[Businessmtg] Results of Motion #19 Archiving Poll / Business Meeting Closing

[List Administrator]

Biz-Pals, 

Group Consciences are accepted as the expression of our Higher Power's
will for Al-Anon groups. In small groups discussions are followed by
voting where simple majorities often determine the groups' choices.
Larger service arms follow the suggestion of using an agreed-to
"substantial unanimity" - usually 2/3rds in agreement - to determine
God's will. 

A Serenity Place, a very large group indeed, has chosen this 2/3rds
substantial unanimity level as its Higher Power's guideline where
substantial change would result as a consequence of actions it may
consider. 

It is important that decisions which have very close outcomes are given
the same weight as decisions which are unanimous. Motion #19, "ASP is to
discontinue archiving personal recovery shares" did not reach our
substantial unanimity level and has therefore failed: 

In favor:     14  

Against:       3 

Abstentions:   0 

Did Not Vote:  5 

15 votes in favor required to pass, Motion #19 has failed. 

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It is worth noting that three of the last five ASP motions before the
Business Meeting have failed in all likelihood because a significant
number of BM members simply did not vote. As I've stated previously, not
voting is a legitimate choice. I do wish, thought, that members who
choose not to vote would have expressed their reasoning in the KBDM
discussion or Motion comment phases so that as a group we could more
accurately recognize their positions and better determine areas where we
are in agreement. 

In this motion's discussion every member who voiced their position was
in favor of its passage (against archiving) - 15 members. No one spoke
against passage while 1 felt it wouldn't make any difference. Similarly
for November's motion to rescind ASP's Newcomer Packet group conscience,
all 20 members who spoke were in favor of rescinding and not one spoke
against it. In both cases the poll results were determined by members
who did not vote. 

I encourage all members to bring their support and objections into our
Business Meeting discussions so we can form motions which more clearly
express our areas of agreement. It goes without saying that a commitment
to participate in the voting process would result in a clearer
understanding of our Higher Power's will for our group. Participation is
the key to harmony. 

Lastly, no resumes were received from Business Meeting members willing
to stand for ASP's Secretary position. 

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At this time I close January's Business Meeting 

with the Al-Anon Declaration: 

Let It Begin With Me 

When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help 

Let the hand of Al-Anon and Alateen always be there, 

and let it begin with me. 

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In service, 

Jerry H., acting BM chair 

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