BTVIG Business Meeting Minutes

Date: November 1, 2026
Chair: Russell W.

Call to Order

Chair Russell W. called the meeting to order and welcomed attendees to the November Business Meeting.

The meeting opened with the Set Aside Prayer.

Officer Attendance

• Russell W., Chair

• Jenean B., Vice Chair

• Melvin B., Secretary

• Carla C., Treasurer

Approval of Previous Minutes

Melvin B. moved to waive the reading of the previous month's minutes and approve them as written. The motion was seconded by Amanda T.

Motion carried.

Officer Reports

Chair Report – Russell W.

Russell reported on the recent Better Together Retreat, describing it as a powerful spiritual experience with strong fellowship and connection among members. He shared that discussions are already underway regarding future retreat planning, including exploring fundraising opportunities and creative solutions to reduce costs and expand accessibility for members.

A working group is being developed to investigate ideas for increasing participation and making future retreats more affordable. Discussions with the hotel regarding dates for next year's retreat will begin soon.

Vice Chair Report – Jenean B.

Jenean expressed regret at not being able to attend the retreat and shared plans to attend next year. No additional report was given.

Secretary Report – Melvin B.

No report.

Treasurer Report – Carla C.

Carla reported that Better Together currently maintains approximately $22,000 across all accounts. Key financial highlights included:

• Retreat Fund balance remains healthy at approximately $1,000.

• Scholarship Fund balance is approximately $184.

• The recent auction fundraiser was highly successful and generated significant support for scholarships and retreat-related expenses.

• Monthly donations continue, though donation levels have not yet returned to previous high points.

• The organization remains financially stable and able to meet all obligations.

• Seventh Tradition contributions to World Service and Virtual Region are planned now that the retreat has concluded.

• A nonprofit compliance matter involving New Mexico remains under review and will require follow-up.

The Treasurer's report was received and filed.

Committee Reports

Data Tech Committee

Matthew B. was absent. No report.

Host/Co-Host Committee – Lori D.

Lori reported that operations continue to run smoothly. Additional volunteers are needed for hosting and co-hosting responsibilities beginning in January. Members were encouraged to attend training and become involved in service.

Zoom Service Training – Jenean B.

Jenean reported that additional members completed co-host training during the previous month. Current updates include:

• Two additional co-hosts completed training.

• Six members are currently registered for upcoming training.

• SignUpGenius scheduling remains open through November and will be expanded through December.

• Twenty members responded to service opportunities for November.

Newsletter Committee – Sasha

No report. Committee activities continue as planned.

Speaker Seeker Committee

No formal report. Speaker commitments remain well filled for upcoming meetings.

Workshops Committee – Lori D.

The committee is currently planning the annual Holiday Party. Lori reported that the recent retreat required significant committee collaboration and was viewed as a major success. Members were encouraged to join workshop and retreat committees.

No Disruptions Committee – Jenean B.

Jenean reported that the committee continues to function well. A volunteer responsible for Monday service has stepped down, and efforts are underway to recruit a replacement.

Facebook Committee

Several membership requests were reviewed and approved. New accounts continue to be screened before being admitted.

Newcomer Meeting – Amy F.

Amy reported positive growth in attendance, with approximately thirty participants regularly attending newcomer meetings. The meeting continues to attract newcomers and is functioning well overall.

Welcome Committee – Melvin B.

Melvin reported that outreach volunteer assignments have been updated to reflect changes in volunteer availability and participation.

Virtual Region Representative – Mary Helen

Mary Helen reported that the upcoming Virtual Region Assembly will take place in two weeks. No pending business currently appears likely to directly impact Better Together Virtual Intergroup.

World Service Delegate

No report. The Delegate was absent.

Ongoing Business

Officer Nominations

The Chair opened nominations for upcoming officer elections.

Chair - Russell W. nominated Jenean B. for Chair. The nomination was seconded by Sasha. Jenean B. accepted the nomination. No additional nominations were received.

Secretary - Jenean B. nominated Melvin B. for Secretary. The nomination was seconded by Maryhelen. Melvin B. accepted the nomination. No additional nominations were received.

Treasurer

No nominations were received at this meeting.

The Chair reported that there is interest from a potential candidate who was not present. Nominations for Treasurer will remain open until the next business meeting.

New Business

Upcoming Holiday Events

The following events were announced:

• Thanksgiving Marathon Meetings

• Day-After-Thanksgiving Marathon Meetings

• Christmas Marathon Meetings

• Day-After-Christmas Marathon Meetings

• Better Together Holiday Party

• New Year's Eve Afterglow Celebration

• New Year's Day Step Study Marathon

Lori D. reported that planning is underway and marathon schedules will be developed shortly.

Retreat Testimonials Entered Into the Record

Lori D.

"Even though I was part of the steering committee and a lot of the committees, the experience of the retreat was truly magical. I used that word last year, but it was. Meeting the people, that's what I loved the most. Being able to hug people in person, being able to see people outside of the programs. The programs were wonderful. The time and effort that people put into the programs were truly wonderful. They were great. I loved what they taught us, but it was meeting the people, being able to spend time with everyone, get to know each other, and spend that time together. Just doing things together, sitting at tables together, holding hands together, getting to know people in a way that we didn't before. Hugging each other and bonding in a way that we hadn't before. Crying with each other, laughing with each other, goofing around with each other, and making someone smile when they were feeling down. Being able to do things that we hadn't before and getting to know people on a level that you can't in a Zoom square. That was the magic. That was better than the programs. The programs were awesome and people did such a great job, but the magic of the one-on-one contact, that was what was the best. And that's what I'll take away from it. It was just beautiful."

Kat M.

"For me, it was an absolutely incredible experience getting to meet people for the second time. I'm very, very grateful for the new people that I met in person this time. Just to piggyback off something Lori said, the final two nights literally felt like we were at summer camp. We all speak the same language. We speak the language of the heart in OA. I can sit down with a complete stranger, and they might not share the exact same experience as me, but they know exactly what I'm talking about with the disease of compulsive overeating. I felt, with this year's spiritual experience, that I can't stop making outreach calls. I literally want to make outreach calls all day now. It strengthened that side of my recovery. I feel fully alive coming home from Chicago. I really feel like I had a recovery level-up. There were tons of growth opportunities. Today, I feel like I am definitely becoming the person that God always intended me to be. It was like I was catapulted by being able to be present with you guys in Chicago, and I'm just so grateful to have had that opportunity."

Maura S.

"It was amazing. I went to the first retreat, and coming back was special. It felt like a close family reunion. It was really fulfilling. I felt such a unique strength, power, optimism, and sense of 'I can do this' when I'm around my OA fellows in person. It gives me a different power and a different hope. Even though I struggle with depression, and there were times I felt a little overwhelmed, even when I struggled and tears came, the love and support were all around me. There's just something indescribable about being around people who are on this journey together in person. It was also a really good experience for me to participate on a committee and then co-present with that committee. It was a big room, but you know everyone is on your side. I felt amazing. I had a different view of myself. I saw a version of me that I haven't seen in so long. I saw a me that felt like I was shining, that felt more whole, less like a project to be fixed, and more like a member of a community."

Retreat Discussion

Members discussed ways to increase participation and affordability for future retreats. Ideas included:

• Exploring additional fundraising opportunities.

• Investigating alternative hotel options.

• Considering virtual participation opportunities for members unable to attend in person.

• Evaluating travel accessibility and costs for members throughout North America and internationally.

Several members spoke highly of the current venue, citing its airport accessibility, suite-style accommodations, hospitality, and willingness to support the unique needs of OA members.

Adjournment

Lori D. moved to adjourn the meeting.

The motion was seconded and approved by the membership.

The meeting closed with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer.

The minutes are respectfully submitted by Melvin B., Secretary, BTVIG