DA Pamphlet

“We attend business meetings that are held monthly. Many of us have long harbored feelings that “business” was not a part of our lives, but for “others” more qualified. Yet participation in running our own program teaches us how our organization operates, and also helps us to become responsible for our own recovery.”

Tenth Tool of Debtors Anonymous

What Is a Business Meeting?

Generally, a business meeting is a forum for discussing and developing solutions regarding anything that might affect the Debtors Anonymous group as a whole. Such items as upcoming D.A. events, the meeting format, election of officers and reports of officers are dealt with during a D.A. business meeting. Usually, these meetings are held once a month during a portion of the regular meeting that is specifically set aside for this purpose, or after the regular meeting.

Why Do We Attend Business Meetings?

Attending business meetings is an important part of our D.A. recovery. As debtors we often ignored our personal business and sometimes our professional business. By participating in D.A. business meetings we lear important tools for taking care of our personal or professional business, or both. The group’s regular meetings are also an important tool of recovery. At business meetings we address issues that ensure that our group will continue. Just by participating we provide a service to our group which helps us practice that principle of the twelfth step.   Most of us felt isolated before we came to D.A. Participation in business meetings helps us to overcome isolation and to feel that we are active members of the program. Business meetings offer us an important opportunity to be of service, which is yet another part of our recovery.

What Kind of Business Gets Conducted at a Business Meeting?

A wide range of topics can be discussed at a business meeting. In most cases, at least the following items are covered:

• Election of Trusted Servants: Usually these members hold terms for three to six months. Thus, elections occur every three to six months. The qualifications for each office, if any, and the duties to be performed are determined by the group.
• Reports of Trusted Servants: Reports from the treasurer, intergroup representative, general service representative and other trusted servants are presented monthly or as needed. In addition, announcements are made by the local intergroup, other groups in the area and the general service representative.
• Meeting Format: The group may decide to make changes such as time, topic of discussion, or format of the meeting.
• Contribution/Group Spending: The group’s contributions to the local Intergroup, the GSR Area Group and the General Service Office are decided and other expenses such as rent, refreshments, literature and child care fees are planned for.
• Literature: Issues such as whether to give free literature to newcomers are usually decided.

Who Conducts the Business Meeting?

A business meeting may be conducted by the regular group secretary. However, some groups find it easier to elect someone who is specifically designated as the chairperson of the group’s business meeting. By designating a separate chairperson, the group allows more people to be of service. Also, in some larger groups, it may relieve the secretary of the burden of added responsibilities associated with conducting the business meeting.

Who Decides What Is Discussed at a Business Meeting?

Aside from the items that will necessarily be discussed each month, such as reports from officers, any item that is D.A. related can be raised at a business meeting. Sometimes, the group requires that members submit any items for the business meeting agenda to the chairperson of the meeting prior to the start of the business meeting. Other groups will allow members to raise new issues from the floor during the business meeting.

How Is a Business Meeting Conducted?

The group conscience determines what type of procedure will be used to conduct the business meeting and make decisions. Some methods that have been used are consensus, parliamentary procedures and a combination of the two. Most groups begin and end their business meetings with a prayer. Generally, the chairperson runs the meeting and is responsible for recognizing members who want to speak. Often, the chairperson of the business meeting first asks for officer reports. Next, old business is conducted and then any new business is discussed.

What Feelings Come Up During a Business Meeting?

Many of us find business meetings uncomfortable. Often the meetings arouse feelings that there is not enough time. In groups where the business meeting is conducted during the regular meeting, some of us may be impatient and resent that the personal sharing time is taken up by business. There may be attempts to control the meeting, frustration over the process, or anger due to differences of opinions. When others raise issues in which we are not interested, sometimes feelings of intolerance come up. Newcomers may find the whole experience baffling.

Some of us feel distressed at having to participate in a group situation where differences of opinion arise regarding very specific issues. We have become accustomed to the relative safety of situations where there is little or no contention and where issues remain abstract and unresolved.  All these feelings lessen and begin to be replaced by a growing feeling of satisfaction and increased self-worth as we come to realize the value of participating, despite misgivings and fear. Recovery requires us to change our attitudes and outlook on life, to let go of old ideas. A business meeting is an excellent opportunity to put our new-found attitudes into action. We can learn to tolerate others, to trust that the format of the business meeting works and that participating, rather than scoffing at the business at hand, will only help us to grow in our recovery. Most importantly, we begin to realize that we are safe, and guided by our higher power.