AA SF/Marin Intergroup

San Francisco and Marin Intergroup Meeting – Agenda
Wednesday, August 3, 2022, 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. 36 groups represented: 20 from San Francisco, 16 from Marin

1. New IGRs, Visitors, AA Anniversaries
   1. New IGRs: Sonya B., Natalie M., Dillon S., Leo O.
   2. Visitors: Jackie B – SF General Service, Daniel S. 
   3. Anniversaries: Jim M. – 18 years, Leo – 1 Year
2. Approval of agenda (housekeeping item)
   1. There were no objections. Isae moved to approve the agenda, Chad seconded. Agenda was approved.
3. Approval of last month’s Intergroup Meeting minutes (housekeeping item)
   1. There were no objections or corrections to the minutes. Brian made a motion to approve. Chad seconded. Minutes were approved. 

7:15   Officer Reports

1. Board Chair – Charlie turned it over to board member Isae to discuss the Communications Survey
   1. Communications Survey Feedback 
      1. April/May 2022 – survey was available on the website with alert button on the home page to participate and published in the Buzz
      2. 260 participants – most from SF, ⅓ from Marin and remaining from other parts of the country
      3. Analysis broken down in sections and presented throughout the next month’s IGR meetings. Tonight’s analysis includes: 

1.  What name is most familiar? What is the function of Intergroup? Based on results, recommendations are:
   1. use name of “San Francisco and Marin Integroup” in everyday conversation, communications and forums. 
   2. Reference IFAA (Intercounty Fellowship of AA) when referring to the non-profit entity for legal and official documents 
   3. Use an elevator pitch – working on language currently for a brief description of what San Francisco & Marin Integroup is 

1. What do you think of the monthly Intergroup meetings? Based on results, recommendations are:
   1. Most people who participated in the survey weren’t an IGR but those were shared that they attend meetings regularly and find the information useful
   2. Other feedback included reducing committee reports and making more time for in-depth discussions 
      1. Recommendation to provide more opportunities for discussion and in-depth discussions and break out to discuss group needs 
      2. Recap the meeting for IGRS with monthly emails to take back to groups and include in the Buzz 

1. Open for comments, questions and discussion:
   1. Marty – Question/Statement:  Was this a recommendation from the communication committee and not from IGRs? Personally speaking he refers to Intergroup as Central Office. Hard sell for him to call it anything else.
   2. Clayton – Question: Wondering why Central Office was not chosen and instead SF & Marin Intergroup as it seems a more cumbersome name 
      1. Charlie’s Reponse – leaning towards a broader description to define what Intergroup does. IFAA is the legal name for who we are but nobody knows what it is. Didn’t want to add to the confusion and felt it accurate to say we are “SF and Marin Intergroup”. IFFA is legal name for non profit status, ie, the Corporate Name and  other names are associated with it. Central Office is just one of the things Integroup coordinates. 

1. Treasurer – Jim
   1. Revenues as of 6/30/2022 is $168K, under budget but ahead of prior year
   2. Bookstore revenue 77% increase over prior year
   3. Marin Teleservice made another generation contribution under “Fellowship”
   4. Total Expenses $155K, ahead of prior year but under budget overall
   5. National inflation June = 9.1% YOY, Intergroup Inflation = 7%
   6. Deficit $7K slightly more than prior year but well under budget 
   7. Surplus likely in June after group treasury commitments turn over, and groups submit 7th Tradition contributions
   8. Overall on budget and greater than 2 months of operation cash is excellent
   9. Prudent reserve remains intact and will hold for the remainder of 2022
   10. 298 Faithful fivers in June 
       1. donated $4,183 (up 1 from prior month = $207)
       2. Average increased from $13.39 to $14.08
       3. Goal to hit 350 by end of year
       4. Balance sheet, narrative is available in the packet
       5. Question from Chad: How has inflation impacted our expenses? 
          1. Response: Christina: Everything is increasing by 3-5%. Across the board hearing from contractors and their rates are increasing. Some expenses are paid annually and some things are going up by $50-$90

1. Executive Director – Christina
   1. Central Office Volunteers 
      1. Continue to make strides towards opening Central Office to volunteers.
      2. Thank you to Elena who helped with a volunteer plan today. 
      3. Working on a COVID-19 policy specific to Special Workers and Central Office volunteers. 
         1. Asking those to be vaccinated for COVID, however it does account for medical and religious exemptions and includes protocols in case of being exposed to COVID. 
         2. Questions can be directed to [email protected] 
   2. Marin Pop Up Bookstore
      1. First Pop-Up Bookstore is August 15 at Marin General Service Meeting @Jackson Cafe in Vivalon, 930 Tamalpais Avenue, SF from 6:45pm to 7:30pm and 9PM to 9:30PM
      2. Open to AA members in Marin, AA Meetings/groups and service entities 
      3. For pre-purchase, place orders by 2PM on Saturday, August 13th. We will bring additional literature to Marin General Service meeting that will be available for purchase with debit or credit card only.
      4. Spread the word at meetings. Flier and instructions on how to place orders being sent to bring back to groups.
      5. Jaime, volunteer book store liaison – thank you!
      6. Question (Chad): Why is it cash only? Is there a service fee associated when you purchase with credit or debit 
         1. It was decided that if you purchase literature onsite at pop up store, credit/debit only as to streamline process. 
         2. There is not a service fee to purchase with credit/debit when making a purchase online. 

7:40   Intergroup Committee Reports (up to 2 minutes/report)

1. Technology Committee – Fiona
   1. Big thanks to the web committee for successfully completing the modernization project. Brian C, Michal P, and Tom H along with others who helped over the years. Moved to WordPress hosting (from Linux) which provides new support and security. Working with communications committee on content and functionality.
   2. Web Committee meets the first monday of every month
   3. Any questions [email protected]
   4. Applause to Brian C for his service as webmaster and thank you to Tom H and Michael P, the new webmasters
2. Archives Committee – Mike 
   1. Meets at Central Office, and via zoom, on 3rd Sunday of each month
3. SF Public Relations Committee – Peter
   1. Looking for new officers and open to having new people join
   2. Next meeting on Monday 8/8 at 7PM on Zoom – information at aasfmarin.org for details 
   3. Reentry Fair on Friday 9/9 at St. Mary’s Cathedral – Resource fair for those reentering the community
   4. Sunday Streets – August 21st in SOMA area from 11am to 4PM
      1. Call for volunteers and suggested fellowship opportunity
4. Sunshine Club – Clayton 
   1. Orientation for new volunteers held on July 27th, six new volunteers joined our roster – 5 from Marin and 1 from SF
   2. Next orientation will be held on the last Wednesday of the month on 8/31 at 7:30 pm on Zoom. Notice in the Buzz the week before the orientation and on the event calendar. 
   3. Sunshine meeting scheduled for this coming Saturday for an AA member who is in acute care facility.
   4. Call to IGRs to spread the word that Sunshine Club is providing this service and those wishing to schedule a meeting in person [email protected] 
5. HelpChat Committee – Charlie 
   1. HelpChat needs a new committee chair and more volunteers 
   2. Email [email protected] for more info 

7:50   Service Committee Liaison Reports (up to 2 minutes/report)

1. Marin Teleservice – Jillian
   1. Next Orientation will be August 23rd 
   2. SF and Marin Intergroup is now answering the phone everyday except Monday & Wednesday
2. SF General Service – Jackie 
   1. Area Summer Assembly is Saturday, 8/20 in Salinas, CA
      1. Hybrid event for full virtual participation
      2. Free admission and free lunch 
   2. Pacific Regional Forum is 9/16-18, 2022 in Salt Lake City ,Utah
   3. San Francisco Unity Day is Saturday 10/8
      1. In-person at First Unitarian Church on O’Farrell and Geary with hybrid element
      2. Free box lunch in the courtyard

7:55   Old Business

1. Inventory Question #2 Break-out Session: Are we attracting Intergroup Representatives (IGRs) from all AA groups in SF and Marin Counties? Are we seeing a true representation of our fellowship? How do we get more IGR’s from unrepresented or underrepresented groups? 
   1. Groups broke out into breakout rooms, and selected an individual to report back to the full Intergroup meeting:
      1. Chris – Talked about benefits and the drawbacks of Zoom versus hybrid and consensus that we would attract more people in the Zoom meeting. Easier to get to during pandemic but lacking some of the fellowship of the room. Representation doesn’t feel accurate in all the meetings. Maybe it’s a pamphlet to reach out to meetings and clubhouses where the meetings are being held. 
      2. Shannon – Issue of non representation of groups and the city and IGR’s. Thought directly reaching out to groups and going to meetings and speaking with secretaries. 
      3. James – People were voicing engagement, hybrid and zoom accessibility and having it hybrid. More time for What’s on your mind. Could create events to educate what IGRs do.  
      4. Chad – Regarding the response – group agrees that there isn’t enough representation and proactively pursuing and expanding representation. 
      5. Jessie: We looked at each category and suggested getting more involvement from the IGRs themselves during these meetings – More time for What’s on your Mind. To keep this more interactive and allow for IGRs to participate. Accessibility: Agreement on suggested solutions listed. More accessible with Zoom and implementing some solutions already with the pop up book stores. Some brought up having a hard time not calling the name Central Office. 

8:30   New Business

N/A

8:30   What’s On Your Mind

1. Jaime – Plug for July’s Grapevine, the prison issue with a story called “Too much cash” on the 7th Tradition
2. Courtney – Reality Farm is going back in person Thursday at 8:30pm at the Slovenian Hall in Potrero Hill
3. Ayn – Appreciation for the break out rooms. And pop up book store 
4. Kaitlin – Marin County Young People in AA (MCYPAA)
   1. Business Meeting is the first Sunday of the month 8/6
   2. Upcoming event on 8/21: Meeting, Bocce Ball, BBQ from 12-4pm at the Marin Bocce Federation in San Rafael
5. Melissa – Grateful member of the group. 

8:30   Targeted Message

1. Marin Pop-Up Bookstore starts August 15. Literature and chips can be pre-ordered (and select literature will be available for sale) – at the monthly Marin General Service meeting @Vivalon (930 Tamalpais, San Rafael) on Monday 8/15 from 6:45 to 7:30pm and 9 to 9:30pm.
2. Support our Intergroup service committees – check out our calendar on  aasfmarin.org to see when the service committees meet.
3. Become a Faithful Fiver and support San Francisco and Marin Intergroup efforts to carry the A.A. message of hope and recovery to the still suffering alcoholic in Marin and San Francisco.

Next Intergroup Meeting: September 7 on Zoom

Adjourn with the Responsibility Statement

Meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm.

August 2022 Intergroup Meeting Treasurer’s Narrative

Year to Date Ended
June 30, 2022

REVENUES:
Bookstore Sales were a whopping 77% ahead of the prior year, and largely anticipated
as per budget. Though largely passthrough, they are a sign of foot traffic in the Central
Office and interest in the Intergroup. Marin Teleservice made another generous
contribution of $2,100 and as discussed in the last intergroup meeting, such
contributions have been parsed out of Group Contributions and detailed in their own
category under “Fellowship”. Group Contribution actuals are understated as compared
to budget because of that reclassing. Total Revenues are 7K or 4% under budget but
still ahead of the prior year.

EXPENSES:
The shortfall in Revenues was more than made up for with expenses at 9% under
budget. Budgeted Expenses were inflated to a failsafe or worst-case scenario, so this
was as to be expected. Budgeting as such appears to be the practical and prudent thing
to do considering current economic circumstances. National inflation for example was
9.1% year over year for June, and IFAA Expenses inflated to a lesser degree at 7%.

NET INCOME:
With Revenues slipping slightly and Expenses impacted by inflation, IFAA is currently
operating at a loss of $7K for the year. This was expected and consistent with the prior
year loss at the time, but to a slightly greater degree. We anticipate a flood of
Contributions to manifest in July as commitments turn over, though June was slightly
less than expected. That said, with a shift to in person meetings post pandemic, July is
likely to experience a greater flood than previous year and quite possibly eliminate the
current deficit.

LIQUIDITY RESERVE:
From a liquidity perspective, Unrestricted Cash, or cash for Operating Expenses above
our six months’ Prudent Reserve, remained steady at 2.3 months. Liquid reserves
greater than 2 months are rated “Excellent” so our Intergroup remains fiscally sound.
With a flood of contributions expected in July, liquidity will inevitably improve.

Intergroup Meeting Proposed Minutes
Wednesday, July 6, 2022, 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. Alison: Orientations are being held before each intergroup meeting at 6pm. 
4. Review the minutes and agenda
5. Roll Call
   1. 37 groups represented: 27 from San Francisco, 10 from Marin

New IGRs, Visitors, AA Anniversaries

1. 1. New IGR’s: Sean L, Caitlin, Nick, Lana, Claire 
   2. Visitors: Jackie B-SF General Service
   3. Anniversaries:  Caitlin, Jackie B, Lea, Marty 
2. Approval of agenda (housekeeping item)
   1. There were no objections. Isae moved to approve the agenda, Alison seconded. Agenda was approved.
3. Approval of last month’s Intergroup Meeting minutes (housekeeping item)
   1. There were no objections or corrections to the minutes. Caitlin made a motion to approve. Isae seconded. Minutes were approved. 

7:10   Officer Reports

1. Board Chair 
   1. Welcome to the new board members: Judy, Andrew, Gloria. 
   2. Thank you to the outgoing board members: Alan, Luke and Drew. 
   3. Thank you to everyone who participated in Founders’ Day.
2. Executive Director
   1. Thank you to Elena and everyone who stepped up to help with Founders’ Day.
   2. Central Office tax return extension was approved. They are due in November. Working with an accounting firm and will be able to meet the deadline. Are behind schedule due to transition in executive directors.
   3. Working with Jim to prepare next year’s budget to present to Intergroup in November and approve by December.
   4. Today got a shipment of Grapevine books that had been ordered in May, including Fun in Sobriety book. 
   5. Would like to get volunteers in Central Office. If you are interested and have a couple of hours to dedicate to help with bookstore orders or teleservice line, email [email protected]. Volunteer manual is being updated. 
   6. Marin Pop-Up Bookstore: idea came out of February inventory. Issue of accessibility to Central office came up. Pop-Up Bookstore would happen at General Service meeting in San Rafael. Marin members could order literature. Central Office will get it ready and bring to General Service meeting, as well as some additional literature. Sales will happen before and after meeting. Proposal hinges on getting the word out and Pop-Up Bookstore Liaison position needing to be filled. Idea needs to go to Marin District. Doing the footwork to get ready. This would be a 1 year pilot, with a 6 month checkpoint. 
3. Treasurer 
4. Bookstore sales are up 90% compared to last year. 
5. Contribution numbers are slightly skewed due to reclassifying categories. 
6. Shift from individual to group contributions due to the pandemic.  
7. Expenses are 8% below budget. Doing fine compared to budget. 
8. Faithful Fivers increased to 297 in May, but slight decrease in contributions. More people are stepping up and giving what they can. 
9. Questions: role of Sobriety by the Bay

7:30  Intergroup Committee Reports (up to 2 minutes/report)

1. Public Relations: Peter reported that they need to rotate leadership. Next meeting is July 11 at 7pm. If someone wants to join, could familiarize them with the duties. Sunday Streets this Sunday. July 16 will be at Jessie Alley Street Fair.  If you know a professional group that wants to learn about AA, Public Relations can reach out to them to share information about how the program works. Email: [email protected]
2. Archives: Anyone willing to help can attend the meeting. Time for Mike the Archives chair to rotate out. If you are interested, reach out to Mike at [email protected]. 
3. Sunshine Club: bring meetings to members due to illness, accident, or any disabling condition. Actively updating volunteer list and seeking new volunteers. Could benefit from more participation in business meetings.
4. Technology: can use help in sharing the message that Tech committee is looking for help, especially people with knowledge of Air Table and Word Press. Business meeting is the first Monday of the month. 
5. Point: July issue was released. Always calling for submissions – please tell people they are looking for stories. 
6. Buzz: Email [email protected] with upcoming events and flyers. 

7:45   Service Committee Liaison Reports (up to 2 minutes/report)

1. Bridging the Gap: helps alcoholics on the inside get to meetings on the outside. Seeing an uptick in requests. In close contact with H&I. Meet 1st Tuesday of the month, orientation 6:30pm, business meeting 7pm. 
2. Marin General Service: call for stories. Updating the pamphlet “AA for the Black and  African American Alcoholic”. Deadline is October 31. Developing 4th edition of Spanish Big Book. ⅔ of all contributions to GSO are under $100.
3. San Francisco General Service: Conference results are in. Info is on sfgeneralservice.org. Summer assembly: August 13. SF Unity Day: October 8, hybrid meeting. 
4. Marin Teleservice: Next volunteer orientation is July 26 at 6:30, followed by business meeting at 7:30. 5 F, Sat, Sun shifts available.  Central Office is now answering phones except Monday and Wednesday. 6 month sobriety requirement. 
5. Marin H&I: 2 new groups came on board. Looking for people who have 6 months or more. For jails, 1 year sobriety requirement. 
6. San Francisco H&I: next business meeting is July 16 at noon. 

7:55   Old Business

1. Intergroup Question #1 Break-out Session – What is the primary purpose of the Intercounty Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous (commonly referred to as “Intergroup”)?

Group 1: No further action needed. Suggestion to have educational outreach to groups on what IGRs do and what is Intergroup. One person wanted to explore “where is God in all of this?”

Group 2: List is comprehensive and well understood. Almost everyone agreed that no further action was needed. One person felt if any additional action is needed it’s about how IGRs communicate to their groups about everything Intergroup does. Have ironed out bottom/top issues that had previously been an issue.

Group 3: There are more action items we can take in particular, increase diversity of people’s experiences. How we make decisions within the board and how we relate decisions to the groups. Many people said no further action needed.

Group 4: Bullets demonstrate understanding of primary purpose and no further action needed. Should get the word out about service committees. Primary purpose still being fulfilled after many years of ups and downs.

Group 5: Went round robin about purpose of Intergroup. 

Group 6: We are working toward primary purpose. Continued healing that has happened. Some gray area around what primary purpose is. How do we get better about carrying the message to the fellowship at large? How do we hold ourselves accountable? 

1. Vice-Chair: If you’d like to add an action item to the agenda, the agenda is the group’s. Procedures for adding an agenda item were shared. Email the board chair at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting.

8:25   New Business

n/a

8:25   What’s On Your Mind

1. Maybe put out plea to Treasurers about why to send in contributions monthly rather than every half year. This can be communicated in the targeted message. 
2. What is the circulation of The Buzz? Around 2,000. Holding steady. Broad cross section of the fellowship subscribe. But many people still don’t know about The Buzz. Open rate is impressive. People who subscribe are reading it. 

8:20   Targeting Message  

1. Support our Intergroup service committees – check out our calendar on  aasfmarin.org to see when the service committees meet.
2. Sign up to become a Central Office volunteer. Email [email protected] for more information.
3. Sign up for The Buzz at aasfmarin.org/buzz to stay up-to-date on current events and activities in Marin and San Francisco.
4. Check out The Point at aasfmarin.org/the-point for local stories of recovery.

Next Intergroup Meeting: August 3 on Zoom

Adjourn with the Responsibility Statement

Meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm.

July 2022 Intergroup Meeting
Treasurer’s Narrative

Year to Date Ended
May 31, 2022

COMMENTARY

Revenues are slightly down from estimated, but still ahead of prior year. Bookstore
sales are still way ahead of prior year but that was already estimated so overall
revenues remain short. Expenses are also ahead of prior year consistent with inflation
but budgeted aggressively so both Net Income and Liquid Cash eroded slightly but are
still within plan. With a continued shift from individual to group contributions, there is
likely a lag in recording revenues that will likely make up for this in June / July and carry
us through the year with a bump in revenues from Gratitude month.

CONTRIBUTION REVENUES:

As stated, overall contributions were just 3% shy of plan due to the delay in revenue
recognition but 2% ahead of prior year. The shift from group to individual contributions is
not as apparent as $11K of Group Contributions were reclassified from Group to
“Fellowship Contributions” recognizing the generous contributions from Marin
Teleservice and Sobriety By The Bay as well as the contribution box in the Central
Office. This was noted after a mention in an IFAA meeting and seen in prior issues of
The Point, and so the accounting system was corrected to reflect that with the help and
direction from Central Office staff. Consequently, Group Contributions reflect true group
collections more accurately and contributions from non-group entities are being
recognized as appropriate. Faithful fivers slipped another $74 in May.

EXPENSES:

While recorded Revenues were 2% ahead of prior year, expenses increased by 8%
year over year consistent with inflation. This was expected and aggressively planned for
so expenses are still 8% under plan leaving a $11K hedge.

NET REVENUE: AKA “THE BOTTOM LINE”

Year to date, expenses exceeded revenues leaving us with a net loss of $4,834 well
within our failsafe budget. As stressed previously, June/July contributions will likely
bring us back “into the black” year to date and carry us throughout the year without
dipping into any Prudent Reserve.

LIQUIDITY RESERVE

Liquid or “unrestricted” cash dropped from 2.5 months to 2.3 months due to the modest
deficit. This is still an excellent rating with $60K in the bank to cover costs in excess of
our Prudent Reserve.