Area 53 Mini-Conference

2017 Area 53 Mini-Conference Program

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The program for the 2017 Area 53 Mini-Conference on March 10-12 at Salt Fork State Park promises a full weekend of A.A. events. Registration is still open and room reservations are still available.

The activities kick off with two workshops at 4 pm on Friday.

GSR School: Dan S, our Group Services Committee Chair, will present an abbreviated version of the GSR School that we offer in various districts throughout Area 53. This workshop has proven to be useful to help GSRs better understand their role and ways that they might more effectively represent their groups.

Service Panel: Marcia H. District 26 DCM, will chair a panel entitled “Having had a spiritual awakening…” The panelists will share their service experience – how they came to General Service and how it has impacted the quality of their sobriety.

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Ohio’s AA Voice in March 2017

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The voice of AA members in Ohio will be heard during the month of March 2017. Each of the four general service areas will be conducting their mini-conference so the four delegates will hear the Ohio group conscience on issues that matter.

What is the purpose of the Area 53 Mini-Conference?

The mini-conference is held to give the Area 53 Delegate the informed conscience of the groups in Central and Southeast Ohio on some of the agenda that will be addressed at the General Service Conference in New York. Groups can discuss possible issues and send their group’s conscience to the mini-conference via their GSR or other group representative. At the mini-conference, issues selected by the Area 53 Delegate are discussed by committees composed of AA’s from groups throughout the area. Using the committee system and voting procedures described in the AA Service Manual, a consensus is reached. This consensus will be taken to the General Service Conference by your delegate.

The mini-conference has displays and information by the Area 53 standing committees. There is a Saturday evening banquet followed by a speaker who is a staff member from the General Service Office. There are a variety of other ways for a GSR and interested AA’s to share with others who are committed to general service.

March 2017 Mini-Conferences

Area 55 in northwest Ohio will conduct their mini-conference on March 3-5 at the Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysburg, Ohio. (flier)

Area 53’s mini-conference is March 10-12 at Salt Fork Conference Center in Lore City, Ohio. Immediately after the mini-conference close on Sunday, the Area 53 Assembly will start at 10:00am. (online registration)

Area 56 in southwest Ohio will hold their mini-conference on March 17-18 at the Dayton Marriott. (flier)

Area 54 in northeast Ohio will have their mini-conference on March 31 – April 2 at the Holiday Inn – Strongville. (flier)

Hospitality Room at 2017 Mini-Conference

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The Hospitality Room at the 2017 Area 53 Mini-Conference on March 10-12 at Salt Fork State Park will be open from Friday night to Sunday morning, whenever the Conference is not in session.

John P. and his hospitality committee will be offering coffee and snacks throughout the mini-conference. We do encourage all mini-conference attendees to visit and enjoy the coffee. Please drop by and load up on coffee before each meeting so we can minimize using Salt Fork’s very expensive coffee. The hospitality room, quite likely, will be better suited to folks like us.

In addition to coffee and snacks, the hospitality room is offering full menus on a donation basis as a way of helping you save money. Planned menus for the weekend are:

  • Friday night: Hot Dogs, chips, beverages
  • Saturday breakfast: Omlettes (made to order), burrito wraps, breakfast sandwich, hotcakes, and sausage
  • Saturday lunch: Taco salad with Mexican side dishes
  • Saturday dinner: Spaghetti, penne pasta, and fettuccini alfredo with salad and dinner rolls
  • Sunday breakfast: Anything left from Saturday breakfast

We are anticipating a large turnout to help support our area delegate, Frank G., get prepared for his first General Service Conference in April 2017. If you haven’t done so, please register online and encourage others to join the area’s efforts to develop an informed group conscience about the issues that will determine our future.

Thanks for your commitment and your service,

Stephen S, Panel 67 Mini-Conference Committee Chair

Food at the Mini-Conference

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The Mini-Conference will be held March 10-12 at Salt Fork State Park. We’ve been there before. In our follow-up surveys, we have heard two concerns: (1) nearby restaurant options are not available, and (2) the service in the Park’s restaurant is sometimes slow – due to the fact that we all show up at the same time and overwhelm the service staff.

To address these concerns, this year we have added more options to eating in the restaurant.

First, we have added more planned group meals to avoid the wait time in the restaurant. In addition to the Saturday night banquet, we have added a scheduled dinner on Friday night and lunch buffets on both Saturday and Sunday. The full menus can be viewed on the Mini-Conference/Meals tab at area53.org, but here are the main courses and costs for each of the meals. The cost included a 20% service charge for the wait staff.

  • Friday night, 5:30 pm: Chicken Picata with Lemon-Caper Sauce ($25)
  • Saturday lunch buffet: Pot roast with carrots, celery and onions ($20)
  • Saturday Banquet, 6:00 pm: Honey Glazed Ham, Roast Turkey Breast and gravy ($35)
  • Sunday lunch buffet: Meat/Cheese Lasagna ($20)

    • Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available on request.

    The meals, unfortunately, cannot be offered on a walk-in basis. The cutoff for registering for these meals is February 24. We have to provide Salt Fork with an estimated number who will be attending each meal on that day. If you have not yet registered, please go to the website or mail the form in.

Do We Need A Conference

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“We may not need a General Service Conference to insure our own recovery. We do need it to insure the recovery of the alcoholic who still stumbles in the darkness one short block from this room.

We need it to insure recovery of a child being born tonight, destined to alcoholism. We need it to provide, in keeping with our Twelfth Step, a permanent haven for all alcoholics who, in the ages ahead, can find in A.A. that rebirth which brought us back to life.”

Bernard B. Smith, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, 1954 (AA Service Manual)

From your delegate, Frank G.

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Howdy everyone,

This year’s 2017 Area 53 Mini-Conference is in the beautiful state park Salt Fork – yes even in winter. It is located at 14755 Cadiz, Lore City Ohio 43755.

This year we have some agenda items that are important for AA future. You can see them on the Mini-Conference homepage. Please don’t miss being part of AA as a whole. Each year I attend the mini-conference I learn more and appreciate the importance of respecting our principles. Don’t be mistaken, it is not all study; there is good fellowship and great food served at the lunches and banquet. If your on a budget, we also have a fantastic hospitality room. Our “chef” has really out did himself last year! The food at the hospitality room has no charge, just donate what you can. Yea hospitality committee!

I enjoy best the lively and informative discussion Saturday afternoon when every member is able to voice there view. Please consider bringing an guest. There is plenty for them to do while your in committee, swimming pool, fitness room and game room. This year the weather has been mild we can enjoy the sandy beach and nature trail. There might be time for all of us to slip away and enjoy the park. AA principles and pleasure what a sweet deal.

While you are at the mini-conference, please look me up and say “hi.” I’ll buy you a cup of coffee.

Your trusted servant,
Frank G., Delegate Area 53 Panel 67

Area Committee Highlights – December 2016

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Below are highlights reported by Area 53 committees at the December assembly. To learn more about area standing committees, visit the area committees directory.

Correctional Facilities Committee – Paul H.

  • On line requests for literature now work with any browser or email (www.area53cfc.org).
  • We still need a Recording Secretary for Panel 67.
  • Liz M. will stay on as alternate chairperson until a replacement is found.
  • If you attended the DRC volunteer workshop in September, call the volunteer coordinator at the institution that you applied for to see if your application was approved.
  • The first ever national corrections conference will be held in St. Louis November 10-12, 2017.
  • The annual CFC workshop will be held on April 22nd or 29th at Maple Grove Church.
  • $8500 was approved for literature purchases for the next quarter.

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Should My Home Group Pay?

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If you are a GSR, you might ask your home group if they are willing to cover some of your mini-conference expenses.

Each group is autonomous in this matter. However, it is a common practice for home groups to provide some financial support for the expenses of their trusted servant. This might include the miniconference registration fee and some of the expense for travel, housing and meals. Attendees often share rides and lodging at the
mini-conference to make attending more practical.

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