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Lester O. - Dec 16, 2008 3:25 PM
General Input for Fellowship Consideration
When AA granted permission for NA to adapt the AA 12 Steps of recovery and AA 12 Traditions, it should be obvious the grant included the Long Form of the 12 Traditions as well as the Short Form. To make it easier for you to consider this important material it is included with gratitude and thanks to AA for breaking the ground on recovery from all forms of addiction and their loving and caring Spirit.
It should be noted that without knowledge or experience with this deeper view of the 12 Traditions, we may be experiencing problems in areas covered in the Long Form but not referred to in the Short Form we are all familiar with from our meetings. What do you think? - Bo S.
1.) Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of use will surely die. Hence our common welfare comes first. But individual welfare follows close afterward.
2.) For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority-a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.
3.) Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.
4.) With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience. But when its plans concern the welfare of neighboring groups also, those groups ought to be consulted. And no group, regional committee, or individual should ever take any action that might greatly affect A.A. as a whole without conferring with the Trustees of the General Service Board. On such issues our common welfare is paramount.
5.) Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose-that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6.) Problems of money, property, and authority may easily divert us from our primary spiritual aim. We think, therefore, that any considerable property of genuine use to A.A. should be separately incorporated and managed, thus dividing the material from the spiritual. An A.A. group, as such, should never go into business. Secondary aids to A.A., such as clubs or hospitals which require much property or administration, ought to be incorporated and so set apart that, if necessary, they can be freely discarded by the groups. Hence such facilities ought not to use the A.A. name. Their management should be the sole responsibility of those people who financially support them. For clubs, A.A. managers are usually preferred. But hospitals, as well as other places of recuperation, ought to be well outside A.A.-and medically supervised. While an A.A. group may cooperate with anyone, such cooperation ought never go so far as affiliation or endorsement, actual or implied. An A.A. group can bind itself to no one.
7.) The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.
8.) Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional. We define professionalism as the occupation of counseling alcoholics for fees or hire. But we may employ alcoholics where they are going to perform those services for which we may otherwise have to engage nonalcoholics. Such special services may be well recompensed. But our usual A.A. "12th Step" work is never to be paid for.
9.) Each A.A. group needs the least possible organization. Rotating leadership is the best. The small group may elect its Secretary, the large group its Rotating Committee, and the groups of a large Metropolitan area their Central or Intergroup Committee, which often employs a full-time Secretary. The trustees of the General Service Board are, in effect, our A.A. General Service Committee. They are the custodians of our A.A. Tradition and the receivers of voluntary A.A. contributions by which we maintain our A.A. General Service Office at New York. They are authorized by the groups to handle our over-all public relations and they guarantee the integrity of our principle newspaper, "The A.A. Grapevine." All such representatives are to be guided in the spirit of service, for true leaders in A.A. are but trusted and experienced servants of the whole. They derive no real authority from their titles; they do not govern. Universal respect is the key to their usefulness.
10.) No A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., express any opinion on outside controversial issues-particularly those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express no views whatever.
11.) Our relations with the general public should be characterized by personal anonymity. We think A.A. ought to avoid sensational advertising. Our names and pictures as A.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed, or publicly printed. Our public relations should be guided by the principle of attraction rather than promotion. There is never need to praise ourselves. We feel it better to let our friends recommend us.
12.) And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the principle of Anonymity has an immense spiritual significance. It reminds us that we are to place principles before personalities; that we are actually to practice a genuine humility. This to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all.
Lester, you are 100% Correct. The long form points out many details. I have referred to them for years.
Further reading of the Traditions in the AA literature obviously goes even deeper than that. Reference to "our predecessors" in our literature is obviously pointing to AA's of origin but the reluctance of the 5-10 year crowd to admit to this will cause continued problems in our fellowship.
We are not a "bastard" fellowship. We have "parents" and we all need to admit to this and work in a spirit of cooperation, not affiliation to further our growth.
IMHO, James
Bo Sewell - Dec 17, 2008 10:15 PM
Well, maybe it is time for that now. We had a great period of confusion in the mid to late 1980's and I have to say all of the 1990's. Since 2000, there has been slow growth and change of approach from all sectors. Much of the slash and burn attitude of the 90's was replaced by arrogance and apathy. Many left NA over the 'politics' of service and infighting of various kinds. I think 'politics' means what people believe to be true from their level of study and discussion with members they are in touch with with no real contact with opposing views and basic beliefs. So basically you have people who agree on all the basics willing to fight to the death over details and word choices. I believe study of the AA Long Form of the 12 Traditions is one way to benefit and move towards unifying viewpoints. Also, a long look at the AA 12 Concepts would give quite a few ardent NA members a different way of looking at structural service and the joy of giving. It is our hope that this website will ease the way for those who want to move forward.
The above link is a list of historic files for viewing only. To post a comment on files use button below and add post to to the drop down box and then click the Add comment button
General Input for Fellowship Consideration
When AA granted permission for NA to adapt the AA 12 Steps of recovery and AA 12 Traditions, it should be obvious the grant included the Long Form of the 12 Traditions as well as the Short Form. To make it easier for you to consider this important material it is included with gratitude and thanks to AA for breaking the ground on recovery from all forms of addiction and their loving and caring Spirit.
It should be noted that without knowledge or experience with this deeper view of the 12 Traditions, we may be experiencing problems in areas covered in the Long Form but not referred to in the Short Form we are all familiar with from our meetings. What do you think? - Bo S.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE TWELVE TRADITIONS -- Long Form
Our A.A. experience has taught us that:
1.) Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of use will surely die. Hence our common welfare comes first. But individual welfare follows close afterward.
2.) For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority-a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.
3.) Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.
4.) With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience. But when its plans concern the welfare of neighboring groups also, those groups ought to be consulted. And no group, regional committee, or individual should ever take any action that might greatly affect A.A. as a whole without conferring with the Trustees of the General Service Board. On such issues our common welfare is paramount.
5.) Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose-that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6.) Problems of money, property, and authority may easily divert us from our primary spiritual aim. We think, therefore, that any considerable property of genuine use to A.A. should be separately incorporated and managed, thus dividing the material from the spiritual. An A.A. group, as such, should never go into business. Secondary aids to A.A., such as clubs or hospitals which require much property or administration, ought to be incorporated and so set apart that, if necessary, they can be freely discarded by the groups. Hence such facilities ought not to use the A.A. name. Their management should be the sole responsibility of those people who financially support them. For clubs, A.A. managers are usually preferred. But hospitals, as well as other places of recuperation, ought to be well outside A.A.-and medically supervised. While an A.A. group may cooperate with anyone, such cooperation ought never go so far as affiliation or endorsement, actual or implied. An A.A. group can bind itself to no one.
7.) The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.
8.) Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional. We define professionalism as the occupation of counseling alcoholics for fees or hire. But we may employ alcoholics where they are going to perform those services for which we may otherwise have to engage nonalcoholics. Such special services may be well recompensed. But our usual A.A. "12th Step" work is never to be paid for.
9.) Each A.A. group needs the least possible organization. Rotating leadership is the best. The small group may elect its Secretary, the large group its Rotating Committee, and the groups of a large Metropolitan area their Central or Intergroup Committee, which often employs a full-time Secretary. The trustees of the General Service Board are, in effect, our A.A. General Service Committee. They are the custodians of our A.A. Tradition and the receivers of voluntary A.A. contributions by which we maintain our A.A. General Service Office at New York. They are authorized by the groups to handle our over-all public relations and they guarantee the integrity of our principle newspaper, "The A.A. Grapevine." All such representatives are to be guided in the spirit of service, for true leaders in A.A. are but trusted and experienced servants of the whole. They derive no real authority from their titles; they do not govern. Universal respect is the key to their usefulness.
10.) No A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., express any opinion on outside controversial issues-particularly those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express no views whatever.
11.) Our relations with the general public should be characterized by personal anonymity. We think A.A. ought to avoid sensational advertising. Our names and pictures as A.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed, or publicly printed. Our public relations should be guided by the principle of attraction rather than promotion. There is never need to praise ourselves. We feel it better to let our friends recommend us.
12.) And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the principle of Anonymity has an immense spiritual significance. It reminds us that we are to place principles before personalities; that we are actually to practice a genuine humility. This to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all.
Copyright © The A. A. Grapevine, Inc., and Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing (now known as Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.)
Lester, you are 100% Correct. The long form points out many details. I have referred to them for years.
Further reading of the Traditions in the AA literature obviously goes even deeper than that. Reference to "our predecessors" in our literature is obviously pointing to AA's of origin but the reluctance of the 5-10 year crowd to admit to this will cause continued problems in our fellowship.
We are not a "bastard" fellowship. We have "parents" and we all need to admit to this and work in a spirit of cooperation, not affiliation to further our growth.
IMHO, James
Well, maybe it is time for that now. We had a great period of confusion in the mid to late 1980's and I have to say all of the 1990's. Since 2000, there has been slow growth and change of approach from all sectors. Much of the slash and burn attitude of the 90's was replaced by arrogance and apathy. Many left NA over the 'politics' of service and infighting of various kinds. I think 'politics' means what people believe to be true from their level of study and discussion with members they are in touch with with no real contact with opposing views and basic beliefs. So basically you have people who agree on all the basics willing to fight to the death over details and word choices. I believe study of the AA Long Form of the 12 Traditions is one way to benefit and move towards unifying viewpoints. Also, a long look at the AA 12 Concepts would give quite a few ardent NA members a different way of looking at structural service and the joy of giving. It is our hope that this website will ease the way for those who want to move forward.
In Loving Service,
Bo S.