Thank you for being present. All VA members are welcome to engage in discussion here. We ask for recognition by the chairperson before speaking. All VA members present may carry out the business of this meeting by making and voting on motions. The chairperson takes responsibility for the pace of the discussion by making room for the quieter among us to express their perspectives, and by requesting that the more vocal among us allow space for others to be heard.
We work in a cooperative fashion, discussing different points of view and preferably coming to consensus prior to presenting a motion. We value serenity and the process of cooperative communication in achieving our goals. Minority opinions are recorded in the minutes for future reference. The chairperson uses reflection as needed to ensure that people’s views are understood.
It is possible to become triggered in this or any VA meeting. As recovering VAs, we take responsibility for our own triggers and remove ourselves from discussion while triggered so that we can use the tools of VA to process the trigger and regain a neutral state of mind. Once we have neutralized our trigger, we re-engage in the conversation in a cooperative and conscious fashion.
If you have concerns that are not addressed, or if you need to take a break as the result of a trigger during the business meeting, you are encouraged to reach out to any member after the meeting to make sure your view is understood.
We take guidance from the 12 Traditions of Violence Anonymous.
Tradition 1: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon VA unity.
Tradition 2: For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as expressed in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
Tradition 12: Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.