Virtual Region Board Meeting Minutes

August 4, 2024, 1:30 PM ET (UTC-5)

Members Present:

• Chair
• Vice Chair
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Trustee
• Data Coordinator
• Twelve Step Within
• PIPO/UWD
• Digital Resources
• Digital Communications

Quorum: Declared present.

Strategic Vision: The function of the Virtual Region Board is to serve and support its committees, intergroups, meetings, and members, and to carry the message to those who still suffer.

Opening: Serenity Prayer in Spanish and English.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the April and June Board meetings were approved.

Treasurer’s Report:

• A seventh tradition needs to be defined for the Two Way Prayer Workshop.

Committee Updates or Questions:

• Public Information Professional Outreach/Unity With Diversity: PIPO/UWD is still in need of a co-chair. World Service wants VR to collaborate with the WSBC Young People’s Outreach Higher Education Sub-Committee on outreach to higher education institutions. Gary and Claire will facilitate on behalf of the VR.
• Tech Support: The Bylaws and P&P have been updated on the website, and a link should be sent to all the Reps after the website is updated. 
• Some reports are missing.

Old Business:

• Board Meetings: The Chair proposes spacing out the Board Meetings to address tight scheduling.
• Onboarding: The Chair reminds everyone to review their documents to help onboard the incoming servers.

New Business:

• Appointments:
  • Zoom Tech Team: Alan K. and Claire H.
  • Google Administration Assistant: Alan S. 
• WhatsApp: Issues voted on WhatsApp should be put as amendments in the P&P.
• Unaffiliated Groups: The Big Book group was unlisted from the OA website due to violations of the Traditions and Concepts. The Chair wants to bring a motion to WSBC to require all OA groups to be part of the OA structure through affiliation with an intergroup. Members with concerns can access the Conflict Resolution Form on the VR website. World Service encourages members to write and report abuse.
• Assembly: Will take place on November 16 and 17, 2024. An Assembly Support Team was requested by the Data Coordinator and the Secretary. Eight people will be on that committee. Four positions will be voted on at the next Assembly: Vice Chair, Secretary, Digital Coordinator, and Trustees. The Vice Chair and Secretary will work on a translatable document announcing these positions. Many tasks need to be completed by August 18.
• Copyrights: Reminder to all groups that any images on the internet may have copyrights and should not be used in our media unless the copyrights are paid for. The Chair will meet with intergroups to explain what is available for free.

Board Updates:

• Trustee: The WS Young People Committee wants to send a letter to universities and colleges to contact counselors and therapists on campus, requesting information about local institutions from all members interested in helping. The Virtual Region can announce this in the “Carry the Message” section of the website.
• Chair: A General Announcements page that translates into other languages is needed to send an e-blast with links to it.
• Vice Chair: The newsletter will be released by October 1st. Groups and intergroups can send announcements, news, events, etc., to the newsletter, which reaches about 4,500 members..

Closing: The Board Meeting closed with the Serenity Prayer in Spanish and English.