[Businessmtg] When I got busy, I got better

[Tori Sciacca]

Morning!

We have a book ‘when I got busy, I got better’. 

I was encouraged to participate in service from the start. I was encouraged to take coffee person when it came up, I had little time on program. 

It gave me a reason to get to the meeting, early. It was a big meeting so there was also a set up person. Literature was a big job/big meeting, they were early for set up also. 

We chatted while we worked and I found myself being an unofficial greeter as new members tricked in. 

I greeted them with a smile and told them what I wished someone had told me, something like; I’m so glad you’re here, I’m new too, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do here. Somebodies gonna lead the meeting, they’re not in charge, they’re just volunteering for the evening. There’s all kinds of meetings, literature studies, step studies, speaker meetings, open participation meetings. Whatever the topic is tonight, we don’t expect you to share on it, but we’d love to hear a little about you if you want to share. After the meeting if anyone has any experience with why you’re here, they might share with you, what helped them. Just their experience, we don’t give advice around here. 
And we encourage you to try lots of different meetings. I go to the ones where I was welcomed, where there’s laughter, and where I hear people sharing the message not the mess. I hope you find what you’re looking for, I sure have. Here’s a meeting directory. Do you know the Serenity Prayer? I did not. We’re gonna say it twice, the beginning and end of the meeting. Here’s a little card with the words on it. I’ll be around at break and after the meeting if you need anything. Our literature person is over there setting out literature if you want to look at it, all our pamphlets are free. You can help set up chairs if you want, you can help me w coffee or just have a seat, we’ll get started soon. 

That’s allot, but I say it quickly. I’ve heard it puts people at ease. 

But my point is, why a year before we can be of service here?

I volunteered to greet. I want to be of service here. I’m moving cross country this summer. I have enough time in program to know I want consistency and a reason to show up. Distraction from the monotony of moving (military, we do it allot). My cell service works everywhere. 

I’d like to see us change up the requirements for serving. Maybe each position is different, maybe we look at service records and take a group conscious, maybe time in program outweighs time in ASP. Maybe greeter only needs a few months, whereas Secretary, treasurer, GR needs at least a year, responsibilities of duties, working knowledge of program, experience with an online format. 

This isn’t about me not being able to serve as greeter! 
This about being new, and all the things I was encouraged to do, that shaped me, gave me a solid foundation. Being of service is at the top of the list. 

Maybe this email would be better served when we’re discussing having less than a year to serve, but seams timely as we are discussing greeter and secretary. 

Thank you so much to those who are of service and those who want to be. 

And when we have time in program, sometimes we take the same position many times, it’s the nature of the beast. 

Love in Service, Tori 👩🏻‍🌾🧑🏽‍🍳