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.
Today's reading is about tradition seven, and what it takes for a group to be fully self-supporting.
The author reflects that self-supporting doesn't only involve paying rent, but that it also involves service positions, and people stepping up to make the group the kind of group that they want to belong to. In one of the author' groups, they had a service position and when their term came to an end, they stepped down. No one else was willing to step up, and that group closed. The author reflects that this group wasn't self-supporting because no one was willing to take on service positions to keep the group running. This experience helped the author understand their responsibility as it pertains to service positions and contributing to flourishing groups. We can each decide to make a contribution, and we can make choices that help ourselves and others heal.
Today's 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.
Today's Quote: "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." Alateen - a day at a time
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I like tradition seven, but I haven't thought about it being tied to decisions to close groups down. My home group was struggling before the pandemic. there were 3 people who were regularly in attendance twice a week, and if one of us wasn't there, the meeting might not happen. I had suggested posting our meeting times at the grocery store, in the local community paper, and starting a webpage so we were easy to find. We took a group conscience, and the group decided against my suggestions. They felt that this would be promotion, and that we needed to focus on attraction. My view was that we couldn't attract anyone if they didn't know we existed, but I went along with the group decision. I was relieved when the pandemic started and we stopped the meetings. I started attending a different meeting with my neighbor. Since it takes place in a rural community, the meeting is joint AA, NA, and Al-Anon, and readings are done from readers from each group in each meeting. This group is more self-sustaining, and I go to the meetings because I want to, not because I feel an obligation to the group, which helps me to put the focus on myself and what I am doing.
A while ago I ran into one of the group members from my old group. She mentioned thinking about starting the meeting back up again. I was non-committal, but upon further reflection, decided I wouldn't participate in restarting that group. Today's reading helps me to put into words where my discomfort lies. That group was not fully self-supporting in my opinion, and made decisions that didn't help it become more fully self-supporting through new members and passing along service opportunities. My own recovery was harmed by the obligation I felt to show up, even when my needs weren't being met. For me, my new home group is a better fit because I do engage in service each meeting, but I can also miss a meeting and be confident that the group will continue without me.
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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
Thank you Skorpi for your service and share. I volunteered for set up at my group and was a no show for over a month. I finally got the courage to go back and everyone was glad to see me. I felt sheepish for not living up to my responsibility but it taught me to forgive myself and move on. Also, I feel included (not that the members were not accepting) and the job gives me a reason to go to the meeting whether I feel like it or not. Being there early gives me a chance to meet and greet most in attendance which opens up my sprit for listening and learning.
