IN SERVICE—IN TOUCH : A Short History of District 18 in South Minneapolis
As with all history, this is a work in progress.
1940
The sobriety of Barry C., Pat C. and ‘Norvy’ M.—all in 1940—their subsequent meeting, along with others, became the Minneapolis Group, which was the first A.A. group in Minnesota. From which came the Alano Society of Minneapolis. That was, from April 1941 through early 1942, the source of organized Twelve Step work. 1944 saw the Nicollet Chapter relocate to Nicollet Avenue and Lake Street, outside of the building at 2218 First Avenue South; with the Robbinsdale group establishing itself in 1952 in the north suburban area.
2218 remained the center of A.A. service work through the 60s for both the city and much of the region, along with those groups that had moved away and been newly established throughout the state. It was the known contact point locally for A.A. calls by professionals and the still suffering alcoholic.
St. Paul held its initial meeting on May 6, 1941, later establishing its central office, St. Paul Intergroup, in May of 1966 and beginning operation in July-August. Minneapolis followed in 1968.
In May of 1946 there was established “a clearinghouse for all the smaller A.A. groups in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota and western Wisconsin.” This was the short-lived Midwest Council On Alcoholism with Pat C. drafted as General Manager.
Prior to final acceptance of the Service Structure of A.A. at the 1955 Convention in St. Louis, there was the Southern Minnesota “Conference” and its annual Southern Minnesota Roundup, where some of the service works of the south half of Minnesota got its roots. Gopher State and the Marshall Roundup became hosts to the business of southern Minnesota’s service activities.
Initially Pat C. was our first delegate, followed by one from St. Paul, next from rural or outstate candidate lists and rotating in that cycle for several rotations.
With the formation of the Northern and Southern Areas we started out with 8 districts, allowed for them to organize and GROW. This setup was changed radically in 1957 leading up to the establishment of the Southern Minnesota Area Assembly and renumbering districts while ceding territory north of the Twin Cities metro area to the Northern Area.
District 7, which encompassed all of Hennepin, Anoka, Scott and Carver counties, became ready for redistricting and beginning with District 13 in Anoka County becoming the first new district in 1985.
1987
The order of formation of the newly established districts across the southern area were in numerical order and the acceptance by the Southern Minnesota Area Assembly approved the establishment of District 18 on March 21, 1987, “to approve the groups meeting at 2218 First Avenue South.”
There were many active participants in this move at the Area level and out of District 7. Here we will discover the names of those within the district itself. (Due to the public nature of this site the A.A. Traditions regarding anonymity will be observed throughout).
At the 16 February meeting in 1987, there were 15 groups represented by their GSRs or alternates; Ron P. chaired the meeting, Valerie R. kept the minutes, Jack D. overlooked the finances ($59.00), Phyllis P. reported the news from District 7, the Area and the Delegate. At this meeting, the assembled representatives voted to become one district for all of the groups at 2218. District 18.
The 16 March meeting saw 24 groups represented. The members agreed to form committees and have the chairs attend the District 7 committee meetings to learn the ropes of their jobs in service; the committees were Archives, John B., Structure, Phyllis P., Corrections, Bill M. (Ron P. filling in for him), Treatment Facilities, Tom G., Literature, Bill Z., CPC (Cooperation with the Professional Community), Mary C., Public Information, Stephen G. At this meeting there was consideration of having a booth at the Minnesota State Fair. Elected at this meeting were Ron P., Chair and Joe M., Alternate Chair.
April: 15 squads, $88.00, working with St. Paul’s District 8 at the upcoming State Fair, problems using the Alano’s mailboxes to communicate with the groups. All of the committees had reports. The Treatment Facilities members are working with District 7’s committee on numerous established and new ventures. The Corrections committee is seeking members and groups to work with a local youth home and a pre-release program. Archives chair John B. steps down as he is already serving District 7’s committee as chairperson.
Minnesota is 50th in rank of contributions to the General Service Office. Welcome S is planning a workshop.
May: 15 squads. June: 18 squads and the first outside group from Branch II Catholic Charities. First mention of expanding District 18 and controversy over it.
July: 21 squads and both Branch II and III send reps. Ken R. submits the first District budget of $3,600.00. New members step up to chair and join committees, including Betty Rae B.; Dudley W. Welcome S. distributes donated A.A. Service Manuals and presents an explanation of it for all.
August: 19 squads and Branch I and II, treasury of $328.58! New P.I. chair is Jerry O. and P.I. presentation from Dick C. from District 7.
September: 14 squads, reading of a Concept begins. Earle J., new Archives chair, request for contributions for a “daily reader” that becomes Daily Reflections in 1990.
October: District 18 groups are in 9th place in contributions to Area 36. They rank 3rd to GSO!
November: Literature rack at downtown Minneapolis Public Library.
1988
March: Service Explorers Group for those interested in learning about General Service is formed.
May: Jack C., Area 36 Delegate reports at the meeting on what the GSC is and gives highlights of this year’s conference.
August: Elections held for four DCMs (actually, LCMs-Local Committee Members) responsible for being directly responsible for communicating with assigned groups. A.A.I. meeting put on at VA Hospital by Squad 24.
September: Election of District Officers: Chair, Valerie R., Alternate Chair, Ken R., Treasurer, Rick M., Secretary, Jeffrey S. First statewide conference of Northern and Southern Areas held in St. Cloud, reported by Phyllis P.
The 1990’s
Our district outgrew the confines of the meeting place at the Alano and moved to the church at 2608 Blaisdell Avenue. Later we located at churches at 1011 Hennepin Avenue and 2201 First Avenue South, from which it will again relocate in the near future.
Attendance at the meetings have followed the usual highs and lows of seasonal participation (notably there were large drops in attendance while the Minnesota Twins entered the playoffs and World Series in 1987 and 1991) yet constantly broadened their reach in diverse service projects and involvement at the Area level.
The geographic boundaries expanded to their current location near the mid-nineties while the Area continued adding and moving Districts in Southern Minnesota.
With many more groups to connect with the decision had been made to have contact with them through LCMs (local committee members) that essentially became visitors at their appointed A.A. Groups both inside and outside the Alano, once the Area approved the expansion—to accept the reality of the District’s growth.
The District issued its first newsletter, a single sheet invitation, to the Groups within the new boundaries to join and support the efforts of the established members.
2000 and Beyond
The A.A. International came to Minneapolis, with organizing and planning taking place within and with the active participation of the Groups and members of the District. Attendance and the Fellowship and welcoming to those from around the country and around the world will only be matched when it next will be hosted here.
This space doesn’t allow for a detailed, complete view of current activities of the Committees in District 18. They are active and carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers in their own, collective way through cooperation among the meetings, groups and districts that continue to cooperate in that endeavor.