[Businessmtg] Fwd: ASP Business Meeting - Service

[Tori Sciacca]

Last month, the KBDM seamed like a cluster F to me. Monotonous and confusing. So much blah blah blah. 

Our Area, district and meetings all climbed on board the KBDM Train when it was presented by WSO. 
Our area, district and the meetings I attended went back to Robert’s rules, when the trial period ended. 

My experience with KBDM is limited and a long time ago. I didn’t like it then and I don’t like it now. 

Im hoping the process will be clearer with Anne as Secretary. 

I too love a good discussion, service manuals out, interpreting the principles, and out for coffee after the meeting. 
It’s always a great meeting when tradition 1 is being honored. 

Linda, your opinion does matter! We all have a voice and a vote. The lone voice can be the one needed to bring the clarity and unity we/I seek. 

Love Tori 👩🏻‍🌾🧑🏽‍🍳🚍⚓️🇺🇸

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Linda Hicks <roslyngirl714 at gmail.com>
> Date: September 4, 2023 at 6:35:03 PM CDT
> To: Tori1ofGodsKids at yahoo.com
> Cc: ASP Business <businessmtg at asp-afg.org>
> Subject: [Businessmtg] ASP Business Meeting - Service
> 
> 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
> ____________________________
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