CLA Meeting Service Positions

General requirements for CLA Service:

CLA MEETING SERVICE POSITIONS

SECRETARY -- Requirement is consistent attendance for the previous 2 months. The Secretary's responsibility is to assure that the meeting takes place every week by:

• Arriving early, before the meeting, to see that the room is set up.
• Bringing the meeting format and timer each week (if not left in a safe fashion, at the site).
• Getting someone to lead the meeting (for those formats that change, and allow for different readings, speakers, literature, and/or Courage to Change, etc.)
• Making announcements, like providing reports, CLA News, upcoming events, business meetings, etc.
• Being responsible for gently monitoring that all other service position responsibilities are being attended to. When someone needs to be replaced...see below!
• Calling for, and conducting periodic Business Meetings, as needed.
• If the Secretary is unable to be at a meeting, it is his or her responsibility to find someone that will fill in as a temporary replacement Secretary for that week, so that the meeting continues to function.
  
• Note: this officer's position can be shared amongst 2 people, to make sure that the post is covered!
• Offering a friendly reminder to keep the sharing on track and on purpose, limiting to 3 minutes (or whatever has been agreed upon, lengthwise), etc. As a friendly reminder, no outside-of-our CLA Program material, literature, workshops, books, tapes, etc. can be talked about during our CLA meeting.
• Secretary is responsible for upholding the safety, integrity, and anonymity during the shares and meeting duration, responding to and handling interruptions, emergencies, unforseen events to enable the meeting to continue

TREASURER -- Requirement is consistent attendance for the previous 6 months. They must also not have any money, tax or debt problems.
The Treasurer handles all of the money that is collected by:

• Passing the basket for the 7th tradition, for WSO.
• Collecting any money that is donated for literature.
• Keeping a written record of any and all money that is collected and/or spent.
• Keeping a Prudent Reserve of at least a 3-month site rental fee in the Treasury at all times.
• Paying the rent. Note: this includes maintaining communication with the location organization, keeping paperwork and receipts of payment.
• Providing money to the Literature person, to replace it, when needed.
• Sending donations that are left over, after the Prudent Reserve, to WSO.
• 7th Tradition: This is whatever donations are left over, after the Prudent Reserve, which might be 3 months rental fees. These contributions are sent to WSO, POB 91413, LA, CA, 90009. These contributions keep CLA in operation and pay for the website, webmaster, phone service, printing literature, meeting lists, postage, producing events and paying rents.
• Giving a Treasurer's report to the group at Business meetings or regularly. This consists of in/out/balance. Keep it simple and easy.
• Suggested columns: Meeting Date, # attendees, 7th Tradition Income, Literature Income, Expense, Balance Forward.

LITERATURE -- Requirement is consistent attendance for the previous 1 month. The Literature person serves by:

• Arriving before the meeting to put out the literature on the counter. Note: In keeping with the 6th Tradition, only CLA WSO-approved literature is displayed.
• Putting the literature donation basket on the counter. This person gives the money (25 cents/pamphlet) that is collected to the Treasurer, and it must be recorded as incomel.
• Keeping inventory of the literature, and purchasing it from WSO when necessary. Get the money needed from the Treasurer. Filling out the literature inventory form, and sending it to the WSO with postage.
• Getting and filing updates from WSO, i.e. meeting notes/minutes, etc. with the literature notebook. Keeping one copy of all pamphlets and flyers as needed.
• Maintaining a library of CLA approved/AA literature including big book, 12 and 12, etc.

WSO DELEGATE -- Requirement is a willingness to serve, and to give back for benefits gotten from CLA attendance, working the program, using the Steps and Tools, etc. The WSO Delegate serves as a liaison between the local group and CLA World Service Organization by :

• Attending WSO meetings, held monthly, on the telephone. They are held on the last (4th or 5th) Saturday of the month, and anyone can attend, speak/participate, or not. No one knows whether or not you are on the line unless you choose to join in with the discussion! Meetings run from 10 AM - 12 PM Pacific Time.
• Representing the local group by giving an informal status report to the WSO of their activity, such as attendance, business, problems/successes, etc. It is in this manner that all voices and ideas can be heard, both up, and down, the grapevine!
• Distributing any of the other paperwork that is produced, such as any Newsletters, Treasurer's reports, minutes, agenda topics, discussions, notes, etc.
• Reporting back to the local group any news from the WSO meeting.

NEWCOMER CONTACT -- Requirement is a willingness to serve. The Newcomer Contact serves by:

• Identifying him or her self by name during Meeting Announcements.
• Being available for questions about CLA after the meeting. Don't worry about the details, as any "old-timers" will lend a hand, if asked!
• Making sure that each newcomer gets a packet of all of our literature and newcomer brochure (which has the meeting list and web information). There may be as many Newcomer Contacts as there are people willing to serve, as decided by a group conscience.

____________________________________________________________
Service terms are for a suggested period of 6 months, and can run from 1/1-6/30 and 7/1-12/31 of each year. If a position is vacated in mid-term, the replacements serve and complete just the current term, and not a full additional 6-month term of office. The requirements for positions and the length of time served were determined by a group conscience at a Business Meeting at a local CLA group meeting held September 8, 1997. The WSO Board has since expanded upon them in 2006.

All service providers agree to uphold the 12 Traditions as follows:

The Twelve Traditions of Clutterers Anonymous

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon Clutterers Anonymous unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority -- a loving God as expressed through our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for Clutterers Anonymous membership is a desire to eliminate clutter and bring order into our lives.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or Clutterers Anonymous as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose -- to carry its message to the person who still suffers.
6. A Clutterers Anonymous group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the Clutterers Anonymous name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, or prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every Clutterers Anonymous group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Clutterers Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. Clutterers Anonymous, as such, ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Clutterers Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the Clutterers Anonymous name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, or films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Four ways to contact CLA WSO:
1. mail: CLA WSO / POB 91413 / LA, CA 90009
2. phone: 310-281-6064
3. Web: http://www.clutterersanonymous.net
4. Email: clawso@hotmail.com

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Sharing Format during meetings

We follow the CLA Meeting Code of Conduct, to protect the safety, respect and anonymity of all present. The words you hear today are spoken in confidence and should be treated as confidential. This is a place to share our feelings, experience and recovery without fear of gossip, retaliation, or our anonymity being broken. If you don’t get a chance to share, please talk with someone after the meeting.

Timing: We time shares (at 3 or 4 minutes depending on attendance) to give everyone equal opportunity to share if they choose.

Content: We open with “My name is _________ and I am a compulsive clutterer.

My recovery action last week was to ___________

My results_______________

My commitment for next week is ____________

We keep the focus on ourselves using “I” statements rather than “you” or “they” statements.

We encourage “positive pitches” which are about an experience that has helped you to grow, given you a new level of awareness, and a sense of recovery rather than your backstory or history.

We do NOT cross-talk which we define as speaking during another’s share, asking questions, interrupting, side conversations, criticisms, giving advice or referencing another person’s share. Please refrain from promoting or discussing any other approaches to the problems of cluttering during the meeting to keep the focus on YOUR experience, strength and hope.

THE MEETING IS NOW OPEN FOR SHARING. Sharing is voluntary and optional. Please let the secretary know when you are moved to share.

Business Meeting Format

Berkeley CLA Business Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at the beginning of the meeting instead of the pamphlet reading.

Meeting Time:
The Tuesday, 10 AM Clutterers Anonymous business meeting, held on the 1st Tuesday of the month for _________minutes, beginning at _______ o’clock.

1. Secretary Opens with:

We will now have our monthly business meeting.

Who would like to keep time?

Who would like to take notes? (Secretary provides paper from notebook.)

Please join me in a moment of silence followed by the reading of Tradition 2:

Tradition 2:
“For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority -- a loving God as expressed through our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern..”

2. Last month’s report and notes:
Secretary reads or designates reader of last month’s business meeting minutes.

3. Today’s business agendas
Secretary counts how many agendas, and announces:
“Today we have (how many) agendas. State briefly:
The agendas are: (for example)
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________

Secretary:
Starting with agenda 1. Read what is written in business notebook.
Open up to group for discussion
Ask for a proposed motion
Ask for second motion
Ask for votes: YES, NO, ABSTAIN
Count and record
Move to next Agenda #2
Continue for each Agenda Item

Timer notates one minute left and informs Secretary, who announces:
“We have 1 minute remaining for the business meeting this month. We will table the agendas not finished to address/complete/discuss at the next meeting.”

Secretary lists agendas to be tabled for the notetaker.

CLOSING:
“We will close the business meeting with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer.”

Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenityto accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

----------------------------------------------------------

FORM FOR LISTING BUSINESS AGENDA SUGGESTIONS

If you wish to bring up anything at the monthly business meeting, please write in this notebook your suggestions. Please be present at the business meeting to address your agenda.

Agenda #____

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________


Background Information (if any)

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________


Suggested motion

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________


By: _____________________________________________

Berkeley Meeting Format

Clutterers Anonymous Suggested Meeting Format

Meeting starts promptly at 10:00 AM and ends promptly 11:15 AM.

Welcome to the Tuesday 10:00 AM Meeting of Clutterers Anonymous at Unity of Berkeley. This is a one hour and 15 minutes meeting with a structured format. My name is _____________, I am a recovering clutterer and I am privileged to be the secretary for today. After a moment of silence, please join me in the serenity prayer.

God, grant me

the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Note: This is a “scent free” meeting. Please refrain from wearing perfumes, lighting candles, or bringing animals.

Passing around 3 things: We are passing around a contact sheet, business notes and speaker calendar.

Contact Sheet: Please add your name, phone and email address if you wish and take other’s info to make contact in between meetings.

Business Meeting notes: Please review notes from the last business meeting and add items to be discussed at the next business meeting.

Calendar: Please sign up on the calendar to speak at a meeting the 2^nd Tuesday of the month.

Introduction: We will now go around the room and introduce ourselves by first name only.

Structure: We follow a structured format at our meetings that does not allow for interruptions or side conversations. If you have any questions, please hold them until after the meeting when there is time to respond directly to your concerns.

Read the appropriate week:

1. On the FIRST Tuesday of the Month: BUSINESS MEETING.

We will now have a Business Meeting.

2. On the SECOND Tuesday of the Month: SPEAKER MEETING

Today is a speaker meeting. Our speaker will share for 10-15 minutes about their experience, strength and hope regarding their recovery from compulsive cluttering. After the extended share, the remainder of the meeting will be devoted to shorter shares by attendees, as time permits.

3^rd, 4^th, 5^th Tuesdays of the Month: READINGS

PREAMBLE

WHAT IS CLUTTER?

12 STEPS OF CLA

TRADITION OF THE MONTH

5. TOOLS OF RECOVERY – Please ONLY read each title. CHOOSE ONE TOOL TO READ IN ITS ENTIRETY.

6. HOW IT WORKS

Literature: We will now read from CLA literature for up to 15 minutes, followed by the 7^th tradition and then the meeting will be open for sharing. (Secretary chooses literature, as well as discussion theme, if warranted.)

CHOICES: HOW DO I KNOW? A brief guide (blue)

DECLUTTER YOUR MIND (green)

HOME: OUR SACRED PLACE (purple)

SPIRITUAL TIMING (light yellow)

FINDING YOUR LIFE PURPOSE (orange)

WORKING THE STEPS: RECOVERY FROM CLUTTERING (bright yellow)

DECLUTTERING RESENTMENT (pink)

AFFIRMATIONS

7^TH Tradition: It is now time for the 7^th Tradition which states that “Every Clutterers Anonymous group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” Suggested donation is $2. The money collected is used to cover the cost of our rent, literature and support of Clutterers Anonymous World Service Organization (CLA WSO). Are there any CLA related announcements?

2^ND Tuesday of the Month: report of the business meeting notes from last week

Sharing: It is now time for sharing and pitching. We follow the CLA Meeting Code of Conduct, to protect the safety, respect and anonymity of all present. The words you hear today are spoken in confidence and should be treated as confidential. This is a place to share our feelings, experience and recovery without fear of gossip, retaliation, or our anonymity being broken. If you don’t get a chance to share, please talk with someone after the meeting.

Timing: We time shares (at 3 or 4 minutes depending on attendance) to give everyone equal opportunity to share if they choose.

Content: We open with “My name is _________ and I am a compulsive clutterer.

My recovery action last week was to ___________

My results_______________

My commitment for next week is ____________

We keep the focus on ourselves using “I” statements rather than “you” or “they” statements.

We encourage “positive pitches” which are about an experience that has helped you to grow, given you a new level of awareness, and a sense of recovery rather than your backstory or history.

We do NOT cross-talk which we define as speaking during another’s share, asking questions, interrupting, side conversations, criticisms, giving advice or referencing another person’s share. Please refrain from promoting or discussing any other approaches to the problems of cluttering during the meeting to keep the focus on YOUR experience, strength and hope.

THE MEETING IS NOW OPEN FOR SHARING. Sharing is voluntary and optional. Please let the secretary know when you are moved to share.

AT 11:10:

Thank you for sharing: That is all the time we have for sharing at this CLA meeting. If you need to talk and did not have the opportunity to do so, please talk with any of us after the meeting or use the phone list to contact us.

Acknowledgements: Thank you for the privilege of being secretary today. Let’s thank everyone who helped with the meeting (details on cleaning up and identifying helpers).

CLOSING: Read PROMISES CLOSING followed by the Serenity Prayer.