SUMMER GRATITUDE DAY
Intergroups can be grateful too!
And we at Queens Intergroup are always gratified by the special spirit that comes about
when an area's groups get together to do their sober thing.
We counted 89 groups represented (and probably missed a few) at one time or another
during our first annual Gratitude Day.
QIAA's thanks to those who set up and closed up, to our "lunch lady", to our great speakers
and to all those who came to listen and to share.
We're already discussing next years "Day" to be held in western Queens.
Don't forget this year's QUEENS SHARE A DAY ON October 16
at Franklin K. Lane High School, 999 Jamaica Ave., Woodhaven.
MEETING CHANGES
Did you know we post all current meeting changes on our web site and that if you send us your email address
we will automatically update you on changes and on Queens area AA stuff?
Let us know your home group and email address at: secretary@queensaa.org
ELECTIONS
At the September 11 Delegates Meeting, elections will be held for the QIAA Board positions
of Vice-Chairperson, Vice-Treasurer, Office Manager and Secretary.
ALL GROUPS PLEASE NOTE THE 8:00 A.M. SEPTEMBER 11 EXCHANGE MEETING
AND 9:30 A.M. DELEGATES MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT THE OLD LOCATION:
ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 164TH. STREET & GOETHALS AVENUE, JAMAICA
QIAA AND INSTITUTIONS
Thanks to the efforts of our Institutions Chair and to many dedicated volunteers,
QIAA currently carries the message to 20 Queens area facilities. The past year has seen
a significant increase in our expenses for literature at these locations.
Volunteers are always needed as are literature donations.
Our Institutions Chair, Dick H, has advised he must step down. This is a "hands on" position
but as always with AA service the rewards can't be measured.
CONTACT DICK AT institutions@queensaa.org FOR DETAILS.
AT THE QIAA OFFICE
Our 2004 operating deficit has increased to $4700 for the first half of the year. We ask Queens groups to
continue their support and, where possible, to reconsider their priorities. It's your Intergroup.
We were able to negotiate a new five year lease for the office with a very minimal increase ensuring
that our office costs will remain constant and affordable.
As always group contributions are our financial mainstay.
The 2004 Meeting Books (the thirteenth QIAA Book with 219 groups listed) are available.
QIAA Officers have them. They will be on sale at the Gratitude Day.
Or they are available at the office, but PLEASE CALL FIRST.
Too late for inclusion in the book was a new group, Marathonas (Greek Speaking)
at Good Shepherd Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent Street, Astoria.
Open Discussion 5:00 P.M. Sunday.
QUARTERLY TREASURER'S REPORT
At the April Business Meeting our Treasurer reported an operating deficit of $2977.85 for the first quarter
of 2004. This generally tracks our past experience of large expenses - insurance for one -in the early part
of the year. Our treasurer again emphasizes that our long term financial health depends upon the continued
regular generosity of the Queens Groups. We are aware that all groups have their own financial commitments
and can only ask that they remember the real service QIAA and their participation provides:
A 24 Hour Phone Line, a Meeting Book, the Sharathon, Gratitude Day, Exchange Meetings.
IT'S YOUR INTERGROUP.
As always the Groups are grateful for the community spirit shown byOur Savior Lutheran School and Church
in allowing us to use their facility. (A lot of us remember those cold nights at the old Sharathons!)
And thanks to those individual volunteers who mopped, set up and cleaned up. And to the Lighthouse and
Forest Hills Survivors Groups - who normally meet at the school - for their cooperation.
As for the numbers: By the participating groups' own count at each meeting,6408 people -2302 at Thanksgiving,
4106 at year end - attended the300 Sharathon meetings. Almost 500 AA members signed up for 12 Step work.
Fifty-four groups took commitments; every group kept their commitment. We were unable to count the smiles
or weigh the gratitude. We've been saying to the Queens Groups, it's their Intergroup.
It's certainly their Sharathon.
A SUMMER SHARADAY???
Queens area members have been suggesting for some time that QIAAand the Queens Groups hold a mid-year
event. At the January QIAA business meeting, the QIAA Board decided to explore the possibility of a
Summer Sharaday to be held in conjunction with the June 5 Exchange and Delegates Meetings.
An all day schedule as well as lunch is being considered. It's hoped that if the event generates enough interest,
we would rotate it throughout Queens areas in the ensuing years if suitable facilities can be found.
The Board is searching for a location in Southeast Queens for the first Summer Sharaday
Hopefully, final word will be available at the March 6 Exchange and Delegates Meeting.
QUEENS INTERGROUP FINANCES
Thanks to the response by Queens groups to our appeal this fall and to the generosity of those attending the
Sharathon, QIAA ended the year slightly above even -- $287 to the good. This is after a transfer of $1000
to our Prudent Reserve -- our first contribution there in several years. The recommended reserve for an
Intergroup is one year. Ours is only at the nine month level. The annual report appears on the reverse side
of this newsletter. The QIAA Treasurer emphasized that our continued financial viability depends on long term,
regular financial commitments from Queens groups not one-time appeals or events.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Our P.I. Chair advises that the Spring months are the busiest for speakers at health fairs,
schools and other public forums
BE RESPONSIBLE. CALL.
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