[Businessmtg] Business Meeting Agenda Item #2

[joanne.callahan at novartis.com]

Dear All:

I'd like to offer this suggestion as to what to do with the extra money. 
In the F2F meeting I used to go to, there was someone who was in charge of 
literature.  I performed this function myself for over two years. We had 
books and pamphlets available at each meeting for members to buy.  Being 
an online meeting, of course this is not an option.  I am a big proponent 
of literature as it enforces the concepts of Al-Anon and also because I 
can take C2C or ODAT with me no matter where I go.  The pamphlets are 
handy because I can store them somewhere at home at re-read them when I 
need the encouragement they offer.  Many new members have no idea where to 
get literature and I am not sure that all F2F meetings make reading 
material available on a regular basis.  In the past I have bought books 
for new online members, those who either did not go to F2F meetings or who 
had no idea how to buy them. 

I would like to propose that the extra monies collected be used to provide 
new Al-Anon members with literature should they request it.  I cannot 
express the importance of having literature available to those who are in 
need of it.  Simply sending someone to a F2F or to WSO to purchase will 
not do the trick since I would imagine that would stop people from further 
seeking these materials. If this group wants to operate like a F2F meeting 
then I believe that it should provide materials to members.

While I am not suggesting that the literature be provided for free, the 
extra money can be used for postage and mailing materials, as well as for 
purchasing a supply of materials from WSO so that they are readily 
available upon request. Please let me know your thoughts.

Kind regards,
Joanne