[Businessmtg] FW: 7th Tradition

[Steve Rankin]

Hi folks,

 

This Spring, when the World Service Conference decided that we were a Group
and not just a 'meeting' any more, the essence of that decision was the we
became a full-fledged part of the Al-Anon service structure with a Group
Representative that truly represented us to the greater Al-Anon fellowship.

 

Before that decision, there was one and only one service entity for ASP -
the World Service Office (WSO).  Once we became a Group, ASP joined the real
world of face-to-face Al-Anon where there is an array of service entities:
Districts, Intergroups, Literature Depots, Areas and Regions.  While it will
take considerable time to flesh out most of those other entities, the
creation of the new Area is imminent.

 

Alison and the other new GRs will be electing the officers of the new Area
in mid-January.  And that Area - OUR Area - will have real expenses.  Yes,
the new Area will meet virtually, but that is not free.  Zoom and similar
technologies cost money; besides our Seventh Tradition requires that we pay
our way and not accept outside donations anyway.  Our trusted servants need
to remember things like that.  As you all know, it costs money to keep the
doors open at ASP. The new Area will have similar expenses.

 

Additionally, our Area will be obligated to participate in the "equalized
expense" of sending our Delegate to the annual World Service Conference.
There is nothing new about this.  In fact, I presented the following email
to the Steering Committee over 6 months ago.  

 

Since what I wrote to the Steering Committee back in May is still accurate
and valid, and provides some valuable information about how the funding of
the Delegate to the WSC works, I'm forwarding it.

 

Love and SERENITY,

Steve

 

From: Steve Rankin 
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2021 3:33 PM
To: 'Steering_Committee' <steering_committee at asp-afg.org>
Subject: 7th Tradition

 

Hi folks,

 

The current discussion in the SC on the 7th Tradition information on the ASP
website triggered some deeper thought into the near future and the impacts
of becoming an actual Al-Anon Group.  

 

We know that this is in the works and will be official soon.  We also know
that a core part of the WSC's decision is to create a Virtual Area.  This
new Virtual Area will many similarities to f2f geographic areas including
"staff" (Delegates, officers, coordinators).  No doubt that the new Area
will have very real expenses and just like the existing Areas, those
expenses are paid for through contributions from the groups.  Many if not
most Groups follow the 60/30/10 formula for distributing their excess funds.
That's 

60% to the District

30% to the Area

10% to the WSO

 

IMHO, a large part of WSO's hard stance against OLA-IS was the effect of the
online meetings contributing to other service entities just like is done in
f2f Al-Anon, and WSO was looking for those funds for itself.  Well, the WSC
has spoken and the creation a new Area is underway, which will need to be
supported by the online groups. 

 

In addition to whatever administrative expenses the new Area may have (such
as a server, proper Zoom meetings, etc) the new Area will be responsible for
paying its share of the Delegate's Equalized Expense for attending the WSC.
he Delegate's Equalized Expense is calculated by dividing the Full Amount
for Delegates to attend the Conference by the number of Delegates. The Full
Amount is the total estimated travel, hotel, meal and incidental expenses
for the Delegates, including their portion of the costs of Conference
supplies. This full amount is reported to the Board of Trustees. A
substantial portion of the Full Amount, as determined by the Board of
Trustees, is the Equalized Expense and is paid by the Areas. The balance of
the Conference costs is paid out of AFG's General Fund. The Conference
Leadership Team informs each Area the Equalized Expense is to be sent to WSO
by the Area before January 1. The Delegates' travel and incidental expenses
are defrayed by these funds, regardless of distance traveled.  The whole
idea of the equalized expense is to "equalize" the expense for the Areas, so
that the Virginia Area where the Delegate might live only minutes away from
WSO has the same expense as the Washington Area where I live.  

 

FYI, the equalized expense for 2019 was $1,612.  There is no doubt that the
expense for 2022 will be significantly greater as the 2019 equalized expense
was almost $400 greater than it was in 2018.  I would not be surprised to
see it in the vicinity of $2,000.  In other words, the new Virtual Area will
be responsible for paying its share of the equalized expense (~$2,000).

 

Another factor is some Areas believe that equalizing the expense allows
their Area to avoid being FULLY self-supporting.  My Area takes this
approach and sends a check significantly greater than the equalized amount,
but still within its means.  $350 greater in 2019.

 

I've been told many times that ASP is the largest and most active online
meeting extant.  Yes, there were groups on Yahoo with 4-5,000 members and
maybe even more, but they had no purging mechanism.  As a result, their
active membership was small compared to ASP.

 

Additionally, ASP is the only meeting that I am aware of that has always
followed the 7th Tradition since the gitgo, and actually passes the basket,
actually pays for its expenses, etc.  Other online meetings may collect
donations and make contributions to WSO, but I doubt they have the depth
that ASP has.  

 

My point is that I believe that ASP has the responsibility to take the lead
on financially supporting the new Area.  

 

Hence, my request for an agenda topic to change our policy regarding the
distribution of ASP's excess funds.

 

Hugs,

Steve