IAC Newsletter Summary — Spring 2001 (Issue No. 46)

IAC Newsletter Summary — Spring 2001 (Issue No. 46)

This issue focuses heavily on upcoming officer elections, the duties of IAC trusted servants, financial transparency, the importance of supporting IAC’s mission, expanded roundup listings, and a rich historical feature on the origins and growth of Lambda Center Houston.

🌈 Feature Announcement — Nominations Sought for IAC Service Positions

(Front Page)

The International Advisory Council begins the formal process of selecting new trusted servants for three key roles:

Open Positions:

• Deputy Chairperson

• Secretary

• Treasurer

Requirements:

• Minimum two years of continuous sobriety

• AA service experience preferred

• Nominations must be received by June 1, 2001

• Terms begin August 1, 2001

Officer Duties Highlighted:

• Chairperson: Coordinates IAC committees, presides over meetings, helps set budget, publishes the newsletter, serves as GSO liaison.

• Deputy Chairperson: Supports and substitutes for Chair, coordinates materials for regional reps, assists in agenda development.

• Secretary: Manages the IAC PO Box, minutes, databases, and membership records.

• Treasurer: Maintains bank accounts, prepares financial reports, and manages donor listings.

A boxed message on Page 1 emphasizes: “Officer nominations sought.”

🧭 Deputy Chair’s Report — “Greetings from San Antonio!”

By Ms. Rene’ Z. (Page 2)

Rene’ reports on the election cycle and upcoming leadership transition:

Key Points:

• Per the IAC Charter, the Chair and Deputy Chair rotate between male and female; Rene’ will rotate into the Chair position on August 1st, 2001.

• Elections will be held for the three remaining positions (Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer).

• Qualified applicants will be contacted via phone by Executive Committee members.

• Ballots will be mailed to all IAC trusted servants for vote and returned to the Chair.

She also shares upcoming plans:

• Newsletter enhancements are on the way, including more special-interest articles and group histories.

• A new archive series begins with histories of Lambda groups across various cities.

• Readers are encouraged to submit group history materials and newsletter feedback.

Rene’ closes with an affirmation of IAC’s purpose: linking gay and lesbian AA members to meetings, roundups, and each other.

💵 IAC Treasurer’s Report (Jan 30 – Apr 12, 2001)

(Page 3)

A concise financial snapshot:

Balances

• Beginning: $5,539.77

• Ending: $5,489.39

Income (Total: $3,649.71)

• Group/Roundup Donations — $2,480.89

• Individual Donations — $373.14

• Miscellaneous — $58.00

• Directory Sales — $231.00

• Roundup Donations — $50.00

• Birthday Donations — $25.00

Expenses (Total: $3,688.63)

• Postage/Printing/Telephone/Supplies — $380.75

• Convention Newsletter Printing — $1,156.82

• Mailhouse Services — $700.33

• Austin Roundup Expense — $888.60

• Bank Charges — $15.00

• Canadian Exchange Adjustment — $48.56

• Annual Incorporation Fee — $78.25

Note: Due to space limitations, donor lists are temporarily not printed but donors receive acknowledgment letters.

💛 Why Support IAC?

(Page 5)

Treasurer Paul M. addresses the question many members ask: “Where does the money go?”

Primary Expenses:

• Newsletter production & mailing — approx. $10,000 annually

• Website maintenance

• Office expenses

• Travel for two Executive Committee meetings per year

  
  

Funding Sources:

• Group donations (primary)

• Individual donations

• Directory sales ($6 per copy)

• Roundup contributions

• Newsletter subscriptions (suggested $10/year, though few contribute)

  
  

Why IAC Matters:

Letters from around the world illustrate why supporting IAC is essential:

• A member in Manchester, England afraid to attend non-LGBTQ AA meetings.

• An American in Japan thrilled to find LGBTQ AA listings via IAC’s website.

• Members who use IAC to locate roundups and feel connected to community.

Paul encourages members to:“Be a part of… support the group, get involved, be of service.”

📅 Roundups 2001 — Spring, Summer & Fall Listings

(Pages 4 & 6)

Extensive listings include:

May 2001:

• Big D Roundup (Dallas)

• GAYLA Rochester, NY

• Sober in the Sun (Palm Springs)

• Miracles Happen (Irvine)

• Boston Roundup

June 2001:

• AALA Los Angeles

• Western Roundup Living Sober (San Francisco)

July 2001:

• Long Island Roundup (NY)

August 2001:

• Walk the Walk (New Haven, CT)

• Capital Roundup (Washington, D.C.)

September 2001:

• Emerald City Roundup (Seattle)

October 2001:

• Gratitude Roundup (Toronto)

Listings include locations, hotel info, early registration rates, website links, and contact details.

🏳️‍🌈 Lambda in History — Lambda Center Houston: How it began, and how it flourished

By Robert S., Houston TX (Pages 6)

A detailed historical profile showing how one of the largest and most influential LGBTQ AA centers in the world came to life.

Key Historical Highlights:

• First Houston gay AA meeting held February 3, 1975 under the name Lambda Group.

• Early meeting locations included:

  • A small room on Waugh Drive

  • MCCR Church

  • First Unitarian Church (rent: $15/month)

• Groups began expanding: Lambda Monday, Lambda Friday, Lambda Thursday, and the Closet Group.

• In 1978, after much planning and faith, Lambda Center opened its first dedicated space at 1605 Fairview.

• By July 1979, Lambda Center moved to 1214 Joe Annie Street, eventually leasing the entire building.

• Attendance boomed — often 125–200 people per meeting.

• At the 1980 International AA Conference, Lambda’s hospitality suite became a landmark gathering for LGBTQ AA members worldwide.

• In 1991, Lambda Center moved to its current home at 1201 West Clay, a 7,000 sq. ft. warehouse seating up to 200 people.

  
  

Today, the Center hosts 44 weekly meetings and welcomes roughly 1,000 people each week — a testament to decades of LGBTQ AA resilience and commitment.

IAC Newsletter Summary — Spring 2001 (Issue No. 46)

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2000-05-01 Newsletter.pdf

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