Update on Plymouth (cult) Intergroup

Our contributor writes:

“IT'S ROTTEN!!!!

If this were an episode of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, the above phrase would be ringing in your ears - and there is no more appropriate phrase to describe- what is left - of Plymouth Intergroup.

Where do we begin?

Facts and figures -

85% of all positions remain vacant, 10% of those in position are 'Caretaking' the role until someone takes over (12th of Never, should you ask) which leaves 5% elected and in position Treasurer and Where To Find (absent from more meetings than he has attended).

The R-T-R contingent have all stepped out of their positions, and have done this early - having achieved nothing in their time in position. And their excuses boarder on hilarious - I've got a baby now (hmmm.....this is an hour and a half meeting once every two months, not a full time 40hr per week position) - I thought I needed to rotate out at this time - oh well, I've missed the last meeting so I'll just step down now - are amongst the best and most recent.

R-T-R love love love taking up service positions at Intergroup, and drop them before they are due to rotate out - it's a form of control, I'm sure.

The number of GSR's represented at Intergroup coup now be counted on one hand, and would still give you fingers left over. It has become an established fact that Plymouth Intergroup is a waste of time.

Now, shall we look at who's left?

The Treasurer - the ultimate control freak. The most recent meeting was moved to accommodate her being there. Heaven forbid that she may not be able to attend, hence we were given days of notice that the meeting was moved, and this lead to an all time low attendance.

Now, GSO have told groups that they may keep a reserve of money to use for local work, PI etc - this was discussed some 6 months ago, and Plymouth Intergroup decided to hold back a portion of money to use. You will see how this links in to the start of this letter, as there is no one in position to do any additional work! So Plymouth, the Intergroup that haemorrhaged money whilst the previous Treasurer, a R-T-R member, gambled the lot away! So an Intergroup that cannot be trusted to manage its finances is allowed to keep a higher surplus and not send it to GSO!!!

It beggars belief!

Plymouth Intergroup is, unfortunately, a non-functioning body.

Nobody is allowed to join and everybody leaves...it provides a platform for AA members to be seen to be doing 'service' - service being sitting down in a room for barely 90 minutes, 30 of those spent trying to avoid the halitosis of the R-T-R GSR, who ALWAYS has to find a point from the previous meetings minutes, no matter how small, to go over - several times. Given the choice I feel that he would pull apart the grammar, spelling, syntax and type font used - as long as it showed that he was doing service.

So we concluded our update - a rotten non-functioning Intergroup, that does nothing to spread the message, nothing to enable members to take part and nothing to send the correct sums of money to GSO (you never know, someone, one day, might, just might use some money to spread the message - but then again. No.) But we will see what happens at the next meeting, once the Treasurer has decided a date convenient for herself.

As always -

InTheKnow”

Comment: In reading this piece we are inevitably reminded of the Dead Parrot sketch c/o Monty Python. … and the proper response (suggested) to any cult member who offers to sponsor you!

Thanks to our correspondent

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous …. and satire generally!)

Conference Questions (2013) forum discussion (contd)

Committee No. 2 

Question 2: 

Would the Fellowship discuss, share experience and make recommendations on the question of:

 What can AA do to better carry the message to young alcoholics both inside and outside of the Fellowship?

More specifically, would Conference consider, discuss and make recommendations on the following:

a. What can be done to make AA more of an attractive place to young people inside of AA?
b. What can be done to make AA more of an attractive place to young people outside of AA?
c. Consider updating the “Too Young?” poster with input from younger members?
d. Could young people be represented in the AA structure? 

Background

In Continental Europe Region there is a position of Young People contact who has a Liaison Officer role with full voting rights.

Ref: 

Too young poster AAGB
Too young poster AA US
Too Young pamphlet 

[See also: TheTraditions, Preamble and Concepts]

Extracts:

“ If it is explained to young people that an AA sponsor who has been dry for 5,10,20 or 30 years can still be as sick as a parrot and if AA meetings closed with the following readings from AA literature and the Monty Python song “Always look on the Bright Side of Life” then it might be a step in the right direction.

“He is asked to believe in a power greater than himself, or at least to keep an open mind on that subject while he goes on with the rest of the program. Any concept of the Higher Power is acceptable. A skeptic or agnostic may choose to think of his Inner Self, the miracle of growth, a tree, man’s wonderment at the physical universe, the structure of an atom, or mere mathematical infinity. Whatever form is visualized, the neophyte is taught that he must rely on it and, in his own way, to pray to the power for strength. He next makes a sort of moral inventory of himself with the private aid of another person. – one of his A.A. sponsors, a priest, a minister, a psychiatrist, or anyone else he fancies.”    (“The Jack Alexander Article about AA” pp19-20) 

“In order to carry the principle of inclusiveness and tolerance still further, we make no religious requirement of anyone. All people having an alcohol problem who wish to get rid of it and make a happy adjustment the circumstances of their lives, become A.A. members by simply associating with us. Nothing but sincerity is asked of anyone. In this atmosphere the orthodox, unorthodox, and the unbeliever mix happily and usefully together.” (Pass It On page 173)

“Always look on the Bright side of life” can be searched on the internet using the terms: Monty Python always look on the bright side of life”

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

See also AA Minority Report 2013