NA Northern Australia Service Board Meeting minutes held on 28th October 2024

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

Date: 28th October 2024
Time: 7:00 – 8.30pm
Facilitator: Meredith
Minutes: Sami
Attendees: John C; Brad; Sami; Joymaree; David; Meredith; Krissy; Kaye; Dan B; Jason T; Michael B; Cameron W; Tia
Apologies:

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
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. – John accepted the previous minutes; Joymaree seconded the minutes

7.10pm – 7.30pm
2. ITEMS
2.1. Action Items (All reports)

1. REPORTS
1.1. RCM Report
1.1.1. The next RCM will be held on the gold coast on Saturday & Sunday (9th and 10th November) between 9 and 5pm; there will be a speaker jam on the Saturday night; its on the website and Brad will send the details to the LSB whatsapp chat group

1.2. Treasurer Report (Treasurer report posted on NA website)
1.2.1. Michael advised that all sub-accounts have been used; the board agreed to open 6 more sub-accounts;
1.2.2. David asked if Michael could provide feedback on the draft guidelines
1.2.3. Fund flow to region was discussed; David suggested a proposal be taken to the LSC regarding fund flow to give everyone an opportunity to comment; it was agreed by consensus that a discussion at the LSC about fund flowing and convention funds to be held;
1.2.4. Jason requested to be reimbursed for Zoom subscription; Michael to action

1.3. H&I Hub Report (H&I report provided as an agenda attachment)

• H&I Hub activities undertaken in October 2024 included:

• Facilitated recommencement of NA meetings at RBWH Mental Health Unit.
  • Two 30 minutes sessions on G Floor and I Floor to run consecutively
  • Initially monthly with the view of increasing to fortnightly
  • Meetings to commence once H&I roster numbers are confirmed
• Facilitated commencement of NA meetings at New Farm Clinic
  • Thursday evenings at 6.30pm
  • Initially monthly with the view of increasing to fortnightly
  • Meetings to commence once H&I roster numbers are confirmed
• Attended ARSC PR subcommittee meeting to discuss proposal to separate H&I from PR. Action items included:
  • Michelle B to discuss with PR subcommittee putting forward a proposal at the next ARSC to separate H&I from PR
  • Michelle and PR subcommittee to consider proposing the creation of an H&I working group at the regional level
• September H&I report uploaded onto NA website

1.4. PR Report (PR report provided as an agenda attachment)
1.4.1. John has been in touch with Matt in Darwin; the Darwin indigenous online meetings are going well; Matt gave John’s number to Uncle Cliff who has been in touch and wants to get in touch with Elwin because of his knowledge of culture; John sent Matt some PR posters, business cards and stickers;
1.4.2. Joymaree was at a community event that Legal Aid was at and they asked for business cards and meeting information, which she provided; Joymaree also needs more business card for the local police who give them out;
1.4.3. Tia was talking to the IWC who were asking ?
1.4.4. Tia wants to know if she can put NA information at ?; John advised that it was ok; John will post business cards to her;

1.5. Website Report
1.5.1. The draft guidelines have been posted on the website for feedback from members;

1.6. Board Communication (enquiries and contacts) Report (Board Communication report provided as an agenda attachment)
1.6.1. See attached

7.30pm – 7.40pm
2. GSF FEEDBACK

2.1. GSF reports that are received by the secretary are FYI
2.2. Kaye advised that the Cairns fellowship will be more active; they forget that they are supported by the LSB

7.40pm – 8.00pm
3. POLICY WORKING GROUP

3.1. Issues raised via email:
3.1.1. The comments from Inner Brisbane City GSF and Nathan (Cairns) ; John suggested that we extend the date for feedback from the guidelines to February; Jason feels that 30 days isn’t enough time for members to provide feedback; Kaye supports having the guidelines on the website but agrees that 30days is not enough time to provide feedback; Sami suggested that the guidelines on the website be replaced with a copy that has DRAFT as a watermark; Brad also feels that the guidelines should remain a draft until February LSC; David said two weeks before the February LSC is needed; Joymaree suggested we take down the current version and once the draft has a watermark on it, put it back up; the board members agreed to remove the current guidelines and to be reviewed with the correct name and draft watermark and then replaced onto the webpage and to have feedback provided before the February 2025 LSC;
3.1.2. Cameron has a personal grievance and would like the board to work with Cameron and Krissy outside of the meeting; Meredith confirmed we would follow process with that; Sami to send Krissy’s email to the board members and Cameron
3.1.3. Assessment of agenda for LSC – Meredith will double check the agenda and make sure it is alignment with what was discussed tonight
3.1.4. Assessment of poster for LSC – the poster was approved to be distributed

8.00pm – 8.20pm
4. New Items

8.20pm – 8.30pm
5. CLOSE
5.1. Meeting feedback:
5.2. Next meeting Monday 25th November, 2024 from 7.00-8.30pm
5.3. 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:
1. RCM: no report this month

2. Treasurer: https://www.na.org.au/multi/greaterqld/2024/11/17/nanasa-financial-reports-october-2024/

3. H&I: https://www.na.org.au/multi/greaterqld/2024/10/27/northern-australia-service-area-hi-report-october-2024/

4. PR: Northern Australia PR Report – Oct 26, 2024
• Contact was made with Darwin.
A request was made for posters, stickers and business cards.
They’ll be sent Monday Oct. 28th
Mat also mentioned all the Indigenous NA on line meetings that are happening Australia wide and passed my number to Uncle Cliff. He contacted me and I have chased up Elwyn who I believe may be interested in what Uncle Cliff may have to say.
Elwyn is a person with knowledge of his culture.
• Input into the draft Policy document for Northern Australia on the PR role, the grievance procedure and harassment.
• Liaised with H and I about new mental health unit presentations for members.

5. Policy Working Group:

Northern Australia Service Area Policy Workgroup
Policy WorkGroup report 28.10.2024
6. Project summary

6.1. Report date 6.2. Project name 6.3. Prepared by
28.10.2024
Northern Australia Draft Guidelines Krissy A
Coordinator
7. Status Summary

8. Project overview

8.1. task 8.2. 8.3. Due date
8.4. TRUSTED SERVANt 8.5. notes
Maintain communication for workgroup As needed Krissy All policy workgroup members respond to emails and phone calls as needed.
Meet regularly Zoom and face to face meetings Fortnightly Workgroup Review suggestions received and take action as necessary.
Discussions on upcoming tasks.
8.6. issue 8.7. ASSIGNED TO 8.8. Notes
Proof Reading for Document
Peter B (October 2024) Peter B has recent experience having just completed proof reading the edition to be released of NA Down Under for the Australian Region. Peter is able to proof read the document in 2-4 days after receipt.
Local Service Conference Presentation All 3 members of the workgroup. Presentation; explanation and Questions.
Proposal for Local Service Conference David To enable Guidelines to be completed and utilised.
9. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

The Policy Workgroup continues to meet regularly and we have cut back meeting to fortnightly to review the tasks that arise from emails and phone calls. There has been positive feedback from individual members from the NA communities of Townsville; Bundaberg; Cairns; Northern Suburbs of Brisbane; Inner City; Logan City; Redland Bay and only a few members that have been critical of the Policy group members and the establishment of the workgroup. Most members have expressed gratitude at finally having some guidelines (even if they are in draft form) as a resource. Tim S, who is a NA World Board member and was a part of the original workgroup in NAWS to develop the proposed service system has endorsed the draft as a solid base and congratulated the Workgroup on their efforts. Our project is coming to an end and a new Policy Coordinator/Chairperson can be elected at the upcoming Local Service Conference to complete the tasks. Report prepared by Krissy A. Yours in Loving Service.

6. Correspondence:
Date: From: Re:
1/10 David T. Mid October LSB meeting
1/10 Krissy A. Mid October LSB meeting
1/10 Brad N. Mid October LSB meeting
2/10 Brad N. Mid October LSB meeting
2/10 Alan P. Mid October LSB meeting
2/10 David T. Mid October LSB meeting
2/10 Michael B. Mid October LSB meeting
2/10 H&I Mid October LSB meeting
2/10 David T. NASA Policy Guideline
2/10 Microsoft Outlook Undeliverable message
2/10 Louis D. Northern Australia Service Guidelines
3/10 Postmaster@outlook.com
Undeliverable message
3/10 Policy Chair NA Contact details
3/10 Policy Chair NA Guidelines on website
4/10 Joymaree B. Reply to zoom meeting invitation
6/10 Jason T. Reimbursement for zoom subscription
6/10 Webservant GSR report Newfarm
6/10 Webservant GSR report Inner City Brisbane
8/10 David T. Kaye from Cairns fellowship contact details
8/10 Webservant Inner City Brisbane GSF report
8/10 Webservant Love St Lunchie @ Spring Hill GSR report
8/10 Webservant GSR report Newfarm
12/10 Webservant Inner City Brisbane GSF report
13/10 Webservant Women Do Recover New Farm GSR report
13/10 Webservant Brisbane North GSF report
13/10 Webservant Inner City Brisbane GSF report
14/10 PR Extra Ordinary board meeting
18/10 H&I Draft LSC agenda for review
18/10 PR Draft LSC agenda for review
19/10 PR Late reply to email from Krissy
19/10 H&I LSC Poster – information required
19/10 PR LSC Poster – information required
19/10 David T. LSC Poster – information required
19/10 John C. LSC Poster – information required & resignation from board
19/10 H&I LSC Poster – information required
19/10 John C. LSC Poster – information required
20/10 John C. LSC Poster – information required
20/10 David T. LSC Poster – information required
20/10 John C. Reply to David T.
20/10 John C. Cut off for suggestions about policy
20/10 David T. LSC Poster – information required
20/10 Jason T. Northern Australia Service Guidelines
20/10 Cameron W. Northern Australia Service Guidelines
22/10 Krissy A. Draft LSC agenda for review
22/10 Australia Post Mail awaiting collection
23/10 John C. Email response to Dave T. Mk 2
23/10 Joymaree B. Northern Australia Service Guidelines
23/10 Joymaree B. Request for minutes from last board meeting
23/10 H&I LSC Poster – information required
23/10 Joymaree B. LSC Poster – information required
24/10 Jason T. Naming NASA v NANASA
24/10 PR Agenda for the NASA LSC to be held in November
26/10 H&I Draft NASA LSC poster
27/10 H&I NASA October H&I Report
27/10 PR Grievance procedure for draft policy
27/10 Microsoft Outlook Undeliverable message
27/10 Postmaster@outlook.com Undeliverable message
27/10 Cameron W. Draft of the Policy Guidelines for Northern Australia
27/10 PR Draft of the Policy Guidelines for Northern Australia
27/10 PR Draft NASA LSC Poster
27/10 Nathan S. Draft of the Policy Guidelines for Northern Australia
27/10 PR Draft of the Policy Guidelines for Northern Australia
28/10 PR Agenda Item
28/10 Policy Chair Draft of the Policy Guidelines for Northern Australia
28/10 PR Draft of the Policy Guidelines for Northern Australia
28/10 Policy Chair Draft of the Policy Guidelines for Northern Australia
28/10 Policy Chair Draft of the Policy Guidelines for Northern Australia
28/10 Policy Chair Updated agenda for board meeting
28/10 Policy Chair Policy Workgroup Report
28/10 Joymaree Region and Speaker Jam Gold Coast

7.
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