U.A.E. INTERGROUP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
MINUTES OF INTERGROUP MEETING 27th JANUARY 2006
G.S.R. BULLETIN BOARD: E-MAIL aainuae@hotmail.com
Website: www.aainarabia.com
MEETING VENUE:
Emirates Airline Welfare Office Dubai: Friday 27Th January 2006
ATTENDEES:
Maureen (Chair), Paul (Treasurer), Wendy (Lit, Tues DCC & Sun EWC), Colette and Jane
(Sec), Shankar (Sunday Am Hospital), Nima (Tues Maktoum), Pat (Wed Am hosp), Asim (PI),
Creina (Sunday- Emirates Welfare), Jon (Al Ain)
APOLOGIES ABSENT:
MINUTE SECRETARY:
Jane
OPENING:
The meeting started at 6.10pm. Maureen opened the meeting with the Serenity Prayer. The
preamble and the 12 Traditions were read aloud.
1. PREVIOUS MINUTES:
The meetings from the 25th November meeting were read and approved.
2. MATTERS ARISING:
There were none from the previous meeting.
3. TREASURER’S REPORT:
Paul read the Financial Report and copies were handed out by Paul. Treasurers Report –
Paul handed out a copy of the Treasurer’s report (attached) for the group to review. The
report indicated a current balance of 4,774.75 dhs. The Tuesday group from the Marktoum
hospital donated 1000 dhs. 4000 dhs are needed for the upcoming workshop on service to
pay for the venue and food. Pat also indicated that the group owes him 1000 dhs for the
“Who Me” packets he purchased in the UK. He said that the Friday Night Group was going to
make a contribution to Inter-group and he could take the funds from it. Maureen asked if the
group agreed and they said yes. Wendy said that there was more money also coming from
literature sales that evening.
4. SERVICE REPORTS
4.1 Public information
Asim reported that the new schedules are up to date and have been updated. The hotline
and website have also been updated.
4.2 Literature:
Wendy reported that she will be giving Paul 1840dhs for literature sales and expected to get
more that evening. There is a good supply of literature however soft copies of the Big Book
are not available. A couple of groups purchased literature that evening.
4.3 Telephone:
The answering machine was updated thanks to Shankar. Fay told the group that she was still
getting phone bills for the old hot line and that it had not been disconnected. Maureen said
and the group agreed to pay her for the bills. Fay said she would cancel the line.
4.4 Web-Site:
A copy of the schedule leaflet, and Inter-group meeting minutes were sent to Doug to update
the web site. Maureen asked if there was someone who had taken on the responsibility to
follow up on the web site. Collette indicated that she had talked to Bob from Tuesday night
and he had not followed up with her. Collette will follow up with him again.
4.5 Hotmail & Post:
There has been little activity. Someone needs to login periodically to keep it open. Maureen
will do it for now.
5. ABU DHABI
There was no report from Abu Dhabi.
6. AL AIN
Jon from Al - Ain said that the membership was up with about five or six people at meetings.
They now were able to pay all the rent. Twelve step calls are also increasing.
7. SHARJAH
Dave – Meetings going well.
8. DUBAI GROUPS
Shankar – Sunday Night - American Hospital – All going well. Looking for treasurer and chair.
Nima – Tuesday Night – Marktoum Hospital – There are only about two home group
members
and they are looking for more.
Jerry – Wednesday Night - American Hospital – All going well.
Collette – Friday Night - Emirates Welfare – Roger had taken over as chair. The meeting is
extremely well attended. The start time has changed to 7:00pm. This has caused some
confusion.
New leaflets, updating of website and updating hotline should help.
Corrina – Sunday - Afternoon Emirates Welfare – The group has five home members and are
formalizing procedures. They have had a couple of group consciences and one key item
addressed was the need to start promptly at 1:00PM for the working people.
Paul – Thursday Night - Al Wasl Road – The meeting has moved to their new venue. There
has been great turnout recently and the room is full. They need more big books and will buy
from Wendy. Paul thanked Asim for the new location flyer.
Jane – Tuesday Night Women’s Meeting – All is going well. Regular attendance.
Pat – Tuesday Night - Emirates Welfare – New meeting is going ok and they are trying to get
organized. They need more attendance.
10. SERVICE BINDERS – Maureen reported that the groups had been given binders with
instructions for AA. Sunday Night and Tuesday Night (Marktoum Hospital) had not received
them. Maureen said that extra books were available from Christina.
11. SERVICE WORKSHOP- Plans for the service workshop were discussed by the key
organizers: Pat, Paul and Asim. There will be three main themes: Unity, Service and
Recovery. The session will be conducted at the Metropolitan Hotel in Diera. It will begin at 11:
00 AM with coffee and the sessions will start at 11:30 PM. A buffet lunch provided by Inter-
group will be served at 2:00 PM. The workshop will close about 4:00 PM. Groups are asked
to spread the word about the event to get as many people as possible attending
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Maureen asked if there was any other business to discuss at the meeting. Jane brought up
the topic of 13th stepping and the effect it can have on newcomers. There was then a lively
discussion regarding the topic. It was determined that Inter-group should not take a stand on
the topic but rather newcomers should be informed if there is a potential problem and if there
is an offender they could be talked to by individual members. Council from GSO was also
discussed should the problem escalate. Jane indicated that the main reason she brought up
the topic was to bring awareness to the situation in Dubai and monitor it to protect the
newcomer.
Maureen also brought up the topic of poor attendance at Inter-group and how it is hard to get
people into service. She reminded us that that is the purpose of the workshop and hopefully
it will serve as a catalyst for change.
Maureen ended the meeting as the time was up. 7th Tradition was taken.
The meeting was closed with the Serenity Prayer.
NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON ------------------2006
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MEETING STARTS AT 6PM (and LASTS UNTIL 7.30PM)
EMIRATES AIRLINE WELFARE OFFICE, DUBAI
U.A.E. INTERGROUP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
MINUTES OF INTERGROUP MEETING 30 SEPTEMBER 2005
G.S.R. BULLETIN BOARD: E-MAIL aainuae@hotmail.com
Website: www.aainarabia.com
MEETING VENUE: Emirates Airline Welfare Office Dubai: Friday 30 September 2005
ATTENDEES: Maureen (Chair), Paul (Thurs Osteo), Mark (Mon Trinity), Wendy (Lit, Tues
DCC & Sun EWC), Mark (VC & Sun Am Hos), Christina (Sec), Shankar (Treas), Nima (Tues
Maktoum), Maree (Abu Dhabi), Sue (Abu Dhabi), Hari
APOLOGIES: Pat (Wed Am hosp), Hamish (tel), Rama (Web), Martin (Wed St Mary’s);
Asim (PI)
ABSENT: Max (Fri St Mary’s), Colette (Fri EWC), Subash (Sat Am Hosp), Keith (Tues
Sharjah), John (Al Ain)
MINUTE SECRETARY: Christina
OPENING: The meeting started at 6.25 as the group waited for latecomers. Maureen
opened the meeting with a minute’s silence followed by the Serenity Prayer. The Preamble
and the 12 Traditions were read aloud (Sue, Maree). Sue and Maree were welcomed as
new GSR reps from Abu Dhabi.
1. PREVIOUS MINUTES: The meetings from the 27 May meeting were read and
approved.
2. MATTERS ARISING: None from previous meeting.
3. TREASURER’S REPORT: Shankar took 7th Tradition collection on 27th May Intergroup
meeting from Christina. He gave a full report and statement up to 30th September (ex
contribution above). This is attached.
4. SERVICE REPORTS
4.1 Public information Asim was unable to attend but reported via Shankar as below.
4.2 Location Leaflets - Shankar reported on Asim’s behalf that the location leaflets have
been updated and are being distributed.
- Maureen emphasized that GSRs MUST check the meeting information is correct and MUST
check with members that the individual contact list information is correct and provide any
changes, additions or deletions to Asim on a timely basis.
- Wendy will contact Asim to put the Sunday Emirates Welfare Centre details into the location
leaflet as the group has now been running for more that six months.
- Maree and Sue reported some changes from Abu Dhabi and will provide these to Asim
4.3 Literature: Arrivals
Wendy reported that despite numerous problems she has managed to get the literature
which was ordered from AA USA in April. There is plenty of everything! GSRs should advise
group literature secretaries to contact Wendy directly.
Christina reported on Pat’s behalf that he has arranged to get the ‘Who Me’ newcomer packs
as promised in the meeting of 27 May and these should be here by mid-October. He will
pass them to Wendy. Again, groups can order from her.
Shipping and sourcing
Shankar (who helped to solve the problems referred to above and whose business is
shipping and freight forwarding) explained that is it counter-productive to try and save money
by bringing bulk shipments of literature as opposed to smaller consignments. Small
consignments attract larger per unit shipping costs but are easier to clear through customs
as they attract little notice and can come to a PO Box number. The larger, sea freight
shipments get stopped and it ends up being difficult and expensive to clear them (there is
AED1,000 outstanding in excess costs from our last shipment). Alternatives were
suggested. Wendy explained that ordering from the UK is even more expensive. A member
asked if it might be better and cheaper to source from India. Wendy will review options.
Literature finances
Wendy reported a positive balance of AED925.
4.4 Telephone: Christina reported on Hamish’s behalf that the telephone hotline is
running fine.
4.5 Web-Site: Rama is unable to continue to be UAE coordinator due to work and travel
commitments and the group needs a replacement so that our information can be updated.
Doug reported via Christina that all running smoothly and that he is sorting Firefox browser
issues. It was noted by several members that the website is being used extensively and has
become an excellent source of information to potential and existing members. It was agreed
that these minutes will be posted to the web-site.
4.6 Hotmail & Post: Christina reported that an increasing number of enquiries are
coming through via email from both members and newcomers. Shankar offered to assist in
accessing and responding to emails. Christina reported on greetings from new groups in
Afghanistan, Iran and Russia and circulated these.
A number of bulletins from GSO in New and York have been received by post and were
circulated.
5. ABU DHABI: Sue and Maree attended and reported that there is a new meeting on
Thursdays. Neil returns in November. They will update Asim on any changes to other
meetings and contact persons.
6. AL AIN: No GSR present
7. SHARJAH No GSR present
8. DUBAI GROUPS - Paul reported that the meeting is very well attended and visitors and
others are finding it from the website. The group contributed AED400 to intergroup which
was handed over to Shankar.
- Wendy reported that Jo will be the GSR for Sunday EWC
- Mark reported his meeting doing well with 15 regulars. However, he finds it difficult to get
other attendees to take on any ‘home group’ service commitment. Other GSR’s agreed and
this subject was discussed at length (see Other Business)
- Wendy reported that Tuesday has 6 or 7 regulars.
- Mark reported that the room at the American Hospital is stretched to capacity with some 20
plus attendees. Again there are problems of finding members to commit to helping with the
meeting.
- Nima reported that his meeting is running smoothly.
9. WORLD CONVENTION & BAHRAIN 16-18 November 2005
- Maureen reported that she attended the World Convention and that members there were
discussing similar service challenges.
- Christina passed around information about the Bahrain Convention and referred
members to the AA website for more information.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Home Group and Service
-A major problem facing AA here was raised viz it is very difficult to get members to take on
any kind of service commitment even to their own groups. This is born out by the fact that
most GSR’s also take responsibility for all aspects of their meeting.
- It was felt that many members may not be familiar with the concept of service at all. If they
are, they may not grasp the importance of participating in a home group nor indeed may they
appreciate that in many cases only a very small time and effort commitment is needed.
Somehow we are not communicating that all those who have done service report that the
major beneficiary is themselves!
- A first priority is for GSRs to be more effective. The absence of so many at the intergroup
meeting was regretted. Group guidelines were handed out and these are available to anyone
who wants them from Christina.
-The meeting urged GSRs to spend some time with their groups explaining and propagating
the home group service idea as well to familiarize everyone with suggested length of ‘terms
of office’, suggested sobriety times and various different ways of doing service.
- It was suggested that part of the problem may be that members have seen that many
people who take on a service commitment can never be rid of it. It was suggested that we
must emphasize that such commitments can be shared.
- It is hoped that GSRs will discuss these matters with their groups and return to the next
meeting with ideas and action points.
Open/Closed Meetings
GSRs were requested to confirm whether their meeting is open or closed. If a meeting is
closed then only alcoholics should attend and secretaries should remind members that
friends and family are welcome at open meetings only. Sharing is for alcoholics only.
Intergroup Positions Vacant: Treasurer, Secretary: Nominations needed for next meeting.
Shankar has completed 3 years of sterling service as Treasurer and so GSRs should get
nominations for a replacement to bring to the next meeting. Maureen thanked Shankar for
his hard work.
Christina regretted that she cannot continue with the Secretaryship so nominations for this
post are also required. She is happy to assist in some service capacity but is not able to
attend the next meeting nor monitor the postbox and email as consistently as it demands.
Website co-ordinator : help needed
Rama cannot continue and a website coordinator is required. This position does not require
a vote so any and all volunteers are welcome. Please bring suggestions to the next meeting.
10. GOALS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE REST OF 2005 AND 2006
As a result of the reports by groups and the discussion engendered in Other Business (see
above):
- It was agreed that the objective for this period will be to help groups and intergroup work
more effectively (together and separately).
- A focus for this will be a celebration day or weekend themed to the concept and benefits of
participation in a home group, as well as the role of sponsorship and 12 step work.
Maureen had to wrap up the meeting as time was up. 7th Tradition was taken.
NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2005
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MEETING STARTS AT 6PM (and LASTS UNTIL 7.30PM)
EMIRATES AIRLINE WELFARE OFFICE, DUBAI
MEETING WAS CLOSED WITH THE SERENITY PRAYER
A.A.Intergroup Dubai, U.A.E. Income, Expense statement for 2005
Intergroup
