“32. More and more AA
groups are being denied their basic right of membership in local
Intergroups. This action also denies them participation in Region and
Conference. Can Conference please clarify this situation and give
advice so that minorities in AA are no longer banished from our
Service/Conference structure and that their conscience is heard?
Background
When these groups have
asked the assistance of Conference in the past they have been told
“it’s a local issue” and up to the “conscience of those
concerned”. When the Conscience of those concerned deal with it, by
forming new local Intergroups GSO & GSB refuse to recognize them,
thus making it a National issue.
Conference 2012,
Committee 5, Question 2 says that by being part of the group
conscience and valuing the importance of love, tolerance and the
right to participate, we can best strengthen the unity of the
Fellowship.
Concept 1 states ‘The
final responsibility and the ultimate authority for AA world services
should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole
Fellowship’. Clearly not being carried under these circumstances.
Concept 4 states
‘Throughout our Conference structure, we ought to maintain at all
responsible levels a traditional “Right of Participation,” taking
care that each classification or group of our world servants shall be
allowed a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the
responsibility that each must discharge.’ There is no vote for a
member whose home group is denied participation by his Intergroup.
What if a group were to say to a member, you are not allowed to vote
because you disagree with us.
Terms
of Reference No. 6/7 Important topic to the Fellowship as a whole but
these issues must be handled and dealt with at a local level”
Comment:
This question, of course, refers essentially to the Bournemouth Road to Recovery group who've tried to join pretty well every
intergroup in the area, and have been comprehensively knocked back on
each occasion. They then attempted to form their own intergroup –
Wessex – whose creation, it would seem from the above, didn't meet
with universal approbation. As usual the cult groups and their
members love to play the 'victim' when they can't get their own way.
It's always everyone else's fault if other people won't play ball.
“It's not fair”, they cry when AA members, groups and intergroups
refuse to put up with their brand of manipulation and outright
bullying. But just try and join one of their groups as a member and
you'll be expected to jump through all sorts of hoops before you
'make the grade'. You'll have to get a sponsor (from either within
the group or one approved by the hierarchy. In some instances you'll
even be assigned one – so not much choice there either!). Naturally
you'll be expected to do “exactly what your sponsor says” (you
won't find any such requirement in any AA literature – especially
not in the AA conference approved pamphlet Questions and Answers on Sponsorship!). Failure to comply will lead to
sanctions ranging from general disapproval (shunning etc) to summary
execution (nah! Just kidding!) …. to 'sacking' with effective
expulsion from the group. Attendance at your home group meetings
will, of course, be mandatory. Again failure to comply will lead to a
serious inventory being taken of you by your new 'Higher Power' the
all-powerful, all-knowing SPONSOR. Additionally you will be expected
to hit specified 'recruitment targets', ie. ring two newcomers each
day (whether they want to be contacted or not) together with an
assortment of other 'rules' and 'regulations' (oops sorry -
'suggestions') which will have to be obeyed to the letter. Failure
will not be tolerated. Any backsliding will be met with the stern
reminder that you had agreed to “go to any lengths”, these being
determined by … guess who? Yep! You got it! Your SPONSOR! So is it
any wonder that the AA groups in the area won't have anything to do
with this bunch of power driven crazies. Would you? We think not!
See
here
for a full list of other questions that didn't quite get through the
'filter'
Cheers
The
Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
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