EMZoomer‘s Business Meeting March 1, 2026
8:30 AM Dan A. opens the meeting— Kevin D. leads us in the serenity prayer.
Dan A. Made opening remarks about recent comments regarding people chairing the morning meetings, and his role as business chair. He made clear a business meeting is not the same as AA meeting. Early morning zoomer‘s business meeting uses Roberts rules of order as has been suggested and used by AA worldwide for 50 years. He stated the AA Service manual recommends. Dan shared he was asked to take this service commitment. Dan offered he may have let the discussion regarding chairpersons guidelines go on too long last month rather than keeping it simple and raining it in a bit. He made a request that we stick with Roberts rules of order and try to keep it simple when we get to the discussion of old business today.
Committee Reports
GSR report: Darlene was absent today, we will defer her report till next month.
Grapevine report: Darlene was absent today. We will defer her report till next month.
Secretaries report: Lisa U. reported the minutes from February‘s business meeting have been posted on the website for all to read and review. Dan A. mentioned a comment Lisa made and put in parentheses that wasn’t shared during the business meeting. Lisa expressed it was her opinion and added it while doing the minutes. Dan shared his concern that that’s not an accurate reflection and should be revised. Lisa agreed, and will amend last months minutes, removing the added comment.
Treasurers report: Deb B. posted the treasurers report for all in attendance to view. She went through the report reviewing last months transactions. Herb inquired about Area 11 as only donation made. Deb clarified the check didn’t clear till February, while the other donations were accounted for last month.
Website report: Herb mentioned there was a glitch with the daily readings and Molly brought it to his attention, and he corrected. He expressed appreciation for the feedback and welcomes feedback anytime. Currently the website is seeing around 2500 hits a day!
Service chair: Michael A reports there were three new chair people put in place last month. He met with Fred P. and Jeff H. to review chair people guidelines. Michael added a couple sentences to the guidelines-to be shared during old business.
Books and Coins: Mary asked Ron P. to report for her. He reports no request for books or coins for the month of February.
Dan A made a motion to edit the February meeting minutes to remove the secretaries opinion in parentheses. Jess seconded, all were in favor passed unanimously.
Dan A made a motion to approve the committee reports. John D. seconded all were in favor. Passed unanimously.
Old business: Michael A. shared he thinks the chairpersons issue is mostly resolved with some one to one guidance. Jeff H. thanked Fred and Michael A for their review of guidelines. Jeff makes suggestion to share link on website. Herb suggests on the chair person’s script where they used to be.
John D. commented as service chair for the 5:30 meeting, he has had mixed results with offering guidance to chairpeople. But having the guidelines to refer to is helpful. Deb B. requested hearing the guidelines with Michael’s edits. Michael read:
Recommended Responsibilities of Chairperson::
- Start meeting on time
- End meeting on time
- Keep to format and topic
- Arrange for substitute if unable to be present
- Take responsibility for keeping meeting focused on recovery/solution
- Calling on people
1.Look for raised hands in the participants list. Zoom displays the hands in order that they were raised.
2.People may raise their hands visually as well. You can also call on people who don’t raise their hands.
- Attend monthly business meetings, if possible.
B.Guidelines for Sharing:
- Group Unity is important for individual recovery. This should be a safe place for all.
a . Shares should not exceed 3 minutes, including the chair. Cutting someone off is disconcerting for everyone. This should only be done (and done gently) if the speaker seems to have lost their focus
- No crosstalk including by the chairperson. A meeting must always feel safe and orderly to all members, especially newcomers.
- Advice or suggestions for anyone who spoke up about a problem etc. is best given one on one after the meeting.
- At 8:15am: the chairperson will ask if there is anyone who has something to say to keep from taking a drink today.
- No one shares more than once including the chairperson.
- Wear the chair like a “loose garment” Ask for guidance from the group if in doubt.
Jess made a motion to accept the guidelines with Michael’s revisions, Kevin D. seconded. Deb B asked for clarification as to whether it is two minutes or three minutes. The recommended amount of time to share, as it stated two minutes in the script in three minutes in the chair person‘s guide guidelines. Mia offered. it depends how many are attending people need a little longer to share sometimes. The The motion passed unanimously. Herb made a motion to amend the script to three minutes, Dan A. seconded motion passed unanimously.
Dan thanks Fred, Jeff and Michael for their service around the chairpersons guidelines.
New business: Kevin D. appreciated Dan A. for his contributions as business chair. Kevin shared his idea that the first Friday of the month incorporate a celebration for anniversaries from the previous month and at the end of the beginners meeting on Friday the group sings happy anniversary to the previous months celebrants. Kevin D made a motion to celebrate anniversaries the first Friday of the month celebrating anniversarians from the previous month by singing, happy anniversary at the end of the meeting. Deb B. Asked would this change the format of the Friday meeting? Mia commented better to sing when the anniversary happens. Michael A. suggested Kevin chair the Friday morning meeting and try it out. Herb reminded we need a second for Kevin‘s motion. Tina seconded Kevin’s motion. Kevin clarified you celebrate on your day as usual. This is an added way to celebrate sobriety. Dan A commented people announce their anniversary when it happens. There were two in favor of the motion, six opposed and two abstained.
Dan A. questioned whether it was a review of Roberts rules of order that was asked for at last month’s business meeting, or another request. Terri who made the request was not present to clarify. Dan shared he met with Fred P to discuss how minority view provokes a discussion after a vote to see if new opinions sway the vote. John D. expressed the importance of minority opinion only if there’s something new to share. Michael A. offered the opinion that these discussions could take place outside the business meeting. Anyone interested could be part of a discussion. A meeting for people to share thoughts and feelings and have an inventory on the issue. If something rises out of that, it would be brought to the business meeting to help streamline business meetings. Herb suggested Michael make a motion to offer a sharing meeting outside the business meeting. Dan A mentioned that happens naturally now. Mia shared from her experience on many committees, a meeting outside the business meeting would be a mistake. Michael made a motion to have a discussion meeting about the business meeting two weeks from today Deb B. seconded five were in favor, zero opposed two abstained.
Herb made a motion to adjourn the meeting Lisa seconded. All were in favor.
meeting adjourned at 9:37.