May 17, 2020

I am an alcoholic, member of the Live Laugh Love group, my sobriety date is July 13^th, 2008 and my name is Leslie.   I am humbled to be serving as the Chair for District 9.  My prayers and well wishes continue to go out to all of you.  Please keep safe.  NSU is still closed and will not re-open until August 1.  We are receiving credits on our missed meetings.  So we will continue to meet via Zoom until we get back into Nova and it is safe for all of us to be there.  Just a reminder, we are not having a live Founders Day picnic at Snyder Park.  We are going virtual and Heather will have more on that.  Carry the Message Day will also be a virtual event as we are not sure on Nova being open to big groups in August. Debbie and her committee have come up with a very timely presentation for Carry the Message.  And because of that, we have decided to move the event to Saturday, June 27^th.   We have started planning meetings for Gratitude Dinner.  The last meeting was April 26^th with 76 in attendance via Zoom.  Joyce and her committee will have more on that and tell us the theme.  They have a Zoom meeting scheduled for May 24^th.  The Assembly in July at the Boca Raton Marriott is still on.  Cary, our Area 15 chair needs our input on how to go forward with the July Assembly only.  The Area is looking into doing some attendance in Boca with a Zoom component.  I have created a poll and we will vote on whether we are comfortable going to the hotel or if we are more comfortable doing our business on Zoom.  The poll will be done under new business after elections.  The Boca Raton Marriott has agreed to no room attrition requirement and no Food/Beverage obligation.  We cannot, however, cancel the contract outright without a very large penalty.  Just a note, this is only for the July Assembly.  We have signed contracts for the next two years and we are not changing the way we handle Area 15 business in this two year cycle. The Florida State Convention in Jacksonville has been postponed until next year which will now be held August 5^th through 8^th, 2021.  The hotel went ahead and cancelled all room reservations.  The new link for hotel reservations should be available in July.  Also, all registrations and other purchases will be held for 2021. General Service Conference is meeting this weekend, May 16^th to the May 19^th.  We sent out the revised Agenda Items to the fellowship from Shirley, our delegate.  Some of the items will be forwarded to the 2021 Conference.  We have also sent out a letter from Greg T., our General Manager, detailing a shortfall.  The General Service Office has asked for and been given $3 million from the Reserve Fund which is their prudent reserve.  Book sales and contributions are way down.  This is the reason for a prudent reserve. I am very grateful to everyone at District 9 who go above and beyond when it comes to service.   I need everyone here, a reliance on a Power greater than myself and the love in these rooms.  And remember that the sun always shines in District 9.  In love and service, Leslie B. District 9 Chair. If there are any questions, comments or you just want to say hi, my email is chairperson@district9aa.org.