[Businessmtg] Archiving shares

[Kim C]

Tradition 4
Freedom balanced with responsibility to preserve our Traditions and abide
by Al-Anon principles.
I am glad we are looking at this issue of archiving shares.  We are
attempting to consider how our archiving may be affecting everyone
concerned.

Tradition 1 - Importance of Unity
To my knowledge meetings are not archived anywhere in Al-Anon, past or
present.  That alone makes me very uncomfortable.

My Step experience: My ego thinks I have a better way ....which thankfully
eventually brought me to humility.  Seeing myself in true relation with
others and God.  I’m not it.  Archiving is not safe for folks like me.

Tradition 12
Probably the single most important principle in Al-Anon is that concerning
anonymity.  Anonymity is our spiritual foundation because it is the basis
of the trust that makes our program possible.  We are able to attend
Al-Anon meetings whenever and wherever we choose because we know our
privacy will be respected.  No one will run to other members, friends,
employers, or the press and report on intimate details of our personal
lives.  No one will tell the alcoholic spouse or loved one about our
feelings or our plans.  Unless each of us is free to share as openly as we
like without fear that our words will be repeated, none of us can safely
use the resources available to us in Al-Anon.

Page 122 How Al-Anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics

My experience:  Anonymity broken costs are definitely harmful to the
individuals and to Al-Anon as a whole.  I’ve heard and have witnessed the
harm caused.  Unfortunately, it happens innocently and vindictively,
because we are humans reacting without our program or unknowingly.  Either
way anonymity is our goal.

The illusion of being safe on line is already an issue of our times.
Archiving all shares is not the same as me writing in my journal the word
or sentence that makes a shift in my thinking or the courage and strength
given from that meeting.

Because of my respect of these traditions and the reality I believe we must
purge our archived shares and discontinue this practice.

In gratitude,
Kim C