An example of an Elder Statesman

Recently a senior member of my Home Group asked for a “business meeting” of Home Group members to discuss something that was on his mind: Was our Group fulfilling AA’s primary purpose? Were we doing our best to reach out to still suffering alcoholic?
My Home Group is a closed discussion meeting. We often have many folks attending who must get papers signed as proof they were present.
At the start of each meeting, we had announcements that took several minutes. Then a topic would be brought up to focus on and to share experience, strength and hope. We then either went around the room to discuss and share on the topic, or just called on one another to talk. We often heard from the same people each week. We did not have time for everyone to get an opportunity to share their perspective.
As a result of the Home Group business meeting, we decided to alter the format. The first thing we agreed on was to increase the time for discussion; the solution was to place announcements in a folder to be passed around the room during the meeting for all to read if interested. We will still take time for Trusted Servant reports from our Treasurer, Intergroup Rep, and General Service Rep. The second agreement was to increase participation from all who attend; to that end, we are now a ‘ticket meeting.’ Everyone gets a numbered ticket upon entering, and when the chairperson calls your number, it is your turn to share. The outcome of the format changes allowed everyone who attended the opportunity to participate.
Thanks to a senior member of our Group, thanks to an “Elder Statesman,” we all took a step forward in fulfilling our primary purpose as members of Alcoholics Anonymous.
—Warren G.
Area 56 Delegate, Panel 74,
SW Ohio Conference Committee on Literature
delegate@aaarea56.org