CFC Houston Monthly Meeting December 22, 2019

Minutes for November 24, 2019The CFC Houston Monthly meeting convene at the Heights Club, 2115 Lawrence Street, Houston, TX. Patti W, Alternate Chair, was not present so Larry L, Secretary, opened the meeting at 3:30 PM with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer.

Attendance: 18 people attended.

Minutes. Larry L, CFC Houston Secretary, distributed the minutes of the October 27, 2019, meeting for everyone to review on their own. There were no suggestions for amendment, so the minutes were approved as presented.

Treasurer s Report. Alice B reported as follows:

Bank Balance as of 10/23/2019 Income/Assets7th Tradition Separation

Income

'' •

Expenses

.$$

Set-Asides

2 000.00

Balance$ 7 085 .91

White Can deposits 9/24/2019-10/17/2019

ExpensesRent '

CFC Hospitality Room

$$ 908.20

$ 915.10$ 30.00$

$ 2,000.00

Book Purchases $ 1158.57Subtotals $ 908.20 $ 1,388.57 $ 4,020.00 $ 7,549.90Available for Book Purchases $ 3,549.90

Alice noted that we did not have to pay rent for the National Conference Hospitality room because SETA CFC picked up that expense. Alice noted that we are now an official AA Group per GSO, and we are ordering all our books now directly from GSO. She will send an end-of-year report to all donor groups to provide a breakdown of what we do, how we spend the donations, and the prison units we visit. She requested everyone to write their names on a blank page that she will attach to the report. It was moved, seconded, and approved to accept the Treasurer's report.

White Can report. Per Treasurer's Report.

Correspondence. Elizabeth S reported that we received 18 letters, 12 men and 6 from women. The included 3 requests for correspondence, 1 for Bridging the Gap, 1 for a sponsor, and 1 requesting a new meeting at Plane State Jail. Several were for requests that we do not address, e.g., from jails or rehab programs but she referred those to appropriate resources such as SETA CFC. Elizabeth also requested additional stamps for future correspondence.

Bridging the Gap. Roland R reported that he needs additional pink forms to distribute to inmates. Alice B said she has to print more forms.

SETA CFC Liaison. Karen T reported that the most recent SETA CFC meeting was November 21 with 18 people attending. They collected $3,532.22 over the previous month and $50,582.61 YTD. They spent $59,482.40 on books YTD and had $6,749.89 available for book purchases. The National Corrections Conference was a great success, with 389 registrations and 329 actual attendance from all over the USA and Canada. Original room bloc of 75 rooms expanded to 317. There were 42 scholarships and the banquet was attended by 204. There was a good strong message for taking the AAmessage behind the walls. They had 40 letters, of which 10 were for ongoing correspondence. They decided to pay $10 a month rent to District 66 where they meet. Book order totaled $6,530.60 for 12 orders. The SETA State Convention will be January 24-26, 2020, at Moody Gardens in Galveston.

Volunteer Coordinator. Chuck M reported that he offered a CFC workshop at the Woods Road Drive group and he thanked Committee members for helping out. The Darrington Anniversary will be January12, Sunday, from 5-8 PM, and he asked anyone interested to give him their names. Regarding the National Conference, one man from California had just completed 37 calendar years. We took several volunteers to different units that we visit, including 17 to the Walls. The 2020

.

7th Tradition Separation (collected)Income $ 1,339.09Natl Corrections Conf Hospitality RmRound UP

$ 755.34

national conference will be in Chicago and New Orleans in 2012. He also reported about two men who were just released and going to meetings outside due to our work taking meetings inside. Several people reminded the group that all formal TDCJ training orientations are listed on the TDCJ Volunteer Services and also on the SETA CFC Websites.

Webmaster Report. Alice B introduced the group to our new Webmaster, Ralph _ . He said about 632 views and 225 visitors, so he will make the Website more interactive and will post more of our information for visitors to see.

Literature. Alice B requested everyone to give her a list of the books they wanted to order. She has Grapevine back issues available. She also has cups and hats available for purchase. Chuck M noted that different publishers produce different editions from that available from GSO.

Old Business. Larry L reminded the group that there had been discussion about finding a different location, but everyone was satisfied with continuing to meet at the Heights Group at 3:30 PM on the 4th Sunday of the month.

New Business. Chuck M reminded the group that we need to elect new Committee Officers for 2020. There was discussion about various responsibilities and individuals to nominate. Dolores R shared that the man who used to accompany her to Ramsey has moved so she is hoping someone would volunteer to go with her. Larry L said he would send out position descriptions with the next meeting reminder.Chuck reminded the group that nominees should be present for the vote. The group also decided to have our annual holiday celebration at the next meeting, 3:30 PM on December 22, followed by the regular meeting. Alice B reminded the group that last year we brought baby clothes for the BAMBI program mothers with their babies, newborn to toddler, rather than exchange gifts among ourselves. It was agreed to do so again in December.

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM with the Lord's Prayer.

1