traditions checklist

[navysteve]

Thought maybe we could kick this around a bit:

Practice These Principles . . .

Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.

*

Am I in my group a healing, mending, integrating person, or am I divisive? What about gossip and taking other member's inventories?
*

Am I a peacemaker? Or do I, with pious preludes such as “just for the sake of discussion,” plunge into argument?
*

Am I gentle with those who rub me the wrong way, or am I abrasive?
*

Do I make competitive AA remarks, such as comparing one group with another or contrasting AA in one place with AA in another?
*

Do I put down some AA activities as if I were superior for not participating in this or that aspect of AA?
*

Am I informed about AA as a whole? Do I support, in every way I can, AA as a whole, or just the parts I understand and approve of?
*

Am I as considerate of AA members as I want them to be of me?
*

Do I spout platitudes about love while indulging in and secretly justifying behavior that bristles with hostility?
*

Do I go to enough AA meetings or read enough AA literature to really keep in touch?
*

Do I share with AA all of me, the bad and the good, accepting as well as giving the help of the fellowship?

Tradition Two: 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.

*

Do I criticize or do I trust and support my group officers, AA committees, and office workers? Newcomers? Old-timers?
*

Am I absolutely trustworthy, even in secret, with AA Twelfth Step jobs or other AA responsibility?
*

Do I look for credit in my AA jobs? Praise for my AA ideas?
*

Do I have to save face in group discussion, or can I yield in good spirit to the group conscience and work cheerfully along with it?
*

Although I have been sober a few years, am I willing to serve my turn at AA chores?
*

In group discussions, do I sound off about matters on which I have no experience and little knowledge?

Tradition Three: The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.

*

In my mind, do I prejudge some new AA members as losers?
*

Is there some kind of alcoholic whom I privately do not want in my AA group?
*

Do I set myself up as a judge of whether a newcomer is sincere or phony?
*

Do I let language, religion (or lack of it), race, education, age, or other such things interfere with my carrying the message?
*

Am I over impressed by a celebrity? By a doctor, a clergyman, and ex-convict? Or can I just treat this new member simply and naturally as one more sick human, like the rest of us?
*

When someone turns up at AA needing information or help (even if he can’t ask for it aloud), does it really matter to me what he does for a living? Where he lives? What his domestic arrangements are? Whether he had been to AA before? What his other problems are?

Just the first three for now. More to come down the road

[SelfSeeking]

Good idea for a thread! I regularly attend a traditions meaning and there's a lot of wisdom to be found in them. (The traditions andthe meetings. )

[bballdad]

AA Unity is our most important asset.I try to focus on it in my home group especially.

Unity at all cost ! is a sign we have at our home group meeting to remind us.

[Rob B]

Good stuff Steve, I haven't gotten current on these in a while, here's where I'm at today

Am I in my group a healing, mending, integrating person, or am I divisive? What about gossip and taking other member's inventories?
*
I try to be, I am on a current set of amends dealing with my character defect of gossiping,this has helped me keep my mouth shut and work with the words Pause and watch as describe in step 10.


Am I a peacemaker? Or do I, with pious preludes such as “just for the sake of discussion,” plunge into argument?
*
I'm ok with this one

Am I gentle with those who rub me the wrong way, or am I abrasive?
*
I attempt to be loving and tolerant but I can't pull that off on my own power

Do I make competitive AA remarks, such as comparing one group with another or contrasting AA in one place with AA in another?
*
Still guilty on this one

Do I put down some AA activities as if I were superior for not participating in this or that aspect of AA?
*Guilty on this one as well, I believe dances and the like are carnival tactics, we should be celebrating the power of God, but that's just what I think

Am I informed about AA as a whole? Do I support, in every way I can, AA as a whole, or just the parts I understand and approve of?
*
I stay centered with all 3 parts: recovery, unity and service

Am I as considerate of AA members as I want them to be of me?
*I try to be, most of my angst is with established members, not newcomers who don't know what they don't know

Do I spout platitudes about love while indulging in and secretly justifying behavior that bristles with hostility?
*
There are periods where I talk a better program from the podium and this site than I demonstrate in real life

Do I go to enough AA meetings or read enough AA literature to really keep in touch?
*I go to two meetings a week and read constantly

Do I share with AA all of me, the bad and the good, accepting as well as giving the help of the fellowship?
My life is an open book

Tradition Two: 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.

*

Do I criticize or do I trust and support my group officers, AA committees, and office workers? Newcomers? Old-timers?
I trust folks who demonstrate they can be trusted, it doesn't come automatically
*

Am I absolutely trustworthy, even in secret, with AA Twelfth Step jobs or other AA responsibility?
*Good on this one, I take confidentiality seriously

Do I look for credit in my AA jobs? Praise for my AA ideas?
*Sometimes

Do I have to save face in group discussion, or can I yield in good spirit to the group conscience and work cheerfully along with it?
*Depends on my current level of spiritual fitness

Although I have been sober a few years, am I willing to serve my turn at AA chores?
Absolutley, rotating leadership is best, I don't ask anyone I sponsor to do something I wouldn't
*

In group discussions, do I sound off about matters on which I have no experience and little knowledge?
No, I don't talk about stuff I haven't experienced, I wish more people did this

Tradition Three: The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.

*

In my mind, do I prejudge some new AA members as losers?
*
Guilty, the judge is still alive an well in my mind

Is there some kind of alcoholic whom I privately do not want in my AA group?
As long as you are alcoholic you are welcome in my home group
*

Do I set myself up as a judge of whether a newcomer is sincere or phony?
*This is a tough one for me, my book tells me to become satisfied that a prospect is a real alcoholic, how do I do this and ahere to the spirit of this consideration?

Do I let language, religion (or lack of it), race, education, age, or other such things interfere with my carrying the message?
Nope, I''m good on this one
*

Am I over impressed by a celebrity? By a doctor, a clergyman, and ex-convict? Or can I just treat this new member simply and naturally as one more sick human, like the rest of us?
I could care less
*

When someone turns up at AA needing information or help (even if he can’t ask for it aloud), does it really matter to me what he does for a living? Where he lives? What his domestic arrangements are? Whether he had been to AA before? What his other problems are?
Again, I am there to offer a suffering alcoholic a solution, everything else is insignificant

[navysteve]

Do I make competitive AA remarks, such as comparing one group with another or contrasting AA in one place with AA in another?
*
Still guilty on this one

Me too brother. I am guilty of comparing AA here with other places. The funny thing is. These people here are staying sober. I seem to be the one who suffers when I do that.

[navysteve]

Do I let language, religion (or lack of it), race, education, age, or other such things interfere with my carrying the message?

Been thinking about this. I use to let religious talk in the rooms close my mind to the message. I have since made peace with God and although I do not practice any religion I accept and often look to them. Now, I am learning to listen to foul mouthed AA's ( I sometimes still am one although rare). I mainly find it a problem to listen to AA's with time who are still in the gutter with their language. What does this have to do with carrying the message???
Alot....

As long as I am listening to your ESH, who am I to demand a format????

[lizw]

[QUOTE=navysteve;1956738]Thought maybe we could kick this around a bit:

Practice These Principles . . .

Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.

*

Am I in my group a healing, mending, integrating person, or am I divisive? What about gossip and taking other member's inventories?

*

In the last few months I have been praying a different way than I used too and this includes asking for forgiveness regarding certain activies daily and it seems to have curbed my gossiping. It's a bit awkard to ask for forgive for gossiping everyday! I can't live 1 way and pray another.

Am I a peacemaker? Or do I, with pious preludes such as “just for the sake of discussion,” plunge into argument?
*

Generally, I try to watch myself but I am know to make sarcastic comments!

Am I gentle with those who rub me the wrong way, or am I abrasive?
*

Gentle? Does giving them a wide berth count?

Do I make competitive AA remarks, such as comparing one group with another or contrasting AA in one place with AA in another?
*

Yep, gulity as charged on this one.

Do I put down some AA activities as if I were superior for not participating in this or that aspect of AA?
*

Nah - I've always been into most AA stuff.

Am I informed about AA as a whole? Do I support, in every way I can, AA as a whole, or just the parts I understand and approve of?
*

I think I support the things I have time to support.

Am I as considerate of AA members as I want them to be of me?
*

Yep.

Do I spout platitudes about love while indulging in and secretly justifying behavior that bristles with hostility?
*

Not these days, but I have been known to.

Do I go to enough AA meetings or read enough AA literature to really keep in touch?
*

I think so. I've just started reading a the 1st edition of the aa BB.

Do I share with AA all of me, the bad and the good, accepting as well as giving the help of the fellowship?

I think I have a tendency to 'hide the bad' for want of a better expression. Having bad health has higlighted it for me and I am actually working on not doing this.

Tradition Two: 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.

*

Do I criticize or do I trust and support my group officers, AA committees, and office workers? Newcomers? Old-timers?
*

Yep but there is one old timer who goes through phases of stalking me but my latest one of dealing with this is being straight with her about my time and health.

Am I absolutely trustworthy, even in secret, with AA Twelfth Step jobs or other AA responsibility?
*

Yep.

Do I look for credit in my AA jobs? Praise for my AA ideas?
*

Sometimes, yes, I do.

Do I have to save face in group discussion, or can I yield in good spirit to the group conscience and work cheerfully along with it?
*

Sometimes. Other times I'm still complaining when everone else is going home!

Although I have been sober a few years, am I willing to serve my turn at AA chores?
*

Absolutely.

In group discussions, do I sound off about matters on which I have no experience and little knowledge?

Nah. Not these days.

Tradition Three: The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.

*
In my mind, do I prejudge some new AA members as losers?
*

Nah but I do have a tendency to judge people 'too well' for AA - as in the haven't lost enough yet.

Is there some kind of alcoholic whom I privately do not want in my AA group?
*

I'd find someone with sex offences hard to deal with.

Do I set myself up as a judge of whether a newcomer is sincere or phony?
*

At times I do.

Do I let language, religion (or lack of it), race, education, age, or other such things interfere with my carrying the message?
*

Am I over impressed by a celebrity? By a doctor, a clergyman, and ex-convict? Or can I just treat this new member simply and naturally as one more sick human, like the rest of us?
*

I'm pretty good (I like to think) at treating most newcomers the same.

When someone turns up at AA needing information or help (even if he can’t ask for it aloud), does it really matter to me what he does for a living? Where he lives? What his domestic arrangements are? Whether he had been to AA before? What his other problems are?

I do treat people differently who have been to AA before, so I am gulity on that charge.

Far out that is long!

[navysteve]

Do I go to enough AA meetings or read enough AA literature to really keep in touch?

I have often said that meeting makers make meetings. That's it! But...
If my purpose is to be of maximum service to others I have to think that the place I can mostly be of maximum service is at an AA meeting. Also, as far as staying in touch:

Do I criticize or do I trust and support my group officers, AA committees, and office workers? Newcomers? Old-timers?

What happens when I speak in a meeting? Am I sharing me or am I pontificating to you under the guise of calling you on your BS ( Bermuda shorts?)

[navysteve]

Tradition Four: Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.

*

Do I insist that there are only a few right ways of doing things in AA?
*

Does my group always consider the welfare of the rest of AA? Of nearby groups? Of loners in Alaska? Of internationalists miles from port? Of a group in Rome or El Salvador?
*

Do I put down other members’ behavior when it is different from mine, or do I learn from it?
*

Do I always bear in mind that, to those outsiders who know I am in AA, I may to some extent represent our entire beloved Fellowship?
*

Am I willing to help a newcomer go to any lengths – his lengths, not mine – to stay sober?
*

Do I share my knowledge of AA tools with other members who may not have heard of them?


Tradition Five: Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

*

Do I ever cop out by saying, “I’m not a group, so this or that Tradition doesn’t apply to me”?
*

Am I willing to explain firmly to a newcomer the limitations of AA help, even if he gets mad at me for not giving him a loan?
*

Have I today imposed on any AA member for a special favor or consideration simply because I am a fellow alcoholic?
*

Am I willing to twelfth-step the next newcomer without regard to who or what is in it for me?
*

Do I help my group in every way I can to fulfill our primary purpose?
*

Do I remember that AA old-timers, too, can be alcoholics who still suffer? Do I try both to help them and to learn from them?


Tradition Six: 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.

*

Should my fellow group members and I go out and raise money to endow several AA beds in our local hospital?
*

Is it good for a group to lease a small building?
*

Are all the officers and members of our local club for AAs familiar with “Guidelines on Clubs” (which is available free from GSO)?
*

Should the secretary of our group serve on the mayor’s advisory committee on alcoholism?
*

Some alcoholics will stay around AA only if we have a TV and card room. If this is what is required to carry the message to them, should we have these facilities?

[Rob B]

Tradition Four: Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.

*

Do I insist that there are only a few right ways of doing things in AA?
*
I sure do, however, these days I have stopped trying to "fix"groups who do not want to be fixed, I have created the fellowship I crave within my homegroup

Does my group always consider the welfare of the rest of AA? Of nearby groups? Of loners in Alaska? Of internationalists miles from port? Of a group in Rome or El Salvador?

We are considered radical and are left alone, the welfare of the still suffering alcoholic is of utmost importance to our group
*

Do I put down other members’ behavior when it is different from mine, or do I learn from it?
Both, but I am trying to learn from everyone, one way or the other we are all teachers
*

Do I always bear in mind that, to those outsiders who know I am in AA, I may to some extent represent our entire beloved Fellowship?
I am aware, and try to conduct myself in a way that would attract people,
*

Am I willing to help a newcomer go to any lengths – his lengths, not mine – to stay sober?
I will walk through hell with a man who shows me by action he cares, if he doesn't care, I can't and won't
*

Do I share my knowledge of AA tools with other members who may not have heard of them?
I do with the men I sponsor and my homegroup, other than that I practice the law of invitation, going only where I am asked


Tradition Five: Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

*

Do I ever cop out by saying, “I’m not a group, so this or that Tradition doesn’t apply to me”?
*Never, AA's welfare must come before my selfish nature

Am I willing to explain firmly to a newcomer the limitations of AA help, even if he gets mad at me for not giving him a loan?
*No problem on this one, the chapter working with others gives great directions on how to work with a new prospect and his family

Have I today imposed on any AA member for a special favor or consideration simply because I am a fellow alcoholic?
Nope not today, and not in the recent past either.
*
Am I willing to twelfth-step the next newcomer without regard to who or what is in it for me?
Willing and waiting

*

Do I help my group in every way I can to fulfill our primary purpose?
*
yes I do

Do I remember that AA old-timers, too, can be alcoholics who still suffer? Do I try both to help them and to learn from them?
Yes, they really like it when a guy with 4 years lets them know they are still suffering from untreated alcoholism LOL


Tradition Six: 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.

*

Should my fellow group members and I go out and raise money to endow several AA beds in our local hospital?

Nope, we let folks live with us for a short time if necessary, but not for long, dependence must be on God not people
*

Is it good for a group to lease a small building?
*I don't know, we meet in my friend's basement, other groups I have supported pay a monthly rent

Are all the officers and members of our local club for AAs familiar with “Guidelines on Clubs” (which is available free from GSO)?

I don't know about the other guys, I am not familiar with this literature
*

Should the secretary of our group serve on the mayor’s advisory committee on alcoholism?
Provided the secretary maintain his anonymity.

Some alcoholics will stay around AA only if we have a TV and card room. If this is what is required to carry the message to them, should we have these facilities?

Maybe we should have dancing girls and free massages for these kind of guys,, when they are beaten down enough, they will come, the message doesn't need any accessories

[navysteve]

Do I insist that there are only a few right ways of doing things in AA?
*
I sure do, however, these days I have stopped trying to "fix"groups who do not want to be fixed, I have created the fellowship I crave within my homegroup

I would just like to add one twist on this Rob. I believe that going back to tradition 2, tells me that I don't have to try and fix a group. It will fix itself, serve the people in it, or cease to be. One of the greatest things written about the 4th tradition is the groups right to be wrong. Problems in AA groups are nothing new ( although many will beg to differ)

Do I ever cop out by saying, “I’m not a group, so this or that Tradition doesn’t apply to me”?
*Never, AA's welfare must come before my selfish nature

I had to get to a place where my selfisness was so distasteful before I could answer affirmative to this Rob. Today I need all the rpogram.

Do I put down other members’ behavior when it is different from mine, or do I learn from it?
Both, but I am trying to learn from everyone, one way or the other we are all teachers

I find tolerance of the anything goes AA's just as tough as it is for the hard asses. I find both like to romanticize the program (IMO)

Am I willing to help a newcomer go to any lengths – his lengths, not mine – to stay sober?
I will walk through hell with a man who shows me by action he cares, if he doesn't care, I can't and won't

Couldn't agree more. I do have to remember that we have different fears, different outside issues. I have to enter the dark cave where the new man is and help him find a path out. His path may be slightly different than mine
*

[lizw]

[QUOTE=navysteve;1958698]Tradition Four: Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.

Do I insist that there are only a few right ways of doing things in AA?

Yep I do on a few things. I believe the ingredients for soberity include the steps, meetings and service.

Does my group always consider the welfare of the rest of AA? Of nearby groups? Of loners in Alaska? Of internationalists miles from port? Of a group in Rome or El Salvador?

Our world service delegate is in my homegroup and there is another guy who is a servide fanantic too, so I will answer yes to this one.

Do I put down other members’ behavior when it is different from mine, or do I learn from it?

I think I do both. One of the things I remeber hearing when I first got sober was 'a wise man learns from his mistakes but a wiser man also learns from the mistakes of others'.

Do I always bear in mind that, to those outsiders who know I am in AA, I may to some extent represent our entire beloved Fellowship?

Sure do.

Am I willing to help a newcomer go to any lengths – his lengths, not mine – to stay sober?

I have my own health limits these days but usually yes.

Do I share my knowledge of AA tools with other members who may not have heard of them?

Absolutely

Tradition Five: Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

Do I ever cop out by saying, “I’m not a group, so this or that Tradition doesn’t apply to me”?

Nope. My sponsor would kick my a** if she heard me say that.

Am I willing to explain firmly to a newcomer the limitations of AA help, even if he gets mad at me for not giving him a loan?

Yep, having learned from bitter expereince.

Have I today imposed on any AA member for a special favor or consideration simply because I am a fellow alcoholic?

I haven't today but on the odd occasion I have. I always feel uncomfortable doing so though.

Am I willing to twelfth-step the next newcomer without regard to who or what is in it for me?

Yep.

Do I help my group in every way I can to fulfill our primary purpose?

Yep, I assume at the next conscience meeting I will be allocated a service postion.

Do I remember that AA old-timers, too, can be alcoholics who still suffer? Do I try both to help them and to learn from them?

I actually find it quite hard to be honest with old timers, who are suffering. I suppose it is from fear they will bite my head off. I've got that one who stalks me from time to time. I do feel sorry for her though. And I do learn from her.

Tradition Six: 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.

Should my fellow group members and I go out and raise money to endow several AA beds in our local hospital?

Nope.

Is it good for a group to lease a small building?

I don't think so but in another part of NZ they do and it seems to work well for them. They hold lots of meetings there and it's open for alkies 24/7.

Are all the officers and members of our local club for AAs familiar with “Guidelines on Clubs” (which is available free from GSO)?

It has been my expereince that most AA members don't know that AA has guidelines for every kind of service one can imagine.

Should the secretary of our group serve on the mayor’s advisory committee on alcoholism?

If they want, as an individual, but they could not do it on the pretence that they are speaking/offering advice for the whole of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Some alcoholics will stay around AA only if we have a TV and card room. If this is what is required to carry the message to them, should we have these facilities?

I have heard many stories about prisoners only attending the AA meetings held in prisons for smokes and chocolate buscuits, but as a general rule of thumb, I don't think we need 'gimmicks' to get membership. What we're offering is soberity and a new life.

[navysteve]

Yep I do on a few things. I believe the ingredients for soberity include the steps, meetings and service.

I can't argue with that Liz. I see alot of folks get caught up in how we work the steps however. As much of a Big Book purist I would like to believe I am, I have seen people get sober and well using step guides. I still think I am a Big Book purist, I just think I read a few sentences differently than most other purists, ones that allow for further expansion of the steps. For instance, I have seen agnostics get sober and lives together using the steps without the word God in them. I have seen the therapy crowd get well despite my belief that they will never get emotional sobriety, I have even seen the pious pontifs get well ( I have been all the above!)

[hope3]

Hi Steve, those are the questions we use when doing the Traditions in our Group.......Good idea!

There are basically two major emotions, love and fear.....

I try to keep my actions simple and act out of love...If I do, I can answer to

the positive at any give time....

best wishes all,

Hope and love

Hope3

[lizw]

Originally Posted by navysteve

I can't argue with that Liz. I see alot of folks get caught up in how we work the steps however. As much of a Big Book purist I would like to believe I am, I have seen people get sober and well using step guides. I still think I am a Big Book purist, I just think I read a few sentences differently than most other purists, ones that allow for further expansion of the steps. For instance, I have seen agnostics get sober and lives together using the steps without the word God in them. I have seen the therapy crowd get well despite my belief that they will never get emotional sobriety, I have even seen the pious pontifs get well ( I have been all the above!)

I don't know if I would call myself a 'purist' but as you describe, there are other ways to 'work the steps' from a therapy perspective etc..and being open minded I have looked at these myself and at times tried to use 'their take' in my own life, but have always found my way back to the BB. I found all the other stuff works well to begin with, but when the chips are down (for me) it doesn't matter how many affirmations I say to myself, it makes not one spot of difference. At times I think I am a bit like a prodigal child with the BB.

However, with all that being said, if it works for others, then more power to them. If it does not appear to be working for them, usually I say what works for me, offer to help and then leave it at that.

However one thing I do get heated up about is service. And not service at a group level but too the area and/or country. It has been my expereince most people in AA don't give a fck what is happening outside their own group. They just think about their own soberity. Most don't think about the alkie sitting in jail/prison etc...and reaching out to them. They certainly don't think about how AA will be in 20 years time. As long as they are sober and their group is okay, it's all good. (vomit)

I come from a line of service nazi's for want of a better word and I was given the impression that service isn't optional, it's essential.

So if you want to get me going, let me moan about that. I'll also back that up by saying looking at how few replies, there are to this thread.

I know for some people they don't serve because it is fear of not being good enough to serve, but for me this is self centred fear. Who am I to judge wether I am 'good enough' or not? And for those that 'don't have the time' for the organisation that saved their life, well, if it wasn't for people in service they'd be no phoneline, no meetings lists and all the other stuff.

[navysteve]

It has been my expereince most people in AA don't give a fck what is happening outside their own group. They just think about their own soberity. Most don't think about the alkie sitting in jail/prison etc...and reaching out to them. They certainly don't think about how AA will be in 20 years time. As long as they are sober and their group is okay, it's all good. (vomit)

90% of what goes on in AA is done by about 10% of the people

I come from a line of service nazi's for want of a better word and I was given the impression that service isn't optional, it's essential.

Unity, Service, Recovery. If its one of the three it may be important. I find unity to be the more elusive for most folks. It seems many want to turn a blind eye to the human failings of individuals in our fellowship or the other end who wish to villify andbash the fellowship. Folks make GSO out to be a monster corporation, focus on Bill's lesser qualities, or insist that the black and white wording of the Big Book is the only way. Unity is tough but if we have it, the other two come natural

[navysteve]

Tradition Seven

Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

1. Honestly now, do I do all I can to help AA (my group, my central office, my GSO) remain self-supporting? Could I put a little more into the basket on behalf of the new guy who can't afford it yet? How generous was I when tanked in a barroom?
2. Should the Grapevine sell advertising space to book publishers and drug companies, so it could make a big profit and become a bigger magazine, in full color, at a cheaper price per copy?
3. If GSO runs short of funds some year, wouldn't it be okay to let the government subsidize AA groups in hospitals and prisons?
4. Is it more important to get a big AA collection from a few people, or a smaller collection in which more members participate?
5. Is a group treasurer's report unimportant AA business? How does the treasurer feel about it?
6. How important in my recovery is the feeling of self-respect, rather than the feeling of being always under obligation for charity received?

Tradition Eight

Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

1. Is my own behavior accurately described by the Traditions? If not, what needs changing?
2. When I chafe about any particular Tradition, do I realize how it affects others?
3. Do I sometimes try to get some reward-even if not money-for my personal AA efforts?
4. Do I try to sound in AA like an expert on alcoholism? On recovery? On medicine? On sociology? On AA itself? On psychology? On spiritual matters? Or, heaven help me, even on humility?
5. Do I make an effort to understand what AA employees do? What workers in other alcoholism agencies do? Can I distinguish clearly among them?
6. In my own AA life, have I any experiences which illustrate the wisdom of this Tradition?
7. Have I paid enough attention to the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions? To the pamphlet AA Tradition-How It Developed?

Tradition Nine

AA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

1. Do I still try to boss things in AA?
2. Do I resist formal aspects of AA because I fear them as authoritative?
3. Am I mature enough to understand and use all elements of the AA program-even if no one makes me do so-with a sense of personal responsibility?
4. Do I exercise patience and humility in any AA job I take?
5. Am I aware of all those to whom I am responsible in any AA job?
6. Why doesn't every AA group need a constitution and bylaws?
7. Have I learned to step out of an AA job gracefully-and profit thereby-when the time comes?
8. What has rotation to do with anonymity? With humility?

[navysteve]

ow important in my recovery is the feeling of self-respect, rather than the feeling of being always under obligation for charity received?

AA taught me how to stand on my own two feet. When I was out doing research I was the worlds biggest taker.

Do I try to sound in AA like an expert on alcoholism? On recovery? On medicine? On sociology? On AA itself? On psychology? On spiritual matters? Or, heaven help me, even on humility?

This is a big one. I have been guilty of hiding under the umbrella of following the guidelines in the Big Book and using that as a means to sound off about the program, turning it into an us versus them scenario. So much for unity eh???

I have to remember that all I have is my experience when it comes to recovery. If it takes someone 5-10-15 years to do a 4th step that is between them and God! My job is to be of maximum assistance, not to prod and push and quote the Big Book and tell them what Dr Bob and Bill say they did. I also have to remember that the Big Book states that we simply had a way that worked for us. That does not mean that we are not open to other methods. The Big Book is not the Alpha and Omega of 12 step recovery.

Have I paid enough attention to the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions? To the pamphlet AA Tradition-How It Developed?

Interesting, my sponsor got sober in 1956 when the 12 and 12 was still new. He refers to that more than the Big Book.

Do I resist formal aspects of AA because I fear them as authoritative?

Alot of groups use podiums. I hate that ( how dumb is that?)

Do I exercise patience and humility in any AA job I take?

I have to. This is where I learn that stuff so I can go out and practice it in the real world

Have I learned to step out of an AA job gracefully-and profit thereby-when the time comes?

I have now, but it wasn't always so. I learned to let go the hard way. My first Home group sponsored a meeting at a rehab and I was voluntold to take it for 6 months. I was pissed!!!! I was ready to swing on a few guys who mentioned my name. At the end of 6 months I wasn't willing to give it up, at the end of another 6 months I was ready to fight the two guys who originally voluntold me for the job. But I learned...

[Rob B]

Tradition Seven

Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

1. Honestly now, do I do all I can to help AA (my group, my central office, my GSO) remain self-supporting? Could I put a little more into the basket on behalf of the new guy who can't afford it yet? How generous was I when tanked in a barroom?

TO support my group yes, GSO no, I have my reasons, but I won't go into that on this thread.

2. Should the Grapevine sell advertising space to book publishers and drug companies, so it could make a big profit and become a bigger magazine, in full color, at a cheaper price per copy?
No they shouldn't, but I'm not a fan of the grapevine so I don't read it much

3. If GSO runs short of funds some year, wouldn't it be okay to let the government subsidize AA groups in hospitals and prisons?

Maybe if they looked at what the money was being spent on this would not be an issue

4. Is it more important to get a big AA collection from a few people, or a smaller collection in which more members participate?
I would like to see folks contribute what they can, however, it's none of my business wha people throw in

5. Is a group treasurer's report unimportant AA business? How does the treasurer feel about it?

The treasurer's job is critical to a healthy group and should be taken seriously

6. How important in my recovery is the feeling of self-respect, rather than the feeling of being always under obligation for charity received?
I am alive today because of a loving God I found through the 12 step of AA, I don't feel pressured or coerced to chip in

Tradition Eight

Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

1. Is my own behavior accurately described by the Traditions? If not, what needs changing?
I apply the prinicpals of the steps and traditions to my life, certainly not perfectly, but very consistently

2. When I chafe about any particular Tradition, do I realize how it affects others?
I'm not much of a chaffer, I love the traditions and recognize their importance
3. Do I sometimes try to get some reward-even if not money-for my personal AA efforts? nope

4. Do I try to sound in AA like an expert on alcoholism? On recovery? On medicine? On sociology? On AA itself? On psychology? On spiritual matters? Or, heaven help me, even on humility?Guilty on all counts, not so much these days

5. Do I make an effort to understand what AA employees do? What workers in other alcoholism agencies do? Can I distinguish clearly among them?
I know what the staff of the local detoxes and hospitals do
6. In my own AA life, have I any experiences which illustrate the wisdom of this Tradition?maybe but nothing comes to mind right now
7. Have I paid enough attention to the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions? To the pamphlet AA Tradition-How It Developed?I am familiar with our history

Tradition Nine

AA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

1. Do I still try to boss things in AA? nope, not like I used to
2. Do I resist formal aspects of AA because I fear them as authoritative?nope
3. Am I mature enough to understand and use all elements of the AA program-even if no one makes me do so-with a sense of personal responsibility?I'd like to think so on most days
4. Do I exercise patience and humility in any AA job I take?I try to
5. Am I aware of all those to whom I am responsible in any AA job?yep
6. Why doesn't every AA group need a constitution and bylaws?we don't need AA police or laws, we have principles, spiritual in nature, which if adhered to manifest into a life of peace, if not, we pay the prices, the bottle is our police.
7. Have I learned to step out of an AA job gracefully-and profit thereby-when the time comes?yep
8. What has rotation to do with anonymity? With humility?Rotation of services keeps a goup fresh and growing, nothing worse than seeing a group where two people have done all the jobs for the past 5 years, this is not healthy

[lizw]

Originally Posted by navysteve

Tradition Seven

Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

I think I've said here before I pay GSO money every month. It is a regular payment I have had for probably 7 or 8 years. I see it as another form of 'insurance'. I also try and make sure I have money when I go to meetings and put my bit in. An old guy who has now past on made no bones about Alkies not paying their way and after listening to him a few times, it guilted me into this habit. God Bless him.

Of course not. That goes against the 7th trad.

Same as above. Plus then we'd have to do what they wanted too.

I think any collection is a good one and have been taught lack of money should never stop any AA member from participating in AA.

No. As a group it is important to be informed about our money situation instead of adopting the 'she'll be right attitude' from the drinking days.

Huge. Nothing can compare to the feeling of self respect.

Tradition Eight

Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

I could probably be more open minded about somethings.

No. Usually I am too busy being annoyed. Lol.

I've never expected money from AA efforts and yes, on occasion I do want someone to acknowledge what I do. But when I start to get resentful and poor me about not getting it, that's when I know I am in trouble.

I try to be truthful about what I have expereince in or with and what I don't.

It's pretty easy here, with our GSO. There are 2 workers and I use to be one. One is the office manager and the other a glorified literature packer. I was the latter. We did use to have an intergroup office etc.. but it closed before my time. I use to be plugged into the local detox but not so much anymore.

The example that springs to mind right now is making myself out to be better at or more able at something than I am. I have this problem in my work life a lot.

The book, yep but the pamphlet not that I can remember.

Tradition Nine

AA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

If I get stuck on something, an idea that I have, I can be like a dog with a bone and won't let it go!

I'm a podium hater too.

I assume so or else I'd be plonked by now.

I try to but sometimes I get a bit stuck. See the dog with a bone comment.

Yep, usually.

We just need rule 62.

Generally, yep.

No one person in AA is the expert on anything, our expertise comes from our collective expereince, and every member ought to be given the oppertunity to get expereince and/or share theirs.

[navysteve]

Tradition Ten

Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

1. Do I ever give the impression that there really is an "AA opinion" on Antabuse? Tranquilizers? Doctors? Psychiatrists? Churches? Hospitals? Jails? Alcohol? The federal or state government? Legalizing marijuana? Vitamins? Al-Anon? Alateen?
2. Can I honestly share my own personal experience concerning any of those without giving the impression I am stating the "AA opinion"?
3. What in AA history gave rise to our Tenth Tradition?
4. Have I had a similar experience in my own AA life?
5. What would AA be without this Tradition? Where would I be?
6. Do I breach this or any of its supporting Traditions in subtle, perhaps unconscious, ways?
7. How can I manifest the spirit of this Tradition in my personal life outside AA? Inside AA?

Tradition Eleven

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.

1. Do I sometimes promote AA so fanatically that I make it seem unattractive?
2. Am I always careful to keep the confidences reposed in me as an AA member?
3. Am I careful about throwing AA names around-even within the Fellowship?
4. Am I ashamed of being a recovered, or recovering, alcoholic?
5. What would AA be like if we were not guided by the ideas in Tradition Eleven? Where would I be?
6. Is my AA sobriety attractive enough that a sick drunk would want such a quality for himself?

Tradition Twelve

Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

1. Why is it good idea for me to place the common welfare of all AA members before individual welfare? What would happen to me if AA as a whole disappeared?
2. When I do not trust AA's current servants, who do I wish had the authority to straighten them out?
3. In my opinions of and remarks about other AAs, am I implying membership requirements other than a desire to stay sober?
4. Do I ever try to get a certain AA group to conform to my standards, not its own?
5. Have I a personal responsibility in helping an AA group fulfill its primary purpose? What is my part?
6. Does my personal behavior reflect the Sixth Tradition-or belie it?
7. Do I do all I can do to support AA financially? When is the last time I anonymously gave away a Grapevine subscription?
8. Do I complain about certain AAs' behavior-especially if they are paid to work for AA? Who made me so smart?
9. Do I fulfill all AA responsibilities in such a way as to please privately even my own conscience? Really?
10. Do my utterances always reflect the Tenth Tradition, or do I give AA critics real ammunition?
11. Should I keep my AA membership a secret, or reveal it in private conversation when that may help another alcoholic (and therefore me)? Is my brand of AA so attractive that other drunks want it?
12. What is the real importance of me among more than a million AAs?

[navysteve]

no opinion on outside issues

But I do. And it is my job to know when to keep them to myself. Anytime I am in a meeting!

Do I ever give the impression that there really is an "AA opinion" on Antabuse? Tranquilizers? Doctors? Psychiatrists? Churches? Hospitals? Jails? Alcohol? The federal or state government? Legalizing marijuana? Vitamins? Al-Anon? Alateen?

I hear this all the time in the rooms. Mainly on Doctors and Churches. I also hear the bleeding Deacons bashing what AA is and bemoaning what it was.

Can I honestly share my own personal experience concerning any of those without giving the impression I am stating the "AA opinion"?

That gets hard sometimes

Do I sometimes promote AA so fanatically that I make it seem unattractive?

I hear this alot from the so-called purists ( as if anything in AA is pure). There is alot of promotion from within our fellowship, "you should go to that meeting, they really talk the program there!!!" Sounds innocent enough right? Or is it???? Invite me once, then leave me alone! We have alot of meetings up here that center around one or two Gurus.

attraction rather than promotion

If I live this stuff, that will be all the promotion I will ever need

When I do not trust AA's current servants, who do I wish had the authority to straighten them out?

When I worry about the state of AA I am not trusting God. Central to my spiritual belief is the fact that God brought me here. Here must be an ok place to be right? I am not saying we turn a blind eye to the things wrong in our fellowship

[lizw]

Tradition Ten
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

1. Do I ever give the impression that there really is an "AA opinion" on Antabuse? Tranquilizers? Doctors? Psychiatrists? Churches? Hospitals? Jails? Alcohol? The federal or state government? Legalizing marijuana? Vitamins? Al-Anon? Alateen?

If I have any ESH on/with any of this stuff I will share it as my ESH and suggest looking at other AA material. I.e. AA members and other drugs etc...

2. Can I honestly share my own personal experience concerning any of those without giving the impression I am stating the "AA opinion"?

Yeah, I think I can. Maybe not to begin with but now days.

3. What in AA history gave rise to our Tenth Tradition?

Can't remember off the top of my head. I'm sure the book AA 12 steps and 12 trads would tell me though.

4. Have I had a similar experience in my own AA life?

Yeah, most recently when I sponsored someone who was both AA/Al Anon and had a (using) drug addict for a husband. Boundaries got a bit messy and I would probably not do this again.

5. What would AA be without this Tradition? Where would I be?

AA wouldn't have survived as long as it has as we'd all be to busy arguing 'good causes'. I'd probably not be here either.

6. Do I breach this or any of its supporting Traditions in subtle, perhaps unconscious, ways?

Probably in the sense that I think there are certain ingredients for soberity such as a sponsor, steps and service and some people in AA don't agree with this. I probably treat people differently if they don't have the same opinion on this as me. When I say 'differently' I mean I stay away from them.

7. How can I manifest the spirit of this Tradition in my personal life outside AA? Inside AA?

I don't have to give my opinion about everything. Sometimes I think I went from having no opinion to having too many! And I don't have to 'argue' my opinion either. I can state it, then leave it at that. No harping on etc...

Tradition Eleven
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.

1. Do I sometimes promote AA so fanatically that I make it seem unattractive?

Not these days. When I got sober I did try and sober up half of NZ though.

2. Am I always careful to keep the confidences reposed in me as an AA member?

I had a seriously hard lesson about this at round 3/4 years which included me loosing a job because of it, so ever since then, absolutley.

3. Am I careful about throwing AA names around-even within the Fellowship?

I try not too but I am probably as bad a name dropper than the next person. I do quote speakers I've heard too because I feel weird repeating what they've said without saying where I heard it.

4. Am I ashamed of being a recovered, or recovering, alcoholic?

Not normally. In recent times I have come to the conclusion I still have some shame around how my childhood was and how my family is today.

5. What would AA be like if we were not guided by the ideas in Tradition Eleven? Where would I be?

We'd all be taking out TV ads to promote our groups or ourselves as 'AA members'. I certainly wouldn't be an AA member then.

6. Is my AA sobriety attractive enough that a sick drunk would want such a quality for himself?

Yeah, I think so but these days when I tell people how I was, they tend not to believe me. Unless they are AA members.

Tradition Twelve
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

1. Why is it good idea for me to place the common welfare of all AA members before individual welfare? What would happen to me if AA as a whole disappeared?

Together we can do, what we could not do alone. And if AA vanished, I'd be in big trouble!

2. When I do not trust AA's current servants, who do I wish had the authority to straighten them out?

Me of course!

3. In my opinions of and remarks about other AAs, am I implying membership requirements other than a desire to stay sober?

No. I think some AA members are a prime example of our small membership requriements. Lol.

4. Do I ever try to get a certain AA group to conform to my standards, not its own?

Yep and it never friggin works either.

5. Have I a personal responsibility in helping an AA group fulfill its primary purpose? What is my part?

Yep. Taking a personal interest in newcomers, getting their phone numbers etc.. filling service postions ect... And try and share a message of recovery, rather than how annoyed I am about something in my life.

8. Do I complain about certain AAs' behavior-especially if they are paid to work for AA? Who made me so smart?

Yep. I was going to make a smart comment about the service we get from our GSO but I won't but I will say thank god it is changing. I think 'paid workers' should be treated as such and not given special treatment because they work for AA - this has nothing to do with being smart but I would say it is a matter of business.

10. Do my utterances always reflect the Tenth Tradition, or do I give AA critics real ammunition?

I think they do. AA is a part of my life these days rather than my entire life.

11. Should I keep my AA membership a secret, or reveal it in private conversation when that may help another alcoholic (and therefore me)?

If I think telling someone I am an AA member will help them I always tell.

12. What is the real importance of me among more than a million AAs?

I'm just another person God can use to pass on the message of recovery and hope.

I missed a few out as I think they were repeats.
Thanks heaps for posting them Steve, it's food for thought.