BUSINESS MEETING KBDM PROCESS at ASP:

 

1. CHAIR:  The Chair of the Business Meeting is either the List administrator or the Secretary, depending upon availability.

 

1. TIME OF MEETING: The Business Meeting meets during alternate months only.  The meeting will last for no longer than one calendar month.  If a topic of discussion is completed near the end of the month, the Chair may close the meeting.  If the current discussion is active at the end of the month, the discussion will be tabled until a later date.

 

1. AGENDA:  Any member of ASP who is in attendance at the Business Meeting may ask the Chair to put a topic on the agenda. The Chair opens the meeting and distributes the agenda to those in attendance.  The Web Master also posts the agenda on the web site.  

 

1. TOPIC OF DISCUSSION:  The first topic of discussion is the first item on the agenda.  The second topic of discussion may or may not be the second item on the agenda, depending on the needs of the meeting at the time.  In other words, the Chair may make adjustments to the agenda as needed to best serve the needs of the meeting.

 

1. WHO MAY PARTICIPATE:  Any member of ASP attending the Business Meeting may post on the topic being discussed.  The Chair is a “FULL“ participant in the Business Meeting and may post messages just like any other member of the meeting.

 

1. DISCUSSION:  Members are not limited to the number of posts per topic, however members are asked to refrain from posting the same thing over and over.  A post may be:
   1. A question;
   2. A statement of fact—if so please provide supporting evidence;
   3. A statement of Al-Anon principle—if so, please quote the applicable Step, Tradition or Concept;
   4. A statement of experience—if so, please say so and describe the Al-Anon experience in our usual way:  what it was like, what happened, and what it is like now;
   5. A statement of opinion—if so please be clear that it is your opinion and not a statement of fact or Al-Anon principle.

 

1. Members are asked to read ALL the new posts before posting a response or question.  Please do NOT ask questions that have already been  answered.

 

1. GROUP CONSCIENCE:  When a discussion appears to have been completed as evidenced by a lack of comments, questions or other input on the topic the Chair will close the discussion. 
   1. Once the topic has been closed, NO further discussion on the topic is permitted.
   2. If there appears to be a consensus on the topic, the Chair will ask for a motion.
   3. If the Chair, or any other member, feels that the motion is poorly worded or contrary to the perceived consensus, amendments to the motion may be made. 
   4. The Chair will announce the motion including a full quote of the final motion (no paraphrasing) and announce the terms of the group conscience

1. House keeping motions require a simple majority
2. Most motions require a 2/3 majority to achieve substantial unanimity. 
3. Controversial motions which would also make a significant change to the meeting require majority.
4. Duration of the balloting; usually 5 calendar days.
   1. 1. The Web Master will post the full wording of the motion on the web site.
      2. The Chair or the Web Master will set up a ballot (poll) and all motions are voted on as “FOR” the motion, “AGAINST” the motion, or “ABSTAIN”.  Again, no paraphrasing.
      3. The Chair will announce the results of the balloting when the poll closes and the Web Master will post the results on the Web Site.
   1. NEXT TOPIC:  The Chair may open the next topic for discussion prior to the closing of the poll. 
   1. If the Business Meeting seems to be unable to function under the KBDM process for some reason, the Chair may revert to the Robert’s Rules of Order at their discretion.