[Businessmtg] DISTRICTS (and Area, too.)

[Jerry]

Biz-Pals,

In my experience when our national Al-Anon service structures get headed in a certain direction it's hard to get them to redirect themselves. Thus the importance of getting this structure right early on, or at least as right as things can be made using the knowledge and wisdom we currently have. Our best efforts could save a lot of future headaches.

My noggin is awash with thoughts on this topic, though I'm trying keep this as simple and focused as possible. I go back to the basics on what are the various principle roles of Areas and Districts: responding to the needs of the groups within their Areas and Districts; helping to resolve problems, planning Area and District affairs, and improving Area and District services, etc. 

This leads me to a few questions:

~ How in the world (seriously) does it make any sense to have every email, telephone, zoom, & etc. meeting from around the whole wide world crammed into one Area?

~ How would any District, with mixed District Representatives from all the meeting formats and languages, be able to be knowledgeable enough of each other's particular problems and technical requirements (let alone communicate with each other effectively) to do business efficiently?

I admit it's easier for me to get confused as I age, but wouldn't it make more sense to have:

1) Multiple Areas composed of groups with common formats, and
2) Districts within each Area made up from groups with a common language?

I'm at a loss to see how, with the varying needs of the different formats and the language barriers, any business could get done. Imagine trying to craft an informed group conscience  - especially using electronic media. Whoa wadda tangle.

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What I will say, re: Mary's suggestion, is that Anne as our Rep in this matter has heard input from the Business Meeting, but is not bound by that input. I'm against a BM vote on the proposed structure - Anne as our Rep will no doubt take all input into account, take or leave parts as her judgement sees fit, and contribute and vote according to her conscience. That's Al-Anon's way. Trusted servants are just that,  and I trust her.

Jerry
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