[Businessmtg] FW: Asp business - Treasurer's Report

[Steve Rankin]

Hi Linda & Marilyn,

First, thanks for your responses.  As much as it annoys me, I learned a long time ago that I'm not necessarily the purveyor of the best ideas.  😊

Yes, Linda is absolutely correct that very few members of ASP have any idea that ASP actually has expenses.  I suspect that most don't even think about it, and if they do, then we much get our service free.  Right?  After all, Google's Gmail is free as well as the vast world of social media.

However, I agree with Marilyn about trying to compel our Daily Chairs to discuss the nitty gritty aspects of our finances. . . first on the principles involved.  Second, is the fact that our Daily Chairs rarely know any more about the nuts and bolts of the Seventh Tradition at ASP.  And third, I'm personally loathe to open pandora's box of discussing "business" in the recovery meeting.  There is a fine line between the officers making appropriate announcements in our recovery meeting, and speaking in a manner that invites discussion.  

As the Acting Treasurer, I believe that it falls on my shoulders to try to find ways to somehow inform the membership, yet avoid triggering a discussion.  You may have noticed that I added a couple of sentences to yesterday's passing of the basket.  Simple and subtle . . . so far.  😊  Having said that, I don't want to sound like I am saying that others should not incorporate the principles of the Seventh Tradition in their personal shares, and how that works for them personally as well as how it works here in ASP.  Obviously, it is easier when the topic was the Seventh Tradition, but that typically isn't very often.  One of the things that seems to pervade the Al-Anon membership is the idea that the Traditions apply to the groups and have little if any purpose for the individual member.  Frankly, I believe that nothing could be further from the truth.  

Hugs,
Steve





 

-----Original Message-----
From: Businessmtg On Behalf Of Marilyn Booms

Thank you Steve. I appreciate the time and effort you put into compiling all the statistics.

Speaking only from personal experience here, inflation and other outside issues have resulted in a need to tighten down on donations to maintain my household's ample reserve.

While I agree with Linda that it might be helpful to have posts on 7th Tradition and ASP financial needs in the recovery meeting, idk if compelling the chairpeople to include this in their topics is possible.
Instead, I think it may be helpful if those of us in the BM to post OT in the recovery meeting explaining that our donations aren't meeting expenses and encouraging those who are able to financially support ASP. Perhaps monthly in addition to the Seventh Tradition emails from Steve would add visibility to the issue, coming from people whose shares they read regularly.  Yes, I'm volunteering to be the test subject for this to see if it helps.

Thanks for reading,
Marilyn
================================


-----Original Message-----
From: Businessmtg On Behalf Of Linda Hicks

Thank you for the interesting stats, Steve.

I'm thinking that the general membership is not aware, or doesn't understand that ASP has expenses.  No building rent, no literature purchases etc.
Perhaps the topic chair could give up a meeting day for treasury and/or general business participation could be the topic.
(Just thinking out loud.)
Thank you, hugs
Linda