[Businessmtg] Item #2, on literature

[Emee Arthur]

I believe that Conference Approved Literature is a very import tool for our recovery but I do not believe more than the Newcomers should be ever be given to a newcomer from the ANY group's funds.  Newcomers packets cost about $1.40 each and they will cost more than that to mail out to each newcomer at ASP, especillay if the member lives out of the USA.  I think we need to keep in mind that we are an on-line meeting with some limitations that are not the same as f2f meetings. Also, not all members are new members when they join ASP and some already go to f2f meetings where they can pick up newcomers packets there. For those who ASP is the first or only meeting avaiable to them there are other options  which I will get into.
 
 
 
As far as the group handing out literature to someone who can't afford it that would, I believe, violate Traditions 3 &10.  A member's financial status is not the business of the group, that is an outside issue.  We as members can privately help anyone we choose to but as a group we cannot. I have sent literature to some of my on-line sponsees or friends in the group simple because I had an extra book that they needed.  I have also given them information on how to find the literature they needed. 
 
 
 
 
One opinion I have is to suggest to a Newcomer is to reach out to another member of the group.  I did and I liked this person so much that I asked her to be my on-line sponsor.  I have a f2f sponsor (the same one for many,many years)  but I needed help that my f2f sponsor knew nothing about. My ASP sponsor has been a blessing in this on-line meeting and has helped me much more than only with my on-line problems.  Sooo, I am a big fan of encouraging Newcomes to reach out to other members of the group and not having everything handed to them (this would only enable me to "wine and wait" for someone to take pity on me).  If I really want recovery I will do what it takes. Our business section has guidelines and help for the Newcomer as well.  Maybe we could make that more user friendly somehow for the Newcomers? I guess what I am saying in short form is - NO, I WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE OUR GROUP'S MONEY SPENT FOR FREE LITERATURE TO NEWCOMERS OR PAYING FOR THE MAILING OF IT.
 
 
As for scanning and coping pamphlets I am almost positive that is not permitted by WSO's literature committee.  It will be in the Service Manual but I don't have time to look it up right now. I will look it up later unless someone else cares to.
 
Emee
 
 
 
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