Alcoholics Anonymous Service Forum UK http://aa-gb.org/forum/Blah.pl? http://www.eblah.com en SMS http://aa-gb.org/forum/Blah.pl?m-1283594563/ http://aa-gb.org/forum/Blah.pl?m-1283594563/#num1
Quoted from RolandG
The meeting minutes repeatedly mention contact from newcomers by SMS.

I have been involved recently in a problem with this and gave up without succeeding.

Because BT have recently introduced a 'text to speech' service, SMS sent to the local helpline numbers (not the 0845 number which rejects them) will report as being delivered. However, as most of the local numbers use call forwarding, the message isn't delivered in such a way that it can be responded to. It is possible to turn off this service for a particular number by phoning an automated service from the number in question. For the call forwarding services, there isn't a phone attached to the number called so it isn't possible to call from that number and hence it isn't possible to turn this service off. I'm sure that there is someone in BT who has access to the software/settings who could do this but I couldn't find him.

I have reported my efforts to my regional TLO who I'm sure has passed the problem on but it needs to be fixed. Many people don't realise that they can't send a text to any number. People sending a text to a local helpline number will appear to be ignored.
]]> Sat, 4 Sep 2010 11:02:43 ChrisS What do you want to see? http://aa-gb.org/forum/Blah.pl?m-1283155291/ http://aa-gb.org/forum/Blah.pl?m-1283155291/#num1
So where do we take this site? How can we plug the gaps?

Some things we cannot do - if for no other reason than copyright or practicality. For example, we cannot put the newcomers film up - even if we know we could make it work in all known browsers. Nor is it practical to create and maintain a new where to find - even though we know we could set up a proper database and make the thing work properly. We could not collate the base data and maintain it - it needs GSO input.

Apart from that we could do anything. Noticeboards, Email, Local Hosting, Mailing Lists, RECLO/ECLO database, to name just a few. But its down to what YOU want to see. So lets have some ideas - we can put them to a vote if appropriate.  

And please spread the word about this site among your fellow members (particularly anyone in service in your group, intergroup or region who uses the website) about this site.  We need as much input and as many users as possible.


Chris S]]> Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:01:31 ChrisS RECLO Meeting - GSO 13-14/8/10 http://aa-gb.org/forum/Blah.pl?m-1282236512/ http://aa-gb.org/forum/Blah.pl?m-1282236512/#num1
At the Friday evening meeting there were about 10 of us (3 regular contributors here) plus 3 ECSC (John S; trustee, Nigel P; webmaster & Alistair M; webteam member & secretary), and the chairman of the board of trustees, David C. As you are doubtless aware, the new site went live about 2 hours before the meeting which commenced with, and was in practice devoted to, the site, demonstrated by Nigel on a laptop. Some kind person was also checking the site remotely and sending me SMS prompts which proved most useful. Thanks. A classic was when Nigel demonstrated the shop by purchasing a Big Book. When I asked him to check the contents of his cart it was empty. Hurried mobile phone calls to try to rectify the situation.

There was a noticeable atmosphere as at least half of the RECLO/RECLO substitutes were aware of some of the history. We were all "on programme" and no personal criticisms were made, but John S stated that a) there had been no "cabal" and that b) decisions of the board were by their nature confidential and the membership had no "rights" to information relating to board actions and decisions.

David C gave us a lengthy harangue on the project, the need for it (old website, dated structure grown organically as opposed to designed, and with bits & pieces "hung on") etc. I gained the impression that he really believed it, and perhaps thought he was talking to people who had no more background in IT than he did. He reiterated that the board comprised trusted servants who were not answerable to the membership for their decisions. His main argument for not responding to queries on the forum was that, despite its’ nominal password protection, it was in effect, public, and therefore not the place for such discussions. The fact that, if we accept that this is the case, then a suitable forum (no pun intended) would be this meeting seemed to elude him as answers were still not forthcoming. Almost in the terms “Oh, all right then..” he reluctantly told us that the contract cost was £15k down and £15k on completion, with an additional £600 for variations to contract. He did not say what the annual maintenance costs were.

David made the point that the board felt that it was unsound policy to have a site designed and maintained by members of a committee on a three year rotational basis - what would happen if Nigel was run over by a bus? He also stated that the external provider had been chosen from three who had quoted against a specification we still haven't seen. We did ask, and the spec was not forthcoming, any more than was the name of the contractor. David was insistent that "due diligence" had been applied in the assigning of the contract and no mention was made of the contractor's liquidation. As no information was forthcoming about the contractor, there is no indication of whether they are any more bus proof than members of the ECSC. The security of the site was presumably covered by the same due diligence that applied to the contractor’s financial viability, but I speculate.

Nigel accepted that the site was far from complete, and some discussion took place on local sites. We were told that the regional/intergroup section would be added later, but no deadline was given. As thebarron has said in another thread, there is the possibility of a standard template for those who want it, but the whole thing was decidedly vague. My interpretation was that it had not been really thought about. During the discussion on local websites John S mentioned on more than one occasion that he had designed the Birmingham site, and he added, clearly with an element of lack of approval, that the current Birmingham ECLO had seen fit to replace it. I don’t know if any of you good readers recall the original Birmingham site (demonstrated at the 2008 seminar). I do. The current one is fine.

The following morning John S gave us a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to carry out, though of what I am not clear. Us, presumably. It was academic anyway, as discussion continued largely regardless of it, perhaps fortunately. This part of the meeting at least attempted to cover some of the items that I would expect a RECLO meeting to cover, though this owed nothing to the meeting chairman or agenda. David C was not present at this morning session.

The future of the ORT was discussed – it was felt that it was far too dependent upon Barry A; who would replace him when he rotated out as Chief Squirrel? It was felt that there should be more emphasis on ORT recruitment, as it is a growth area and fresh responders are always needed. Perhaps it merits a Question for Conference.

The role of the RECLO/ECLO was again raised, and the trustee confirmed that one function was the dissemination of information. The members present are to be commended for their self control at this juncture. WTF updating was discussed briefly in this context. Pat M, who had largely been in listening mode up to this point (other than the ORT discussions, of course) then clearly summarised the situation. The whole ECSC establishment was shrouded in unnecessary secrecy – we didn’t know who was on the subcommittee, we weren’t being told, and there was absolutely no information to disseminate. What little communication there was, was purely one way. She (and we) found it a wholly unsatisfactory situation. When asked how many applications there had been for positions on the ECSC we were told only one in the last year – Alistair. When I pointed out that I had applied over 6 months ago, and that that application had not even been acknowledged, though I know it had been received, we were told that this was not possible, as systems are in place to ensure that this cannot happen. Subsequently both the chairman and the trustee asked me to resubmit my (now withdrawn) application. I said I would sleep on it. I have.

Substituting video conferencing for regular RECLO meetings was briefly discussed, but it was agreed that, despite the trustee’s protestations to the contrary, they were no substitute for face to face meetings where possible. Peter C (substitute for Zayda from N London) suggested that we exchange Skype details, and maintain contact that way, and that was agreed. We confirmed that the next annual RECLO meeting would be in 12 months (12/13 August).

Thus ended the RECLO part of the meeting. What was achieved? In my view, only two things; a deadline which Nigel and the mystery web designer simply had to achieve, albeit unsatisfactorily, and a demonstration of quite remarkable patience (again, forgive the pun) and forbearance on the part of those who attended. Those responsible for running the meeting escaped remarkably lightly. It was a disorganised shambles and we were told nothing, though I learned some lessons.

We went on to a joint RECLO/RTLO meeting of which I shall say nothing, save that the two trustees sat together at the head of the table and the meeting commenced with John S (EC trustee) stating that, from henceforth, we shall use primarily local helpline numbers in preference to the national number. There was a brief, stunned silence broken by the trustee for the telephone service who said “But we’ve just spent two days deciding exactly the opposite”. I can’t go on.

With apologies – Mike W – RECLO, North West
]]> Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:48:32 Red Baron New Official Website http://aa-gb.org/forum/Blah.pl?m-1281966232/ http://aa-gb.org/forum/Blah.pl?m-1281966232/#num1
Consider yourself forgiven and absolved. But we'll never let you forget it, He He  

Factual stuff we've lost might include the links for the new official website...

http://80.82.141.157/
That one is what the alcoholic-anonymous.org.uk domain is now forwarding too. It's held a hosting package where the hosting company is Othellotech.

http://www.ymn.net/ymnsites/10-Toft-Green/
That's the true URL of the new website, i.e. the only URL containing a domain name that leads to the 'official' website.  Note that ymn.net is  owned by Yorkshire Multimedia Network Ltd, 11 Barleycorn Yard Walmgate, York Y01 2TX.

Clicking on the big book link produces coldfusion errors, as does the site search box.
]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:43:52 Eddie B. An Apology http://aa-gb.org/forum/Blah.pl?m-1281960544/ http://aa-gb.org/forum/Blah.pl?m-1281960544/#num1
As part of the rebuild we have now made this whole category available to Registered Members only.]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:09:04 ChrisS