[Businessmtg] Alternate path to Steering Committee service - Query

Mon Mar 20 20:18:42 PDT 2023

Hi Jerry,

I don’t think that the steering committee has discussed details like this actually. However, speaking solely for myself, this is how I thought it would work. That the SC would bring any and all resumes to the BM and there would be no need for any other details from the SC - it would be up to the BM to evaluate the candidates based on the resumes and make an informed decision. 

Hugs,
Lynne

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 20, 2023, at 8:12 AM, Jerry <logmark at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> All,
> 
> Perhaps I've missed something. The core of my worry about this motion as presented is an appearance that the SC could be seen as recommending one candidate over another once given the authority to sort through those they select, or those who step forward.
> 
> If all candidates' resumes were presented to the BM at the same time, whether fully qualified or short by some measure (as long as prior service if any has been entered), not identified as to whether solicited by the SC or submitted by volunteers, and without any hint of recommendation, the BM members would be able to become informed and determine who it chooses as its trusted servants by a group conscience vote.
> 
> Assured of such equity in the treatment of all candidates I would have no objections. (I might even owe apologies to the SC if this was their intent in the first place.)
> 
> Jerry
> -
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On March 18, 2023, at 3:06 PM, Steve Rankin <steve at serenitysys.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Jerry et al,
> I have my own set of issues regarding your proposed amendment.
> First, that I fail to understand why it would be necessary (required with your amendment) or even desirable to impose any kind of waiting period before the Steering Committee could initiate recruiting & vetting potential members for election to the SC.  
> The only 'plus' for this technique would be that a member with the requisite prior service experience would be able to run for office without the risk of competing against a member without the prior service, but had been vetted & recommended by the SC.  That would certainly be an advantage for the member with prior service experience, but would it be a 'plus' for ASP?  Frankly, our history says no.
> Second, considering that ASP has never filled all of the possible positions on the SC raises the following questions:
> A. Why would we think that this process will result in filling 100% of the SC vacancies?
> B. Doesn't this fact mean that your suggested amendment is mute because there are always vacancies?
> The bottom line is that I believe the motion is fine as it stands, and no real reason for this amendment.
> Love and SERENITY,
> Steve
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Businessmtg On Behalf Of Jerry
> Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 8:42 AM
> To: steve at serenitysys.com
> Cc: ASP Business <businessmtg at asp-afg.org>
> Subject: Re: [Businessmtg] Alternate path to Steering Committee service - response to Lynnes ?'s
> 
> Lynne and all,
> 
> Good questions. Note first that I suggested this being retroactive if enacted, meaning the extra burdens the current SC is experiencing could be lifted right away. I know the stresses you folks are experiencing having been there myself.
> 
> In the future tough, this BM lag in implementation of the motion's provisions would create a short window where fully qualified members could step forward or be encouraged into SC service first. I believe our current standards would lead to more informed leaders and that we should at least attempt to fill vacancies with them before lowering our qualifications; fully qualified candidates surely would be prefer if possible.
> 
> I could see where changing my suggestion to a 1 BM lag might yield the same opportunity though, and serve the same purpose of shortening any "overserving" period for the founders and others.
> 
> Another aspect: Providing every ASP member with an avenue to serve at the SC level, though it may take them a bit of time to become qualified, join the BM, and then elect to stand for SC service, is a growth opportunity we should always encourage. Because the SC is likely to put forth preferred candidates for these regularly occurring vacancies, as this motion intends, other members would be discouraged from standing for SC service because the SC's recommendation of candidates would practically assure election. An unintended consequence I'd rather not risk. I would almost prefer that the SC be granted the power to appoint members to temporarily fill vacancies, a power which may already exist under to LA's authority to act autonomously "when necessary."
> 
> In service,
> Jerry
> -
> 
> 
> On March 18, 2023, at 1:36 AM, Lynne <lynne at asp-afg.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Jerry,
> 
> What is the reasoning behind adding to this motion that the steering committee is only authorized to do this if there is vacancy for more than 2 business meetings? 
> 
> I know that we, the SC, brought this to the BM because we are in an emergency type situation with our current staffing. Considering that ASP has a chronic inability to fully staff the SC, why would you want to limit a tool in the toolbox? Say that when there is a vacancy, two people apply - one who meets the ASP service requirements and one who doesn’t, but has been recommended unanimously by the SC to be considered. The BM would then consider both applications and make an informed decision. 
> 
> I guess I don’t like the idea of putting it into the motion that the steering committee has to be short handed for months before this tool would be authorized. I do feel that is putting an unfair burden on our future elected trusted servants. 
> 
> Hugs,
> Lynne 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Mar 17, 2023, at 7:50 PM, Jerry <logmark at comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Biz-Pals,
>> 
>> I offer the following amendment to the motion which covers the content of the original motion in a form which clarifies when this procedure would become authorized:
>> 
>> "When any Steering Committee (SC) seat remains unfilled for lack of qualified volunteers for two (2) succeeding Business Meetings, resumes for vacancies will be accepted from volunteers who do not meet ASP's requirements for prior ASP membership or service. Should such volunteers stand for ASP service positions:
>> • The SC will interview and vet said volunteers as it sees fit, and recommend all candidates who are approved by a unanimous SC vote to the Business Meeting for resume review and voting.
>> • All other requirements and procedures involving the election of officers by the members in the Business Meeting apply."
>> 
>> (end of suggestion)
>> - - - - -
>> 
>> MY NOTES:
>> Three of the current motion's bullet points would be made redundant or become unnecessary:
>> 
>> • "That the Steering Committee (SC) is authorized to solicit volunteers for service on the SC,"
>> [because every ASP member is already able to communicate with other 
>> ASP members to suggest that they stand for office (SC members 
>> included) no authorization is required];
>> 
>> • "That the SC may recommend candidates to the BM by unanimous 
>> vote..." [because this is covered in bullet #1 of the suggested 
>> amended motion.]; and
>> 
>> • "That candidates recommended by the SC may not meet ASP requirements 
>> for prior membership or service ...." [because this is covered in the 
>> text of the suggested amended motion.]
>> 
>> The suggested text would add a two BM window for qualified volunteers to stand for any vacancies. I don't feel this period would place undue burdens on other SC members. I do think that it would be prudent to have this retroactive so any approved motion would enact these procedures immediately.
>> 
>> In service,
>> Jerry
>> -
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On March 8, 2023, at 10:38 AM, Lynne <lynne at asp-afg.org> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Hi everyone,
>> 
>> ASP is operating with only one of five elected trusted servant 
>> positions filled by an elected member. The Founders, Anne and Steve, 
>> are pitching in to help keep ASP running. However, this means that 
>> Anne is doing double duty as the Greeter Chair and the Group 
>> Representative and I am doing double duty as the List Administrator 
>> and the Secretary, and Steve is filling in as the Treasurer. There has 
>> also been a chronic inability for ASP to have a full slate of elected 
>> Steering Committee members. All of this goes against several Al anon 
>> principles listed below. We urgently need new tools to increase the 
>> pool of eligible applicants to the steering committee. We are getting 
>> burnt out doing all of these jobs with just the three of us.
>> 
>> Tradition 7: Every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining 
>> outside contributions.
>> Concept 4: Participation is the key to harmony.
>> Concept 10: Service responsibility is balanced by carefully defined 
>> service authority and double-headed management is avoided.
>> 
>> The current requirements for election to the Steering Committee is one 
>> year's prior service at ASP in an appointed service position (Daily 
>> Chair, Greeter, Recording Secretary). Candidates are elected by the 
>> membership of the Business Meeting and must not be a member of AA.
>> 
>> The Steering Committee previously brought a topic to the business 
>> meeting in January about lowering the ASP service requirement for the 
>> Steering Committee positions from 1 year to 6 months. That is not 
>> being discussed now (it will be discussed later in this meeting if 
>> there is time), but is just an example of ways that we are trying to 
>> make service on the Steering Committee more accessible to widen the 
>> pool of eligible applicants.
>> 
>> What we are proposing now is that the Business Meeting give the 
>> Steering Committee the authority to waive the ASP service requirement 
>> on a case-by-case basis. What that means in practice is that if 
>> someone is interested in applying to serve in one of the Steering 
>> Committee positions, but that person does not meet the current ASP 
>> service requirements, the Steering Committee could decide to interview 
>> that candidate via a Zoom call to discuss the position and their 
>> previous Al anon and ASP service. If the Steering Committee 
>> UNANIMOUSLY agrees, we would bring the application to the next 
>> Business Meeting for consideration. The Business Meeting would still 
>> elect all Steering Committee members. If the Steering Committee does 
>> not unanimously agree to support waiving the ASP service requirement, 
>> then that candidate would still be able to apply for the position once 
>> they have acquired that ASP service experience.
>> 
>> The discussion of this topic is now open.
>> 
>> Hugs,
>> 
>> Lynne
>> ____________________________
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>> The ASP web site with all kinds of info for ASP members is 
>> http://asp-afg.org/members/ For assistance with other ASP issues, 
>> contact Steve the Founder of ASP, at steve at serenitysys.com 
>> ____________________________ To Unsubscribe, go to: 
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>> The ASP web site with all kinds of info for ASP members is 
>> http://asp-afg.org/members/ For assistance with other ASP issues, 
>> contact Steve the Founder of ASP, at steve at serenitysys.com
> 
> ____________________________
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> The ASP web site with all kinds of info for ASP members is http://asp-afg.org/members/ For assistance with other ASP issues, contact Steve the Founder of ASP, at steve at serenitysys.com
> 
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> ____________________________
> To Unsubscribe, go to: http://www.asp-afg.org/mailman/listinfo/asp
> The ASP web site with all kinds of info for ASP members is http://asp-afg.org/members/
> For assistance with other ASP issues, contact Steve the Founder of ASP, at steve at serenitysys.com
> ____________________________
> To Unsubscribe, go to: http://www.asp-afg.org/mailman/listinfo/asp
> The ASP web site with all kinds of info for ASP members is http://asp-afg.org/members/
> For assistance with other ASP issues, contact Steve the Founder of ASP, at steve at serenitysys.com