[Businessmtg] ASP Business Meeting - Service

[Steve Rankin]

Hi Linda,
There is so much in your share that is soooo spot on.  But, there are a
couple of things that I would like to say in response, so here we go.
Yes, lively discussions in Al-Anon service, especially those where people
disagree are not just healthy but serve as opportunities for growth because
they help members how to have safe, effective discussions involving
disagreement, and how to reach resolution even then.  Very few of us get
here with those skills.  
Yes, it is far more difficult to 'encourage' newer members to get involved
in service.  I became the secretary of a meeting because my sponsor handed
me the key to the church because he couldn't make it the following week.  Of
course, he didn't make it the week after that or the one after that . . .
Not long after that, he passed away.  Similarly, a later sponsor completed
her 3-year term as GR and announced that she was recommending me as the next
GR.  Choo choo, the service railroad runs.  
Yes, suggesting paths to sponsees is a great way to get them involved.
Sadly some sponsees resist everything we suggest anyway.
Yes, it is easy, too easy for members to short circuit the online sharing.  
Yes, the KBDM process is time consuming.  Then again, in Al-Anon service
decision making has always been time consuming, except when it was being
rushed, and that usually meant it wasn't a very good example of the Al-Anon
way of making decisions and doing things.  
Yes, Jerry usually has good stuff to say.  While we sometimes disagree on
details, we are almost always on the same path.  
OK, now the part where I need to disagree.  I will start this part of the
discussion with a ditty from my wife's sponsor. . . 

     "Self-esteem comes from doing esteemable things."

Self esteem does not come from simply being a member of Al-Anon, going to a
thousand Al-Anon meetings, having a sponsor, reading a boatload of CAL,
etc., etc.  Self-esteem comes from DOING esteemable things.  Such as Al-Anon
service.
In other words, if the member has troubles with self-esteem - a lack of
confidence, feeling inadequate, feeling ignorant - there are two paths
available to them.
1. Do nothing and stay stuck in the rut.
2. Walk through it and come out the other side a little bit better.  
Then walk through it again, and come out the other side a little bit better,
again.
Rinse and repeat.   
Hugs,
Steve







-  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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