[Businessmtg] GEA districting feedback summary from - 'Japanese Language Online AFG'

[Anne]

This GR was enthusiastic about having me share this with our group and was
interested in hearing from us as well.  So to Jerry's point, I do believe we
want to prepare something as well.  My apologies for not focusing on this
topic until this week due to my personal schedule.

I think sharing our thoughts on minority platforms and Area concerns can be
and will be a necessary part of the process as the GEA moves forward with
this incremental move towards districting.

Yours in Service,

Anne

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Our group, Japanese Language Online AFG, started in late 2021 because Japan
GSO had a policy not to have electronic meetings despite the
shelter-in-place situation in pandemic.  Electronic meeting under WSC
structure was the only place we were able to have meetings.  Currently, we
are the only one Japanese speaking group.  Our group membership is
approximately 50% Japanese/English bilingual and other 50% Japanese speaking
only.  

With that background, we had a following group conscience opinion on Task
Force's recommendations.  We love to hear points of view from other foreign
language groups.

 

Japanese Language Online AFG agrees with the recommendation of districting
based on UTC meeting start time, with some reservations described below.

*	*        Districting based on UTC meeting starting time seems the
most realistic way as of now, though it may not be the most ideal way for
building a link of service in an inclusive manner for minority foreign
language groups and minority meeting platforms.

*	*        The option of overlay district benefits only foreign
language with large number of groups.  

*	*        We agree with the Task Force reasoning that mixing up
various platforms and languages by districting based on UTC meeting start
time could generate exchange of various views, which in turn fosters
understanding and unity.

*	*        We don't agree with the idea of designating English as a
sole operational language for district business.  Although English is the
official WSC language and it may be practical to start up district business
in English in the ramp-up stage, setting English as a permanent and sole
operational language alienates foreign language groups, which make up about
20% of GEA (based on the Thought Force presentation in May 2023).
Considering our group's bilingual population, our group can participate in
district business in English.  But we think that speaking English should not
be a pre-requisite to participate in a vital link of Al-Anon service in GEA.
Tradition Three states "The only requirement for membership is that there be
a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend."   Let's remind ourselves
that English speaking is not a requirement for Al-Anon membership.  If we
make English speaking a pre-requisite, we make it harder to  move toward
Task Force's vision of unity through mutual understanding.

*	*        In the past assemblies and townhall presentations, there
was a voice to recommend foreign language groups to join GSOs of their
pertinent languages instead of staying as WSC electronic groups, because
accommodating foreign language members with interpreters is very costly.
Although we understand the fiscal concern is a reality, it was a
disheartening comment for our group.  We had no place to go but here in GEA
in order to sustain our Al-Anon recovery.  Besides, the practice of Japan
GSO is not the same as that of WSC, especially the way 12 Traditions are
practiced.  Our group prefers to adhere to the Al-Anon principles as
originally written instead of adopting a modified version.  In addition to
the group like us, there must be foreign language speaking Al-Anon members
(or potential members) who are without GSO or an evolving structure.  For
those, electronic meetings under WSC structure are a precious opportunity to
connect with expatriates and diasporas of their language worldwide.   We
think that not encouraging participation of foreign language groups would
deprive Al-Anona a vital opportunity to practice Al-Anon Declaration; "When
ANYONE ANYWHERE reaches out for help, let the hands of Al-Anon and Alateen
always be there. And let it begin with me."  Expensive live simultaneous
interpreter is not the only way of communication among members of various
languages. If a closed caption language interpretation app on Zoon is not as
effective as we wish, we can conduct district business meetings by
overlaying written minutes review session with translation, which could be
done by various translation apps. We think there are various ways of
communication we can explore and experiment.

*	*        If our area is going to implement the districting based on
UTC meeting starting time, we think that it is important that GEA
establishes strong guidelines and support for districts in order to foster
inclusive communication and ensure unity.  

*	*        Lastly, our group thinks that, if it's voted for,
districting by UTC meeting start time should be implemented with a trial
period of several years and be reviewed at the end of such period. We are
trailblazing.  Trials and errors are inevitable.

In the end, I would like to add that our group is posting this comment not
to stir up controversy but to provide a varying point of view as an input so
that we, as an area, can trailblaze together with a better understanding of
each other.

Love in service,

Naoko M.

GR for Japanese Language Online AFG