[Businessmtg] Answers to Anne's ?'s

[Jerry H.]

Hello, all,

My responses to Anne's questions:


I would be really interested to hear some honest answers from the business
meeting members on the following.  

.         What does service mean to you?

       I know it sounds churchy to some (and I'm not a churchy guy), but I think service puts me in the position of contributing my little part to the group's group consciences. In Al-Anon we talk about G-d's will being expressed through our group consciences so being willing to sit in business meetings and speak my piece when moved to do so seems like the right thing to do in this spiritual program of ours.

       Additionally service gets me into contact with other like-directed people - not all of whom agree with me all the time. It's easy to get along with folks in recovery meetings, not always so in business meetings. Since I have to learn to get along with others who have contrasting views in the "real" world, doing so within Al-Anon business settings lets me gain this experience in safe settings.  

.         What does service mean to the health of our group?

          Better to ask, I think, what does lack of service do to the health of our group. When ASP has a full complement of trusted servants the workload spreads itself around fairly well. When we're down one or two the load gets to be a burden - at least some of the time. Right now I've become accustomed to the List Administrator workload. Having to add the Secretary's workload to the LA position, quite frankly, has me a bit resentful. We have plenty of members and no one person should have to carry double duty. Knowing Al-Anon's Principles, I know holding down multiple responsibilities is spiritually an untenable position, one I like no more than others should.

.         And what keeps you from volunteering to serve on the Steering
Committee and in the Secretary and Treasurer positions that remain open?

          I have served as ASP's Treasurer, continuously in ASP's Business Meetings, and now as List Administrator. The only thing which tended to hinder me standing for these positions was a fear of the unknown. Al-Anon has taught me to step out beyond my fear. 

I'd also like to hear from all of you on how email communication may hinder
the open dialogue and discussions so vital to reasoning things out and
reaching consensus.
       ASP from its inception has been an email meeting. Though this medium doesn't work for everyone, it's who/what we are. Yes, email communications do come with some potential for miscommunication, but the application of T.H.I.N.K. (is it thoughtful, honest, intelligent, necessary, and kind), "Presume Good Will", and common courtesy both in the writing and reading of emails should be, to my noggin, be enough to keep us from running off the rails. Oh, did I mention patience??? :-)

       

In service,

Jerry

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