[Businessmtg] ASP Group Representative Report

Tue Jan 3 15:20:30 PST 2023

Hello!

One of the biggest challenges I have with this Group Rep position is just managing the email volume and determining what I should be sharing with all of you. 😊 There are a lot of emails that are just questions to the group or the committee about how the meetings they represent function.  And there continue to be a lot of questions around how other meetings manage Tradition 7 - many of these groups were formed during the pandemic and they never setup any type of Tradition 7 protocols.

Since our last business meeting....

- A group records coordinator has been named - like our daily chairs and greeters, there was a call for volunteers and the GEA committee chose someone for the role, this is not an elected position.
- The Global Electronic Area (GEA) will be using the Webex platform for Group Representative Orientations and future workshops and Assemblies moving forward.  The first GR Orientation will be held on January 21, 2023, and the next Assembly will be held on March 4, 2023. For those unfamiliar with Webex, there will be  Webex Test Session. A tech team is being assembled to support the next electronic Area meeting - this team will NOT consist of GR's - this is an ongoing need for volunteers to assist GR's with any technology challenges they may be having.  There is a trial run with Webex software  on 1/7, there will be no meeting.  GR's who want to try it out ahead of the next area meeting can and the tech team will get some training too. 
- Thought forces to tackle large topics is in the works.  As I shared before, the electronic districting topic is the primary focus for this group.  I have volunteered to participate in this thought force.  I have yet to attend a meeting so at this point have nothing to share.  Meetings will resume in January and I hope to be able to share more on this topic with you soon.
-Group Rep -   a rather lengthy email with an explanation of the service role was sent by the Area chair to the GR's in early December.  I am sharing one paragraph with you here 
		Group Representative
		***A GR is a vital link in the continuing function, growth, and unity of world Al-Anon.  He is a member elected by his group for a three-year term.  They attend Assemblies, maintains contact between the group and the District and between the group and the Area World Service Committee.  They should also make themselves thoroughly familiar with the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (“World Service Handbook,” “Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at Work,” “Al-Anon’s Twelve Concepts of Service,” and the Digest of Al-Anon and Alateen Policies”).

		***GRs should be members with experience, stability, and an understanding of the Traditions and how they work, as applied in the “Digest of Al-Anon and Alateen Policies.”  It can be a challenging job.  Ample time is needed for GRs to perform their many duties. 

I think that covers things for now, please let me know if you have any questions.

Yours in service,

Anne O.

-----Original Message-----
From: Businessmtg <businessmtg-bounces+aohara77=comcast.net at asp-afg.org> On Behalf Of aohara77 at comcast.net
Sent: Saturday, November 5, 2022 8:31 AM
To: aohara77 at comcast.net
Cc: ASP Business <businessmtg at asp-afg.org>
Subject: [Businessmtg] ASP Group Representative Report

Good Morning,

Since we last met, the GEA (Global Electronic Area) has been busy.  Our Area Chair, Rosemary, asked for group rep volunteers interested in being part of a 'Thought Workforce' to tackle  large topics - the first being how to setup in Districts.  Using the KBDM (Knowledge Based Decision Making) process they will be providing reports I think at the next assembly, or perhaps via email
before then?  I don't really know.   Originally the plan was to have 5 GR's
participate instead there are 9.  More to come on this.  I did share ASP feedback with the GEA on the District topic, thanks to Jerry and Steve for pointing me to the Service Manual where there is a good amount of information on the Overlay approach to districting.  This would take into consideration meeting type and the non-English speaking groups to name just two.  

Emails that have come through the Area's shared mailbox, have included  

*an FAQ page that covers policy and etiquette standards, 

*questions from GR's that don't have an established donation process to cover their expenses, 

*general questions about the mechanics of managing emails

*and districting questions.

Ozzie, the Area Delegate, summarized some key points from In The Loop News From Your WSO -

* The 2023 Al-Anon International Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from June 29 through July 2, 2023

*A new publication will be debuted then -" A Little Time For Myself." 

*The costs to attend, where to take advantage of Al-Anon room blocks and some of the events that are planned.

Visit the  Al-Anon.org  website to subscribe and read all about it.  News from the WSO - Al-Anon Family Groups <https://al-anon.org/for-members/wso/news-from-the-wso/> 

Rosemary shared recently that: "In the soon to be future, we will be reaching out to those GEA GRs who would want to serve as the GEA Group Records Coordinator.

In January, date to be announced, the GEA will have its first Group Representative Orientation and then in March we will have our first voting Assembly. "

I think those are the highlights I have to share this month, if there are questions.. Please ask!

Yours in Service,

Anne O

ASP Group Representative

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