Minutes, LifeRing Board of Directors Meeting, 2/18/01

LSR Board of Directors meeting 2/18/01 at UU in the Pines, Brooksville, Florida. 

(This draft of the minutes, from notes taken on 2/18/01, was edited and expurgated on 2/24/01 by Tom Shelley, Secretary)

The meeting called to order 9:30 am by common assent.

A welcome to our new board members by the old board members.

Note was taken that “We are meeting for the first time as the Board to the Congress of LSR.”

The business proceeded as follows:

Marty Nicolaus said that the Left Bay would like to invite the Congress to meet in the San Francisco Bay area for the next Congress. A date is to be determined. March 17th was suggested and agreed by unanimous consent.

By unanimous consent the present board of officers was affirmed. Marty Nicolaus - CEO, Marjorie Jones - CFO/Treasurer, Tom Shelley - Secretary.

Marty Nicolaus said that the Lifering Press Advisory Board has been dissolved. He offered a suggestion, from former LSR board member Scott Newsom, that LSR establish an advisory board with professional experience. Some suggested members: Charlotte Kasl, Doug Althauser, William White, William Miller, Robert Boyd - Kaiser S.F.

Marjorie Jones queried what shall the board ask advice on? What will the powers and specific purpose of advisory board be.

Bill Somers said that we should make the board completely advisory in nature and use them for what we need at the time.

Tom Shelley offered that the BoD establish purpose and determine practices for the advisory board and develop a liaison/contact, etc. at near later date.

A suggestion from the floor was made that LSR should also have “blue collar” advisory board.

Marjorie Jones added that the BoD should use the LSRcon mail list in that advisory capacity.

Comment was made that the BoD needs to make sure that those involved who do not have Internet access have information available and a human contact to the BoD.  We should also promote use of sub-groups for special purposes, such as that used to develop the bylaws and examine the question of online participation and membership.

Shirley Barber asked that the BoD poll the LSRcon list asking if the members will act in an advisory capacity.

Marty seconded Shirley request and and added that the Board make sure that LSR con members know the focus of the LSRcon list.

Jacquie Jones reminded the Board that anyone can be part of list and there will be no sobriety requirement to participate in the list.

Marty offered that the Board set up a listmeister “list”.

By voice acclaim: Jacquie is to coordinate this list and to post periodic reminder about use of LSR list and other lists to keep as many people apprised of work, etc. as possible.

Marty asked that we find a volunteer to do take on the task of editing a print version of a Convenors’ newsletter, and suggested polling the LSRcon list for people to job.

Shirley inquired what other projects do we need done.

Bill said that we need public relations to let the world know what we are doing.

Marjorie suggested holding off on seeking publicity until LSR is better prepared to respond to an anticipated onslaught of press and public interest.

In that vein Jacquie said it is important that we “Don’t ‘Oprafy’” LSR. We need to make sure message gets to the people that need it, and that we don’t become an elite.

Marty said that there are now sixteen meetings in the San Francisco bay area generated by people, not the press.

Shirley said we should “Spread the word”.

Marty said that treatment centers provide the people that we need to carry message to.

Marty also said that the BoD should update the Handbook and get it into print before next Congress.

Marty moved that board make this project a priority.

Marjorie seconded the motion and a vote was called

The Board unanimously approved proposal.

Marjorie raised the question of whether or not the board will allow others to license logo, etc.?

Jacquie said that the BoD needs to be careful how the uses are made.

Bill said that the possible uses are twofold. One use is by the press to describe and report on LSR. The other use is commercial.

Jacquie offered the idea that the Board authorize the manufacture and distribution of hundreds of coffee mugs with logo and URL to treatment centers.

Marty made a longwinded, but useful explanation of licensure.

Robert Bradley said that it is important for the Board to develop a “mission statement”. His comments were met with unanimous approval.

Shirley recalled that some work to this end may already have been done by LSR members, Ed Coleman and/or Ben Griffing

Marjorie and Jacquie moved and seconded for drafting a mission statement.

Tom said that once drafted, the mission statement should be publicized to LSRcon and, subsequently to all meetings, face and electronic.

The business of the day concluded, Shirley and Bill moved and seconded for adjournment.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:00 am.

Respectfully submitted. Tom Shelley Secretary