[Businessmtg] Website Acronyms Page

[Steve Rankin]

Kristen,


As you know from discussions on the Steering Committee, there were some difficulties restoring the HTML site of late 2014. I was able to recover some web pages easily and directly. However, recovering other information entailed considerably more work for a variety of reasons. Frankly, I don't recall which pages were easy and which were a PITA. Looking at that page today, I see that it is almost exactly what existed in 2006 with 3 minor additions, so it's safe to say that it is an accurate representation of what existed in 2014. 
Why do you ask?

I fail to see where the Glossary of Terms is "very out-dated" or "not relevant". Without specifics, I'm not sure how to address this kind of comment.  

The Glossary is intended to assist members in understanding the many terms used in Al-Anon as a whole, including Al-Anon service, as well as what members might experience in ASP shares. For example, discussions in the Business Meeting are on topics that we don't see in the recovery meeting. As a result, we are likely to encounter an entirely different array of acronyms in the Business Meeting than in the recovery meeting. 

I don't understand what could possibly be gained by having a separate glossary for technical terms and another for the slang terms used in the meeting. Except confusion. For example, let's say that I post a share using the terms ISP, LA and PITA. So, Susie Q. being new to ASP doesn't recognize my shorthand goes to the Glossary. All she can find is PITA because we've removed the technical terms from the Glossary and created a special separate Glossary. Why? What does that possibly accomplish? 

And if having separate glossaries for tech & meeting slang is a good thing, then why not have another glossary for the Business Meeting?

You asked if creating a separate page is "doable". Of course, it is doable, but being doable and being a good idea are very different animals. Again what is the purpose? 

I guess my response is KISS. 

I learned a long time ago that normal is what happens in my neighborhood. The flip side of understanding that is that normal might be something different in some other neighborhood. I'm loathe to cast judgment on acronyms & such just because they aren't "normal" in my neighborhood. There are some of the acronyms listed in the first list on my website that I have not yet heard in a meeting. OK. I've only been to hundreds of different meetings around the country; I'm sure that there are acronyms that I just haven't heard yet.  

I recall that the Service Manual used to discourage the use of acronyms in Al-Anon. One of our Guidelines still says " Using “internal” terminology, like
district/Area numbers or Al‑Anon acronyms, is going to be meaningless and may confuse the potential newcomer". That message was lost a long time ago. As was the correct spelling of "Al-Anon" with some of our newer members. It appears that some members just don't care about getting our name correct.

Hugs,
Steve





-----Original Message-----
From: Businessmtg [mailto:businessmtg-bounces+steve=serenitysys.com at asp-afg.org] On Behalf Of Kristen Z
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2018 4:33 PM
To: Steve - SC
Cc: ASP Business
Subject: Re: [Businessmtg] Website Acronyms Page

Hi there and Thank you Steve,
I saw the glossary of terms page via the FAQ page but they seem very out- dated or not relevant to the terms that are used in the present day meetings and shares.
Is that page from the 2014 website archives?
If so, I think it is important that we consider separating internet/server “terms” from Alanon and ASP acceptable “terms” within this particular glossary of terms webpage -or- creating an additional page for acronyms/slogans with the link present in the tabs/index for easy access.
1.) Is this an option that would be doable (in your expertise of website
creations)
2.) What are your thoughts on this as a participating member of ASP as well as any ESH you have from your longevity with ASP as a trusted servant, Steve?

Thank you for your service,
Kristen