Chairing meetings

[MootPoint]

Does it ever get easier, or are some ppl just the nervous type?

I've chaired twice, and now, within one week, have been asked to chair 2 meetings. I know you're not supposed to say no, so I didn't.

And, it doesn't help that so much of my story involves drugs, so I have to leave out big chunks. or, what I've done in the 2 I've chaired, referred to "other substances". Not including the chunks with the drugs would be feeding the ppl a bunch of

Pardon me while I sweat bullets just thinking of getting up there again.

Have I said yet?

[Dan]

It gets easier Mooty.
There's a reason you're being asked to do it.

[MootPoint]

I saw the secretaries of these two meetings eyeballing me for about a month now. So being the stout and strong individual that I am , I've been ducking and dodging.

Wednesday, the secretary literally cornered me and asked me. Thursday, the secretary actually took my arm (gently), smiled up at me so sweetly, and asked.

Thursday is at a drug and alcohol rehab so I'm a bit more comfy with that one, because I'm sure most of them have lived my story.

Still, even re the Thursday meeting,

[Dan]

It's service to the brothers and sisters.
Nothing more. It's part of you recovery Moot. Even the die in the wool alcoholics love this addict now
Because I love them.
Rise to the occasion Mooty.
Like I said, there's a reason.

[MootPoint]

I have this feeling that my HP is poking me again! Or is it.... my HP is giving me a good shove

[rednose-rach]

HI there, Moot,
I know your pain.
I chaired my first two meetings last week too....not planned. People didn't show so I was asked. Since it's always gotten on my nerves the way that people avoid chairing (resentment toward the group), I hopped at the chance without dismay.
The first one went okay but the second one....I didn't do a very good job. I neglected to ask if there were any newcomers, and there was one. He didn't know what was going on! What a mess. This is a big black mark on my second chairing experience, I feel, and I've vowed to not to be so eager in the future.
I always want to be one of the eloquent AAers (this kind of desire for approval has been listed in my fourth step, don't worry) but the delivery simply never pans out. I always feel like the bumbling idiot. This is off subject, but I can never get the "let's have a moment of silence for those still suffering in and out of these rooms".....it's gets me every time.
Anyway, good luck to you. Perhaps we can both grow into being graceful chair people.

[splendra]

Well Moot-

If you weren't such a good story teller and so funny maybe they wouldn't want you to chair. Or maybe they just don't want you falling asleep again and disturbing everyone with your snoring....

[Patsyd1]

Originally Posted by MootPoint

Does it ever get easier, or are some ppl just the nervous type?

I've chaired twice, and now, within one week, have been asked to chair 2 meetings. I know you're not supposed to say no, so I didn't.

And, it doesn't help that so much of my story involves drugs, so I have to leave out big chunks. or, what I've done in the 2 I've chaired, referred to "other substances". Not including the chunks with the drugs would be feeding the ppl a bunch of

Pardon me while I sweat bullets just thinking of getting up there again.

Have I said yet?

Hi Mooty,

I am grateful that I had a wonderful sponsor when I first began sharing from the podium and/or chairing a meeting many years ago. I was always a wreck whenever I had to get up there and share. lol

My sponsor shared with me that self-centered fear can keep us stuck in our own heads. lol Worrying about what others will think of what and how I share. And she shared with me that, that is not what chairing and sharing is about. She shared with me that the only thing that I have to be concerned about is honesty. I share where I came from, how I got here and what its like now and carrying the simple message of hope that this wonderful program has passed on to me.

She also shared with me that getting up to the podium or chairing a meeting isn't about what I sound like, how I speak, or trying to be a powerful speaker, its not about trying to get them sober.... its about sharing so that I can stay sober for one more day. How they hear it, and what they do with it is in God's hands, not mine.

Today, before I share where I came from, how I got here and what its like now, I simply ask God to let the words and the actions be His. And then I simply speak honestly from the heart.

This isn't about who speaks best, or what they think. This is about passing on what was passed to us...... the message of HOPE.

Mooty, we are not that important, and when I ask God for help, its amazing how when I begin to share..... the truth comes flowing out, my truth, my story, my recovery and there is always Hope in what anyone shares. We never know what may help someone else who is listening, but we always know that by sharing, its us who gets to stay sober for one more day.

God Bless you Mooty, and I would suggest that the next time that you are asked to share or chair....... just simply ask God to let the words and the actions... be His. Thy Will, not mine....... be done.

Thank you for your service Mooty by chairing and passing on the message of hope,

Patsy

[MootPoint]

Rach...... I guess after 1 yr and 4 months its just about time for me to do this service work. Re growning into graceful chair ppl, I talked to this oldtimer (30+ yrs) last night who chaired.... he said what everyone else is saying. Ask my HP and speak from my heart.

Splendra!!!! That might be it!

(((((((( Patsy ))))))) thankyou for the wise words! I will read this thread a few times before next thursday.

[Patsyd1]

((((((((((Moot))))))))))))

Patsy