September meeting: Tradition 9, minutes approved, and a chair's horizon
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Source: minutes filed by the chair (Karyn S), shared through the GSR WhatsApp thread. Last initials only; written reports are recorded as submitted. Attendance: Karyn S (Chair), Anne R (London; Chair, PR Committee), Sam K (Wednesday UK/Europe), Ben (SML and QIR), Christy B, Ari H (Monday Womxn’s Meeting), Dav N (Denver), Evan K (San Diego In Person; Convention Committee), Paula G (Sunday Integration), Douglas, Jaime I (Thursday Love, Sex and Relationships), Sue W (Thursday OG), Jodi H (Ann Arbor In Person), Andria (Friday 11th Step Mysticism; Thursday Liminal Lounge).
Call to order and opening
Karyn welcomed everyone to the September GSR meeting at 12:00 PM Eastern. The meeting opened with a moment of silence, followed by the “We” version of the Serenity Prayer.
Tradition 9 discussion
Karyn shared her screen and read the tradition.
- Anne R: said the tradition exists so no one is excluded from serving, but PIR’s problem is the opposite: committees are staffed by one or two people who are desperate for volunteers (LitCom has two people, the PR Committee has three). Her view: the tradition is ahead of its time in PIR’s history.
- Jaime I: thanked Karyn for her service. Said she has witnessed people being critical of those who serve, which has been painful to see. Asked that people pause and, instead of criticizing or analyzing, offer to help. Reminded the group that members are people recovering from trauma, attachment wounding, and the overuse of substances and behaviors, and that everyone chipping in a little more would help. Added that when people are upset about how things are going, the best way to make change is to get involved.
Approval of minutes
Karyn acknowledged a fellow had an issue with the prior minutes. Motion to approve the minutes: Anne R, seconded by Jaime I. Vote: 7 of 12 in favor by show of hands. Motion carried. (Opposed and abstentions were not counted.)
Subcommittee reports
- PR Committee (Anne R, Chair): met last week with three people, an improvement from recent meetings where Anne R was the only attendee. Will slow down and pause certain projects for lack of volunteers, and will focus almost exclusively on the convention. Convention teasers were pushed September 20. Podcast: two or three episodes remain to be released, then the podcast pauses while the committee works on season 2; the next hosts have already been chosen. Volunteers needed: people with digital experience editing podcasts (training can be provided) and people active on social media to help promote and broadcast the podcast. Meeting schedule: the committee meets the second Saturday of the month, and Anne R plans to move it to the first Saturday so it does not conflict with the Saturday Morning Live business meeting.
- Convention Committee (Evan K): a subcommittee of five, including Anne R and Douglas, meets three to four times a week to finalize details, interview potential session leaders, and make spending decisions, as funds are limited. Registration passed 60 people; capacity is 120, and the meeting space was expanded. The convention was nearly canceled a couple of months ago because of low registration. Movie nights are planned, one in collaboration with another organization. Schedule: Thursday and Friday off-site activities in Boulder and Denver, then Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday at the Alliance Center. Attendees are encouraged to arrive Wednesday or Thursday. Convention attendees will receive a copy of the book in their goodie bag.
- Book Committee (update from Karyn S): formatting is underway and author copies are being prepared. Kevin F has been speaking directly with the formatter; the title-page and copyright-page issue Douglas asked about is being fixed.
- LitCom and Tech: no report. Christopher was not present.
Old business
- QR code: the QR code is now on the 7th Tradition page of the website (added by Christopher) and is displayed fairly large.
- Venmo and structural changes (as relayed by Karyn from conversations with the Board): Venmo is not expected to be enacted, and no structural changes are anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026. The new Board is to be voted in in 2027.
- Safety: many groups have added a closing safety statement reminding people that the parking lot is not the place to source medicines or discuss exchanging money. Evan K acknowledged that people are usually acting out of good intent but said it must be addressed to protect the organization. Karyn encouraged assuming good intent and gently reminding people. No other concerns were raised.
New business
- Karyn asked whether any group had a recommendation to bring forward. None were offered.
- Letter to the fellowship: Karyn noted that A Message from the PIR Board to the Fellowship had been posted in the chat and asked GSRs to share it with their respective groups. She noted she had not seen it passed around much and hoped it would be shared.
- Transition of the GSR Subcommittee Chair: Karyn will transition out of the role at the end of 2026 and will finish out the year. She began chairing in June 2025 and had planned to serve through June 2027.
Action items
- Karyn S: follow up with Christopher on updating Salt Lake City’s meeting time on the website (texted 9/19).
- GSRs: share the letter to the fellowship with their groups; share the PR Committee’s volunteer needs (podcast editing, social media) with their groups; groups that take a 7th Tradition break can share the QR code page on their screen.
Next meeting and adjournment
The next GSR meeting is Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern. The meeting closed with a moment of silence and the “We” version of the Serenity Prayer at approximately 12:33 PM Eastern.
Related: the sixteen group reports from this meeting · GSR records: intake open.