Minutes for April 2025 Business Meeting
Agenda Item One: HomeGroup.Online
Grow will use the HOMEGROUP.online service to manage tradition 7 contributions. Currently, the Treasurer is the recognized owner for the Grow PayPal account. When a new Treasurer comes into office, she must set up a new PayPal account under her name. By using Homegroup for contributions and GROW’s Treasury will not be tied to an individual but to the group, making the transition to a new Treasurer easier. There are other advantages to using Homegroup, including the ability to make donations via several different online payment methods. If you need or want more information about HOMEGROUP.Online you can use this link.
The vote for Agenda Item One:
14 members voted
13 voted yes
1 voted no
Therefore, Agenda Item One is adopted as a Group Conscience Decision: Grow will transfer its funds to Homegroup Online.
Agenda Item Two: Technical Issues
Addressing the technical issues regarding members receiving emails in a timely manner. The oso-aa.org technician explained that this is the result of changes in security measures and software adopted by larger service providers like Google. The oso-aa.org server does not have the appropriate software, and the technician recommends finding another server that has the software. We were hesitant to make the decision to leave oso-aa.org and understand that this issue may continue to occur in the future as a result. Grow could solve the mailing list issues by moving to a different server. We decided to monitor how often the issues arise from now until the next business meeting in October. If the problem persists or interferes with our online meeting, we will investigate using a different platform.
The vote for Agenda Item Two:
10 members voted yes to monitor the situation
1 member voted to look for a new platform now
Agenda Item Three: Business Meeting Format
In the past members have shared that the format for our business meetings is confusing and hard to follow. Some participants shared that the current format is working because it allows everyone in different time zones to participate as well work around other commitments. The group discussed whether to revise the current Business Meeting Guidelines to simplify and streamline our business meetings.
The vote for Agenda Item Three:
6 members voted, and all voted to leave the current business meeting format in place.
Agenda Item Four: Listkeeper and Greeter Duties
Because the duties for the Listkeepers and Greeters are not clear, it was proposed to create a separate list to clarify the timelines and responsible Trusted Servant for the duties presented in the Position Descriptions for these four positions. The added list will facilitate the transitions for new individuals in the Trusted Servant positions.
The vote for Agenda Item Four:
5 members voted and all voted yes to archive the tasks for the greeters and listkeepers. The current member agreed to share her notes about what worked for them with the incoming person.
Therefore, Agenda Item Four is adopted as a Group Conscience Decision. A second document will be provided to compliment the existing Position Descriptions for the Listkeepers and Greeters to facilitate the transition of individuals new to the positions. A link to the complimentary document will be added to the “commonly used letters” section of the position descriptions.
Agenda Item Five: Addressing the way the Secretary advertises vacant Trusted Servant positions prior to our semi-annual business meetings.
The Secretary described filling essential positions of service first then advertising the other positions as critical positions are filled. This a change to the method used in the past, which has been problematic since fewer Grow members have volunteered for open positions. This proposal was raised to document approval for the new method and to make volunteering more attractive to our members.
The vote for Agenda Item Five:
8 members voted Yes to the more recent method for advertising vacant Trusted Servant positions.
Therefore, Agenda Item Five is adopted as a Group Conscience Decision: The Secretary will advertise only the most essential Trusted Servant positions before the upcoming business meeting. She will advertise the remaining vacant positions as the essential positions are filled.
Thank you everyone who attended and participated in the April/May business meeting. The next Business Meeting will be in October. I hope you all will come to this meeting too.
Have a great day
Mary O
Business Meeting Chair for Grow