Steering Commitee Notes

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. Group concience 2nd thursday of every month

1. Mission Statement and group charter

2. 7th tradition

3. Introduction of informal group of trusted servants

4. Meeting Format and Chair persons

 Why Have a Steering Committee? Some groups have steering committees. At steering 24 committee meetings, questions related to group practices, selecting a slate of candidates for office, and other group issues often are tackled first by the steering committee (or group service committee), which goes to the group for its members’ group conscience decision. In many cases, the officers and/or past officers make up the committee, which usually meets at regularly scheduled times. For a small group, a steering committee composed of three to five members has been found to work well. For larger groups, 12 or more members provide a better cross-section of group experience and can share the workload more easily. In some groups, a rotating committee (with members rotated on and off periodically) serves the same purpose as a steering committee. ----see pamplet on How to start an AA group.   https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-16_theaagroup.pdf 

Our general service office produced an excellent pamplet that can be reached at  https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-16_theaagroup.pdf 

Is Back Porch Meetings Part of the Unity Club of Loveland or 539 group?  The simple answer is "No.". and the reason for this relates to our tradition that reminds us that groups are autonomous.  Many of the members of this group are part of and are also members of 539 group in loveland colorado.  There is a close relationship between the two groups and all groups in the loveland and Northern Colorado region.  We have a relationship with them but not an affiliation. 

Are there any dues of fees for me to join?  No.  We do not require our members to pay dues of fees but we are self supporting through our own contributions. We have set up a 7th tradition area on the website and an announcement at meetings is made that asks for contributions.

Where would my money go if I give to the 7th tradition?  The expenses for an online group are significantly less than a brick and mortar meeting or club but there are still expenses.  The website must be maintained and the zoom account must be paid and some expenses such as chips and mailings may also be incurred.  Is planned that excess 7th tradition contributions that go above the operating expenses of the group will be distributed to local brick and mortar group or groups to help them remain solvent during the national crisis and pandemic.  The current plan is to cover the cost of expenses for the group, build a one month prudent reserve, distribute 50% of excess to 539 group of Loveland, 30 percent to unity club of Loveland, 20 percent to the local service center, 10 percent to the GSO in NY.   Finances and distributions will be posted regularly for members to see.   Tradition Six: An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose ....though we are contributing to an outside enterprise such as the unity club and 539 group we are not "financing" them.  These contributions are wholly voluntary on the part of the group and will be regularly reviewed. 

Why arent there regular group concience and steering commitee meetings yet?  The group began in late march of 2020 when physical meetings for AA members and group meeting places were closed.   in the pamplet by  GSO  " How to Start a New A.A. Group Reasons for starting a new group vary, but the ways to go about it are basically the same. Important to establishing an A.A. group is the need for one as expressed by at least two or three alcoholics; the cooperation of other A.A. members; a meeting place; a coffee pot; A.A. literature and meeting lists; and other supplies. Once the group is off to a good start, it would be helpful to announce its presence to neighboring groups; your local intergroup (central) office, if there is one; your district and area committees; and the General Service Office. These sources can provide much support " 

A small informal steering committee is being established that will then lead to a more formal steering committee.  This will be very simple at first and as the group grows will become more traditionally structured.