[Businessmtg] Use of ASP's monies

[logmark at comcast.net]

Biz-Pals, 

  

A while back in this meeting I put down some thoughts, based 

on my Al-Anon experience, on this topic. My thinking wasn't 

based on random opinion, but on considerable CAL reading and 

much prayer and meditation. That's what Al-Anon has taught 

me to do over these past decades. 

  

None-the-less each point I made was called out as "wrong" 

and discounted. Folks, I didn't dream this stuff up. We have 

a Service Manual and plenty of CAL, the purpose of which is 

to support each individual group and member as we attempt to 

make our day-to-day decisions without falling back into the old 

disease's patterns. I wasn't "wrong" then and I'm not "wrong" now.  

  

Do I have different views than some other members? Yes. Another 

can read the same literature, have their own prayers, do their own 

meditations, and come up with completely different conclusions 

- and, both sides are "right." 

  

That said I'll try to keep this simpler: 

  

A. I believe that, since there are no currently-approved additional uses 

   for our funds in excess of our Prudent Reserve, all of our money over 

   our Prudent Reserve should be sent to the WSO. 

  

   [Note: I believe that the cost of providing Beginners' Packets - an 

          approved expense - has not been added to our "One Years' 

          Expenses" which would reduce our current excess funds figure.]   

  

B. Until such time as we are fully informed and are in substantial agreement, 

   on a case-by-case basis, donations to other potential recipients or the 

   setting aside of money for unapproved purposes should be restricted. 

  

I am in favor of discussing and voting upon each additional proposed recipient 

or use of our excess funds individually, not as a part of any package proposal. 

Should additional donations or uses of our funds be eventually approved I agree 

that using percentage splits would be a good idea. It sure makes the treasurer's 

job easier. 

  

~ If someone wants to set aside money for some undefined future effort, 

  that should be a stand-alone item for discussion and vote. 

  

~ If there is interest in sending funds to the OLAOC, that should be a 

  stand-alone item for discussion and vote. 

  

~ If there is interest in including the GSO's from outside North America 

  [where our group is located] on our recipient list that should be discussed 

  and voted upon separately as well. 

  

~ Because the financial support of the Al-Anon Service Structure is a part 

  of all Al-Anon Groups' agreements when they become Al-Anon meetings there 

  is no current necessity for a discussion or vote. However, if there are 

  objections to this, this, too, should be discussed and voted upon separately. 

  

Without existing agreements on any additional line-items it is therefore my 

belief that our current choices for the use of our group funds are: approved 

group expenses, donation to the WSO, and hoarding. 

  

So my proposal for our current funds is the following: 

  

Approved group expenses:                 100% (covered) 

PR of 1 Year's approved expenses:        100% (covered) 

Donation of excess funds to the WSO:     100% 

Hoarding:                                  0% 

  

Future donation of excess funds:         Quarterly 

Additional uses for future excess funds: To Be Determined 

  

Jerry 

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