How does AA maintain consistency across our world
In Alcoholics Anonymous, the Traditions are a set of guidelines - not shoulds or musts - because most people do not like to be told what to do. A suggestion or simple request is respectful and polite. And it has been said that people with drinking problems are more resistant to demands than most :-)
The principles that underline theses guidelines are:
Common Welfare, Progress, Unity, Group Purpose, Group Decisions, Trusted Servants, Democratic processes, Simple Membership Requirements, Autonomy, Cooperation, Interdependence, Singleness of Purpose, Carrying The Recovery Message, Interdependence, Clear Boundaries, Spiritual Principles First, Self-supporting (no outside funding), Minimal Organisation, Direct Accountability and Responsibility, Neutrality, Respect, Non-Professional (not-paid) Recovery Support, Attraction rather than Promotion,
Personal Anonymity in Public Media, Anonymity = Principles before Personalities, Humility.
Below is the "short" form of the Traditions which were developed from the practical experience of the early AA groups trying to work with newcomers, other groups and the broader public.
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
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.
3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Ro Goold
From Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Traditions - Short Form
