Holding the business meeting

The member facilitating the business meeting will be responsible for calling on any members who wish to share their thoughts on the motion. During discussion, it is important that all voices are heard, and that respect is maintained, regardless of the member’s outlook, and that no one talks out of turn.

Should discussion become overly passionate, it is important to remember why the group/meeting is having the discussion that has some members so passionate in the first place – to determine how best to fufill MA’s primary purpose and carry the message to the addict who is still suffering! This is also where it’s important to try and hear any minority views, not just the loudest voices, and to have the willingness and open mind to listen to all viewpoints.

During the annual MA World Services business Conference, if tensions are rising any member can raise both hands to stop the meeting and say the “Serenity Prayer.” When anyone sees hands raised, they raise theirs, until everyone in the room has raised their hands. At this point, discussion pauses and whomever initiated raising hands leads the group in the “Serenity Prayer,” usually the “We” version. Often, this helps calm the tension and pause to remember why we are all so passionate about the discussion.

“Pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action.” – AA Big Book pg 87 

We can all benefit from this quote – particularly during potentially heated discussions. If members are feeling agitated or doubtful as a group during these discussions, take a pause to seek guidance for the next indicated right thought or action. 

There is no need to rush in reaching a group conscience, groups/meetings have until May 9, 2023 to return their votes. If a group conscience cannot be reached in one business meeting, it can be tabled, to be continued during another business meeting when everyone is feeling rested and refreshed physically and spiritually to continue the discussion in a productive manner.

If everyone in a meeting seems to be in agreement, or if the group/meeting is smaller, meeting discussion may conclude quickly, needing only one business meeting. Moving to a vote could be an easy transition. 

If discussion has become over-extended, occurring over multiple business meetings, the group conscience seems divided, there may be too many opposing opinions, or discussion is going in circles, it may be the time to vote on whether or not to end discussion. If the vote to end discussion does not pass, then discussion resumes as it was before until the group conscience decides to vote. 

It is possible that those with a minority opinion will never sway their thoughts, or come to an understanding with the rest of the group’s opinions. We always hope that everyone can agree within the group conscience but that may not be possible. Please see the following question about what percentage of a meeting’s group conscience votes that must be in favor of the proposed change to pass the motion. 

Voting YES, means that you agree with the proposed changes. 

Voting NO, means you do not agree with the proposed changes.

When the meeting has decided it is time to vote on the proposed changes, voting can also occur in a variety of ways: 

• For discrete voting, you may consider a secret paper ballot for in person meetings. Or, for discrete voting in virtual meetings, you can consider sending a direct message in the chat to the trusted servant    
• Or perhaps vote by raising hands (either using virtual or “physical hands”) or, audibly stating yes or no. 
• Meetings are autonomous and so it’s entirely up to the meeting how voting will occur, and what percentage of the meeting/group must be in favor of a proposed change/motion in order for it to pass/take effect.