NYN Chairperson Message

July 20, 2010

A warm hello to one and all!

Before long we will be at our AWSC in Fayetteville and the Fall Assembly in Syracuse. This is a reminder to all to have reports on line for AWSC by August 13, 2010. Members are beginning to look for info, which is a good sign that having the website is a positive step forward in KBDM. Although you may have some additions between AWSC and the Fall Assembly, most of your info will be on site for members to check out. Additions can be added after prior to Assembly.

Plans are well underway for the 2010 NYNAC. Please consider attending at least one time during your three year term. Officers and Coordinators of the AWSC, please note that NYN pays for your attendance once during your term. Also be reminded that we ask each AWSC member to be certified, as we serve Al-Anon Family Groups (Alateen and Al-Anon). You cannot attend NYNAC or any Alateen meeting unless you have gone through the process.

I will be asking Nancy P. to do another presentation on electronic publication of our newsletter. After having a discussion with Elaine, I agree that we still have some unanswered questions. Part of this is financial. Louise is trying to formulate the budget for next year. We need to know more specifically the cost of the electronic newsletter, what groups would be expected to donate to help cover the cost and what to do for those requesting hard copies. We also need to set this up for a trial period. We will follow our two minute/one time at the mic rule. We will not be putting a motion on the floor until we have the needed info. It is so important to put the 5th Concept to good use and hear minority opinions.

Thank you to everyone for the opportunity for all who chose to share their input on the issue of “chants”. I received an email from a concerned member that felt that it should be a group conscience vote on how to close the Assembly meetings. My suggestion is to close our business meetings (AWSC & Assemblies) with the Al-Anon Declaration - “Let It Begin With Me.”

We will also put before the Assembly that we are still looking for a Spanish Contact, as Cira B. is unable to continue. She is still willing to take calls but cannot travel. To date, no one has stepped forward to fill the position.

Since we are not having the Action Committees meet at the AWSC, it allows some time for leadership workshops. This time, Elaine has one using the Traditions for Conflict Resolution. We are hoping that these workshops will help all of us to be better prepared to lead at all service levels. Check website.

I have decided to ask each officer and coordinator to come up with a hat to represent his or her position. You will have a three minute window to share high points of what you job entails. A little humor never hurts, but please, stay on topic for your position. We will do half at the Fall Assembly and half at the Spring Assembly. I will have the list at the AWSC. I am asking that each officer and coordinator review the guidelines for your position so that we can update them. The guidelines can be found on our NYN website. Elaine prepared notebooks for all of us at the AWSC as outgoing Chairperson. Please bring that, your Service Manual and the Paths to Recovery to the AWSC. Each of you should be bringing the notebook and manual to every AWSC and Assembly. You should also be encouraging your GRs to bring the service manual with them to Assemblies.

It is time to review the Alateen Requirements and Guidelines. I have sent some questions to Shirley to consider bringing to an Ad Hoc committee for discussion. When the new Service Manual arrives, it will have a separate section for Alateen which will help us with the review. The guidelines are on the NYN website. We hope to have the guidelines from the new manual on our site as well.

There was a good amount of positive feedback from our discussions at the Spring Assembly. We hope to give all an opportunity each time we meet to have a topic for discussion. Slow down, calm down, don’t worry, don’t hurry, trust the process.

Together we can make it…
Connie D. / Area Chair