[Businessmtg] newcomer's page

[Carolina]

Dear all, 

With all due respect, I think it would be highly unusual for a newcomer, especially someone new to Al-Anon, who is in the midst of suffering, to even think of complaining about the site or the newcomer's page.  He or she is usually just so grateful to find a lifeline and people who understand.  That does not mean that the page cannot be made better and easier. Maybe more newcomers would stay around longer if they had an easier time of it?

 Jerry had some great ideas and has experience at this sort of thing.  I would like to propose that, rather than looking to collect stated problems about the site from everyone first, that Jerry could put together a mock site from what he sees could be improved, and then we take a look at it.  Maybe for the next business meeting?  Any objections to that idea?

In my opinion as someone fairly new, I did sort through the pages to try to learn how to use the site and learn about ASP, at first, but my alcoholic son and his little family had been in crisis, and then he ended up in jail, and I was in a LOT of pain and grieving. Really, I could not be bothered to try to follow all the text.   I agree there is no need for the preamble and all the text after the serenity prayer etc. as they are repeated daily in each meeting.  Just a link to them is sufficient.  Also, I don't get the sailboat, LOL!   Maybe a waterfall, or a sunset, or some nature scene.

Besides how to post for ESH and ask specifically for help,  two or three highly recommended books (CAL) with their descriptions for newcomers could have a place on that page, maybe a photo of each book with a link to the ordering site for example.  newcomers need the tools of CAL pronto. Other than that, something simple with easy to understand and read text, maybe larger, and links and formatting. Maybe a Q and A format: "Okay, you are here, now what?" as a sample question.  

In F2F meetings, someone usually volunteers to sit down with the newcomer to explain and answer any questions, and also gives them member phone numbers and meeting list,  a newcomers packet, and will go through it with them.  I guess what I am getting at is that although this is virtual, I love the idea of a warm and friendly way to walk someone through their first "meeting" here.   And for it to be a simple, warm, serene,  and helpful page.  

That is the end of my 2 cents for right now.  And I have to run and pack for a trip LOL. 

Excuse silly iPad autocorrect errors



Excuse silly iPad autocorrect errors