Our next regularly scheduled monthly business meeting will be held on:

SUNDAY January 19th, 2025, at 8:45 a.m. EST *

Strengthening My Recovery holds a business meeting on the third Sunday of every month. It is held in the same Zoom meeting room as our meditation meeting, following the conclusion of the Newcomer session. The business meeting is approximately 60 to 75 minutes in length.

Our meeting has chosen to utilize online polling to gather a group conscience on various issues. A proposal is offered on our website, first for a 3-week comment period, which is followed by a 2-week opportunity to vote on the proposal.

PLEASE NOTE:
– Voting results and proposals that are either receiving comments or are open for voting may be found on the Group Conscience Motions page.
– Click on this link to view our webpage about the Proposal Process.
– This is a link to the Business Meeting Agenda document.

The SMR Business Meeting (General Script)

1. Welcome

“Welcome to our business meeting. My name is ____ , and I am calling this meeting to order.

By attending the business meeting, we learn how to work together in a healthy manner. The purpose of the business meeting is to address the concerns of the group – past, present and upcoming. During the meeting, we will hear reports from our Treasurer and various committees. We will hear about our Proposal Process. And we may also discuss members’ ideas or suggestions as our business.

We place a high value on respect, being mindful of our words and expressions. We avoid gossip. We maintain a safe space in which all members are welcome to participate. With an open mind, we stand in unity, practicing the ACA Traditions. We value transparency, ensuring the membership is kept informed of group developments and upcoming proceedings. And we value focus, so that the business at hand stays on-topic.

2. Call to Order

Time –

Attendance – If you are attending the business meeting, will you please indicate your presence. This will set the number of participants here today. Participants:

We open with the Serenity Prayer.

The ACA Serenity Prayer (and the optional extended version)

God (Higher Power) grant me the serenity

to accept the people I cannot change

the courage to change the one I can

and the wisdom to know that one is me.

⚘

Grant me patience for the changes that take time,

An appreciation for all that I have,

A tolerance for those with different struggles

And the strength to get up and try again

One day at a time.

3. General Guidelines

Creating safety and respect in our business meeting is a responsibility we share.

Please be mindful. To the best of your ability, model emotional sobriety.

Mute your audio when you are not speaking.
Turn off your video when moving around or doing other activities while listening.
Also, do not to distract others with written chats

To Speak:

Please raise your Digital Hand and wait to be recognized by the Chair.

Priority is given to those who have not yet spoken.

And, if a point has been made, ask yourself if it needs to be repeated.

Speaking times may be limited:

During our Reports

Two to three minutes for those giving reports and
one minute for questions or comments and answers.

4. Call for Service

We ask for these roles to be filled:

Meeting Chairperson –
Recording Secretary –
Timekeeper –
Other (optional) –

5. Readings:

The Suggested Commitment to Service (BRB, pg 601) found here: https://acawso.org/aca-committment-to-service/

The Tradition of the Month, found here: https://adultchildren.org/literature/traditions/

The Concept of the Month, found here: https://adultchildren.org/literature/the-twelve-concepts-of-aca/

6. Approval of the Minutes

The minutes of last month’s meeting have been posted to our website. They are found at: https://www.acamorning.org/minutes/

The minutes will not be read into the record. Participants may read the minutes and be prepared to voice any concerns.

7. Motion to Adopt the Agenda

The Agenda typically includes:

– Reports

– Current Proposals

– Old and New Business

– Announcements

8. Reports

Reports from all of our Committees, Study Groups and Trusted Servants are found on our website. Most are found at: https://www.acamorning.org/all-reports/ Each subject will be given up to 5 minutes, with the Trusted Servant offering their report in up to 3 minutes. Here are this month’s reports:

Treasurer: [vacant]

Service CoSecretary: [vacant]

Communications CoSecretary: [Andy]

Webservant: [Staci]

WSO Representative: [Vivienne]

9. Current Proposals – Status Updates

Our meeting has chosen to utilize online polling to gather a group conscience on various issues. To learn more about the process go to our website: https://www.acamorning.org/proposals-smr-business-meeting-practices/

Screen share, or reference, the status of the Proposals on our website: https://www.acamorning.org/group-conscience-motions/

10. Old and New Business and Procedural Guidelines

If any business was held over from the month before, we begin with that, otherwise, we begin by addressing issues that were emailed to the CoChairs. If there is no business before the group, issues may be taken from the floor.

(The Process) The Strengthening My Recovery meeting group seeks Consensus in our decision making process. We honor the opportunity to discuss and amend the suggestions of our members. We attempt to incorporate the concerns of the minority in any final motion. If a motion arises from our discussions here, it will be posted on our website as a Proposal, for comments and then voting.

(Procedural Guidelines) The Chair will direct today’s new business, asking for, asking for concerns and if necessary, postponing discussion. The General Guidelines listed above continue to be honored.

Speaking times may be limited. A new issue is discussed, overall, for up to 20 minutes. During that discussion, the new issue is introduced – for up to 3 minutes. Any follow-up question, comment or answer will be allowed up to 1 minute.

The Chair, or any fellow traveler, may call for a 30 second pause before ‘voting’.

At any time, anyone may ask for the Guidelines to be read, or for one minute of silent meditation.

(Participate) If you would like to bring an issue or idea before the group, please submit a proposal at: https://www.acamorning.org/submit-a-proposal/