[Businessmtg] Chair Positions

[LindaLee H]

Hi Friends,
I have already spoken on this topic once, but I think it's ok under discussion to comment again.

Jerry's suggestion reminded me of my experience here with sponsees.  I always strongly encourage service with sponsees.  In f2f meetings and in ASP, I find they are "afraid" and feel insecure or they are not ready.
In ASP in particular, every sponsee I have walked with who has 'tried' chairing a meeting has been so grateful that they did, have said how much they gained from the experience, and also found out it wasn't as difficult as they thought it would be.  As we Al-Anoners tend to do, future tripping and anticipating the worst when the best might happen.

My first time chairing here I was very reluctant to step up to the plate simply because I am not a "techie" and I figured I'd screw everything up and had no idea what/how, etc.   Once I did and discovered there is a template and I don't have to figure all that out for myself, it was a huge relief.  Perhaps if that were part of the request process - assurance that the person is not starting from scratch, so to speak?

As I said in my previous comment, I have been here several years and have only chaired twice although I have volunteered other times.  After being told once that I had already chaired, and the next time that the positions were already filled, I have sometimes volunteered "if no one else does" and mostly, not at all.

And I still love seeing new faces chairing.  Even though many of us are more than willing to repeat-chair, I think we should work to allow others the opportunity.
Hugs, Linda