SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information - View Single Post - Non AA-approved literature at meetings

Rowan · 08-29-2009, 01:44 PM

I know several of you who might be able to provide some insight on this topic.

At today's meeting, which is just that, a meeting, and not a group, a man brought in a reproduction of the 1st edition of the Big Book and displayed it on the chairperson's table. I asked him what it was, as it had no dust jacket and was red. He told me that it was the 1st edition, so I figured it was okay.

The meeting began and a couple of noses got out of joint when two non-AA pieces were read. The chairperson had found them in the binder and decided it would be nice to have them read. Not long after the second piece was read, two gentlmen, one with many years of service work at the district level, asked what the book was. He was told it was the 1st edition of the Big Book so he asked if he could see it. As introductions continued, he exclaimed that it was a Hazelden publication, and therefore not to be displayed at our meeting.

Quite an uproar ensued - we've all witnessed them, I'm sure. The chairperson tried to restore order but was unsuccessful for some time. The two gentlemen stormed out. The man who brought the book? He apologized when it came his turn to share. This same man often does not follow our Traditions, and tries to sneak in books like this which he may or may not quote from, or pass them onto a newcomer. I do believe that he intends to be helpful, but that's not the point here.

I am GSR for my group, and this is a new position for me. I will be asking a woman I know well to be my service sponsor as I need much direction in this area.

I would be interested in your experiences in this area - not war stories, mind, but why these publications violate our Traditions, and how.

Oh, I meant to mention this before; two weeks ago, I chaired that meeting, and the same man (the book guy) raised his hand after the discussion, and said he needed a couple of minutes to talk about the last Intergroup meeting. I reminded him that this was a meeting, not a group, and could this not wait until afterwards, for those interested and/or involved? He told he that it could not wait and held the room hostage for 1 to 2 minutes while he talked about how money from the group was being used. At the time, I asked a senior member to please assist me, but he shrugged his shoulders in surrender.

I really would like to know how best to be effective in these situations. I do not wish to get involved in a power struggle, I just want to be informed.

08-29-2009, 01:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rowan Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 12,138	Non AA-approved literature at meetings I know several of you who might be able to provide some insight on this topic. At today's meeting, which is just that, a meeting, and not a group, a man brought in a reproduction of the 1st edition of the Big Book and displayed it on the chairperson's table. I asked him what it was, as it had no dust jacket and was red. He told me that it was the 1st edition, so I figured it was okay. The meeting began and a couple of noses got out of joint when two non-AA pieces were read. The chairperson had found them in the binder and decided it would be nice to have them read. Not long after the second piece was read, two gentlmen, one with many years of service work at the district level, asked what the book was. He was told it was the 1st edition of the Big Book so he asked if he could see it. As introductions continued, he exclaimed that it was a Hazelden publication, and therefore not to be displayed at our meeting. Quite an uproar ensued - we've all witnessed them, I'm sure. The chairperson tried to restore order but was unsuccessful for some time. The two gentlemen stormed out. The man who brought the book? He apologized when it came his turn to share. This same man often does not follow our Traditions, and tries to sneak in books like this which he may or may not quote from, or pass them onto a newcomer. I do believe that he intends to be helpful, but that's not the point here. I am GSR for my group, and this is a new position for me. I will be asking a woman I know well to be my service sponsor as I need much direction in this area. I would be interested in your experiences in this area - not war stories, mind, but why these publications violate our Traditions, and how. Oh, I meant to mention this before; two weeks ago, I chaired that meeting, and the same man (the book guy) raised his hand after the discussion, and said he needed a couple of minutes to talk about the last Intergroup meeting. I reminded him that this was a meeting, not a group, and could this not wait until afterwards, for those interested and/or involved? He told he that it could not wait and held the room hostage for 1 to 2 minutes while he talked about how money from the group was being used. At the time, I asked a senior member to please assist me, but he shrugged his shoulders in surrender. I really would like to know how best to be effective in these situations. I do not wish to get involved in a power struggle, I just want to be informed.