E. STRUCTURE AND LEADERSHIP OF THE RE-EVALUATION COUNSELING COMMUNITY
E.5. Formation of an Area and Selection of an Area Reference Person
Formation of an Area
In consultation with the RRP (or the IRP if there is no RRP), leaders’ groups are to call a meeting of active Co-Counselors to form an “Area” and propose an ARP when
- thirty (30) Co-Counselors are actively participating in Co-Counseling activities in a locality or constituency,
- several individuals are committed to each other and to building an RC Community, and
- at least one individual is prepared and willing to become the ARP.
Selection of the Area Reference Person
The ARP is chosen by the Area in agreement with the IRP (in consultation with the RRP). The ARP proposes an Alternate Area Reference Person (AARP)[72], who is confirmed by the Area membership in consultation with the IRP (and the RRP, where one has been designated). These choices are to be made at a meeting of active participants in the Area at which the RRP (or, if there is no RRP, another representative of the IRP) is present. If this is not possible, the choices are to be made by consulting as widely as possible with the RRP (where one has been designated), Area teachers, other active leaders of the Area, and the IRP or the IRP’s representative.
The ARP and AARP are not to be chosen until the Area is formally established (until there are thirty [30] Co-Counselors actively participating in Co-Counseling activities).
A review of Area leadership may be initiated at any time by the RRP in consultation with the IRP, by the IRP, or by the Area in consultation with the RRP.
REASON
Our experience shows that having RC Areas in a geographical location is important for the ongoing development of RC. In the process of building an Area, many people take responsibility for the good functioning of the Community. The Area is an effective structure for communication, organization, good counseling, growth, and leadership development.
We need the thinking and experience of the RRP and the IRP to decide if a leader is ready to play the role of ARP. The active Co-Counselors also need to decide that they are ready to support an ARP.
Local leaders should have successfully built the proposed Area to where it has at least thirty (30) active Co-Counselors before formally establishing it. Starting an Area with fewer than thirty (30) Co-Counselors has consistently been much more difficult. Also, prematurely becoming a formal Area does not make it easier to overcome difficulties in achieving thirty (30) active Co-Counselors.
The selection process may take considerable communication, time, and discharge. This experience results in a stronger Area.
This procedure ensures that local leaders have gained the experience and support necessary for the Area to be an ongoing success.
[72] The Alternate Area Reference Person (AARP) is the person responsible for immediately assuming the functions of the Area Reference Person (ARP) if the ARP is unable to function for any reason. The Alternate may undertake other activities in relationship to the ARP and the Area, but these are optional.