[Businessmtg] Group Representative

jvs925 at yahoo.com jvs925 at yahoo.com
Tue Sep 21 07:08:13 PDT 2021 

 Thank you for answering my questions, Steve--I appreciate you! 

I'm certainly in favor of the Group Representative. Frankly, I was surprised to read that this hadn't yet happened and am grateful that the past 18 months have fast-tracked this opportunity for ASP and other virtual groups. I also agree with Betsy that I would want our group representative to be ready to step up and participate as soon as the structure allows them to do so.

Hugs,
JoVon
   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Steve Rankin <steve at serenitysys.com>To: "jvs925 at yahoo.com" <jvs925 at yahoo.com>Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021, 08:30:39 PM PDTSubject: RE: [Businessmtg] Fw: Group Representative
 Hi JoVon, again.  😊
Please do not apologize for asking more questions or a second email.  OK?  Thanks.
Staying warm with the cuddly dog, eh?  Our Lab is at my feet under the galley table in our RV. My Rough Collie is taking up most of the space in the middle of the floor, and CJ's Bichon Frise is snoozing next to her on the couch while she's on the phone with a sponsee.  
I seriously doubt that ASP's Group Rep would need to travel to some geographic location to attend a service meeting.  Not while serving as a GR, anyway.
However, IF our GR was elected to some Area service position, and IF that Area had occasion to meet face-to-face, then they would incur a travel expense. However, that would be as an Area Officer or Coordinator, and as a result,  the Area would be responsible for their travel expenses.  That would not affect ASP directly.
Now, having said that, we at ASP are responsible for supporting the Area.  
The other scenario that comes to mind is the 2023 Al-Anon International Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  https://www.scws-al-anon.org/event/2023-al-anon-international-convention/
More if's. . .  if ASP's GR wanted to attend the 2023 International Convention, and if the GR wished to have some financial support for that, then I would say that the GR needs to request financial support from the Business Meeting, not the Steering Committee.  That is because attending the International is not a part of the job, and therefore not subject to Steering Committee discretion.  Would I support such a request?  Probably.  My wife and I have attended the 1990, 1995 & 2000 AA International Conventions (with Al-Anon participation) and the first Al-Anon International in Salt Lake City in 1998, among many, many others.  
But, what does this do for ASP?  It helps a trusted servant with a boost in their recovery.  Is that worth funding their entire trip?  IMHO, nope.  But it could be worth a scholarship.  In any case, decision belongs to the members of the Business Meeting. 
Per our recommendations, the Steering Committee deals with the budgeting and reimbursement of actual Group Rep expenses, but would not have the authority to make decisions on optional extra-curricular activities.
Hugs,
Steve




-----Original Message-----
From: Businessmtg On Behalf Of jvs925--- via Businessmtg
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 8:31 AM
To: steve at serenitysys.com
Cc: ASP Business <businessmtg at asp-afg.org>
Subject: [Businessmtg] Fw: Group Representative

 Sorry about the second email. Staying warm in bed with a cuddly dog while trying to reply by phone has consequences. : ) To finish that thought re: the GR attending in-person assemblies. How would the geography of such meetings be chosen? Would it be relative to the GR's home location? What would the limitations be? Is there something currently in ASP policy such as fiscal controls for the SC to approve such travel in advance (i.e., not budgeting, but authorizing travel on behalf of ASP)? Thank you, JoVon
  ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: JoVon Sotak via Businessmtg <businessmtg at asp-afg.org>To: "jvs925 at yahoo.com" <jvs925 at yahoo.com>Cc: ASP Business <businessmtg at asp-afg.org>Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021, 07:19:23 AM PDTSubject: [Businessmtg] Group Representative  Thank you, Steve, for kicking off this new topic. 

1. I didn’t see in the description of this portion of the motion how the group representative is selected. Is this by election? Appointment of the SC?

2. Alison mentioned she was in support of the GR attending both virtual and in-person assemblies “here and there.” I am new and from what I’ve seen locally and online, there is a specific geographic structure of representation (chapter, region, state, etc.). As this is a virtual group with members everywhere, how would ASP be appropriately or effectively represented at such F2F assemblies? Was there discussion of this at the world conference? As attendance and the GR



Begin forwarded message:

> From: Alison G <graceandserenity3 at gmail.com>
> Date: September 20, 2021 at 6:50:01 AM PDT
> To: jvs925 at yahoo.com
> Cc: ASP Business <businessmtg at asp-afg.org>
> Subject: [Businessmtg] GR
> 
> Hello Pals.
> 
> I was GR for a f2f group long ago.
> We did a variety of actions, including listed below, from Steve, (ty 
> Steve,)
> 
> I am curious if it will be that the GR, here, if voted in, would also 
> attend literal assemblies, working side by side with humans, in person 
> (once Covid flies away....buh bye already!) and is an "in person" GR 
> as well as a virtual one.
> Yes. We are virtual.
> But imo, could it be possible that if we get a GR on ASP, it would be 
> beneficial for said service person to also go to an assembly here and 
> there, meeting f2f delegates, getting to be a part of that world too?
> 
> Also, as a f2f GR for a year, I went to the weekly biz mtg, and then 
>took  back to the group itself any news, old or new. Short, succinct, 
>and  brought  the so called "outside bigger Al-Anon world"
> to everyone who was a member. I feel that is something that might be  
>beneficial for our members here too.
> I feel that many, including me in the start, don't understand or know 
>about  the worldwide enormous-ness that Al-Anon extends to. and It 
>might be a  benefit for the GR, once a month, after a month's worth of 
>business meeting  information and goings-on, to send one email to the 
>ASP recover-ers about  the bigger picture of what Al-Anon does.
>  I am not eloquent right now. Hope this makes a lick of sense.
> 
> 
> BUT, I do vote for YES on all fronts for ASP getting a GR, on the SC, 
> and attending all Biz meetings, as well as having a voice when 
> necessary on the Recovery side of ASP.
> 
> TY,
> Alison
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> *Group Representative* The general duties and responsibilities of the 
> Group Representative aredescribed in the current version of the 
> Al-Anon Service Manual.    * Represents ASP in Virtual Area or other 
> service arm as established bythe Al-Anon World Service Conference 
> and/or World Service Office.    * Attends meetings of the Virtual 
> Area, World Service Office and/orother service arms.    * Reports to 
> members of ASP regularly via the Business Meeting, and ifdesirable or 
> appropriate to the general membership of ASP via anannouncement in the 
> recovery meeting.    * Is eligible to serve in position(s) beyond 
> Group Representative asestablished by the Al-Anon World Service 
> Conference and/or World ServiceOffice.* Holds a seat on the ASP 
> Steering Committee with voice and vote.    * Reports regularly to the 
> Steering Committee on issues of interest toASP.    * Coordinates with 
> Secretary to maintain ASP webpage with information.    * May incur 
> reasonable expenses similar to face-to-face GroupRepresentatives, 
> which shall become the responsibility of ASP.  The SteeringCommittee 
> shall develop adequate policies regarding the budgeting, reportingand 
> reimbursement of Group Representative expenses. * 
> ____________________________ To Unsubscribe, go to: 
> http://www.asp-afg.org/mailman/listinfo/asp
> The ASP web site with all kinds of info for ASP members is 
> http://asp-afg.org/members/ For assistance with other ASP issues, 
> contact Steve the Founder of ASP, at steve at serenitysys.com
____________________________
To Unsubscribe, go to: http://www.asp-afg.org/mailman/listinfo/asp
The ASP web site with all kinds of info for ASP members is http://asp-afg.org/members/ For assistance with other ASP issues, contact Steve the Founder of ASP, at steve at serenitysys.com
  
____________________________
To Unsubscribe, go to: http://www.asp-afg.org/mailman/listinfo/asp
The ASP web site with all kinds of info for ASP members is http://asp-afg.org/members/ For assistance with other ASP issues, contact Steve the Founder of ASP, at steve at serenitysys.com

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