Minutes Full Board of Trustees
Tuesday April 23, 20195:30 p.m. (time in Minnesota)
Conference Call # (605) 472-5304
Participant code: 488333#
1. Call to order/Serenity Prayer at 5:23 p.m.
Scott asked for a motion to approve the agenda. John moved, Colleen seconded.
Unanimous approval
2. Old Businessa. Healthy group education activities (strategic plan)i. The Connection will include articles/stories about how to have a healthygroup in two editions Colleen will write article in June on her
reflections of her group’s review of the group inventoryii. Existing materials on healthy groups will be reviewed and updated
iii. Healthy group resources will be made available for free twice during theyear. Will make #6 & 7 available for free during the month of June.
Will send emails, website posting and in the May connection.
iv. Materials will be reviewed and revised to eliminate suggestion of‘leaders’ in meetings Being done as it can beb. Pamphlet update process outsourced $400 for 5 pamphlet revisions. Scottcommented that having two versions of the same piece can be confusing andwould like a way to describe the benefits of the new pamphlets – in particular
the discussion questions.
c. # Scholarships None recently
d. Language change response to EA Action Group Elaine sent out a response on
4/22. Additional information was requested by the group. John wants EAI tocommunicate with all groups about the changes rather than have the EA
Action group leading this. Scott would like the entire membership tounderstand the time this has required and is concerned about the effect on The
Loop’s membership. Colleen asked about whether we could solicit feedback
from groups around the world and could we ‘hit the reset button’ at this time.
Scott suggested perhaps removing the changes on the website but the board
stands by its decision and announcing to the membership that we want to talkabout this change and ask for input by the groups in the next 4 months. Johnsuggested that we readdress this and review the feedback in September at theboard workshop and then bring it to the annual membership meeting. Elaine
pointed out that 2018 bylaws do not require any ratification. IT was suggested
that perhaps unity isn’t our primary focus but the focus is reaching the mostpeople who need our help. In the next couple of weeks we will determine how
to explain this issue and the decisions and ask for the feedback. Colleen
suggested we also communicate more about how the organization operates toencourage transparency.
- Elaine
3. Review of finances*- Scott
We have been in the black the past two month however the overall annual finances
are still in arrears. Elaine is getting a contribution letter out in May.

4. Nominations for Board members- Elainea. Paul N. applicationb. Lynn A. applicationc. Notices by email, on website, in May Connection
d. Missed notification deadline in bylaws of Feb 15
e. Deadline for applications (bylaws: April 1) – move to June 1? No – we’ll keepthese dates.
i. Revision of bylaws for nomination/application deadlines
Elaine will send applications to the board for all to review. Board
members will follow up by phone. Any further applications will be sent
to the board as they come in. Current applicants will vote via email.
5. Officer elections for current Board- Scott
Colleen asked if we could add an ad hoc committee to review the bylaws made up ofboth board members and from the membership. This could be part of the overall effort
to gather input from the membership.
Scott presented the slate:
President: Scott
Vice President: John
Treasurer: Derita
Secretary: Colleen
Slate was presented by Scott, motion by John, seconded by Derita. Unanimous vote.
6. Approval of revised pamphlets- Scott
Scott presented the pamphlets. Derita has not read them and Colleen
requested another chance to look at them. Board will hold an email vote by
Scott on May 1st with a response required within 48 hours.
7. Revision of starter kits – materials/discount - POI- Elaine
Contents and pricing changed.
8. Book and Literature committee update- Scotta. #67 Admin Concepts revisions
Scott made some changes to address the leader language but that will
be postponed for now.
b. Updates on published materials- Elaine
i. Meditation book - two submissions came in. Colleen recommended
that a flyer go out in the next month with orders asking forsubmissions.
ii. Welcoming Spirituality
Scott asked about signing over the copyright. Elaine will check on that.
Elaine has a quote from the publisher and will get it into production.
9. Board orientation date
- Elaine
Elaine would like to hold off until the new board members get on board before setting
a date.
10. Choose Connection writing dates and topics- Elaine
It is helpful to know who will be writing on what topic ahead of time.
11. Language – email from a member:
While you’re updating the EA literature and removing God, please remove the word
unnecessary in the Just for todays which reads ‘we will not engage in unnecessarycriticism’. All other 12 step programs do not allow for necessary criticism, whatever that

is. Also, one of the original promises from AA is ‘Fear of people and of economic insecurity
will leave us’ is not in EA’s promises list. This was replaced by “our relationships with otherpeople improve” which is OK but very weak.
The majority of EA members in Orange County, CA are requesting these changes bemade. Please advise. BTW, I believe a survey sent to all members on these matters would
be of great value to the program and to newcomers. We continue to believe removing God
from the literature is a mistake
Taken under advisement. Scott is willing to respond to this once Elaine sends the email.