NA Northern Australia Service Board Meeting minutes held on 29th April 2024

Location: Virtual Zoom
Meeting ID: 487 569 8440
Pass code 865364
Meeting Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86913016074?pwd=QjVpNFhXektBZUpiTXR3ajU5MFgwUT09

Date: Monday 29 April 2024
Time: 7:00 – 8.50pm
Facilitator: Meredith
Minutes: Sami
Attendees: Sami; Jason; Brad; Krissy; Joymaree; David; Michael; Meredith; Nina; Tim; Brea; Rouz
Apologies: John C

7.00pm – 7.10pm
1. OPEN
1.1. Chair’s welcome.
1.2. Service prayer:
God, grant us the knowledge that we may serve according to your divine precepts. Instill in us a sense of your purpose, make us servants of your will and grant us a bond of selflessness that this may truly be your work, not ours, so that no addict, anywhere, need die from the horrors of addiction.
1.3. Acknowledgement of Country
Today we stand in footsteps millennia old. May we acknowledge the traditional owners whose cultures and customs have nurtured, and continue to nurture, this land, since men and women awoke from the great dream. We honour the presence of these ancestors who reside in the imagination of this land and whose irrepressible spirituality flows through all creation.
1.4. ID of those present:
1.5. Apologies: John C; Rouz
1.6. Maintaining an Atmosphere of Recovery
To ensure we maintain an atmosphere of recovery, the Board asks that all participants share their views and speak respectfully to one another throughout this meeting.
If required, the Chairperson will pause the meeting to remind members of their responsibility to communicate respectfully.
1.7. Meeting Format
Meeting participants are asked to use the Raise Hand function to share their views or make comment.
To enable Board meetings to finish at 8.30pm each section of the agenda has been allocated a specific timeframe. Timekeeping will be managed by the Chairperson who will also ensure the final five minutes of each agenda section involving group discussion allows group consensus to be reached on the next steps and required action items (where necessary).
Discussion points not covered due to time constraints will be held over (where necessary) until the next Board meeting.
1.8. Acceptance of previous minutes
1.8.1. Meredith Seconded by Sami

7.10pm – 7.30pm
2. ITEMS
2.1. RCM Report (RCM report provided as an agenda attachment)
2.1.1. Updates
2.1.2. Funding attendance for RCM to attend November Region Meeting on the Gold Coast. Two nights accommodation requested as RCM does not drive; the board has agreed to this;
2.1.3. Motel allowance for RCM has been increased from $110.00 to $160.00
2.1.4. Brad sent a message out on the weekend about the vision statement and region are looking for feedback for the next meeting in June; this is to be an agenda item for next board meeting

2.2. Treasurer Report (Treasurer report posted on NA website)
2.2.1. Updates
2.2.2. Waiting to finalise the policy in the form of instructions on how to use the Westpac EFTPOS air system; trialing it at the men’s group, practice is needed but it is fairly straightforward; Discussion about how the air system will work; Westpac advised that all funds must go into one single account
2.2.3. Westpac Air system will not replace the option of a group having its own bank account; it’s up to the individual groups;
2.2.4. Krissy advised the Rouz has finished the policy regarding the Westpac Air system
2.2.5. Joymaree asked about handling 7th tradition in her area; Michael advised about sub-accounts as well as other ways of handling funds;
2.2.6. Westpac EFTPOS air system is to be placed on the agenda for the next board meeting
2.2.7. Michael has requested that we open 6 more sub-accounts at Westpac; the board agreed to this;

2.3. H&I Hub Report (H&I report provided as an agenda attachment)
2.3.1. Updates
2.3.2. H&I Hub has provided:
• Support alongside Sami H (Board Cairns GSF Support) and Krissy A to Cairns Fellowship to establish a Cairns H&I Workgroup.
• Support to the Townsville Fellowship to reconnect with Townsville Correctional Centre; clearance paperwork sent to Townsville members.
• Support to the Maryborough Fellowship to progress clearance into Maryborough Correctional Centre
• Two members approved to go into BWCC, currently completing online training before induction process.

2.4. PR Report (PR report provided as an agenda attachment)
2.4.1. John was an apology so no discussion around PR was held

2.5. Website Report (Website report provided as an agenda attachment)
2.5.1. No report provided; board agreed that there was no need for monthly reports; Sami to retain the position of looking after the website and will report if there is anything to report
2.5.2. Uploading Board reports to Northern Australia webpage will be the one document
2.5.3. Krissy advised that an IT policy is being prepared and will be in touch with Sami

2.6. Board Communication (enquiries and contacts) Report (Board Communication report provided as an agenda attachment)
2.6.1. Updates – nil

2.7. New Items
2.7.2. Secretary position is vacant; Sami will be acting Secretary until the next LSC where a new secretary can be appointed;
2.7.3. H&I Hub requires member to respond to prisoner mail: to be held over to next board meeting;
2.7.4. Date for next LSC: Sami to post previous LSC minutes on the website and email them to Krissy; need to have the policies and guidelines in place before we can hold elections to the board; 2nd June proposed date for next LSC to approve policy work group guidelines; David expressed concern over the time line being too short from when the policy group present the guidelines to the board, placed on the website for GSFs to give feedback; discussion around this; it was decided that we could approve them in principle with elections being held at the following LSC
2.7.5. Service Systems Project structure: to be held over to next board meeting;
2.7.6. Townsville Fellowship seeking guidance on disunity and fund management; Sami to organise a Zoom conference with Krissy, Meredith and Sami and members of Townsville to provide guidance around service positions, running GSFs etc;
2.7.7. Bob is having difficulties with group members; Bundaberg has a second meeting started on the same day and time as the current meeting and there is a bit of infighting; Micheal will contact both groups to talk

7.30pm – 7.40pm
3. GSF FEEDBACK

7.40pm – 8.00pm
4. CONVENTION
4.1.2. NAC24 Chair update
4.1.3. NAC24 Vice-Chairs update
4.1.4. Convention Budget; there is a budget deficit of $3,000 that Jason is requesting for the board to cover; Michael advised that we do have the money; the board agreed to the $3,000.00 and if they need any further funds, they are to approach the board like they did tonight; Jason advised that the money won’t be needed until the invoices start coming in in June; Jason will let Michael know when he needs to the money and he will transfer it;

8.00pm – 8.20pm
5. POLICY WORKING GROUP
5.1.2. Presentation to the Board on the new Policy Manual before it’s released for feedback; a separate meeting will be held out of session on Monday 20th May at 7pm; Sami to check availability on Zoom;

8.20pm – 8.30pm
6. CLOSE
6.1. Meeting feedback
6.1.1.
6.2. Next meeting Monday 25 May 2024 from 7.00-8.30pm
6.3. Serenity prayer in the plural:
God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change. The courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

REPORTS

RCM
https://www.na.org.au/multi/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2403-MARCH-ARSC-MINUTES_Redacted.pdf

TREASURER
https://www.na.org.au/multi/greaterqld/2024/05/18/nanasa-financial-reports-april-2024/

H&I

PR
PR Report – Board – 22/4/24
Convention
• The Art Working group produced an electronic flyer.
There was discussion in a previous PR group (2 present) that we have the cockatoo with gumnuts; however, after being presented with 2 posters we chose the blue poster. It was easier to see information on the blue poster. The blue poster is great!

Discussion also centered around a QR code on the poster but that would have involved more
time before we could get the posters to institutions. We wanted to start the process ASAP.
We can still come back to the idea of QR codes.
Emails are sent with the attached poster and program. A request is made to answer Y or N re the recipient’s intentions and any dietary restrictions. This will help with catering
Thanks to Alex and the Art Group for all their efforts. Really great work.
• The Governor declined our invitation to open the PR Forum but she said that ‘this
time she was unavailable.”
I have asked the Health Minister if she would like to open. I haven’t had a response.
Plan C is to ask a Green MP.
• Liaising with Michael re catering
• We have pamphlets for those attending
• We still need to confirm a large screen, projector and laptop.
• In the process of confirming all our speakers.
• Liaising with Michelle B (PR Region) re time slots and speakers.
Any queries, I can be reached through PR.northernaustralia@na.org.au or 0438168460
Other business (Board)
• Request from Cairns on tips on setting up a PR group.
Phone call, written tips; and posters/business cards were sent on Wednesday
• Information from Tony S and Kris about someone requiring posters from Gatton
• Posters/business cards and stickers sent to Rockhampton.
• Liaising with Michelle B (PR Region) re Forum.
Had a 2 person meeting re time slots and discussion re speakers.
Very valuable.

BOARD COMMUNICATION

CONVENTION
Working Group Name: Fun Crew Date: 21 April 23
• Chairperson Name/s: Melissa M, Monique D
• How many members does your working group have? 12-15
Finances:
• As fundraising is using the working account, I will leave Tim to confirm the income from the Talent night etc. It is difficult to separate income from the catering, talent night entry and raffle, given many people bought tic for everything in one transaction. However I believe around $500 was made from the raffle and I will leave Tim and the other chairs to report on income from the event and catering.

Working Group Activities / Other Comments:
• What successes have you had?
NA’s got Talent was a cooperative effort between catering, Entertainment and Fundraising and t was by all accounts a roaring success in terms of fundraising and most importantly fellowship.
• What struggles have you had?
• What are the upcoming activities or actions your working group have planned?
o May 4 Trivia night – projected income $600
o May 26 – Drag Bingo – projected income $500
o June – Speaker Jam – projected income $500
o July – Art Auction – projected income $1000
o July – NA cookbook – projected income $250
• Is there any support or guidance the Convention Committee can provide your working group?
Please let me know if you have any issues / suggestions / comments on proposed activities

• Are there any announcements you would like GSF’s to take back to their Group in relation to your working group?
o Trivia Night – May the 4th at Spring Hill Hall, 6pm. BBQ sausage sissle and prizes tp be won.
o Drag Bingo Brunch – Sunday 26 May at 11am at the New Farm Community Centre. Bacon and Egg rolls and Drag bingo entertainment. Fabulous prizes to be won.
Proposals from Chairperson and working group:
• Overview of the proposal – see above and attached draft fliers. If the Talent Night does not have any objections, the flier may be distributed to all and sundry.
• Was this discussed with consensus from all members of the working group? Yes
• How does this contribute to convention? Fundraising and fellowship. events planned give sub-committees a chance to work together and test out the team prior to the convention.
What support is required from the convention committee and/or broader area? Catering and Entertainment may be involved in future events.

2. Working Group Name: Catering Date: 17/04/2024
• Chairperson Name/s: Annabelle
• How many members does your working group have? 12ish
Finances:
• Opening balance:
• Expenses: $310 on bake off
• Closing Balance:
• Amount of Float Top up being requested: $200? For both the upcoming events. I will have an exact figure asap.
• Invoices (if applicable): Monique and Tim have them.

Working Group Activities / Other Comments:
• What successes have you had? The bake off at the NA’s got talent was a success. It all went really smoothly. I’m happy with the team members so far in catering as I know they will support me over the convention and we will all work together well.
• What struggles have you had? None.
• What are the upcoming activities or actions your working group have planned? We have 2 events coming up that we will be catering for – Drag Bingo and Trivia Night. The catering team is having a meeting on Zoom on Thursday night to discuss both of these events. I need to have 2 budgets to Monique asap – one for a sausage sizzle for the trivia night and one for bacon and egg rolls for the drag bingo.
• Is there any support or guidance the Convention Committee can provide your working group?
• Are there any announcements you would like GSF’s to take back to their Group in relation to your working group? Baristas needed over the convention weekend. If anyone knows how to make coffee please get in touch with Annabelle 0481727081.
• Any other comments? I saw the venue again with Dave and Adonis. I think we are keen to just get a food truck on Friday night and maybe Saturday night people can just go out for dinner as there is a lot of restaurants around the corner from the venue. Sausage sizzle both Saturday and Sunday for lunch, soft drinks and coffee all weekend, and perhaps some snack food like fruit salads and cakes.

Proposals from Chairperson and working group:
• Overview of the proposal
• Was this discussed with consensus from all members of the working group?
• How does this contribute to convention?

What support is required from the convention committee and/or broader area?

POLICY WORKING GROUP
Policy Workgroup Report Northern Australia Service Area – April 2024

Workgroup Meetings

1. Policy Workgroup has had three service meetings; multiple phone discussions and WhatsApp Chat to stay abreast of tasks.
2. On the meeting of 20.4.24 a room was hired that normally costs $10 discount hire fee for a GSF to meet, but unfortunately the church hire fee turned out to be $20 an hour without a discount and the venue hire charged was $30. The LSB Treasurer was advised of the venue bank details which were supplied for payment.
3. David T joined the Workgroup and he has hit the ground running.
4. Bruce (NA IT) has set up a Policy Chairperson (Coordinator) mailbox on na.org.au and provided me with two hours of tuition to assist me in my service role. LSB members were emailed with this address. (policychair.northernaustralia@na.org.au)

Progress Report

5. The Northern Australia Area Guidelines are almost completed to a comprehensive draft stage.

Tasks still to do include:

6. completing the formatting for the Policy Manual.
7. still discussing and resourcing material that will be included as appendixes.
8. presentation about the Policy Manual for the Local Service Board members.

Previous Draft for Greater Qld Area Local Service Board Guidelines

9. Received Dropbox files from Cameron W and the LSB Secretary.

10. The Policy Workgroup is tasked to udate and develop guidelines for the Northern Australia Service Area that are based on the Service System (that was approved by the ASC in 2017).

11. It is not our job to debate the issue of guidelines which has caused conflict among trusted servants and members.

This is what we’ve found:

12. There is a mention to policies being developed for NASA in the Board Minutes in 2018 with different Board members tasked to work on policies.

13. I contacted to 5 previous Board members from 2018 (plus LSC Facilitators) who remember discussions at a service meeting but no Northern Area Service Guidelines being completed or ratified (approved) either by the LSB or the LSC.

14. There is a Draft Guideline for the GQA Local Service Board, which is not completed nor approved by the LSB nor the LSC at that time. There are no Minutes or Reports from the Board or the LSC approving those Guidelines.

15. We have taken the files that have been sent out by Cameron W and the NASA Secretary and ensured the current draft of the NASA Policy Manual is inclusive of relevant information, in line with the design of the service system. Also included are the other resources previously reported ie. NAWS information; and online resources from the Australian Region and other areas; and phone calls with Tim S who worked on the World Board PSS project to design the model of service (Proposed Service System).

16. The current LSB Mail list recipients were emailed on 23.3.24 with list of questions for input into the draft guidelines and received one acknowledgement in response.

17. This has proved to be a stressful process at times, however the Policy workgroup have proved to be committed hardworking and continue to bring this project to fruition.

18. Please note that the Policy Coordinator has a new email address in keeping with the service role and the mail will be checked twice a week.

19. Proposal: that the LSB set an extra meeting within the next 2-3 weeks for a presentation of the Draft Policy Guideline Manual. Time required for presentation and questions approximately one hour.

Yours in Loving Service,

Krissy A. Policy Workgroup Coordinator.