Group Business Meetings
Structure, Agenda & Topics
Size of the group often determines how the business meetings are structured.
Some are very formalized with set agendas and an appointed chairperson.
Regular reports from the information service representative (ISR), Group
Representative (GR), group secretary and treasurer are given. Other meetings
are freewheeling discussions led by whomever calls the meeting with almost
all decisions reached by consensus. Any subject qualifies for group conscience
consideration. It may be the approval of using group funds for sending
the GR to the district meeting or area assembly, or determining if the
group wishes to recite a closing prayer and which prayer will be used.
It might be polices such as: Will AA events be announced only if Al-Anon
participation is included? Should there be a special collection for the
local information service, area, assembly or World Service Office (WSO)?
The list is endless.
Arriving at an Informed Group Conscience
The majority uses the Twelve Steps and Traditions, service guidelines
and Concepts, along with Al-Anon Slogans to help them reach decisions.
One member shared, "Our Steps cover any personal conflict."
Other members state that "principles above personalities" and
" our common welfare should come first" are tools used by their
groups to reach decisions. Regardless of the problem, each group inevitably
turns to the Traditions and Concepts when faced with group conscience
decisions. "It is wonderful to watch how well the Al-Anon Traditions
and Concepts work at business meetings. I have never come across a problem
that could not be solved," was yet another comment. When the group
is in the process of becoming informed, the opportunity presents itself
for all points of view to be heard. While all members may not be satisfied
with the final vote, no one individual is responsible – members
know the decision represents the will of the group at a given moment.
Frequency, Scheduling and Encouraging Participation
How often business meetings are held varies greatly from "never"
to "weekly, during the regular Al-Anon meeting" to "monthly,
prior to or immediately following the regular meeting" to "infrequently,
when the group conscience dictates the need." When asked, many shared
the all too familiar comment that whenever announcements are made for
the group business meeting, "the groaning gets tough and the tough
get going" to the nearest coffee shop, mall or home.
The NYC chapter of Al-anon family Intergroup suggests as a minimum,
holding quarterly business meetings scheduled for: March, June, Sept &
Dec.
Groups that have found ways of increasing participation at business
meetings share their successful strategies:
We changed the name to "group conscience" and find members
respond better because it is in keeping with the spirit of Al-Anon.
We urge new members to participate. It helps them feel a part of the
group.
Have a definite time limit, the shorter the business meeting, the greater
the attendance!
Have a potluck lunch, supper or refreshments; go for coffee afterwards
Close the regular meeting 15 minutes early and then start the Business
Meeting.
Announce the meeting and topics two to three weeks in advance.
Format
Many sample formats were sent to the WSO in response to the Inside Al-Anon
appeal. All showed a genuine concern and value for their group, the recovery
it offers and the democratic spirit of Al-Anon as a whole. Many explained
how their group developed its format, its needs, experience, successes,
and mishaps. In general, the formats consisted of some or most of the
elements listed below.
Tips and Topics
Open with a moment of silence and the Serenity Prayer
Meeting chaired by a group program chairperson or group representative
Reading of Steps, Traditions, and/or Concepts of Service
Division of agenda into old and new business sections
Group officer and trusted servants reports, e.g. Group Representative,
Treasurer, Secretary, Information Service Representative
Sharing activities from the district, information service and/or
area
Reading announcements such as group anniversaries/gratitude dinners,
holiday potlucks, new literature releases, WSO quarterly Seventh Tradition
appeal letters
Report backs and/or approval of literature orders
Support for Alateen and appeals for Alateen sponsors
Voting on issues from the group meeting, district or area, or returning
to the overall group for a group conscience decision
Public Information work such as placing meeting information in newspaper
community calendars
Deciding on the routine operation for the group such as refreshments,
babysitting, meeting topics, and election of officers
Discussion of special concerns such as closings, smoking vs. nonsmoking,
the use or display of outside literature, crosstalk, discussion of religion
or therapy, or lack of funds
Planning of special events such as a group anniversary, gratitude
meeting, open meeting, special speaker, or participation in an AA
event
Closing with a prayer
From among the many formats submitted, it was clear that there is
no one right, universal or absolute format that must be followed or
is totally suitable for all groups. But there was one consistent message
from all who share: We feel secure because we are able to resolve
conflict and our group is healthy because we are "taking care
of business."
The bottom line business meetings:
help groups avoid chaos and maintain unity. Control by a "Mr. Or
Mrs. Al-Anon" type and an atmosphere of survival on a crisis-to-crisis
basis are averted. Frustration and disagreements can be handled because
the group holds business meetings.
Group conscience is the guiding light of Al-Anon business meetings.
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