24/09/07
WE KNEW YOU COULDN'T RESIST THAT
WE KNEW YOU COULDN'T RESIST THAT
We have an interesting little contribution from those magicians of the General Service Conference. It shouldn't amaze us, we know, what the imagination of an alcoholic can come up with let alone a group, but check out this little gem. Sections in blue are quoted from conference:
Conference question (2007)
Discuss the distribution of non-AA literature at group level and make recommendations.
The Committee recommends that:
a) Only GSO-distributed literature is displayed at group meetings;
b) If groups choose to display or distribute other literature it should clearly be distinguished from GSO-distributed literature;
c) Groups choosing to display or distribute other literature should be mindful of the effect it may have on other groups or AA as a whole.
Apparently this masterpiece got the nod and unbelievably is now Conference approved. Now for our part we heartily approve of Conference's awesome insight into the workings of the alcoholic's mind and can only endorse this liberal attitude towards freedom of speech. Eager to follow their carefully crafted guidlines on the matter and since we just happen to have a DVD copy of that spiritual masterpiece "Debbie Does Dallas" in a sideboard at home (her generosity of spirit and her willingness to share herself with as many members of either sex is an inspiration to us all) we fully intend to place that at the disposal of our fellow 'members' (perhaps that word should be reconsidered given the context) at our local home group. We will of course clearly indicate that this particular offering is not GSO distributed literature and will of course ensure that all the other groups in the area are notified of this particular contribution to AA's spiritual well-being. We're not sure of the impact that this might have on other groups but we do expect maybe a rise in our group's attendance - especially since we plan to bring in a stripper next week - who will during the course of her performance mime Bill W and Doctor B's initial meeting in Akron - why stop at literature - why not the other performance arts!
Over to you
Cheerio
The Sequel Debbie Does a Boot sale
Conference question (2007)
Discuss the distribution of non-AA literature at group level and make recommendations.
The committee of 18 considered the matter carefully and managed to create a contradiction of magnificent proportions (with a bit of help from some carefully placed cult members). We shall share this wonder with you - we're sure that you'll appreciate it.
The Committee recommends that:
a) Only GSO-distributed literature is displayed at group meetings;
b) If groups choose to display or distribute other literature it should clearly be distinguished from GSO-distributed literature;
c) Groups choosing to display or distribute other literature should be mindful of the effect it may have on other groups or AA as a whole.
Now you can see that the committee made a pretty good start with a) - so far so good - but then it decided to get all creative and completely lost the plot with b) which now nicely contradicts a). But to finish off the job properly and covering any rear areas that might be over-exposed they added c).
Apparently this masterpiece got the nod and unbelievably is now Conference approved. Now for our part we heartily approve of Conference's awesome insight into the workings of the alcoholic's mind and can only endorse this liberal attitude towards freedom of speech. Eager to follow their carefully crafted guidlines on the matter and since we just happen to have a DVD copy of that spiritual masterpiece "Debbie Does Dallas" in a sideboard at home (her generosity of spirit and her willingness to share herself with as many members of either sex is an inspiration to us all) we fully intend to place that at the disposal of our fellow 'members' (perhaps that word should be reconsidered given the context) at our local home group. We will of course clearly indicate that this particular offering is not GSO distributed literature and will of course ensure that all the other groups in the area are notified of this particular contribution to AA's spiritual well-being. We're not sure of the impact that this might have on other groups but we do expect maybe a rise in our group's attendance - especially since we plan to bring in a stripper next week - who will during the course of her performance mime Bill W and Doctor B's initial meeting in Akron - why stop at literature - why not the other performance arts!
Over to you
Cheerio
The Sequel Debbie Does a Boot sale
It’s taken a while we know but sometimes ideas of such profundity take a corresponding length of time to make their full impact known. Following the momentous decision of the committee (and Conference) to adopt that earth-shattering proposal to effectively endorse the use of non- AA literature in AA meetings, at first we thought that this could only be applied to precisely that medium of communication. However after much rumination on the subject we have just begun to see the full potential of this masterful breakthrough in the use of such material within the Fellowship.
It can be argued that all artefacts (or stuff to use the less technical term) are a form of communication. So you, like us, may have sometimes been faced with that awful dilemma – shall I go to the lunchtime meeting or pop into the boot sale round the corner? I know that I need to maintain my recovery but I bet there’s going to be some cracking bargains if only I get there in time. This is no longer a problem. Instead of having to walk around another field – on another rainy summer’s day – you can take your stuff to the local AA meeting – set up a stall in the corner – label all the items with a disclaimer to the effect that the garden fork with one tine missing is in fact not to be mistaken for GSO approved literature – that the collection of Top of the Pops cover versions of bands long forgotten is not in fact GSO approved literature – that the collection of alloy plated imitation silverware knives and forks – not the complete set – left by Aunt Matilda to her favourite nephew – is not in fact GSO approved literature. In one sleight of hand all these issues have been laid to rest. You can have your cake and eat it. In fact it might be a good idea to keep the sharing down to a minimum and get down to the real business of the meeting which is the swapping of your junk with other people’s junk – and you get to stay sober. Everyone’s a winner!
We’ve got to take our hats of to Conference on this one – absolutely superb.
Cheerio
The Fellas (sometimes known as the Goodfellas)
