Extract
from a Big Book Step Study website:
“1. Who
Can Share.
Only
people who have completed their 4th step and are on 9-12 may share
during the meeting. Most people who have been through the process
qualify by introducing themselves, and saying that they have done the
12 steps as they are laid out in the Big Book with a BBSS sponsor,
and have done the steps this way, or something to that effect. This
differentiates them from those AA's who are not familiar with the
BBSS process. Each person shares their experience with the step for
up to 5 minutes. The chair keeps track of time and usually holds up a
hand when time is up.
2. What to
Do When Unqualified People Try to Share:
It is the
responsibility of the chairperson to determine whether a person is
qualified. The chairperson must listen carefully to what the person
is saying about the step and try to determine whether the person's
experience is consistent with the directions in the text. Some
warning signs are that someone is at a BBSS meeting for the first
time; mentions other methods, other 12 step literature, talks around
the step and won't get to the point; is unfamiliar to the group and
is not familiar with BBSS meetings; is visiting from another group;
is a popular and well respected oldtimer, but speaks very little of
their own step experience, or how exactly they did the steps.
As
described earlier, the chair must interrupt a person and ask them if
they have "done this step the way it is laid out on these
specific pages in the book Alcoholics Anonymous?" There are many
approaches to this. Most successful approaches are direct, but always
courteous and polite, and start with "Excuse me..." If the
person says they have done it this way, or if there is still some
doubt, the next step is to ask them if they would mind answering a
few questions to satisfy the group. If they have done the steps,
especially the 4th step the way it is laid out, they shouldn't mind
too much if they are asked some questions related directly to the
basic instructions for the 4th step, such as, "Can you please
tell me what the main parts of the 4th step are?" and "What
are the 4 main defects in the 1st part of the inventory? " or
"How did you do your turnarounds?" and "How did you do
your sex inventory?" These are not meant to embarrass the
person, but to see if they are qualified to share. It is not fair to
ask other people to pass and listen who are writing their 4th steps
for months on end, and let people with questionable experience get by
and water down the meeting. This weakens the group, and will
frustrate qualified people who have had the experience, and do not
want to hear (or for their sponsees to hear) about other methods .
If the
chairperson fails to do this at meeting level, a qualified person
should go up to the person in question directly after the meeting to
explain the format, and ask some of those same questions. This is all
done in an attitude of genuine concern, helpfulness, and loving
service.
What
happens if the person becomes angry and insists on sharing? It is
wise to give them their 5 minutes and let them have their say. But,
at a later time, they still need to demonstrate that they have had
the experience, if they want to participate on a sharing level. Our
inventories have shown us that outbursts of anger are often
self-seeking strategies to protect our security, self esteem,
personal relations, ambition, and pride are designed to get us the
things that we want.”
Comment:
We'd be really curious to know which part(s) of the Big Book (that
these individuals claim to be so expert on) sanctions any of the
above. Ooops! We forgot! They've got a different version! No doubt their defence of this draconian conduct will be
based on the usual misrepresentations of the Traditions (specifically
Tradition Four) with respect to group autonomy. (Do try reading the
second part of the Tradition – it really might help!) Or then we
have the “fall back” position ie. “these are only 'guidelines'
and therefore may safely be disregarded”! But remember this is the
same crowd that have so mangled the term “suggestion” that it's
been transformed into “direction”. Can't have it both ways can
you? “Guidelines” or “directions”? Which is it? The website
also carries a list of “approved” meetings but since it is itself
not affiliated with AA (ie. it has adopted a different preamble which
varies significantly from that of AA in that it indicates a further
qualification to our primary purpose) then any AA group which has
submitted its details for listing has thereby (and according to
Tradition 3) formed another affiliation itself (ie. with an outside
organisation) and may no longer be recognised as an AA group. In this
instance these groups should be de-listed from AA directories (where
they appear) and their members either resign or be removed from
participation within the AA service structure (ie. as members acting
for an outside organisation), and where necessary other “outside”
agencies (eg. probation, health etc) should be notified accordingly
ie. to preserve the integrity of the fellowship and ensure that their
“referrals” are not put at risk by contact with these extremist
groups.
We have
added their directory of meetings to our Cult: Where to Find (US)
Cheerio
The Fellas
(Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
(our usual
thanks for the information supplied)
