A person admitted to our blog looking for the "rules" of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Actually AA groups are governed or guided by Twelve Traditions (explained in the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, published online , pdf). On the origin of these traditions there is a pamphlet written by Bill Wilson, cofounder of AA, called "AA Tradition-How It Developed" (not yet available in digital version). Also in several books on the history of AA is explained as they arose and developed the 12 traditions, including "AA Comes of Age" and the two biographies of the founders of AA titled "Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers "and" Pass It On, The Story of Bill Wilson. "
In this latest book notes on the origin of the Twelve Traditions:
"Much of the work of Bill, the office was done by correspondence. Since the publication of the article in the Saturday Evening Post, the mail had reached in a continuous stream. Many of the letters asking for help to form new groups, or requesting advice on various issues and circumstances in the groups. Was to have received similar questions that cropped up over and over again, so that developed the idea of \u200b\u200bdesigning practice guidelines sufficiently clear to the groups. This need had been exposed since 1943, when Headquarters began collecting information, asking the group a list of rules and requirements for membership. Making the total list, Bill recalled, took thousands of sheets of paper. "A little reflection on many rules took us to a startling conclusion: If all these edicts had been a time in force anywhere, it would be practically impossible for any alcoholic come to join Alcoholics Anonymous. Around ten new members of the oldest and best they could never have been there! ".
Bill described the problem as it existed at mid-decade:
" The solution for the problems of matching groups, had caused a heavy workload at headquarters, letters from the metropolitan centers filled our bulging files. It seemed as if every contender in all group discussions during this confusing period, we write.
The basic ideas for the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous came directly from this extensive correspondence. In late 1946 a good AA friend suggested that all this wealth of experience could be encoded into a set of principles that could provide our proven solutions to the outside world. Should we be sufficiently sure where to place ourselves in these matters, as the conditions for membership, group autonomy, singleness of purpose, no support from other companies, professionalism, public policy disputes in its various aspects, then one could write a set of principles. "
was testimony to the genius of Bill thought that we call tradition. If he had called" laws "," rules "," regulation "or" regulations " may never have been accepted by the fraternity. Bill knew his fellow alcoholics, knowing well that no drunken man who respects himself, sober or as it is, is voluntarily submitted to a body of "laws" ... Authoritarianism too!.
However, the name "Traditions" come up a little later. At first called "Twelve Points to Assure Our Future", because they saw them as guidelines as necessary for survival, unity and effectiveness of the fraternity. Under this title were published in the April 1946 Grapevine. In subsequent issues, Bill wrote an editorial each item, explaining its origin and why it was necessary.
When Bill started its work, it was evident that some of the traditions were already identified. That made them true traditions, port already used its circulation in the Fraternity. "( Pass It, Chapter 19 ).
The headings of the 12 traditions (pdf) stated as follows (an explanation of each one is in the book mentioned earlier): 1. Our common welfare should come first, personal recovery depends upon AA unity
2. For the purpose of our group ultimate authority-a loving God as expressed in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants. Not govern.
3. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose: to bring the message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6. An AA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. AA should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. AA as such ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or committees that are directly responsible to those they serve.
10. AA has no opinion on outside issues; hence, his name 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 press, radio and film.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Copyright AA World Services, Inc.Blogalaxia Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Traditions
0 comments:
Post a Comment