Minutes: Board of Trustees
September 15, 2022
11:30 CT
1. Call to order/Serenity Prayer- PaulPresent: Paul N, Colleen C, Elaine D, Fred F., Kathleen E, Behzad A,
Absent: Steve B., Kelsey W, Carolina
2. Approval of past meeting minutes- PaulJuly Minutes
Motion made by Colleen, seconded by Fred. Unanimous approval.
3. Self-harm language- Colleen/Kathleen
Elaine will send an email out to all groups with a suggestion to share the information we
have on the homepage of the website. Also will add this in the NGIP and starter kit.
4. Literature Committee/Approval of new materials- Colleeni. Update on new bookii. Communication pamphlet
Elaine will look for the last version and send it to all the Trustees for approvaliii. New German pamphlet describing EA - This will not be added to the English list ofmaterials.
Rough English translation
5. By-law ratification update
9 group responses
Elaine will upload the new bylaws to the website.

- Elaine

6. Finance review- PaulNeed for focus here. Discussion on finances to be held at the end of the upcoming
membership meeting.
7. Annual Business Meeting plans
Annual Business Meeting agenda- Paul8. Member Q & A session plans during Annual Meeting- Steve

9. EAI annual budget approval- PaulFY23 proposed budget
We need to address our financial situation in greater depth soon. Colleen suggested
creating an ad hoc committee to address it. Kathleen offered to be part of the effort.
Colleen suggested we consider reaching out to other Anonymous groups.

10. EA meeting locator improvement ideas?
- Elaine
Concerns come in to the office over the ease of use - suggestions for improvements?
Perhaps it is not so much the website as much as it is the members who are frustrated
over the lack of meetings. Elaine will delete options #2 & #3 to make simplify the options.
11. Stronger meeting guidelines?
- Elaine
Do we need new materials/video explanation of what it means to manage a group orwhat is acceptable/not during a meeting? Elaine will start sending out quarterly emails
on ideas around how to be a healthy group. Colleen suggested creating a pamphlet on
recovery and EA unity to create more clarification about what is and isn’t appropriate
behavior - a topic for the next Lit Cmt meeting.
Comments from one member:
Well intentioned people aren’t following the guidelines and are giving advice to othermembers. I’ve started saying “I’m respectfully asking that you don’t comment on myshare” because people are doing that even though the cross talk guidelines are being
read. One person knew about crosstalk and even said “I’m going to crosstalk for amoment” and offered unsolicited advice to a man who shared. I spent many years in
CODA and was taught to ask “is it alright with you if I comment about something you
shared in a meeting?” That’s a way to demonstrate respect for someone’s boundaries.
But never during a meeting.
When I was in CODA we first read the preamble explaining what it is then we always
read the 12 steps first. For whatever reason EA doesn’t read the 12 steps first and it
makes no sense to me.
Also when people start a group it needs to be made very clear that they are not “incharge” of the group per say. I’ve been to meetings where the leader engages in crosstalk and it almost seems like they have forgotten that one person isn’t in charge, we all
are in charge.
And another:
I am suffering from abusive behaviour of a UK EA group. The officer loses temper andvent her temper towards me and I feel very traumatised and hurt, and I feel sofrightened that I am in tears. Isn’t that there is safety guideline? Isn’t everyone
respecting everyone? Isn’t the officer should control, and in fact everyone shouldcontrol, his/her temper and not throwing their bad temper towards others and makeothers as victims?
12. Managing group (Loop) issues- moderators- Elaine
Elaine had an email from someone offering to become a moderator and she forwarded
them on to Scott J.
13. POI: J EA/Japan intergroup issues- Elaine
A new intergroup has formed after some upheaval from an existing intergroup.
14. National Suicide lifeline # changed to 988- ElaineDo we need a policy/information for groups regarding suicidal/homicidal comments in agroup meeting?
Currently on EA website:
If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening mental
health crisis, consider dialing 911 or the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). EA International is not a healthcare orreligious organization. EAI is not a crisis hotline or warmline; staff are notcounselors and do not have the training to handle emergencies. EAI does
not provide psychiatric, therapeutic, medical services, or referrals to thoseservices.
Revisions by Colleen 9/14:
If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening mental
health crisis, consider dialing or texting 988 or chatting at 988lifeline.org.

This U.S. nationwide hotline number debuted in August 2022 and offers 24/7
access to trained crisis counselors who can help. EA International is not ahealthcare or religious organization. EAI is not a crisis hotline or warmline;
staff are not counselors and do not have the training to handle
emergencies. EAI does not provide psychiatric, therapeutic or medicalservices, or referrals to those services.
Elaine will change the wording on the website to reflect the additional sentence.