[Businessmtg] By Laws

[Anna RC.]

****I also don’t agree we’ve came to any “consensus”. I think this is being rushed and clearly business meeting members still have questions, I know I do.

“There are many examples in Al-Anon service that rotate rarely, or not at all.  Once someone has served as a Delegate, they are a Past Delegate for life.  Unlike other service positions, a Past Delegate is often accorded a special name tag, often with an identifying ribbon, to wear at conferences and conventions.  Past Delegates may belong to an exclusive forum hosted by WSO, and attend a special luncheon at International Conventions, as well as attending special conventions/conferences specifically for Delegates and Past Delegates, such as the Southwest Regional Delegates Meeting (SWRDM).  Additionally, Areas may accord Past Delegates special service positions after their term as Delegate is over.  For instance, I believe that Southern California, the immediate Past Delegate becomes the Chairman of the Board.  In Northern California, the Past Delegates may serve on the Area Committee for life and receive full reimbursement of all travel, lodging and meal expenses to all Area meetings, Assemblies, conferences and conventions associated with NCWSA as well as attendance at SWRDM.  Additionally, Past Delegates generally identify themselves as such when speaking at those events, while other members identify themselves by name only, regardless of their service background.  Then, there is the WSO Executive Director serves as the Sustaining Trustee on the WSO Board of Directors for as long as they are employed as the Executive Director, which historically has been until retirement.  Lois W. and Anne B., the co-founders of Al-Anon, were Lifetime Trustees who served as Trustee as long as each lived.  
So, that's a few examples of Al-Anon service positions that rarely or never rotate.  Why is this a good idea sometimes?  I've said it many times before, there were two goals in founding ASP:  (1) to create a safe Al-Anon meeting, and (2) to create a stable Al-Anon meeting.  How do we achieve stability?  A. Start with a set of core policies that foster safety and stability.  B.  Make those core permanent, much like our Steps, Traditions and Concepts are essentially impossible to change, so are the core policies of ASP known as the Founding Policies.  C.  Define a blend of officers that provide the actual service to the group and rotate regularly with two permanent long-timers that serve on the board primarily as advisors, though may provide actual service when needed. “

*****This isn’t California, and we aren’t talking about delegates. I’m only concerned with what impacts ASP as a whole. Maybe the “founders” idea was okay when ASP started, but it’s been decades now, maybe it’s time for a change. Especially if other people are bringing the issue up. Giving a reason why something was started is fine, but basically shutting down any and all new ideas or suggestions isn’t leaving much room for “discussion”. In my opinion, someone being listed as a “founder” or having any permanent title is simply for bragging rights so they can say they’ve been here the longest. Also, a reason to “stay in the loop” so to speak within the Steering Committee, And I’m sure everyone that’s been in Al-Anon any time at all can say that years in the program don’t mean anything in regards to actually working it. If the goal for ASP was to truly make it a “safe and stable meeting”, wouldn’t that include listening to the members and allowing discussion on what is important? The discussion is the by laws and clearly, several members (myself included), do not agree with the by laws that seem to be being forced upon us. 

Anna 

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