GSA Phone Bridge Intergroup Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2023
3-4 pm EST
Downloadable Printable Copy
Intergroup meeting phone number: 712-432-5229, passcode 4320188#
Cathy B. opened the meeting with the “We” version of the Serenity Prayer and a reading of the 12 Traditions.
Attendance:
GSRs: 4
Trustees: 5
Listeners: 8
Carrying Group’s vote: 1
Meeting attendees identify themselves and give their service position: Trustee, GSR, listener, or person who is carrying their group’s vote.
Motion to accept the January 2023 Treasurer’s report as posted on the www.greysheetmeetings.org website. Motion was seconded, and passed.
Motion to accept the minutes from the January 8, 2023 PB IG meeting as posted on the www.greysheetmeetimgs.org website. Motion was seconded, and passed.
Announcements:
- Formats are being updated and will be ready by April 1.
- Only ISRs may order GreySheets; however, the PB IG does not currently have an ISR. PB IG needs an ISR (Intergroup Service Representative) to represent the PB IG as a whole at World Service Conference.
- Renewed heckler problems recently but not nearly as bad as a year ago because of recruitment and training of dashboard monitors.
Discussion: After reading these announcements Cathy B. answered questions as to the difference between Meeting Moderators and Dashboard Monitors. Using the phone keypad, Moderators can mute the entire line during meetings as requested; Dashboard Monitors can view all phone numbers and handle individual callers: either muting or removing disrupters from meetings.
Old Business:
No old business.
New Business:
- Rotation of service: Volunteering for an open position should always be voted in, not simply accepted. This is important– to ensure people have a chance to voice any objections.
Discussion: It was noted that at GSAWS GSR Training, attendees had been told that simple acceptance was permissible for election of trusted servants. (Cathy noted that with groups having a chance to formally vote someone in, members can voice objections. Cathy will contact GSAWS for clarification.) Other discussion: ask people to give their name when voting, so it is not anonymous?
- Treasurers must have at least 9 months of abstinence; GSRs must have at least a year.
- Getting more people to volunteer to be PB GSRs:
(a) Training: Is being provided by GSAWS, however GSRs could use more training specific to the Phone Bridge. (GSR Guide and Toolkit on DropBox)
Discussion: Attendees questioned what requirements are needed to be a GSR. PB IG website gives requirements for GSR position (apply to all GSRs within GSAWS): 1 year of GS abstinence.
Discussion: Some of the duties of the GSR meeting are holding monthly business meetings and representing PB group at the IG meeting.
(b) What would make the GSR position easier so that more members volunteer for the position and more groups are represented?
Discussion: (i) announce on meetings and on our website, both the WS GSR training and the GSR documents on the website. (Cathy noted that these PB docs were written some time ago and need to be reviewed by IG for possible updating) (ii) Share GSR responsibilities between 2 people.
- Add reference to Start Up Sponsors on Beginner’s meeting format. This statement has been approved by WS to add to the Beginner’s format: “If you are new to GreySheet and have not been able to find a sponsor, you may go to the World Service website greysheet.org, and click on Contact.”
Motion made, seconded, and passed to approve this change.
5.Other suggested change to format regarding sponsorship:
Possible change: Through sponsorship, we carry the message to others. Are there any qualified GreySheet sponsors on the line? Qualified GreySheet sponsors have at least 90 days of back-to-back GreySheet abstinence – eating only 3 weighed and measured meals a day only from foods listed on the GreySheet, without exception. If you can be a permanent sponsor or can start someone off, please state your name and phone number slowly.
Discussion: Suggestion to change the wording as follows: change “start someone off” to “get someone started ”. The sentence would then read: “ If you can be a permanent sponsor or can get someone started until they find a permanent sponsor, please state your name and phone number slowly.”
Motion made that this change be approved, seconded, and vote held. Majority approved but 2 members voted nay. This minority opinion expressed the concern that format changes should be brought before individual meetings rather than the IG.
Cathy responded and gave background: (1) groups may certainly vote on changes for their meeting but those changes need to be brought to the IG for approval, in order to preserve the integrity of our GSA Phone Bridge meetings. The IG asks that individual meetings not make changes to the format without filling out the Request Changes to a Current Meeting form on our website. (2) Some of the most recent updates voted on at the January IG meeting were changes to be made to all meeting formats. These are voted in at the IG level. (3) All groups can be represented at the IG meetings, GSR or not. The IG meeting agenda is posted to the website at least a week before, so if groups wish to have a say in IG meeting voting, they can pick someone to carry their vote.
Cathy opened it for questions. The motion again came up for a vote, the majority voted yes, and the motion passed.
- Who can make motions at an IG meeting? This was not resolved. Cathy will get in touch with GSAWS to ask what the guidelines are.
Items Tabled Until Next Meeting
Time ran out so the topics regarding addressing heckling on the Phone Bridge will be tabled until the May IG meeting.
If you have additional new business for our next meeting, please email us at phonebridgetrustees@greysheetmeetings.org at least one week PRIOR to the next IG meeting with any new items you would like to discuss at the IG level. Only items that affect the Phone Bridge are discussed at the IG level.
The next Intergroup meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 3:00 pm EST.
Close with the Responsibility Pledge & the “We” version of the Serenity Prayer.
Responsibility Pledge
“When anyone, anywhere, realizes they have a problem with food, I want them to think of the GreySheet solution. For that, I am responsible.”
Serenity Prayer
