marinadock.org

Non-Profit Corporation

The Marina Dock Newsletter January 2002

Dear Marina Dock members and patrons alike,

Thank you for your continued support.  The big news of the year is that through protracted negotiations and diplomacy I managed to procure a three-year lease at $4,750.00 a month (that's four thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars a month).  I cannot tell you enough how important this is to our future. Putting it mildly, our tenancy at this location was precarious to say the least.  Last summer, I took a chance and decided to spend some money on upgrading the facility, moving towards a more professional approach to our services and overall making things look more presentable both inside and out.  It turns out this was a big factor in the owners’ decision to give us a lease.

More Improvements and New Ideas

You may have noticed the walls in the West Room and behind the counter have finally been plastered and will be painted soon.  Until then, we put a guardrail around the walls in the West Room to protect the new plaster.  In the meantime, try to keep the chairs from hitting the wall.

Within the next couple of months, I plan to totally streamline our operations by adding a new online computerized system set up on our counter.  This will provide information on demand about meeting times, membership status, monthly statements, a full range of recovery information in Northern California and beyond, and more.  Ultan, the genial Irish Wizard, has already agreed to provide the technical know-how necessary for such a project.

Meetings that need Support

The ACA meetings on Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 p.m., the CODA meetings on Tuesday at 6:20 pm, Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 4:45 p.m. need support  Remember, these meetings are autonomous and are the responsibility of the groups concerned.  People need to step up to the plate and give their support.

The Last Eighteen Months in Review

Overall, I think we are doing really well:

1. We have secured a three-year lease, commencing in January 2002
2. We have totally transformed the social room
3. We have opened up our front windows to provide more light
4. We removed the television (it was donated to Walden House by a member)
5. We have soundproofed the walls dividing the meeting rooms
6. We have built a new counter
7. We acquired new bookshelves
8. We installed new blinds for all the windows
9. We recently had the carpets and chairs cleaned professionally
10. We bought new chairs for the social room

Projects to be completed before March 31 2002

1. A new carpet for the social room and probably the West and Middle rooms
2. New acoustic tiles for the East Room, Social Room, West Room, and Middle Room
3. A high tech, state of the art, on-demand information service for members and patrons
4. An extension to our counter to facilitate this new system
5. Enlarge the East Room bathroom
6. Enlarge the storage room
7. Provide more East Room seating, by the wall where the closets are now falling apart

If you have any extra cash we could certainly use your support.  This new lease may involve a security deposit and other related expenses.

And, Finally …

In closing, the Marina Dock staff would like to wish everyone a happy and peaceful new year.  Your continued support has given me the confidence to pursue certain goals and make them a reality.  The solution is love.  Until next time.

Sincerely,

 Anthony T. Murray (“Irish Tony”)