice.com
    • Marin Teleservice has been busy helping out with SF Teleservice lines
  2. SF General Service (Alison)
    • Agenda topics to arrive in late February and agenda workshop will be in mid-March (hybrid)
    • The General Service Office will re-open for visitors after two years. If you are visiting NY, please make an appointment 
  3. Marin Accessibilities (Cathy)
    • Marin Accessibilities raises awareness with information and resources to make the A.A message available to anyone who reaches out for help 
    • This committee was adopted in January 2020 and supported by Marin General Service, in addition to Marin PI/CPC and Marin Bridging the Gap
    • Meets on second Monday, 2/13 on Zoom 
    • Ask yourself: Who is not here and why? 
  4. Marin General Service (Kate)
    • Agenda Topics Workshop online this Saturday, 2/4 from 10:30-12:30PM. For more information, reach out to [email protected]
    • Panel 73 off to a great start! All officer positions filled and the highest attendance of GSRs in 3 years 
    • Monthly concepts study needs a chairperson
    • PRAASA 2023: March 3rd-5th in Los Angeles, CA – praasa.org

  7:45 Old Business 

  • Inventory Question 4 Recap: 
    • No additional comments or feedback occurred regarding the feedback that was provided after the Inventory Question 4 break-out session responses.
  • Inventory Question 5 Break-Out Session: How can Integroup avoid allowing any members to assume  excessive authority over Intergroup policy or actions? 
    • Group #1: 
      • Aligns with how the Intergroup already functions. Nothing happens quickly without ensuring they hear all viewpoints. Continual education to all members especially to those who are new and in the spirit of compassion, educate each other. One possible suggested action pertains to the Intergroup bylaws to elect committee chairs – which has not yet been put into practice. 
    • Group #2: 
      • There are existing safeguards. Provide a system to determine what is decided by Intergroup Reps and at the Board level. Things in AA take time and we need to acknowledge that the issue is put out there and there’s time to vote and that it should work out the way it should be. In the past we have gotten away from that. 
    • Group #3: 
      • We need to be mindful of Traditions and Concepts and those should guide our actions. Responsibility of the Intergroup to get involved. We also need more groups represented, which the Outreach Committee will work on.
    • Group #4: 
      • 50 IGRs and 900 meetings – those 50 meetings have more weight given to their concerns – how do we get these groups involved? The Outreach Committee was discussed.
    • Group #5: 
      • Guidelines around terms – term length should be in the bylaws; spirit of rotation to be two years and to rotate to minimize authority. Talked about the process of electing committee chairs.
  • Intergroup In-Person Meetings 
  • Temperature check to gauge interest in returning to In-person or a hybrid meeting with the majority preferring hybrid
  • Followed by discussion around whether or not Intergroup should go back to In-Person meetings. Some of the feedback included:
    • Will honor if people want to meet in person
    • Perhaps we alternate between in-person and online
    • The Marin General Service meeting does a great job with hybrid and they have a lot of people in person and online. Hybrid helps people out who may live way out on the coast and it would be hard to get to in-person.
    • Join the Tech Service Committee if people want to learn more about hybrid meetings. It meets the second Monday of the month at 6PM.
    • If you go hybrid, it will create a new service commitment and rotating that commitment can be a lot
    • With in-person meetings, you’re able to meet with people and doesn’t get that with the online meeting.
  • Tech Follow-Up 
    • Tabled for the next month 

8:30  New Business 

  • Online AA meetings based in San Francisco and Marin Counties shall be listed on theprinted meeting schedule of meeting 
    • Tabled until next month

       8:30 Targeted Message 

  1. San Francisco and Marin Intergroup need Central Office Volunteers to answer the phone lines, greet customers, and assist with special projects. Minimum of 1 year sobriety. For more information about this weekly shift opportunity, please email [email protected] 
  2. Join an Intergroup Service Committee! Check out the newly updated aasfmarin.org/committees for the complete list of Intergroup Committees, including what they do, when they meet, and service opportunities. 
  3. Sign up for Faithful Fivers to support the work of San Francisco and Marin Intergroup. To sign-up, visit aasfmarin.org/contributions. Your additional contributions support important 12th Step services, including running Central Office, selling A.A. literature, publishing the meeting schedule and our website at aasfmarin.org. 

Adjourn with the Responsibility Statement

February 2023 Intergroup Meeting Treasurer’s Narrative

The Year in Review Ended
December 31, 2022

REVENUES:

Year to date revenues exceeded budget as well as prior year in every category except individual
which were only $1,276 or 1% under prior year but exceeded budget by 3% Monthly individual
contributions surged a whopping 78% from November to December and 101% as compared to prior
year. Group contributions (not to be outdone) exceeded both budget by 1% which was a 6% increase
over December 2021. Adding “Fellowship” contributions which are primarily group contributions
consolidated via Marin Teleservice, as well as events such as Sobriety by the Bay were reclassified
out of group contributions and increase those percentages to 10% and 15% respectively. Bookstore
revenues exceeded prior year by 39% and were exactly on budget. The surge in revenues was
greater than could be expected and directly attributed to those making announcements, reaching a
little deeper, and getting the word out.

EXPENSES:

Expenses year to date were under budget by 6% consistent with November. The Central Office
continued to maintain tight expense management as we’d been in deficit territory for the entire year.
With the greater than expected surge in revenues, expenses did not overtake and left us with a net
profit and increase in cash reserves.

NET DEFICIT:

IFAA turned the November YTD loss of -$22K completely around to a net profit of $13K with a budget
loss of $33K exceeding 2021 by $3,738 dollars. Gratitude month, end of year contributions, Faithful
Fivers, the contribution letter announcements, and getting the word out are all key factors in the
turnaround as explained in revenues above. Profitability is 3.5% on revenues which is not egregious
for a non-profit.

LIQUIDITY RESERVE:

Unrestricted cash in addition to our 6-month prudent reserve surged a whopping 2.7 months up from
1.2 months leaving us in a good position to cover cyclical losses which tend to occur from roughly
February through October. 2.7 months of unrestricted cash is not excessive as many non-profits
(Including GSO) carry a full 6 months on their balance sheet.

FAITHFUL FIVERS:

December saw another increase in Faithful Fivers adding another 32 for a total of 375 blowing past
our year end goal of 350.

24 02, 2023

The Buzz | February 24, 2023

 
 

Intergroup Financials Update

At the end of 2022, San Francisco and Marin Intergroup shared that it was projecting a budget deficit, and the Fellowship stepped up in a huge way. Increases in group contributions, Gratitude Month contributions and contributions from individual A.A. members made a difference. Intergroup is now back on track financially for 2023. Please read Intergroup’s letter of gratitude and share with your groups. 

 

Stonestown Group Celebrates 50 Years

The Stonestown Group is celebrating 50 years as an A.A. meeting on February 27. Bring a dish to Church of Christ Lake Merced (777 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco) for a potluck starting @ 6pm and stay to hear Pat M. share experience, strength and hope at the regularly scheduled meeting @ 7:30pm. 
 

 

Reminder: Register for PRAASA

The 56th Pacific Region Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly (PRAASA) is March 3-5 in Los Angeles. The purpose of PRAASA is to develop greater unity among members, groups and Areas of the Pacific Region. Topics discussed are particularly relevant to those involved in General Service at the District or Area levels, but all A.A. members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Register here
 

 

Coming Up: The Point Writing Workshop

Have you considered submitting your writing to The Point, but felt stuck on what to write about? Good news! The Point Committee is hosting an online writing workshop on March 12 @ 2pm. The workshop includes a 20-minute presentation followed by time to write. Check out the writing prompts aligned with The Point’s 2023 monthly themes here
 

 

Service Opportunities for the Week … 

 

Broad, Roomy, All Inclusive

For the love of the 7th Tradition, please share this information with your social media communities (keeping in mind our 11th Tradition of anonymity) and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.  🐝  
 

Your San Francisco and Marin Intergroup | Central Office

 

18 02, 2023

The Buzz | February 17, 2023

 
 
 

Reminder: Step Two Workshop

The 2023 Step by Step Workshop series continues with “Coming to Believe…in New Ideas!”. Join Chris E. and your fellows on February 25 @ 1pm at Mount Tamalpais United Methodist Church (410 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley) to share learnings and hear others’ experience, strength and hope on Step Two.
 

 

S.F. Teleservice Need: Chair and Coordinators

Teleservice volunteers answer the A.A. hotline 24 hours a day for alcoholics in need. They help alcoholics find a meeting and carry out our primary purpose of one alcoholic helping another. San Francisco Teleservice Committee is looking for a new Chair and two daily coordinators to help manage volunteer scheduling. If you have one year of sobriety and would like to be of service in San Francisco, reach out to [email protected]. If you would like to get involved with the Marin Teleservice Committee, sign up to volunteer here

 

The Buzz 🐝: Associate Editor Needed

You subscribe to The Buzz, but would you also like to assemble and edit content? The Buzz is looking for an Associate Editor. Check out the commitment description and email [email protected] to be of service. 

 

The Sunshine Club

The Sunshine Club brings A.A. meetings to members in San Francisco and Marin who are unable to attend regularly scheduled in-person meetings due to illness, accident or medical condition. If you would like a meeting brought to your home or would like to sign up to volunteer to take A.A. meetings to people, email [email protected].
 

 

Central Office Closure: February 18

Central Office will be closed tomorrow in observance of Presidents Day. Due to these limited hours, please place orders for the Marin Pop-Up bookstore by tonight @ 5pm. On February 21, Central Office will resume regular hours of operation, which are Tuesday to Friday 10am-6pm and Saturdays 12-4pm. 

 

Service Opportunities for the Week …

  • Marin General Service (hybrid) is February 20.

    • Orientation @ 7pm

    • Business Meeting @ 7:30pm
       

  • Marin PI/CPC (in person) is February 23.

    • Orientation @ 7pm

    • Business Meeting @ 7:30pm

 

Take it Easy

For the love of coffee commitments, please share this information with your social media communities (keeping in mind our 11th Tradition of anonymity) and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.  🐝  
 

Your San Francisco and Marin Intergroup | Central Office

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