[Businessmtg] Topic Chair Service Requirements

[Steve Rankin]

Hi ASPers,

 

Some of my thoughts on the topic of our requirements for members serving as
Daily Chairs of the ASP meetings.

 

 

1.	The idea that "there are no musts in Al-Anon"

 

I'll get right to the point and say that I disagree.  I'll discuss this from
both the perspective of an individual member and from the perspective of the
fellowship.

 

First from a member's perspective.  Many of us arrive at Al-Anon without any
boundaries.  We allow others in our lives to behave in any way they wish,
and regardless of how bad or destructive it is to us and even our kids, we
allow it to continue.  Al-Anon teaches us about boundaries.  So, what are
boundaries?   Boundaries are about unacceptable behavior.  The concept is
simple; if a behavior is unacceptable, then we need to stop accepting it.  

A boundary is that line in the sand that separates acceptable behavior from
unacceptable behavior.  If that line is crossed, then we must do something.
To do nothing is tantamount to not having the boundary.

 

What about from a group's perspective or from the Al-Anon fellowship's
perspective?

 

Healthy groups also set boundaries.  Just because someone is a member of
Al-Anon does not mean that their behavior in our meetings is acceptable.
For example, most Al-Anon groups have a boundary around what kinds of
literature can be discussed in a meeting.  Most limit it to Al-Anon CAL.
Unfortunately, not every member respects that and some will quote non-CAL in
their shares.  A healthy group will deal with that as a group and remind the
member of the group conscience to use CAL exclusively, while an unhealthy
group will likely do nothing.  The group that chooses to do nothing will
experience the natural consequence of that.  As the group lacks respect for
its own boundaries, members will lose respect for the group.  Groups tend to
wither and die when that happens.  

 

Groups and the fellowship also set boundaries regarding the perquisites for
service.  Many of these are outlined in the Service Manual.  For example,
Districts elect District Representatives from the field of eligible Group
Representatives, by the Group Representatives of the District.  Let's say I
want to be the DR, so I go to the District meeting when the election is
being held and make myself available for DR.  But, I'm not eligible.  If the
District is healthy, it will politely but firmly tell me that I'm not
eligible.  

 

Likewise, when a World Service Area is electing their Delegate and Area
Officers, they elect those that are eligible by being District
Representatives or already an Area Officer.  Regional Trustees are elected
from the pool of Past Delegates.  

 

The point is that the Al-Anon fellowship recognizes that our trusted
servants need to have some real experience and background in Al-Anon service
before they are eligible to serve in more senior positions.  

 

What if a member from California was a District Rep in California, then
moved to Washington state over the summer and wanted to be Delegate?  So,
they decide to attend the Washington State World Service Area Election
Assembly in September and make themselves available for Delegate?  Nope.
It's like my sponsor says "You can't transfer credits from one Al-Anon
college to another."  

 

In other words, I could move back to California and be eligible to stand for
Delegate because I was a GR, DR and Area Officer in California and they
allow past officers to serve, BUT I could not go to the Washington Area and
stand for Delegate because I am not eligible to serve at that level in WA.
This one should serve as a reminder that whatever the member's background in
Al-Anon is, that doesn't matter in ASP.  We need trusted servants that have
experience with ASP so they understand ASP.  Interestingly, some of the
worst behavior and problems that ASP has experience has been with members
with decades of Al-Anon, including Delegates, Trustees and even members of
the Board of Directors.  

 

What if my wife decided that she wanted to be the GR or DR?  She is not
eligible because she is a member of AA and Al-Anon has a prohibition against
members of AA serving at those levels in Al-Anon. 

 

Do some Al-Anon groups violate those boundaries?  Of course, they do!
Al-Anons tend to be really good at telling others what to do, but often
lousy at following rules and boundaries that they don't like for some
reason.  There are always consequences.

 

What about my own experience in over 10 years of recruiting Daily Chairs?  I
have never had a single time that I had to struggle to fill the positions
and I certainly never left Daily Chair position vacant.  For example, I
recruited 8 current Daily Chairs with a single note asking for volunteers.
Everyone was qualified.  One resigned before we started, so I replaced her
with the 8th volunteer.  Perfect.  

 

Love and SERENITY,

Steve