...should we wait until November to talk about Step 11?

If we are learning the steps- yes- likely that is a good idea. But when we are "practising these principals in all our affairs" we can turn to the step we need- for the moment. In my view, anyway.

This week I was reflecting on the "meet" in meeting.

I used to have terrible communication skills. Since then my hearing has improved a lot- and I can now pick up the timbre and nuance in people's voices. I seem to be able to relate to feelings a lot more- and not just words and thoughts.

I had to take "baby steps" initially.

Communication was a big gap in my learning.

"The loving interchange amongst members..."  ...something I took for granted. Something that grew on me.

I did not even trust my own thoughts and feelings! 

Looking forward to getting back to my F2F Alanon group. It is an hour's drive from home- up a gorge really. So I plan maybe to go once a month or so. I have told them- that s they get a male member who needs a sponsor I would be happy to step in there.

I still dream a lot!

If I was with a large group- with burgeoning membership- If...!  I would ask to have four or five meetings of the group each week- so that everyone does get a chance to share- if they want to.

The town where my group has it's meeting is a tourist town. Where a lot of people work shifts.

So having flexible meeting times might be an asset. 

I have been on furlough these last two weeks. I Have no idea if the meeting is still going! We had three members three weeks ago.

We got to an international yachting cup- on backpackers rates. It was awesome.

This last week we went to a national rowing regatta. There were a few grandparents there... but we had the bonus of having two grandkids competing.

It is early Sunday morning here. Being a former farmer I am up early- getting my day set up...

...thanks so much for this opportunity to share...  ...

David,

It is just one of the reasons why I love this forum... we can share our program, how we want, when we want! I always seemed to gravitate to those meetings that were more "freestyle" (when there was in-person meetings) anyway. I always hated the meetings that were run so rigidly that they couldn't accommodate changing their format to talk about what a newcomer might need to hear... I always thought that was super important, b/c newcomers are hurting, confused, seeking solace. Yes, I said, "hated." I never returned to those meetings btw... always searched for something more to my liking.
I find communicating in our "new normal" meetings (Zoom) kind of difficult due to technology issues...

I hope your grandkids were happy with their competition, and had fun!! I think their grandparents did!    

As always, thank you for the peek into your world... always fascinating to me!

&

Hello DavidG!! Happy Sunday to you!

I too like to hear about what is going on in your neck of the woods  

I can appreciate what you are saying about meetings, locations, times and

membership ability to attend.  Since the pandemic I've not attended any

f2f meetings.  Everyone here is very intent on getting vaccinated and the

new variants are causing great concern.  It must be lovely to be able to

watch your grand children participate in national rowing competitions.

Thank you for the share today and have a lovely Sunday as well.

  With you P. I can get to a zoom meeting where we read the steps, traditions, concepts of service and the warranties of the conference. We might get a reading and discussion from one of our readers. Possibly.

My original group- when we got a new member we threw open the meeting to Step 1. Each member got to explain how that got to the meeting- and got to talk about what they had learned.

19 times out of 20 this got the new member to open up and talk about why they had come along.

Concept 4: Participation is the key to harmony.   ...