July 9th Mini Business Meeting
BM Chair: Maya took the lead for this meeting. Lauren was there to do background work, facilitate, and make notes.
BM Co-Chair: Lisa
Secretary: Lauren
This meeting was held to facilitate the SC feedback that was placed in June regarding a racism complaint that was issued.
I. Racism Complaint
A. Maya- Did not come into AA to be judged or hurt. She came in to rebuild herself and feel the unconditional love of AA. In early GUTS, she experienced someone calling her a racial slur when she was a newcomer in the meeting. It deeply affected her sobriety. She doesn’t want anyone else to experience that horrific kind of treatment. We have lost members over the blatant discrimination exhibited towards our members of color. Members have left because these issues were minimalized. GUTS has become more willing to set boundaries with people who cross these lines. This is not an outside issue because this behavior goes against our primary purpose. We are all here to survive. Recently, a member was making racist comments towards her.
1. Context: She was checking in with a fellow member. This female member was in crisis. The female member started making offensive comments such as, “Life is easier for black people in this country.” Maya talked about how her family and community is directly affected by racism and police brutality. She discussed how these issues have been relevant to her drinking and the harmful repercussions of discrimination. The member offensively remarked that Maya is privileged and did not want to discuss the matter further. The member threatened to report Maya on an AA level.
2. Maya: We are all equal in AA. We hold a safe space for everyone. She wants to ensure that all members feel welcome. The proposal she gave the group puts an emphasis on newcomers having a haven where they can issue complaints and get prompt attention.
3. Maya’s Proposal: She proposed that we have a Google document outlining various complaints that happen during the regular/sister meetings. These complaints can include anything that broke the Traditions/Primary Purpose and can encompass any form of discrimination that occurred. The type of complaint being issued will be specified in the document. These complaints can be brought to the Business Meeting.
4. Proposal (continued): Any incidents can be directed to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource Coordinator. Maya will be the Coordinator for this endeavor. These incidents will be logged into the Google document. She wants to offer newcomers alternate resources that offer inclusion for our members. Also, she wants newcomers to know that they are heard, and these matters are taken seriously by the group.
– Proposal was Seconded and Passed Collectively (9 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
5. Lauren: Hate Speech such as racism, sexism, homophobia, ethnocentrism is outlined in the rough draft of the Ban Guidelines, and this behavior can warrant an indefinite ban at the group level. These guidelines are still being created and will need a group vote before usage.
6. Tradition 10
– We do not enable hate speech because it does not help the next struggling alcoholic to achieve sobriety. All members of AA are equal. Hate Speech is severely damaging to a member’s sobriety and mental health. Allowing members to vocally express outside issues to perpetuate a racist and prejudiced mentality into a meeting violates Tradition 10. Enabling racism or discriminatory behavior does not create a safe space for a diverse community. Hate Speech creates divisiveness, disunity, and draws the group into controversy. Equality is not attainable when individuals take a prejudiced stance. This stance breaks the necessary neutrality on outside issues.
II. Proposal in Action
A. These solutions were offered and voted upon collectively by the group to keep it simple. The attendees voted to put these solutions in place and Lauren is writing it out for clarification.
1. The Cultural Resource Coordinator title has been changed to “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource Coordinator.” Within the month, the group will be adding a couple of members to help Maya with the workload.
2. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource Coordinator will be an Honorary Steering Committee Member position. Maya and any future Coordinators will need the ability to communicate with the SC during meetings and SC Thread. The Google document with complaints will be given to the SC periodically. We will work with each other to ensure that these complaints are facilitated and addressed by the group.
3. A separate email will be created by Maya. This email will be used to submit these complaints. The SC and Maya’s helpers will have access to this email. All decisions are made through the group.
4. A cohost blurb will be written out for the group to post throughout the meeting. Lauren will bring this cohost blurb to the next SC/BM meeting for group approval. It will include the email and necessary information.
– Might look like this: GUTS takes harassment and discriminatory behavior seriously. For the sake of creating a safe and equal environment for all attendees, please direct any issues to this email [insert
email]. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource Coordinator or a helper will reach out to you. This resource is available for members to receive empathetic and personal interaction alongside addressing matters that are harmful to attendees. Resources and additional help will be provided to help members on their journey towards sobriety.
5. We will be using these solutions as a trial run for a month. This will be revisited for the sake of adjustments. The logistics of this proposal can be altered based on what works and incorporating simplistic methods for meeting functionality.
6. Group collectively voted to have these solutions put into place. Seconded and Passed (9 Yes Votes/No Dissent)
7. Thank you, Maya, for having the courage to speak up about this and providing solutions for the group. She showed a lot of strength and perseverance. Her dedication to the newcomer is greatly appreciated. This work will help shape an environment that provides refuge for anyone who seeks sobriety.