> > The elected officers do not govern the group and they have no decision > > making power, they may chair the buisness meeting, be the ears, eyes, > > and mouth at GSO meetings etc., but all decisions must be voted on by > > the group.
> > You've got to quit hanging around people who claim to be AA and are > > not. All of you claims do not fit AA as a whole.
> Again, you do not seem to be reading my posts. "group conscience" is an > elected postition at the REAL, INTERGROUP LISTED AA meetings in my area. > Real AA. Real as in recoginised groups. In the meeting directories. Not > only that, but some of the most respected/oldest groups in the area.
> >Qustion: In groups out here (REAL AA groups, not the wacky cult I posted > >about earlier) "group conscience" is an actual office within the group, > >like treasurer, secratary, GSR, coffee maker, etc. Is this the case > >elsewhere?
> "Group conscience" ain't a "who", it's a "what". The term covers > both 1) a "business meeting" attended by any home group member > who so desires and 2) the "decision" arrived at by such an > assemblage.
> Reuben
As I see by the rsponses to my post, people have missed my point. I was saying that it seems to me that group conscience ought to be a what, not a who, but at certian popular meetings in my area (the Greenwich CT 12+12 group comes to mind...) Group concience is a who, not a what there, and at other groups in that area. It is an actual elected service position. This is a fact that you can all verify simply by attending that meeting if you so desire.
Sean <No_s...@bogus.net> wrote: >I have been to a hell of a lot more than 2! I know this posistion >exists, in groups in my area. A close family member of mine has spent >time serving in this posistion.
>Since this is how ALL the meetings out here work, I question your >experince outside of your own area.
>Sean
I don't know how you come to that conclusion -- I've been to a lot of meetings here in Phoenix (started out at 8 per week and gradually tapered off to one per week). I had *never* heard of a position called "group conscience leader" until I read about it here in this newsgroup. So to rephrase your last sentence above:
Since this is how NONE of the meetings out here work, I question whether there's any significance to any of this discussion.
[The title of this particular service position was "Group Conscience". It [was an actual position.
The position you speak of is chair of the group conscience, no matter what the locals there have named it.
[Since this is how ALL the meetings out here work,
I've attended meetings in several states west of the Rockies and corresponded with folks who've attended AA meetings all over the world. You're the only person I've ever heard this story from.
I suggest you get out and about more. I don't recall if you are in the New England or mid-Atlantic states area, but there's a whole lot of variety very close by to you, within easy travel time. You either live in prison or your mommy won't lend you the car.
On Mon, 31 Mar 1997 18:45:29 GMT, da...@alr.com (Dave P.) wrote: >Sean <No_s...@bogus.net> wrote:
>>As I see by the rsponses to my post, people have missed my point. I was >>saying that it seems to me that group conscience ought to be a what, not >>a who, but at certian popular meetings in my area (the Greenwich CT >>12+12 group comes to mind...) Group concience is a who, not a what >>there, and at other groups in that area. It is an actual elected service >>position. This is a fact that you can all verify simply by attending >>that meeting if you so desire.
I've attended meetings in Greenwich CT on and off for the past 5 years, I have yet to see the structure that you mention here. If memory serves, I've also given Trad 2 talks in Greenwich meetings with no one mentioning "That ain't how we do it here". What group are you talking about? I have friends in Greenwich that I can verify your story with,
: Again, you do not seem to be reading my posts. "group conscience" is an : elected postition at the REAL, INTERGROUP LISTED AA meetings in my area. : Real AA. Real as in recoginised groups. In the meeting directories. Not : only that, but some of the most respected/oldest groups in the area. : : If these are not "real AA" then what is? : : Sean : Are you sure you're not talking of a GSR (Group Service Representative), an individual who carries the group conscience to intergroup or area meetings. Also referred to as a Trusted Servant of the group.
I have been a GSR in the past. It is a job that requires a responsible person to vote on matters that may affect all groups in the area. It is job that I feel needs to be taken seriously. Always being mindful of what you feel your group would want. Surprisingly many members could care less what goes on at service meetings. -- Keep the Faith, Geoff Z.
On Mon, 31 Mar 1997, Sean wrote: > 12+12 group comes to mind...) Group concience is a who, not a what > there, and at other groups in that area. It is an actual elected service > position. This is a fact that you can all verify simply by attending > that meeting if you so desire.
Then I'm not surprised that people missed the point. That's a pretty weird setup, I have never seen anything like it. But some groups have strange practices. I have been at meetings where they had a hooker raffle, had an official roll call, or had a NCO i/c newcomers. One meeting I found unusual was on Vancouver Island - it was a couples group. The idea seemed to be that AA'ers attended with their SO's - whether the latter were drunks or not
Cheers, Lech
Still in Vancouver where the sun has been out two days in a row.
log...@serv.net wrote: >dol...@ix.netcom.com ( David Oller) wrote: >[Steals the groups money and runs off to Tahiti with a good looking >[newcomer, gets drunk, comes back and makes ammends.
>Hey--that's only if you're treasurer of a big meeting. If somebody >decided to make off with my home group's account, it wouldn't buy a >bus ticket to Tacoma.
I had a guy I sponsored run 2 sets of books on a group. He took them for $400.00 he "borrowed" and blew on food over the course of several months. He wrote the group an amend letter and sent $5.00, with a query toward what reparation the group needed from him. They blew off the $395.00...
And he *might* be 10 years sober this summer if he makes it.
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In article <333FD180.4...@bogus.net>, Sean <No_s...@bogus.net> writes: >Group concience is a who, not a what >there, and at other groups in that area. It is an actual elected service >position. This is a fact that you can all verify simply by attending >that meeting if you so desire.
i understand what you are saying; the position (who) as you describe it doesn't exist here. Anyone can call a group conscience meeting. bethm
>> >Qustion: In groups out here (REAL AA groups, not the wacky cult I posted >> >about earlier) "group conscience" is an actual office within the group, >> >like treasurer, secratary, GSR, coffee maker, etc. Is this the case >> >elsewhere?
>> "Group conscience" ain't a "who", it's a "what". The term covers >> both 1) a "business meeting" attended by any home group member >> who so desires and 2) the "decision" arrived at by such an >> assemblage.
>> Reuben
>As I see by the rsponses to my post, people have missed my point. I was >saying that it seems to me that group conscience ought to be a what, not >a who, but at certian popular meetings in my area (the Greenwich CT >12+12 group comes to mind...) Group concience is a who, not a what >there, and at other groups in that area. It is an actual elected service >position. This is a fact that you can all verify simply by attending >that meeting if you so desire.
Hmmmm Sean. This begins to sound so familiar. It seems that there are those in AA that do - and those who watch. And it seems the watchers oftentimes are found criticizing the do-ers.....And accusations such as "he/she runs that group"....and "they're a clique" abound....The only cure seems to be for the watchers to get off their asses and become do-ers....
Pax Kimba
Many people pray as though to overcome the will of a reluctant God, instead of taking hold of the willingness of a loving God.
In article <334055c9.30232...@news.serv.net>, log...@serv.net wrote: > Sean <No_s...@bogus.net> wrote:
> [The title of this particular service position was "Group Conscience". It > [was an actual position.
> The position you speak of is chair of the group conscience, no matter > what the locals there have named it.
> [Since this is how ALL the meetings out here work,
> I suggest you get out and about more. I don't recall if you are in > the New England or mid-Atlantic states area, but there's a whole lot > of variety very close by to you, within easy travel time. You either > live in prison or your mommy won't lend you the car.
> Becky L > Western Washington > 5/25/88
I sobered up in Maine, have been to many meetings all around New England and in New York City, and have never heard of this position. Kinda makes me wonder--- hmmm-----
On Mon, 31 Mar 1997 17:58:40 -0500, Sean <Twei...@mail.idt.net> wrote: >David Oller wrote:
>> The elected officers do not govern the group and they have no decision >> making power, they may chair the buisness meeting, be the ears, eyes, >> and mouth at GSO meetings etc., but all decisions must be voted on by >> the group.
>> You've got to quit hanging around people who claim to be AA and are >> not. All of you claims do not fit AA as a whole.
>Again, you do not seem to be reading my posts. "group conscience" is an >elected postition at the REAL, INTERGROUP LISTED AA meetings in my area. >Real AA. Real as in recoginised groups. In the meeting directories. Not >only that, but some of the most respected/oldest groups in the area.
>If these are not "real AA" then what is?
>Sean
Sean,
I would call or write GSO/WSO in New York and find out what that's about. I have never heard of any such position.
Group Conscience:
The democractic decision of a group.
Group Chairperson:
Presides over the business "group conscience" meeting
GSO Representative:
Elected position, representing the group in communication with GSO etc.
Secretary:
Takes minutes of the meetings
Treasurer:
Steals the groups money and runs off to Tahiti with a good looking newcomer, gets drunk, comes back and makes ammends. Six months later: Does it again!
Central Office Representative:
Represents the group at Central Office functions. --David O http://www.netcom.com/~doller Writings, Photography, Buddhism Remove the last "m" in comm for e-mail
> I've attended meetings in Greenwich CT on and off for the past > 5 years, I have yet to see the structure that you mention here. > If memory serves, I've also given Trad 2 talks in Greenwich meetings > with no one mentioning "That ain't how we do it here". > What group are you talking about? I have friends in Greenwich > that I can verify your story with,
[Treasurer: [ [Steals the groups money and runs off to Tahiti with a good looking [newcomer, gets drunk, comes back and makes ammends. [Six months later: Does it again!
Hey--that's only if you're treasurer of a big meeting. If somebody decided to make off with my home group's account, it wouldn't buy a bus ticket to Tacoma.
da...@alr.com (Dave P.) wrote: >How odd. I don't understand what this position does exactly. How could >one person be a group conscience? Are they just in charge of leading a >business meeting to help others arrive at a group conscience, or are >they supposed to read people's minds and come up with it all by >themselves?
For most groups in Phoenix, the leader of the group conscience meeting is usually the chairman of the group.
On Mon, 31 Mar 1997, Sean wrote: > Again, you do not seem to be reading my posts. "group conscience" is an > elected postition at the REAL, INTERGROUP LISTED AA meetings in my area. > Real AA. Real as in recoginised groups. In the meeting directories. Not > only that, but some of the most respected/oldest groups in the area.
Apparently some in the fellowship find it difficult to believe this is true. Why don't you post the names of the groups and their locations so that someone can check it out? Good way to establish your bona fides.
>log...@serv.net wrote: >>dol...@ix.netcom.com ( David Oller) wrote: >>[Steals the groups money and runs off to Tahiti with a good looking >>[newcomer, gets drunk, comes back and makes ammends.
>>Hey--that's only if you're treasurer of a big meeting. If somebody >>decided to make off with my home group's account, it wouldn't buy a >>bus ticket to Tacoma.
>I had a guy I sponsored run 2 sets of books on a group. He took them for >$400.00 he "borrowed" and blew on food over the course of several months. >He wrote the group an amend letter and sent $5.00, with a query toward what >reparation the group needed from him. They blew off the $395.00...
In article <3339DC97.3...@worldnet.att.net>, John Gessner <spritely.j...@worldnet.att.net> writes: >My experience is that those that have an early "flash" type of spiritual >experience like Bill's also get to have a lengthy bout of depression >following it like Bill. Anyone else collaborate this?
me too! no light, but I experienced a "presence" and the cool clear wind of a mountaintop blowing through and through, following a horrible depression.
>>>I have been to a hell of a lot more than 2! I know this posistion >>>exists, in groups in my area. A close family member of mine has spent >>>time serving in this posistion.
>>>Since this is how ALL the meetings out here work, I question your >>>experince outside of your own area.
>>>Sean
>>I don't know how you come to that conclusion -- I've been to a >>lot of meetings here in Phoenix (started out at 8 per week and >>gradually tapered off to one per week). I had *never* heard of a >>position called "group conscience leader" until I read about it >>here in this newsgroup. So to rephrase your last sentence above:
>>Since this is how NONE of the meetings out here work, I question >>whether there's any significance to any of this discussion.
>>Reuben
I'll add my experience. 10 years of meetings in Los Angeles and Boston. Never a wisper of this position either.
> > I've attended meetings in Greenwich CT on and off for the past > > 5 years, I have yet to see the structure that you mention here. > > If memory serves, I've also given Trad 2 talks in Greenwich meetings > > with no one mentioning "That ain't how we do it here". > > What group are you talking about? I have friends in Greenwich > > that I can verify your story with,
> Time to put up or shut up, Sean.
> Cheers, > Lech
I did post this, and e-mailed it to "Elmer" as well when he asked yesterday. I see that somehow the post is now gone, so I'll post it again.
Check out the "Twleve Steps and Twleve Traditions" group (yes that is the groups name) - AKA:The Nazi Group that meets next to the Synagogue. They meet at the Episcopal church on the post road across from the YWCA Tues and Thurs. Nights. THEY DO have this position. I know a few of the guys who have held this position there. One in particular I know VERY well. ;-)
and then one day I got down on my knees and I really, sincerely, with deepfelt passionate humility, asked God to remove from me all my defects of character and God said
>Steals the groups money and runs off to Tahiti with a good looking >newcomer, gets drunk, comes back and makes ammends. >Six months later: Does it again!
Damn. I thought I was doing a passable job as Group Treasurer, but according to your description of the position, I'm derelict in my duty. Besides, our "prudent reserve" ain't that big.
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