[Businessmtg] ASP Officer Service Discussion

[logmark at comcast.net]

Biz-Pals, 



One of the things that the WSC and WSO haven't 

figured out (yet) is what to make of on line 

"Al-Anon" meetings. We're registered, but we're 

not fitted into an Area as are f2f meetings. 



We're much more like a Lone Member. No real 

group, no representation, no associations 

of long standing, and no hugs. We are an anomaly. 

No one seems to know what to do with us. 



We simply don't fit into the traditional meaning 

of an Al-Anon group as envisioned by our founders 

and that's reflected in our Service Manual's 

suggestions for group organization and service. 



You and I never get to know one another. I never 

get to hear you nor do I see your eyes and mannerisms 

which add to or subtract from your words in degrees. 

As in all Al-Anon meetings there are liars here as 

well as deep truth-tellers. From my end I have few 

means at hand to differentiate between them. 



So, when I come to the question of AA service in ASP 

officer service positions, I have to ask myself - do 

suggestions made for face-to-face and which generally 

work well (but not perfectly) there work also for the 

general good of on line and ASP? The answers haven't 

been clear cut. 



I've seen the internet at its best and worst. I've seen 

what I believe to be the best of face-to-face and also 

what I believe to be the worst of f2f. When things go 

sideways things either get fixed quickly or people 

start disappearing from meetings in search of safer 

places. 



Now I'm not at all suggesting that AA members who are 

also members of Al-Anon (Dual Members, not "double 

winners") are not as a whole a reliable lot. For the 

record I know hundreds. Most are in earnest. Some are 

shaky. Some are a bit shady. All-in-all about the 

same as the rest of us. 



What my thinking brings me to is not whether the Service 

Manual is followed here as it is in my f2f meetings, but 

that there are reasons each group is autonomous by 

tradition. Sometimes reason demands autonomous thought. 



Take my service position as Treasurer as a simple example. 

My personal history does not permit me to allow myself 

to fully trust the alcoholics in my life. I've known 

literally thousands of alcoholics over the last twenty 

years. I've seen the short-timers shine and the long-timers 

fall. Not one of the AA members I've ever known could 

assure me that they would absolutely be sober tomorrow. 

Today? Probably' with the grace of G-d. Tomorrow? That's 

too far ahead to be sure. That's an honest take on this 

nasty disease. 



So, do I think that ASP ought to put our $1,000+ treasury 

into the hands of even the most sober on line Dual Member? 

No, I do not. It's simply not reasonable to do so. Moreover, 

it's quite unreasonable. It sounds like the thinking I had 

all those years when I lost everything I had twice over. 

Trust without evidence of trustworthiness. 



Without a doubt our List Administrator position has many 

parallels with Group or even District Reps. The position 

involves interacting with the WSO and to some degree in 

helping to determine policy. Alternate LA's, because of 

the possibility that they may be required to serve as LA, 

follow suit. It would be folly for the group to grant 

dual members the ability to serve in positions here where 

they would be denied in face to face meetings. 



Is there an exact match between f2f and on line service 

positions? Heavens, no. Is there good reason to use our 

autonomy to think for ourselves - to create service 

requirements and guidelines which work for on line meetings 

in the absence of WSC and WSO suggestions? Ah, yes! 



A short word on this ever-problematic question - yes, even 

in f2f meetings. The simple truth is that every member of 

Al-Anon is an anonymity to me. I only know what you tell 

me. That means that I only know if you are a dual member 

if you say so. By announcing your AA membership you are 

announcing that we are not equals - that we are very 

different in a very important way. I'd go so far as saying 

that you are also putting me on notice of the possibilities 

attached to being an alcoholic. 



Any honest alcoholic I have ever known would acknowledge 

the possibility of "going out" again. Damn this disease, 

anyway, but it's the truth. 



In an f2f meeting this sort of possibility can be seen 

and managed without the group going to ruin. Here on 

line nobody will see it coming. So, to me, we need 

different and stricter guidelines to assure that the 

group can perform its primary goal: To help families 

and friends of alcoholics. Anything that holds the 

potential to disrupt that purpose works against us 

all. 



So, while the Steering Committee's considered suggestion 

for the group is different that the Service Manual's 

suggestions for f2f groups, it is a move I believe to be 

necessary and, moreover, prudent in the on line world 

where we at ASP choose meet. We're different that f2f. 



I wish this weren't so, but reality says it is. 



Jerry 

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