Topic #4 The Twelve Traditions: What We Learn From A.A. Mistakes The Traditions explain much of the seemingly contradictory behavior that confuses newcomers when they first encounter a fellowship that functions with so little obvious organization: anonymity and yet the occasional use of full names at meetings; no dues or fees and then the basket is passed. A discussion of the origin of the Traditions, in relation to our earlier mistakes, can answer many questions and allay many anxieties for newcomers. By relating our own experiences in using the Traditions, we can help new comers understand the importance of principles before personalities, of anonymity at the public, print or broadcast level, of the group conscience, self-support, and A.A.s non-affiliation with other organizations. Knowing what A.A. does not do is as important for many of us a knowing what it does do, so that we will not expect more than A.A. can deliver. A list of services A.A. does not provide is given in the pamphlet A.A. in Your Community. It is recommended that we study carefully Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and A.A. Comes Of Age, plus the pamphlet The Twelve Traditions Illustrated. The Twelve Steps Suggested as a Program Of Recovery 1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity. Click Here. 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. Click Here. 3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. Click Here. 4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole. Click Here. 5. Each group has but one primary purpose, to carry its message to the alcoholics who still suffers. Click Here. 6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, fnance 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. Click Here. 7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. Click Here. 8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers. Click Here. 9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. Click Here. 10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy. Click Here. 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. Click Here. 12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, every reminding us to place principles before personalities. Click Here. Key points to consider: A fellowship that functions with so little obvious organization anonymity yet the occasional use of full names at meetings no dues or fees and then the basket is passed Discussion of the origin of the Traditions Relating our own experiences in using the Traditions Principles before personalities Anonymity at the public, print or broadcast level Group Conscience Self-Support A.A.s non-affiliation with other organizations What A.A. does not do is as important as what it does do. Pamphlet A.A. in Your Community Carefully study Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Carefully study A.A. Comes of Age Pamphlet The Twelve Traditions Illustrated