[Businessmtg] ASP Business Meeting - Service

[Linda Hicks]

Hi Business Friends,
 I'm loving the exchange of thoughts and opinions in regard to the issues
of attendance at BM and the vacant positions for Service.  It has been a
long time since we've had such 'enthusiastic' (?) discussion in the
Business Meeting.  It's healthy.

I know I'm going to ramble in sharing my thoughts, and I have a picture in
my mind of our f2f district meetings where there would often be vigorous
disagreement in opinions, and we all would go out for pie and coffee
afterwards.  I wish we could do that here.

Steve's Comments:
- I agree that it seems a few do the most in every organization I have ever
been involved in and Al-Anon is no different.

- As a sponsor, I believe part of my responsibility is to encourage
Service.  I do that f2f and in ASP.  F2f is easier because there are more
obvious examples of service - it isn't behind the scenes like online
meetings.  In ASP, I encourage my sponsees to attend business meetings.  I
wish I could claim great success in this endeavor.
Sometimes new members need encouragement just to share in the meeting by
their sponsor.

- I agree that online is 'easy' to scan shares, select certain shares, skip
reading the opening/closing, not share or token share - there are
interruptions from tv, phone, family, doorbell - in f2f meetings you are
THERE for a specific period of time - total program.

- Last, I have to say I do not like the KBDM method of business meetings.
I'm very frustrated by the length of time it takes to make the simplest
decision and I feel it takes forever to resolve.  Nevertheless, I recognize
ASP has been in existence many years before I joined, and will continue
many years after I'm gone (I hope), so obviously it has been working.
Progress for the greatest number depends upon unity, so it doesn't matter
what I think, but I am so relieved to finally say it.

- I agree with Jerry's example of the difference between f2f and online.
That is exactly what happened to me when  was new.  I was 'taken' to the
district meeting.  Pretty soon I was a GR, not even really knowing what
that was. I was 'taken' to workshops.  My sponsor decided I should tell my
story at a local men's meeting open dinner.  I cannot take my
sponsee's hand in ASP - only encourage and suggest.

-  The service I have done in ASP has been rewarding.  I love the Chair
position.  I particularly enjoyed being Greeter, and I feel I had the best
of times doing it during COVID as we had several new members every single
day.  We were busy.   In regard to that, I don't think I ever felt so
inadequate because I felt I made so many mistakes.  Anne helped me and was
an absolute Saint, and the more she helped, I still didn't feel confident -
I always felt like an imposition (MY issue, definnitely not hers!)
Consequently, even though I really wanted to be Greeter Chair when the
position opened, I didn't want to feel that ignorant again.  I didn't want
to be so dependent on someone again.  Yes, the retired career person who
was the media relations person, on tv, intelligent and capable, felt like a
total ignoramus.  Again, definitely my issue.  I tell you this because if I
felt/feel that way - perhaps others do too?  We Al-Anoners want to be
perfect even when we know better.  When I served the 6 months on Steering
Committee, I don't remember even having any meetings or exchanges.

Last, I would like to suggest that more should be said in the General
Meetings about the Business Meetings rather than just a general
announcement and invitation to attend.  I don't have the answer as to what
or how.

Thank you for listening - take what you like and leave the rest.
Hugs, Linda