[Businessmtg] Prior Alanon Service and other Business Meeting Elected Position Brainstorming:

[Sandie Parkker]

Hi ASP Biz Pals.  Thank you Lynne.

**Question for further discussion: Why was prior Al anon service not
originally part of the requirements for ASP elected trusted servants? What
are the pros and cons of this?

If this question relates to service outside of ASP structure, I believe
there is a space for that to be filled in on the application, at least
there used to be. And it was taken into consideration when someone applied,
if they attended the BM.

What I have not seen in these conversations is talk about the particular
service work for sec'y and LA in terms of requiring people to know and
understand how to manage and interpret Robert's Rules and KBDM process that
is in our business meetings.

For me as a newcomer to ASP, but not new to Alanon, I was totally clueless
about those processes even after looking them up in our archives and being
explained to me. Managing and learning those two processes and applying
them for me were two different things.   Not everyone learns at the same
pace.  And I think this needs to be taken into consideration for
application for Sec'y and LA positions.  Some may need a longer orientation
than others. This is also along the same lines with understanding the
technical part.

In my humble opinion I am not in favor of the requirements being lowered
from one year to six months.  It also seems to me we have had this
discussion before.  About lowering requirements and it was decided or left
open to not do it.  There is a lot of work to be done here to make this on
line meeting run smoothly.  People need to be experienced.  Setting up
chairs and serving refreshments is not available here, chuckle.

Another option is maybe to have longer intervals between BM.  For example,
instead of six meetings a year, how about three or four? For another
discussion. And if there is some kind of emergency something that happens
we can call an intermittent meeting.  That may give new SC members a chance
to get their feet wet. Learn to communicate with the team.

Noticing the attendance at this meeting, looks like the lowest I have seen
it.  We used to have about 20 to 30 people.  That is a lot of peeps to keep
track of for a sec'y.

There are a lot of components that make this meeting run, behind the scenes
communication also.  Sec'y keeping discussions on track, motions, voting,
recording, etc.
We had a couple of major disasters in the past where things got so out of
hand that things were being recorded that were without a vote, but added
because someone thought it was a good idea, by themselves.  People needed
to leave because there was too much control. Can be another issue that
needs monitoring.  Control and typing.

Also, I would like to know what are the duties of the two six month SC
positions?
And for that matter, how about adding a couple more of these rogue SC six
month positions?  They could be assistants to Sec'y and LA and get
experience at the same time.  Unless it is too many hands in the pot.
Another discussion? Maybe that could be an introduction to regular SC
positions, to learn the functions and in's and outs of the BM operation.

Another aspect, I think participation in the meeting is an individual
choice, I don't believe forcing someone to participate is the way to go.
Isn't that along the lines of forcing a solution?  Sometimes a person needs
to attend a few BM to see what they are all about first before jumping in.
Lets get feet wet first.

I am not sure I understand support vs consensus.  Wording is another issue
to be aware of here.  And I did read that this discussion will go on for
another few BM.

These are my thoughts. Thanks for reading.
Beverly