[Businessmtg] Archive Discussion

[Steve Rankin]

Hi folks,



This has been an interesting discussion.  Unfortunately, some of it is
founded on misconceptions and misunderstandings.



1.	Transparency #1.  Some have raised the issue of 'transparency'
because the members of ASP aren't informed that the server maintains an
archive of shares.  This is incorrect.  Every email share sent out by the
server contains a link to the ASP web page where the very first listing
after the home page is the Member Instructions page, which contains a full
paragraph on accessing the ASP Meeting Archive
<https://asp-afg.org/mailman/private/asp/> .



2.	Transparency #2.  I have little doubt that ASP is the most
transparent Al-Anon electronic meeting extant.  In fact, I'd venture to say
that ASP is more transparent than the vast majority of f2f meetings, and
certainly more transparent than the GEA or WSO.



3.	Total anonymity.  There are no absolutes in Al-Anon, including
anonymity.  However, when it comes to anonymity, there is considerably more
anonymity available to the members of ASP than most Al-Anon meetings;
electronic or face-to-face.  Where else can you attend an Al-Anon meeting
using a false name or not appearing in person?



For example, the Al-Anon Mobile App developed and hosted by WSO requires the
following information from Al-Anon members: First Name, Last Name, Display
Name, DOB, Gender, and Mobile Phone Number.



Additionally, WSO's Mobile App requires that members accept the Terms &
Conditions, which among other things requires that members allow WSO to use
anything .  I will also note that WSO REQUIRES that members update the
Al-Anon Mobile App to the latest version before it allows them to use it.
What really concerns me, however, is Article 3.b. of the Terms of Use . . .

"You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which
you submit, post or display on or through, the Services and grant AL-ANON a
perpetual, nonexclusive, worldwide license to use such Content in connection
with its business purposes."

In other words, WSO may use anything posted by any member in an Al-Anon
meeting hosted on the Mobile App for its business purposes.



4.	More on Total Anonymity.  WSO publishes a monthly magazine called
"The Forum", which is a collection of 1-2 page Al-Anon shares; each with the
member's name, city & state.  Anonymous?  Since I've recognized individual
Al-Anon members in many of those shares, I don't think so.



5.	How are the Archives used?  I've heard mention of members using the
Archives to access shares they missed for one reason or another.  Other
examples that I've heard from members. . .

new members that ache for Al-Anon shares, and finds a plethora of shares to
read and help them get by,

members traveling and unable to access their usual Al-Anon resources
(sponsor, friends, f2f meetings, etc.) and find the Archives a valuable
resource,

members struggling with an issue that find some help by using the search
feature of the Archives to read shares pertaining to the issue they are
struggling with.



As Lynne mentioned, the Archives provide the leadership of ASP with
information that help us assess ASP's health and guide ASP through the
future.



6.	Access to the Archives.  The Archives are not available to the
general public; access requires members log in to the server.  Yes, this
process isn't very robust, but then it's not intended to be.  Al-Anon is an
anonymous fellowship where spiritual anonymity is the essence of our
organization.  Al-Anon is not a secret organization.



7.	Anonymity again.  Many of us in Al-Anon find recovery and enjoy the
fellowship at its finest - spiritual anonymity in abundance, but with
little, if any ID-type anonymity.  We get to know a great deal about each
other.  We've been in each other's homes, weddings, divorce court, baby
showers and memorial services.  We get asked to pick up meds at the
pharmacy, hold their hands when they have a doc appointment with a scary
diagnosis, help handle legal docs, care for their pets in an emergency, and
sometimes spend their last hours and minutes with them.  A sponsee from CA
is visiting this weekend, again.  We use our full name in Al-Anon service;
not just with each other, but with the fellowship.  During my term as an
Area Officer, my full name, address and phone number were listed in the
quarterly Area newsletter.



Lastly, I'm concerned about the group throwing the baby out with the
bathwater in the name of some concept of absolute anonymity that I believe
has little to do with Al-Anon recovery.



Love and SERENITY,

Steve