This proposal is being offered by EJ
Issue: I suggest that the term “training” be replaced with “onboarding” or “orientation” in all relevant documents and communications within our meeting.
Background:
By adopting “onboarding” or “orientation” instead of “training,” we create a more supportive, inclusive, and emotionally connected environment that aligns with our values and goals. This motion aims to foster personal responsibility, emotional integrity, and healthy relationships within our meeting.
Rationale:
- Service Oppression and Suppression: Feeling oppressed in service roles leads to a loss of responsibility and emotional disconnection. Using “onboarding” or “orientation” fosters a supportive environment.
- Loss of Personal Responsibility: Separation from feelings results in scattered actions and helplessness. “Onboarding” or “orientation” promotes responsibility and engagement.
- Emotional Disconnection: Without emotional integrity, actions become unfocused. “Onboarding” or “orientation” encourages emotional connection.
- Victim Mentality: Feeling isolated and uneasy with authority figures leads to people-pleasing and loss of identity. “Onboarding” or “orientation” helps individuals feel connected and valued.
The Solution (Vision):
- Self-Love and Self-Care: Using “onboarding” or “orientation” aligns with loving and serving our true self.
- Courage to Connect: Changing the terminology reflects the courage to connect with our true selves and others.
- Re-parenting Ourselves: This change supports becoming our own loving parent, allowing us to heal from past hurts.
- Exact Nature: Understanding and addressing our issues is facilitated by using inclusive language.
The Promises (Goals and Actions):
- Emotional Integrity: Using “onboarding” or “orientation” helps maintain emotional integrity and respond to our needs.
- Healthy Relationships: This change promotes stable, peaceful, and financially secure relationships by addressing abandonment issues.
- Service to Others: Sharing and connecting with others is enhanced by using inclusive language.
- Personal Growth: Adopting “onboarding” or “orientation” supports personal growth, learning to play and have fun, and choosing to love responsible people.
Thank you for your consideration.
The reality is that learning to manage the technology and people in a breakout group does require training and practice. “Orientation” would be a good follow-up to a training session for those who decide to stay/try being room hosts. The term “on boarding” feels like jargon, trendy language that will likely be replaced by a new trend. I like the simplicity of training.
Thanks for sharing. Care to how “Jargon” feels? Feel free to share your findings.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the importance of training and practice for managing technology and people in breakout groups. I completely agree that a more structured orientation can be a valuable follow-up for those who choose to become room hosts.
I proposed the discussion of using the term “onboarding” as it encompasses both the training and technology aspects of this process, but also the practice of attraction. While I understand your concerns about the term “feeling” — trendy, perhaps using the word can effectively capture the comprehensive support we want to provide to our hosts, including the necessary tech training.
In ACA recovery I hear the term KISC (Keeping It Simple Conceptually) used often, and agree that this principle can guide us in creating an onboarding process that is straightforward and effective. I appreciate our open dialogue and the opportunity to explore different perspectives as we work towards our common goals.
Looking forward to hearing your, and others’ thoughts, too!
The word onboarding to me is right up there with let’s circle back to that.
I prefer the word training as that tells me exactly what will be happening.
Orientation to me is an explanation of what will happen in the training.
I prefer direct clear communication.
For me the term training is reassuring in that the activity will be guided and practiced. I appreciate the reasoning given for the suggested language change and I prefer the word training.
Thank you.
I appreciate the thoughtful discussion around this, but I also prefer the simplicity of the word “training”.
I think “training” is the right language to use because I personally would need exact and precise education about using the technology in order to do service. my hesitance to join the service team is not about feeling excluded; its about my own personal hangups in using screen sharing… changing the words doesn’t affect my willingness to become a trained room host or moderator/leader. rather, for me its an inside job that I’m slowly working on by practicing these skills in my LPG group with a small group of trusted fellow travelers.
I appreciate the attention to language and the exercise of considering which word is most appropriate in the situation. It seems that “training” implies control to some. I’m not triggered by that word, nor “teaching” or “instruction”. I’m not sure that “onboarding” or “orientation” are better, though, as they do not really say what is happening: instruction and learning.
That said, I think this is an opportunity for each individual to practice taking care of themselves and work on not being triggered when a word they don’t like comes up.
Thanks for the thought and care that went into this proposal.
I really don’t like the term “onboarding”, which feels confusing and awkward to me. “Orientation” feels better, but doesn’t seem as straightforward as “training”. I’m thinking the morning call for trained room host volunteers is simple and understandable, and a call for oriented room hosts might lead to some confusion. Personally I don’t find the word training oppressive.
Thank you for sharing viewpoints on the terms “training,” “onboarding,” and “orientation” thus far.
Here are some concise reflections on your viewpoints and their connection to self-love, as expressed in today’s carrying the message of “Self-Love” through onboarding / or training at the same time
Clarity Matters: Many prefer “training” for its clear expectations. Just as self-love involves understanding our needs, clear language reduces anxiety and confusion.
Guidance is Reassuring: Structured training provides comfort, especially for those feeling insecure. Self-love also requires nurturing ourselves through practice and patience.
Personal Responsibility: One viewpoint emphasized managing our reactions to language. Imagine we might agree that the Onboarding of Self-love involves recognizing triggers and choosing compassion for ourselves and others.
Avoiding Confusion: Concerns about terms like “orientation” leading to confusion are valid. Simplifying our approach to self-care mirrors the need for clarity in communication.
Empowerment Through Language: Choosing words that resonate enhances our sense of agency. Embracing self-love empowers us to rise above challenges, as the song suggests.
Finding Light in Darkness: The lyrics remind us that we can find hope even in despair. Choosing language that feels identifiable to navigate, integrate, and celebrate is a step toward reclaiming our power and fostering a positive self-image. Perhaps this “self-love” is more of a training vs onboarding that requires training vs “lived experience”, too.
In summary, I appreciate the discussion about terminology and how it highlights the importance of creating a supportive environment for learning and growth whether “Self-Love” is trained, or onboarded.
Perhaps this represents the spirit of “self love” onboarded of “agree to disagree”
best to all.
Clarity is one of the things I most value about ACA. ‘Training’ is clear. The suggested alternatives are confusing.
Two thoughts:
1. I had the ‘training is confining and authoritative’ mindset, originally. I realize now that those were concepts that I brought to the word ‘training.’ Also, the wording is very clear – it encompasses how the SMR Meeting Group has agreed to conduct our meetings. Nothing more, really. So, especially having read the perspectives of other members, I am comfortable with the term ‘training’.
2. I marvel at this process. Everyone has an opportunity to offer their opinions. I can read and reread all the thoughts and ideas. And I am not constricted by time. Thank you everyone for you frank and thoughtful and respectful participation.
Hi… someone said it was not possible to add a second comment… just wanted to try… Seems to work…
I prefer “training” to “onboarding” for the reasons others have expressed; it sounds too corporate and jargony.
I think of “orientation” as being more about teaching a new person where everything is and what is available, rather than giving them the information they need in order to run things. “Orientation” sounds to me more like “here’s where the coffee is” and “training” like “here’s how to make coffee”.
EJ, thank you for this well written and deeply considered proposal. I believe the way you presented your points opened the door for honest, respectful reflection. And thank you to those who took time to read and respond, also in a polite way. This has really helped me see that our experiences and needs can be very different, but our ability to hear each other and reach for solutions that work for the entire group can be facilitated by grappling with these issues in a “gentle and respectful space”. Well done, everybody.
I feel attention to words is helpful if not essential in Twelve Step Recovery. With that in mind regarding this proposal, “keep it simple” would be my approach. Training feels accurate while Onboarding and Orientation sound (to me) vague as if they are a politician’s wilful play to get votes. Thank you for reading this.
To me, onboarding carries an ideological nuance: it implies that loyalty to someone or something unseen is expected. On the other hand Orientation gives me the message that I’m confused in my ways and allowing myself to be guided by the great “Other” giving me the message will set me straight😊
Thanks for the discussion. Interesting viewpoints and standpoints shared.
Seems that in our journeys toward “emotional sobriety, unity, and service”, we recognize that clarity in onboarding is essential. By adopting the Keeping It Simple Conceptually (KISC) principle, we can transform onboarding into a beneficial practice rather than a source of confusion.
Vision: To create a straightforward onboarding process that fosters emotional sobriety and encourages unity among participants.
Goals:
– Simplify language to enhance understanding and reduce anxiety.
– Provide structured training that empowers individuals to engage confidently.
– Cultivate a supportive environment that promotes service and personal growth.
Actions:
– Use clear, direct terminology like “training” to eliminate jargon and foster comfort.
– Implement structured orientations that focus on practical skills and emotional readiness.
– Encourage open dialogue to address concerns and adapt our approach based on feedback.
ACA Promises:
– We will discover our real identities by loving and accepting ourselves.
– Our self-esteem will increase as we give ourselves approval on a daily basis.
– Healthy boundaries and limits will become easier for us to set.
– With help from our ACA support group, we will slowly release our dysfunctional behaviors.
By prioritizing clarity, we can ensure that our onboarding process becomes a valuable asset in our collective recovery journey.
I never cease to be amazed by group conscience. For me, when I do a training, I can expect to learn very concrete skills. When I do an orientation, I have already agreed to participate. In addition to wanting to learn the skills that allow me to do the service I think I want to do, I am not fully committed/obligated. Once I CAN do something, I can decide if I want to. Something about orientation feels more obligatory for me . May be my own codependency but “training” seems more straight-forward . For me, the after meeting is more orienting….not skiil-based but giving the foundation for gaining the most from the program. Thank you all for such considered perspectives.
I like the idea of changing the wording from “training” to something else. Not a fan of onboarding or orientation. Some synonyms i prefer are instruction, teaching, coaching, preparation, guidance. Thanks for the discussion