Minneapolis/St. Paul

Please copy this newsletter for your group.

On Jan. 7^th GLBT in AA met for the last time. At that meeting we became GLBT in Recovery.

The group was originally formed to help do leg work and plan functions for the International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. To do this, it was considered essential to have our focus AA.

After the convention we decided to continue the organization, but to expand our purpose. We hope to become a service to 12 step programs within the GLBT community.

One of the first things we are planning is to set up an education department. The goal of this department will be to set up a series of seminars and workshops on the steps and traditions. We also plan, through this committee, to start a resource library and tape library. We also hope to encourage the availability of GLBT recovery material. This is a primary function of GLBT in Recovery. The committee is being chaired by David D.

Tom J. was also appointed parliamentarian at the Jan. meeting and we decided to provide literature to Pride Treatment Center.

We also plan on having some sober social function every month (which may include education within it, such as the upcoming Gratitude Dinner with 2 speakers.)

The possibilities are many, so please join us in starting this new beginning. Our next meeting is Sunday, February 4, 2001. We will meet at noon at the Founders' Club, 2218 1^st Ave. So, Mpls, MN.

The first item of business will be election of officers. There will be two co-chair (preferably one male and one female) positions, which require 3 years involvement in the program. Treasurer, which holds a 2 year membership in the program requirement. Secretary, which holds no requirements.

We urge anyone within the GLBT Recovery community to join us for this very important meeting! We need your input and assistance. It has been an invaluable source of service work for me - it can be for you also.

The GLBT in Recovery Annual Gratitude Dinner will be held at Park House, 2120 Park Ave, Mpls, MN on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2001. The Dinner will start serving at 7 PM with the speakers at 8 PM. (For this year, the speakers will be AA speakers. We hope in the future to have involvement of NA, Al-anon, or other 12 step programs.)

We will need volunteers to help set up, serve, and clean up after. We would like to invite anyone who would like to help to also contact Donovan. If you feel uneasy about asking for a scholarship, volunteering to help is suggested, but not required.

Find it hard to really get your meditation practice going? Want to learn more about meditation? Think it might be easier to have a "community" to meditate with? Come join us for the first meeting of a new meditation group. This is for anyone who meditates from 'beginners' to 'advanced'. Come with a beginners mind!

The initial meeting to decide on:

1. Format
2. Length of time for the group
3. Where to hold the group
4. Any other issues

When? February 4, 2001 at 10:30 AM.

Where? 4250 1^st Ave. So, Mpls, MN.

Please RSVP to Kevin L. at 612-823-1309.

MinneSober held its first planning meeting for the 2001 roundup on Jan. 10 at the Minneapolis Regal Hotel.

MinneSober will hold it's next meeting Feb. 8, 2001 at 6 PM. The meeting will be at the Minneapolis Regal Hotel, 1313 Nicollet Mall, Mpls, MN. All are welcome to attend. One of the issues to be covered at this meeting is to review and rewrite, if necessary, the mission statement and statement of purpose.

MinneSober has some wonderful new goals for this year. If you wish to become part in planning this year's roundup and the direction of future MinneSober Roundups, please show up. It's a great opportunity to work with others in recovery!

MinneSober can be contacted by writing to MinneSober 2001, P.O. Box, Minneapolis, MN 55408, or by calling 612-837-3714.