[Businessmtg] Attraction to Service

[Veronica Porras]

I’m not eligible to serve at the ASP level. With that said, I hope the
people who are eligible talk to their service sponsors or sponsors on
what’s holding them back or discuss any fears. I’m available to reason
things out if anyone on here has reservations for stepping up.

When I got Busy I got Better is Al-Anon’s booklet that goes into detail
about service and Al-Anon recovery. Recovery is practice. I get the
opportunity to practice in service. I have had the experience of people
disagreeing with my approach to my service. And some who have appreciated
my approach since I tackled areas that the area hasn’t addressed:
Diversity, English as a 2 language, refugees, Young Al-Anon (after
Alateen),technology. I once had our Area Chair scream at me over the phone
because I wanted to host an informal workshop during my lunch break at
Assembly. This was our first phone conversation ever and our last. Instead
of asking questions she had this extreme emotional reaction. We are not
friends then or now, I do love her in a very special way. Emphasis on the
“very special”, sick people will say and do sick things. At the end of our
term she did approach me after the election assembly and said I have done a
good Job with outreach. I’m taking that as an amends and leaving it like
that. I still hosted the informal gathering we had 13 assembly members show
up for informal discussion on outreach. It took some SERIOUS inventory on
my part to not quit my service. Myself and other Al-Anon were the ONLY
young people doing Area Service under 40.

 Maybe on-line just magnifies the drama way more because I’m reading the
email and there’s no tone I can’t see your hear your guys voices so it’s
easier to maybe take things personal.

I’m not sure the ASP voting process is the issue.

I share the above because It happens. Also during my term we had
exceptional success. Launching the first Area Outreach event and almost all
Districts had a District Outreach coordinator including our Spanish
Intergroup. I think when I started there were 9 districts out of 27 with
representation.  People will complain, whine blah blah. If they had time to
complain about someone’s service they could have run for the position.
Sometimes you just gotta apply “Wisdom to know the difference” between a
legit appropriate feedback and someone whose just addicted to complaints.

I had some ideas that I submitted that I hope we can discuss in a future
meeting like the dormant ASP event calendar, but its on the back burner
till these key service positions are filled. Which I understand for sure.
First things first, address your foundation before you can build the house.

-Veronica P.