[Businessmtg] Item #2 discussion...

[logmark at comcast.net]

Biz-Pals,

I'm starting to like this KBDM process. I'm hoping someone is
taking notes regarding the suggestions that are starting to accumulate...

I'd like to expand on my earlier suggestion that we could do some
sort of literature mailing to beginners or those who make a request.
Remembering that we are currently operating with an avg. of $30+/-
a month over expenses, Beginners Packets (K-10) at $1.40 each
plus shipping and postage to re-mail to recipients are likely a bit out
of our range. I was thinking about something smaller, but still useful.
My thought leaned toward three pieces ["Just for Today" book mark
(M-12) @ $.10, "A Guide for the Family of the Alcoholic" @ $0.35,
and perhaps one other piece in the $0.25-to $0.35 range.] I think we
could afford the total cost incl. mailing given the number of "first-time-
ever" Al-Anoners we get here at ASP. Non-beginners would be
expected to pay this small cost. It would be reasonable for our
greaters to ask if new ASP members are attending Al-Anon for the
first time here at ASP, and for their mailing address if they'd like a few
pieces of literature - in which case we'd send our selection and a note
with the address for requesting a literature order form from the WSO.
Total cost about a buck for U.S. requests. More for non-U.S. members.
A separate fund could be created to support any such literature efforts.

Another literature thought...  A number of f2f meetings in my District
and Area collect a separate fund from which a piece of CAL is purchased
to be donated to a member who elects to put their name in a basket from
which a name - or in some cases more than one name - is drawn. There is
nothing that restricts ASP from creating an account to support such an
effort. Those who choose to donate do, and those who need or would
like to participate put their names in the "basket." When donations are
sufficient to cover the expense of a book purchase (and mailing) a drawing
would be held. The logistics seem simple enough. Like many members
I have just about all the literature, but would be willing to donate money or
a book to such a cause. Purchasing CAL is easy for me; many of my meetings
are held at a site that has a large supply of the more common Al-Anon books
so we wouldn't have to keep a supply, but could buy as we need. I'm sure
there are others who could do this also.

A follow up on this OLA-OC thing: I'm a bit of a stickler for details, so my
last note wasn't simple enough. [Short declarative sentences to follow....:-)]
~ ASP is a registered online Al-Anon meeting - we're real Al-Anon, WSO # 062413.
~ OLA-IS was once unaffiliated with WSO and an outside entity.
~ OLA-OC is currently affiliated with the WSO as a subcommittee
   (to the best of my understanding - still looking for my Conference Summaries, anybody
   have any news on this?)
~ OLA-OC accepts donations directly from online groups at an address
   not a part of the WSO or Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc.
My real point was/is: when they were not affiliated or a registered group, they
were an outside entity and should not have been receiving funds from registered
Al-Anon groups; as a WSO affiliated sub-committee Al-Anon groups are
not able to donate directly to them [Service Manual, p.86, "...contributions are
allocated to the General Fund. Contributions cannot be earmarked for special
purposes unless recommended by the World Service Conference."] So the
stickler in me says we would need to see if the WSC has made a special
recommendation that OLA-OC be eligible for direct donations from groups
before we send them funds.

I've done a little footwork (KBDM requires Knowledge) and looked into
OLA-OC's finances (their books are open to any who wish to look at their
web site.) Going back as far as October of 2001 I have found no OLA-OC
expenses other than maintaining their web site. They have made two donations
to the WSO (which the WSO accepted.) One was in 2001 (when they were
OLA-IS) for $500.00; the second was in July of 2007 for a little over $350.00
(as OLA-OC.) This should put anyone who is worried about donations to OLA
not mostly going to the WSO at some ease. All their monies over their website
costs do go to the WSO. The question does arise in my mind that if they have
had no other expenses, what exactly can they be doing for the online community.
I should think that there would be at least some expenses from efforts they
would be making in support of on-line recognition, and perhaps reimbursements
from the WSO for expenses resulting from required subcommittee work. There
are none. Their income is solely from online groups which range of $5.00 or so
a month and upwards. It is possible that there are folks there who are footing the
bill for their efforts off the books. That sort of gratis service is not without precedence
and even supported by one of our "Just for Today" suggestions.

I believe online Al-Anon has a small foot in the WSO/WSC door with OLA-OC.
If they are active, I believe they are our current best avenue for supporting online
positions and recognition. According to OLA-OC's website our List Administrator
should eventually be receiving their occasional newsletters. I'm very interested in what
they are up to and how we can help them.

Looking forward to hearing more of the creativity we have been called on to use.

//////////Biz-Hugs\\\\\\\\\\
Jerry in Michigan