Group Conscience Topics
OSC
- OSC > Charter > GROW Input (1/04)
- OSC > Participation > GROW Participation (7/04)
- OSC > Participation > GROW Participation (1/04)
- OSC > Participation > GROW Participation (4/03)
- OSC > Participation > OSC Website (1/04)
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Charter
OSC > Charter > GROW Input (1/04)
Decision: Decisions on three OSC items -- 1C) OSC definition of an online group; 1D) OSC rep length of term; and 1E) GROW listing on OSC website -- will be withheld until OSC arrives at a Charter we can support.
Proposal: OSC Charter: How should our rep vote?
Comments: Our OSC representative for GROW requested a group conscience on how she should vote on the proposed OSC Charter.
By the end of the first four days, 5 respondents had given a head nod for the proposed charter, with one of the 5, after hearing discussion, stating that she needed to give it more thought. Four respondents voiced concerns, summarized as follows:
The majority of reps from 44 groups will issue online advisories that are considered the group conscience (GC) of all online AA. Motions would be approved by two-thirds majority, or as Karen pointed out, 29 random people deciding group conscience for other online groups, including GROW.
OSC is a relatively young group and needs to demonstrate maturity before being given such a responsibility.
We are fortunate to have two GROW members involved with OSC. Karen is the representative for another group, and Gigi is the representative for GROW. Both have shared helpful insight.
The second 4-day discussion on the OSC Charter centered around a proposal that we:
- continue to send our representative to OSC;
- oppose the the proposed OSC Charter;
- withhold any other decisions (and discussions) regarding OSS until the group arrives at a Charter we can support; and
- that we write a brief statement to this effect for Gigi can share with OSC.
Of the 11 who responded, nine supported the proposal. Of these nine, one suggested that GROW consider what we want for our group in terms of representation, our contribution to the group conscience of AA as a whole, and online AA in particular. She suggested this as an agenda item at our October 2004 business meeting.
Of the 11 who responded, two had questions and concerns. One voiced doubt that AA as a whole would benefit from an additional layer of bureaucracy. A second member questioned what element(s) would be in a Charter that GROW could support; what has caused us to question the effectiveness of OSC; what are the disadvantages of non OSC membership; and what are the advantages OSC membership.
OSC Rep for GROW submitted to the business list for review and comment a draft letter to OSC. The letter was revised slightly in response to feedback from GROW-BUS, as this second 4-day session drew to an end, Gigi learned that OSC was about to close the Charter discussion early. She quickly submitted GROW's letter.
In another bit of business related to OSC, Mage reminded the group that GROW discussed the OSC Rep term in April 2003. At that time, GROW agreed that the OSC guideline for the term of office for OSC Representatives should be two years. This was recorded as a decision by consensus.
Following more discussion and clarification, all respondents (11) agreed to support the 4-part proposal. Mage reminded us that this was in keeping with two previous group conscience decisions regarding the OSC. She also reinforced that the remaining questions and concerns would be open for discussion at future GROW-BUS meetings.
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Participation
OSC > Participation > GROW Participation (7/04)
Decision: GROW will no longer participate in OSC.
Proposal: Our participation for OSC has been an item of discussion, and under consideration since July 2002. In June, our OSC Rep asked the Steering Committee (SC) for direction.
After discussing a variety of options, including opening the business list for an emergency meeting, the SC decided that: "We not send our representatives to the July OSC; and that we take the discussion of permanent withdrawal from OSC to the regular business meeting in July."
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OSC > Participation > GROW Participation (1/04)
Decision: GROW will continue to send an Online Service Representative to the Online Service Conferences, but GROW will withhold any formal endorsement of the OSC until (at least) after a report on the next conference scheduled for January 2003.
GROW's Online Service Representative will advise the GROW steering committee and/or business list of Advisory ballots and any other significant decisions presented as representing group conscience for all online AA groups.
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OSC > Participation > GROW Participation (4/03)
Decision: GROW will be a member of the Online Service Conference, and our GSR will attend the next meeting in July 2003. This decision comes with a cautionary reminder that we will continue to pay attention to what is said and done at OSC.
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OSC > Participation > OSC Website (1/04)
Decision: There is already a web site in place, and we will wait until OSC arrives at a charter that we can support before voting on their definition of an online group, the OSC rep length of term*, and the GROW listing on their OSC website.
We agreed to write a brief statement that could be sent to OSC. Several Biz List members worked on this and it was sent out early. Our OSC rep will keep us apprised of what is happening in OSC.
Proposal: Web Site and Funding Proposal (For action in OSC4): Would GROW like to see an OSC web site?