1. Happy Birthday Debtors Anonymous 1976 – 2016 and going strong

2. History of Debtors Anonymous The idea that would become the Fellowship of Debtors Anonymous started in 1976, when a core group of recovering members from Alcoholics Anonymous began meeting regularly and discussing the problems they were experiencing with money. Led by a man named John H., they began a spiritual odyssey to understand the causes and conditions behind their self-destructive behavior with money.

3. Debtors Anonymous IN MINNESOTA

4. “DA didn’t get to Minnesota until 1990 when two people from San Francisco returned to Minnesota and they brought Debtors Anonymous with them and also a program called BODA which stands for Business Owners DA. They started both these meetings at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis in about September of 1990.” Judy B. Desire Date: 6/03/1991

5. Debtors Anonymous Minnesota: First 5 Years 1990 First DA Meeting in Minnesota Bethlehem Lutheran (41 st & Lyndale), Minneapolis 1990Business Owner’s DA (BODA) Bethlehem Lutheran (41 st & Lyndale), Minneapolis 1992Prosperity Meeting started Prince of Peace Church (Hwy. 7), Hopkins 1993 St. Paul Debtors Anonymous St. Anthony Park Methodist Church, St. Paul 1993 MN DA Intergroup started Members’ Homes for first years 1995 MN DA’s 5 th Anniversary

6. “I want everyone to know, Judy B. was our Bill W. in Minnesota. She supported every group, sponsored tons of people, attended countless PRGs. We wouldn’t have DA in Minnesota if it wasn’t for her.” Ann E. Desire Date: May 1994

8. “Prosperity was the place to be on Saturday mornings. Fellowship was important and the group was very social. We went out to lunch after every meeting.” Mary B. Desire Date: 1995

9. Debtors Anonymous Minnesota: 5 – 10 Years 1995 DA Retreat Mt. Olivet Retreat Center, Farmington 1995 Vision’s DA started Bethlehem Lutheran (41 st & Lyndale), Minneapolis 1997St. Paul Promises started United Church of Christ (Summit Av), St. Paul 2000 MN DA’s 10th Anniversary

12. “DA was very important in my life. I started in DA when I was single. I never would have thought to ask about my future husband’s debt before we were married without DA. He was honest. We both went to meetings and had PRGs together. When I had children, I started daycare during the Saturday Prosperity meeting.” Cathy R. Desire Date: 1992

15. “What stands out to me is the camaraderie of the group, the commitment to recovery from which a strong core grew, warmth and welcoming. How rapidly the group grew at one point. There was an acceptance and encouragement to get a sponsor, the wide range of ages, a good mix of men and women, and all ages. People eager to tell their DA story and do service.” Kari G. Desire Date: 11/15/1995

17. Debtors Anonymous Minnesota: 10 – 15 Years 2002 Twin Cities Business DA Bethlehem Covenant Church, Minneapolis 2003 Minnesota Hosts World Service Conference Augsburg College, Minneapolis 2003DA H.OW. Meeting started Prospect Park United Methodist Church, Minneapolis 2004 South Minneapolis Meeting started All God’s Children Community Church, Minneapolis 2005 Friday Speaker Meeting started St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Roseville 2005 MN DA’s 15 th Anniversary

19. “In 2003, Minnesota DA Intergroup volunteered to sponsor the World Service Conference. Everyone said it couldn’t be done because we didn’t have enough time. Renee B. was the Intergroup Chair and everyone pitched and we had a great conference.” Ann E. Desire Date: May 1994

21. “There were many times when a new meeting was starting and a group of us would ride together on a wintry night to make sure we were there to greet the newcomer. Once there we would see and hear the desperation in their stories and know that there was a solution.” Christine T. Desire Date: 1991

22. Debtors Anonymous Minnesota: 15 – 20 Years 2007 Minnetonka DA Meeting started Oak Knoll Lutheran Church Minnetonka 2008 First Fellowship Day Lake Harriet Community Center Minneapolis 2000 MN DA’s 20th Anniversary

24. Debtors Anonymous Minnesota: 20 Years & going strong 2011 First Fall Retreat Stanchfield, MN 2015 MN DA’s 25th Anniversary 2016 DA Birthday Party! Celebrating DA’s 40 th Anniversary

26. “I remember what a life saver DA was for me. I knew right from this start it was for me. I loved DA.”. Judy B. Desire Date: 6/03/1991