[Businessmtg] GR

[Steve Rankin]

Hi Betsy,
I have real mixed feelings about the desirability of our Group Rep having
prior experience with District & Area service.
I believe that Al-Anon service is supposed to provide two distinct things:
1.  The actual service for the group.
2.  Opportunities for growth for the Al-Anon member providing the service.
Our 8th Tradition tells us that we should be forever non-professional.  With
very few exceptions, there should never be a prerequisite of expertise for a
service position.  For example, we don't need financial expertise to be a
group treasurer.  In fact, a group treasurer is often a member that
personally needs to work on their financial skills and discipline.   
Starting with the idea that the Group Rep service position is the entry
level position into world of Al-Anon service beyond the Group level.  We
need a member that has made some progress on working the Twelve Steps -
enough so that they aren't overwhelmed by the world of Traditions and
Concepts that they will be exposed to in service beyond the group level.
Ideally, our Group Rep would be someone that would grow during their three
years as GR, and bring that growth and service experience back to the
meeting as a healthier member of Al-Anon, not just in the form of
representation and reports.
My point is that while it might be useful for ASP to have a GR with prior
experience in Al-Anon service at the District and Area level, I would prefer
a GR that actually needs the experience for their personal growth.   Yes,
that is likely to result in struggles for both the GR and ASP as
"opportunities for growth" are often sources of frustration.  Sometimes the
word frustration should be in all caps.
I'm much more interested in a Group Rep that is dedicated to representing
ASP, not changing it; dedicated to the Traditions and Concepts, not changing
them.  And now wowed by service titles; theirs or anyone else's. 
Hugs,
Steve




-----Original Message-----
From: Businessmtg On Behalf Of Betsy C
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2021 7:09 AM
To: steve at serenitysys.com
Cc: ASP Business <businessmtg at asp-afg.org>
Subject: [Businessmtg] GR

I think the move to make online "meetings" into Groups was long overdue.  I
am elated that at some time in the future we could have representation in
the wider world of Al-Anon.

So yes, I whole-heartedly support the creation of a GR position.

Even though we don't know what kind of structure the WSO will come up with
and what the timelines will be, I think it would be wise to have a Group
Representative on our Steering Committee.  My hope is that this person might
be someone with prior experience in the F2F world of districts and areas.  I
would want them to be ready to step up and participate as soon as the
structure allows them to do so.

--
*Betsy C*
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