Post by RCA Webmaster on Jun 12, 2023 6:09:14 GMT -5
Decorum in debate is also guided by Robert’s Rules of Order, which states:
When a question is pending, a member can condemn the nature or likely consequences of the proposed measure in strong terms, but [the member] must avoid personalities, and under no circumstances can [the member] attack or question the motives of another member. The measure and not the member is the subject of the debate.
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Proposal for 2023 ABM
No: 4 Title: Proposal to edit Daily Reflection 51 “Balance and Stability: The 3 Legged Stool of RCA Recovery” on page 294 of the Basic Text to emphasize the value to couples of individual recovery which includes not only 12-Step recovery, but also individual psychotherapy or counseling, working with a spiritual advisor or other self-awareness work.”
Submitter: RCA Literature Committee’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion Type: Amendment to Fellowship Approved Literature.
Motion:
The Committee moves to edit Daily Reflection number 51, “Balance and Stability: The Three-Legged Stool of RCA Recovery,” at page 294. Ballot Proposal Four is to delete the following text shown in italic strikeout type and to replace it with the text shown in boldface type:
“Balance and Stability:
“The Three-Legged Stool of RCA Recovery
“The three legs of our Recovery Stool (each person’s individual recovery as well as the coupleship’s recovery) are interdependent. Our personal recovery programs support us individually, which in turn support our work on coupleship healing.Without personal, individual healing, it is difficult to fully participate in healing our coupleships. While working an individual 12-Step program is not a prerequisite to RCA membership, many of us have found that individual recovery work has been a very valuable foundation for our coupleship recovery. And individual recovery includes not only 12-Step recovery, but also individual psychotherapy or counseling, working with a spiritual advisor or other self-awareness work. Coupleship healing not only supports couple intimacy, it also assists in our individual recoveries. Without some coupleship healing, our individual healing becomes more difficult, lacking a supportive environment. And without treating our coupleship as a distinct entity needing healing, it is difficult to heal either the coupleship or ourselves. Each leg is important to the whole – all interwoven, all interdependent. Without any one of these three legs, our lives tend to lose balance. We need all three legs for stability
“Our commitment today
“Today we will discuss how our individual recoveries are helping to keep our coupleship alive and well.
“My commitment today
“Today I find ways to maintain my individual well-being – physically, emotionally, and spiritually – so I can be a healthy partner in my coupleship.”
Submitter’s Rationale:
If passed this proposal would implement a recommendation made by the RCA Literature Committee’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (“Committee”). The Committee was appointed at the direction of the RCA Board of Directors to look for ways to help make RCA more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all, including in its website, literature, and meetings. RCA’s rules require the approval of the fellowship to make changes to RCA’s Basic Text. That is why this ballot proposal has been submitted to you for your consideration.
The Committee offered the following reasoning to the RCA Board of Trustees in support of its recommended revision:
“While having an individual 12-Step program is to be encouraged, we do not want anyone to feel excluded because they have followed a different path of self-improvement. We can retain much of this reflection, with only minor changes, to make it more inclusive and welcoming. This change is more in keeping with RCA’s statement regarding membership, at page 10 of the Basic Text: ‘Ultimately, we feel it is important for both members of a couple to be involved in individual recovery, or other spiritual work, for real progress to be made in the coupleship. It is not, however, a requirement to get started in couple recovery. RCA is a safe place to begin that healing process, and it offers support for continued individual work. We refuse no couple who wishes to recover.’ The recommended change also comports with the Third Tradition: ‘The only requirement for RCA membership is a desire to remain in a committed relationship.’ An individual recovery program, while helpful, is not a requirement.”
.
Board of Trustees’ Comments on Proposal Four
The Board unanimously endorses Ballot Proposal #4 for the reasons stated in the submitter's rationale, which is based on the report of the Literature Committee's Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.
Structure Committee’s Comments on Proposal Four
The proposed revision to our Basic Text is not necessary. In its rationale the Ad-Hoc Committee felt that the Reflection included an unwelcoming, exclusionary statement; that individual 12-Step recovery is a pre-requisite or co-requisite to membership in RCA. Tradition Three specifically states the opposite of that opinion. On page 87 of the Basic Text, in the section expounding upon Tradition Three RCA states: “However, individual recovery is not a requirement to get started in couple recovery.”
1 Yay and 5 Nays
When a question is pending, a member can condemn the nature or likely consequences of the proposed measure in strong terms, but [the member] must avoid personalities, and under no circumstances can [the member] attack or question the motives of another member. The measure and not the member is the subject of the debate.
====================================
Proposal for 2023 ABM
No: 4 Title: Proposal to edit Daily Reflection 51 “Balance and Stability: The 3 Legged Stool of RCA Recovery” on page 294 of the Basic Text to emphasize the value to couples of individual recovery which includes not only 12-Step recovery, but also individual psychotherapy or counseling, working with a spiritual advisor or other self-awareness work.”
Submitter: RCA Literature Committee’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion Type: Amendment to Fellowship Approved Literature.
Motion:
The Committee moves to edit Daily Reflection number 51, “Balance and Stability: The Three-Legged Stool of RCA Recovery,” at page 294. Ballot Proposal Four is to delete the following text shown in italic strikeout type and to replace it with the text shown in boldface type:
“Balance and Stability:
“The Three-Legged Stool of RCA Recovery
“The three legs of our Recovery Stool (each person’s individual recovery as well as the coupleship’s recovery) are interdependent. Our personal recovery programs support us individually, which in turn support our work on coupleship healing.
“Our commitment today
“Today we will discuss how our individual recoveries are helping to keep our coupleship alive and well.
“My commitment today
“Today I find ways to maintain my individual well-being – physically, emotionally, and spiritually – so I can be a healthy partner in my coupleship.”
Submitter’s Rationale:
If passed this proposal would implement a recommendation made by the RCA Literature Committee’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (“Committee”). The Committee was appointed at the direction of the RCA Board of Directors to look for ways to help make RCA more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all, including in its website, literature, and meetings. RCA’s rules require the approval of the fellowship to make changes to RCA’s Basic Text. That is why this ballot proposal has been submitted to you for your consideration.
The Committee offered the following reasoning to the RCA Board of Trustees in support of its recommended revision:
“While having an individual 12-Step program is to be encouraged, we do not want anyone to feel excluded because they have followed a different path of self-improvement. We can retain much of this reflection, with only minor changes, to make it more inclusive and welcoming. This change is more in keeping with RCA’s statement regarding membership, at page 10 of the Basic Text: ‘Ultimately, we feel it is important for both members of a couple to be involved in individual recovery, or other spiritual work, for real progress to be made in the coupleship. It is not, however, a requirement to get started in couple recovery. RCA is a safe place to begin that healing process, and it offers support for continued individual work. We refuse no couple who wishes to recover.’ The recommended change also comports with the Third Tradition: ‘The only requirement for RCA membership is a desire to remain in a committed relationship.’ An individual recovery program, while helpful, is not a requirement.”
.
Board of Trustees’ Comments on Proposal Four
The Board unanimously endorses Ballot Proposal #4 for the reasons stated in the submitter's rationale, which is based on the report of the Literature Committee's Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.
Structure Committee’s Comments on Proposal Four
The proposed revision to our Basic Text is not necessary. In its rationale the Ad-Hoc Committee felt that the Reflection included an unwelcoming, exclusionary statement; that individual 12-Step recovery is a pre-requisite or co-requisite to membership in RCA. Tradition Three specifically states the opposite of that opinion. On page 87 of the Basic Text, in the section expounding upon Tradition Three RCA states: “However, individual recovery is not a requirement to get started in couple recovery.”
1 Yay and 5 Nays