The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Courage to Change, September 7, talks about what Tradition Seven really means when it says every Al-Anon group ought to be fully self-supporting. The writer's home group had enough finances, but no one would commit to service. The writer held several service positions in the group, but when the term of service was up, no one was willing to take on the position. The writer felt it was the most responsible choice to step down. The meeting closed. In the writer's opinion, a group that cannot fill its service positions is not fully self-supporting. In more flourishing groups, the writer saw how that as we nurture our groups, we nurture and empower ourselves .
Reminder: There's more to maintaining a fully self-supporting Al-Anon group than just paying the rent. Continuity of service is important to our common welfare. Today I will think about the contribution I am making to my home group.
Quote from Alateen a Day At A Time: I can support my group in a number of ways. When the basket is passed, I can give what I can. Just as important, I can give my time and moral support to help make ours the kind of group I want to belong to.
---------------------
Wow, this reading was meant for me. This is the exact situation I am facing in my home group. I've taken on one service position after another -- I had the time, ability, and desire to serve. I have a special feeling for this meeting place because it's where I attended my very first meeting. In the last year, the group has become smaller and less consistent. It's a surprise every week as to who will show up; it's been a different set of people each week. And guess what. Now I am doing all the essential service positions.
We can always get someone to chair the meeting on the spot -- but everything else has gone by the wayside or to me: treasurer, group rep, literature, opening the room. Although the work is not really a burden for me, and there is a lot of satisfaction in serving, I feel the current situation is not the Al-Anon way, and this page helps me understand why. I could call for a business meeting / group conscience -- but have no idea if anyone would attend. Any ESH on this situation would be most welcome!
Good morning Free time I agree service work is extemely important to the smooth running of any alanon group. One reading in the ODAT also points out that the member who merely shows up, listens with an open mind, also give invaluable servive to any group.
l Ove service ork as it allowed me to feel part of the group. Thanks for your servic.e
p
my first home group was small, including me, there were three. My current home group is just 4 or 5 years old. We've cut back from three meetings a week to two, of those two, one is usually pretty well attended, the other is not. We don't have a service board that I know of; we are so small, we cover the business in a group meeting. One thing I've been thinking about is that it might be nice to know who was going to unlock the door each meeting. Usually it is whoever gets there first, but sometimes no one with a key is there. It is a bit the flavor of the meeting that whoever shows up first takes care of set-up and chairing, on the other hand, there are also days like last night, when my service looked like showing up for a meeting and sitting alone for an hour in case anyone else came to the meeting. There are two founding members who take care of financial business and photocopying. I perceive a reluctance to share responsibility, but I might be reading that into the situation. I'm really unsure of whether I really think that there is an issue to be addressed and a need for a board and named service positions, or if I am so used to the structure of naming service roles from other spaces in my life that I want to impose that form here as well. In any case, today's reading was especially well-timed for me, as I had a good amount of time to reflect last night on our group structure
__________________
Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
Good morning MIP - thank you Freetime for the daily and your service. Thanks to all for the shares above. I feel so blessed that HP speaks through all for lessons daily. I am grateful that we are in a larger community, have many meetings and many members willing to serve. It is sad when a group goes away, yet I feel as the writer does - when one is doing all the service, the group is not aligned with the traditions.
We went through growing pains as our group grew and the founder was a bit resistant to letting go. We kindly and patiently kept showing up, trusting the process and moved forward with structuring that aligned with the service manual. It wasn't the easiest path, but it was rewarding at the end of the day.
Service work for me is a critical part of my recovery. I can not make room in my heart/mind for more growth unless I give away what others so freely gave to me. I'm grateful that I too have time to be of service and the willingness to do so. Make today a great day - rained out of golf again so adding a round tomorrow when the rain is to stop - yay!!! (((Hugs)))
__________________
Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Hey free time: thank you for your service. I so agree that service is so important. I try to do my little part It isnt much but I do what I feel I am qualified to do. Helping others with a problem, too. Giving my experience, strength and hope to others as well. Its not much but every little bit helps I think
