GNOSB Meeting Minutes — March 27, 2025

Greater New Orleans Service Board
Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 6:31pm
Central Office, 638 Papworth Ave, Ste A, Metairie, LA 70005
aaneworleans.org | office@aaneworleans.org

Officers: Chairperson: Andrea Halstead | Co-Chair: Jim Newton | Treasurer: Alyson “Sunny” Taylor

Estimated 25 in attendance: 1 Trustee; 2 Committee Chair/Co-Chair; 1 Committee Member; Central Office Manager; 3 DCM/Alt-DCM; 14 Group Service Board Reps/GSRs; 3 Visitors

Welcome

Meeting called to order at 6:31pm by Andrea H. with Serenity Prayer.

Officer Reports

• Secretary: Still needed. Notes taken by Colyn N. Switching to a more paperless system; meeting agenda has QR codes instead of printouts for financials and CO report. Vote to approve previous minutes delayed to next meeting (QR code for minutes was forgotten)
• Treasurer (Sunny T., absent): See attached report (also on website). Contributions significantly down in February at individual and group levels. Central Office Backer monthly totals increased slightly after structural changes to the contributions program. Operations account cash balance remains low, barely covering monthly expenses and merchandise purchases. Treasurer’s report approved with substantial unanimity

Central Office — Carolyn H.

• Full report available on website
• Following last meeting’s vote to stay at current location, manager and Trustees have been negotiating with the landlord on rental rate and lease terms
• Landlord agreed to a small tiered rent increase: $1,250/month for first three months (beginning May 1), then $1,350 for the remainder of year one, then $1,417.50 (5% increase) for year two
• Cash flow in the operations account remains low — near one month’s operational expenses, not including merchandise purchases or BDSC costs. Per Bylaws Section XI, the operating fund should consist of one-fourth of annual operating expenses (estimated $74,103.93 for FY 2023–2024; one-fourth = $18,300)
• Motion to transfer $5,000 from prudent reserve into Central Office operations account: passed with substantial unanimity (15 in favor, no opposed, 2 abstentions)

Old Business

• Ad Hoc Committee: Big Deep South Financials — Jim N. (absent)
• Ad Hoc Committee: Special Worker Pay Raises — Jim R.: Given the need to transfer funds, tabling this discussion until after Big Deep South 2025
• Previously Tabled Motion: Halt Future Big Deep South Contracts — Jim R.: Multiple hidden fees found in the hotel contract signed by the previous BDSC chair; Hilton has been profiting from this event while Central Office has received no contribution from the past two years’ events. A BDSC inventory will need to happen before any future event contracts are signed. Discussion: This arrangement is not aligned with Traditions and the proceeds are not being used for the best interests of the wider fellowship. Motion passed with substantial unanimity (16 in favor, no opposed, 1 abstention)
• Big Deep South hotel contract: Use QR code or code BDS25 for room block rate — very important to book hotel rooms this way so the Service Board’s contract meets its room block requirement

Inventories

• Mike A. (BDSC 2025 Chair): BDS 2025 wrap-up meeting is June 19
• Service Board inventory will take place in late June 2025 (possibly June 21 or 28)
• Tentative date of July 19, 2025 for Big Deep South inventory

Central Office Backers Program

• Online payment options allow members to make pay-what-you-can contributions monthly, yearly, or one-time. Requested to add this to the homepage for improved accessibility
• Printed Bulletin will be a separate subscription like the Grapevine; working to get data on exact printing costs

DAAY in the Park Planning Committee

• Guests expressed interest in joining the committee; planning usually starts in July — come to that meeting when chair and details will be decided

Committee Reports

• T&C (Scott B.): Ad hoc committee discussion about doing something at Big Deep South; details not yet confirmed but looking good; working with Area Treatment Chair Q
• Website: Absent | Hotline: Absent
• Big Deep South (Mike A.): Confirmed final speaker for Saturday night and workshop topics. Have a 30-minute play on the Steps from District 18 and a 30-minute film. Next meeting: April 2

District Reports

• D12 (Lillyn E.): Sweets Auction for Spring Roundup raised $10,000 (goal was $7,000); working on confirming Treatment liaison contacts; PI-CPC rep looking for home groups to sponsor racks
• D19 (Oscar A.): Keeping meeting time as 4th Tuesday of the month, 6:30pm. Grapevine chair stepped down — that position and Special Events chair are open
• D20 (Colyn N.): Events occurring in home groups. Positions open: PI-CPC, Treasurer, Events
• D17, D18, D21, D25: Absent

New Business

• Zoom/Hybrid Access: D12 attendee asked about making the meeting hybrid; discussion on Zoom equipment options. Area Assembly has found relatively inexpensive audio equipment and could offer recommendations

Meeting closed at 7:36pm with circle and prayer.