[Businessmtg] Statement from the Chair

[List Administrator]

Wow. Tough crowd last night. 

I need to interrupt the current topic on the table to try and keep this
committee from fracturing into a multitude of scattered topics and
questions. In a matter of a few hours overnight at least twenty (20)
questions and issues have been tossed on our stoop by three committee
members. ASP's Business Meeting addresses one topic at a time making
speaking to each of these three members' questions and issues
individually at depth nigh on impossible in the time available to us. 

I will, though, ask two questions of my own: 

Does everybody accept that... 

1) "Our common welfare should come first; personal progress for the
greatest number depends on unity."?, and 

2) "For our group purpose there is but one authority - a loving God as
He may express Himself in our group conscience...? 

A reasonable discussion of any of the posed questions and issues can not
be had unless all Business Meeting members accept that A Serenity Place
was formed by a series of Group Consciences which were in ensuing years
added to by additional Group Consciences, all agreed to and under the
authority of our Higher Power. The collective Group Conscience of A
Serenity Place is reflected in our 'Founding Statement and Policies',
'ASP Service Structure', 'Business Meeting', and 'ASP Group Consciences'
pages posted on our website. 

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With that in mind I will take a brief moment touch on Karen's three
separate posts [5:13, 5:32, & 5:33 PM]. The other questions will have to
wait until the current topic on the table is concluded. 

1)The Secretary Issue 

ASP's Group Conscience gives the Steering Committee (SC) - and only the
SC - the oversight of trusted servant behavior including unsubscribing
members. [See Founding Policy #12.] By long-standing policy and for
reasons of anonymity the SC makes no statements regarding trusted
servant related decisions. 

The Chair recognizes that close emotional attachments can formed between
past and present members, but these need to be set aside so ASP business
matters can be addressed calmly, with respect for one another, and
according to Al-Anon's Traditions and our group's Group Conscience. 

2)The At-Large Steering Committee Confusion 

This is a case where multiple Group Consciences resulted in inconsistent
results. There are a number of issues related to the 'at-large' service
positions which need to be clarified and resolved. These will show up as
an agenda item for discussion in November's Business Meeting. 

3)The Call to Service Announcement. 

The referenced call to service announcement was made to the Business
Meeting at 12:12 AM EDT, September 1 (21:12 PM Pacific, August 31)
moments after the Business Meeting was opened. 

- - - - - 

If you are not familiar with ASP's Group Consciences, Policies, or
Trusted Servant responsibilities and authorities please spend some time
on our Member's Only web page. It's all there. 

Moving forward it is necessary to point out that the actions of each
member of the ASP Steering Committee and the Committee as a whole have
comported with ASP's existing Group Conscience. Accusations and
innuendos to the contrary do not constitute fact and work to undermine
our Unity. 

- - - - - 

The topic on the table, The Beginners' Committee, will now resume.
Please focus your shares on ideas and thoughts which will help us decide
on its future and possible benefits to our newer members. 

In service, 

Jerry H., 

BM Chair 

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