“Would
the Fellowship ask itself the question: “Are there too many
meetings and not enough groups?”
Background
Pamphlet
‘The AA Group’
The
Home Group: Heartbeat of AA
Consider
the contribution to the carrying of the message, financial and
practical implications when deliberating each question.”
Extracts
“There
are some excellent examples in A.A. literature which could be used as
lessons of experience to guide the new AA generation in unity with AA
Tradition. These could replace the Little Rock Plan in the “Home
Group: Heartbeat of AA.” They are examples of the original AA
meetings conducted by what some people today refer as “The First
One Hundred” founder members.
The
observations were made by psychiatrist Dr. Silkworth, journalist Jack
Alexander, and GSO secretary Ruth Hock, in the relatively short time
period 1939-1941. This was after the alcoholic groups had separated
from the Oxford Group and before the ensuing chaos of the 1940s, when
isolated mail order groups such as Little Rock popped up all over the
USA, making the programme up on their own without direct guidance
from the main body of the fellowship.
Because
Dr. Silkworth, Jack Alexander and Ruth Hock were not alcoholics their
observations provide a valuable historical insight into the original
AA groups, likely to represent a more objective view compared to the
possibly subjective memories of some AA old timers, whose truth might
have been bent just a little at times by colourful narcissistic
imaginations. Not surprisingly, the original AA meetings of the
“First One Hundred” were conducted with the least possible
organization, which turned out to be what worked best and became
Tradition Nine. In the absence of experienced leadership and detached
from the main body of AA, other 1940s mail order groups such as
Little Rock had to learn by trial and error from their painful
mistakes.
In
view of outside published literature which targets the fellowship
with the promotion of AA meeting formats which repeat the organized
and educational mistakes of the 1940s, suggest Conference recommends
that AA groups and sponsors use Conference approved literature only.
Suggest also, that groups stick to the original AA meeting formats
and AA Tradition Nine. These were lessons of experience as to what
worked best for the inclusion of all alcoholics whatever their
temperament or creed and what worked best for overall AA unity and
growth. Groups with the least possible organization in Tradition Nine
were unanimously adopted by delegates representing the whole
fellowship at the 1950 Cleveland Convention.
Tradition
Nine (Long form):
“Each
A.A. group needs the least possible organization. Rotating leadership
is the best. The small group may elect its secretary, the large group
its rotating committee and the groups of a large metropolitan area
their central or intergroup committee.”
New
York and Akron 1939:
“The
fellowship is entirely indifferent concerning the individual manner
of spiritual approach so long as the patient is willing to turn his
life and his problems over to the care and direction of his creator.
The patient may picture the Deity in any way he likes. No effort is
whatever is made to convert him to some particular faith or creed.
Many creeds are represented among the group and the greatest harmony
prevails. It is emphasized that the fellowship is non-sectarian and
that the patient is entirely free to follow his own inclination. Not
a trace of aggressive evangelism is exhibited.” (Dr. W.D Silkworth M.D. “A new approach to psychotherapy in chronic alcoholism” Journal Lancet, July 1939. A.A. Comes of Age,
appendix E:a, pages 304-305)
New
York 1939:
“They
were structured to the extent that there was always one speaker and
Bill- maybe half an hour each - and then a long coffee session, a
real get together. We were often there till 12 o’clock, started at
eight” She also said, “At that time, we did not go into Step
work. Didn’t have 90-days requirements. No birthdays – no
recognition was made if you were sober a week or a year. If you felt
you would like to speak in a year or in a month or two weeks they let
you get up and speak, and they didn’t throw you out if you were
drunk, either. They felt it was encouraging, hoping some word would
stick.” (Ruth Hock, Secretary, New York General Service Office.
Pass it on page 219)
1941:
“If
he applies to Alcoholics Anonymous, he is first brought around to
admit that alcohol has him whipped and that his life has become
unmanageable. Having achieved this state of intellectual humility, he
is given a dose of religion in its broadest sense. He is asked to
believe in a power greater than himself, or at least to keep an open
mind on that subject while he goes on with the rest of the program.
Any concept of the Higher Power is acceptable. A skeptic or agnostic
may choose to think of his Inner Self, the miracle of growth, a tree,
man’s wonderment at the physical universe, the structure of an
atom, or mere mathematical infinity. Whatever form is visualised, the
neophyte is taught that he must rely on it and, in his own way, to
pray to the power for strength. He next makes a sort of moral
inventory of himself with the private aid of another person. – one
of his A.A. sponsors, a priest, a minister, a psychiatrist, or anyone
else he fancies.” (Jack Alexander. Jack Alexander Article about AA pp19-20)
Cheerio
The
Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
