[Businessmtg] Disbursement of Funds Over Prudent Reserve

[Mary Beth]

I have had issue with not supporting the WSO with funds collected.  Our program is Al-Anon, not a particular faction of it.  Out of curiousity to see what one would be referenced to when searching for meeting options in the Greater Baltimore area (because I honestly hadn't been to the website lately) I found this on the web home page, in the center, to the left displayed prominently:
Can’t Get To a Meeting?
	* Try Phone & Electronic Meetings!
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/electronic-meetings 
Here is the reference made to electronic meetings, in which we are the first listed:
"Electronic meetings, like all Al-Anon meetings, agree to abide by the spirit of the Twelve Traditions. EachFor safety reasons, currently the only electronic Alateen meetings permitted are those administered
by the WSO.ELECTRONIC MEETINGSFollowing are the electronic meetings currently registered at the WSO. The WSO registers meetings at their request,
confident that they will abide by Al-Anon Traditions and that meetings will be open to any Al-Anon member. Registering,
however, does not constitute approval of any meeting's manner of practicing the Al-Anon program. For information on 
how to access the meeting, please get in touch with the electronic meeting contact, Web site url, or e-mail provided."
 
I have spoken with a few Al-Anon friends who have taken part in territory meetings in which the agenda included discussing how to embrace the technology to utilize it as a meeting forum for Al-Anon fellowship. It is Progress Not Perfection in my book, and I appreciate the slow but steady pace for this enhancement of the Al-Anon program on a worldwide level, especially when talking about the safety of children and Alateen.  I think I need a better understanding of this other entity.  To be honest, if it is not officially recognized by Al-Anon than I believe we would need a crystal clear idea of who exactly they are, what the strategic goals are, how we are to be represented in working with them, and provided regular progress if we entertain the idea to financially support them at all.  However, this would not interfere in any way with supporting WSO as it is Al-Anon and its fellowship we gather together for.  We're not fighting for Taxation Without
 Representation like the colonists did with this issue, the internet is an innovative social tool that many around the world are trying to accomodate since it offers such a wonderful mode for people to gather in today's fast-paced, economically-challenged world.  Perfecting the method we meet and its representation in meetings is what we continue to work on.  
 
As an aside, but worthwhile to share regarding this, is that online meetings are currently not recommended in isolation, while we understand that certain locations make it its only options.  For those of us who do have options for face-to-face meetings, our voice about continuing the quest for online meeting representation in the WSO should be a continual effort.  When I attend face to face meetings and we are allowed to make announcements and so forth, I regularly make reference to the online options.  The WSO has a process in which good movement is taking place to respond to participant needs and new gathering options.  Some additional patience may be needed while these modifications are decided upon, but this online meeting is an Al-Anon tool for my total program.  I can not conceive to not want to support the WSO if we are meeting to share in the fellowship of Al-Anon. 
 
Mary Beth
Al-Anon member is responsible for keeping the electronic meeting focused on Al-Anon recovery and discussion
of Al-Anon related topics. Al-Anon will always be what we—its members—make it.
Confidentiality of sharings may be more difficult to maintain for some Internet services. If you have a need for
anonymity, you may want to discuss it further with your internet service provider.