What’s Really Going On?

The house is running as well as could be expected with seven new arrivals. Housing Services sat in their house meeting as non-voting members. (Despite chapter having approval to vote).

Chapter concerns going into the meeting:
1.Substantial, and continuous delinquent rent to landlord.
2.Personality conflicts
3.Training newcomers

Positive Feedback:

1.House is recovery oriented.
2.Utilities paid and not excessive.
3.No excessive supply spending.
4.Few delinquencies.
5.House voted to increase members rent by $5/week.
6.Financial reports – only minor flaws.
6.Signs of accountability -
7.Willing to learn Oxford ways.

Other feedback and concerns:

1.House unable to adhere to Robert’s Rules of order (Meeting was very chaotic)
2.Financially unstable.
3.Any vacancy will compound an already precarious financial situation.
4.House officer 2weeks delinquent.
5.Agenda Procedures.
6.Lack of respect amongst members in disagreement
7.Lack of written behavior contracts for delinquent members.

Recommendations

1.HSC chair the house meetings, until rules of order are learned.
2.Democratic principles to be stressed.
3.Demonstrate Care-frontation vs Confrontation
4.Agenda maintained on the board or bulletin board, for all members to read and/or add to (RESPECTFULLY!)
5.Rent increase to at least $120/week, or increase to 12 member house.
6.Monitor the house’s ability to pay at least ½ month’s rent bi-weekly with an acceptable repayment towards arrears.
7.If house is unable to meet above point (6) chapter must step in with voting majority and pass immediate rent increase to $120/month, and make steps to convert one garage to allow 2 more beds.

Skyline

The State Board allocatted funds to allow for the initial expenses required to procure, the hotel, meeting rooms, transportation, etc.  One idea being thrown out there was to see if each chapter would vote to have their March Chapter meeting at the event, in Dallas.

I agree with that idea. It is important that we support the education of our new comers,  pass on information, and show how we can all function, and have fun in sobriety.  New members with the proper know-how of how to run an Oxford House, will pay off in the long run, with less house failures, and financial bail-outs of sick houses.

Our chapter (Austin) had several chapter officers present at that meeting, and the talk has already started, about paying, at least partially  for the AMTRAK travel to Dallas for this event.  We are also going to propose that each house be forgiven their March Dues, so they can pay for the hotel room!  The trip in itself could be quite fun, especially if we get on the same train as the San Antonio attendees!  I hope all the other chapters take the same measures to ensure the success of this event.

Each house will be asked to donate a raffle prize this will be given away during the event.  ($25-$100) whatever they can afford.

My experience with these State Workshops date back to the first State Workshop, Feb. 2007, which ironically was in Dallas.  It was quite informative, fun and I got to meet some wonderful people that encouraged me to step up, and get involved with Oxford House.

March of 2008 brought the second annual State Workshop, held in Wimberley, TX.  By far this the most successful of all Workshops to date.  Oxford House Members kept showing up all night, requiring me to wake up a sleeping resort member so we could rent another 10 rooms!

Last year we failed to reach that same level of success.  This is why it is so important we start now, and get everyone involved.  Everyone can help! Get to talking about what you can do at the house level, what your house can do at the chapter level, and what your chapter can do at the state level.  We all have a solemn responsibility to ensure that when we leave Oxford House, we leave it  better than it was when we came in!

Congratulations Jodie, Bonnie, and Lauren!

Our new chapter officers.

All house e-mails now are active.

Due to a typo, the chapter meeting is Sunday the 15th of November. The 3rd Sunday.

Dear Chapter members,

It is only my opinion, but at the recent past chapter meeting. I observed a disturbing number of house representatives, who expressed the idea that there house members were placing an extremely high value on personal physical comfort. These houses have not tried to use the houses capacity levels or have reduced them . In efforts to gain privacy, comfort, self satisfaction, etc. . But at what cost? The possible financial failure of the house , added burden to chapter and all the healthy houses. We have seemed to have forgotten the purpose of Oxford Houses and it’s mission to help other addicts obtain recovery. We are slipping back into OLD BEHAVIOR and self indulgence. Leaving me with the perception that the . ” As long as I am comfortable, I don’t care about any one else” attitude has once again entered our life styles and has us rolling down hill to a destination of Tragedy, and Relapse. Who will help us that do not want this, find a solution?