Category Archives: 2019 Business Meeting – April

Proposal 8: Assign Temporary Sponsors When Requested

Proposals 7 and 8 were submitted as 2 proposals, but the rational applies to both. I am posting 2 proposals with the same rational attached to both.

Proposal 8: The Sponsor Listkeeper will work with the Temporary Mentor to assure that newcomers who want a sponsor are assigned a temporary sponsor.

Rationale: During our discussions on the Temporary Mentor (newcomer committee and providing links to AA resources), it became clear that there are issues related to the Online Available Sponsors list/webpage because the people on that list do not always respond timely (or at all) to newcomers’ requests for help. Further, Available Online Sponsors do not rotate, and the only members that rotate on both the 12th Step List and the Sponsor List are the listkeepers. The Available Online Sponsor webpage creates the impression that only people on the sponsor list can sponsor, which in reality is not the case.

Summary of Comments

Read Proposal 7 and 8: Online Sponsors for details.

Group Conscience Decision:

An ad hoc committee was formed to craft a proposal for the October 2019 meeting that is inclusive for all the Trusted Servant job descriptions that address helping members with sponsorship.

Proposal 7: Discontinue Online Sponsors

Proposals 7 and 8 were submitted as 2 proposals, but the rational applies to both. I am posting 2 proposals with the same rational attached to both.

Proposal 7 and 8: GROW will better support newcomers to our group and to AA. This will involve a two-pronged approach, 7 and 8.

Proposal 7: In order to assure that newcomers have access to a sponsor, GROW will: Discontinue GROW’s webpage “Available Online Sponsors”.

Proposal 8: The Sponsor Listkeeper will work with the Temporary Mentor to assure that newcomers who want a sponsor are assigned a temporary sponsor.

Rationale: During our discussions on the Temporary Mentor (newcomer committee and providing links to AA resources), it became clear that there are issues related to the Online Available Sponsors list/webpage because the people on that list do not always respond timely (or at all) to newcomers’ requests for help. Further, Available Online Sponsors do not rotate, and the only members that rotate on both the 12th Step List and the Sponsor List are the listkeepers. The Available Online Sponsor webpage creates the impression that only people on the sponsor list can sponsor, which in reality is not the case.

Summary of Comments on Proposal 7 and 8

1. For the reasons given in the proposals, I agree with both proposals.
   • While I was temporary mentor (just outgoing presently), I was dismayed to find that newcomers had sought out a sponsor from the list, only to be turned down (sometimes by more than one on the list), or not even replied to until weeks later, when they were again turned down. In one case, a person on the sponsor list had been out drinking again (she’d been very honest about it with our group) yet her name had remained on the list (which I disagreed with as I know in my first days and years with AA, when I was slipping and sliding, I would have been of no use to anyone, and could actually have been a harmful influence on a person trying to get sober.
   • One lady had tried with two different people, to be rejected twice. I have a hunch this lady might now be drinking. Through me acting as temp mentor, I did set her up with a potential sponsor from a member on our newcomer group. I did this with one or two others.
   • This of course doesn’t reflect that there might have been cases where those on the list did respond to others and established good sponsor/sponsee relationships. But the fact that it did happen at least a few times (from my experience) and more instances of it apparently since our last business meeting (!) is evidence enough that it doesn’t function well at all i.e. not fit for purpose.
   • Further, no rotation is not a good thing, as for one, it is never clear whether the names on the list are still available, or even participating in Grow. There’s a sense of it being a ‘dead’ list.
   • Also, as stated, it gives the false impression to newcomers that available sponsors are only those on the list.
2. I believe we should not have a sponsor list. In a face to face meeting, there are no sponsor lists. You pick someone based on what they have to say and based on a connection to their story. A random name on a list is not helpful and if they get the nerve up to ask and don’t get a response, imagine how detrimental that would be. I believe that it is part of sobriety to ask people if they would sponsor you and have to deal with whichever response they get. There are people that are willing to sponsor that don’t want to be on that list. It’s just not something I’ve ever seen a group do and it doesn’t actually always help someone needing a sponsor. There’s my two cents. Thanks!
3. My first issue is the wording of this proposal. How will discontinuing the Available Online Sponsors webpage help assure that newcomers have access to a sponsor? Everything before the colons should be struck from the proposal language.
   • After talking to several people who have used the sponsor list, I am convinced that it does not serve our group well. The major complaint was that no one on the list responded to members seeking a sponsor. That people volunteered to be on the list suggests they would be responsive. Not responding is a terrible message to send, especially to newcomers. Grow can’t police the actions (or lack of) of the potential sponsors. It is better not to offer the information than to set people up for feeling rejected or abandoned when no one responds. When Grow publishes a list, it appears to endorse the women on it. When those women do not respond or respond inappropriately, Grow itself is letting people down.The Sponsor Listkeeper can’t screen the volunteers or assure that they are really “available.”
   • It is more important, I think, that people know they can ask anyone in Grow to sponsor them.
   • At f2f meetings, we do not help people find sponsors. We tell them to get a sponsor, but we do not offer them candidates or monitor the sponsor-sponsee relationship. Finding a sponsor is up to the person who needs one. Being responsible for one’s own recovery is critical to staying sober. Again, we need to let people know they can ask anyone to sponsor them, but we should not point them to specific individuals.
   • Another issue is whether we should send out a list of available sponsors at all, which this proposal does not address. The problem is the same – people on the list not responding. Personally, I think we should seriously consider eliminating the list altogether. It is not working as we hoped it would.
4. I have spent years in the sponsor list. I was rarely contacted. When I was I responded and sometimes I was turned down for scheduling issues or others….
   • Sometimes a relationship was established for a short time.
   • The sponsor list keeper also checks monthly to see if I am wanting to continue my commitment. So in that fashion the list should be considered current
   • The drinking person should have been removed.
   • I am still a proponent of dissolving this position as I also see it isn’t doing the job we hope it will. And finding a way to combine some language in the temporary mentor and twelfth step lists for those requiring more immediate support
5. Based upon what I am hearing about sponsors being unavailable when called upon, I believe it is time to disband the position. I agree with the comment that we don’t hand out a list of sponsors at f2f meetings, but allow members to seek their own by listening to them at meetings and watching how they treat others.
   • The Temporary Mentor stays with the new people and helps them to get organized. At the same time, she could advise the new ladies how to select a sponsor in our group (without the Sponsor List) by reading all of the shares and asking someone to sponsor her.
6. Isn’t this organically leading to the Temporary Mentor and Newcomer Committee stepping into amended roles of Sponsor Listkeeper (Temp Mentor) and Sponsor list (newcomer committee)?
   • The temp mentor would send out the initial mail to the new person, offering help if needed. It could be made clear in the mail that temporary sponsors/ mentors were available from a list of those on the newcomer committee.
   • I found as temp mentor that we had such willing members eager to link up with new persons, in a spirit of acting as a bridge at least until a sponsor was found. However, apart from a spate last year of calls for help, most new members don’t even respond to the 1st and 2nd mails sent by the TM. Or respond with a thank you and saying all was well but they appreciated a TM reaching out. So the newcomer committee members were raring to go but there were no takers for the most part!
   • While that is going on, we really don’t know how much activity is happening with the sponsor list, except for the less than good experiences that have been reported here in the last and the present business meetings. I’m taken aback that it has continued to happen despite our pulling our bootstraps up at the last business meeting. I haven’t yet heard any positive stuff– I’d like to.
   • So, and considering the input here so far, I think we should do away with both sponsor listkeeper and sponsor list roles, and somehow make clear to the group that those services are now available within the TM and newcomer committee (whose role would be expanded to act as temp sponsors rather than simply point the new person in the direction of a sponsor list which isn’t showing a great record of response). This way we’d at least be assured that members were responding to the needs of new persons. The TM would keep some sort of group ‘chat’ going, perhaps on a monthly basis so I’m envisaging a more ongoing dialogue between TM and newcomer committee members than that of Sponsor listkeeper and those on Sponsor List.
   • I think as someone suggested too that we make it clear that anyone in our group can be approached for sponsorship. Just as in face- to-face meetings. It might be worthwhile putting out a monthly notice about sponsorship, informing/reminding us that seeming ‘rejection’ isn’t always a bad or personal thing!
7. Just some thoughts on the sponsor list questions. It might be helpful to hear from some of the people currently on the Sponsor List as to whether they have been asked and gotten some sponsees from being on the List. In other words, what about the people who are genuinely wanting to sponsor someone?
   • When I joined Grow in 2003, I don’t remember seeing a Sponsor List but I wanted to find a sponsor so I read the shares and asked someone who’s shares I liked. I was turned down, but I kept reading and asking. I did find a sponsor and it worked out.
   • Perhaps it would be good to amend the language on the sponsor announcement to say something to the effect that one way to find a sponsor is to simply ask someone whose shares resonate with them as well as providing the list of names also mentioning that it may take several tries.
8. I appreciated Sherrie’s suggestion. I have been on the sponsor list and it’s only been this year that I’ve been asked to sponsor via email. I have responded as quickly as possible and have made myself available. I think it’s a very important service to a fellow AA new, coming back to the program, or even someone with sobriety but new to GROW. I take it seriously knowing how important having a sponsor has been for me. This kind of service helps me to stay sober and never ceases to amaze me how this program works.
   • I think it’s important for anyone on the list to respond to all inquiries timely and not ignore anyone asking for help. If I can’t help either because of time or whatever then I should go back to the sponsor listkeeper and/or temporary mentor to let them know. I can’t help but wonder if we’ve underutilized our trusted servants in these 2 positions. There are a variety of ways finding a sponsor could be handled. Requests for a sponsor could go to the temporary mentor who fields and directs those inquiries helping to find someone suitable and then following up after a few days to see how it’s working and whether or not first contact has been made. The sponsor listkeeper keeps the list up to date adding or removing members as people’s ability to be of service change.
   • I haven’t looked at the job descriptions yet for these 2 positions so maybe those of you who have served in either position would be helpful in providing feedback.
   • I don’t want to keep pointing fingers at what the volunteers on the sponsor list are or aren’t doing. We are all responsible. We as a group can utilize positions/resources already in place so we don’t “lose” people from GROW and/or to drinking because of neglect.
9. As the proposal is written, it would eliminate the webpage but not the monthly notice/list that the Sponsor Listkeeper sends out. To me, that is an acceptable solution.
   • My concerns about having the list on our website boils down to two things: the webpage makes it look like Grow is endorsing those women as sponsors, and it creates the impression that these are the only potential sponsors available to our members.
   • Like others, I appreciate the efforts of those women who have taken their roles seriously and do not mean to ignore their contributions. At the same time, I’ve heard enough complaints to doubt that the webpage accomplishes what we hoped it would. Also, having been the webkeeper, I know that the webpage may not always be up-to-date.

Results of Voting on Proposal 7

Proposal 7.2 was tabled with 8.2 until a member asked that 7.2 be voted on to give the ad hoc committee a sense of if there was a desire to eliminate the online sponsor list.

The results of the vote was 15 agree, 0 disagree.

Group Conscience Decision:

An ad hoc committee was formed to craft a proposal for the October 2019 meeting that is inclusive for all the Trusted Servant job descriptions that address helping members with sponsorship.

Proposal 6: Step Meeting

GROW will allocate the first weekly meeting each month as a Step meeting. The Weekly Lead Listkeeper will identify the date of the first Sunday each month when asking for volunteer leads, naming the corresponding Step (eg, January = Step 1) as the topic for that week. Grow will continue to have a Tradition as a monthly topic, sent out by the Weekly Lead Listkeeper as per current Grow conscience/guidelines. (October 2018)

Recommended Language: Add a bullet to the Weekly Lead Listkeeper’s job description as follows:

• Allocate the first meeting of each month to the corresponding Step by identifying the Step as the topic next to the date on the volunteer lead request message.

Rationale: It appears the Step/Tradition monthly topics are shared on much less than any weekly topics despite us having longer to do so. From time to time (about 10 times over the last 4 years) we have seen a Step as a weekly topic. The number of shares was similar to weeks where the topic was self-selected by the lead – showing that by having the focus of a Step in the weekly meeting does encourage more sharing than our current monthly practice.

As our primary purpose reminds us, our job is to carry the message. Creating an opportunity for more reflection and sharing on the corresponding step each month can only add to our effectiveness as a group in sharing the program. Not to mention be of potential benefit to our own programs!

By agreeing which week would be the Step topic week in advance gives us the chance to nominate ourselves as weekly leaders for whichever week we like, knowing we are free to offer to lead the Step week or any of the other weeks where the topic is open for our own selection.

As is current for our conscience/guidelines should there be a weekly leader drop out or vacancy the Weekly Lead Listkeeper can send a message out to the group requesting a new volunteer for a specified date.

Summary of Comments on Proposal 6

1. I enthusiastically support dedicating one of our weekly meetings each month to be a Step Meeting.  I haven’t seen much or any change in terms of numbers of step/tradition shares so at present we still don’t emphasize the Steps or have much focus on them at all.  Something that as it was raised 6 months ago, really does show the current monthly format doesn’t work effectively.
2. I’m not sure why it is such a sticking point to not do this, if we’re practicing Tradition 5 and as per our discussions after our group conscience questions 6.2 seems a straightforward solution. I feel sad that we seem to be splitting over this idea.  My support for 6.2 comes from a place of wanting to feel we as a group carry the message of the 12 steps to the best of our ability especially to those new in aa.  There seems to have been an alternative proposal / discussion being made along the lines of sending out additional reminders about the monthly step/tradition topic but on a weekly basis… Is this ok to be including discussions about this now before we’ve voted on proposal 6.2?  If the group supports a weekly reminder, is the assumption that it’s going to help us share on 2-3 topics (the weekly, the step/tradition?) or is it still treating the step like a bit of an add-on?  I love the weekly topics, I love our meeting format, & I’ve felt the clarity & coherence in the current execution by the weekly lead listkeeper, I would love us to pull together and work together for the good of better carrying the message of the 12 steps and the aa program. I don’t feel supporting 6.2 will detract or take away but will add to and enhance what’s already here, it’s just a bit hidden… I’d be happy to support an amended proposal where we run with the first meeting of the month dedicated to a step as a trial for a 12 month period, or even over an 18 month period.
3. I agree with this proposal. In F2F meetings I try to mix it up i.e. discussion, big book, step. So why not the same in Grow?
4. In my opinion this is not needed as we have a monthly step meeting.
5. I get the sense that we are united on the importance of having Steps as topics regularly. I agree that this is in keeping with AA practice both f2f and online. Where I came from f2f we called them “mechanical” or “technical” meetings. The Steps show us how to recover from the seemingly hopeless state of body and mind so they are necessary.  Common practice is to attach a Step to each month, since there are 12 of each. Keep It Simple is good. 🙂 My question is, if we go to a Step leader each month, does she use the current language and add to it? Or does she come up with a unique lead of her own?  Another thought I had is that the Step does not need to be the first week of the month if someone is celebrating an AA birthday that week… although that confuses the schedule a bit. On the other hand, the celebrant could find it a worthwhile challenge to work her birthday into the Step topic. I know I would be intrigued by that.  As the new WLL I do not object to sending out a  reminder to share on Step and Tradition each week if we decide to go that way using the current format. I do think the Traditions are important also, and would like to remind us that yes, we have newcomers who are not familiar with them, but we also have mid- and old-timers who need reminders — me being one of them! The Traditions are WHY AA works.
6. I like Laura’s suggestion I don’t think we should allocate a week for step meeting.  But could post the step/tradition meeting just as we have been except weekly. Instead of monthly.  It seems more a case of out of sight out of mind.  But I completely disagree with separating traditions from the steps.  It gives a seeming lack of importance to our traditions.  Which as we all know is what keeps us running.

Results of Voting on Proposal 6

Voting: Fifteen (15) voted yes and there were zero (0) no votes.  The proposal passed unanimously and is adopted as a Group Conscience decision.

Group Conscience Decision:

GROW will allocate the first weekly meeting each month as a Step meeting. The Weekly Lead Listkeeper will identify the date of the first Sunday each month when asking for volunteer leads, naming the corresponding Step (eg, January = Step 1) as the topic for that week. Grow will continue to have a Tradition as a monthly topic, sent out by the Weekly Lead Listkeeper as per current Grow conscience/guidelines. (October 2018)

The following bullet will be added to the Weekly Lead Listkeeper’s job description as follows:

• Allocate the first meeting of each month to the corresponding Step by identifying the Step as the topic next to the date on the volunteer lead request message.

Apr 2019 Secretary’s Report

Our Trusted Servants:

• 12 Step Listkeeper (4/19-10/19): Sophie sophieflook@gmail.com
• Birthday Listkeeper (4/19-10/19): Amanda D. amandabauman26@icloud.com
• Sponsor Listkeeper (4/19-10/19) Sherrie W. thesherrie@earthlink.net

Trusted Servants who make up the Steering Committee:

• Business Meeting Chair (10/18-10/20): Joan B. joanb333@gmail.com
• GSR (10/18-10/20): Kate M. ammakate@yahoo.com
• GVR (10/18-10/19): Barbara M. barbaramanolache@aol.com
• Greeter (4/19-4/20): Sarah K smkeester@gmail.com
• Greeter (4/19-4/20): Louise H maryalicelouise@outlook.com
• Listkeeper (4/19-4/20): Karen fromie10@gmail.com
• Listkeeper Alternate (4/19-4/21): Laurie B rubylaurie@gmail.com
• OIAA Rep (10/18-10/19): Lynn H. lilitaliangal@gmail.com and
  Kirsten V. lesserseattle@gmail.com
• Secretary (10/18-10/19): Ruth F. serenity9918@gmail.com
• Temporary Mentor (4/19-4/20): Karrie C. kchaneycoo@gmail.com
• Treasurer (10/17-10/19): Sue W. scwills502@gmail.com
• Webkeeper (non-rotating): Tanya C. Tanyaq42@gmail.com
• Webkeeper Backup (10/18-10/20): Allison M. paonia.allison@gmail.com
• Weekly Leader Listkeeper (4/19-4/20): Gigi telperion.1214@gmail.com

Immediate Past Trusted Servants

• 12 Step Listkeeper (10/18-4/19): Danna M. dmcd9999@zoho.com
• Birthday Listkeeper (10/18-4/19): Sophie sophieflook@gmail.com
• Sponsor Listkeeper (10/18-4/19): Cheryl B. cab7thtradition@gmail.com
• Greeter (4/18-4/19): Gigi telperion.1214@gmail.com
• Greeter (4/18-4/19): Laurie B. rubylaurie@gmail.com
• Listkeeper (4/18-4/19): Nancy cybergram@eastlink.ca
• Temporary Mentor (4/18-4/19): Louise emerrilymeet@gmail.com
• Weekly Leader Listkeeper (4/18-4/19): Amanda D. amandabauman26@icloud.com

Apr 2019 – OIAA Report

I’m Lynn H, OIAA representative for GROW.

Currently the March Business Meeting is addressing:

• Forming an Ad-hoc committee tasked with exploring and gathering information on the desirability of using the AAWS Meeting Ap license. Some information shared in support of this ap:
  • “Meeting Guide app will be part of the new AAWS AA app launched in 2019. The people that run it now will be handing over the reins to AAWS so there should be no traditions issues moving forward.
  • Meeting Guide is a free mobile A.A. f2f meeting finder app. It gets its data by syncing with area, district, Intergroup/Central Office and International G.S.O. websites.
  • Sites that use their own custom database only need to create a JSON feed to make their data accessible.
  • The app is now used by more than 100,000 users every month, using it on an average of 5.75 times per month.”
• Attending the World Convention in Detroit.
  • Voting has been to attend so far.

Website issues continue. A little over a year ago the OIAA server crashed and everything was lost. They are slowly recovering by restoring old pages, there was no backup. The members page is still not where they were as the website as it has no information connected to its tabs for any helpful information. Some member website information was sent out as an email in Feb. The page the public sees is up to date with links to groups and useful AA information, very helpful to those seeking help. They do now have a “Donate” button on the OIAA website for groups or individuals to make donations via PayPal.

When I first started there was a lot of back and forth, arguing, about the state of the group. An old time member was admonishing new members for not doing things the right way. Honestly, this turned me off completely and my involvement with the group has been minimal. I know members are diligent in trying to turn the group around but information and direction is fractured. My involvement with the group has been minimal due to this.

Submitted by Lynn H.

April 2019 Business Meeting Agenda

***IMPORTANT NOTE: Please DO NOT respond to this message.
Additional individual emails will be coming, to which you can respond.

Agenda for April 2019 Business Meeting
Trusted Servant Reports:

• Trusted Servant (TS) Positions – Incoming & Outgoing TS identified (Secretary’s Report)
• Semi-Annual Reports: OIAA, Treasurer, Listkeeper Reports
• Business Items (each will be posted separately to facilitate discussion and voting)

Below are the proposals received to date that we will discuss during the Business Meeting. The following list contains brief summaries rather than the full proposal language as it will be presented. If you have an item that you would like to have addressed, or if I have not accurately represented an item that you recommended, please email me privately and I will make the appropriate corrections.

• Proposal 1.1 – Propose the launch of the new GROW website after the April 2019 Business Meeting for use by the membership
• Proposal 2.1 – Propose creating a 1-year rotating position of Admin to maintain the functionality and server side of the website.
• Proposal 3.1 – Propose using current job descriptions of Backup Web-keeper, Web-keeper and Admin positions track the upcoming changes for review in October 2019 Business meeting.
• Proposal 4.1 – Propose assigning Allison M to the GROW Web-keeper position and assigning Tanya C to the GROW Admin position, both positions commencing April 2019.
• Proposal 5.1 – Propose opening the Backup Web-keeper position to the membership.

From the October meeting we will re-visit these 3 proposals:

• Proposal to have the topic on the first Sunday of each month be the step with the same number, i.e. January, Step. 1.
• Proposal to remove the sponsor list from the GROW website.
• Proposal to have the Sponsor Listkeeper work with the Temporary Mentor to assure newcomers have a temporary sponsor if they request one.

Participants in this meeting will also consider these new proposals:

• Proposal to update the job description for the Weekly Listkeeper
  Proposal to add language to the form letter sent by the Weekly Listkeeper if the job description is updated.
• Proposals to update the job description for the Sponsor Listkeeper

During the first three days of our meeting, we will discuss the 5 proposals related to the new WEB site. I will send out the proposals separately, calling for three days of discussion on each.

Respectfully yours,
Joan B.
GROW Business Chair
email

Apr 2019 – Business Meeting Welcome

I am Joan, an alcoholic, and your Business Chair for this meeting. Thank you for participating!

This is a closed meeting, open only to members of GROW, for the discussion of business as it relates to our group. Our business meetings run in four-day segments and last no more than 29 days.

I will post each Agenda item, one by one, in separate emails and **ask that you respond to each accordingly.** This makes it easier to “tally” the responses and suggestions to each item. We will have a three-day period of open discussion on each Agenda item. This, hopefully, will allow all members regardless of work schedules, time zones, etc. to participate and comment. At the beginning of the fourth day, I will post the results/consensus of our discussions.

Before we begin, let’s have a moment of silence to reflect on why we are here, followed by the Serenity Prayer.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.

In this Business Meeting, let us be guided by The Twelve Traditions:

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Let us all keep in mind our Unity of Service statement from the Grapevine of September 1998:

“Unity seldom means that we all agree on everything. Nor is unity served by setting aside our concerns and conforming to the majority opinion (or the vocal minority) . . . Unity is best achieved by a full hearing of all points of view . . . time for all of those involved to step back from emotional responses . . . as well as careful consideration and prayer for that which will best serve the group or AA as a whole.”

Thank you for being here and for your dedication to GROW.

Respectfully submitted,
Joan B.
GROW Business Chair
email