[Businessmtg] The Benefits of Using KBDM

[logmark at comcast.net]

Biz-Pals, 

  

One of the greatest benefits of using KBDM (Knowledge 

Based Decision Making) over Robert's Rules is that the 

discussion comes BEFORE formulating a motion. Al-Anon 

has moved toward this for good reasons. 

  

Principle among those reasons is that Al-Anon and Al-Anon 

Groups - top to bottom - are filled with folks who are 

used to fighting tooth and nail, aggressively and passively, 

in order to have "their way" come out on top. Our current 

discussion is a fair example. When we sit and argue our 

respective high grounds until one retires or is vanquished 

we create resentments and division. 

  

With KBDM we have our little tiffs then look for the common 

ground that has been exposed and formulate a motion which 

best fits both or all sides where we can. We gravitate 

toward Unity. 

  

I have brought all the information and fervor I am likely 

to bring to the table. Past experience tells me that if I 

open my yap to further argue my case I'd be at least partly 

pushing for my pet opinions. Somewhere along this path others 

would be doing the same - in fact this is in part the very 

reason we're in this fix in the first place: individual 

positions have been placed above principle. 

  

So KBDM asks us to set down our respective "arms" and find 

where we are in agreement and formulate motion(s) out of 

those areas. Win, win. There are no "sides," we are a unit. 

  

So I'm thinking it is time - everybody who chooses to be a part 

of this discussion certainly has chimed in by now - to step 

back from our Robert's Rules thinking and take a look at where 

we have, or are close to having, agreement. Certainly it seems 

we are mostly or all in agreement that sitting on this Excess 

in perpetuity is unacceptable. Where should it go or what should 

it be used for? We have some differences. 

  

I'd guess that we'd agree that it should only go toward Al-Anon work. 

I'd suspect that there isn't much of an objection to having support 

of our WSO being the prime beneficiary of our donations. Then there 

remains the partial use of these finds for future, worthy projects 

which many seem to favor. 

  

So I propose that we start where we are and use the rest of this 

Business Meeting to attempt to find or word a motion which a 

consensus of us can agree to. Otherwise we will continue with this 

problem unresolved for another five years. I don't have a good process 

in mind for doing this - perhaps something like a reverse "Ask It Basket" 

would work where we all toss in our idea of what the Motion(s) should be 

then see if we can create from those words a Motion that satisfies 

sufficient members to find a happy result. Just one idea. 

  

Power driven decision making does not fit well in the gentle way 

we are now choosing to live our lives. Time to sit down with some 

tea and work through this. I know we can do this. 

  

Hugs to all, 

Jerry 

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