There are 57 in-person and 48 online meetings each week at the Rockridge Fellowship of Oakland—and we continue to grow! Being a Secretary is a very rewarding service position but it can be confusing. We have prepared manuals for Rockridge Secretaries:
- Secretary Manual for In-Person Meetings
- Secretary Manual for Online Meetings
These resources answer many questions about running a Rockridge AA meeting, but if something comes up that isn’t addressed please contact the Secretary Coordinator.
Registration
All secretaries are asked to register so that we can reach them if necessary. This information is kept confidential. Register here.
Safety at Rockridge
For a full discussion of safety at Rockridge click here.
Managing Disruptive Behavior
If a speaker starts saying things that make the room unsafe, such as using racist or sexist language, halt such talk immediately, asking that the speaker refrain from continuing in this vein. Similarly if someone is moving around the room, making distracting noises, etc. ask them to stop.
1. Ask the disruptive person to be quiet: “Please be quiet.” “Please sit down.”
2. If non-compliance continues: “You will be asked to leave if you’re not quiet.”
3, If the problem persists: Take a group conscience (vote) on whether the member should be asked to leave.
4, If the group votes to ask the member to leave and they refuse: “We will call the police if you don’t leave.”
5. If the member still refuses to leave: Ask another member to call MACRO (for non-violent but concerning behavior) or the Oakland Police (for violent behavior). MACRO will only intervene outside of the building. [MACRO 510-446-2276; Police 510-777-3333]
6. Notify the Fellowship Coordinator or the Safety Committee Chair of any ongoing disruptive situations or when a member is asked to leave.
Managing Dangerous or Illegal Behavior
If someone threatens members at the Fellowship, please do not hesitate to call the police. Then immediately contact the Fellowship Coordinator and the Safe Rooms Committee Chair.
Collecting Money
7th Tradition: Your Treasurer should collect the 7th Tradition, count it, fill out the envelope, and deposit it in the safe. If your Treasurer does not show up, please select someone trustworthy to handle the money or do it yourself.
Literature Sales: Fill out the pink envelope with date, title of book, and amount of money collected then put this in the safe. if it is a Venmo payment, write “Venmo” beside the amount on the envelope and put it in the safe.
Overflow Procedure
The fire exit and the aisles in the Main Room must be kept clear at all times.
When all chairs in the room are filled the secretary should ask the overflow secretary to hang the overflow meeting signs on the doors and open up the Garden Room.*
Large meetings should ask for a volunteer overflow secretary at the start of the meeting, preferably a trained secretary, or create an overflow service position.
- Overflow signs and script are stored in the plastic holder on the wall in the Library.
- The generic meeting script is on the bulletin board in the Garden Room and posted upstairs.
- The overflow meeting will start 15 minutes after the original meeting time.
* Five overflow meetings will be in the upstairs room: Monday 12:00; Monday 5:30; Wednesday 5:30; Saturday 9:00; and Sunday 5:30.
Technical Difficulties with a Zoom Meeting
Contact the Online Meeting Coordinator and the Technical Coordinator for help.
What’s That Buzzer in the Kitchen?
A buzzer in the kitchen let’s you know that someone who needs the ADA ramp is waiting on the sidewalk.
1. Open the door in the corner of the patio—instructions are posted there.
2. Then walk down the hall to open the sidewalk door.
Lock the doors behind you as you return.
How to Reach Our Trusted Servants
Our contact list can be found here.
