[Businessmtg] FW: Newcomer page

[Steve Rankin]

Thanks for the suggestions, Missy.  I've applied some and commented on others.  

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Businessmtg On Behalf Of Missy S
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 6:10 PM
To: steve at serenitysys.com
Cc: ASP Business <businessmtg at asp-afg.org>
Subject: [Businessmtg] Newcomer page

 

Hello All,

 

I love the newcomer pages focus. I like the original version and also like this version! I made some suggested edits below, take what you like and leave the rest. Thanks for the hard work everyone! :) Missy S.

 

Missy: 

Welcome to A Serenity Place, an Al-Anon Family Group Meeting!

 

You’ve taken the first step—you’ve come to an Al-Anon meeting. We are glad you are here.  Keep coming back to meetings.  It is here that we get the support and comfort that help us deal with our personal situation.  You probably have many questions, including “What does working the Steps mean?”

or “What Al-Anon literature should I read first?”

 

You likely have questions, we all did! The links that follow will bring you to the Al-Anon Family Groups website, to an online literature store, and a section designed for newcomers.

 

Steve:  I’m not sure if you simply included those 3 paragraphs, or if there is something there I missed.

 

 

Missy:  *The Al-Anon Welcome (Can you make this a side link to remove a long section at the beginning?) *

 

Steve:  Sorry, that doesn’t work.  I agree that it is long, but this is also the most logical place for it.  Anyone have a suggestion?

 

 

Missy:  *Every Meeting is Different*

Missy’s suggested additional text is in italic:

Each Al-Anon meeting has the autonomy to be run as its members choose, within guidelines designed to promote Al‑Anon unity. Al‑Anon recommends that you try at least six *different* meetings before you decide if Al‑Anon will be helpful to you. A Serenity Place is an e-mail meeting. There are phone meetings and in-person meetings. A listing can be found at  <https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/> https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/

 

Steve:  I get this, however, I’m loathe to make finding other meetings too easy, especially when ASP is struggling getting new members due to changes at WSO.

 

 

Missy’s next suggestion is a shorter version of what the SC proposed.  I don’t have any objections to her suggestion; however I’d like to hear how others in the Business Meeting feel.  

I will note that the SC’s version does explain how & why the Daily Readings change during the week.  

*A Serenity Place Meeting Format*

Missy’s suggested text:

Our group does a different topical meeting every day of the week chaired by one of our Daily Chair volunteers. Each day’s meeting starts with suggested Al-Anon readings. The daily chair then shares a reading from Al-Anon Conference approved literature on a topic of their choice. The chair then shares a reflection on the reading. All members are then invited to reflect as well.

The SC’s proposed text:

Our group does a different meeting every day of the week; each day is chaired by one of our Daily Chair volunteers. Each day's meeting starts with the Daily Chair sending out the Opening readings for their day of the week. While the Al-Anon Suggested Welcome and Serenity Prayer are included every day, we rotate through The Preamble, Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, Obstacles to Success, Obstacles to Success, Who you see here..., each day of the week, ending with the Al-Anon Closing on Saturday.

Unchanged:

We encourage our members to share their personal experience, strength and hope on the Al-Anon topic of the day. We avoid gossip, crosstalk, and advice giving in our fellowship as a way to create a safe space for everyone.

 

 

Steve:  I’m skipping the rest because I didn’t see any other suggested changes.  If I’m wrong, you know where to find me.  

 

Love and SERENITY,

Steve