Hi there, I'm pretty new to this board; have been lurking, haven't made a post yet til now.
My homegroup is on Wednesday nights, it's called the "Artist's AA" it's been there and relatively the same for something like 25 years, even in the same location. I have been attending for 5 years, I am also the treasurer. Last night we had the first business meeting in ages. One individual who showed up is generally very loud about his many years of sobriety and comes to the meeting sporadically (I also have a personality conflict with him, but I recognize that is my problem and has no place being expressed in a meeting, as with anyone, I'd rather he was at a meeting than not), another has been attending for about two months. The rest of the business meeting was regulars. The two afforementioned individuals loudly and abrasively demanded that we change the name of the meeting, stop allowing individuals in the meeting to use ideas from 'non conference approved literature' and stop allowing individuals to announce sober time if it is not a 'conference approved time designation'. These are three items that have been consistant with this meeting for years - it's made for some amazingly original conveyances of everyone's experience, strength, and hope, and it's one of the reason's why that's my home group.
The second time I attempted to express my opinion, the first mentioned individual started yelling at me that I hadn't allowed him to talk. As I was about to burst into tears, I walked out. My sponsor who was also in the business meeting later shared with me that she had almost walked out too, and she's been attending that particular meeting since shortly after it was founded. A friend talked me into staying for the meeting, but the business meeting made me crave a drink, which is something I honestly haven't felt that strongly in years. One week from today I will have Seven years of continuous sobriety, craving a drink is something I haven't had to deal with in awhile, and it's really painful to me that the thing that took me there was an AA business meeting. After the business meeting, the second individual I mentioned took me aside in a 'buddy buddy' fashion to tell me what a b*tch my sponsor was, not knowing she was my sponsor, and expecting I would agree with her.
Now, I don't even want to go to my homegroup next week. They are having another business meeting that I really don't want to go to because the of how I reacted to the last one. I have stated that I'm not going. Both individuals I mentioned above will also be at the meeting I go to on Fridays, so I don't want to go to that one either; all of my friend's in recovery go to both of these meetings, and I don't want to desert them, I will go Friday, but I will arrive a few minutes late and if I get counted off into a small-group with either of the two I mentioned, I'll skip groups.
People keep telling me that this will blow over and nothing dramatic will really end up changing.
Can anyone give me comments or share some of their experience with business meetings?
There is nothing in the traditions calling for censorship, either of materials or ideas. This will blow over. And if you stick around and keep hold of your serenity and common sense, you'll support others who do the same, whether yall all agree exactly or not...
RyanS - that's a really good point. If I decide that I have it in me to face the business meeting next week, I'll bring that up (if I can get a word in!).
I just have to remember it will blow over. I just feel so protective of my home group since if it hadn't been there the way it was when I needed it, I may not have kept coming back.
Up here in Redneck Country.....if one doesnt adhere to Principles before Personalities?
We take them out behind the church...and have another meeting...
Some come back....some are never seen again..:)
Ohhhh wellllll....
Har!!! That's what we call "strong leadership" around here. ;)
Truth be told, our group does have some really strong leadership and I don't think that would be tolerated. The outer islands are a different place and it would be interesting to see just how that would unfold here, but I imagine someone would take them off to the side after the meeting and have a long talk with them about what is and isn't appropriate.
That totally sucks that it ruined some meetings for you. I'm sure it will work out though.
