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October 2023: the 501 questions, background checks, and a fellowship finding its footing

LowGSR Committee 2 min readBy Beeman (chair), Prism (scribe)
TL;DR: The oldest GSR record on this desk, circa October 2023: the fellowship deep in the 501(c)(3) transition - GSRs debating background checks for Board members, conflict-of-interest questions, and the Kacie advisor vote - alongside chat-security work in Zoom and group reports from fifteen meetings. Integration averaged 60 attendees even then.
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Source: PIR GSR 10/23 Agenda/Minutes (mirrored into GitHub per the minutes-migration project; the original stays linked). Date is approximate - the document is titled 10/23 with references placing it in October 2023.

The 501(c)(3) questions

The meeting centered on Kevin’s four-page document responding to GSR questions about the BOD vote. GSRs pressed on conflict of interest, background checks, and 501 minutes and treasury reports from retreats. Key exchanges:

  • GSRs generally felt that having no plans for background checks at this time was irresponsible; Prism noted the state a nonprofit launches in typically runs criminal and credit checks.
  • Megan: these members are temporary; permanent BOD members need vetting.
  • Beeman committed to spelling out specific conflicts of interest and hosting a working group on professional guidelines.

Other business

  • Chat and removal of disruptive individuals: Zoom security options reviewed with Dave M - under the security badge, uncheck “allow all participants to chat”; co-hosts recommended for chairs.
  • Tradition breaks: discussion of BIPOC/Queer tradition breaks and women’s meetings closed to men - the sense of the group: raise it with the specific meeting’s group conscience, not as a fellowship-wide BOD matter.
  • Committee reports: LitCom’s principles working doc circulated as a template; SSS discussed voting and fellowship structure; FORA renamed FORUM.

Group reports (as recorded)

Love Sex & Relationships ~20 · Saturday Men’s 13-15 · LA in person 3-5 (dwindling) · Wednesday UK ~20 · Friday 11th Step Mysticism ~35 · Monday AM ~15 · Tuesday Family of Origin (501 vote tabled for more questions) · Portland in person 12-15 · Sunday Integration ~60 · BIPOC 8.5 · Monday night ~40.

Open service positions included: IG recording secretary, GSR Chair by 4/24, Monday night co-GSR.