1074.ability. It would be advisable to make a list of all the
1075.persons I had hurt or with whom I had bad relations. People I
1078.any feeling of resentment towards them . Under no sircumstances
1084.matters right insofar as I possibly could. Under no circumstances
1085.was I to engage in argument or controversy. My own wrong doing
1086.was to be admitted and set right and that was all. Assurance was
1088.right thing. Again I was warned that obviously I could not
1090.discretion should be used lest others should be hurt. This sort
1092.that the job could be done without harm to anyone. One could
1095.strictly confidential basis. Great was to be taken that one
1097.such a pretext . The willingness to go the limit a s fast had
1098.to be at all times present. This principle of making amends
1102.ness . This sort of discipline would helped me to see others as
1106.playing symptoms of spiritual ill health .
1107. one is not usually angry or critical of another when he
1108. suffers from some grave bodily illness and I would
1110. by those burdened by their own wrong thinking . I was to
1111. entertain towards everyone a quite new feeling of tolerance
1112. patience and helpfulness I would recognize more and more
1113. that when I became critical or resentful I must at all
1114. costs realize that such things were very wrong in me
1115. and that in some form otro or other I still had the very
1116. defects of which I complained in others. Much emphasis
1117. was placed on the development of this of mind toward others.
1118. No stone should be left unturned to acheive this end.
1119. The constant practice of this principle frequently ask-
1120. ing God for His help in making it work under trying
112l. circumstances was absolutely imperative . The drunkard
1122. especially had to be most rigorous on this point for one
1125. burst of anger or self pity might so shut him out from his
1124. new found strength that he would drink again and with us
1125. that always means calamity and sometimes death.
1126. This was indeed a program, the thought of some of the
1127. things I would have admit about myself to other people
1129. plain that I had been ruined by my own colosal egotism
1130. and selfishness, not only in respect to drinking but with
1131. regard to everything else. Drinking had been a symptom
1132. of these things. Alcohol had submerged my inferiorities
1134. and I had some fatally affected , my thinking and action
1135. was woefully distorted thru infection from the mire of
1136. self pity, resentment, fear and remorse in which I now
1137. wallowed . The motive behind a certain amount of generosity,
1138. kindness and the meticulous honesty in some directions
1139. upon which I had prided myself was not perhaps not so
1140. good after all. The motive had been to get personal
1141. satisfaction for myself, perhaps not entirely but on the
1142. whole this was true. I had sought the glow which comes
1144. I began to see how actions good in themselves might avail
1145. little because of wrong motive , I had been like the man
1146. who feels that all is well after he has condesendingly
1147. taken turkeys to the poor at Xmas time . How clear it
1148. suddenly became that all of my thought and action, both
1149. good and bad, had arisen out of a desire to make myself
1150. happy and satisfied. I had been self centered instead of
1151. God centered. It was now easy to understand why the taking
1153. program of action which would place himx would bring
1154. results. How evident et became that mere faith in God
1155. was not enough. Faith had to be demonstrated by works
1156. and there could be no works or any worth while demonstrations
1157. until I had fitted myself for the undertaking and had be-
1158. come a suitable table agent thru which God might express Himself.
1159. There had to be a tremendous personal housecleaning, a
1160. sweeping away of the debris of past willfullness , a restoring
1161. of broken relationships and a firm resolve to make God's
1162. will my will . I must stop forcing things , I must stop
1163. trying to mold people and situations to my own liking.
1164. Nearly every one is taught that human willpower and ambition
1165. if good ends are sought are desirable attributes. I too
1166. had clung to that conception but I saw that it was not good
1167. enough, nor big enough , nor powerful enough . My own will had
1168. failed in many areas of my live. With respect to
1169. alcohol it had become absolutely inoperative . My ambitions,
1170. which had seemed worthy at some time, had been frustrated.
1171. Even had I been successful , the pursuit of my desires
1172. would have perhaps harmed others add their realization
1173. would have added little or nothing to anyone's peace,
1174. happiness or usefulness. I began to see that the clashing
1175. ambitions and designs of even those who sought what to them
1176. seemed worthy ends , have filled the world with discord and
1177. misery . Perhaps people of this sort created more havouqx
1178. havoc than those confessedly immoral and krucked croocked
1179. I saw even the most useful people die unhappy and defeated.
1180. All because some one else had behaved badly or they had
[archivist's note: the rest of this manuscript is currently missing]
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++++Message 6501. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Question regarding Area
appointing trusted servants rather than electing....
From: lee . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/1/2010 11:57:00 PM
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The District Committee can do whatever the majority agrees upon. I would
other similar AA entities do. The long-established method of seating
and secretaries is by election. I have never heard of it being done any
way. If the District officers are chosen by one person on the basis of
bypassed the "loving God" as expressed in the group conscience. It sounds
power grab and demagogic to me. I do think that the DCM should have the
failed in their duties, to replace them. A call to GSO might provide a
guidance here.
wrote:
>
> You might look at the AA Service Manual, Concept I.
>
>
> On 4/21/2010 1:58 PM, luv2shop wrote:
> >
> > Hi everyone!
> >
> > I have a question but first here is the scenario. I am truly not
> > looking for a debate, just if anyone has any experience with this and
> > could point me in the correct direction......
> >
> > Our District is wanting to change our service structure to where the
> > current chairman "appoints" the treasurer and secretary of the
> > district. In the past these positions have been filled through
> > elections. The rationale is that the chairman/person would be able to
> > appoint people to these positions that he/she feels comfortable with
> > and personally knows that they can perform the dutites. Tradition 2
> > states, in part, that "....our leaders are but trusted servants they
> > do not govern..." One (of the many) definitions of govern it to
> > "appoint." What if there are two people equally qualified in every way
> > but the chairperson chose his/her buddy because they are comfortable?
> >
> > Now the question. After reading the scenario, does anyone know where I
> > could find out more about this and educate myself? Is there anything
> > in literature anywhere that has dealt with this in the past? I would
> > greatly appreciate hearing from you and pointing me in the right
> > research direction.
> >
> > Thank you for everything that is done in this group! It is such a
> > treasure trove of information!!
> >
> > Yours in the fellowship
> > Donna W.
> >
> >
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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++++Message 6502. . . . . . . . . . . . Women & Spirit
From: FAMBD . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/2/2010 2:21:00 PM
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http://www.womenandspirit.org/index.html
The Women & Spirit Exhibition is touring the US and will be in Cleveland
Ohio
from 09-MAY. Part of the exhibition is devoted to Ignatia and her work. The
material has been provided by the Sisters of Charity of St Augustine.
The link above is to the website which gives dates etc of where the
exhibition
will be.
Regards
Fiona
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++++Message 6503. . . . . . . . . . . . RE: minority voice report
From: Tim DeRan . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/2/2010 5:05:00 PM
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"I am curious as to where, when and how the use of the "minority voice
report" was installed as a function of AA business meetings....
While I am pretty well versed in Roberts Rules of Order, I cannot recall
any such function, other than a motion to reconsider which requires a 2/3
vote. I cannot find mention of the minority voice report otherwise and was
hoping someone knew where and when this became a part of AA business meeting
protocol."
Look in the Service Manual.
tmd
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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++++Message 6504. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: minority voice report
From: Remi K. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/2/2010 5:14:00 PM
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Concept V, found in the "secret" AA Service Manual, allows for the
"Right of Appeal", assuring that minority opinion will be heard.
It's testimonial of our co-founder Bill W.'s incredible foresight for
drafting the 12 Concepts... relinquishing the power and authority to the
fellowship.
In service,
Remi
doclandis@aol.com wrote:
>
> I am curious as to where, when and how the use of the "minority voice
> report" was installed as a function of AA business meetings.
>
> The question arose from a vote that was recently taken in our District
> Meeting regarding an AA function over the Founders Day weekend that
> includes
> a history skit, and then a spaghetti dinner. Apparently a few members
> felt
> it was not OK for the District to ask for donations to cover the cost of
> the
> meal, and when the project was approved by a vote of 5-2, those who did
> not
> support the project have demanded a "minority voice report" at the
> following
> months meeting.
>
> While I am pretty well versed in Roberts Rules of Order, I cannot recall
> any
> such function, other than a motion to reconsider which requires a 2/3
> vote.
> I cannot find mention of the minority voice report otherwise and was
> hoping
> someone knew where and when this became a part of AA business meeting
> protocol.
>
> thanks,
>
> Mark in the North Georgia Mountains
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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++++Message 6505. . . . . . . . . . . . RE: Re: Question regarding Area
appointing trusted servants rather than electing....
From: Tim DeRan . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/2/2010 5:02:00 PM
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"Is there anything in literature anywhere that has dealt with this in the
past?
I would greatly appreciate hearing from you and pointing me in the right
research direction."
You're best source of any information on this is the Service Manual. After
that
you might look in AA Comes Of Age. But, there is little that I know of that
speaks to this question.
However, I would point out something that I know of from personal experience
both in the organization and structure of AA and outside of it. One of the
reasons positions such as you speak of is to have a diversity of opinions,
experience and training. Having someone appoint people they are comfortable
with is dangerous in that while it might not happen, it could lead to a
committee of yes men who follow along behind the appointing authority. And,
being selected to sit in a position by someone has the possiblity of making
the
appointed in debt to the appointer.
In the end that tradition about ultimate authority in the group conscience
is
the ultimate authority and if an area, district or whatever decided to
follow
down a path they also have to live with the consequences of that choice.
Much
thought and deliberation needs to go into making decisions such as these.
tmd
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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++++Message 6506. . . . . . . . . . . . Bill W acknowlesdges Sam Shoemaker
as the 3rd co-founder of AA in 1963
From: tuchypalmieri . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/3/2010 4:27:00 AM
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IN MEMORY OF Dr. SAM
By B. W.
On Thursday October 31st 1963 Dr. Sam
Shoemaker, The great Episcopal clergyman
and first friend of A. A. Passed from our sight
and hearing. He was one of those few without whose
ministration A. A. could never have been born in the
first place nor prospered since
From his teaching Dr Bob and I absorbed most of the
principles that were later embodied in the Twelve Steps of
A. A. Our ideas of self –examination, acknowledgement
of character defect s, restitution for harms done, and
working with others came straight from Sam. Therefore
he gave to us the concrete knowledge of what we could
do about our illness; he passed to us spiritual keys by
which so many of us have since been liberated
We who in A. A. early time were privileged to fall under
the spell of his inspiration can never be the same again.
We shall bless Sam's memory forever
Reprinted by permission from the book "And thy
neighbor" by Sam Shoemaker
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++++Message 6507. . . . . . . . . . . . RE: minority voice report
From: Jenny or Laurie Andrews . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/2/2010 3:50:00 PM
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Perhaps it derives from Concept Five: "Throughout our structure, a
traditional
'Right of Appeal' ought to prevail, so that minority opinion will be heard
and
personal grievances receive careful consideration." Bill elaborates on this
in
his essay on the concept.
To: aahistorylovers@yahoogroups.com
From: doclandis@aol.com
Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 15:14:06 -0400
Subject: [AAHistoryLovers] minority voice report
I am curious as to where, when and how the use of the "minority voice
report" was installed as a function of AA business meetings.
The question arose from a vote that was recently taken in our District
Meeting regarding an AA function over the Founders Day weekend that
includes
a history skit, and then a spaghetti dinner. Apparently a few members
felt
it was not OK for the District to ask for donations to cover the cost of
the
meal, and when the project was approved by a vote of 5-2, those who did
not
support the project have demanded a "minority voice report" at the
following
months meeting.
While I am pretty well versed in Roberts Rules of Order, I cannot recall
any
such function, other than a motion to reconsider which requires a 2/3
vote.
I cannot find mention of the minority voice report otherwise and was
hoping
someone knew where and when this became a part of AA business meeting
protocol.
thanks,
Mark in the North Georgia Mountains
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
_________________________________________________________________
http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/195013117/direct/01/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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++++Message 6508. . . . . . . . . . . . AA Historical books Reprinted and
now available a low prices
From: tuchypalmieri . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/3/2010 4:21:00 AM
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Reprinted by Healing-habits.com available @ amazon
Classic republished Gems
"When Man Listens" Cecil Rose Was very Rare
A book of how to Listen to God.
In His preface Cecil Rose writes ?The chapters of this book are an attempt
to
set down briefly the simple elements of Christian living. I believe that
there
is nothing in them which cannot be found in the New Testament?. What Cecil
Rose
wrote was a model for living that went beyond the Christian faith. It became
one
of the sources of the 12 Step recovery program. Which has brought many
people to
God. It embodies universal principles that serves all of mankind. It is an
excellent guide for ; People of the Christian faith People who are
struggling
with their 12 step program. People seeking to deepen their Spiritual/
religious
connection People who are seeking to live a life of honor and integrity in a
world in filled with the opposite It is my honor and pleasure to have Cecil
Roses work reborn through this reprinting so that the masses can have access
to
his words and the principles he speaks of.
"Twice Born men" Harold Begbie.
A Famous English Author of the early 1900's writes stories of downtrodden
people
who were saved by the works of the Salvation Army. A movement that started
in
England and has spread to 116 countries today
"The Genius of Fellowship/ conversion of the Church" Sam Shoemaker
The Man who started it all.
Sam Shoemaker a pioneer in both the Oxford group movement and AA. presents
in
his book "The conversion Of The Church" How the Church needs to operate like
a
fellowship and that in reality the Fellowship is the Church. Sam mentions in
his
Forward that the original church was often called the fellowship. AA is
often
referred to as the Fellowship. Sam devotes an entire Chapter to the genius
of
fellowship. There he emphasizes the Importance of fellowship in The Church.
"When the Church is alive the desire for fellowship is alive. Sam gives his
definition of real fellowship. "the core and genius of real fellowship as I
see
it, is the power to live and work with people upon the basis of absolute
love
and honesty"
"Children of the second Birth" Sam Shoemaker
The movement that helped Bill W to recover
An early Sam Shoemaker book originally published in the 1920s, Children of
the
Second Birth is filled with stories of men and women who had their lives
changed
by turning to God; stories of people who, under the guidance of Sam,
utilized
the Oxford Group principles and found miracles. These men and women came
from
the depths of desperation and despair to places of happiness and joy. The
touching journeys that they went through gave others the hope that they too
could have a new life filled with peace and serenity. People today can
achieve
the same results as the people mentioned in this book. All that is required
is
to follow what they did. May these true-life accounts help you or your loved
ones find the Happiness of God.
"Life Changers 13th edition" Harold Begbie
Frank Buchman The man who started the oxford movement
Life Changers is comprised of century-old stories of men who had their lives
changed so profoundly and so dramatically that the original book was
reprinted
12 times. Now 100 years later, with its 13th printing, this precious classic
is
set to change the lives of many more men and women. The words in this book
are
as true today as they were then. Life Changers is also about a man, Frank
Buchman, who was first and foremost a teacher. Buchman could change the
lives of
students and scholars in the course of a single conversation; changing those
lives so profoundly and persuasively that the world was in disbelief.
Buchman
started a movement that reached the shores of America and lives today in the
form of many 12-step programs. While the original movement was founded on
Christianity, its principles and ideas moved beyond religion and
Christianity
into a more generic spiritual movement.
The Common Sense of Drinking
Written by Richard Peabody in the early 1930s, "The Common Sense of
Drinking"
describes alcoholism and the behavior of many alcoholics. Divided into four
sections, the book carefully details the condition of alcoholism, along with
the
diagnosis of the disease, first steps towards successful treatment, and "the
cure made effective." Republished in 2009 by Tuchy Palmieri as "To Drink or
Not
To Drink: The Common Sense of Drinking," this book, although somewhat dated
in
parts, still serves as a wonderful resource for anyone interested in
studying
the early research on the condition of alcoholism.
Twice Born Ministers
Twice-Born Ministers is a book of 12 personal stories of 12 ministers who
were
reborn and re-energized to do the real work of ministry by helping people to
become faithful followers in every sense of the word, specifically being
reborn
themselves to Christ and to his calling for them to do his work.
Inspired Children
Olive M. Jones written by the former President of The National Education
Association. It is a book about how the Oxford Group principles work in
lives of
children. True stories about real children and how their lives have been
transformed by employing the principles and making God real to children. Sam
Shoemaker in his introduction makes the point that he knew most of the
children
and that they were the happiest children he has ever known
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++++Message 6509. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Re: Question regarding Area
appointing trusted servants rather than electing....
From: Dolores . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/4/2010 8:14:00 AM
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Hi Lee, When I read what you have written. I thought of the General Service
Conference. That the Groups are the most important members and they vote to
send a GSR to the Area meeing. Here on the Continent, Intergroup is the next
group. There we express our voice in AA, by voting for the Chair, Sec. and
Treasurer. And this goes on to our Region and I believe in the States,
Districts, where again the members vote for the Chair, Sec and Treas. The
way
you said it was suggested seems like a business and AA is not a Business, we
are
a Fellowship. Our inverted Triangle helps us to remember that in service we
are trusted servants. All about this can be read in the "Language of the
Heart", a highly recommended book. In this structure that Bill W. gave us ,
we
have a voice. Please let me know how things turned our in your group. Yours
in AA, Dolores
----- Original Message -----
From: lee
To: AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2010 5:57 AM
Subject: [AAHistoryLovers] Re: Question regarding Area appointing trusted
servants rather than electing....
The District Committee can do whatever the majority agrees upon. I would
vote
against such a motion. We have more Traditions than the formal Twelve. AA's
other Traditions are dictated by what's done over time and in concert with
what
other similar AA entities do. The long-established method of seating
treasurers
and secretaries is by election. I have never heard of it being done any
other
way. If the District officers are chosen by one person on the basis of
friendship, personal preference or subjective evaluation, we have completely
bypassed the "loving God" as expressed in the group conscience. It sounds
like a
power grab and demagogic to me. I do think that the DCM should have the
authority to appoint Standing Committee Chairpersons as he/she may have a
good
sense on these appointments and later would have the choice, if the Chairs
failed in their duties, to replace them. A call to GSO might provide a
little
guidance here.
lee
--- In AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com, Jim Robbins
wrote:
>
> You might look at the AA Service Manual, Concept I.
>
>
> On 4/21/2010 1:58 PM, luv2shop wrote:
> >
> > Hi everyone!
> >
> > I have a question but first here is the scenario. I am truly not
> > looking for a debate, just if anyone has any experience with this and
> > could point me in the correct direction......
> >
> > Our District is wanting to change our service structure to where the
> > current chairman "appoints" the treasurer and secretary of the
> > district. In the past these positions have been filled through
> > elections. The rationale is that the chairman/person would be able to
> > appoint people to these positions that he/she feels comfortable with
> > and personally knows that they can perform the dutites. Tradition 2
> > states, in part, that "....our leaders are but trusted servants they
> > do not govern..." One (of the many) definitions of govern it to
> > "appoint." What if there are two people equally qualified in every way
> > but the chairperson chose his/her buddy because they are comfortable?
> >
> > Now the question. After reading the scenario, does anyone know where I
> > could find out more about this and educate myself? Is there anything
> > in literature anywhere that has dealt with this in the past? I would
> > greatly appreciate hearing from you and pointing me in the right
> > research direction.
> >
> > Thank you for everything that is done in this group! It is such a
> > treasure trove of information!!
> >
> > Yours in the fellowship
> > Donna W.
> >
> >
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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++++Message 6510. . . . . . . . . . . . RE: Re: Question regarding Area
appointing trusted servants rather than electing....
From: ricktompkins . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/3/2010 9:37:00 PM
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In my experience and from what I've seen around the Fellowship, an
"appointed" service position is many times "Ad Hoc."
Ad Hoc can mean two things: 1) specific length of time or to accomplish a
specific goal, or 2) service in a specific task or position.
The AAWS Board and its service committees, for as long as I can remember,
have had Appointed Committee Members who serve Ad Hoc assisting the work of
the committee. I remember when the Fourth Edition stories were being
reviewed, Trustees Literature Committee had AAs as Appointed Committee
Members to help with its work. An old friend and past Delegate, who has
since passed away, applied for such a position when the Board request was
made, and his first 'assignment' was assisting in editing down the second AA
history book that languished through a few General Service Conference in the
early 1990s and never received approval to publish. The result of the
editing was "Collected Observations of AA" that was (and possibly still is,
in geographic-related sections from the AA Archives at GSO) available to
archivists working within the service structure. His next task was reviewing
submitted Fourth Edition personal stories for further consideration by
Trustees Literature. Then, when it came close to the time for final
Conference approval of the Fourth Edition, his work was done.
As to my Delegate Area and its Appointments, we have a few: Area Archivist
and Area Newsletter Editor come to mind. These are non-rotating service
positions that are loosely reaffirmed every two years, at the beginning of
the year following an Area election year. Our current Newsletter Editor has
been serving for over 10 years.
The Area Chairperson appoints these trusted servants and the Assembly
ratifies the selections by acclamation.
Hope this helps with your question; Ad Hoc is one effective way to look at
appointments. Example 1, I served my Area twice as Historian, once to
complete its history and a second time to update it, both times before the
Assembly's approval to publish it. Example 2, I was later appointed Area
Archivist and served for 5 years before my election to the Area Secretary
Committee---to establish an archives repository and manage the archival
items.
Rick, Illinois
In the end that tradition about ultimate authority in the group conscience
is the ultimate authority and if an area, district or whatever decided to
follow down a path they also have to live with the consequences of that
choice. Much thought and deliberation needs to go into making decisions such
as these.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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++++Message 6511. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Re: Question regarding Area
appointing trusted servants...
From: Baileygc23@aol.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/5/2010 4:27:00 AM
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Benign anarchy and democracy is as Bill W said. He also said, They do not
govern.
In a message dated 5/5/2010 12:53:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
dolli@dr-rinecker.de writes:
Our inverted Triangle helps us to remember that in service we are trusted
servants.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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++++Message 6512. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Question regarding Area
appointing trusted servants rather than electing....
From: gvanrobinson . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/5/2010 11:37:00 AM
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Donna,
Our Area used to allow the Area Chairperson to appoint the Area Secretary. A
while back it was the decision of the Area Fellowship that the Secretary
should
be an elected position. It was decided that this change would better serve
the
Area by allowing the Ultimate Authority to decide who would be allowed to
serve.
Now, that is not saying that this is the way everyone should do things,
which
leads me to my suggestion of literature one might consider in instances like
this.
It begins with Tradition 4 - Each group should be autonomous except in
matters
affecting other groups or AA as a whole. - Any response from GSO will most
likely refer you to this Tradition. Each Group, Intergroup, District, or
Area
is free do conduct their business however they wish provided that, in doing
so,
they don't interfere with any other AA body's ability to do the same.
Translation: Your District can absolutely allow your chair to appoint other
positions if they want to. If, at some point, they decide it doesn't work,
they
can change it back.
The guiding principles for this can be found in the 12 Concepts, a.k.a. "the
best kept secret in AA." In particular Concept 2 which speaks to the
delegation
of authority, and Concept 10 which speaks to service authority. More
importantly however, I would refer you to Concept 9 which speaks to the
importance of good service leaders and "sound and appropriate methods of
choosing them ..."
The bottom line is this: I doubt that you will ever find any definitive
answer
as to how your district should conduct your business, but, I am convinced
that,
by reviewing the guiding principles that our founders labored to leave us as
their legacy, one can find Good Orderly Direction.
Good luck.
GVR
--- In AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com, "luv2shop" wrote:
>
> Hi everyone!
>
> I have a question but first here is the scenario. I am truly not looking
for
a debate, just if anyone has any experience with this and could point me in
the
correct direction......
>
>
> Our District is wanting to change our service structure to where the
current
chairman "appoints" the treasurer and secretary of the district. In the past
these positions have been filled through elections. The rationale is that
the
chairman/person would be able to appoint people to these positions that
he/she
feels comfortable with and personally knows that they can perform the
dutites.
Tradition 2 states, in part, that "....our leaders are but trusted servants
they
do not govern..." One (of the many) definitions of govern it to "appoint."
What if there are two people equally qualified in every way but the
chairperson
chose his/her buddy because they are comfortable?
>
> Now the question. After reading the scenario, does anyone know where I
could
find out more about this and educate myself? Is there anything in literature
anywhere that has dealt with this in the past? I would greatly appreciate
hearing from you and pointing me in the right research direction.
>
> Thank you for everything that is done in this group! It is such a treasure
trove of information!!
>
> Yours in the fellowship
> Donna W.
>
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++++Message 6513. . . . . . . . . . . . RE: Re: Question regarding Area
appointing trusted servants rather than electing....
From: J. Lobdell . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/5/2010 5:57:00 AM
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When my wife was appointed as a Trustees' Committee Member in 2000, she
submitted the same kind of resume (cv) required for application to be
considered
as a Director or Trustee, through the Delegate from her Area, was
interviewed by
the Secretary and the current Trustee Chairman of the Committee, then her
name
was submitted to the Conference (with the names of nominated Trustees and
Directors) and approved. In the appointment of the Area Archivist, I believe
the local Area (59) -- like Rick's Area --requires at least Area Committee
(if
not Assembly) approval, so that, if if the Archivist is appointed, it's the
Area
Committee that does the appointing. The Appointed Committee Members of
Trustees' Committees serve regular four-year terms, or at least that was
what my
wife served -- not ad-hoc for a specific task. Also, Area 59 has ad-hoc
Committees, but those AAs serving as Chairs, and the members of the
Committees,
are appointed for a term certain of two years. In the most recent panel, the
Committees (Literature, Corrections, Treatment, CPC, PI, etc.) elected their
own
chairmen/ chairwomen, from among their members.
> To: AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com
> From: ricktompkins@comcast.net
> Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 20:37:26 -0500
> Subject: RE: [AAHistoryLovers] Re: Question regarding Area appointing
trusted
servants rather than electing....
>
> In my experience and from what I've seen around the Fellowship, an
> "appointed" service position is many times "Ad Hoc."
>
> Ad Hoc can mean two things: 1) specific length of time or to accomplish a
> specific goal, or 2) service in a specific task or position.
>
>
>
> The AAWS Board and its service committees, for as long as I can remember,
> have had Appointed Committee Members who serve Ad Hoc assisting the work
of
> the committee. I remember when the Fourth Edition stories were being
> reviewed, Trustees Literature Committee had AAs as Appointed Committee
> Members to help with its work. An old friend and past Delegate, who has
> since passed away, applied for such a position when the Board request was
> made, and his first 'assignment' was assisting in editing down the second
AA
> history book that languished through a few General Service Conference in
the
> early 1990s and never received approval to publish. The result of the
> editing was "Collected Observations of AA" that was (and possibly still
is,
> in geographic-related sections from the AA Archives at GSO) available to
> archivists working within the service structure. His next task was
reviewing
> submitted Fourth Edition personal stories for further consideration by
> Trustees Literature. Then, when it came close to the time for final
> Conference approval of the Fourth Edition, his work was done.
>
>
>
> As to my Delegate Area and its Appointments, we have a few: Area Archivist
> and Area Newsletter Editor come to mind. These are non-rotating service
> positions that are loosely reaffirmed every two years, at the beginning of
> the year following an Area election year. Our current Newsletter Editor
has
> been serving for over 10 years.
>
> The Area Chairperson appoints these trusted servants and the Assembly
> ratifies the selections by acclamation.
>
>
>
> Hope this helps with your question; Ad Hoc is one effective way to look at
> appointments. Example 1, I served my Area twice as Historian, once to
> complete its history and a second time to update it, both times before the
> Assembly's approval to publish it. Example 2, I was later appointed Area
> Archivist and served for 5 years before my election to the Area Secretary
> Committee---to establish an archives repository and manage the archival
> items.
>
>
>
> Rick, Illinois
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> In the end that tradition about ultimate authority in the group conscience
> is the ultimate authority and if an area, district or whatever decided to
> follow down a path they also have to live with the consequences of that
> choice. Much thought and deliberation needs to go into making decisions
such
> as these.
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with
Hotmail.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendar&ocid=PID28
326:\
:T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_5 [13]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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++++Message 6514. . . . . . . . . . . . Judge sentences man to get AA
sponsor
From: diazeztone . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/9/2010 4:33:00 PM
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Judge sentences a man to "obtain an Alcoholics
Anonymous sponsor." Has any one heard of this
before?
St Cloud, Minnesota, News
Dwight King Alexander, 34, St. Cloud; terroristic threats, Nov. 21, 2009;
imposition of sentence stayed on five years probation and 58 days in jail,
fined
$50 plus surcharges, ordered to complete a chemical dependency evaluation
and
domestic abuse program and follow recommendations, abstain from alcohol and
non-prescribed mood-altering substances, undergo random urinalysis, provide
a
DNA sample, have no same or similar violations during probation, remain law
abiding, have no contact with the victim, sign releases, attend weekly
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, obtain an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor and
participate in domestic violence court and comply with requirements. Judge:
Grunke.
LD Pierce
aabibliography.com
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++++Message 6515. . . . . . . . . . . . Why was Fitz''s alcoholic problem so
complex?
From: martinholmes76@ymail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/10/2010 4:17:00 AM
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In the Big Book, in the Doctor's Opinion (p. xxxi) it says "this man's
alcoholic
problem was so complex". Why was his problem so complex?
- - - -
From Glenn C., the moderator: in trying to evaluate why Dr. Silkworth might
have
made this comment about Fitz Mayo, it would be well to run through some
background.
Dr. Silkworth's entire statement on the matter is found in the Big Book 4th
ed.,
on pp. xxxi-xxxii:
<case brought in by a physician prominent in New York.
The patient had made his own diagnosis and deciding his
situation hopeless, had hidden in a deserted barn deter-
mined to die. He was rescued by a searching party, and,
in desperate condition, brought to me. Following his
physical rehabilitation, he had a talk with me in which he
frankly stated he thought the treatment a waste of effort,
unless I could assure him, which no one ever had, that in
the future he would have the "will power" to resist the
impulse to drink.
His alcoholic problem was so complex and his depres-
sion so great, that we felt his only hope would be through
what we then called "moral psychology", and we doubted
if even that would have any effect.
However, he did become "sold" on the ideas contained
in this book. He has not had a drink for a great
many years [Fitz got sober in October 1935]. I see
him now and then and he is as fine a specimen of
manhood as one could wish to meet.>>
- - - -
The man in this story who had hidden in a barn was Fitz Mayo. His story in
the
BB is "Our Southern Friend."
- - - -
From silkworth.net:
"Our Southern Friend"
John H. F. (Fitz) M., Cumberstone, Maryland
(p. 226 in 1st edition, p. 460 in 2nd edition, p. 497 in 3rd edition, and p.
208
in 4th edition. In the first three editions it appeared under the section
"They
Nearly Lost All.")
They Lost Nearly All
"Pioneer A.A., minister's son, and southern farmer, he asked, 'Who am I to
say
there is no God?'"
Fitz' date of sobriety was October 1935. He was Bill's second or third
success
at 12th stepping after he returned from Akron in 1935. The first was Hank P.
("The Unbeliever" in the 1st edition), and the second probably William R.,
"A
Business Man's Recovery" in the 1st edition.)
Fitz has been described as a blue blood from Maryland. Alcoholism may have
run
in his mother's side of the family. Fitz was, reportedly, quite handsome,
with
chiseled features. He had the quiet, easy charm of the landed gentry.
Indeed, he
was quite the Southern gentleman. Lois W. said Fitz was an impractical,
lovable
dreamer. His intellectual, scholarly qualities gave him common ground with
Bill
who - like Fitz - was also a dreamer.
He was the son of an Episcopalian minister. Alcoholism may have run in his
mother's side of the family. They never drank at home, but when Fitz took
his
first drink when at college, he discovered that it removed his fear and
sense of
inferiority.
He attempted to enlist during World War I, but could not pass the physical.
This
added to his sense of inferiority.
He had a good job with a large corporation until the Great Depression. Later
he
worked at various jobs: traveling salesman, teacher and farmer. But he
couldn't
stop drinking. He was drunk when his mother-in-law died, when his own mother
died, when his child was born.
His wife had heard of Towns Hospital in New York and urged him to go there.
Finally he agreed.
Another patient told him about a group of men who were worse than he was but
who
didn't drink any more. This patient had tried the program but had slipped.
He
knew it was because he hadn't been honest. He asked Fitz if he believed in
God.
Fitz did not. Later, in his bed, the thought came: "Can all the worth while
people I have known be wrong about God?" He took a look at his own history
and
suddenly a thought like a Voice came: "Who are you to say there is no God?"
Bill & Lois W. and Fitz M. and his wife became devoted friends, and visited
one
another often. Fitz frequently came up for the Tuesday night meeting at the
Wilson home in Brooklyn. It was while Bill and Lois were visiting Fitz in
Maryland in the summer of 1936 that Bill C., committed suicide. (See page 16
of
the Big Book.) And Fitz, as well as Hank P. often joined Bill and Lois at
Oxford
Group house parties before A.A. broke away from the Oxford Group.
During the writing of the Big Book, Fitz insisted that the book should
express
Christian doctrines and use Biblical terms and expressions. Hank and Jim B.
opposed him. The compromise was "God as we understood Him."
When the group was trying to decide on a name for the book, Fitz, because of
his
close proximity to Washington, was asked to go to the Library of Congress
and
find out how many books were called "The Way Out." His sister, Agnes, came
to
the their assistance when the printer refused to release the book he was
holding
- the first printing of Alcoholics Anonymous. Agnes loaned A.A. $1,000, the
equivalent of nearly $12,000 today.
Fitz later started A.A. in Washington. Florence R. ("A Feminine Victory" in
the
1st edition) joined him in Washington. It was Fitz who was called on to
identify
her body when she died. He sent one of his early sponsees (who never
recovered)
to see his old friend Jim B. in Washington ("The Vicious Cycle") when Jim
was
just coming off a binge.
In World War II, Fitz at last was able to join the Army, where he was found
to
be suffering from cancer. He died October 4, 1943, eight years after he
stopped
drinking. Fitz is buried on the grounds of Christ Episcopal Church at
Owensville, MD, where his father had once been pastor. He is buried just a
few
feet from Jim B.
- - - -
ANY IDEAS AS TO WHY DR. SILKWORTH WOULD HAVE REGARDED
FITZ' PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AS "SO COMPLEX"?
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++++Message 6516. . . . . . . . . . . . The AA version of moral psychology
From: martinholmes76@ymail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/10/2010 4:18:00 AM
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What was their version of moral psychology mentioned in the Big Book in the
Doctor's opinion?
- - - -
From Glenn C., the moderator
(BB 4th ed. p. xxvii) Dr. Silkworth had been unable to
devise a method of "moral psychology" which would help
alcoholics, until Bill Wilson came to him as a patient, and
devised a program of recovery which Dr. Silkworth
allowed him to try out on other patients, a program
involving a kind of "moral psychology" which repeatedly
brought long term sobriety to apparently hopeless cases:
<
of moral psychology was of urgent importance to alcoholics,
but its application presented difficulties beyond our concep-
tion. What with our ultra-modern standards, our scientific
approach to everything, we are perhaps not well equipped
to apply the powers of good that lie outside our synthetic
knowledge.
Many years ago one of the leading contributors to this
book [Bill W.] came under our care in this hospital and
while here he acquired some ideas which he put into practical
application at once.>>
(BB 4th ed., pp. xxxi-xxxii) The "moral psychology"
developed in Bill Wilson's program of recovery was
even able to get Fitz Mayo sober in October 1935, even
though Dr. Silkworth and the other staff did not believe it
could work on someone with all of Fitz's complex problems:
<
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