synch
New Member
Posts: 35
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Post by synch on May 4, 2019 17:20:53 GMT
To: The Executive Director and the EA Board of Trustees From: Karen Mead Date: May 1, 2019 Subject: 2018 Bylaw Changes As some of you are aware, I have objected to the changes in the Steps from the time it was first proposed to replace God with Higher Power. When the revised 2018 Bylaws came out, I found them unbelievable. Not only did you take out God but also removed all of the rights of the membership. To me the groups and the membership are the essence of the program. I seriously question the legality of what you had done. Since I have now been asked by a substantial number of people for my thoughts, I wrote to a colleague, expressed my concerns, and asked for a legal opinion. What he basically did was confirm my thinking:
What I sent to Charley were the 2017 and 2018 bylaws, the Administrative Concepts and your letter to the membership that was included with the April EA Connection. You will find his credentials on the following page. The Administrative Concept are guides/thoughts/ideas, but are not a legal document. It would be my suggestion that you reverse the changes, reconsider what you are proposing, and if you still think these changes are necessary, follow the 2017 bylaws, specifically Article 8, Amending Bylaws. I cannot in good faith use the revisions as long as their legality is being questioned. Sincerely, Karen Mead ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ENIVAR Legal guidance for organizations Enivar staff and volunteer attorneys, by providing business law advice, help executive directors and board members of small nonprofit organizations to understand and comply with federal and legal statutes. Charley Ravine, JD [Posted here with permission of the author, who is a former Executive Director of Emotions Anonymous.] |
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Post by Tam on May 6, 2019 15:19:36 GMT
Very interesting point - it is not clearly stated how the bylaws were changed. I agree that it needs to go back to the original wording and re- proposed to the members
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Post by Claire on May 6, 2019 16:58:47 GMT
I support karen in this. Karen has been a level headed informed leader and helper on the loop for years. I trust her opinions. Thank you Karen and Rory and everyone else. Claire
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synch
New Member
Posts: 35
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Post by synch on May 9, 2019 0:41:37 GMT
Karen has served in many roles in EA, including a time as Executive Director. She began working for EA in 1990 and is still involved as editor of the EA Connection and co-moderator of the Loop. If you are reading this, please help get the word out about Karen's letter to the Board by sharing this link: emotionsanonymous.boards.net/thread/18/karen-mead-writes-board-bylawstelling people about our new EA Business forum, and posting your support. |
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Post by PJ14 on May 15, 2019 8:37:31 GMT
I do not, in principle, have an issue with using God and Higher Power interchangeably. I do understand that, to reach some people who need EA, the word God can be a barrier.
I support Karen Mead in her questioning of the new Executive Director and the Board of Trustees. Karen has been a steady pair of hands for EA for a number of years, always measured, thoughtful and supportive.
From 'the other side of the pond' it seems to me that the actions of the Board and E.D. were not measured and were not in keeping with the ethics and ethos of EA. Since when were matters of this importance rammed through without proper and adequate consultation?
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Post by lindab142 on Jun 17, 2019 0:26:07 GMT
I support Karen Mead and ask that she be reinstated to the Board. Also, I respectfully request that NEW board members be found immmediately.
Please tell us about each one and what their opinion is of the underhanded way this board has "dismissed" the membership of a SUPPORT group.
Let's all participate in THIS change to leadership.
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dan12
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by dan12 on Jun 17, 2019 21:13:00 GMT
Two quick thoughts from a long-time member of EA (and other 12 step programs):
1. I am opposed to the recent change to the Steps and Traditions. In other words, I am opposed to the substitution of the word "Higher Power" for "God" in the Steps and Traditions.
2. Based on what I have heard from other long-time members, I am concerned about how this decision was made -- apparently by the Board without adequate consultation with members.
This whole thing is very painful for me and probably for a lot of other members of our fellowship.
Dan W (dan12)
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Post by Rory S on Jun 18, 2019 1:03:53 GMT
I posted this on the Loop a couple of hours ago...
I've been vocal about rejecting the changes to our program from when they were first brought to my attention, in March this year. In learning more about how this happened, I have also heard about how the right of members to have a say in this fellowship has been taken away from us, piece by piece. I urge you to read Karen's message and attached pdf in detail. After doing so, ask yourself if you are happy that our 12 traditions are being respected in the running of EA. We in Emotions Anonymous are in the only worldwide fellowship which removed the word 'God' from the steps, traditions and promises. And WE didn't even get a say in this! Whose fellowship is this? The members...? or the group of five who decided to dispense with the term 'God as we understand Him' and related terms? I agree with everything (another member ) wrote on this loop just a short while ago. AND I CALL ON OUR EXEC. DIR. & THE GROUP OF 5 (& THOSE WHO HAVE JOINED THEM SINCE) TO SET UP THEIR OWN EMOTIONS FELLOWSHIP IF THEY WANT TO, AND LEAVE OURS ALONE!!! We are NOT 'governed' by our bylaws, but BY OUR 12 TRADITIONS. Please post HERE on THIS LOOP if you are in agreement. Tradition 2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority: a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern. The above tradition is the SPIRITUAL BASIS of ALL decision-making in this 12-step fellowship. The Exec Dir. of EA IS A TRUSTED SERVANT; SHE DOES NOT GOVERN. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ARE TRUSTED SERVANTS; THEY DO NOT GOVERN. SO WHY HAVE THEY ACTED LIKE GOVERNERS? WILL YOU JOIN ME IN POSTING, RIGHT HERE, THAT YOU WANT THE STEPS, TRADITIONS AND CONCEPTS RESTORED TO WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN SINCE THE FOUNDING OF OUR WONDERFUL EA FELLOWSHIP? WILL YOU JOIN ME IN ASKING THAT THE BYLAWS OF EA BE RESTORED TO WHAT THEY WERE BEFORE 2015? AND WILL YOU JOIN ME IN INSISTING THAT, REGARDING BOTH OF THE ABOVE, THAT ALL EA MEMBERS AND GROUPS WORLDWIDE ARE THEN GIVEN A FULL OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS, DEBATE AND VOTE ON ANY PROPOSED CHANGES TO OUR BEAUTIFUL PLACE OF EMOTIONAL RECOVERY? Please forward this email to all your EA friends. With thanks for your kind attention. Rory S group contact, smallsteps EA skype meeting member of EA since 1990 |
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Post by Trust God on Jun 18, 2019 3:27:46 GMT
Thank you Karen Mead for your courageous and unwavering stance. I am happy this forum has been created.
Let's get back to authenticity and truth by immediately reinstating GOD.
Karen T.
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Post by Dave W on Jun 18, 2019 14:39:46 GMT
Thank you Karen, Rory, synch and others for your tireless efforts in spreading the word about the events that have taken place recently. Clearly, these events have caused many (including myself) pain. We have gained so much benefit from the 12-step program model of anonymity and service. How awful to see the unbridled actions of a few cause such disruption and harm to EA. I call upon the executive director and current trustees to immediately reinstate the 2017 bylaws, reverse the changes to the 12 steps and submit them to the membership as required by the 2017 bylaws. I also call upon them to be involuntarily terminated according to section 4.7.1.2 of the EA bylaws:
4.7.1.2 Violating any of the traditions by performing public acts contrary to the interest of EA or
any action that would bear harm to the organization.
Dave W.
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Post by Chance K on Jun 18, 2019 21:10:02 GMT
My apologies for the double-post. There are two threads on this subject, and I understand the Board of Trustees is meeting tonight (6/18/19). I want to insure my voice is heard on this matter.
I’m writing as an EA organizer, facilitator and member who supports the goals and intent of the changes made to the EA Principles (12 Steps and 12 Traditions). I believe these change are consistent with Helpful Concepts 7 and 8:
“Emotions Anonymous is a spiritual program, not a religious program. We do not advocate any particular belief system.”
"The steps suggest a belief in a Power greater than ourselves. This can be human love, a force for good, the group, nature, the universe, God, or any entity a member chooses as a personal Higher Power."
[emphasis mine]
I have been using similar language to the proposed changes when reading the 12 Steps and other EA principles at meetings shortly after I began attending; specifically after I heard other members engaging in the practice, signaling me that it was “okay” to do so. Some of the members I heard using alternate language when reading the principles made modifications to suit their own beliefs or preferences (as supported by the Concepts), e.g. substituting “her” for “him”.
I believe we should always strive to achieve inclusivity, and language matters. Twelve step fellowships in the 21st century should not reflect a Judeo-Christian bias, nor a patriarchal bias, nor any other bias for that matter. There is extensive discussion and recognition of this in It Works If You Work It.
Having said all of that, I am very unhappy and distraught at the manner in which these changes were enacted. While I have been substituting “higher power” for “God” in my own readings at meetings for years, and additionally choose to read slogans e.g. “Easy does it” in place of slogans that explicitly reference God e.g. “Let Go and Let God”, I cannot support processes that violate what is unambiguously stated in the EA Bylaws.
This issue was discussed in the April 2018 EA Connection:
“Our bylaws clearly state that traditions and steps can be changed if there is approval from AA, which the trustees did request and received permission to change.”
I reviewed a diff of the 2017 and 2018 EA Bylaws.
I see from the 2017 bylaws, ARTICLE 2: GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Steps, Traditions and Concepts:
2.2 Recognizing their value as inspirational guides for the continued success of EA, the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions shall not be altered in any way.
This section was amended in the 2018 bylaws to read:
2.2 Recognizing their value as inspirational guides for the continued success of EA, the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions shall not be altered without prior approval from A.A.
Now, from the 2017 bylaws, ARTICLE 8: AMENDING BYLAW
8.1.2 Bylaw amendments shall be submitted to the membership for ratification.
8.1.2.1 The membership has 60 days from the date that notification is sent of the bylaw changes to ratify the bylaw changes.
8.1.3 Amendments to the bylaws shall be ratified by majority vote.
8.1.4 Votes may be sent by mail, e-mail, facsimile transmission, or received at the business Meeting.
The entire section above was removed from the 2017 bylaws and does not appear in the 2018 bylaws.
The April 2018 EA Connection further claims:
“The Administrative Concepts and the Bylaws that the trustees must operate under were all followed in making these changes. These guiding documents give the Board the authority to make these changes. A world-wide vote by the EA membership was not required.” [emphasis mine]
As we see from the 2017 and 2018 bylaws, this statement can be true and correct if and only if the membership voted to ratify the amendment to (i.e. the removal of) section 8.1 -- effectively revoking its own stated right to amend the bylaws delineated in the 2017 bylaws, section 8.1.
I have not seen any evidence that the membership took any such vote. Nor can I believe or understand how or why the membership would vote to revoke its own right to ratify amendment of the EA Bylaws. One can only conclude this did not happen.
I have contacted EA International via email regarding these issues, months have passed, and I have received no reply. As I have said, I support the language modifications to the Steps and Traditions. So a potential ally was lost by whoever thought this was a good idea.
Process fairness matters and should be respected. I am deeply disappointed by what I feel was a gross mishandling of this matter. I call on the EA Board of Trustees and Director to reinstate section 8.1 of the 2017 Bylaws in the 2019 Bylaws, and follow the prescribed procedure with respect to any changes it wishes to enact.
In EA fellowship,
Chance K
founder/organizer Emotions Anonymous Chat
founder EAnon International Skype Meeting
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