Intergroup Notes from Friday, October 10th, 2025 Meeting: Chair: Ross, opened the meeting at 7:00 PM, introduced all attendees by name followed by a heartfelt tribute to our former Chair, Robin B., who passed away the weekend after this meeting. In attendance were: Ross, Mae, Mikey, Nick, Barbara Mu, Lucille, Jill B. (New rep), Babs, Sue (new rep), Marty, Alex, Barbara Jean, Sima and Regina (guest). There were 14 attendees, 11 voting. Ross’s tribute spoke of Robin’s Humility and Courage, two Spiritual Principles of our program. She always had her video on despite her debilitating illness, she wrote the agenda each month, and Nick did a great job as Vice-Chair taking over each month after Robin had lost the ability to speak. She was a blessing and will be missed. Nick’s tribute spoke of Robin’s dedication to the Monday night Edison meeting where she was a greeter, did service, and at the 15 minute break in the meeting would talk to everyone. She raised her daughter on the OA Principles and was a friend to Nick. Barbara Mu’s tribute was that she visited Robin in her home during the past few months, and felt Robin had more courage than all of us. She was the greatest inspiration, their kids were on the same swim team, and Barbara found out that Robin donated her body to the ALS Foundation for research. Sue’s tribute was that Robin was like family in Metuchen for many years. Sue saw her several times a week, she was a full professor at a local University, focusing on Academics and Librarians with disabilities. Sue said Robin would ride her trike all over Metuchen, and when stopped by the police, it was to ask her to add a headlight for safer riding at night. Even with her feeding tube for a year and a half, she would keep coming to meetings having courage, persistence and dedication. Sima knew Robin from Intergroup. She felt very sad because Robin had so much courage and persistence to live. Alex spoke of when Robin was Webmaster and taught her everything from the ground up, and what an inspiration she was. Thank you to Ross for allowing time to have some personal shares. The meeting proceeded with the Review of last month’s minutes. Lucille made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Barbara Jean. Unanimous. Intergroup Principles - Read by Nick Strategic Goals - Read by Barbara Mu. Pamphlet Project/5 min. Qualification was supposed to be Joan who was called away. Joan will qualify at the November meeting. Reports: Chair - Ross: - Gave a quick update on Robin B. Ross had texted Robin to say thinking of you, miss you, sending love and prayers. Robin sent back a thumbs-up, and Ross was not aware that she was in the hospital and passed away shortly after that. Ross asked for no cross-talk at this time, and added that Robin’s sister had sent a loop about her passing away. Her husband needs peace and time to process his grief, sent lovingly by Liz - Robin’s sister. More about arrangements and obituary will come out at a later date. IDEA DAY Flyer - Ross sent our flyer from CJIOA on two occasions to NJIOA who said they couldn’t put it on the website because it was confusing, and they decided not to post it. Ross found out their IDEA DAY was scheduled for Nov. 15th, one week before the actual weekend of IDEA Day. Ross said he felt unheard and told NJIOA the actual dates were November 21-23 weekend, and that we always post their flyers. He said in the spirit of program and fellowship he had a resentment and was letting it go because years ago he had gone over with the webmaster what was on the flyer. So, we have posted our own and also posted theirs. Lucille had a question of whether or not SJIOA posted ours. Ross said they did. Vision For You Convention - Newark Airport - Hotel venue - weekend of November 8-10. Ross said he inquired about a “Day-tripper” price, and was told it was $250.00 for everyone regardless of weekend attendance or Saturday only. He said he didn’t think that included the hotel price. Sima added at the end of the meeting that the Vision for You cost is $250.00 because of the hotel meals. This is their first one in five years. Ross usually follows up with a brief Chair report two or three days after an Intergroup meeting. They normally are sent to the Reps. If anyone else wants to be put on the list, please send Ross your email address and meeting you attend so he can add your name. Ross asked for the email addresses for anyone new to this meeting tonight. Vice-Chair Report - Alex: Nothing right now Treasurer Report - Barbara Mu will screen-share the new budget. Ross doesn’t have his monthly budget ready tonight. Our monthly collection was $919.61, good since it is usually between $500-$600.00. Please tell groups who use PayPal to put Group # on payments. Otherwise they get no credit for their meeting. Payment was made to Outreach for the NJ Psych Conference. Registration was paid to State of NJ as non-profit organization for another year Zoom and Technical costs are in the monthly budget Federal Taxes will be dealt with after the new year. Treasury Checkbook review - one committee person cancelled out, so Nick and Alex found another person and will set up another date in the next two weeks. Nick is still on the committee. Motion to accept Treasurer’s Report - Nick, seconded by Alex - Unanimous CJI Budget is up for review - numbers get filled in in November when fiscal year ends: Money added to some categories: 12 Step added $100.00, Fundraisers added $500.00, Region 7 $500.00 and World Service $600.00 for a total of $1000.00 each for the new year. We gave them $2,000.00 each this past year. Literature added $400.00, the Post Office is paid through March, Professional Outreach added $600.00 to make it $3,300.00 for the new year, No Rent for State of NJ Registration Fee or Federal Registration Fee, Travel for WSBC an extra $1,000.00, and Website- $100.00. Zoom account stays the same - no increases. Lucille questioned if there is money left over in an account does it accrue for that group, but Barbara explained it goes back into the general treasury. Motion to accept Projected Budget: Sima, Seconded - Marty - Unanimous Thank you from Ross - wonderful work! Recording Secy: Joan - no report Corresponding Secy - Marybeth was not here, but informed committee that there is a new Face to Face 6pm meeting in Oakhurst, NJ. Anything you need Marybeth to know or change, please text her first before emailing. Website - Nick: Newly a Webmaster - still in training. He appreciates your patience. The great “cheat-sheets” from Alex make him feel like a pro. He will update meeting lists in the next few days, all documents are up, and he appreciates all your service. Outreach - Lucille - Monthly meeting was postponed until this Sunday, 10/12/25. NJ Psych Conference is Friday in Livingston, 10/17/25. NJIOA volunteered to come with Lucille to event. New Hope Rehab - First Tuesday of each month - this month led by Marybeth, Mikey and Kevin. Lucille has volunteers until the end of 2025. Thank you. Calls: one in September - no message, two in October, one from a Mental Health Professional looking for a Face to Face for her client, one person looking for a retreat sponsored by CJI that had been formerly in PA. Ross said there are no retreats at this time. Nick said with our history of retreats we used to hold them in Harvey Cedars at Maris Stella, LBI, which then moved to PA. Winter Dreams closed because of Hurricane Sandy. At this time there is no interest in a retreat, but if it changes Nick will be glad to work on it. Mikey had a question for Lucille regarding the Mental Health Professional: Did Lucille tell her which meetings? Lucille said yes - she mentioned Red Bank and Shrewsbury with names and phone numbers for contacts, but forgot to ask how she found OA. The woman said she just Googled it. Lucille was happy she tried to help her client. 12th Step Within: Nothing at this time. Ross will get in touch with Lusk. Region 7 - Sue stepped up as Region Rep for the full assembly, and appointee for the Spring Assembly. Report is not out yet, but Outreach Committee wants to do more on social media. Region One wants a pilot program on FaceBook and wonders if other Regions would offer $500.00 seed money to run a Social Media Pilot. They would create a library of OA ads, but World Service already has a library of ads. The Panel stated that best practices were: Newsletters - Suggested joining groups together to create combined newsletters, Pittsburgh hires professional newsletter writers Baltimore visits each Intergroup once during every year “Is Food a Problem for You” Banner Event brought in a lot more people than the OA banner itself. Region Seven Outreach bought a wheel to spin at their demonstration table to win a prize (as in Wheel of Fortune). It attracted many people. They will visit the Assembly in the Spring. Baltimore instituted a regular OA Zoom meeting before their monthly Intergroup meetings to get more attendance of people who might want to stay. Lucille said our Outreach brings small prizes to events, attendees at the table fill out tickets and win a prize through a drawing. Ross said South Jersey has a wheel they already use. Ross asked Joan to read at our November meeting what she had learned from various other Regions around the country while attending the Outreach Region conference held in September. Region 7 also has a form to fill out for half price pamphlets for Outreach. World Service: Sima - Will attend meeting tomorrow 10/11/25, Unity with Diversity Committee, and will bring back results at our next IG meeting. Mikey - Outreach Committee: Sub-committee for exhibits and what you are bringing to exhibits. Nothing has been finalized yet, but Mikey will let us know. World Service is losing people from these committees and needs help. Ross thanked both of you for attending those meetings. By-Laws: Alex and Sima updated 2024. Next review is 2026. It was supposed to be odd years, but we can change it. Bob L is still our liaison, and he will help to make it even years. Insurance - Mikey: Did Ross speak with Bob L.? Present policy according to World Service is that they don’t want to take over that job. Each Intergroup needs their own insurance. No reasons were given for increases, but underwriter wants minimal amount of coverage. Bob L is trying to see what they can do to have each Region carry their insurance. Mikey said not to worry about CJIOA. It will come due in December, and we don’t have that many face-to-face meetings anymore. Ross thanked Mikey for doing a difficult job. Mikey asked Jill if she got a Certificate of Indemnification. He sent it to Rose after taking care of a problem. Have Rose get back to Mikey with any problems. Barbara Mu got a letter with reduction in coverage - Cyber attacks, etc. Mikey will speak to the broker about it. Nominating - Election tonight for Barbara Mu for second term as Treasurer. All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions - Unanimous Affirmative Ross said Barbara does a fantastic job. Barbara said it’s a collective service, and Alex has helped her, too. Delegate Nominations: Sima and Mikey are already delegates. Qualifications: 1 year current abstinence, 2 years above group level, Suggested to be a part of the Region level. All doesn’t have to run concurrently. Any Nominees - No Ross will ask again. If interested call Ross, Sima or Mikey because there are no nominees. Mikey said WSBC in April will be Face to Face. You meet many people, it is very involved and beneficial. OA Holidays: Unity Day, Saturday, Feb. 2026 - Nothing at this point Sponsorship Day - Nothing until August of 2026 IDEA Day - 11/22/25 - Saturday. Venue is booked - Face-to-Face, Aldersgate Methodist Church, East Brunswick, NJ, 10:00am - 3:00pm. “Staying in Recovery Through the Holidays”. Flyer is up on OA website, Bring lunch or travel less than a half mile to nearest restaurant. Six people have offered to help set up at 8:00am that morning, and there is a meeting scheduled for Thursday, 10/16. Alex, Ross and Barbara are filling spots for speakers and panelists. For more information contact Ross and Alex Region 7 Regional Convention - Sue - Three-legged Stool of Recovery - Virtual, 11/1/25. There is a sliding scale for payment - $10.00, $20.00, or $30.00. They were asking for $40.00, but will accept any of the above. Bob L said they were having a problem with payment on PayPal. Ross will try out PayPal. 12 Step Within Day - Ross reached out to Lusk. This year it will be in person on Friday, 12/12/25, in Jackson from 9:00am to 3:00pm, and this year’s topic will center around Roseanne, our founder, who relapsed and came back. December 12th is also our Intergroup meeting at 7:00 pm. Old Business: Robin M and Marybeth - Regarding our newsletter, next month the template will be send out. Marybeth is working with Robin. New Business: Lucille asked Alex if we can tie into the CJI Zoom account every month for our Outreach meetings? Lucille can’t get in with the number she has been given. Sima thinks it’s her personal number that was given out. Ross said we can tie into the CJIOA account, and Alex will look into it. It was not a problem for anyone if Alex does this. We have an email address. Can we give an email account others can access? We can try the phone number first. Lucille can’t log in past two times. Alex will work with Lucille right after this meeting. News From Groups: Ross explained we do this every month. There was a newcomer on the Monday night virtual meeting, Ross asked what brought her - her therapist recommended it. Lucille said there were two newcomers to her meeting - one came because of the other one who had heard about OA at an AA meeting. Announcements: There will be an OA walk on October 18th, 2:00-3:00pm, Wall Township Library - the trail behind the building. Sue said she found out through Region 7 half our meetings throughout our world are ZOOM. It was also suggested that some meetings be only a half-hour so people can attend and leave if they are working or unable to spend an hour or more. Reminder to send all new meeting information to Marybeth. Meeting was adjourned at 8:20pm with a pause for the still sick and suffering in our rooms followed by the Serenity Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Joan T. Recording Secretary 11/1/25