Clinton AIC Board business meeting 29-Sep-2015

• Austin reported that the current bills such as rent and utilities are paid and about $1300 remains in the checkbook

• Austin submitted the 501(3C) application and fronted the $400 application fee and awaits the number

• After obtaining the number the corporate entity will be able to accept donations and because of its tax exempt status donors can expect the tax benefit which is due for charitable donations

• The number will also clear the way for grant applications.

• Big Al reported that the furnace issue was resolved by the landlord and that he spent $80 on supplies at BJ's.

• The corporation still needs to develop a standard way of handling petty cash exchanges with participating groups that make use of the center. At the moment, transparency provided by regular business meetings is probably sufficient but as center services expand, perhaps a more formal arrangement can be developed.

• NA buys its own coffee supplies and is currently charged $35 per month rent. They meet 2 times per week. Each meeting currently has its own locker for books, supplies, etc.

• AA recommends that each group should be self-sufficient, declining outside donations and we seem to be very close to the spirit of this tradition. A small amount of sharing such as coffee cups and appliances, takes advantage of limited space for bulk items and is not a problem for the currently small amount of potential center utilization that is actually used. This might change with expanded services, but at the moment the simplicity seems appropriate.

• The rent charged groups is also somewhat arbitrary but could be revisited if needed by the board.

• Austin has a first pass of by-laws that he will share with the board for review.

Clinton AIC Board business meeting 29-Sep-2015

• Austin reported a balance of $1320 and change, not counting what Big Al has been holding during Austin's trip to the land of Octoberfest.

• Austin has ordered 3 grapevine subscriptions, a discussion ensued about whether to use them as fund raisers or give out as prizes or just make available in the center for sharing, and the later was agreed uopn.

• There was some discussion as to futures for literature, should we make books available, start a library etc. There was general agreement that a newcomer packet of some kind should be available and what ought to be included. Discussion brought out concerns of affordability in the short term, but that low cost or free important resources like meeting lists, perhaps pamphlets, perhaps living sober book. Rocky volunteered to produce a meeting list sheet of Clinton meetings including CAIC space meetings that could be a page on the web site and handed out. Rocky volunteered to check out living sober price. (update: $5 from Central Service for qty1-19)

• Austin is still pursuing the article of incorporation as 501(C3) non-profit, which is the first step towards a stable financial footing in the vision to provide a stable platform for recovery program expansion in town. His vision includes many things for problems that are often related to substance abuse, such as battered women, day care, telephone resources, coordination with other groups and the like. He has a start on a vision statement and will be sharing the charter statement (from 501(C3) application) with the board via email.

• There was some discussion about the separation of corporate entity from recovery groups particularly as it relates to the tradition of group autonomy. While there was some concerns raised about how formal or complicated this might become, there was general agreement in moving towards some model that conforms to the spirit of that tradition. I threw out this verbage: “Traditions suggest that we move towards a more formal separation between the corporate entity and the self-sustaining recovery groups which use its resources”. This will not happen overnight because the business model is not yet fully understood, but as we develop it, something to keep in mind.