Committee Reports (All Committee reports were passed at the Plenary session with a two-thirds plus majority)
Committee No. 4
Would Conference consider and give guidance on the finance and publicising of Conventions?
Is the process of Convention organisation and accountability to the Fellowship clear for all?
This Committee recognises that Guideline 15 provides concise and comprehensive guidance on organising AA Conventions.
We would like to emphasise that Convention Committee members should report back to their Region or Intergroup with clear information of the processes they are following. This would help to ensure that Convention organisation and accountability to the Fellowship is clear to all (Guideline 15).
The Committee would like to draw attention to Conference recommendation of 1995 which reads:
“that the practice of inviting speakers from overseas and paying their expenses is in breach of Traditions 4 & 12.”
To prevent misrepresentation, events organised outside of the service structure cannot use the AA name or logo* or use the Confidential Directory as a mailing list.
This committee believes that the primary purpose of any convention is to carry the AA message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
*Copyright/Logo *Guidelines for AA GB)
Voting: Unanimous”
(extract from AA Service News – Summer 2010 – No. 143)
Comment: Apart from those “workshops” organised by the “speaker circuit” brigade (where you may with some facility be separated from your hard earned dough for the privilege of listening to mostly repackaged and recycled verbiage) the above may be of interest to Northdown Intergroup and to the notorious Road to Recovery Group, Plymouth. In the first case aacultwatch contacted (via York) this particular Intergroup to request an explanation as to why the Winchester Convention (apparently sponsored by this intergroup) was publicising by name two speakers from the US. The flier advertising the event bears the AA logo and gives every indication of being an AA convention. So far we've received no reply though the email was forwarded to them no later than the 15 June 2010. As for the RtoR group it's hardly surprising that they are paying no attention to AA guidelines – after all this is not an AA group – but their website (although not bearing the AA logo) nevertheless describes the group as being of Alcoholics Anonymous. Currently yet more brethren from the Pacific Group (and that's another looonnng story) are touting for business on their site. Whatever did happen to Tradition 12 with this group? Sorry..... forgot... this is NOT an AA group ….all is clear now!!
Cheerio
The Fellas
Friday 30 July 2010
Friday 23 July 2010
Tradition Five
Short form:
"Five—Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers."
Long form:
"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."
(our emphases)
A pretty straightforward, uncomplicated guideline (emphasised by the word "ought"). The term "spiritual" as usual is slightly problematic and understood necessarily according to interpretation (which varies widely - thankfully - within AA). However the word "entity" might be worth having a look at:
1. Something that exists as a particular and discrete unit: Persons and corporations are equivalent entities under the law.
2. The fact of existence; being.
3. The existence of something considered apart from its properties.
The 3rd definition suggests that an AA group might be considered to exist as something quite apart from its properties - or to put it another way - it is some thing more than the sum of these, and which properties include its 'parts', ie. the members of this particular AA group. From this it would follow that a group is not simply an aggregation of individuals competing to further their own particular agenda, and possibly forming factions to promote these, but a co-operative inspired by a common cause, which causes takes precedence over ego-driven ambition. This principle serves further to emphasise the necessity of ensuring that a group is neither 'driven' by a single individual nor by a "clique" but that every voice is given equal weight - and is equally heard - and this without direction or manipulation by any other (in the case of the cult groups, the All-Knowing, All-Seeing and quite probably All-Dancing Sponsor). From this derives what is called the "group conscience" this conscience informed finally, and essentially, by a higher principle which some may call God - and then again some may not.
"Five—Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers."
Long form:
"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."
(our emphases)
A pretty straightforward, uncomplicated guideline (emphasised by the word "ought"). The term "spiritual" as usual is slightly problematic and understood necessarily according to interpretation (which varies widely - thankfully - within AA). However the word "entity" might be worth having a look at:
1. Something that exists as a particular and discrete unit: Persons and corporations are equivalent entities under the law.
2. The fact of existence; being.
3. The existence of something considered apart from its properties.
The 3rd definition suggests that an AA group might be considered to exist as something quite apart from its properties - or to put it another way - it is some thing more than the sum of these, and which properties include its 'parts', ie. the members of this particular AA group. From this it would follow that a group is not simply an aggregation of individuals competing to further their own particular agenda, and possibly forming factions to promote these, but a co-operative inspired by a common cause, which causes takes precedence over ego-driven ambition. This principle serves further to emphasise the necessity of ensuring that a group is neither 'driven' by a single individual nor by a "clique" but that every voice is given equal weight - and is equally heard - and this without direction or manipulation by any other (in the case of the cult groups, the All-Knowing, All-Seeing and quite probably All-Dancing Sponsor). From this derives what is called the "group conscience" this conscience informed finally, and essentially, by a higher principle which some may call God - and then again some may not.
Thursday 15 July 2010
Tradition Four
Short form:
“Four—Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.”
Long form:
“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 neighbouring 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.”
(our emphases)
Note: This Tradition is one that is most frequently (and blatantly) broken by the cult groups (those presently engaged in attempting to subvert both the Fellowship and the message of Alcoholics Anonymous). Whilst claiming a “purer” and more “fundamentalist” application of AA principles these same groups ignore (or distort) any such guidelines (whether these be expressed in the Steps, Traditions or Concepts) which might hinder their efforts to present their perversion of the AA message, and by which cause they bring our society into disrepute. The evidence for their impact may easily be reviewed by simply conducting a search of the anti AA websites, blogs, and internet groups which are springing up via that medium. While we would not claim for a moment that AA itself is free of all fault nevertheless these anti AA sentiments become easily understandable when examined in the light of cult activities. The aacultwatch team however choose NOT to turn a blind eye to these allegations but rather to take action to oppose these abuses not only insofar as they affect our Fellowship but also (and more importantly) where they result in completely unnecessary suffering being inflicted upon newcomers who come to Alcoholics Anonymous in search merely of a solution to their alcohol problem. Anyone with a reasonable grasp of AA principles can easily comprehend this approach, one which does not include dogma, dictat, abuse or humiliation, and indeed does not require of anyone anything more than “a desire to stop drinking”. Beyond this point the rest is entirely voluntary! The aacultwatch team takes this Tradition very seriously and indeed as members of AA (and of AA groups) regard it as an obligation to take action when a group (AA, or purporting to be AA) acts in such a way as to affect the welfare of individuals, groups or indeed of Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole.
“Four—Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.”
Long form:
“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 neighbouring 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.”
(our emphases)
Note: This Tradition is one that is most frequently (and blatantly) broken by the cult groups (those presently engaged in attempting to subvert both the Fellowship and the message of Alcoholics Anonymous). Whilst claiming a “purer” and more “fundamentalist” application of AA principles these same groups ignore (or distort) any such guidelines (whether these be expressed in the Steps, Traditions or Concepts) which might hinder their efforts to present their perversion of the AA message, and by which cause they bring our society into disrepute. The evidence for their impact may easily be reviewed by simply conducting a search of the anti AA websites, blogs, and internet groups which are springing up via that medium. While we would not claim for a moment that AA itself is free of all fault nevertheless these anti AA sentiments become easily understandable when examined in the light of cult activities. The aacultwatch team however choose NOT to turn a blind eye to these allegations but rather to take action to oppose these abuses not only insofar as they affect our Fellowship but also (and more importantly) where they result in completely unnecessary suffering being inflicted upon newcomers who come to Alcoholics Anonymous in search merely of a solution to their alcohol problem. Anyone with a reasonable grasp of AA principles can easily comprehend this approach, one which does not include dogma, dictat, abuse or humiliation, and indeed does not require of anyone anything more than “a desire to stop drinking”. Beyond this point the rest is entirely voluntary! The aacultwatch team takes this Tradition very seriously and indeed as members of AA (and of AA groups) regard it as an obligation to take action when a group (AA, or purporting to be AA) acts in such a way as to affect the welfare of individuals, groups or indeed of Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole.
Saturday 10 July 2010
Northdown Intergroup – an AA Intergroup?
“Dear Fellas,
Just read your bit about Northdown Intergroup and the Cathedral nonsense. Can I please ask you to print up a bit about this year's AA General service conference in York (our annual group conscience). Committee 4 Question 3 dealt with the financing of conventions. Do have a read of the answer in the AA service news, summer edition. It will blow the donkeys out of the water!!
I quote in part " The committee would like to draw attention to conference recommendation of 1995 which reads------That the practice of inviting speakers from overseas and paying their expenses is a breach of traditions 4 and 12"
So there you have it fellas, any self respecting AA member wishing to adhere to our group conscience would not get involved with the show pony brigade. Those members who invite the Yanks over are simply self serving egotists. Keep at it. “
(our usual thanks to this AA member for bringing the 1995 recommendation to our attention)
Just read your bit about Northdown Intergroup and the Cathedral nonsense. Can I please ask you to print up a bit about this year's AA General service conference in York (our annual group conscience). Committee 4 Question 3 dealt with the financing of conventions. Do have a read of the answer in the AA service news, summer edition. It will blow the donkeys out of the water!!
I quote in part " The committee would like to draw attention to conference recommendation of 1995 which reads------That the practice of inviting speakers from overseas and paying their expenses is a breach of traditions 4 and 12"
So there you have it fellas, any self respecting AA member wishing to adhere to our group conscience would not get involved with the show pony brigade. Those members who invite the Yanks over are simply self serving egotists. Keep at it. “
(our usual thanks to this AA member for bringing the 1995 recommendation to our attention)
Sunday 4 July 2010
Tradition Three
Short form:
"Three—The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking."
Long form:
"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."
(our emphases)
Note: Both the Primary Purpose groups and other cult groups DO have other affiliations; these are therefore NOT AA groups, NOR should they be included in any Where to Find, and moreover their members should not be permitted to participate in the AA service structure at ANY level. Cult groups DO demand conformity - that is with their perversion of both the Fellowship and our programme. Cult groups DO attempt to "filter" out those who THEY JUDGE not to be alcoholic - which is NOT their call after all!!
"Three—The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking."
Long form:
"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."
(our emphases)
Note: Both the Primary Purpose groups and other cult groups DO have other affiliations; these are therefore NOT AA groups, NOR should they be included in any Where to Find, and moreover their members should not be permitted to participate in the AA service structure at ANY level. Cult groups DO demand conformity - that is with their perversion of both the Fellowship and our programme. Cult groups DO attempt to "filter" out those who THEY JUDGE not to be alcoholic - which is NOT their call after all!!
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