[Businessmtg] KBDM

[List Administrator]

We talk of using KBDM for our Business meetings but we don no follow the basic steps in even having a discussion. 

The following are the five basic questions used by a Task Force or Thought Force at the start of every KBDM discussion. The replies would be sent to the Secretary and compile and redistribute. Discussions would commence after everyone had answered the questions. These questions would be modified based on the topic and the group.


5 Questions for a informed group  conscience discussion. (KBDM)

1.    What do we know about our members needs, wants and preferences regarding this topic (discussion, issue)?
2.    What do we know about our ability to respond to this topic (or issue) in terms of Al-Anon’s primary purpose and its resources?
3.    What do,we know about changes happening in the world around us, and changes happening within our fellowship that are relevant to this topic? 
4.    How can our discussion be consistent with Al-Anon’s spiritual principles?
5.    What do we wish we knew? What additional information do we need before moving forward? 


Abstentions: There is no discussion on the Business Meeting webpage on how abstentions are dealt with.  Fact: at the Al-Anon World Service Conference abstentions are not counted in the overall vote. Fact: I was Co-Chair of the 2015 Al-Anon World Service Conference and directly involved in the vote tallying.

Fact: As a former member of the Board of Trustees for Al-Anon  Family Groups I was involved in many discussions of many different topics. Some discussions were just that, just as in the Business Meeting here, some are just discussions. If the topic is not going anywhere and it would appear that there would not be a motion the Chairperson would ask for a show of hands to move on. To either drop the discussion, have a thought or task force formed to discuss or table until a later meeting. 

Yes. It is very appropriate to have a show of hands to indicate the direction that the Business Meeting wants to head.  Yes. The Chairperson is in charge of the meeting and discussion and it is up to the Chairperson to take a "temperature check" of the meeting and move it along. 

Hugs

Sandie

Sent from my iPad