WEEK 20 - TRADITIONS 2 & 4
Tradition 1 tells us that AA must have unity in order to survive. Tradition 5 defines
a primary purpose behind which we can unite. However, this is not enough to help alcoholics
to stay united. Even if we are agreed on our purpose, there is the question of how the group
fulfils it. We will be more effective if we pull together, so each group must address such
things as: what language will we use? What is the format of the meeting? Will we invite
speakers or will it be a discussion format? How long should people speak for? Will it be
smoking or non-smoking? So we need a mechanism for finding consensus. On the face of it
this is a difficult prospect. Alcoholics are capable of generating hours-long debate over
anything from questions about the group format through to really important issues such as
whether the group should serve Rich Tea biscuits or Plain Chocolate Digestives. It is the
group conscience that helps us settle such matters amicably.
Tradition 2 in its longest form reads just as it is on the scroll behind me. [Name]
will read it now..... thankyou.
No meeting is a complete free for all. Every group has practices that it expects
those who attend to conform to. This meeting has a different format to many, so people notice
it. But even the commonly adopted approach has rules that are generally followed. For
example, most people respect the idea that only one person at a time speaks, and that we don't
speak twice before everybody who wants to has spoken once. Most groups have set times
when tea and coffee are served and distinct times when people share. We should respect each
group's format. When everyone in the group puts aside their personal preferences and acts in
conformity to the decisions of the group conscience, they are acts of personal humility that
enable a loving God to work through us and our group.
The group conscience is usually taken as the majority vote of the people who
consider that group their home group. However, if it is to have the authority of a loving God,
it should be an informed group conscience. The conscience is informed when it relies upon
the experience of those within the group. The groups that work well are those that naturally
look to their most experienced members for leadership (and contrary to what we sometimes
hear, there are leaders in AA). This has to be a process of trust. Our leaders are those who the
group chooses to trust. The old-timers should act responsibly and make their voice clearly
heard; then they should sit back and let the conscience decide. Writing about the old-timers in
the 12x12 in connection with Tradition 2, Bill W writes: "When sorely perplexed, the group
inevitably turns to them for advice. They become the voice of the group conscience; in fact
they are the true voice of Alcoholics Anonymous. They do not drive by mandate, they lead by
example." This is how we have leaders who are trusted servants.
Alcoholics, in common with many, find it very difficult to express contrary
opinions without things developing into clashes of personality, even if they don't start out that
way. We have found that the greatest harmony is achieved when there is quiet discussion
amongst ourselves before the matter is debated formerly in the group. If the main protagonists
can reach agreement so that a motion is either withdrawn or passed unopposed, it will avoid
disagreement in open forum that in contentious issues can lead to disunity and the
development of factions. When factions develop, each spends time trying to score points over
the other, the newcomer is neglected, and it brings the group down. There are times, however,
when people really should speak up regardless, and those are when the Traditions are
compromised.
At service committees, such as Intergroup, Region and Conference, there is no
group conscience because they are not AA groups. Instead there is what is called a collective
conscience of the groups that these committees serve. The mechanism for the formation of
this collective conscience is described in Tradition 9 and the 12 Concepts for World Service,
which will be discussed another time.
Coming back to the group conscience, once it has made the decision, then we
should follow it. We don't have to agree with it, but we should strive to accept it.
Nevertheless, there will be occasions when people cannot accept the group
conscience. Sometimes with good reason, for example they might feel that the Traditions are
compromised: and sometimes with bad reason, for example if a decision has not gone my way
I might complain that others are "controlling" the group (which usually means that I don't like
it when the group listens to someone other than me). Two things can happen: first, I could
stay and complain; or second, I can leave the group. It is often said that all you need to start a
meeting is a resentment and a coffee pot. Once factions have developed it is often the best for
one of the parties to leave and set up elsewhere. Now there are two meetings where
previously there was one. Each is doing it differently, but each group is united. Provided each
group now respects the autonomy of the other and doesn't go around badmouthing them, AA
as whole has benefited.
This principle of autonomy allows unity with diversity. This is what Tradition 4 is
about. [name] will read out the long form from the appendix in the Big Book... thankyou.
We are all guilty of it at times, but we should watch our tendency to gossip about
individuals and groups as it is destructive to the unity of AA as a whole. For example, we
should respect the customs of groups that we visit. If the custom of that group is not my
liking, I can decide not to go again, but I should not subsequently complain about the group at
other meetings. It breaks Traditions 4 and so also Tradition 1 as it contributes to disunity (as
well as just being plain rude). Tradition 4 also means that a group is not answerable to any
other group, or to Intergroup, to Region, to Conference or the to the General Service Board,
except when other groups or AA as a whole are affected.
This Tradition does not say that we cannot do things that affect AA as a whole, it
says that we should consult those affected first. This has happened many times and AA
guidelines indicate where groups have permission to do things that affect AA as a whole. The 12 Concepts for World Service touch on this. For example, Concept 7 says that AA groups are
entitled to withhold money from the rest of AA if they wish to.
That concludes the talk for this this week. Now I am delighted to hand over to [Name]
who will disclose in a general way about what it was like, what happened and what it
is like now.