[Businessmtg] Response to Steve's response to me re: topic of discussion right now

[Linda F]

Hi,

I have copied and highlighted some quotes from Steve's response to my
concerns:

1) Re: my suggestion that we need a motion that clarifies what if any
previous motions regarding finances still apply to our decisions about how
we're allocating our funds:

"There is no need for a later group conscience to reference a previous
group conscience on the same topic, nor is there a precedence to do so"

While there is no precedent for referencing a previous group conscience on
a topic, that does not mean there is no need for later group consciences to
clarify where we stand on any particular issue.  The fact that I am
pointing to how lack of clarity can lead to confusion about how to apply a
motion does suggest that what we've done in the past may not have been
sufficient.  Steve later makes this comment when discussing my suggestion
about setting up a reserve account for separate funds:

"However, is that kind of arrangement tends to be forgotten and
lost with new trusted servants, which results in those funds disappearing
because they went elsewhere."

If a new trusted servant forgets or loses an arrangement that was agreed on
by a previous group conscience and set-up, the most likely reason for that
problem is the new servant did not have access to information or resources
to be able to continue what was decided in that previous group conscience.
And that simply illustrates the importance of clear communication, and
putting clear structures in place so that ASP functions smoothly.

2) Re: my use of Warranty 1 to argue for ASP keeping a "prudent reserve"
that balances both our need to be self-sufficient and our need to make sure
we're not holding onto excessive amounts of reserves for the wrong reasons:

"While the Concepts are a valuable resource for Al-Anon groups, it is
worth remembering what their purpose is and that they were not written to
have the same degree of influence on individual groups as the Twelve
Traditions"

"While ASP is a Group (finally), our structure and our financial affairs
are more closely related to Intergroups and Areas than the usual discussion
meeting group."

This feels like a contradiction to me.  Do we get to disregard the
importance of the Concepts because we're only a group, or should we in fact
take them seriously because after all our structure and financial affairs
are more complicated than a simple group?

Steve also correctly cites this introduction to the General Warranties "In
all proceedings the World Service Conference of Al-Anon shall observe the
spirit of the Traditions".The point of the Concepts is that they explain
how to put the Traditions into action when it comes to decision-making,
leadership, and Al-Anon service.  Just as the slogans are a shorthand form
of many of the spiritual principles we find in the steps, the Warranties
are a shorthand form of the Traditions.

The Concepts are equal to the Steps and the Traditions when it comes to the
Legacies of Al-Anon. They do not contradict the Traditions; they in fact
exist because of the Traditions.  They and the Service Manual exist because
they help us put the Traditions in action at the service level.  Just
because they're understood less and studied less does not make them any
less relevant.   Therefore, to me it is absolutely appropriate to study the
Concepts for guidance on how to best make decisions about the functioning
of ASP, just as much as I consider the Traditions.

3) But if we want to hear an argument based on the Traditions that there is
a need to clarify communication and structures, I will point to Traditions
1 and 12:

" Our common welfare should come first; personal progress for the greatest
number depends upon unity" and
" Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever
reminding us to place principles above personalities."

ASP is an incredible source of Al-Anon recovery for many, myself included
(since I now live where online Al-Anon is my only option).  ASP has done
very well for many years, as we are about to turn 26.    At the moment, we
are pretty dependent on a personality: Steve, our Founder, to be able to
explain certain things to us and keep things running.  Steve has done an
amazing job all these years.  The reality is, he is nearly 26 years older
than he was when he started ASP. At some point down the road, if we don't
make an intentional effort to move towards clarifying our principles and
structures so that there is less guesswork about what ASP intends, we will
not be able to keep being there for families of alcoholics the way we
currently are.

4)  I want to highlight this quote from Steve, and say that I am in full
agreement with this:

"if the members feel that it is necessary to donate a portion
of our funds to WSO during this interim phase, I feel that we need to
incorporate strong protections for the funds that we theoretically allocated
to the Area, and possible District."

HUGS (Helping Us Gain Serenity), Linda