[Businessmtg] Newcomer Committee Topic

[Anne K]

Hello!

I've been reviewing the posts on this topic, and then looking at our web page under Members Instructions - and reflecting on my own experience as a new member. 

My experience has been: 
- a meeting that had a specific newcomer meeting after the general meeting (very large f2f meeting of approx 75+ people where only 3-4 people shared their story with the entire group); 
- a meeting that wherever the newcomer sat became a "First Step" table (another large f2f meeting of about 30 - 40 people, split up into  5 - 6 separate tables, each free to choose their topic); 
- a couple meetings where the newcomer was welcomed and we proceeded with whatever topic the chair chose (a smaller f2f meeting of generally 10 - 15 people)  
- an online meeting (ASP!) where lots of people sent me welcome e-mails but that was about it - but of course, by the time I joined ASP I had been in Al-Anon for a few years

In each case - except ASP -  the newcomer was given a newcomer packet with the bookmark and some helpful pamphlets (at least I thought they were helpful! LOL) 

My thoughts - 

- I think for ASP to send out newcomer packets in the mail would be cost prohibitive (plus then we would be collecting actual addresses which has its own host of issues for an anonymous fellowship)
- Kaye L mentioned a chat room for new members based on how long they have been in Al-Anon. While technically this is possible, I'm not sure how our web host provider would handle that, and I'm concerned that the monitoring of the chat room could be overwhelming for a service position (is it monitored all the time? Only between 3 and 5 eastern? What about our members where that time is in the middle of the night? Every day? Every other day?). So I would say no to a chat room concept. 
- I like the idea of a 'New Member' page with a few shares from members about when they were new or what brought them to Al-Anon or getting to the first step, along with a link to the existing Member Instruction page and perhaps something on sponsorship. I can create such a page for review (I'm the webmaster LOL)  in the next Business Meeting, if the Business Meeting wants (unless that's stretching this topic too far - rein me in Jerry if it is LOL) 

When I was a newcomer I read everything I could because I was afraid of breaking "the rules"; but I have come to realize that not everyone behaves like I do (good thing! LOL) and many people dive right in - so not every newcomer will read the page. But perhaps if some do, it could be useful. 

Thanks!

Anne K.