Awakenings


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Awakenings

An email Al-Anon meeting




Service Positions

Note: These suggested tasks have emerged as Awakenings has grown. They are adapted as we keep learning ways to facilitate having an Al-Anon meeting in cyberspace. They were last updated in March 2013.

Awake Bus | Member Contact and OLA-IS Representative | Alternate Member Contact and Alternate Representative to OLA-IS | Member Services Coordinator | Member Services Team | Trusted Servant Coodinator | Topic Chair | Focus on CAL | Forum Poster | Secretary | Computer Technical Helper | Sponsor and One-on-One Sharing List Coordinator | Website Coordinator

 

Member Contact and OLA-IS Representative

The Member Contact serves a three-year term and selection is affirmed by the membership of Awakenings [1/97] [r 11/98].

Suggested Eligibility Requirements: A past or present Trusted Servant of Awakenings who has a minimum of 3 years in Al-Anon; with 2 years of service experience on AwakeBUS. [added by group conscience, July 2009] Experience with the inner workings of Groups.io, our current email list service, is beneficial. [added by group conscience, July 2009]

In keeping with Al-Anon guidelines, Al-Anon members who are also AA members are not eligible to hold the position of MC or ALT MC. [added by group conscience, July 2009]

Suggested Tasks:

  1. Is liaison with WSO (called Member Contact at request of WSO in lieu of Group Representative for present time) and other on-line groups. Informs WSO of snail mail address.

  2. Receives mailings for Awakenings from WSO and makes content known to meeting.

    1. Quarterly may post an announcement re sending sharings to the FORUM and reminds how to subscribe to the FORUM.

    2. As needed provides information re new CAL in process and gives information as to how to submit. May post reminders.

    3. As needed reminds members of the WSO web page and informs of any changes facilitating communication with WSO.

    4. Posts information from WSO Treasurer re Quarterly appeals.

    5. As needed, reminds participants going to Al-Anon conventions, Regional Service Seminars etc to invite others to join them there.

    6. Requests annual permission from WSO to use excerpts from Al-Anon copyrighted materials online, and quarterly, or more often as needed, posts a reminder to members regarding quoting Conference Approved Literature (CAL) online, with proper acknowledgment given to the copyrighted materials. [added by group conscience, July 2009]

    7. Makes other announcements as necessary.

  3. Represents Awakenings on the Online Al-Anon Information Service [OLA-IS]:
    1. Keeps Awakenings/AwakeBus informed about the activities of OLA-IS.
    2. Casts Awakenings vote in OLA-IS decisions.
  4. Facilitates smooth functioning of AwakeBus and Awakenings:
    1. Calls for and posts agenda items brought forward by members for annual group inventory.

    2. With concurrence of AwakeBus, poses questions for decision and records vote (or delegates).

    3. Assures volunteer positions are filled and posts, as necessary, requests for filling positions. [Posts call and the suggested tasks for the position - except Topic Chair and FOC].

    4. Identifies new service positions as needed and asks for volunteers.

    5. Posts as necessary changes in letters sent to new members.

    6. Performs other tasks as necessary for Awakenings functioning.

    7. Serves on AwakeBus and makes recommendations for changes.
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Alternate Member Contact and Alternate OLA-IS Representative

(Three year term) (Affirmed from membership) [r 7/00] [amended by group conscience, 12/07].

Suggested Eligibility Requirements : A past or present Trusted Servant of Awakenings who has a minimum of 3 years in Al-Anon; with 2 years of service experience on AwakeBUS. [added by group conscience, July 2009] Experience with the inner workings of Groups.io, our current email list service, is beneficial. [added by group conscience, July 2009]

In keeping with Al-Anon guidelines, Al-Anon members who are also AA members are not eligible to hold the position of MC or ALT MC. [added by group conscience, July 2009]

Suggested Tasks:

  1. Assists elected Member Contact and performs tasks in absence of the Member Contact.

  2. Serves on AwakeBus; making recommendations for changes to assure smooth flowing and harmony with Al-Anon as a whole.

  3. Participates on the Online Information Service [OLA-IS] with the Meeting Contact as a liaison between Awakenings and OLA-IS.

  4. Assists in keeping Awakenings/AwakeBus informed about the activities of OLA-IS.

  5. In absence of MC, casts Awakenings vote in OLA-IS decisions.

  6. Serves on AwakeBus; making recommendations for changes to assure smooth flowing and harmony with Al-Anon as a whole.
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Member Services Coordinator

[r 11/99] [Three year term] [Volunteer from membership; suggested 1 year membership in Awakenings with 6 months experience on the MST] (added by group conscience, Oct. 2009)

Suggested tasks: [amended by group conscience, 12/09]

1. Is chairperson of the Member Services Team and with the help of other volunteer Trusted Servants on the MST, maintains the Awakenings AFG on-line membership list.

2. Designates a Trusted Servant to contact e-mail group provider to report any outage problem and ascertain time before anticipated correction.

3. Selects individual MST Trusted Servants who will have e-mail group moderator privileges to Awakenings AFG and makes changes as necessary, in a diligent effort to protect the anonymity of the members of Awakenings, and with the concurrence of AwakeBus.

4. Assures that Member Services Team members are delegated responsibility for Team tasks.

5. The MST Coordinator

A. coordinates rotation of MST members;

B. assists new Team members in learning their suggested tasks;

C. seeks to fill vacancies on the Team, with the assistance of AwakeBus;

D. assures MST letters (greeter letters, how to participate, cybertips) are current and changes in MST letters and/or procedure are changed on the website;

E. assures Secretary and Trusted Servant Coordinator are provided email address of new team members to enter on AwakeBus lists;

F. posts the topic weekly and tradition monthly in the footer for AwakeningsAFG.

6. Serves on AwakeBus; makes recommendations for changes.

7. Advises AwakeBus when ready to rotate.

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Member Services Team

[r 11/99] (3 year terms) [Volunteers from membership; suggested 6 months experience in Awakenings] (added by group conscience, Oct. 2009)

The purpose of the Member Services Team is to provide an opportunity for Awakenings members to serve the meeting and to share the tasks necessary to both receive new members and maintain the current list on the listserv as well as to make weekly changes in the headers and footers as needed. Participation on this Team gives members an awareness of tasks needed to keep the member services flowing and diminishes the possibility of any one person having control.

In addition to the Member Services Coordinator, the Team includes the Trusted Servant Coordinator and Sponsor List Keeper who monitor address changes for members serving as Focus on CAL Posters, Topic Chairpersons, the Sponsor list, and designated List Owner as well as other volunteers who perform specific service:

1. Receiving request from persons interested in becoming part of Awakenings, entering email address on monthly working sheet [monitoring for time period of service], and responding by sending Guideline Letter [1]

2. When response is received, responding with the "About Us" to the person [2]

3. Entering the email address on the listserv, assuring the address is correct, sending notification from the computer [3] and advising Team as needed. [Must have password]

4. Posting a welcome to all members via the listserv, with the correct email address, name and state/province/country if available [Hugs memo [4]

5. Sending the "How to Participate" [5]

6. Sending the "Cyber tips [6]

7. Sending the list of current Trusted Sevants, Topic Chairs and Focus on CAL Posters [7] Done by Trusted Servant Coordinator.

8. Receiving and acting on bounces, notifying Team. [Must have password]

9. Receiving and acting on address changes, notifying Team. [Must have password]

10. Receiving and acting on requests for removal. [Must have password]

11. Weekly, making changes in headers and footers, assuring as a minimum Step/Tradition/Concept/other of the month, the TS alias address, Awakenings website, necessary announcements and copyright quote in agreement with the license to use CAL is correct. [Must have password] Monthly assures new Topic Chair is reminded how headers are changed.

12. Monthly the person designated to keep the working list reviews the list and sends a follow-up letter to those who have not responded.

13. Monthly, following #13, the designated person alphas the listserv membership list, advising team it has been done and assures person designated in #8 above has cc. [Must have password]

14. In keeping with our Al-Anon traditions, all outside advertising is discouraged, including workplace signatures. When a link is sent to the meeting, an email will be written to the sender to please stop sending links. If the member does not respond or if their computer has a virus that will take awhile to repair, the member is removed from the list (not banned), and an email is sent saying they are welcome to return whenever the problem is fixed. The Trusted Servants suggest to the whole membership that any link to a site that you don't recognize be deleted.

15. All Member Services Team members are part of AwakeBus and:

a. Make recommendation for changes in both process and welcome package content.
b. Keep Team advised when needing backup.
c. Assist in assuring letters are current and changes in letters and/or procedure are changed on the website.
d. Advise AwakeBus when ready to rotate.

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Trusted Servant Coordinator

The Trusted Servant Coordinator serves a 3 year term, if possible, and is filled by a volunteer from the Awakenings membership.

Suggested Tasks:

  1. Primarily keeps list of volunteers for Topic Chair and Focus on CAL posters and Forum Posters; sends Trusted Servant Coordinator welcome letter to newcomers as part of the Member Services Team:

    1. As needed, calls for filling of positions by posting to list [included suggested tasks for positions(s).

    2. Reminds individual(s) 1 week before service position is to start and resends suggested tasks for position.

    3. As needed makes changes in list of TS included in the welcome letter; may periodically check with AwakeBus to assure information is correct.

    4. Assures that Topic Chairs and FOC posters, Forum Posters are aware of current license/permission to quote CAL in our meeting.

  2. Upon request, sends Trusted Servant Tasks to members requesting same or refers them to website; may remind participants of their availability.

  3. As needed, works with Member Contact and Member Services Coordinator to call for volunteers for other service positions. [Posts call for filling of position and the suggested tasks for the position].

  4. Advises AwakeBus when ready to rotate.

  5. Serves on AwakeBus; making recommendations or smooth flowing of this position.

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A. Awakenings Topic Chair

(rotating monthly - or shared by several for a month) [Revised 7/12/98]

Suggested Tasks:

    1. The topic chair serves a month and begins posting on the first Sunday of the month or early Monday am after the first Sunday of the month. Topic changes occur weekly which stress Awakenings focus [Steps 3/11/Spirituality] and are posted to the Awakenings membership every Sunday or Monday am.

    2. As we don't want to lose spontaneity, reminds members that shares are also welcomed on any aspect of their spiritual journey; as are requests for ESH facing current challenges.

    3. May choose to post Suggested Welcome, Steps (may include The Four Primary Ideas), Traditions, Concepts of Service and/or Suggested Closing as long as they are not altered and include the acknowledgment: "From {identify the publication}, Page {Page Nmbr}, Copyright 19__, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc." (*1)

    4. Notifies Trusted Servant Coordinator or AwakeBus of any problems.

    5. Tries to encourage participation by as many as possible.

    (*1) To be in harmony with the written permission granted by The Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc to Awakenings on July 4, 1998. [For copy of licensing letter write awakenings@ola-is.org ]
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B. Focus On CAL Poster(s)

(1 year term) [Last amended March 1, 2000]

Suggested Tasks:

    1. On designated day, selects a short quote appropriate to the special focus of Awakenings from Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature (CAL).

      • Maximum length to be quoted from CAL is one paragraph. Excerpts from several paragraphs may not be linked to create the equivalent of a paragraph. (*1)

      • The Subject is "Focus on CAL" and the post begins with "Today is ____" Following a quote from a piece of CAL, the following tag MUST be included: "From {identify the publication}, Page {PageNo}, Copyright 19__, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc." (1)

    2. May add to posting: To order CAL visit the WSO website literature page
      www.al-anon.alateen.org

    3. Notifies Trusted Servant Coordinator or AwakeBus of any problems and when wishing to rotate.

    (*1) To be in harmony with the written permission granted by the Board of the Al-Anon Family Groups to Awakenings on July 4, 1998 we have chosen to abide by the request to only use Conference Approved Literature which we have been given limited permission to quote and to give due credit to Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. [For copy of licensing letter contact us.]

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C. Forum Article Poster

(2 year term) [added June 2001]

Suggested Tasks:

1. Monthly, selects a Forum article from that month, appropriate to the special focus of Awakenings. The Forum article eligible for selection must end with "Feel free to duplicate this article on the Internet with the folowing credit line: Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Familly Group Hdqs. Inc., Virginia Beach, VA."

2. The Subject Line of the Email should read "Forum Article".

3. Add the following to bottom of the posting:

a. Reprinted with permission of The Forum,
Al-Anon Famnily Group Hdqs., Inc.,
Virginia Beach, VA.
b. To place your subscription order for The Forum, as well as other literature, check out the web site:
http://www.Al-Anon-Alateen.org
c. To submit an article for print send article to
wso@al-anon.org

d. The Forum Statement of Purpose: The Forum is the international monthly publication of Al-Anon Family Groups. In the pages of this magazine, Al-Anon and Alateen members share their experience, strength, and hope as they do in meetings. "This voice of the fellowship: offers a forum in which individual members and groups can be heard. Such sharing is vital in helping readers find growth and serenity through the Al-Anon program. All sharings become property of Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc."

4. Notifies Trusted Servant Coordinator (and/or any other Awakenings trusted servants using this form) of any problems and/or when wishing to rotate.

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Secretary

(Three year term) (Volunteer from membership) [ADDED 11/99]

Suggested Tasks:

1. Maintains and archives a record of all decisions made by the members of The Awakenings Online Al-Anon Family email Meeting.

2. Maintains and archives a list of all AwakeBus members and assures address are correct on any list used for AwakeBus services to the Meeting. Is intrusted with password to listservs used for AwakeBus and Awakenings Committees.

3. Assures that the correct email and postal service address is on file with the World Service Office of the Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc. and the Online Al-Anon Information Service: current email - awakenings@ola-is.org Postal Service - the Current Mailing Address [CMA] of the Member Contact [in lieu of Group Representative] and Alternate Member Contact [Postal and email]

4. Maintains and archives decisions made by the Trusted Servants on AwakeBus; Member Services letters; Meeting procedures; licensing letters from The Al-Anon Family Groups Headquarters, Inc. granting limited permission to Awakenings to quote copyrighted Conference Approved Literature [CAL]; reports of committees; and assists in preparing reports to the entire membership, as needed. [May summarize AwakeBus discussions.]

5. Coordinates with Website Coordinator in assuring appropriate changes are updated.

6. At the request of other Trusted Servants of AwakeBus coordinates posting of announcements to Awakenings assuring an opportunity to comment/question to awakenings@ola-is.org:

a. Yearly, the month prior to, Awakenings birthday September 26, 1996; renewal of license for limited use of CAL November of each year; and renewal of listserv agreement each year [currently April 10, 2000]

b. Quarterly, the call for format changes [suggested Guideline 7]

c. Quarterly, Seventh Tradition appeals from the World Service Office.

d. As needed the How To FAQ with list of current Trusted Servants on AwakeBus, Focus on CAL posters and Monthly Topic Chairs.

e. As needed calls for Trusted Servants, with suggested tasks.

f. Monthly [for 3 months], following each Group Conscience a reminder that summaries of all comments may be requested by writing awakenings@ola-is.org

g. As needed, other announcements to help keep the members of Awakening informed.

7. When a ballot/poll is sent to the membership of Awakenings, with the assistance of at least one other TS, tallies all ballots received and prepares report showing total(s) votes cast, Yes/No/Abstain, the percentage of the votes cast to determine 2/3rds and/or a majority of those returning ballots and all comments received on each matter(s) before the meeting. Includes total # of members the date the ballot was sent to the members. Sends report to AwakeBus for inclusion in final report to the members.

8. With the concurrence of AwakeBus, may call for and delegate tasks to an Alternate Secretary [who shall become a member of AwakeBus].

10. Serves on AwakeBus and makes recommendations for changes.

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Computer Technical Helper

(6 year term) (volunteer with suggested 6 months membership in Awakenings) (added by group conscience, March 2017)

Suggested Tasks:

  1. Have e-mail address included in Welcome as person available to help persons understand the mechanics of using their computer.

  2. Occasionally posts a reminded as to availability.

  3. Serves on AwakeBus; making recommendations for any changes.

  4. Notifies AwakeBus when ready to rotate.

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Sponsor and One-on-One Sharing List Coordinator

(3 year term; suggested 6 months of experience in Awakenings) (added by group conscience, 2/10)

The purpose of this Trusted Servant position is to provide to our members seeking special guidance in their journey of recovery a list of Awakenings members who are willing to sponsor or write one-on-one. The provision of the list is not a substitute for f2f meetings or f2f sponsorship; but is offered as a means to assist those who are so led by their Higher Power to ask.

Suggested Tasks:

  1. Maintains list of persons willing to have their names on a list to be a sponsor *a service sponsor* and/or for one-on-one sharing.

  2. Periodically asks members to send in their names for the list and asks if anyone wants to be removed.

  3. Removes from sponsor/one-one-one sharing list those who are no longer participating on Awakenings.

  4. Communicates any known changes in sponsor or one-on-one sharing list with Members Service Team or AWAKEBUS. (revised, by group conscience, 2/10)

  5. Posts sponsor/one-on-one sharing list monthly to whole membership. (added by group conscience, 2/10)

  6. Notifies AwakeBus when ready to rotate.

  7. Serves on AwakeBus; makes recommendations regarding this position. 11/3/98 [r 11/99]

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Website Coordinator

[Added 6/16/98] (Unlimited term) (volunteer with suggested 6 months membership in Awakenings) (added by group conscience, March 2017) Assumes responsibility for website and serves on the OLA-IS web committee. [Knowledge of HTML and FTP needed]

Suggested tasks:

  1. Checks monthly all the links on the website, assuring they are working correctly.

  2. Makes changes to the website as needed.

  3. Works with the Chair of the OLA-IS web committee to make or advise of any changes needed to be in harmony with what is emerging as it relates to our web page link on the OLA-IS site.

  4. Makes changes in alias list by sending to liaison with website provider, sending cc to AwakeBus.

  5. Serves as part of AwakeBus; recommends changes as needed.

  6. Notifies AwakeBus when ready to rotate.

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AwakeBus

[added 1/00]

AwakeBus is the name given to the business arm of Awakenings. The Bus is open to all Awakenings members but takes place via a separate email list so as to not interrupt the topic of the Awakenings AFG meeting. The BUS convenes twice yearly (more often if needed). The Member Contact sends out an invitation to join to all Awakenings members prior to each Business meeting.

The Bus discusses the annual Group Conscience and any other questions raised by the members. Any changes are made with affirmation of the substantial unanimity of the AwakeBus. If needed, an Ad Hoc committee open to any member who wishes to participate is established.

When there is any change that will affect Awakenings or Al-Anon as a whole, after reasoning out a possible solution, they bring the matter before all the members seeking the wisdom of the entire membership; recording both the votes and comments made by each member, reviewing them to see if a comment made indicates a divisive question affecting the harmony of Awakenings or Al-Anon as a whole; and reporting back to the entire membership [with a suggested resolution, if needed]. [amended by group conscience poll, June 2014]

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