Service Committee Minutes

PROVISIONAL MEETING NOTES FOR SPECIAL LAUREL RECOVERY SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETING OF JANUARY 3, 2026

Agenda: Special Service Committee Meeting — Virtual due to December 12, 2025, fire.

 

The meeting was called to order: at 10:00 a.m. by Brian D. and opened with the Serenity Prayer

Attendees: Lisa C., Kevin L., Mike O., Jeff K., Jay F., Brian D., Shawn G., and Susan McF.

Note: Remarks about what we need to address regarding the fire damage: non-profit club, selecting a new meeting location, selecting a Secretary and other topics came up throughout the meeting and have been combined in a specific section below to keep the areas discussed in a limited section of the minutes.

Chairperson: Brian D. 

  • The December 12 fire has changed almost everything– our plans regarding upcoming meetings, and activities like the Service Committee annual elections, etc.
  • The possibility of renting the 23 C Street location fell through, partly due to LRG not having a business entity to sign the lease.
  • Our focus at this meeting is on forming a 501(c) 3 club, which can rent space, sign for utilities, and obtain insurance, while the Laurel Recovery Group (LRG) remains intact and the same.
  • At this meeting we want to know what we want to do going forward. We need to get up with the times and not rely on individuals signing services agreements and verbal agreements that we have made for 50 years.

Vice Chairperson: Jeff K.

  • Temporarily taking minutes for this meeting. Need a permanent Secretary of LRG and the non-profit that can fulfill the role.
  • In contact with WAIA about updating Laurel Recovery’s temporarily virtual and in-person meetings at other locations. In person meetings at other facilities are now designated as Laurel Recovery Group meetings. This way we keep our identity.
  • Collaborating with Jay F. on the new entity, a non -profit club, which can sign leases and have business services provided and not depend on individual LRG members signing for services.
  • This new entity would provide LRG a place to meet and thus keep LRG operational.
  • The non-profit club would save on taxes when forms are completed and approved, yet there are annual fees associated with keeping the non-profit club active and not losing its tax-exempt status.
  • We should proceed quickly to create this entity. If circumstances change and the non-profit entity is not needed it could be kept in hibernation for a couple hundred dollars or less per year. Turned the non-profit entity and required forms and information over to Jay F.

Treasurer Report: Jay F.

  • It is suggested that LRG could offer 21 C Street or 368 Main Street or any location that is found a lump sum (to be negotiated and approved) payment for six months’ rent to obtain a location, so meeting can be in person and maintain members.
  • Non-profit business is needed to obtain a lease at many if not all locations, to sign for services, obtain a PayPal account, and gain tax-exempt status.
  • Requested the name for the new non-profit entity, as it is needed for the SS-4 form. Suggested names included Laurel Recovery Club, Laurel Speakeasy Club, Don’t Rest on Your Laurels Club, Happy, Joyous and Free Club, and some others were mentioned. After a short discussion, Don’t Rest on Your Laurels Club” was accepted unanimously.

Alternate Treasurer: Lisa C. 

  • Using personal SSN for LRG EIN, would prefer keeping the current treasurer, Jay F., until a business EIN is obtained for LRG or start using someone else’s SSN. (Jeff Note: LRG EIN would not be the Don’t Rest on Your Laurel’s Club EIN. They are separate entities.)
  • Renters insurance is inexpensive and should be purchased for 368 Main Street if returning or any new location.

OLD BUSINESS

  • January 2026 elections and their delay to February was raised. Considering the logistical and scheduling uncertainty resulting from the fire, Jay F. made a motion that the elections be tabled until the above challenges are met. Motion seconded by Jeff K and passed.
    • Ayes reasoning is the difficulties of getting new Service Committee members up to speed, which would slow down this process and reduce membership over time.
    • Nays reasoning is that the LRG members would take this adversely and possibly accelerate loss of members.
  • Need to keep LRG strong. We are losing membership.

NEW BUSINESS/NEXT STEPS: 

  • Multiple members voiced concern that Jeanne and Suzy were not present. They will be asked if they will attend.
  • Shawn G. will ask Suzy if she would be Secretary.
  • Mike O. will check with Cedrick and Cameron if they would be Secretary.
  • Multiple options were discussed regarding what locations to pursue and who would contact and who would negotiate the lease. It was decided that Susan McF. should be the single point of contact for 21 C Street and 368 Main Street and any other locations that become available.
  • Kevin L. stated that we need to list our requirements that the location satisfies, so that Susan can negotiate a lease at a reasonable price that the LRG can afford. Discussion seemed to boil down to:
    • Level 1: Location is available to LRG 24 hours a day with excellent parking and on the ground floor.
    • Level 2: Location supports 5:30pm and evening meetings with adequate parking and on ground floor.
    • Level 3: Return to 368 Main Street or similar location.
    • Level 4: Limited meetings with inadequate parking and stairs.
    • Above should be ready to move in immediately. LRG or the new club could be responsible for limited fix-up and rearranging the space.

SERVICE COMMITTEE AND MEETING SECRETARIES AND INVITED MEMBERS WILL RECONVENE VITUALLY FOR STATUS UPDATES ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 10th at 10AM in the Laurel Recovery Group Virtual meeting room.

 MEETING ENDED WITH SERENITY PRAYER AT 10:56 am.

Respectfully submitted, Jeff K., temporary volunteer secretary

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