MaY 18, 2020 District 17, I have heard a great many questions and concerns as to when we will open meetings in the District these past few weeks, it is not mine or the district’s decision, and it is up to the individual groups, and based on a few questions to think about listed below hopefully you will be able to feel better about whatever your decision turns out to be. I feel there is no correct or wrong answer; I can see both benefits on both sides. I attended an online workshop on 5/13/20 from Area 49/District 619 NY about Re-Opening AA Meetings. There were a lot of very good questions and or concerns brought up that I feel would make it easier to know the answer to before deciding to re-open any meetings. Again let me be very clear, I am not telling anyone or any group when, how, or even if to open your meetings, I have no say in what any group decides to do with the exception of my own home group which I only offer a vote there. This is going to be an independent GROUP decision you will have to make for yourselves. Remember, GSO does not does not provide guidelines or rules on health care issues as it is out of the scope of GSO. They recommend we look to our local, state, national governments and CDC to discuss what we, as a group, should do. Remember, we are autonomous and therefore they cannot tell us what to do. To see what GSO is doing regarding COVID, see the following link: https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/update-on-covid-19-coronavirus While we are responsible whenever a hand reaches out for help, we are also responsible for one another’s safety and well being. I feel we need to think about this as a responsible member of society and AA, and it is not only about my personal need to attend a face to face meeting, our actions will effect others, and theirs us. I feel that our 36 principles (12 steps, 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts) of our fellowship can offer a great deal of guidance when asking our groups these questions. This is no different than any other decision we have made in recovery, use the same guidance and apply the same principles we have been taught when asking these questions and trust the process.
- A group Conscious should be held to make the decision to open or not.
2. Will you be able to follow and conform to all CDC, Local and State guidance? Is your group familiar with these guidance’s, and regulations?
- Will your group’s actions and decisions affect other groups or AA as a whole?
- Will on-line and call in options be available during live meetings? And how does this affect anonymity issues?
- Is there any legal liability related to Covid-19 when face to face meetings are held?
- Will hospitality services continue (coffee, snacks, etc)?
- Will your meeting offer hand sanitizer?
- If masking is required, will your meeting supply masks to those who come without? Will you ask the person to leave if not masked?
- Will literature still be passed (readings, meeting lists, meditations readings, etc)?
- How will you practice the 7th Tradition?
11. How will you be able to enforce any of these new requirements, number of people attending, will you wear a mask, or anyone not wanting to follow any directions? 12. Will the requirements to attend be posted or published so anyone wanting to attend the meeting knows what to expect before they arrive there? I know this is not an all inclusive list or things to consider, and I am sure there are many items I have not thought of or added to this list, so if you have any input please reach out, many of you have a lot of service time invested in our district and I thank you all for that, and hope to see you soon. While thinking about the decision to open right now or not, take into consideration that while this has all been happening, you have all found a way to remain sober. I have seen people in small groups have had meetings, people have started and maintained online and zoom meetings, some meetings have remained open, we have used our support groups, used the phones, and like my first letter to the district, I have seen us all using the tools we have been taught, and I think that has made our district stronger in that respect. Whatever you decide to do it will be ok, there is no correct or wrong answer, just like in our recovery, have a plan, be cautious and follow your HP and it will be ok. Thanks for taking the time to read this and if you want to talk to me I am available Howard 814-243-6821