I just would like some feedback on something that I see happening at my
AA group and what we can do about it in light of the traditions.   Our 
meeting is a downtown noon meeting, theoretically a closed meeting, 
although I don't think many people know that.  It was founded by some 
oldtimers with sobriety measured in double-digit years - usually twenty
plus.  Some of these same oldtimers tend to sit in the back and 
righteously rule the meeting.  There are almost never business meetings
except to plan the group anniversary/Xmas party every year.  The really
big decisions are made by these guys.
Well last thurs. for some reason one of them - the bossiest one - 
didn't like what one young man had to say at a meeting.  I don't know 
what it was.  I came it late by ten minutes or so, but I didn't here 
anything profoundly objectionable.  After the meeting the young man 
came up to me me and said "S. says I can't chair the meeting here every
other Thurs. as I've been doing."  To which my response was "Without a 
business meeting?"
Recently R. another member of the back row commitee is said to have 
told another old-timer not in their clique that if he did not like how 
R. ran HIS meeting he could get the F*** out.  
I am profoundly upset as this is the ONLY meeting I can get to.  I 
recognized that one of the reasons I've been going to meetings less and
less is because of this.  I am also very intimidated by it and I don't 
handle conflict well at all.
I have been trying to go to this group and be different, reminiscent of
the expression "it is better to light one candle than to curse the 
darkness."   But it is getting more and more discouraging.
Any comments?  Anybody?  Help!
--- TriToss (tm) Professional 1.0 - #66
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