GSA Phone Bridge Intergroup Meeting Minutes
September 17, 2023
3-4 pm EST
Downloadable Printable Copy

Intergroup meeting phone number: 712-432-5229, passcode 4320188#

The meeting opened at 3 PM by Cathy B., with the “We” version of the Serenity Prayer and reading of the 12 Traditions (on last page of Agenda). 

Attendance:

ISR – 0

GSRs: 2 – Lynn, CJ (also a Trustee)

Trustees: 5 – Cathy, Kris, CJ., Mary, Jessica, Shaaron, Amy C.

Members Carrying Group’s vote: 0

Listeners: 2 – Denise, Lori

Motion to accept the most recent Treasurer’s report as posted on the  greysheetmeetings.org website. Motion was made, seconded, and passed with no objections.

Motion to accept the Minutes from the July PBIG meeting as posted on our website was made, seconded, and passed with no objections.

Old Business:

1. GSRs for a series of meetings (example: daily 5:30 am Meetings – one GSR).

Discussion:

Suggestions were made to reference the GSR Tool Kit on the greysheetmeetings.org website, which brought up the question of whether or not the Tool Kit needs revision.

Part of the revision process would be to check if PB GSRs qualifications and responsibilities are in-line with the GSAWS GSRs.

These GSRs could have Business meetings quarterly; however, when  concerns were raised about how to fill all service positions (leaders and bookers) quarterly, it was suggested to have the Business Meetings on the last day of the month and fill positions for meetings of all 7 days, same time slot (for example, 5:30am, 7 am, 10 am, 9 pm), at that time. There was concern that there aren’t enough people who will volunteer for these positions, but one meeting attendee said that in another 12-step program she attends, this monthly business meeting approach has worked effectively, no problem with getting volunteers.

To be discussed further at November meeting

 

2. Meeting Leader Training

Discussion:

Concerns that people aren’t using updated formats could be addressed by suggesting that new leaders check for updated formats. New leaders could also be politely texted to address current format changes. Former leaders could train newly rotating leaders by going over the format with them. The Business Meeting format could include a list of “need to know items” for incoming leaders, including a suggestion that all leaders sign up for News and Updates on the website. Our GSRs could check with their meeting leaders to make certain that correct formats are used.

To be discussed further at November meeting

 

 

3. Make the announcement portion of the meeting shorter.

Discussion:

It was suggested to make Phone Bridge announcements only – no announcements about Zoom,  in-person meetings, including retreats.  Only OK to make a short reference and direct people to Events on the World Service website.  We could also make a short announcement and reference our greysheetmeetings.org website for more information.

To be discussed further at November meeting

 

4. Recording Marathon Speakers. Tabled for the November meeting

 

New Business:

Concern that some PB members are discussing non-CAL literature during meetings and giving information about how to attend these programs. This is probably an issue of not being aware of our group conscience statement that is in our format and/or not knowing what CAL is.  Suggestion to add more details in our format about what AA and GSA CAL actually is and to mention Traditions 6 and 10 (regarding not endorsing non-AA/GSA programs and not bringing outside issues into meetings). Chair will contact PBIG board of trustees for how such information should be worded and where it should appear in the format.  

To be discussed further at November IG meeting.

 

If you have any additional New Business, please email us at phonebridgetrustees@greysheetmeetings.org at least two weeks PRIOR to the next IG meeting with any new items you would like to discuss.

NOTE: At the IG meeting we only discuss business that affects the Phone Bridge at the IG level; we do not discuss the business of individual meetings.  For issues with individual meetings, please contact the Phone Bridge Trustees by email, or discuss at that meeting’s monthly business meeting.  

The next Intergroup meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 12, 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.”

Closed with the “We” version of The Serenity Prayer

 

The Twelve Traditions of GSA*

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon GSA unity.
2. For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority–a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants – they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for GSA membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or GSA as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the compulsive eater who still suffers.
6. A GSA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the GSA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every GSA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. GSA should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. GSA as such ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. GSA has no opinion on outside issues; hence the GSA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and film.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

 

*The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions are reprinted with permission (1998) of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Permission to reprint and adapt the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions does not mean that A.A. is in any way affiliated with this program. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism only —use of the Steps and Traditions in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems, or in any other non-A.A. context, does not imply otherwise.