Board members present: Susan R (Chair), Jan BB (Vice Chair), Lesliee A (Secretary), Mark M (Tech Chair), Mary M (Trustee at Large), Felix E (Alt Treasurer) 5 voting members

Board members absent: Carlos D (International Trustee) popped in to say he couldn’t stay due to an injury, Joe M (Treasurer)

Visitors: Beth D (Chair, PAC), Carol G (Chair Communications)

Quorum was met (3 of 6 Chair does not vote per 25/1/12 Minutes) Y/N  

The meeting was opened with a moment of silence and the Serenity Prayer “we” form.

Introductions: Introductions of the Officers and Guests.

Both the March Board Minutes and the March Assembly Minutes were approved as presented. 

Officer Reports

Chair – Participated in PAC, CPC, Unity Liaison, Technology, and Finance committees. Ad Hoc Guidelines charter approved in committee with initial discussion on Concept 5 appeal process. Conducted combined board and committee meeting (CBC) and helped plan the IGR Forum with run-of-show coordination and tech support. Unity Committee opened host group registration for November convention, elected new secretary, still seeking convention chair, and held first monthly IGR orientation workshop at 12:30 PM that day. Communications chair recruitment in progress with candidate identified. PAC ongoing with meeting listings, group support, and developed complaint review process involving chair, vice chair, and PAC committee chair. CPC rebuilding with new leadership, approved charter and chair, growing international participation including interest from new Greek group and Spanish-speaking alt chair from Chile. Technology continued event support, directory maintenance with Code for Recovery, working on translation issues, and directory cleanup subcommittee visiting meetings to confirm active status. Finance reviewing April numbers and considering mid-year budget review due to current underspend. April IGR Forum on Seventh Tradition showed strong participation and practical sharing. Susan emphasized operating from the upside-down triangle: groups carry the message, committees support groups, board supports committees. She noted focus on balancing structure with flexibility, action with group conscience, and coordination with autonomy.

Vice Chair – reported handling five member inquiries and concerns regarding OIAA Directory meetings in May: Zoom bombing incident with profanities, racial insults, and verbal abuse – the VC personally attended and confirmed the issue, contacted tech chair for immediate removal of what appeared to be an abandoned link. Group allegedly requiring mandatory attendance, removing members for absences, promoting merchandise sales – after thorough investigation including two board members attending on different days, none of the allegations were found to exist. BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) meeting listing concern – reviewed in relation to Tradition 3 and AA precedent concerning specialty meetings remaining open to all alcoholics, no change made. Participant reported feeling unable to remain at men’s meeting due to camera/seating arrangements conflicting with disability – she provided alternative men’s meeting options from directory. The VC called to order the Ad Hoc Guidelines Committee, which met for the first time on April 22nd (initially misstated as May 22nd, corrected by Mary). The committee created an ad hoc charter for board approval and is working on developing a Concept 5 appeal process. One member chose not to continue after the initial meeting; committee now consists of six members including four board members and one standing committee chair. The VC hosted the April 25th IGR Forum: How Online Groups Do Finance; with three treasurers discussing Seventh Tradition finances, banking, nonprofit structures, payment platforms, prudent reserves, and distribution processes. Much discussion focused on Home Group Online as payment facilitator and challenges with international contributions, PayPal restrictions, and GSO acceptance of third-party platform contributions. The forum had over 90 participants and ran approximately one hour. She joined the Public Information Committee (PIC) as working member on April 19th after the committee chair reportedly stepped away due to life circumstances. The standing committee currently needs additional members and a chair.

Secretary – reported continuing work on Governance Document Awareness Project and organizing the OIAA board drive on Google Workspace. She thanked everyone for patience and kindness over the past month.

Alt Treasurer Acting for Treasurer – presented PowerPoint showing revenue 6.5% above expectations and operating expenses 68.7% below expectations year-over-year. The 2026 budget totals $146,789 in revenue with $137,034 in operating expenses, leaving $9,755 operating income if everything stayed as expected. The checking account balance continues to grow beyond the already-set-aside prudent reserve of $68,517, creating opportunity to support sick and suffering alcoholics. The Alt Treasurer will work with the Treasurer upon his return from vacation to reach out to service committees about initiatives. 

The Chair questioned whether committees over-budgeted or if its timing-related, noting timing of bills based on actual occurrence patterns, and the issue is committees not spending expected funds. Reallocation of funds was discussed but it was decided to wait to have that conversation when the Treasurer returns.

Trustee at Large – reported collaborating with Jen H on Unity Liaison workshop for new IGRs, attending guidelines ad hoc, IGR forum, two PAC IGR Steppers meetings, and Tech Steppers Safety Workshop. She replied to 343 urgent help requests on 12-Step Committee and 21 Public Information Committee requests, expressing gratitude for OIAA VC joining PIC and providing professional, timely replies that educate TAL, as well. As OIAA Registrar, TAL shared countries that reached out in just the last month: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Peru, South Africa, South Sudan, UK, USA, and Zambia. Some were first-time requests (Lithuania, Malaysia, Peru), which excites Mary as evidence of carrying the message worldwide. She expressed joy that the program starting with 2-3 people is now reaching far and wide around the world. TAL included information about Unity Liaison new IGR workshops in welcome emails to new IGRs/alternates. She noted the first true workshop occurred recently after a launch event where suggestions were made and accommodated by Jen. TAL hopes the IGR Steppers group will operate similarly to the well-functioning 12-Step Committee. She reflected on OIAA’s growth from about 110-150 online meetings and 50-60 members (not all voting) in early 2018 to over 10,000 meetings listed and about 900 voting online groups currently.

International Trustee – No Report. 

Old Business- 

The Secretary requested a postponement of the discussion of the awareness of governance documents because she was not prepared. No vote was recorded.

The Vice Chair moved to approve the Ad Hoc Guidelines committee charter; Lesliee 2nd. No discussion. Vote: 4 yes, 1 abstention.

New Business:

The Chair presented Carol G as candidate for Communication Committee Chair. Discussion: Carol presented her resume. Vote: Unanimous yes.

Announcements

Next Assembly will be on June 20, 2026 at 2PM Eastern US

Next Board meeting will be on June 14, 2026 at 2pm Eastern US

3rd Annual OIAA Convention will be on November 20-22, 2026

Susan will share with the Board and post the new 12 Concepts

Illustrated video from AA.org

The Secretary moved to Adjourn. The meeting closed with the Responsibility Statement.

Respectfully Submitted by

Lesliee A

OIAA Board Secretary

Presented 26-6-14